Scorched Earth: (The Human Chronicles Saga Book #16) Read Free

interjected. The gruff, seventy-four year-old officer was a throwback to the time before military ranks were consolidated, and one of the few to retain the title of General after the changeover. “The Union itself is now in jeopardy. Since we’re barely ten years old, many of our member planets lack any depth of loyalty to the Earth. Now they see the Expansion—an organization over three thousand years old—as having overwhelming military power and territorial dominance. Although none of them have come right out and said it, analysts believe that should an invasion occur, many of our members will bolt to the other side. It could turn into a domino-effect after that, leaving Earth to stand alone against the aliens.”
    The room fell silent, as each person in the room searched his experience and reasoning for a silver-lining to what had been revealed so far. None was found, only frustration voiced by Admiral Nash.
    “And this is the thanks we get for saving their scaly hides from the Sol-Kor.” A few glanced at Adam, as if to say, Sorry that all your efforts were in vain .
    “Excuse me, sirs,” Adam began. Although he was only a lowly Navy captain, he was the most-celebrated military officer on the planet. His words carried weight.
    “If we can’t beat the enemy militarily, then that leaves politics and technology. Is there anything that can be done on the diplomatic front?”
    “Unfortunately, Captain, for months we’ve been beating our heads against a brick wall, and with no results,” said Hollingsworth. “The Juireans have been planning this war for several years, and it’s ironic, but it was our success against Sol-Kor that accelerated their timetable. After our victories, most of the galaxy began looking to us as the default leader, the most powerful, the empire worthy of their loyalty. The Expansion was disintegrating, while the Union was growing. The Juireans see this war as the only way to save their empire. And a negotiated peace would only highlight their status as a second-class power in the galaxy, at least in their opinion.”
    “What about technology? Is there anything we’re working on that will give us a leg up?”
    All eyes turned to Admiral Rolf Kushner. He ran the Union’s Military Technology and Development Division. “Of course, Captain, there’s always any number of promising technologies we’re pursuing at any given time, yet none we can put into full production. Not yet. And as Admiral Hollingsworth intimated, it seems that as soon as we come up with something truly revolutionary, the Juireans get it, too. We’re pretty sure it’s not any of us passing this intel along to the Juireans. It has to be all the aliens we have in the division. As Dominic said, many of our member races have a very weak bond with the Union. Individuals can be easily bought.”
    “Can the aliens be restricted from the more sensitive labs?” one of the civilians asked.
    “Hell, some of them are making the most important contributions. If we cut out all alien involvement, we wouldn’t have nearly the number of breakthroughs we’re having.”
    The meeting continued for another hour, as each participant provided a more structured presentation regarding their area of expertise. When the point of exhaustion—and despondency—was reached, Hollingsworth adjourned the meeting, but not before tasking each of them to work on a solution to the crisis, no matter how wild or crazy it might sound. He was to present a plan of action to the President in three days. Everyone was counting on the best military minds in the Union to find a solution, a strategy that would not only save the Union, but the Human race as well.
    Adam stayed behind to speak with Hollingsworth alone.
    “I want to go after Andy and the others on Worak-nin,” he said.
    Hollingsworth’s face went ashen. He shook his head. “I knew this was coming. Son…there’s no easy way to say it, but it’s being reported that Admiral Tobias is