The Tau Ceti Agenda

slap. 'That is the official witnessed record they teach at suit quals. President Moore here had an AIC-confirmed, thirty-seven and a half days of survival in his suit during the Desert Campaigns.'

'No, sir. I'm not very interested in politics. And the Desert Campaigns was before I was born, sir.'

'Young man. Lieutenant, uh,' Moore looked at the kid's nametags. 'Ulrich. Lieutenant Ulrich, just because you aren't interested in politics doesn't mean it isn't interested in you. I suggest you start learning to follow who leads you a little more closely.'

'Uh, okay, sir.' Lieutenant Ulrich didn't have the slightest idea what Moore was telling him, but he might, one day, if he lived long enough. Moore dropped it and focused on his suit.

Abigail, how's our plan coming?

I think I've got it figured out, sir. But I suspect you'll have very little time, from debilitating the AIs to taking the bomb away. I estimate that you'll have seventeen seconds. Then keeping it away will be the hard part. There is no doubt that once they overcome the jamming, they will detonate the bomb.

Understood.

'Mr. President!' General Brown shouted from the cockpit. The soft whining of the troop carrier's engines nearly drowned out his voice.

'Yes, General?'

'The U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln and the U.S.S. John Tyler have just come out of hyperspace in a hovering orbit of about three hundred kilometers above Orlando, sir.'

'Understood. Have my orders been relayed?'

'Absolutely, Mr. President.'

'Colonel, if you please?' Moore took the helmet from the spec ops marine and dropped it in place over his head with a hiss, a swish, and a twist. The brain bucket locked into place, and cool fresh air filled with vapor stimulants flooded Alexander's face.

The colonel knocked three times on Moore's faceplate and held a thumbs-up. Moore relaxed and felt the suit come to life around him and then manipulated his armored hand, giving an armored thumbs- up.

'This is Mobile One, copy?' Moore said. His visor kicked on with a faint red and green glow, and a system readout zipped past his eyes. His DTM battleview flooded his mindview, and the menu icons floated out in front and to the side of him in his peripheral vision.

'Mobile One, copy that. We read you clear on wireless, lidar, and QMs,' his AEM handlers at the USSOCOM pentagon Tactical Operations Center replied.

'Mobile One, hold tight for sensor update package.'

'Roger that,' Moore replied. Then he DTMed the open channel for the aircraft. 'General, where are we?' He popped his visor up, causing a slight hissing sound from the overpressure air escaping.

'Sitting down now on I-4. Dean is standing there like an idiot waiting on us.'

'Right.' Moore brought up the weapons store list in his DTM. The HVAR on his back was fully loaded, and his armory pack was maxed with rounds, grenades, and his special surprise.

Abigail, you finished handshaking with my suit?

I own this suit, sir.

Thought as much. Tell me what I have.

It is state-of-the-art and brand new, as far as I can tell. The jumpboots will take you a little farther than your old one, but you should adjust quickly. If you want lidar or QMs, just tell me or you can do the DTM interface toggles yourself. There's more, but you'll be fine, sir.

Thanks, good girl. You do whatever has to be done if I ain't doin' it. Got it?

Got it, sir.

Chapter 16

October 31, 2388 AD

Tau Ceti Planet Four, Moon Alpha (aka Ares)

Near the Tau Ceti QMT Orbital Facility

Saturday, 7:28 AM, Earth Eastern Standard Time

Saturday, 3:28 AM, Madira Valley Standard Time

Kira wiggled her fingers and toes and could feel them still there. The throbbing in her face hadn't stopped since she had regained consciousness a minute or so earlier. She tried to open her eyes, and the light penetrated through them like needles. She squinted several times trying to regain her senses.

Where am I? Kira asked her AIC.

As best I can tell, we are on the Phlegra battle cruiser again, Allison answered.

How long have I been out?

About thirty minutes.

That's not enough time for them to bring me back to the Phlegra.

You're right. They didn't. We met it in orbit. We are somewhere in space now. Closer to the star, I think.