“Two wreckers per moon,” Circe said. “That is interesting.”
“From a theoretical point of view, I suppose that’s true,” Tan said. “It proves the cyborgs are not all-knowing. Apparently, they failed to realize that Io and Callisto are almost devoid of people. They would have been better served aiming those wreckers at the two populated moons.”
“I don’t necessarily agree,” Circe said. “We have begun re-colonization of Callisto.”
“On an extremely limited basis only.”
Circe tapped her pad. It caused the holoimage to show the massive gas giant of Jupiter. Circling it were two new asteroids, one of four kilometers diameter and the other of six. A close-up appeared on one, showing massive ports for huge engines within the projectile.
“We have two wreckers of our own and they are already moving at a great speed,” Circe said.
Tan made a listless gesture. “Meaning we can possibly deflect two of the enemy’s projectiles.”
Circe studied the holoimages with care before turning to Tan. “Which two do we attempt to deflect?”
“Precisely,” Tan said as the hopelessness welled from her chest, radiating throughout her body. “Do you have any preferences?”
Circe blinked at the holoimages. “We must assume that each of the Uranus wreckers contain laser turrets and missile launch-sites.”
“No assumptions are needed. The astronomers have already spotted structures on the surface that match those of the Saturn-launched wreckers.”
“Cyborg warships might conceivably be behind the eight wreckers,” Circe said.
“We must give that a high probability,” Tan agreed.
“The Guardian Fleet is woefully under-strength for this mission.”
Tan made a bleak sound. “One dreadnaught and seven meteor-ships—I am well aware of our deficiencies.”
“Suppose we decided to deflect the two wreckers headed for Ganymede,” Circe said. “How would the industrialists of Europa respond to the news?”
“With deadly vigor,” Tan said.
“And if we attempt to save Europa?”
“Most of the space marines aboard the various warships are from Ganymede,” Tan said, “along with two meteor-ship crews. Once they learned we would make no attempt to defend their moon, they might object in a forceful manner.”
Circe became thoughtful. “Those of Europa primarily crew the civilian liners and the majority of the helium-3 tankers.”
“You are beginning to understand the quandary,” Tan said. “Europa also contains more heavy industry.”
“That should make it an easy decision then,” Circe said, “easy in a philosophic sense.” She grimaced. “I must admit to finding myself feeling emotional about the topic, which is distracting me from purified reasoning.”
Once more, Tan attempted to concentrate her thoughts. She would follow the Sub-Strategist’s example, using a philosophic approach to this, employing her lifelong training and submerging her ‘emotional response.’
“These emotions,” Tan said. “I suspect you are still tainted from your episode aboard Force-Leader’s Kluge’s vessel.”
“No doubt you are correct,” Circe said, as her features took on a pinched look.
“Let me add a third possibility—third in terms of which moon we should save,” Tan said. “Callisto is the heart of our superior civilization. As you pointed out, we have already begun to rebuild on the moon. This may be the answer to our dilemma: that of how to revive the most humanizing civilization ever seen during man’s long history of brutality and unexamined actions. If Ganymede and Europa perish, Callisto will become the premier Jovian moon. Although the Jovian System will lack numbers after the strike, the survivors will be pure and we can begin anew with untainted citizens.”
“There is much elegance in what you say,” Circe agreed. “The trouble is the nature of the war. The cyborgs will continue to attack until the Alliance sends fleets to the enemy systems. Therefore, it seems probable that the Jupiter System will have to absorb more attacks. Therefore, we need numbers. And there is one other thing that troubles me.”
“Yes?”
“Our system contains more than the four major moons. The cyborgs must realize this and have plans to target the smaller moons and various habitats.”
“You feel this proves there are enemy warships behind the eight wreckers?”
Circe nodded.
“Given these parameters,” Tan said, “what is your recommendation?”
Circe rubbed the skin around the stone in her forehead. “We lack the warships and firepower to deflect all eight projectiles. Rationally, we should let the four wreckers hit Io and Callisto and concentrate on the other four. I would hate, however, to attempt to defend Europa and Ganymede and lose both. It would be far better to defend and save one of the moons.”
“Which one?” Tan asked, feeling detached and increasingly numb. The entire conversation was surreal. She noticed that Circe had become pale and stared fixedly at the holoimages. Clearly, the topic strained the Sub- Strategist, too.
“We must come to a rational decision and thereby prove the superiority of our civilization,” Circe said.
Tan bowed her head and closed her eyes. The strain of this—the responsibility of making the decision was too much, too heavy even for a first rank philosopher. They attempted to use reason alone, to keep their emotions in check, but it was hard. This concerned millions of Jovians, millions of men, women and children. She didn’t want to choose who lived and who died. It had been difficult enough defeating the first Cyborg Assault. Endless months of grueling decisions and careful maneuvers…fifteen months of it had eaten at her resolve. Now to decide which Jovian moon should die…
“I feel old,” Tan said.
“There is another possibility,” Circe said.
“Tell me.”
“We have five weeks before the wreckers strike. We could load every liner and tanker with Jovians and journey to Mars or Earth.”
“Evacuate the Jupiter System?” whispered Tan.
“For now,” Circe said. “The idea would be to save as many people and ships as possible. It would have the added benefit of uniting the Guardian Fleet with the others of the Alliance.”
Tan studied the Sub-Strategist. “Do you suggest this because it is the best idea, or do you wish to reunite with Marten Kluge in the Earth System?”
Circe shook her head. “I do not know. Whenever I think about Marten Kluge, all else fades from my thoughts. I desire his arms around me, that he peel off my clothes and—” Circe looked stricken. “Excuse me, Chief Strategist. I—”
“No excuses, Circe. I sent you against Kluge as a weapon. I should have known better. The man is a killer and amazingly resilient against any who wish him harm. You suffered because I hated the idea of his…well, it doesn’t matter now. That was then and now we have to face these eight projectiles. I do not like the idea of fleeing our ancestral home. We must stand our ground.”
Circe looked away.
“I have grown weary of the Advisor of Europa,” Tan said, with her eyes half-lidded. It was so hard to think, but she recalled that the man had been a constant irritant. The idea that he should survive while those of Ganymede perished—no! He was an insufferable toad. “Europa’s domes and cities lie deep under the ice. Perhaps they can survive the wreckers.”
“That is extremely unlikely,” Circe said.
“You speak the truth. They will die, but some of the industries might survive.” Tan shrugged listlessly.
For a time, the two women stared at the eight projectiles.
“With the choice of which moon to defend decided,” Circe finally said, “there is a more delicate question.”
“You agree with me then that we should save Ganymede?”
“Force-Leader Yakov was from Ganymede,” Circe said.
“Why is that important?”
