Chapter 53: Domination

Sugiarto Kusnadi faced Jon'a-ren across his desk. The Masi'shen ambassador had made a special trip with his small staff to deliver a message to his good friend, the U.N. Secretary-General.

"This is not a social call, is it?" Sugiarto asked across their freshly-served cups of Indonesian tea.

"No, my friend. This visit is official. I've asked my staff to wait outside while I deliver an official statement, so you and I might discuss it to prevent any misunderstandings. I wish to make it clear in your mind, so that you may address any concerns that are sure to be voiced by the member nations."

"That sounds seriously ominous, Jon'a-ren."

"Perhaps. We hope not. This matter affects those areas of the African continent that are embroiled in conflict, and perhaps those nations outside who meddle in the conflict. We intend to set no precedent affecting other regions or nations, nor will we act against any region or nation within Africa that is stable, peaceful, and not threatening its neighbors.

"I am sorry to say, my friend, that is most assuredly ominous in its implications," Sugiarto protested.

"Perhaps. I think it may be more a matter of perspective: in the eye of the beholder, perhaps. No matter. It will be done. What I tell you now is not open for negotiation, modification, or delay. It will happen, beginning with our notification to those involved.

"Very simply, we will protect the innocent children of Africa, and their families and villages. Innocent children are no longer to be targets of war. The killing, the aggression, the attacks: all will stop. Violations of this order will not be tolerated. Our enforcement will be absolute and punishment will be certain.

"Our order covers the entire African continent, and it extends to all outside aggression and interference. This mandate respects no territorial or political or religious boundaries. The order applies to all, without exception.

"Although far-ranging in scope, the order is quite simple. Violence against African civilian populations is not permissible for any reason. Is that clear enough?" Jon'a-ren asked.

"No. There will be questions, serious concerns, and I fear there will be endless objections. But for myself, my friend, I have only one question: why this, why now? For what purpose?

"Dear Sugiarto, it is so simple: to protect the children!"

"Jon'a-ren! That has never been an element of international relations!"

"Yes, we know. Pitiful! Perhaps in time, the nations will see this as a demonstration, a pilot project, an example. We will give it a generation or two. When the results become evident, perhaps the other nations will begin to believe that global peace is possible. They will see the benefits of uniting as one human family, of living and working as one, and prospering as one.

The Masi'shen order went out to all African nations and their neighbors. The entire African continent was declared a no-conflict zone. All combatant forces were ordered to put down their arms and withdraw. All military air and ground forces were to cease movement. The order was declared immediate and without exception.

"Call up everyone," Michael ordered his Generals and Commanders. "We need all aircraft, all teams, and all elements engaged. I've asked for every available resource from Canada to New Zealand. Production of additional hardware is underway at our Lunar support base. We're getting more Interdictors, Llamas, and Ranger team equipment.

"We will monitor movements and communications. If we even suspect trouble brewing, we'll land on it with both feet. We will stop them and destroy their ride, their weapons, and we'll tag 'em with locator chips. If they're caught leaving the scene, we'll haul 'em in. We'll sort 'em out later.

"I want us to start in the center and work out, sweeping and clearing as we go. We've already got a good beginning around all of the refugee camps and supply routes, so work outward from there. The clock is ticking, and people are dying. Children are dying. This won't end until we've got it stopped from ocean to ocean. The whole damned continent. We've drawn a line around the Atlantic coast, and from the Red Sea, north to the Mediterranean and south to the Indian Ocean. The whole damned continent!"

"Sir, we have a communique from the South African government. They've filed an official protest."

"See if you can get them on the phone, please?"

"Minister Djuba? This is Ambassador Jon'a-ren representing the Masi'shen on Earth. I understand your government is upset with us?"

"I see, and I do understand your concern, sir. May I ask, is your government engaged in any aggression at the moment? Or are you being attacked, perhaps?"

"No? Well, that's most excellent, sir. Let me assure you that we have no cause to interfere, if that is true. But I would like to suggest, sir, that if some outside force should choose to attack your nation, we'll be ready to assist in neutralizing the aggressors. Would that be helpful, sir?"

"Yes, I thought perhaps that might be acceptable. While I have you on the phone, sir, tell me. Can you arrange to have the appropriate authority, or ministry, contact us regarding scholarships to our new world leadership academy? I'd like to offer full four-year academic scholarships to as many as a dozen young students from your country, all expenses paid, plus a generous housing allowance and living stipend. Travel expenses will be arranged at no cost, of course. We have only one stipulation, Minister. We require a selection of young men and women, regardless of race, religion, economic status, and so on. We can provide full details if you're interested."

"No, Minister. They'll be encouraged to return to their home country when they graduate. Once they are back, we'd like to arrange internships for them in government, industrial, economic or social service in your country. We will subsidize the internships, of course, for an additional four years."

"Why are we doing this? It's rather simple, sir. We're doing it for the children. We want the very best future for your brightest and best children!"

"General, satellite tracking has that freighter arriving at Port Sudan in six hours, given its current course and speed."

"Thank you, Ranger. That's the one that came up from from the Gulf of Aden, right? It's believed to be carrying an arms shipment?"

"Yes sir. Our communication intercepts confirm that a Chinese shipment from their mainland, filtered through a Pakistani brokerage firm, was sold to a Libyan trading firm for delivery to the Sudan government. The invoices include shoulder mounted anti-aircraft missiles, a large quantity of RPG munitions, land mines, and armored vehicles."

"What's her flag, and how many crew?"

"Libyan flag, and sixteen crew."

"Excellent report! We'll take it from here."

An Interdictor and two Llamas hovered over the freighter while it entered the opening to a dredged basin behind a main shore breakwater, just north of the main Port Sudan harbor entrance. Several vessels lay docked inside. Ashore was a gathering of portable cargo handling cranes, heavy trucks, and workers, waiting for the ship to dock.

"Right here in the breakwater entrance is good," Lt. Seth Clark called to his Llama escorts. "Llama Able, sweep the decks and pilot house, stun 'em, and land a squad. Llama Bravo, stand close in and watch for anyone popping out on deck. We'll stay up here and keep eyes on the scene."

"Understood. Going in now."

Moments later the Desert Fox landing team swept through the bridge, crew quarters, and cargo holds.

"Big Momma, Llama Able. All down and secure. Zap it."

Seth's co-pilot swept the ship with a high-intensity EMP beam, destroying the ship's electronic and electrical systems.

"Has that got it all? Or is that old tub still fitted with mechanical engine and steering controls?"

"Half and half, Big Momma. But we've got it. We're reversing her engines now, and starting a turn to put a big roadblock in this channel. Give us another few minutes. How's it look from up there?"

"She's damned sluggish but nearly there. Looking good. Okay, shut her down. You're dead in the water and just about mid-channel. Okay, teams. Drag the crew out, lay them on deck, and we'll load 'em up!" Seth ordered. "Team leaders, don't forget to grab the documents from the Captain's cabin. Cut open the ship's safe, and bag the goodies."

Seth's call was just a reminder. Both Llama crews had trained using hand lasers to slice and punch open small safe locking dials. Their typical safe-cracking time was under a minute.

Desert Fox rangers went in pairs to carry unconscious ship's crewmen onto the open deck. Shouts from shore and radio calls from the harbor master went unanswered. The Masi'shen craft remained cloaked. Only the desert brown and tan uniforms moving quickly about the deck were visible from shore.

"Yell when you've got the last one," Seth radioed. "Llama Bravo, move over closer to shore. Keep an eye on those people, and especially for anything ready to launch. They're getting pretty stirred up already."

"Roger that. I see some patrol boats and a couple of harbor launches, but no crews aboard yet. Want me to take 'em out?"

"Affirmative. Burn 'em."

Brilliant white-hot beams lanced down from an empty sky. Two patrol boats and a scattering of open launches erupted in flames while coming apart in pieces. Wire-thin laser beams knifed through them. Llama Bravo danced back and forth, evading any possible small arms fire from below.

"Come and get 'em, Big Momma" Llama Able radioed.

"On the way. Coming in port side, level with the deck, our loading bay facing you."

The ship's crew was hauled aboard, laid out and tied down. Within two minutes, Seth lifted off. The freighter began drifting toward the breakwater side of the channel, barely moving in the weak current.

"Big Momma will open her up," Seth called. "While we've got them distracted, the two of you can go hunting. Stay together, stay cloaked, and burn anything you think is hostile. If you see crew aboard, try to spook 'em and get 'em running clear, then burn their ride. Go for anything that shoots. And keep an eye open for the big show. When we ignite this cargo there's going to be hot shit flying everywhere!"