Earth Awakens (The First Formic War 3)

"But before you make such an announcement," said Wit, "consider what will happen if you corroborate their story. You will be an international hero, sir. The world would forever remember you as the commander who struck the first blow against the Formics."

"The world would remember a lie," said Sima.

"The world will remember what it needs to remember, sir. We are losing this war. Global morale could not be lower. Earth needed this victory if for no other reason than to reestablish confidence in the human race. By taking responsibility, you would be doing your country and the people of Earth a great service. If you are worried about saving face with your men, tell them you had to keep the op a secret. Tell them even your closest senior officers were unaware of your plans. Tell them you had to conduct the op this way. You knew the use of nukes was illegal, you knew it would take your government far too long to approve such a strategy. Yet you couldn't stand idly by while your own people suffered. You did what you knew you must. You worked with us privately and told us your plan. You couldn't supply your own men to conduct the op--doing so would make them complicit in your plans, which you knew were illegal. And you refused to order your men to do anything that might lead to their imprisonment.

"But MOPs ... well MOPs were another matter. They were already here illegally. They were already taking great risk and demonstrating tactical expertise. Them you could use. They could execute your master plan."

Sima glanced at Shenzu, as if taking note that Shenzu was hearing all of this as well. "You're suggesting I tell my men I blatantly disregarded my superiors and committed a treasonous act?" said Sima. He scoffed. "Yes, what a brilliant way to teach them discipline."

"You're teaching them what you value, sir," said Wit. "You're placing the lives of your people far above your career. Your men will love you for it."

"I do not need to curry allegiance from my men, Captain O'Toole. Nor do I need leadership advice from you. You seem to forget that I had you both arrested. How am I to explain that in this elaborate farce of yours?"

"Say you staged our arrest because you were unsure how the Politburo or CMC would react to the nuclear blast. By publicly arresting us, you were able to take us under your protection without arousing suspicion. Had you openly

harbored us, it could have been seen as an act of defiance. Arresting us is precisely what a brilliant commander who had orchestrated this whole operation would do, sir. It allows the government to calmly consider the situation and believe you are still their man."

"I am still their man," said Sima.

"Of course you are, sir. That's my point. They now see the wisdom of your actions." He gestured to the holofield. "One of those vids is your own state news site. The Politburo is already getting behind this. This is the event they have been waiting for. It sends a message to the world: China is still strong. China can win. They are making you a national hero. I suspect you have already received e-mails from Beijing praising you for your actions."

General Sima pursed his lips and considered, a gesture that seemed to confirm Wit's suspicion.

Shenzu stepped forward, bowed slightly, and directed his eyes at the floor. "General Sima, your humble servant requests permission to speak freely, sir."

General Sima sighed and regarded Shenzu with a tired expression. "Say what you will, Captain."

Shenzu stood erect. "General, you are more than justified in feeling wronged, sir. The lie the MOPs have broadcast is deceptive and unconscionable. It makes a mockery of our military and our dedication to integrity and personal ethics. I might also add, sir, that your devotion to the laws of our country is a great inspiration to this your humble servant and all those under your command who--"

"Get to the point, Captain," said Sima.

Shenzu nodded. "Sir, what these men propose sounds wise to me. This gives China the victory we need. The militaries of the world regard us as weak and disorganized. Unless we prove them otherwise, their disregard for us will increase and morale will continue to decline. Taking this recognition is not a selfish act, sir. It would be the opposite. You would be doing it for the glory of China. It would be the greatest service you have rendered in a lifetime of selfless acts and accomplishments."

"My greatest act would be something I had no part in?" said Sima. "Your flattery falls flat, Captain."

Shenzu bowed, eyeing the floor again. "If I may also add, General, I would be happy to corroborate your story. If asked, you can claim I was your liaison to the MOPs. That would add credibility to the account. The idea that you contacted the MOPs and coordinated with them without any assistance strains believability, sir, not because you are incapable, but because your movements and communications are so closely watched. You would need help within the military to pull this off, sir. An accomplice. Preferably someone of my rank. As a captain I am high enough in rank to go where I please, yet low enough in rank that my movements would largely go unnoticed. Your more senior officers do not have that luxury."

"You would lie under oath?" said Sima. "You would perjure yourself? Is that how little you regard your own honor?"

"My honor is my most valued possession, sir," said Shenzu. "Greater even than my life. By validating your story, sir, I am protecting China. Is that dishonor? To preserve one's homeland? To aid one's general? I think not. I would consider it my highest honor to stand with you and protect your good name."

General Sima rubbed at his chin and was quiet a moment. "And why would I choose you as my liaison?"

Shenzu kept his eyes down. "I have worked closely with the drill-sledge teams for over a year, sir. I know the tech. I also have a history with Captain Mazer Rackham, whom I brought from New Zealand to train our HERC pilots. Mine is a face he trusts. You of course knew all of these details, and thus called me into your office and gave me this top-secret assignment."

Shenzu bowed again and took a step back.

General Sima turned to the vids still hovering above the table. After a long moment he turned back to Wit. "What of the traitors who gave you the nuke? They will obviously know I'm lying. They could come forward and contradict my story."

"They won't," said Wit. "They were never going to come forward in the first place, but they certainly can't do so now. MOPs have given you the credit. This is your victory to claim."

General Sima studied each of their faces then came to a decision. "Very well. MOPs have been under my command for five days now. Captain Shenzu has been serving as my liaison." He turned to Shenzu. "You will prepare a full report of the activity of those five days, Captain, with minutes from our meetings and details of my plans to destroy the lander."

"Yes, sir," said Shenzu.

"Make sure those meetings do not contradict my actual itinerary. I don't want our fiction to have historical inaccuracies." He turned to Wit and Mazer. "In the meantime, we need to find a place for you and your men in my army. How many men are in your unit?"

"Eighteen when we left them, sir," said Wit. "Plus we have an eight-year-old boy in our company. An orphan. He sort of attached himself to our unit. We'd like to find him safe passage to a secure location away from the fighting if possible."