MEEK by Richard Johnson

Author:Richard Johnson [Johnson, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: olympia publishers
Published: 2017-05-10T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

NOVEMBER 2032

“To observe without interfering can be frustrating and requires discipline.” A quote from the Friend.

The crew of The Pride of Tuath had watched events unfold on Earth with increasing concern; there was no longer a stalemate, the Islamic forces were losing ground daily, Brunei had fallen and was occupied by Japanese and Philippine troops. All of PNG and West Irian were occupied by Australians and New Zealanders. The Balinese were revolting and finding weakening resistance by the Javanese military. West and East Timor were free. The Americans had opened up dialogue with the Russians. Casualties on the Islamic side had been massive.

The colony on Mars had continued to grow and the Consortium had big plans for a spaceport and construction facility. Hydroponic farms had sprung up and the colony had on average seventy personnel at any one time stationed there.

Jade had short ten-minute talks with Mark every day. The crew felt sorry for her as it was obvious that she was pining for Mark. Eventually it was suggested by Clover that Mark be allowed to visit The Pride and spend a few days with them. Jay was of the opinion that Jade’s Earth visit had been a disaster on all fronts and that he would be reprimanded once he returned home. He regarded all contact with natives as a mistake. He felt personally responsible for the stabbing and asked for a reconciliation session with Jade. Clover presided. Afterward he was able to function normally, without heavy guilt.

The ship’s AI picked up the first nuclear explosion in Brunei and alerted Jay. “The city and surrounding countryside for thirty kilometres has been destroyed.” Bali and Timor were next then Port Moresby in New Guinea, all three areas were levelled. News broadcasts stated that a huge invasion force was being prepared to attack the north Australian coast. A diversionary force took Darwin and moved across the north heading for the east coast. The main army in fact came ashore on the west coast at Broome. They were going to make an example of Australia. Refugees swarmed south to Perth. Another nuclear attack reduced Perth to rubble. The Australian army had been concentrated in the north and had been decimated by the attack on Port Moresby. Manila was the next target and the destruction resulted in the forces of Japan and the Philippines being recalled back to Luzon to help with the few victims who survived. The Southern Islamic Army was advancing toward Adelaide in Australia with little resistance as the Australian and New Zealand force was intent on getting to Canberra to make a stand. The Russian President, fearing that the days were numbered for the south-east Asia region, launched a massive missile attack at the Middle East. Israel found itself stuck in the middle of the onslaught with nowhere to run.

All this was being watched at a safe distance by The Pride of Tuath. Jade was watching with increasing fear for Mark’s life. She knew that Canberra could be the next nuclear target and that the entire continent was in danger of becoming uninhabitable.

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