Looking Glass 4 - Claws That Catch by John Ringo Read Free Book Online Page B

“sentient” controller of the task force brought a cry of surprise from the Russian, who bent forward to look closer.
    The last hour closed with video of the shattered Blade I in space, then a discussion of the aid of the Hexosehr and finally a shot of the built-from-scratch Blade
II setting down in Area 51, its alternate base.
    “Admiral Blankemeier,” the Chinese general said when the videos were finished. “It is amazing you are alive.”
    “It's amazing any of us survived,” Blankemeier replied.
    “Yes, but the one that I want to meet is, how is it? Two-Gun Berg,” the Indian said, grinning. “What a warrior! Especially for an enlisted man. I am glad to see that you made him an officer.”
    And thus we uncover the weakness of the Indians, Weaver thought with a sigh. They just could not seem to get over the whole caste thing. And if you considered large portions of your population as sub-par, the intellectual value of that portion was lost. Who knew how many Einsteins and Booker T. Washingtons might exist among the Untouchables, who were still relegated to not much more than garbage collection.
    “So what is next?” the Chinese delegate asked. “You say that we are going to get access to these Hexosehr? In two years? That is too much time. We need their technology immediately!”
    “Actually, the Hexosehr are in the process of colonizing Runner's World,” the President replied. “We established gates to get them there. Their ships won't arrive for a bit under two years. But we were able to move some of their fabricators through and, of course, their expertise. We are liaising with them now about how to portion out their personnel. They've made a study of our various societies and countries and are making many of their own decisions. They are an independent group, allied but with their own . . . how was it you put it? Ah, their own 'sovereignty.' What technology goes to what groups is up to them. But, yes, you're going to get access to it.”
    “And the Blade?” the Russian asked.
    “No,” the President replied. “We've considered the possibility of putting observers onboard or even a mixed crew. Subsequent to mutual defense treaties, we may consider it further. But it is an Alliance ship. The British have, thus far, declined to offer personnel but there is an Adar onboard and shortly Hexosehr. Until things change, politically, however, we're not going to put in Russian, Chinese or Indian crewpeople or observers. As to studying the drive, it's always been a toss-up between studying it and using it. For the time being, again, we're going to use it and study it as we can. Even the Hexosehr, after examining it intensively during the rebuild, admitted that they could not understand it. It violated several of their theories of faster-than-light travel, which were rather mature and now have to be rethought. So if we cannot figure it out, meaning the U.S., and the British cannot figure it out and the Adar cannot figure it out and the Hexosehr cannot figure it out, I strongly doubt that the Chinese or Russians, the ability of their scientists being noted, can do any better. Honestly, do you?”
    “We demand observers,” the Russian said. “The ship should be the property of all the world, not just one hegemonic government! It should be an international crew under a commander chosen by the United Nations!”
    “Well, let's see,” the President replied, grinning. “The Adar trusted us, being in contact with all of you, with the black box. We spent twenty billion dollars rebuilding a nuclear submarine and turning it into a spaceship. And we took all the casualties finding the Cheerick, the Hexosehr and the Dreen. So you'll understand me if I try not to scoff at your demand. And, frankly, we're going to completely ignore the UN in our preparations for the Dreen. I don't see what use a bunch of kleptocrats and tyrants are going to be to us.”
    “The Hexosehr will be sending a liaison and technical