Chapter 7
The Eastern Alliance
Almost a year later, General Fydor Stelko of the Eastern Alliance Air Force read the latest intelligence report on the progress of the space project initiated by the Americans. The project was several months behind schedule due to several mishaps that had occurred at the space station which served as the base for the construction of the three ships. There had been an unexplained explosion, a severe case of food poisoning of the workers on the space station, and a theft of a shipment of electronic components that had been carried by a shuttle up to the space station.Stelko closed the folder. All of these incidents had been useful in delaying the completion of the American ships, but their eventual completion was inevitable. The Eastern Alliance needed to start building their own ships if they were to stand any chance of catching the Americans. Only so many accidents could be arranged to delay the Americans. But we lack the technological knowledge to proceed with our own program, Stelko reflected glumly. The bits and pieces of information that had been stolen by intelligence agents were of no use. Our scientists and engineers found the information incomprehensible. We must obtain the help of Noelmian engineers. All of them are firmly under the control of the Americans, though. Peter Landen brought all of them back to his homeland. Why couldn't Landen have been from our side?How can I get hold of some Noelmians? To kidnap them would be useless; it would probably be impossible to force them to help us. They must be persuaded to come to the East.Stelko formulated a plan, which he then submitted to the spy network because he needed their logistical assistance in order to implement the plan. Intelligence reports compiled by field agents had identified a Noelmian engineering team leader named Rugert as a malcontent who had reservations about the American mission. Stelko intended to exploit those reservations.The spies acted quickly and efficiently in arranging a meeting with Rugert. They established contact with the engineer through a low-level agent who had obtained a job in one of the American factories manufacturing parts for the spacecraft.Rugert agreed to a meeting at the New England home in which he and his engineers lived. The meeting was scheduled for a Sunday evening because that was the one non-working evening that the dedicated Noelmians allowed themselves each week. On this particular Sunday evening, the engineers were planning to go to a movie. Rugert, however, complained of a cold and said that they should go without him.Soon after everyone had left, Stelko came walking up the gravel driveway and knocked on the front door. Rugert immediately opened the door."General Stelko?" Rugert asked."Yes, Mr. Rugert," Stelko said, shaking hands with the chief engineer. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. Your scientific accomplishments are known throughout the world." "Well, I'm honored that the head of the Eastern Alliance Air Force would be so anxious to speak with me," Rugert said. "You went to a great deal of trouble to arrange this meeting. Won't you come in?""Thank you." Stelko followed the engineer into the living room. "Lovely mansion," he added as the two men seated themselves by a coffee table."Yes, it is a nice estate," Rugert agreed. "My engineers and I have enjoyed our stay here. The government was kind to provide us with such a comfortable residence." "My government can be even more generous. You should consider coming to work for us.""I think not," Rugert said. He had been expecting Stelko to make an attempt to recruit him and was curious what the Eastern Alliance general would have to say."You are a puzzle to me, Rugert. You are helping the Americans build ships so that they can go wandering off to distant solar systems in search of planets on which they can establish colonies. Aren't you concerned about your own people who remain enslaved on Noelm?""Freeing my fellow Noelmians will be the primary mission of the three ships. Before going in search of planets suitable for settlements, the three ships will go to Noelm in order to deal with the Tragadomians. It is possible to bargain with the Tragadomians if you deal from a position of strength. Earth has many resources that would appeal to the Tragadomians. We will exchange these resources for the freedom of the Noelmians.""So you hope. Don't be a fool, Rugert. The Tragadomians will attack those three ships as soon as the Americans enter the solar system. There's no doubt that the Tragadomians have been anticipating an attack ever since your group escaped in their ship. In the period since you've been gone, the Tragadomians have surely rebuilt their space fleet into an awesome force. What chance will the three American ships have against them?""Those three ships are magnificent vessels with powerful weapons.""I'm certain that they are fine ships, but there are only three of them. And if they are destroyed by the Tragadomians, you and the other Noelmians on board will be killed. All hope for the freedom of your people on Noelm will be gone. They will be slaves of the Tragadomians forever.""Never!" Rugert slammed his fist against the table."I agree. We must avoid an irreversible defeat. I have a way to guard against such a tragedy occurring.""How?" Rugert asked, his curiosity aroused."Help me to build an auxiliary fleet of ships that will serve as a backup to the American ships. You and your engineers can ride with us on our ships. That way, if the Tragadomians destroy the American fleet, all will not be lost. We can return to earth and assemble a war force strong enough to conquer the Tragadomians.""You don't care about helping the Noelmians," Rugert said. "You would not make this offer unless your country sought to gain something.""Of course we hope to benefit from participating in the voyage to Noelm. In the unlikely event that a trade deal can be made with the Tragadomians, the Eastern Alliance would like to take part in the deal in order to benefit our economy by engaging in commerce with Noelm. And we want to establish settlements on inhabitable planets in other solar systems also. Why should Americans be the only ones to lay claim to unoccupied planets?""I am reluctant to do anything that might help the Eastern Alliance," Rugert said. "I read history books as well as engineering manuals. I know what an evil system of government you have.""Your opinion of my government is irrelevant to our discussion. It doesn't matter whether or not you like the Eastern Alliance: we would unite in a common effort for our mutual benefit. Since you claim to be a student of history, you should know that this has often been done with great success in the past. For example, in World War II, two countries with opposing ideologies, the United States and the Soviet Union, united against their common enemy, Nazi Germany, to defeat the forces of Adolf Hitler. Similarly, we could ignore our ideological differences and form an alliance for the benefit of all.""I'll have to think over your proposal and consult with my engineers," Rugert said."Fine, but great secrecy is required. If the CIA learns about our conversation, they will place security men around you and your engineers so that you cannot escape to the Eastern Alliance.""I might be able to give you an answer in a short while," Rugert said.The general was surprised. "How? Are your engineers here?"Rugert smiled. "No, but that's not necessary. Surely you know that Noelmians can communicate amongst themselves using telepathy."Stelko snorted with amusement. "That's a nice trick. When you speak to your engineers, be sure to emphasize to them that there is no way that the Noelmians can be harmed by helping us. Our ships will merely be a safety valve against total failure.""Yes, I understand your proposal," Rugert said. "Now I would like privacy so that I can give my complete attention to communicating with my engineers.""Of course. Take your time. I'll be having a drink in the kitchen." Stelko left the room.Rugert quickly established a telepathic link with his five engineers. After a short debate, they all agreed to help the Eastern Alliance build ships. No one was enthusiastic about the idea, but the proposal seemed to provide a solution to a problem that had worried them for over a year.The Noelmians feared that the Tragadomians would destroy the Western Alliance ships before any negotiations could take place. Noelmian leaders had argued that more than three ships were necessary. However, the billions of dollars required to build a larger fleet made the cost prohibitively high. The economies of several nations involved in the project were weak, and the United States was unable to carry the entire burden. Building just three ships was a significant strain on the resources of the Western nations. The Eastern Alliance, though, could afford to invest in some additional ships.The Rugert engineering team decided not to consult any other teams because Rugert was certain that the other Noelmians would not go along with the Stelko's proposal and would try to stop Rugert. Landen was the unchallenged leader of the Noelmians, and Landen had often expressed his contempt for the Eastern Alliance. In Noelmian council meetings, Landen occasionally suggested that they should defeat the Eastern Alliance on earth before taking off into space to confront the Tragadomians.Intelligence agents arranged for the Noelmian engineers to receive false passports for a flight to Geneva from which they took a plane to the East.
