"All right Friedrich, we've got the first conventionally powered shipments of our hardware products out. How is the Aristotle's construction coming along?" asked Aaron over a secure video call.
"It's nearing completion. We've got the hull almost finished, and the electronic systems are being fitted out, thanks to the fabs being just next door," said Friedrich.
"OK, and what about Shipyard 2 and the Bach?" asked Aaron.
"Shipyard 2 is almost complete, we should be able finish the Bach about a week after the Aristotle," said Friedrich.
"That's excellent progress. What about the reactors?" asked Aaron.
"Reactors are assembled, but we'll have to get the fuel loading timeline just right. The second NATO sniffs plutonium in these ships, they'll be storming the docks," said Friedrich.
"I've already thought of that. First, we'll time the fuel loading with the waste extraction of the power plants, we'll ship the waste out to your facilities in Germany as part of a waste processing deal, that will throw them off the scent," said Aaron.
"Good idea. What about the second part?" asked Friedrich.
"The second part is that since we're inducting the Aristotle as Libya's naval flagship, and first nuclear-powered missile cruiser. We can fuel it under a military contract deal, and then have it stationed at Shipyard 2 to guard the Bach, and we'll use the cover of the radioactive waste shipping to mask the Bach's reactor lighting up. NATO will throw a fit, but can't do much about it," said Aaron.
"And how do you intend to strong-arm every port in the world to let the Bach and the rest of the planned nuclear cargo fleet dock?" asked Friedrich.
"I don't. Hajime has already got his conventional fleet prepped for at-sea cargo transfer. The Bach and the rest of the planned nuclear cargo fleet will handle the long haul, and Hajime's fleet will take their cargo and unload it at the ports," said Aaron.
"You're still playing things pretty close, Aaron. NATO isn't exactly averse to bombing the shit out of Libya if they think Saladin has crossed the threshold from useful to threatening," said Friedrich.
"That's why he's at the UN trying to cast himself as visionary leader and not authoritarian warlord," said Aaron.
"Well for all our sakes, let's hope he's able to convince the UN that he's not a threat to Western interests," said Friedrich.
---
"Let me get this straight," said General Malkovich pacing up and down in Saladin's audience chamber.
"You've cut a deal with Sirius Software, Albrecht Nuclear Systems and Yamamoto Corp to build a nuclear-powered missile cruiser as your new naval flagship. Have I got that right?" he asked.
"Correction, the cruiser is already being built at the new Sirius-Albrecht-Yamamoto shipyards," said Saladin.
"OK, you're building a nuclear-powered missile cruiser as your new naval flagship, and you expect NATO to sanction the transport of plutonium for its fuel loading," said General Malkovich.
"I believe a full year of me being a gracious host to your military bases and presence has earned me that courtesy," said Saladin, casually studying his fingernails as General Malkovich's face grew even redder.
"That's not the damn point! You and your damn cohorts are blurring the lines of state and private enterprise! These nuclear power plants you've got is one thing. They're civilian and under International oversight. What you're talking about is building a nuclear navy right in our backyard!" thundered General Malkovich.
"General, may I remind you that as a sovereign nation, Libya has every right to maintain a defense force. I'm under no obligation to even tell you this, since Libya isn't a signatory of the Non Proliferation Treaty. I'm giving you a head's-up out of courtesy," said Saladin.
"Yeah, yeah, you have the right. But do you really need a nuclear-powered missile cruiser?" asked General Malkovich.
"In that case I expect the US Navy to decommission all of their nuclear aircraft carriers and submarines. I'm not going to tolerate the rules for thee and not for me mindset that your American policy-makers seem to love," said Saladin.
"All right, all right. But be warned Mr. Saladin, you're making some very uncomfortable moves," said General Malkovich.
---
"Now that's a thing of beauty, Hajime," said Aaron as he surveyed the hull of the LNS Aristotle, Libya's new flagship nuclear-powered missile cruiser.
The hull was painted a matte black, and was long and sleek, with a sharp bow that looked like it could effortlessly slice through water.
Along the bottom were a series of torpedo tubes, interspaced with bulging structures that housed azimuth and maneuvering thruster propellers.
Towards the rear was a massive pair of rudders and four main propellers.
"It is indeed. Probably some of my best work," said Hajime looking over it with a sense of pride.
"I would have thought the Akagi would be your best work," said Aaron.
"Unfortunately the defense ministry balked at building a full-blown stealth super-carrier, so we've just got a normal CATOBAR nuclear carrier," sighed Hajime.
Saladin joined them in the shipyard's control room.
"Well, General Malkovich has given his blessing for the fuel loading," he said.
Friedrich nodded, and spoke rapid-fire German into the shipyard's intercom.
Within a few minutes, the crew foreman replied to him over the intercom.
"Plutonium fuel rods and Uranium blanket is in place, we can light the reactors as soon as the ship is launched," reported Friedrich.
"Time to make a show," chuckled Saladin, and signaled to his aides prep for the launch event.
---
"People of Libya! Today, we celebrate another milestone in our great country's progress. We now have a new naval flagship! With this, the Libyan flagship Aristotle, we can protect our waterways, our fishermen, our oil tankers and our own sovereign waters!" announced Saladin to an enthusiastic crowd.
He raised his hand and commanded: "Launch the ship!"
The floodgates of the shipyard opened, and the waters of the Mediterranean Sea surged into the narrow shipyard bay where the huge missile cruiser was.
The scaffolding around the bottom of the hull was slowly cleared and retracted, and the ship settled into the shallow bay water.
Two tugboats were lashed to the bow of the ship and they slowly and ponderously pulled the ship out of the shipyard and into the harbor.
In the shipyard's control room, Friedrich gave the order: "Initiate reactor start," he said.
The Aristotle's four liquid metal reactors slowly ramped to life, their coolants melting as the plutonium core started to approach criticality.
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"Reactor one approaching operational temperature," reported one crew member.
"Reactor two approaching operational temperature," reported another crew member.
"Reactor three approaching operational temperature," reported a third crew member.
"Reactor four approaching operational temperature," reported a fourth crew member.
Outside, the crowed watched in awe as the massive black ship's running lights flickered on, and the water around its hull bubbled and frothed as its propellers and thrusters started to spin up.
The tugboats cut their lines, and the Aristotle slowly turned in a wide arc, and headed out on its own power into the Mediterranean Sea.
Cheers erupted from the crowd, as the Aristotle's horn blared a deep, resonant note.
"Saladin! Saladin! Saladin!" chanted the crowd.
"Long live Libya!" shouted Saladin to the crowd in reply.
From the bridge of the Charles de Gaulle, General Malkovich watched the launch of the Aristotle through binoculars, before it disappeared from visual range.
"Well, Captain Saunier, looks like we've got a new rival," he said.
"I wouldn't worry too much General. That black braggart of a ship isn't worth losing sleep over," said Captain Saunier dismissively.
"Charles de Gaulle, this is Aristotle, requesting clearance for weapons fire test," came a crackling voice over the radio.
"Prepare a target drone for them to shoot," ordered Captain Saunier lazily.
Within seconds, a drone was launched from the Charles de Gaulle's flight deck.
"Aristotle, we've sent you a clay pigeon," said Captain Saunier over the radio.
His face turned ashen as a massive black missile tore through the drone, blasting it to pieces, and screamed still fully intact, straight for the carrier flight deck.
Proximity alarms blared throughout the Charles de Gaulle as the missile closed in.
The missile jack-knifed away from the Charles de Gaulle and self-destructed, sending its tungsten warhead plunging into the ocean.
"Range!" shouted Captain Saunier.
"They shot it from 64 kilometers, we're in missile range!" came the panicked report.
"You were saying?" asked General Malkovich, as sweat beaded on Captain Saunier's forehead.
"Order them to watch it! They nearly hit us, those imbeciles!" he snarled at his first officer.
---
"All right Friedrich, the spent fuel ships are underway, and the Aristotle is in position. Let's get this show on the road," said Aaron, looking at the monitors in front of him.
"Starting the Bach's reactors now," replied Friedrich, tapping on his console.
The massive ship shuddered as its reactors came online, and its turbines spun up.
"All systems are go, first shipment of hardware using the Bach is underway," said Friedrich.
The Bach slowly moved forward, its huge hull slicing through the water as it joined the Aristotle and four Japanese cargo ships at the loading area.
On board the Charles de Gaulle, General Malkovich watched the two ships with gritted teeth.
"One nuclear missile cruiser was bad enough, now they've got two?" he growled.
"Not quite General. That new one seems to be a civilian registry. Sirius Software Nuclear Cargo Ship Bach. It's even US flagged," replied Captain Saunier.
"And that's supposed to make a difference? They look identical!" said Malkovich.
"Indeed, but the Bach is being loaded up with shipping containers, and it doesn't appear to have any armaments. However, we can stop them," said Captain Saunier.
"Nah, let them do their thing, for now. We'll deal with them if they get any dumb ideas," replied Malkovich.
"Very well. But I must admit, they're pretty impressive," said Saunier grudgingly.
"Yeah, they are. But keep your mouth shut about it. The powers that be are already pissed off, and it's just us saying we don't want another Middle Eastern quagmire that's staying their hand," said Malkovich.
"Of course," chuckled Saunier.
The cranes finished loading the containers onto the Bach, and the two nuclear ships got into formation, flanking the four cargo ships.
Thick black cables were connected from the Bach and Aristotle to the other ships. The lights on the cargo ships briefly flickered.
"Captain, the diesel engines on the cargo ships have shut down. They're now being powered by the Bach and Aristotle," reported the Sonar officer.
"That's going to save a huge chunk of change on the fuel bills. Most creative," chuckled Saunier.
"And having Libyan, US and Japanese flagged ships in one damn flotilla is going to be a damn nightmare for anyone trying to stop them," added Malkovich.
"Is that what you think, General? The mere fact that they've got a nuclear-powered missile cruiser escorting them should be enough to deter anyone," replied Saunier.
"I'm talking about the Powers that Be, Saunier. This little stunt has just made it politically impossible for NATO Command to do anything about them," growled Malkovich.
"You've got a point there. I've got orders to use the entire Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group to track their every move," said Saunier.
---
"Master Zakhrov, this is Captain Siddig, power cables are secure, the flotilla is now powered by Bach and Aristotle," came the voice over the radio.
"Thank you, Captain. All right, the ships are underway. Saladin, you have my thanks," said Aaron, looking at the monitors in front of him.
"Happy to help, and it's a good way to have the Aristotle shake down its systems," replied Saladin.
"Very true. I'll call you once I'm back in Boston," said Aaron.
"Sounds good. Safe travels," replied Saladin, shaking Aaron's hand.
"Thanks, you too," said Aaron.
With that, Aaron and Natasha left Saladin's palace and headed for the airport.
"What should we do about that Thakur guy, sir?" asked Natasha.
"I think we can give him to Kavitha and Vikram. They can deal with him," replied Aaron.
"All right sir," said Natasha, as she and Aaron boarded the plane.
---
Li Wei shuddered as his taxi approached the Sirius Software compound.
He had heard rumors about the place, but seeing its massive walls topped with electric fences and with the massive reinforced gates made him nervous.
"Name and purpose of visit?" asked the guard at the gate.
"Li Wei, business appointment," replied Li Wei nervously, handing the guard his ID.
The guard relayed the information to someone inside the compound, and after a few tense moments, the guard nodded and opened the gate.
"Go straight to the main building," said the guard.
"Damn, sir this place is like area-51," muttered his taxi driver as they drove through the compound.
"Yeah, I know. Just drop me off at the main building," said Li Wei.
"Sure thing, sir," replied the driver.
Li Wei got out of the taxi, and walked towards the giant black obelisk, trying to keep his nerves in check.
He buzzed the intercom, "I'm Li Wei, Silicon Alliance representative," he announced himself.
"Go straight to floor 128," replied a voice from the intercom, as the titanium alloy door hissed open.
Li Wei walked into the lobby, and took the elevator to floor 128, using the time to calm his nerves.
---
"Well Mr. Wei, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" asked Aaron, as Le Wei nervously shuffled into his office.
"I'm here to discuss terms to end the silicon embargo against Sirius Software," replied Li Wei.
Aaron raised an eyebrow.
"And those are?" he asked.
"W-we're willing to lift the embargo if Sirius Software agrees to cancel all business dealings and contracts with the Libyan government, Albrecht Nuclear Systems, and Yamamoto Corp," said Li Wei.
"Refused. See yourself out," said Aaron.
Li Wei's jaw dropped.
"Wait, you can't be serious!" he stammered.
"My patience is wearing thin, Mr. Wei. Get off my property," said Aaron, turning back to his computer.
"What do you want? A seat on the alliance? A WEF membership? We can make it happen! All you need to do is sever ties with those entities," said Li Wei desperately.
"Natasha, remove this pest," said Aaron, not looking up from his computer.
"Yes, sir," replied Natasha, as she stood up and walked towards Li Wei.
"Please! I can make this worth your while," pleaded Li Wei.
Natasha grabbed Li Wei by the arm, and steered him towards the door.
"You're making a big mistake! Sirius Software will go down! There are forces much bigger than you or me at play here!" shouted Li Wei, all his pretense at pleading dropped.
"Shut it windbag," said Natasha, as she escorted him out.
"Unhand me woman!" growled Li Wei, struggling against Natasha's grip, as she marched him to the elevator.
"You're lucky you're still breathing after trying to pull that shit," said Natasha, pushing him into the elevator.
"Oh really? Maybe your boss hasn't told you. But all of his so-called computer components have been blacklisted by retailers and the tech press! He's not going to be able to sell a single one! Even with that new fancy nuclear cargo ship of his!" snarled Li Wei, as he left the main HQ building.
---
"All right Vikram, what's this emergency about?" asked Aaron, as Vikram entered his office.
"Our new products aren't hitting shelves boss. Nearly every retailer is either posting them as out of stock or straight up refusing to list them," said Vikram.
"What about from our own website?" asked Aaron.
"Demand is strong from there, but we don't have the logistics teeth to get them from port to customer," said Vikram.
"All right then. Let's build this out ourselves. We'll use Libya and Boston here as staging grounds, and we'll use Sirius Software aligned logistics firms to handle American distribution here. Saladin can handle the Middle East and Africa, while Friedrich can expand his business in Europe, and we can use Yamamoto Corp's logistics arm to handle Asia and Oceania," said Aaron.
"That's going to bite deep into our margins and war chest boss," warned Vikram.
"Not as deep as losing customer confidence and mind-share. Get it done," said Aaron.
"Yes, sir," replied Vikram.
---
The atmosphere in the Cabal's war room was tense.
"Why doesn't he just curl up and die?" growled Monica Goldberg.
"It appears that Zakhrov and his upstarts are proving to be much more resilient than we anticipated," replied Daniel.
"Li Wei's little stunt backfired as well. Sirius Software has now built up a parallel shipping and logistics network in addition to their own fabs! And before you ask, no, we can't touch those ships without declaring war on Libya," said Elijah.
"Then declare war and bomb the shit out of them dammit! Playing nice isn't working!" screamed Monica.
Daniel gave her a vicious backhand, that sent her reeling and whimpering.
"At this point, my dearest Emily, we can't guarantee victory. Our people have already suffered enough over the years," said Daniel softly.
"How about we pull the nuclear plug? Aditya Thakur has been inside for nearly a year now, and he hasn't caused any suspicion," suggested Elijah.
"That might just work," said Monica perking back up.
"All right, I'll contact him tonight to get the protocol set in motion," said Elijah.
