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The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/Engletroll on 2025-10-15 12:26:53+00:00.

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Previously ./. Next

“What is it now?” Adam looked up from his desk as Minx came in. He was going over a border conflict between the Bylgono-Hyna nation and the Sandors -Sinino nation. Both claimed a system named Relsad, as they had bought it from the federation for mining and colonization.  It was rapidly escalating into a war, and Adam had Roks send their fleet to a battle system to release the bloodlust. However, both refused to sign the treaty, rendering the battle systems moot.

“I’m sorry, sir, there is a new wave of pirates near the Funiad sector. That’s mostly Rigallos’ farmlands. We have sent the fleet there.”

“Okay, and why was this so important that you had to come here personally?” Adam leaned back and said a silent prayer. “Please be good news.”

“I’m sorry, they are led by a pirate who claims his name is Hanur Mutt, he is part of the lost fleet and claims to be the younger brother of Captain Jargy Mutt, survivor of the Siege of Dirt.”

“FUCK!” Adam stood up, wanting to hit something. “OUT!”

Minx left immediately as Adam cursed the Mutt family and all its descendants to never be pirates ever again, to be law bringers, bounty hunters, and judges for all eternity. It took him an hour to calm down and then he sat down and called up the two regents.

“Greetings, let’s fix this. You both have a claim to the system yet due to a computer error.  Duchy of Sinino bought it first, but… stop, I’m not done.” He looked at Duke Mysnia, who was celebrating. “The Dutch of Sinino did not move in or build anything for three years. During this time, the Republic of Hyna moved in and built three mining stations and started a colony on Relsad, not knowing about the claim of the Duchy of Sinino. And here lies the problem.  Had the Duchy of Sino left clear evidence of ownership, this would have been addressed in court long ago, and I would not have needed to come to me. To be honest, I should not come to me. This is a matter of the court, but alas, they asked me to mediate.” He looked at the two holograms.

“So I have a few solutions, none of which are beneficial for either side, and one that might work. So I can let you guys fight, no good, pick one side and make the other side angry, but it’s up to you guys,”  As he said the third, they both perked up, he ignored it, he did not want that. “Or we find a solution. Republic of Hyna bought Relsad for asteroid mining and colonization, while the Duchy of Sinino bought it for farmland and ocean Aquaculture as well as colonization. You do know the answer has been staring you guys in the eyes the whole time.  You can share it. The planet can easily hold 8 billion without straining the ecosystem, 10 if you terraform parts of it.” He looked at them, and the two looked at him, dumbfounded.

“But I own the deed.” Duke Mysnia said, and Adam nodded.

“Yes, as does the Republic of Hyna, possession is nine-tenths of the law; they possessed it before you. But they are not after what you are, you can make a treaty and share it. I’m going to be honest. You’re both going to lose some, but you might also win something. “

“And what would that be? I’m losing half the planet and lots of trade.” President Samid said.

“Well, you hammer out a treaty, then I’m tossing in a gateway and a small trading hub, it’s a perfect crossroad to both your nations. That way, you all will be directly connected to Dirt’s trade hub, which should cover some of your losses.”

They looked at him, confused, and then nodded. “Yes, yes, we can make a treaty. We will make a treaty.” They managed to stammer out, Adam didn’t really understand why they were so shocked to be connected directly to Dirt, but shrugged.

“Good, contact me when you have hammered out a treaty, and I will have my men start the process to add Relsad to the Gate contacts. Thank you for your cooperation, and let’s hope this is a lasting peace. The gate depends on it. Thank.” Then he cut the contact and sat back.

He decided to take a break, and when he got outside, he saw Minx and apologized for his outburst. Minx just laughed and told him he should be careful with his curses. Adam laughed and dragged him with him for lunch at one of the nicer restaurants in New Macao. While they were eating, they got a message about the human weapons company being sold to Long-Kerr LLC.  Adam looked at the news and shrugged. Knug could not win them all. He read the declaration that Ares was moving its headquarters away from Earth to Centauri Prime due to unrest on Earth.

“Smart move, I’ve been checking up on the Earth’s street journalism. Apparently, there are daily demonstrations and riots. It’s a… what’s the word you humans use? Powder keg about to explode?” Minx said, and Adam nodded.

“Yeah, that’s Arus’ work. Let me guess, they are not happy with President Agnivanshi?”

“Yes, they accuse her of being connected to a criminal network. Life is not going her way lately. Lots of her donors got caught in a fire at a VIP party, and over a hundred of the guests died. “

“What? Everybody died?” Adam asked as he looked at him, and Minx shook his head.

“No, no, no, mostly lawyers and media agents. A few high-profile singers and actors as well, but it was a big party and most got out safely.” Minxy said, and Adam smirked slightly.

“I wonder if those who died had anything in common,” Adam said.

“Well, considering Sig-San’s latest message, I would say yes,” Minxy replied. Adam looked at him, so he explained.  He said he had finished half the shopping list but found some more things to buy, he might add.”

“Oh… Yeah… well that explains that.” Adam said as he looked at his watch. “Damn, this month has gone fast. I have to go home and call my wife. When is the fleet arriving by the way?”

“Within five days, Roks is running drills,” Minxy replied, and Adam sighed.

“This better work,” Adam replied.

“It will. Oh, Hyd-Drin sent a cryptic message. Ghostships observes.”

“Oh, that’s what he was up to. Stealth ship. Well, guess we are going to get a lot more intel now.”

They finished the meal, and after Adam called up Evelyn, they discussed what to do with the teenage camp. When the triplets came into view and saw Adam, they tried to hug the hologram and got upset as they fell through. Evelyn said they were angry at  Chriss and Wei for hiding, and then suddenly she stopped and grinned. “If they want to play grown-ups, then it’s time they learn.”  She said, and  Adam looked at the triplets and got it.

“That’s evil Evelyn,” Adam said, and she just smiled.

“What do you want to be a grandparent so soon? Besides, I will be nearby with some of the adults, but we won’t interrupt their little ritual. Let’s see if they can last the last month.”

Adam laughed as he knew Wei would never be able to handle it, he was not so sure about Chris.

.

Three days later, he was called to the command center of Sistan, which had been moved there since the last attack; it was better to keep it away from the main city. Adam found it ridiculous, as there was a small diplomatic city around the north wall of Sistan as well. But it was small compared to the city of New Macao, which has five million inhabitants.

He stood in the room looking at the screen and the gathering fleet. He had alerted the old ones, but they responded by connecting him to their advanced radar system, allowing them to see the five fleets approaching at light speed. Each fleet had twenty-one ships. He guessed they expected to overwhelm whatever Dirt could muster. They were profoundly mistaken.  Every nation in the federation had sent ships or a fleet. Dirt was quite crowded.  Roks was in the middle of it all on his dreadnaught, the Hammer. He seemed to have full control and placed fleets around to ensure no ships were at risk of a crash with the incoming fleets. Roks had been working with Jork about a surprise, and there were some new drone ships spread around the system that, if they worked, would change the battle completely.

An Aid brought Adam a cup of coffee, and he accepted it as he saw the first fleet put out of lightspeed. It immediately opened fire on the closest ship and then stopped. Only a few rounds reached the intended targets before drones attached themselves to the human ships and activated an extra shield, inverted so that whatever they fired bounced off a shield a hundred meters from their hull. The human ships were contacted and asked to surrender. They didn’t respond, but the main ship activated a blackhole bomb, then it was deactivated just as fast. The next fleet emerged and just hung there, looking at the number of ships facing them. Some of the ships turned around and tried to jump into lightspeed again, only to find their engines deactivated.

The third and fourth fleets jumped in, fired wildly, then had drones attached and seized their firing.  Adam looked at the rather lackluster invasion attempt. Roks was calmly giving ord…

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