Sliding Reality: Prologue (Patreon)

Prologue

01/04/2242

Li Wei Chief Counsel of the Corporate Council of Humanity took in a slow breath through her nose her eyes thinning at the screen before her, she finished the entire report, laying the screen down on her stone carved desk, polished to a mirror finish.

Windows looked over the curve of the planet, clouds breaking below the tower. Gifts, rare pieces of art from across the known stars took up places along the wall.

Olivia Mao stood before her desk.

“It appears that something has got the Federation moving again.” Li Wei drew out her words as if tasting them for their content.

“What of the Coalition?”

“Nothing has changed. Their military continues to grow, but they have not increased their orders beyond calculated growth rates.” Olivia Mao said.

“Sol?”

“Unchanged, though they have been the hardest ones to get information out of.”

“They still think of themselves as the center of the galaxy and the human race. Advanced in science, spying and politics.” Li Wei clicked her tongue. “Their fleets are the most advanced, but their leaders are woe to deploy it anywhere.”

I don’t like mysteries.

“Inform the weapon manufacturers that are selling to the Federation that their allotment of weapons are going to be cut, tell them to come up with an excuse. Slow the sale of nuclear materials to the Sol systems and the Settled systems that are capable of weapons and reactor manufacturing.”

Li Wei looked at the screen again.

“Leak information to Sol and the Coalition, don’t spoon feed them. It would be best if they could figure it out themselves," Li Wei raised an eyebrow at Olivia. a test.

"Ye miss Li."

"I also want you to personally meet with the council leaders, The Federation is preparing for war, find out just who they intend to attack or think is going to attack them.

Olivia Mao's head snapped up.

Li Wei waved her off. "This is the fourth time I have seen them do so, but, this information and these sources. Find out who else they are buying from and the assurances they are making. I am most worried about the settled systems. Each system or planet or smaller might have their own government or leadership. They have few ties to other groups. For the right promise they could be persuaded to do much."

"Like outfit the Federation with weapons and ammunition.”

“Yes, or warships. Have our people survey every factory for military specific parts, yards might be hidden, but parts are usually forgotten.” Her voice had a note of finality.

“Yes Miss Li." Olivia bowed and left, dismissed.

The door closed behind her and Li Wei stood from her seat, her frown deepening.

The Federation were careful to make few ripples, they had to know that this would come to light eventually. It didn’t look like planning. It looks like panic.

And that worried her more than the weapons buying. The Federation had always been the most militaristic, so what would scare them so?