“Bozhe moi,” the Russian muttered. “This is… not well news.”
“That estimate assumes two things. That they do not find out the location of Earth and that even if they do they do not want to jump ahead.”
“If I may add one note,” Bill said diffidently.
The NSA nodded. “Go ahead, Captain.”
“The Dreen, and the Hexosehr, use a warp technology that is similar to wormhole jumping,” Bill said. “We’re still studying it. But they jump, rather slowly compared to the Blade, from star to star. In normal space, the Hexosehr fleet will not reach our region for at least two years. The majority of the Dreen are farther out. If they found out where Earth was today, they would take at least two years to reach here, more like three, in any force. This is part of the full briefing documents we are turning over to your governments, as I understand it.”
“The U.S. government, the British government and the Adar planetary government are all aware of this new information,” the NSA said. “Our plan was to bring your governments in, through more or less normal diplomatic channels, next week. And, no, I’m not making that up. What we’ve been waiting on, frankly, is a documentary to be completed. Three, actually. One to assist the briefings of your governments and two for general consumption. At that point, the Hexosehr were going to be presented as well as the Cheerick ambassador to the Alliance. And it was intended to offer expansion of the Alliance to other Earth governments. We’re fully aware that we cannot stop the Dreen by ourselves. No combination of the U.S. and Britain can possibly do so. We know we were keeping you in the dark, but we didn’t intend to do so for much longer.”
“Frankly, this just jumped the gun by a week,” the President continued. “The general audience doumentary is complete. Would you care to see it? It’s three hours long, intended to run for three nights. But the chairs are comfortable…”
“I would,” the Chinese delegate said. “And you mentioned further information. Is this to be technical?”
“We’re going to be depending on technology from the Hexosehr,” the President said. “They are as far ahead of the Adar as the Adar are ahead of us. Perhaps further. It is Hexosehr technology that might permit humanity to survive. But it will require a world-wide effort, a coalition of the willing if you will. We have enough time to prepare. If we actually do so.”
“That is the rub, isn’t it?” the Indian said, smiling broadly. “The most effective economies on Earth, all pardons to my Chinese colleague, are the democracies. Can we sustain a fifteen-year buildup? If we did, we would win. Unquestionably. In fifteen years we could establish colonies, schools, training facilities, build a fleet beyond even the comprehension of the Dreen. We could put in massive defenses if we went to a full wartime footing for even ten years. We have six billion people on this planet and with what I’ve seen of the Hexosehr manufacturing ability, which is amazing, it would just be a matter of training space sailors and Marines. But can we? Will we? Can we sustain such a push? At the cost to our economies? In the teeth of wailing as consumer goods become scarce?”
“We can,” the Chinese delegate said. “If this doesn’t turn out to be an elaborate tale.”
“You’ll be given all the data we recovered,” the President promised.
“Let us see this documentary, then,” the Russian said. “And could we have something stronger than coffee?”
“You’re sure you’re shiny?” Eric asked.
“I’m fine,” Brooke replied, grinning. “Better than fine. Okay, a bit sore.”
“I hadn’t realized you were… weren’t…” Eric said, trying to figure out how to put it delicately.
“Eric Bergstresser, I’m a good girl,” Brooke said playfully. “And good girls wait.”
“Oh, you’re more than good,” Eric said, brushing some hair out of Brooke’s face. “You are amazing.”
“So are you,” Brooke replied, snuggling into his shoulder.
“Not all that amazing,” Berg said. “I’m sorry this was all I could swing for a honeymoon.”
The Holiday Inn, Seaside, in Virginia Beach was not exactly a five star hotel in some exotic location. But it also wasn’t as expensive and if they’d taken the travel time to go to someplace like Cancun, it would have cut time out of the honeymoon.
“This is perfect,” Brooke replied, nibbling his ear. “Wherever thou goest. I’m glad you didn’t do something expensive.”
“We might as well have just gone to the apartment,” Eric argued. “Of course, the apartment doesn’t have room service.”
“Which we won’t be using,” Brooke said firmly. “We can go out long enough to find something less expensive.”
“If you say so,” Berg replied, puzzled.
“I suppose I should have talked about this sooner,” Brooke said, sitting up. “But it’s something Momma made me promise I’d do early. So here goes. Can you let me take over the family finances?”
“Whatever you want, honey,” Berg said. “Right now, you could tell me to bark like a dog and I’d do it.”
“I’m serious, Eric,” Brooke said, pulling his chin up so he was looking her in the eye. “It’s something Momma did when she and Daddy first got married and she made sure I’d promise to do the same. You’re a lieutenant. Yes, that makes more than a petty officer, but not by all that much. And we’re going to have babies coming along, probably sooner rather than later. We’re going to have to be careful with money.”
“Agreed,” Berg said, shrugging. “Like I said, whatever you want. The only thing I spend money on, really, is my truck.”
“Which may have to go,” Brooke said, sighing. “If you’re not too reversed on the payments, we’ll need to trade it in on a family car.”
“Ouch,” Eric said. His truck was his one vanity. “If you say so.”
“I’ll make sure you have enough money to buy your rations in the officers’ club,” Brooke said. “And an allowance. But I’ll warn you, I’m a penny-pincher. I hope you’re going to be able to handle that.”
“Yes, Brooke, I can,” Eric said. “Now can we cuddle some more?”
“Please,” Brooke said, sliding down into his arms. “Are we shiny?”
“I hate trying to figure money out,” Berg said. “We’re more than shiny. So we get a couple of family cars. I can handle that.”
“One,” Brooke said. “You’re going to be gone a lot; you won’t need one.”
“Shiny,” Eric said, blinking in surprise at the response. “One it is. You really are a penny-pincher, aren’t you?”
“Enough to make George Washington scream for mercy,” Brooke said, grinning. “When all the other girls would be buying stuff at the mall, I’d go along. But I never had the urge to get any of it. Way too expensive and you could find exactly the same stuff in thrift shops. Momma made most of my dresses and nobody could tell and I learned to sew early. It’s just a matter of being really careful with money and you can look as if you’re better off than other people while, in fact, not making nearly as much. You remember that conversation where Miriam was talking about your career?”
“Vividly,” Eric said.
“Then that’s the rest of the story,” Brooke said. “I’m not willing to settle for second best. I want to be a wife first and I want you to be somebody. I’m more than willing to play the spouse game if you’re willing to do what it takes to get stars. Are you?”