CHAPTER III
THE FIRST NOTE OF WAR
Some weeks after the day on which Alec Brandon and Flora Houghton had visited the theatre together there was a tremendous commotion in London. One night telegrams of an awful and terrible import were flashed across space from Neptune to the earth, for one of the swiftest interstellar vessels had just arrived within the confines of the Solar System bringing news from the other worlds beyond. There was a hurried meeting of ministers, generals, and admirals at the Bureau of War to consider what was best to be done. They consulted together for hours with closed doors, but their deliberations were frequently interrupted by the arrival of fresh telegrams. The news soon leaked out. The morning papers were full of it, and an hour later it had been flashed all over the globe. What had been predicted a long time before by some far-seeing men had actually come to pass.
For a long time past, a band of adventurers had been colonizing a planet called Iosia, which was situated far beyond the confines of the Sirian System. This planet was particularly rich in mineral wealth and other natural products, hence its possession was considered by the Colonial Bureau to be a most valuable acquisition. But shortly after the first party of Anglo-Saxons had landed there, its existence became known to the people of Kairet, the ruling planet of the Sirian System, and they much coveted the enormous resources which it was rumoured to possess. Small parties of colonists were sent out and took possession of tracts of land that were far remote from those occupied by the Anglo-Saxons; but this was not at first noticed by the latter. Larger expeditions were sent out, and the first colonists soon became aware that they were not the only occupiers of the planet. However, they did not object, as the people of Kairet seemed to be peaceably inclined and quite willing to be under the Government of the Anglo-Saxons. But as time went on the former became more and more aggressive. They began to set the authority of the Government at defiance, and to export the produce of the planet without paying the moderate duties which the Anglo-Saxons demanded. Very little of what actually went on was ever known at the mother planets, since the distance was so great and the accounts that were sent were much warped by national prejudice. But the rivalry between the representatives of the two Powers continually increased; for although Iosia was much larger than the Earth, the rapidity with which the colonists could travel about in their powerful interstellar ships frequently brought the two parties into contact. Moreover, a mutual rapacity and greed caused the two parties to regard one another with no favourable eye.
Much secret anger was felt by the people of Kairet at their not having been the first to discover and annex such a valuable planet, and they secretly instructed their own colonists not to give way in any particular to their more fortunate rivals. War-ships were even quietly despatched, and hidden away immediately on their arrival in case they might be wanted.
Things went on in this manner for some time, but at last the rivalries of the two nations came to a climax. The men who held command of both parties at Iosia were impetuous and greedy, and could not bear to give up any advantages of locality or products to their rivals. Those under them followed their example and instructions, and soon both parties became extremely hostile to one another. But more moderate men managed to keep their passions in check for a time. At last, however, by some awkwardness of fate both nations hit upon the same site for founding a city. It was a spot that was eminently fitted, both by climate and surroundings, for such a purpose. Both parties were equally determined not to yield, so amidst much quarrelling they both began to make preparations for building on the same spot. An open rupture could not now be much longer delayed.
One day some engineers and workmen belonging to Kairet attacked a party of Anglo-Saxons who were engaged in quarrying some very valuable stone, and drove them from their works. But the latter collected what weapons were at hand, and dislodged their assailants. An obstinate fight then took place, numbers joining their own compatriots from the adjacent works until the place was like a battlefield. Night came on without either party gaining any material advantage. Being now thoroughly exasperated with one another, and regardless of consequences, both parties manned their war-ships the next day and brought them into action. A fierce and bloody engagement took place. Although the vessels were only fourth-class and were badly provided with munitions of war, the contest was obstinately maintained for hours, and only ceased when several ships had been totally wrecked and some thousands of men killed. The Anglo-Saxons on the whole had the worst of the fight, since their opponents had been secretly making preparations for the conflict a long time before.
As soon as the battle was over, both parties despatched the swiftest interstellar ships they had with the news to their respective Governments. At Kairet the news was received with enthusiasm by both Government and people, and they were urged on by their jealousy of the Anglo-Saxons to claim from the latter one-half of Iosia. The Anglo-Saxons, on the other hand, were angered at what had happened, and, having the right of prior possession, refused to listen to these demands. Months were occupied by negotiations and counter-proposals, but nothing was arranged. At Kairet the hatred of the Anglo-Saxons increased from day to day, and many covetous minds were turned to the planets of the Solar System. At last the Government yielded to the clamorous wishes of the people. It threatened to make war against the Earth and its federated planets unless its demands were acceded to. This was refused at once. Then a formal declaration of war was sent by the Government of Kairet to London, and it announced its intention of commencing hostilities three months after the date of the delivery of the declaration of war.
As soon as the news of the coming war was announced, it caused a tremendous sensation all over the Earth; for no one knew how the interstellar ships would fight, as they had not yet been tried in actual war. Every quarter of the globe resounded with the din of preparations, since it was determined that the fleets must be ready to start for space in a month's time. New ships were commenced at all the dockyards, which worked night and day fitting out transports and making cannon and ammunition. Telegraphic messages were flashed to Mars, Venus, and Mercury, instructing them to have their fleets assembled in the neighbourhood of London within a period of one month, and to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune to have theirs assembled at the latter planet within a further period of one month. The air around London and above the great arsenals and dockyards was crowded with interstellar vessels of every description. Tenders were flying along hither and thither, bringing munitions of war and provisions. The drill-grounds were crowded day and night with new battleships, making trial trips or testing their cannon. At night the air was lighted up by the blaze of signal-lights as the fleets manœuvred in various formations. Hundreds of huge ships were chartered from the great transport companies to act as transports and cruisers. The greatest exertions were made everywhere to have the preparations as complete as possible; for the War Bureau was well aware that the power of Kairet was not to be despised.
At last, when the month came to an end, a vast fleet was assembled at a short distance from London, ready to dash into space and annihilate the foes of the Anglo-Saxon race. There were in all nearly 300 huge first-class battleships, 800 of the second class, 1,600 third, and 500 swift ships to act as cruisers, besides numerous transports filled with soldiers, and a countless host of small craft that performed the same functions as the torpedo-boats of the old days of war on the sea.
The whole of the armament was divided into ten divisions, each commanded by an admiral who was, in his turn, with certain limitations, under the orders of the Admiral-in-Chief who commanded the whole. The divisions were further subdivided, and each subdivision was under a sub-admiral, so that the movements of the fleet could be controlled better. Nearly 2,000 vessels were ready to join the fleet at Neptune, and then the combined fleets were to dash into space and seek their foes. An arrangement was made under which the vessels that left the various dockyards within the next two months were to form second, third, and fourth lines of defence. Those from the outer planets were to form a second line of defence about the orbit of Neptune. Those from the inner planets were to form the third line of defence at the Moon, and those from the Earth to form the fourth and last line in the neighbourhood of London.