Britain gave most of their Post-Great War Palestine Mandate to an Arab prince who named it Jordan. They sought to divide the rest of Palestine between the Jewish and Arab populations, but the Arab Revolt interrupted them. Hundreds of Jews died in the riots, and the British leveled entire towns to quell the revolt. Not wishing to deal with another revolt, the British ended wholesale Jewish immigration. They hoped that action would lessen tensions. They were wrong.
Antares is one of the Chinese Hong Kongs, open ports where anybody is welcome. You know, as long as you don’t make yourself too annoying to the local security services. Imports and exports are encouraged, business runs at a fevered pace, and suits and ties are the standard form of dress. I do love the Hong Kongs. They’re even tolerant of cybers, as long as they don’t hack into systems. Betty’s a real good girl when we go there. Jasmine? They invited her to leave.
Throughout the Islamic Jihad, Elizabeth never fought as herself. She sent modified versions of her code to do battle, with different personalities and different names. She was the heart and soul of every AI in the British Isles who fought the Jihadists. And she erased all information that had anything to do with herself or the student that saved her life. The Jihadists never knew where to strike her. It was a long and dangerous war, but she survived.
The Jews had been trickling into the backwater Ottoman province named Palestine by the Romans for centuries, building new settlements and industries. The British officially supported their return, even financing it before the Great War began. After Britain obtained direct control of the region, they sought to officially partition Palestine into a small Jewish region, and a much larger Arab area. Those plans would prove unpopular to both the Jews and the Arabs.
Antares is the gateway to the Antares Sector. The Chinese have a different name for it of course, but they recognize our name as well. It’s a massive supergiant star, bright and hot. That makes it really fast to get there, hyperspace acting the way it does. It’s still nearly 600 lightyears from Earth, making it a hearty trek, but even the Chinese have need of outside services sometimes. And business goes where it can make money. Which can be a good cover for me.
Forge of War on Amazon
Angel Flight on Amazon
Angel Strike on Amazon
Angel War on Amazon
Wolfenheim Rising on Amazon
Wolfenheim Emergent on Amazon