Betrayal of the Federation

by K M Dean

  Admiral Miller said, “Commander Easton Humphries had been my CPA after I retired from the wet navy. Humphries lost his wife to cancer and his only son to drugs. He had come completely apart. He began drinking and wound up without a job, broke and homeless. By chance one day I saw him on the street in DC, he was a mess. Dirty, disheveled and so hungry he could barely stand. He had stopped drinking but was not able to find a job. I hired him as a consultant because he needed a chance. I finally convinced him to accept a commission. He never let me down. He is a first-class accountant and an excellent officer. He would be a natural for your Navy and Marine Financial Management Branch. I would consider it a personal favor if you gave him a shot at it John.”

  “That’s good enough for me Leland. If he wants it, he has it.” Replied Admiral Anderson.

  When Commander Easton Humphries stepped in to Admiral Anderson’s office, John realized he was a very buttoned-down individual. He was the quintessential accountant. There was no doubt in Admiral Anderson’s mind he could do the job.

  Admiral Anderson began by saying, “Commander Humphries tell me a bit about yourself. What do you do in your spare time and how do you like Apsis Prime.”

  Commander Humphries said, “Admiral, in my spare time I have established a school on Apsis Prime teaching basic math and some accounting courses. The Rheagane people were dragged in to a future they were not prepared for. They are ill equipped for the intricacies of Galactic society. I had a lot of free time on my hands after we were transferred to Apsis Prime and it seemed like something that could help the Rheagane people adjust. As for Apsis Prime, the people are quite nice. The planet is delightful and besides I have nothing back on Earth to go home to.”

  “Commander, I have spoken with Admiral Miller and he has recommended you for a position I have available. You would become a member of my Joint Chiefs. Your position would be Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine Financial Management, Military Pay, Compensation and Policy. Are You interested?”

  “Admiral, I would be happy to join your Joint Chiefs of Staff. It would be good to get back to work, however, I have concerns about my school. I could never leave the people who have come to learn without an opportunity to continue their education.”

  “Commander, I don’t think it will come to that. In fact, I believe it is important that the school continue. Why don’t you see if you can recruit some teachers who could keep the school open? Perhaps we could expand the curriculum. I would see to it that you had time for the school and we could probably make a case for the Federation Navy to help support the school financially as well.”

  “In that case Admiral, I would be happy to come aboard.”

  “Excellent Commander, I will have your orders cut at once. We will have quarters in the next few days. In the meantime, think about the people you will need on staff.”

  “Thank you, Admiral, I look forward to the challenge.”

  After Commander Humphries had gone Admiral Anderson asked Lieutenant Mendoza to send in the next interview.

  His next candidate was Lieutenant Willum Heathcock. Heathcock had been in supply on Earth. There was little in his official record, but the fact that he was only a Lieutenant was a red flag. At his age, he should easily be a commander, or at least a Lieutenant Commander. He asked Lori to send him in. Admiral Anderson heard a knock on his hatch and said, “enter.”

  Lieutenant Heathcock slouched in and took a seat.

  Admiral Anderson said, “Lieutenant Heathcock, you do realize that the Navy code of behavior declares that you are to come to attention when entering the office of a superior officer. Are you not?”

  Heathcock replied, “Do we really have to go through all of that Admiral? You have a job that needs to be done. I can do it better than anyone else so let’s get down to it, OK?”

  Admiral Anderson replied,” Oh I see, you’re one of those laid-back kinds of people, are you? The Navy have too much pomp and circumstance for you?”

  “That’s right Admiral, I don’t have the time for all that crap. I’m good at what I do and if you want me for the job you will just have to make the adjustment.”

  “All right Lieutenant, I will make the adjustment right now. Admiral Anderson pinged Lori, on his TUI, “Lieutenant Mendoza, have a set of orders drawn up for Lieutenant Willum Heathcock.” Anderson saw the smirk forming on Hitchcock’s face. He thought he had won this little turf war.

  Admiral Anderson continued, “Lieutenant Heathcock is ordered to report to personnel for immediate separation from the Federation Navy. He is to be sent back to Earth on the earliest transport available.” Heathcock lost the smirk and jumped to attention. He said, “I’m sorry Admiral. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  Admiral Anderson replied, “You didn’t upset me Mr. Heathcock, you just forced me to make an adjustment.”

  He said, “But Sir, what am I going to do? I don’t want to go back to Earth, I have no job there and no prospects.”

  Admiral Anderson said, “I imagine you will just have to make an adjustment Mr. Heathcock. You are dismissed.”

  Fortunately, Heathcock was the only clinker in the bunch. The rest of the interviews went well. Admiral Anderson had some tough choices to make.

  In the end, I chose the best from an impressive list of people.

  Admiral Carl Durand, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy Operations

  Captain Easton Humphries, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine Financial Management, Military Pay, Compensation and Policy

  Captain Anne Hiller, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine Weapon and Vessel development and standardization

  Captain Janet Fofana, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine Personnel, Diversity and Inclusion

  Captain Toriah Rudkin, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine logistics and supply

  Captain Carla Landau, Deputy Chief, Federation Navy and Marine Physical Readiness, Fitness, training, and readiness

  General Terry Giles, Deputy Chief, Federation Marine Corps. Chief of Operations

  Later that day, Rick Hill pinged Admiral Anderson on his TUI. He said, “Admiral, I have office space for you. We set aside space when we started the buildup here. There should be plenty of room for your people and their staff. I ordered enough furniture to be brought up for everyone on your list and their aides. I can get more as it is needed. The Federation Navy intelligence and security people have been here and set up secure lines. Swept the place for bugs and set up space for a marine security presence in the outer office. Anything else I can do for you?”

  Admiral Anderson said, “thanks Rick. It never occurred to me I would need a staff and office space. I’m glad someone was doing some planning.”

  “No problem Admiral call if you need anything.” Replied Rick Hill.

  “You know admiral, we need to have a drink sometime. It’s been a while.”

  “I know,” replied Admiral Anderson. “Maybe now that I have some help I will have a chance to take you up on that Rick. Thanks for your help. See you later.”

  A few days later, the command staff was settled in and Admiral Anderson was a little less pressed for time. He had not had a chance to look around the station. Now that things seemed to be calming down a bit he was able to take some personal time. Admiral Anderson called Rick Hill to see if he had time for a drink and dinner.

  It turned out that Fred Wien had opened a new place in Gamma Remidian Station called, oddly enough, Fred’s Grillennium Falcon Bar and Grill Too. Admiral Anderson agreed to meet Rick in the bar at about nineteen hundred hours.

  As he was sitting at the bar waiting for Rick, Admiral Anderson felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Stephanie Holmes. “Steph” was one on the reporters that had interviewed him when he had been doing some R&R on Earth. She said, “Captain John, how are you?” He said, “Steph, nice to see you. I’m fine, how about yourself?”

  “Just great Admiral, except I am in kind of a mess. I was supposed to get here in time to join Admiral Miller. I was going to linkup wi
th the Earth contingent and send back regular reports on the people and activities that were taking place at the Federation Council on Giana Prime. Solar System News didn’t get the paperwork done in time for me to join the Admiral, but they managed to get me on a freighter coming to Apsis Prime. Unfortunately, I just missed Admiral Miller. I arrived just one day after he departed. I don’t know what I am going to do now. Everything is so messed up.”

  Admiral Anderson said. “Steph, it so happens we have a contingent of Marines going to Giana Prime. I could check to see if they have space for you. It wouldn’t be a pleasure trip by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it would probably be uncomfortable, but if you are interested I will check it out for you?”

  Steph replied, “Oh, Admiral Anderson, could you please? I would be forever grateful if you could get me on that ship. I can rough it when I have to, and what girl in her right mind would pass up riding with a ship full of Marines?”

  “Stand by Steph, let me talk to General Giles.” Said Admiral Anderson. He immediately queried Terry Giles on his TUI. Giles answered up right away. Admiral Anderson told him what was going on and said, “Terry would you approve her transportation with your Marines if there is room?

  “Yes, I will approve that Admiral. There is one proviso though. I would like for her to do a story about the new Marine training facility and tell the folks back home what our Marines are really like. I would ask that she send her story to me for approval before she airs it. The ship leaves in just over three days. She would have plenty of time to do some interviews with my people here. We will give her the best ship board accommodations available, but it is a troop ship. It won’t be particularly comfortable.”

  “I will have her at your office first thing in the morning Terry.” Replied Admiral Anderson. “You can take it from there. And thanks Terry.”

  “All right Steph, it looks like you have a ride. Be at General Terry Giles office first thing in the morning. He is on Apsis Prime, at the Jack Lucas[11] Federation Marine training base. There are shuttles running every hour and you can grab a bus from Diviak Y’shol spaceport to the Marine base. He is going to want you to write about his Marines. Are you OK with that?”

  “Of course, Admiral, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. As a way of saying thank you, may I buy you dinner?” Steph asked.

  “Thank you, Steph, I’ll take a rain check. But you can join me and my friends if you like.” “I would be delighted Admiral.” Replied Stephany.

  The Military ring was segregated from the remainder of Apsis Prime Station. Access could only be gained by passing through a portal guarded by Marines.

  The facility was very much like the Pentagon on Earth, except on a smaller scale, of course. Even though the entire station was military in nature, there was a considerable amount of civilian activity. There was a very nice hotel. And in addition to “Fred’s Grillennium Falcon Bar and Grill Too”, there were a couple of other restaurants and even a couple of fast food places. There were shops and stores springing up all over the place and space was becoming highly valued.

  As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Admiral Anderson did not actually have a shipboard assignment. Now, without a ship, he had taken an apartment inside the military ring on Apsis Prime Station. It was small, but much larger than the quarters on board ship would have been, so they were fine. He wasn’t spending that much time there anyway.

  At ten hundred hours, the next morning the first Joint Chiefs meeting took place in the large meeting room in, what was now being called “Mil Space”.

  Admiral Anderson stood and announced, “Before we begin I want to introduce all of you to a new member of the Joint Chiefs. Please welcome Commander Cardalal Qobrun. Commander Qobrun has agreed to take the newly created position of Chief of Intelligence and Security. He joins us from the Krayari home planet, Consileen, in the Zeta Andromidae system. The Krayari have an excellent intelligence system they have built up over many years. We are most fortunate they have joined us in the confrontation we are facing with the Jian Empire.”

  Commander Qobrun stood and said, “We have a formidable task facing us. The Jian, although not totally prepared to go to war, are much closer than we are. Our intelligence tells us that one of the problems the Jian Empire has is that some of the systems that joined the Empire under duress are seeing this war as an ideal opportunity to get out from under the Jian thumb.”

  “Our agents in these systems are seeing a higher level of resistance to Jian authority than ever before. We feel that given the correct “boost” these systems could begin outright rebelliousness. If we can encourage these mini rebellions, they could cause major problems for the Jian Empire. The Jian Empire will have no choice but to attempt to maintain their hold on the rebellious systems. Losing even one would encourage other systems who are teetering on the edge of rebellion. Attempting to maintain their stranglehold will stifle the Empires ability to build their war machine. We are working with Admiral Anderson to formulate a plan to take advantage of this opportunity.”

  Admiral Anderson said. “What we need now is bodies. We have new ships coming down the line and we are desperately short of crews. How can we speed up the process to fill the slots?”

  Admiral Duran said, “As you know there was a crew training program opened when the Marines established the Jack Lucas Federation Marine training facility here on Apsis Prime. The Navy crews were training with the Marines as a basic course and then moving on to specialty classes. We instituted a new program that minimizes the Marine portion of their training. All Naval personnel will know how to handle basic weapons. They will also be in excellent health and condition. What they will not be is Marines. We don’t need Marines to run our ships. We need naval personnel. We have changed the curricula to place greater emphasis on ship board duties and technical training while doing abbreviated Marine basic training for Naval personnel.”

  “This coupled with nearly three times the simulators we had allows us to turn out a six complete cruiser crews of enlisted personnel every sixty-eight days.”

  “The Noncom trainees come from veteran enlisted who have a referral from their own noncoms or officers. They get an intense six weeks of noncommissioned officer training and then join their enlisted groups as their training supervisors for the remaining twenty-six days. We have been successful in taking the cream of the existing noncom troops and moving them in to an intensive Officer Training program.”

  “Officers and noncoms had been our biggest problem. When the Krayari joined the Federation, not only did they bring some awesome equipment with them, but they have well trained officers and crews. That eased the pain somewhat because we only had to train the Krayari on the basics of the Federation organizational structure and get them up to speed on Federation equipment.”

  “We are turning out combined Federation crews that include Terran, Krayari, Creydall, and Rheaganes. These species are all major players in the Federation Navy and Marine corps. We also have a few Eldirelians, Chogangans from Thesulia VI, J'Kucron from Kasama and Luvenderans from Amerath. We anticipate increasing our training output to ten crews per sixty-eight-day cycle with the addition of more simulators.”

  Captain Humphries was next up. He began by saying, “My job right now is pretty easy. The Federation is making funds available in abundance. The Jian scare the crap out of most species in the Federation and they want nothing more than to see them defeated. They realize that the best way to do that is to make certain we have whatever we need and that includes money. I imagine we should enjoy it while we can. It won’t last forever.”

  Admiral Anderson said, “Thank You Captain, Captain Hiller, what do you have for us?”

  Captain Hiller said, “The new ships coming from Titan Station are arriving at about three every ten days. Depending on the class ship it takes roughly thirty-one days to install the weapons and shield technology. That probably won’t change much, but with the added personnel we are training now the number of ships completed over that period will
begin to increase. Trained people has been the problem from the beginning. Now with the new training programs, increased AI controlled robots and additional people willing to be trained we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

  “The Monitor program is coming along well. We have four ships completed. The crews will finish training by the end of the week.”

  Admiral Anderson said, “thank you Captain Hiller. Is there anyone who is not up to speed on the Monitor program?” Everyone indicated they knew what the Monitor ships were capable of.

  “Captain Fofana, what do you have for us?”

  Janet said, “Our diversity programs are working fine. The inclusion of so many disparate species had gone amazingly well. We have requests for training slots from several of the Federation systems. Getting good people is not a problem on our side so far.”

  “Captain Rudkin, how about logistics and supply?” Said Admiral Anderson.

  Captain Rudkin spoke up. “As of last week, our supply lines have begun to flow very well. There were some problems getting the replicators adjusted to fit the needs of some of the new species coming aboard. Those problems have been solved. I have brought in two new people who are experts in programming the replicators. They have instituted a program that trains at least one person in the engineering section of each ship who will be able to take care of updating the replicators for any species we may encounter.”

  Captain Carla Landau, Federation Navy and Marine Physical Readiness, Total personnel fitness, training and readiness was next up. She said, “Captain Hiller touched on our training programs. They are going well. We can always use more candidates. We have training slots we can’t fill. With the new recruitment programs, I expect that to change for the better. We are developing multi species recruitment programs and that will require expanded training facilities and equipment. We have prepared contingency plans to cover that eventuality.”