by Lucas Marcum
As she approached and unlocked her office door, her phone went off. Hurrying inside and setting her bag down, she picked it up on the third ring.
“Plans and Operations, Colonel Suarez.”
“Liz, Jason. Are you in the office yet?” The connection was poor, with static swelling and surging as if there was something interfering with the signal.
Sitting down at her desk, she replied, “Just got in. Where are you?” She toggled her desktop screen, transferred the call, and the young man’s face appeared. She set the phone down.
Jason grimaced. “Phobos. Admiral Saunderson and I were up here for a conference when the alert went out. We’re trying to get a shuttle down, but now the fucking place is on lockdown. No one’s getting in or out. Listen, since we’re probably stuck up here, the admiral says the show is yours for now. He says to keep people calm and keep them busy.”
With a frown, she responded, “I’m not the senior officer down here. Captain Naga is, and there’s at least four or five other people who…”
Cutting her off, Jason replied, “The others are physicians or professionals without command experience, and the admiral doesn’t want Naga to do it. We both know why.”
With a sigh, Elizabeth replied, “He knows my last command experience was when I was a second lieutenant over a decade ago, and it was a medical supply detachment of like twelve people, right?”
“He knows, and he doesn’t care. He also knew you’d argue, so he says, ‘Carry out your bloody orders, Colonel.’” Jason smiled humorlessly. “That, in case you can’t tell, is a direct quote.”
With a sour look at the screen, she retorted, “You know she’s going to be a pain in the ass about this, right?”
“Yep. We leave how to deal with her in your capable hands.”
Rolling her eyes, Elizabeth replied, “Thanks a lot.” After a moment she asked, “Any word on how long?”
Grimly shaking his head, the naval officer replied, “No. Since we’re not in the combatant command element and have no need to know, we aren’t being told anything except that action is imminent.” He shrugged. “May have started already. I guess the Martian Government is working on a declaration of emergency, which should be out later today.”
Considering this for a moment, Elizabeth then asked, “So what do we do?”
Jason looked at her for a moment, then replied, “Honestly? I don’t know. I’ve never been in a combat situation that wasn’t on a starship. This is all new to me, and I gotta say, I felt a hell of a lot safer on the bridge of my cruiser.” He glanced off screen for a second, then added, “The alarms are going off up here again. I gotta go. Call if you need to, but I can’t promise either of us will answer. Do what you need to keep our people safe.” He hesitated, then added, “Good luck, Liz. Be careful.”
“You too, Jason. I’ll see you soon.” The man nodded, opened his mouth as if to speak, and then closed it and silently broke the connection. Elizabeth frowned at the now blank screen and sat back, thinking. After a moment, she stood and moved to the door, and stuck her head out into the hall, asking, “Anyone seen Major Carson?”
A passing enlisted sailor carrying two cups of coffee paused and replied, “She’s in the conference room, Ma’am. I think she’s setting up for the daily synch meeting. You need me to get her?”
“Yes, please. Tell her to just come in.” The sailor nodded and set off down the hall. Elizabeth moved to her desk and tapped on the news banner that was flashing on her computer. She sat and watched intently as the screen came to life.
The anchorman, a tall, shaven-headed man, was speaking in a perfect British English accent, “…Navy is reporting that the Elai fleet remains outside the defensive perimeter of the Belt. While its ultimate destination as of yet remains unknown, the First Fleet is en route and preparing to engage. Our sources within the Admiralty are reporting that the Elai fleet made a number of direction and speed changes, which make calculating intercept courses extremely challenging. For more, we go to…”
There was a tap on the doorframe, and Elizabeth looked up. Major Carson was standing in the doorway. She said calmly, “Ma’am. You asked for me?”
Elizabeth tapped the sound off and waved to a chair. “Come in, shut the door, and grab a seat. I need to bend your ear.”
Stepping inside, Karen closed the door and sat down. “What’s up?”
Gesturing to the now muted news feed, Elizabeth replied, “This. Apparently, the government is going to declare an emergency later today, the fleet’s heading out full steam to go fight them, and Admiral Saunderson is stuck on Phobos.”
Karen observed laconically, “Happy Tuesday.”
With a sigh Elizabeth responded sourly, “Yeah. But wait, there’s more. The admiral wants me to take charge and keep everyone calm and busy.”
With a quiet laugh the older woman observed, “Captain Naga’s not going to like that. She’s senior by rank.”
Grimacing, Elizabeth replied, “I know. That’s why I asked you here. Saunderson dumped that little problem in my lap. How do I handle her without causing strife?”
With a contemplative frown, Karen sat back for a moment, thinking. After a few seconds, she replied, “Put her to work at what she’s good at.”
“Which is?”
Gesturing at the computer screen, which was displaying a graphic outlining a fleet cruiser, she responded, “She’s Navy, so she’s had a crap-ton of vacuum emergency and rescue training.”
With a skeptical look, Elizabeth replied, “I don’t see how that helps us. She’s still going to be pissed about not getting this task.” Elizabeth leaned back in her chair.
With a quiet laugh, Karen replied, “Liz, what do you think those sharkies are gonna do? We’re sitting in the middle of one of the biggest military bases in the southern hemisphere. We’re going to get nailed, and she’s got training that can directly help people survive.”
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, Elizabeth replied, “You think? They’ve never bombarded planets before.”
“Doesn’t mean they won’t this time. I would if I were them. There’s no point sending a fleet to our home system if they aren’t going to try to take us out of the fight.”
Looking from the calm woman across from her to the computer screen and back, Elizabeth slowly asked, “What do we do?”
With a calm shrug, Karen replied, “The same thing soldiers have always done under bombardment. Dig in and wait for it to stop.” She leaned forward and said firmly, “In the meantime, ma’am, your job is to keep people calm and productive.”
Elizabeth shook her head slowly and after a moment, replied, “Right. Calm and productive. About Naga…You said put her to work?”
“Yeah. Have her drilling people in vacuum rescue and recovery. If the dome is broken or we lose building integrity, that’s going to save lives. She’s an expert, and I know for a fact she’s had to do it for real before. Her cruiser was shot up pretty bad on her last combat assignment. She’s also got just about every single person assigned to this task force committed to memory, so she’ll be damn good at making sure we have accountability of our people. She’s relentless and will work them until they can do it in their sleep, too.” Karen paused and added, “She’s also a massive bitch, and I can’t stand her as a person, but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s damn competent.”
Elizabeth thought about it for a minute, and then nodded. “Ok. Makes sense. Let me call her and we’ll see how it goes. You mind sticking around?”
Major Carson shook her head wordlessly, indicating agreement. Elizabeth texted Captain Naga, asking her if she was available to come to the office. Seconds later, a terse acknowledgement came.
With a sigh, Elizabeth remarked to the other officer, “Well. Here we go.” Several minutes later there was a tap on the door. Elizabeth said, “Come in.”
Captain Naga opened the door and entered. Her slender face, with high, angled cheekbones and tightly pressed lips, made her look coldly aloof. She
regarded Major Carson for a moment, then said, “Major, can you give us a moment, please?”
Major Carson stood and replied, “Sure, ma’am. Please call if you need me.”
Captain Naga nodded silently and waited until the woman left the room. After she did, she turned and faced Elizabeth and said, “I expect this is about interim leadership of Task Force Mercy.” She turned, walked to the window, and regarded the street below for a moment, her back to Elizabeth.
Taken aback, Elizabeth replied, “It is. Sort of.”
Naga turned her head slightly at that, and replied, “Let me guess. Admiral Saunderson is stuck upstairs due to the Navy lockdown protocol. They asked you to take charge of the Task Force temporarily, but I’m senior in both rank and time here.”
Quietly, Elizabeth responded, “They did. I objected, but the admiral…”
The slender woman smiled briefly in the reflection in the window. “It’s ok, Colonel. Really.” She turned, leaned against the ledge with her back to the window, and gracefully folded her slender arms. “I’m not the best person for the job. I had my chance at command, and I blew it.”
Puzzled, Elizabeth asked, “What do you mean?”
With a tiny, sad smile, Naga replied, “I had command before I came here. I blew it. That’s probably why I didn’t get breveted any further up, and why I’m not going to be the Task Force Mercy field commander. I’m an excellent administrator, but not command material.” She regarded Elizabeth for a moment. Seeing the confused look on her face, she sighed, moved across the room, and sat in the chair across from Elizabeth. She pursed her lips for a moment, then said, “I was at Desolation.”
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows in surprise and replied, “So was I! I was with a hospital unit.”
The naval officer smiled slightly. “Yes. The ‘Valkyries’. I remember hearing about it afterward. I’m sorry for that. It must have been rough down there.” She regarded Elizabeth for a moment, then sighed again. “I was assigned to the UEAN Redemption as the personnel officer. She was a heavy cruiser, ported out of Ta Ke Nong in Tau Ceti. A good ship, with good people.” She paused for a moment, a strange look on her face, then continued, “Anyway, shortly after the ground counterattack started, the fleet got ambushed. The Redemption took a couple of really hard hits, and somehow I ended up being the sole remaining officer alive on the bridge.” She looked down at her perfectly manicured nails and said quietly, “I was in command for thirty-seven minutes. Long enough to start damage control, fire off every missile we had left, and order the remaining crew to the lifeboats.” She glanced up, looked Elizabeth directly in the eyes, and said clearly, “I lost three hundred and thirteen sailors in thirty-seven minutes.” She added dryly, “They decorated me, gave me medical leave to go home to Nigeria for a few months, then sent me here. Sound familiar?”
Elizabeth nodded silently. Naga continued, her voice less cold than usual, “No. I’m not the person for this job. It’s yours, and you’ll have my full support.” She paused, and with a glint in her eye, added, “Don’t expect me to give anything less than my full opinion though, whether you like it or not.”
Elizabeth nodded and replied, “I’d expect nothing less, ma’am. Major Carson suggested that you work on a breach plan in case the dome or buildings are compromised.” She indicated the computer screen. “She thinks we’re going to get hit.”
With a slow nod, Captain Naga replied, “While Major Carson and I have our disagreements, she’s very bright and not prone to histrionics. I’d believe her.” She stood up abruptly and said firmly, “I’m going to take a couple of people and get a plan in place. I’ll have it to you for review by this evening. We have about four days.”
Elizabeth looked up at the woman and asked, “Four days until what?”
With a tight smile Naga replied, “Until the Elai are here.” She shrugged slightly. “Assuming my math is right, of course, but you don’t make it far in the Fleet if you’re bad at math.”
Elizabeth regarded the woman for a moment, then asked, “What do you suggest?”
With a shrug, Naga replied, “Find a deep, sturdy hole, preferably a long way away from a military target.” The tall woman turned to leave.
Elizabeth spoke quietly as the woman started to leave. “You did the best you could, you know. You saved a lot of lives.”
The woman paused, then replied without turning, “Captain Naga knows that.” Elizabeth could see the slender woman look down for a moment, then sigh. “But Chioma still hears them in her dreams at night. When she closes her eyes, she hears the pressure alarms, the screeching of tearing hull plates, and the children asking when their mommies and daddies are coming home.” She turned, looked back at Elizabeth, and added, “Nights are tough. Aren’t they, Colonel?” She held the gaze for a moment, then turned and silently left.
Wordlessly Elizabeth watched her go. Major Carson silently appeared in the door again and waited. After a moment, she cleared her throat.
Elizabeth started, then replied, “Oh, yes! Sorry. Do you mind setting up a briefing for later this morning? Everyone. We need to keep people up to date on things.” She paused and added, “Also, get me the section heads in the conference room in fifteen minutes. We have some contingency planning to do.” Karen nodded, turned, and left. Elizabeth sat back and thought for a moment, then sighed and turned to her computer. She opened her email, then stopped. She clicked the search bar and typed ‘UEAN Redemption’ and hit ‘enter’. The screen displayed the entry immediately.
“The UEAN Redemption (CA-37) was an Attribute Class heavy cruiser assigned to the UEAN Third Fleet. Commissioned in 2236, she was severely damaged by Elai anti-ship missiles in 2245 during the First Space Battle of Desolation, resulting in the loss of over 200 of her crew. Efficient damage control and prompt evacuation of the ship allowed the majority of her 1,500 crewmen to be rescued. Recovered after the battle, the Redemption was deemed unsalvageable, and was scrapped in 2247. She earned one battle star for her actions over Desolation. The ship’s bell is currently in the care of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland, Earth.”
Elizabeth read the entry, then turned the monitor off. She sighed, laid her head on her folded arms on the desk, and closed her eyes, suddenly feeling incredibly weary.
-28-
“Something Wicked This Way Comes”
Aboard the Heavy Cruiser UEAN Adventurous
Flagship of the UEAN First Fleet (Sol Defense)
Inside the Belt Defensive Perimeter
September 14, 2248
“Group Alpha has changed course again, sir. Now at one two one, mark four at…point three.” The watchstander reported the change calmly, eyes locked on his instruments. Admiral Ortega nodded and looked to his left toward the captain standing there. “Captain Wynn. Thoughts?”
The woman shrugged and asked the officer on the sensor station, “How many does this make, McDermott? Number Seven? Eight?”
The officer replied, “If you don’t count the orientation maneuver when they entered the system from jump, this is eight.” The man frowned at his instruments again. “Again, the same pattern. Shift heading, accelerate, then shift heading, and slow.” He turned and said, “Captain, do you think they might be launching kinetic rounds?”
Raising her eyebrows, Wynn frowned at the display. After a moment she said, “It’s pretty damn far out. It’d take weeks to hit anything…wouldn’t it?”
Admiral Ortega commented in a flat tone as he stated at the display, “Not if they’re aiming at the Belt defenses.”
Wynn stared at the display for a moment before responding slowly, “Kinetic rounds aren’t going to hit all that hard without a gravity well. Plus, we have a lot of stealthy and remote missile bases out there. They couldn’t possibly hit enough of them to make it through unscathed, and when they do get through, we’re going to be all over them.” She frowned, her brow furrowing. “So, what’s their game?”
Commander McDermott reported again, “Red shift on Group Alpha,
multiple bogies. Three six two, mark two.” Ortega and Wynn traded a look and waited. The officer said, “There we go. The destroyers just lit off their drives…and there go the heavies. Looks like this is the big one.”
With his eyes locked on the display, Admiral Ortega responded, “Ok. Let’s see where they’re headed. Notify Belt Command that we have movement and will adjust our heading to intercept.” A nearby petty officer on a communications panel nodded and bent to the task.
The sensor officer stared at his instruments intently for a moment, then said again, “Sir, they’re really accelerating. It looks like they’re going to try to blow through the Belt defenses.”
The petty officer on communications called out, “Belt Command acknowledges. They report ready to engage.”
Suddenly Commander McDermott said urgently, “Sir, we have vector changes on the destroyers… Stand by.” He stared intently at his instruments for a moment, then said, “The destroyers are vectoring right at us. I think they’re on an engagement heading.”
“How many?” Wynn demanded.
“Um…” The man checked his instruments and then looked up. “All of them it looks like.” He tapped a few keys and added, “The entire Elai fleet has come up to speed and is on an engagement course.” The console chirped. The officer frowned, then added, “Wait. No. It looks like they’re diverging…” Ortega leaned forward and stared at the display as it updated. Commander McDermott said again, “Ok. The destroyers are heading right at us. The other group with the two big ones and the cruisers is heading for Mars.”