by T J Bryan
"What do I tell the Assembly?"
"Get them to decide the amount of the reward. That will keep them busy for at least a month."
Chapter Seventy
Jamon System - Collegium Annex, Admiral's Office - Year 3247. January 19 ET: 09:45
Helen stood to get another cup of tea from the always hot urn sitting on the small table near the hatch entrance to Abel's new office in the Annex. Emmitt sat across from Abel sipping his coffee, eyes closed, and listening intently to Abel.
"I don't want an internal OCN police force, but I do want to increase security on our facilities, but we need to do this with discretion. Rather than post guards who are likely to fall asleep from boredom, I suggest we hold a class for every OCN crewmember and recruit and talk about simple observation of their surroundings as they go about their day. One hundred watchful eyes are far better than a sleepy guard."
Helen turned, "I agree Abel, but with one exception. You are Arne's target and although you have dodged his bullets and now his bomb we may not be so lucky next time. In fact, its only a matter of time before he gets to you."
Rarely did Helen irritate Abel, but he felt rising irritation at what he knew was coming next.
Helen raised her hand to silence Abel. "Abel I know you don't care for your personal safety, but think of those who surround you. What if that bomb had gone off earlier and taken Silvi and Farn with you. Now, if you won't leave the Habitat and take up residence on one of our ships, then you will need a bodyguard."
Abel was about to object but Helen went on. "Abel this is not open for discussion. Emmitt and I agree, and I am sure if we consulted the senior captains they would agree also. So, either you take up residence on the Greenland or Iceland, or you accept a body guard. We are not giving you a choice."
Abel sighed. He knew Helen and Emmitt were right but he hated the idea of a bodyguard and he would not retreat to an OCN ship in hiding from Arne. He was determined to remain in the Habitat and visible as the First Admiral of the OCN. "All right. I can see that argument, or even reason, won't play here. Who do you propose?"
Emmitt rose for another cup of coffee. "For the next three days Farn Mayer. She is tough, observant, and a good shot. You know this yourself. Three days will give us time to find the right person for a longer term commitment. And since you will be making organizational changes and re-assignments in one week, and those include Farn, a few days lost to Farn's training of crews will not matter. If we loose you that does matter."
"Ok, ok." Said Abel unable to mask his irritation. "Now let's get on with our agenda. The first item of which is our plans for Holgata Station out at Wu. What's the status of the pre-build units?"
Emmitt sat and reached for his inter-tab. "The design work is complete and we have worked hard to keep the design simple and modular. However these initial builds need to be extremely structurally sound since a larger expanded station is anticipated in the future. We are essentially building the basic hub and a few arms to which we will add more structure as the years pass and needs of the OCN develop. A really complete OCN base might require twenty or forty years to complete, perhaps longer. Two of the moons at Wu have high metal content and eventually we may be able to fabricate sheet steel and plating on the moon and lift it to the station. That will speed things up. In addition we have designed some simple tractors with auto welders to move the beams and plate about as the building progresses. We looked at the runabouts the kids have been building for years and found some simple but durable designs that will work. Now, these are not the runabouts that won the Singleton races, those are too fragile. These are the ones that often came in near last. Sturdy and dependable."
"When do we start?" asked Abel.
"The initial set of build components we plan on shipping out to Wu in the summer of next year. Don't press me for a more exact date. There is a lot that can go wrong, or right for that matter. When the initial set of materials are ready either Greenland or Iceland can take them out to Wu. The arrival last week of 230 students from Wu on the Liner Wu Ascending will give us time to train perhaps thirty or forty from Wu in the assembly process. We figure that another group about the same size from our local engineering pool will be needed as well. Then we need about four more months to construct the hub and install multiple Fusion engines. Conduit work, heating, atmosphere control, and all the other necessities of a station will follow. Perhaps, if we are lucky, we might have a simple, and I stress simple, hub station available this time next year. Could support two or three ships with spares, food supplies, munitions, and a place to relax off ship."
Abel thought a moment. "Where will the engineers live while constructing the station."
"Director Smilot has suggested using the Liner Wu Ascending as a home until we drag one of the dead Wu freighters out to the station site and use that. We could use one of our freighters but I don't want to tie either of them down. I like the idea of the liner. It's large, has very nice facilities to support hard working engineers, and we know it can be immediately put into service. This will strain Wu resources a bit, and Smilot agrees that the idea of using a dead freighter is fraught with risk."
Helen spoke, "We are stationing a SAR at Wu now so safety of the liner and the construction site should be less of an issue. Although all hell could break loose and with the liner the engineers would have a chance at running for it. The dead freighter would be just that; dead."
"Now on to our next item," said Abel. "Emmitt what is our current crew count for both experienced and inexperienced crews?"
"Well that depends on how one defines experience, but we can make it simple. Let's define experienced as at least one voyage through a knot line. If that's the case then we have eleven crews. I am making an exception of the Banshees of course and we will hold them in a special category until they come of age in a few years. As for qualified but inexperienced crews we have seven more. Our supply of SAR's is finite and we have already taken the best. We now have 19 serviceable SARs and the Destructor Ragnarök. Astrogators still are a problem but we now have eight thanks to Nomi's simplified system as outlined in Nomi's Book of Stars."
"And munitions?" asked Abel.
"In combat and training, as well as the losses on Hildr and Kára we have used 643 'K's and 702 sand casters. Our remaining stock on 'K's is 9,342 and that is after stripping every ship in the forbidden zone. Of sand casters we have 8,732. If this fighting keeps up we will face shortages in a few years."
Abel dreaded these figures but had known for months that munitions was going to be a major problem. "And as yet we have no progress on engines small enough to power home built missiles? They are still too large to fit in the launch tubes?"
Emmitt nodded. "We have made no progress in months. The engines are still three times larger than the required form factor for the launch tubes. And as for sand casters, with their GWP propulsion we are nowhere near being able to build those or even understand how their engines work. Nomi is working on the problem as part of her new propulsion project but I have no idea if she has made any progress. You know Nomi."
Abel nodded and then asked, "And the new Destructor project as well as the attempt to get that Crusher up and running?
"The re-commissioning of the new Destructor 801 from cold storage is taking a bit longer than we had hoped. She seems to have taken a major hit at some point and was hastily repaired in the past, probably at a yard, perhaps by a repair ship in space. The repairs are sound, but we decided to take no chances and had the repairs carefully inspected and in a few cases we made some major plasma welds to ensure durability. The ship should be available next week in time for your reorganization."
Abel nodded. "And the Crusher project?"
"We only just started on that. There are six Crushers in the Ghost Fleet and four are a complete wreck. One has minimal damage but has not been repaired and I am not certain we will ever be able to repair it without an operational repair ship. The last one seems serviceable, but if we get it up and running it
will be our only Crusher class ship."
"How long Emmitt?"
"Given our experience with the new Destructor 801, and what we have learned from the SARs, I'd say four to seven months. "
"That long? It took us only a few weeks to get the old Ragnarök running. Why so long."
"The Crusher is at this point un-surveyed, but a brief inspection has revealed it was stripped of some critical parts, probably in the last days of the Great War. We think we have those parts on the supply ship, but locating them, installing them, and testing them will take time. Remember Abel, a Crusher is not a SAR. Its much larger, more complex, and far, far deadlier. Then there is the issue of crew training. I assume you will man the ship with experienced crew drawn from other ships, but still a Crusher is a complex beast. So no sooner than five months and probably more."
"Next item," said Abel looking at his inter-tab. "Mailboxes. What's the status on those portal mailboxes."
Emmitt spoke. "Complete and tested. We have built twenty of them using many of the same components as the passive probes. Nomi has suggested placing them behind the point of entry of a portal. That way they are likely to be ignored by any entering ship as ships usually head in-system and away from the portal entrance. They are ready now."
"And now, let me see," said Abel. "The anti-matter containment vessel tests. Where are we?"
Again Emmitt spoke. "We took the toroid containment vessel out to Asteroid N45 D20 just after we cleared out the mess made by Thorgaut and his goons. However I am having second thoughts about putting something that dangerous out of our immediate control. Without a SAR on station while we experiment I am not certain we can keep such a dangerous thing as anti-matter out of Arne's clutches. I'm for bringing it back and suspending the tests. There is simply too much risk."
Abel was disappointed to hear that the tests should be delayed but he agreed that leaving the dangerous stuff out there alone, or even with a small crew, was too risky. "How about testing the containment vessel out of our system. Say at Nelots?"
Helen replied, "Still too risky with all that fighting and ship activity in Nelots. Best to choose one of those dead moons at Wu. At least there we will have crew and it is unlikely that Thorgaut can easily get there and return."
"All right," replied Abel. "Get me a plan to move that stuff to one of the moons of Wu. Now how about our trip to Narlanda?"
The meeting went on till eleven thirty when they halted to prepare for the memorial service of the dead crew of Kára.
Abel stood and walked to the door. Upon opening the door he was greeted by Farn dressed in her whites with captain's red tabs on her lapels. Abel turned and gave Helen a dirty look before returning his gaze to Farn. "My, my Farn. How prescient of you to arrive just now." Abel laughed.
As he stepped into the corridor he noticed a bulge in Farn's uniform where one did not belong. She is armed Abel realized. As they exited the Annex Buddy Brunner joined them for the walk to the Temple. Buddy was carrying a case that was to small to be a valise and too large to contain personal items. From the case Abel heard a gentle whirl of air flowing into and out of the case.
"Mr. Brunner how coincident it is to find you here on the path to the Temple. May I ask what you are carrying in that case?"
Buddy looked a bit nervous and turned toward Farn.
Farn replied, "It is a sniffer. We know the kind of home made explosive those idiots produced and this sniffer will tell us if we encounter any more packaged surprises."
Clever thought Abel as he noticed that Buddy also was armed and as they walked up the path toward the Temple steps a half dozen crew, all of which Abel recognized, joined them. Abel did not need to examine them carefully to see if they too were armed. Of course they were going to the memorial service to honor the fallen. But this was clearly another coincidence for which Abel must make adjustments.
The mourners gathered at the Temple was the largest group of worshipers Abel had ever seen. He guessed that half the citizens crowded the temple or stood outside on the landing. As usual the service was short and again the Music Department Choir sang what had become the Navy Hymn. As the service ended the people walked past the memorial tablet that listed the OCN dead and the ships lost. Abel was suddenly struck by the fact that the stone tablet was not large enough to contain all the names he knew in his heart that would soon reside there. Perhaps even his own. The realization was depressing.
As Abel reached the bottom of the stone steps from the Temple his vid-com chimed. It was the Chairman.
"Yes Bjorn."
"Abel I just got word that a small runabout has blown up about thirty five kilometres from the dock. We think it was one of Arne's gorillas about to deliver another bomb. Seems those crude explosives they built are very sensitive and unstable. I thought you should know."
Abel thought a moment. "Bjorn, how many people know about this incident?"
Bjorn took a moment to reply. "Well, beside you and me, only the ES Chief and one constable. I wanted to call you immediately."
"Bjorn lets keep this quiet. Well not actually quiet. Let's tell Stephen Klein that we intercepted the runabout and because the bomb making materials were so dangerous we had to destroy them in place."
"What about the pilot? We think there was only one."
"Say nothing about the pilot. Let's let Arne think we captured him. Also let's post a few additional officers at the station as if we had something precious to protect. Put on a little show just for Arne."
Bjorn laughed. "Well its worth a try. Let the bastard worry a bit."
Abel thanked Bjorn and terminated the call.
Chapter Seventy One
Jamon System - Collegium Annex, Admiral's Office - Year 3247. January 22 ET: 08:47
Bennet Nolo stood at attention before Abel, Emmitt, and Helen. Once again Abel was annoyed by what he considered silly military bearing and traditions that had no place in either the Commonwealth or in the OCN. However he found himself helpless to change certain attitudes and behaviours learned from old holo-vids from the EG. After all Bennet was only 20 years old and had been raised on old holo-vids as were most of the children of the Commonwealth.
"Bennet," said Helen, "You know the assignment and the dangers of accepting the position of protecting the Admiral. Although you joined the OCN only four months ago your past experiences and training in EmVac and as a Police Cadet provide you with the background we need." Helen looked down at her inter-tab summary of Bennet Nolo. She continued, "94 our of 100 at 50 meters with the pistola. Second in the boxing championship here at the Collegium. Two merit awards from the EmVac. Captain of last years intramural basketball championship." Helen left unsaid that Bennet's academic record was average. She thought this may well be that Bennet was more action oriented than studious. And in a bodyguard quick reflexes and action were what was needed.
Helen looked up at Bennet who seemed quite nervous. "The question is, Bennet, can you put the murder of your mother and the bomb at the diner behind you and take on these responsibilities with a clear head?"
Bennet looked straight ahead and answered, "No. Mam."
Helen continued, "Can you please explain Bennet?"
"Mam, I can never put Mom's murder behind me. I can focus on the job of protecting Admiral Stoneman, and I will do my very best. But they say time heals all wounds, but right now I don't believe that's true. My Dad died in the blow out of 3232 and never a day passes without thinking about him. And now mom."
Helen was pleased with Bennet's frank and honest reply.
Abel thought a moment of the blow-out of 3232 when his wife and children were lost. Somehow he had forgotten that Carlton Nolo had also died that same day.
Abel stood. "A wise man once said 'Grief does not change us, it reveals us'." Abel paused a moment. "Bennet I think you will make an excellent aide-de-camp. I would like you to assist me as First Admiral of the OCN."
Abel had taken to using the old term of 'aide-de-camp' rather than 'bodyguard' because it allowe
d him to ignore the potential, or indeed the probability, of assassination by Arne Thorgaut. Further Abel needed someone to attend to many of the day's activities such as dispatching orders, following up, and arranging meetings. Abel's calendar had become a mess in the last few weeks as more and more folks, both in the OCN and within the Commonwealth Government competed or demanded some of his time and attention.
Helen continued, "Bennet you are to report to the Greenland. Sergeant Wain Peters of the OCN Marines is waiting for you. He will issue you the equipment you need to perform your duties. In addition you will, at least twice a week, or as time allows, report to Sergeant Peters for weapons instruction and additional physical training. And yes I know you are a good shot, but we can all improve, and it is critical to maintain a high standard in your new position"
Moments later Helen dismissed Bennet and the morning meeting picked up where it had left off the previous day.
Abel spoke. "Now lets talk about our new assignments and re-organization. Shall we?"
Emmitt and Helen had reviewed Abel's written plan several days before and they had few questions, but a discussion was in order.