“Oh, thank God,” Anders replied.
“Any chance the EsDef ships can catch us?” Dean asked Admiral Matsumoto, who was still studying the plot Dean had displayed.
“No, the cruisers are still trying to slow down. We shall be in FTL long before they can turn and begin pursuit.”
“Good, let’s get everyone together and figure a few things out.”
Dean shut off his projection of the plot and made his way down the stairs. He found his platoon waiting for him. They stood at attention, all saluting.
“As you were,” Dean said. “Give me a report on how things have been going.”
“The naval crews have been setting up controls and moving work stations from their old ships and into the aviaries of the other ships,” Sergeant Emily Harper said.
“And the Grays are still in their holding cells, sir,” Ghost added. “We haven’t given them any food or water yet.”
“Alright, those bastards can wait for now,” Dean said. “What about the wounded?”
“We had hoped to get a few of them to medical facilities in system. But for the most part, everyone will live,” Corporal Robb Landin said. “Owando is still recovering, but he should be back at full strength in a week or so.”
“Excellent. Staff Sergeant Chavez can fill you all in on the news back home. But you’ve probably guessed it’s a shit show.”
“Were we being fired at, sir?” Corporal Raymond Adkins asked.
“Unfortunately, yes. Like I said, the staff sergeant will fill you in. For now, I need all of you to return to your posts. I’ll fill everyone in and give updated assignments once I’ve had a chance to meet with the senior officers.”
“Yes, sir!” Chavez said.
Half an hour later, Dean was back on board the Hannibal. Captain Ortega was overseeing the distribution of supplies and the REC facility was being converted to a medical bay. Dean met with Admirals Matsumoto, Aviv, Masterson, and Vice Admiral Anders in the mess hall.
“Our best course of action is to continue refitting the Kroll ships with as much of our technology as possible,” Dean said. “We’ll use whatever drones we can to add cameras and radar arrays to the alien ships where they won’t be easily recognized. We have at least four weeks of transit time to the Urgglatta systems, so we want to make the most of that, while maintaining order.”
“Are we combining crews?” Masterson asked. Captain Li Ming was the only person on the mission with whom the admiral had worked before.
“That’s a good question,” Dean said. “I’m proposing that at some point in transit, we stop long enough to separate the ships.”
“What for?” asked Vice Admiral Anders.
“For one thing, I’ve never seen the Kroll travel together this way,” Dean said. “I admit our experience is limited, but I don’t want to do anything that might tip them off that we aren’t a regular Kroll crew. And secondly, for our plan of attack to work, I want each ship able to move independently. We have no idea what we’ll find in the Urgglatta system, and having the ships separated gives us the most tactical options.”
“I concur,” Matsumoto said.
“We’ll designate each of the Kroll ships however you want,” Dean continued. “I want Matsumoto to stay with the harvester ship since his people have done the work of preparing the bridge to his specifications.”
“We shall call her the Bushido,” Matsumoto said.
Dean nodded. “I’ll make my HQ in the comms center of the harvester ring. Aviv and her officers will take control of one longship.”
“The Moses,” Aviv said.
“Excellent. And Masterson can select whatever officers he wants from the remaining crews. You’ll be on the second longship, Admiral.”
“Let’s call her the Dodge City,” he said with a grin.
“Alright, that’s settled. I know we have a lot of work to do, but the priority will be moving the nukes onto the tug ships. We’ll need to fire them into the Kroll vessels and detonate them inside for maximum effectiveness.”
“Just so I understand the plan,” Aviv spoke up. “We’re going to fire the nukes from the Kroll ships?”
“No,” Dean said. “We’re going to put the nukes into the teardrop-shaped vessels the Kroll use to capture other ships. We’ll send those smaller ships to dock with the other Kroll vessels, then fire them into those ships.”
“Through the membranes that we docked with,” Aviv said. “Clever.”
“It is unlikely the small ships will survive,” Matsumoto said. “Perhaps we can find a way to remote-pilot the crafts.”
“That would be ideal,” Dean said. “We’ll get the unassigned officers working on that project with the operators who aren’t busy piloting the ships. It’s my understanding that, unlike our ships, the Kroll vessels have to be flown manually at all times.”
“As far as we know,” Matsumoto said. “They don’t seem to have any navigational systems, and only the manual helm controls.”
“Well, we should have plenty of operators to keep rotating them through,” Dean said. “They have to fly in pairs, so let’s match everyone up and give them plenty of flight hours just in case of emergencies. I think that about covers it.”
“What is your first order of business?” Masterson said.
“I’ll get settled into the comms center, make assignments to the spare officers, and then I’m going to begin questioning the Pergantee prisoners.”
“Be careful,” Aviv said. “They are not a trustworthy species.”
“Nor an honorable one,” Matsumoto said.
“I agree, but they will give us some answers,” Dean said. “Or they’ll get shoved into an airlock and jettisoned into space.”
“I want to say how excellent it is to serve with you all,” Masterson said. “I am honored to be here.”
“As am I,” Matsumoto said.
Aviv nodded, but Anders just looked at his hands. He was obviously still processing things, and Dean guessed he felt outranked among the other admirals. Dean certainly felt strange giving the more senior officers orders, but he understood the need to have a clear command structure and a focused mission. Operation Chameleon was a military endeavor and it made sense that Dean take the lead—at least of their tactics and strategy. He didn’t mind giving the admirals control of their ships and the freedom to operate autonomously, as long as they understood the mission and worked in concert with the other commanders.
“Vice Admiral, may I have a word?” Dean said as the trio of admirals rose to their feet.
“Of course, Major. I’m at your disposal,” Anders said.
They hung back in the mess hall until they were alone.
“Anders, I know this wasn’t your idea, but we have an important mission, don’t you think?”
“I do,” he agreed.
“Not everyone here had the opportunity to volunteer to join us, and I’m sorry you got caught up in circumstances that were beyond your control. But you’re here now, and we need you.”
“I doubt that,” Anders said.
“I don’t,” Dean replied. “You’re an excellent officer, and I want you to stay here on the Hannibal.”
“Why? Isn’t it possible to break her free of the Kroll ship?”
“I don’t know, but we’re going to find out. In the meantime, you’re in charge of the medical facility, and I want to use your ship’s systems as a backup. Many of the other captured ships were compromised. So your systems will be invaluable. Not to mention, you’ve got the only working showers on all three ships. Let’s rotate people through on a regular basis. My platoon will remain assigned to your ship, although they’ll bunk on the Bushido so that you can use our quarters for visitors.”
“Alright, I can do that. But I want a promise that you’ll try to find a way for the Hannibal to break loose from the Kroll ship if we’re attacked. EsDef should know if we succeed or fail.”
“I’m not sure I agree that they have a right to know anything,” Dean said. “But you
have my word that we’ll find a way to break the Hannibal free in an emergency.”
They shook hands and Dean made his way back to the Kroll ship. Everywhere he looked on the alien vessel, he saw the evidence of humanity. It was a vast ship, but there was a continual flow of people. And already some of the enlisted crew had been assigned the task of cleaning up anything that wasn’t shipshape on the vessel. One of the holding cells had been arranged as temporary berths, with pallets on the floor and makeshift curtain walls for privacy. Another holding cell was filled with tables and chairs. There was a large speaker in the corner and what looked to be a bar in the dimly lit room. Dean couldn’t help but smile at the ingenuity of the crew.
Back at the communications center, which was set up in another of the holding cells, a large console had been constructed that was connected to a mass of machinery that Dean didn’t recognize. There were racks of batteries and masses of cables taped in place on the deck. Dean was pleased to find what looked like a small office in the corner with a comfortable chair he quickly sank into. His first order of business was to assign the Recon platoons to the various ships. He sent Lieutenant Jefferies and the Rhino platoon to the Moses. Lieutenant Seebert’s Tiger platoon was assigned to the Dodge City. Their first priority was to familiarize themselves with their new vessels. They would each have to come up with a plan to combat a boarding action by the Kroll, and Dean wanted to ensure that they had a good grasp of the alien ships.
Captains Grant and Ortega would work on the Bushido, and Dean summoned them to his new office via their wrist links. He had a computer console that was tied into what had been termed the “task force network.” He could also tap into each ship’s direct communication setup, as well as direct his TCU to speak just to the other Recon platoons. Normally on a long voyage, they would wear utility fatigues until there was a reason to don their battle armor, but on a dangerous mission in a captured enemy vessel, Dean insisted that they stay in armor for the duration. Helmets could be removed but had to be within hands’ reach at all times.
“Captain Ortega, I want your Vipers under Admiral Matsumoto’s direct command,” Dean said. “The harvester ship can detach from the ring, and in that case your platoon will be in charge of security on that vessel. Captain Grant, your Raptor platoon will be stationed here on the ring section under my command. Your primary duty will be policing the ring and making sure no one gets into too much mischief.”
They both nodded, although Dean noticed that Grant refused to look at Dean directly.
“Any questions?”
“Not at this time, Major,” Ortega said.
“No, sir,” Grant replied.
“Excellent. If you need to speak to me, you can use your TCU to open a private channel at any time. Get your people settled. We’re all working together for now to make the next few weeks livable. I expect you and your platoons to pitch in. Dismissed.”
Dean watched them leave, wondering just how much trouble he was going to have with Captain Grant. It was obvious the man resented Dean. Unfortunately, that wasn’t unusual. Dean’s career had been fast-tracked right from his first tour, when he’d earned the Planetary Medal of Honor and was promoted to captain. Most Recon officers served on several tours, some lasting years, before they were promoted to captain. The fact that Dean had become a major was an obvious source of irritation to Grant, but the man would just have to deal with it. Dean hoped his small armada of stolen vessels would be able to jump into Kroll space, unleash hell on the unsuspecting aliens, and then escape without any real fighting. If things didn’t work out—and they rarely did in Dean’s experience—then the Recon platoons would mostly likely be in for the fight of their lives, and Dean wanted them ready at a moment’s notice. The entire crews of all the other ships were depending on the Recon platoons to keep them safe in a crisis, so it was no time for petty bickering over rank. If Grant needed an attitude adjustment, Dean was ready to give it to him.
Chapter 16
“We’ve exceeded FTL speed,” Matsumoto commented over the task force network from his position on the bridge in the aviary inside the harvester ship. “Please report.”
“The Dodge City is looking good, Admiral,” Masterson called. “My systems are all in the green.”
“The Moses is also performing well,” Aviv added from the longship she now called home.
“Vice Admiral Anders?” Matsumoto asked.
Dean was monitoring the command channel. He had several screens pulled up on his TCU so that he could keep an eye on his own platoon. The screens in front of him, three in total, each showed readouts from the separate Kroll ships. The engineers had not only set up a communication network, but also had set up devices measuring every system on the alien ships. Dean could see the output and consumption of the small power plants on each vessel, the life support levels, communication systems, and the work of the gravity drives. The only thing the alien ships didn’t yet have was navigation. Dean had no idea how the Kroll had known where they were in space or where they were going.
“All’s well on the Hannibal,” Anders replied on the command channel. “Systems show us on course for the Urgglatta home world. ETA twenty-nine days and eighteen hours.”
“Excellent,” Matsumoto said. “The Bushido gravity drive is showing signs that FTL with the three ships connected is not efficient. I suggest we stop long enough to separate the vessels as soon as each of your ships is resupplied and all personnel have been assigned duties. Let me know when you are ready and we will begin slowing for vessel separation.”
Dean nodded. Everything was under control, which was exactly what he wanted. The admirals were more than capable of handling the day-to-day operation of the ships. Dean just needed to ensure that the Recon platoons weren’t getting into trouble and that all three vessels were prepared for the unexpected. He could strategize in theory, but until they reached Kroll space and saw what they were up against, all he could do was ensure that everyone was ready to act. Four weeks in transit was a long voyage by any standards, but without proper housing and hygiene facilities, morale could fall. It wouldn’t take much for tempers to flare. Dean needed to keep everyone busy and focused on their mission.
“Major!” Ghost said as he strolled into the control center where Dean’s makeshift office was set up. “Hot damn, sir, you’ll be running the entire shebang before you know it.”
“Congratulations,” Harper said.
Tallgrass and Loggins followed them in.
“It doesn’t appear that we will be welcome in EsDef if we make it out of this mission alive,” Dean said. “I suppose Staff Sergeant Chavez told you about the coup as well as my promotion.”
“Yes,” Tallgrass confirmed. “It is tragic.”
“It’s a bunch of hog shit if you ask me,” Ghost said. “How the hell do they expect to fight a war without any soldiers?”
“They don’t want to fight,” Dean said.
“But if we’re successful, won’t we be heroes?” Loggins asked.
“Not to the people who have taken control,” Dean said. “They are anti-Recon, which means no matter how things turn out on this op, we’re likely to be branded as traitors. Sorry for the bad news. I would have gladly given you all the choice to stay behind if we’d had the chance.”
“You mean you didn’t have time when you were saving the safety patrolmen on that Mars base?” Ghost said. “Or risking your neck to save a private in EVA, sir?”
“It’s been a bit of a roller coaster,” Dean said with a smile.
“Doesn’t sound like there was anything to stay behind for,” Harper said. “What will the new brass do with all the Recon platoons under their control?”
“I can’t say for sure,” Dean said. “Discharge them would be my guess, but the new leadership had Colonel Davis assassinated and Fleet Admiral Cummings arrested. I don’t think there are any lengths they won’t go to if it means getting their way.”
“And once we are out of the picture, they can begin figh
ting each other for control,” Tallgrass said. “The rest of humanity be damned.”
“That’s why this mission is so important,” Dean said. “We’ve got to send a clear message to the Kroll that fighting humanity will be a costly endeavor. Perhaps, given enough time, EsDef leadership will come to its senses—but until then, we are vulnerable.”
“So what’s the first order of business?” Ghost asked. “Do we get to bully the other Recon grunts or what?”
“No bullying,” Dean said. “The first thing we have to do is separate the Pergantees so that we can interrogate them.”
“I’ve been working on that,” Ghost said. “They’re tricky little bastards. I can’t tell if they’re sick or just faking it.”
“I’m assuming they need food and water,” Dean said. “I don’t want them dying before they can help us.”
“We’ve been watching them,” Harper said. “Staff Sergeant Chavez is down there now.”
“Have they tried anything?” Dean asked. “Any mind control or any efforts to get free?”
“Not that I know of,” Ghost said. “We’ve kept our distance.”
“I’ve got MSVs down there as well,” Harper added. “They don’t seem to be doing anything.”
“Let’s see about getting them separated, then we’ll find out what they know,” Dean said.
An hour later, Ghost had set up two metal barriers close together to form a chute they could herd the Pergantees through. It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly didn’t look humane, but Dean understood the premise as well as the need.
“They come into the chute,” Ghost said. “Then we pull this rope to lower the gate, and we’ve got one separated from the others.”
“We’ll need a way to keep the lone gremlin moving,” Chavez said.
“I can rope one,” Ghost said. “Just drag his ass where we want him.”
“Let’s try coaxing them with some water first,” Dean said. “I would prefer to use positive reinforcement if possible.”
“Have it your way,” Ghost said. “Where are we taking them?”
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