by R. A. Ender
Though strategy was not one of Robin’s strong suits, finding every potential flaw in the strategy was. And exploiting flaws was her command advantage. Richard had long ago learned the wisdom of bouncing every idea off of Robin first.
Just as he set the stack of papers down, a solid knock on his door announced her arrival.
“Come in,” Richard said with enough volume to penetrate the door.
As soon as he did, the door swung open and Robin quickly stepped through, closing the door behind her.
“Robin, I’ve told you before, you don’t have to knock.”
She smiled, as he said this every time.
“And I’ve told you every time that I have no desire to see you naked anymore than I already have in my life.”
“Alright, sit…sit. I got a couple more ideas I wanted you to vet. Did you want anything to drink?” Richard asked at the moment he caught sight of her mug with steam rising.
Robin raised the mug a bit to make its presence clear.
“My hot calda is fine for now, but thank you.” Sliding into a chair, she put the mug on the table and rocked back on the chairs legs. “So, what new idea have you come up with after nine months of thinking about it?”
Richard sat down and pushed the top sheet of paper across the table toward her.
“Well, as you know, we’ve settled on Watabaeg as the first stop, not that we could change it at this point anyways. But, we have still been debating on our next move.”
“Now, Longus wants to leave it undecided to allow us to use Watabaeg intelligence to make our best move. But, I think I’ve devised a better idea which should ensure surprise and almost guaranteed success.”
“Now, we all agree that our fleet will not go unreported for long. There is no way to avoid it, we are too big and have to exit through the gate. But, if we stay around Watabaeg for even a few days to plan and debate, any Imperial fleet will have time to prepare.”
“However, if we jump in and immediately hyperspace jump out, we may be able to surprise the IAE.”
Robin nodded, “Yes, I’ve heard this before. What’s new?”
Richard smiled and passed another page over. “What’s new is that I just realized we have a guaranteed way to take back a world.”
“Longus gave me a complete fleet inventory. We’ve all been closely examining the fleet strength and strategy options based on a fleet versus fleet action. But, I was digging into some of the support craft and discovered something unexpected.”
“One of the neutral zone fleet assets was a wing of Nemesis Generation III class bombers. I hadn’t noticed because it was one wing within their Slayton Class Carrier, but that is not standard for all Slaytons. Apparently, they had it on board for reconnaissance in Lanwouk territory. The sensor blinding technology allowed untraceable access even across the Lanwouks massive sensor network.”
“So, here’s the plan,” Richard slid another page across the table. “If we go to New Earth,” and Richard raised his hand to stop Robin from interjecting. The gesture worked, as she just let out a sigh with her next exhale.
“If we go to New Earth, we can exit the fleet well outside of any detection methods range. Using a single Nemesis, we could fly directly into the inner system and probably get within the planet's defenses before we are detected. Once on the ground, we could coordinate an assault on the IAE fleet, since we can communicate with our fleet with their known location.”
“With the combined New Earth planetary defenses and our fleet, we can expel any IAE influence from the New Earth system. With one world freed, that news could be spread around hopefully bolstering our planets resolve and hurting the IAE morale.”
Richard pushed the last page across the table. “What do you think?”
Robin was still reading the previous page. She picked up the last page and continued reading it. Even before she was done reading, though, her mouth opened with an objection.
“Why is it always New Earth, Richard?” She asked somewhat rhetorically, raising an eyebrow.
“The other senior staff are going to start wondering why y0u keep harping on New Earth. And pretty soon they’ll wonder enough to think that maybe it’s not just because of some national sentimental attachment. Really, you need to let it go. I understand you want to help her, but this is hurting her now. You don’t want to make her situation worse by motivating everyone against New Earth just because they are annoyed that you keep bringing it up, do you?”
Richard crossed his arms. “Well, I hope no one is that petty. But, second, this isn’t the same thing. This is a really good plan. It is possible that we could enter Watabaeg and jump out without being noticed by anyone other than the Watabaeg Militia. Right?”
Robin nodded her acceptance of the point.
“Ok. It is also possible for our fleet to remain undetected in the outer systems of New Earth and for a single Nemesis bomber to penetrate even the entire IAE fleet in nearspace.”
“Well,” Robin started, “it can penetrate, but it will be detected once it gets close to the planet. The sensor blind only works from a head on view. Once it is beside a ship, it’ll be on their screens, and with a linked fleet sensor network, they’ll all have the ship targeted pretty quickly.”
“Granted,” Richard said, “but odds are that ship can penetrate the fleet and make it planet side.”
“I’ll grant you that it’s possible, even likely depending on the pilot.” Robin conceded.
“Alright, so this is where the desire for New Earth is based on facts, not emotion.”
Richard took a deep breath, as he intended to lay out his case without giving Robin a chance to interrupt.
“If any planet can withstand a siege, it is New Earth. No IAE fleet is penetrating its planetary defenses and invading, period, end of story. At best, IAE has control of the inner system. Once they have that control, they only need a minimal garrison force to ensure that New Earth can’t force them out of the system. Also, a full invasion of the Old Colony Region would require them to redeploy their forces as soon as possible, without risking their gains.”
“With a small garrison force as the most likely in system IAE force, with the Fleet and the planetary support, we can retake New Earth with little cost or risk. And it will score a major victory. Can you dispute that logic?”
Richard displayed his pride in his plan with a satisfied half smile. Robin, for her part, was quiet. Leaning back in her chair, her fingers gently tapped on the armrest of her chair. She briefly looked at the pages of the plan again, before opening her mouth to respond.
“First, that is a whole lot of what ifs. You have to admit that? And my first criticism would be that those what ifs speak to Longus’ point. We need to get information from the Watabaeg Militia about what the status of the invasion is. We need to know which worlds have fallen, which are being attacked, what the force levels are, what the political situation is on the other worlds. We need to kill as many what ifs as possible. The fog of war is going to be a killer, no matter what. We need to burn as much of that fog off, whenever possible.”
“Second, and linked to the first point, I don’t think the element of surprise helps very much with your plan. Whether the IAE knows we have a fleet in the region or not doesn’t change the plan you’ve proposed. At worst it could lead to a stronger fleet at New Earth than we might otherwise face, but we have a strong fleet ourselves, more than enough to make an IAE commander stutter. Combined with the planetary defense at our backs, it would be a stupid move for the IAE to make their stand on our terms. They would be better off withdrawing and regrouping.”
“But, I must say, it is a good plan. Of all the ideas for our first bold move, I think I like it the most. I worry a bit about how long it’ll take for the bomber to fly straight into nearspace. I think a small run to jump and exit might be better than a trip of several days. But, it is a nice idea.”
Richard was now smiling broadly. “That makes me very happy. I’m glad to hear I’m being rational
for once.”
“Well, you are. Congratulations!” Robin said with some sarcastic praise. “It certainly is a really good option for the bang and chase strategy we’ve developed. I really agree that we shouldn’t be attacking the IAE fleets directly. It’s just like Hannibal. A foreign army invading the heartland of a great people. If we fight them on their terms, we will risk disaster. If we chase or follow them around, sniping from time to time when it suits us, it’ll wear them down. But we need that first big victory to buck up the spirits of the people. It’ll be almost a year since the invasion started, they need to know that Defense Force and the Confederacy still exists!” Robin ended with perhaps a little more flair and spirit than she intended.
“Well thank you for the inspirational speech, Captain Shelbus!” Richard joked lightly. “Now, more seriously, I agree with you about people getting annoyed with me about New Earth. So, what are the chances of you proposing this idea, instead of me?”
Robin moved her head a bit in a gesture that she was uncomfortable. “I’m not sure that’ll be a very good cover but I’ll do it if you want me too.”
“Yes, please. I think it’ll help divert some suspicion, even if it doesn’t divert all of it.”
“Alright, well,” Robin stood up, grabbed up the plan papers as she did. “I’m off to bed so that I will look good when I deliver your plan to our friendly early morning war council. Richard, have a good night, ok?”
Richard smiled up at her. “I will now. Thank you.”
And with that, Robin turned and left the cabin without another word. For his part, Richard stood up and walked over to his bed.
Stripping off his uniform, he swung into his bunk and looked out the window into the blackness again.
Well, Heather. I think I’ve figured out a way to come and protect you after all. And I can guarantee that I will be on that bomber and in your arms as soon as I possibly can be, Richard thought to himself with a big smile on his face.
Turning off the cabin lights, Richard closed his eyes. And, for the first time in almost a year, he fell asleep without feeling guilty.
CHAPTER 22
Richard had never had a meeting at the Watabaeg Militia Starbase.
Though part of the Confederacy, Watabaeg operated so independently, especially in terms of security, that it was rare for any member of Defense Force to interact with the Militia in a formal way. Though they were frequent guests at the same conferences and military trade events, formal inter bureaucratic contact was rare.
It’s entirely possible that I’m the first Defense Force official to ever set foot in this conference room, Richard thought to himself as he stepped through the door.
But he only got one foot in the door when he was stopped dead in his tracks. This is unbelievable! Richard exclaimed.
The first sight upon entering was a towering wall of windows facing out into space. Due to the angle of the room and the orbit of the base, the planet dominated the view outside. The sphere of the planet curved along the left side of the window. The blue water of the oceans and red and green land masses slipped under the window of the room as the planet turned on its axis. It was a luxurious view that no doubt local tourist operations charged a premium to offer to travelers for a short orbital cruise.
The Watabaeg Sun, positioned behind the base, out of sight, shone down on the near side of the planet constantly, ensuring this room always had a beautifully bright view. It also made all the ships in orbit and following descent/ascent corridors sparkle in the sky. For a moment, the stationary ships would get lost in the deep and bright star field which filled the right side of the window view. Then, they would wiggle, dive or shot away, leaving a streak of reflected sunlight in their wake.
The towering wall of windows climbed at least three decks in height. The vaulted ceiling spanned the entire length and width of the room. The ceiling itself was decorated in the traditional Watabaeg style, with large frescos painted depicting a variety of scenes. Each scene was framed. Some appeared to be mythological. Richard could identify several Roman tales including the she-wolf, Remus leaping over the wall, and Mars at war. Others appeared more contemporary, celebrating moments of note in Watabaeg history, including their destruction of the Vev’tev Pirate base. All were beautifully painted, and even from three decks below, it was clear they were painted by hand and not prints or projections.
Half of the interior wall was missing, as a large amphitheater seating section pushed into the wall. From that feature, it was clear that this conference room was meant to host rather large and important events.
The bottom half of the interior wall was decorated with cross section statues of ships. Though Richard did not recognize most of them, a few were familiar as ships of the Watabaeg Militia. One, in particular, was recognizable instantly, it was the ship class that first stopped the Caesar Augustus when they exited the Olympus Jump Gate almost a year ago. That ship had been a complete surprise, it had not been in any registry.
Well, that’s proof that I am the first. If I wasn’t, that ship would have been registered long ago, Richard thought to himself.
A soft clearing of the throat behind him reminded Richard that he was blocking the doorway. Without looking behind to see who had broken him from his trance, he stepped sideways to permit others to enter, while still allowing himself some time to look around.
At both ends of the room, and positioned in the middle of the interior wall were massive display screens. They showed the same image, a single word, “Welcome.” Not especially creative, but appropriate.
In the middle of the room was a long rectangular table that was clearly too small for the room. However, it did appear to have exactly enough seats for the people who were attending the meeting. Walking forward to take a seat at the table, Richard noticed some lines running away from the table on one end which were roughly the shape of the table itself. Looking down at them for only a moment, Richard wondered whether the table had more sections below deck that could be added or removed as need be.
“Yes, Admiral, it is an adjustable table. All automated too.”
The voice came from behind him, and this time Richard did turn to see who was addressing him. As he did, he instantly recognized the face of High General Addisus Abad. The General had a big smile on his face and his hand immediately thrust out to grasp Richard’s arm.
The arm grasp was returned heartily before he spoke.
“This is the most impressive conference room I’ve ever seen!” Richard said to the General. To himself, he thought, And I thought I was impressing visitors when I opened the observation room roof of the Caesar Augustus! “This is truly amazing, General.”
Bowing his head in appreciation, Abad said, “Thank you, Admiral. It was an inspired design by one of my predecessors. I never get tired of the view. Watabaeg is a most beautiful world. Standing above it is a great privilege!”
Pausing for a moment while he looked out the window, Abad continued his thought, looking back at Richard. “And, it reminds me every day why I am proud to keep her free and safe. A feeling I hope we can build in you today for your home world.” And with that, Abad grabbed onto Richard’s shoulder and squeezed it hard for emphasis.
“I could not agree with that sentiment more!” Richard said, exuding all the pride he could at that moment.
“Come then, let’s all be seated,” Abad said loud enough to clearly be heard by everyone present. Almost immediately everyone began to move toward a chair. A couple continued to speak privately near the windows, but even they moved toward the table before everyone else was seated.
Abad remained standing at the end of the table so that the view of Watabaeg was behind him and visible to everyone when they looked his way. He waited for everyone to be seated before speaking.
“Welcome everyone to the Watabaeg Militia Starbase Palatine Hill. I am very pleased to see that you have all been able to attend this meeting. I know many of you have had great difficulty finding the time to come here in person g
iven the present state of war. That said, I hope after this meeting we all feel it was well worth the trip.”
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to provide intelligence and strategic insights to those representatives of the Defense Force who have traveled from across the Confederacy to marshal their forces and repulse the enemy, the Imperial Alliance of Empires. The war began nearly a year ago with the unprovoked invasion of the Old Colony Region by the Imperials. Today, we mark the day that that tide of invasion begins to ebb.”
“First, I would like to introduce to the Defense Force delegation those participants whom they may not know. Then, you will have the opportunity to introduce yourselves to us.” Abad motioned toward Richard when he said that.
“Second, I will attempt to provide you with a brief overview of events, both military and political, from the past year. This information is as reliable as one can be without interstellar communications. But, we are not helpless. Traders, couriers and various sources have provided extensive information that can be considered quite reliable.”
“Third, Admiral of the Fleet Richard Hilbornus will lay out the strategic plan the Defense Force has created while journeying from Augustus to join us today.”