by Chris Hechtl
“I don't remember it either, but I know what you mean,” Schultz said with a nod. He frowned thoughtfully. “Something about treats and hugs and kisses after?” he said. “Damn it, now you've got me distracted by it!”
“Sorry,” the cat rumbled with a chuff.
“No you aren't. It's some Machiavellian way of getting me not to watch the performance of your company as they go through their paces,” the NeoDoberman growled.
“Okay, you've got me there,” the cat replied with a smirk.
“Funny,” the Doberman growled. He turned back to the exercise. “I'm going to have to have a talk with Captain Mm'beki though. Lieutenant Oshko isn't holding his own here.”
“I see that as a good thing from my perspective,” Nohar said. “And your statement tells me he didn't deliberately go soft on us,” he said.
“No, but he might have underestimated your Lieutenant Groon and Captain Yee's contribution to this.”
“I thought it was a nice curveball myself,” the warrant replied.
“You would,” the Doberman growled.
“You are just jealous that you didn't think of it first,” the cat teased.
“Something like that,” the dog said with a sniff as the winds picked up. His long beak of a nose went into the air. “Storm in the air,” he said after some sniffing.
“I love fighting in the rain,” Nohar purred.
“You are so full of shit these days,” Schultz replied with a mournful shake of his head.
<)>^<)>/
As Admiral Sienkov caught up with the news and the structure of ONI, he noted the various ties the Intelligence Department had to the military community. In fact, over 90 percent of the Intelligence Department was military oriented. Three quarters of that was ONI. He had spotted fixes that needed to be taken care of and had made dutiful notes. Some he'd even sent out as missives to Captain Montgomery and Admiral Irons. He wasn't certain how many they would implement or how successful they'd be at doing so.
One of the things he immediately spotted was a major oddity. Captain Lyon was in charge of the entire SPECOPS community. “That's the best they've got? A captain? He's got what, the entire sector under his command?” He shook his head as he looked up. The clock on the wall was slowly counting down until their time to jump out of the Agnosta star system.
“Currently there isn’t anyone of higher rank in SPECOPS, sir,” Lieutenant Yeager, his flag lieutenant, replied after checking his notes. “Colonel Pendeckle originally set it up and ran it, but he switched over to running Second Division full time. Currently there are ten officers in Marine RECON. The SEALs have a few officers, but Captain Lyon is senior to all of them. Army Delta is a paper tiger at this point.”
The lieutenant checked his notes. "According to his bio, Captain Lyon is a sleeper, sir. He's a veteran SPECOPS officer from during the Xeno war period. He was tapped to apply that knowledge on Lemnos to come up with new doodads for the Marine RECON department."
The admiral grimaced as he digested that information. He drummed his fingers on the desk as he thought the problem over. “I see. Well, I suppose we can do our part to give the man his due. He's definitely earned a promotion since he's taken on a heavy load."
Lieutenant Yeager nodded as he watched the admiral type out an email to Admiral Irons and then CC a copy to BuPers and General Forth.
“I'll be with you in a moment, Elvis,” the admiral stated. “Anything else we need to see in Agnosta?”
“There are a few ONI resources here but nothing jumps out, sir. Of course, I'm just a flag lieutenant. I may not have clearance and need to know if something else is here,” he said.
The admiral looked up and then snorted. “Good answer. No, I think we're about done here. Is the convoy still on track?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I thought you'd tell me if it wasn't. Okay then. Let the others know we're going to be leaving on time.”
“Aye aye, sir. Sound ollie ollie in free.”
“If they can't get to the bus in time, they can catch another. We're not waiting,” the admiral said firmly. “We've got to get to Antigua and get busy with the job. And,” he sighed heavily. “I know I've still got a lot of reading along the way.”
“Yes sir.”
<)>^<)>/
General Forth looked up at his desk as a light blinked. It was blue and embedded in his communication's panel. After a moment, an incoming call hit his implants. “Sir …”
“I see it,” the general said, waving off the yeoman. He tapped the call.
“Connecting you to the president's office,” a voice said and then Admiral Irons was on.
“Admiral, sir?” Jersey said.
“Sorry to call unexpectedly, Jersey. I checked; he should be gone, right?”
“He … oh, you mean Admiral Sienkov and party? Yes, sir,” the general replied with a nod. He checked the time and then the system log. Sure enough the convoy's departure was noted less than a half hour prior. He tapped his holo emitter, cleared what he'd been viewing, and then allowed access to it from the ansible. After a moment, Admiral Irons’ head bust appeared. A little red light over the desk cameras told him his own image was being transmitted.
The program was still something of a work in progress. For the moment, it used a stored holographic bust of the participant and a special module to translate their speech from text transmitted on the ansible to mouth movement and stored voice through the holographic bust. The desk cameras were supposed to be tracking points on his face to transfer visual cues, but the coders still couldn't get it down enough to translate through the ansible in the allotted bandwidth they were given. They had tried something called emojis but that hadn't worked out. They couldn't keep up with the dialog.
Though it had been a bit amusing to see the admiral’s face stuck with a sour tongue stuck out expression before the coders had disabled it.
“I wanted to get your impressions of them. Apparently they didn't impress Phil. He said they didn't talk much about Bek. He couldn't get a feel for their skills.”
“Well, obviously I didn't see them in action, sir. There were no fleets to command, no administrations or that sort of thing,” Jersey said slowly. “The only one that talked for any length of time was Admiral Sienkov. The others seemed bored but polite.”
“Okay, so what can you tell me?”
“They honestly weren't here long enough for me to form a lasting impression of them. I only met the naval officers; the civilians went off on their own. I did pick up that Admiral Sienkov does enjoy a good breakfast and doesn't talk a lot while eating. Nor does he like to eat before flying. Fortunately, his implants kept him from getting sick.”
“Ah, good.”
“I picked up on that he was doing a lot of reading, getting up to speed. He seems like a conscientious officer. He is very eager to help.”
“That could be good or bad I suppose.”
“He did give me a swift kick as far as certain promotions are concerned. They should be crossing your desk sometime soon.”
“I'm actually kicking myself too for letting it go so long myself. But the good news is, we can fix it,” the admiral replied. “But I'm guessing he had his own promotions in mind?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Understood. I'll keep an eye out for them then. Anything else?”
“I don't think Intelligence is where he wanted to be, but he is going to make the most of it. I didn't pick up a feel for him as far as command style is concerned. Reserved. Quiet but driven.”
“Understood.”
“I think he's still feeling out the implants and anti-geriatric treatments and what they mean to them personally. Beyond that, I didn't get enough time with him.”
“Well, you certainly told me a bit more than Phil did. Phil told me Yorgi spent a long time reading and trying to get up to speed too but that was about it.”
“Understood, sir. I understand you need to get to know him since he is going to be in a sensitive post.
Unfortunately, you don't have any dirt or skeletons on him other than any he's willing to reveal,” Jersey said with a grimace.
“You would mention that. It is a concern,” the admiral's image said. “Well, my time is up. I'll let you get back to whatever you were doing. Thanks,” he said.
“Anytime, sir,” the general replied.
“Antigua out,” the admiral said as he cut the channel.
Jersey sat back and tapped his index fingers against his lips as he thought about the conversation for a moment before he got back to work.
<)>^<)>/
“Colonel? Can I help you?” General Forth asked as he entered his office. He hadn't expected the Army colonel to beat him into his own office. It was only an hour past sunup. He'd finished his morning jog and PT, taken his shower, and had been looking forward to some quiet time to do some reading before he took a break for breakfast and the rest of his staff started to filter in.
“It seems I got past your yeoman, sir,” Colonel 1010111 said. “I take it she doesn't come in until later?”
“He. He's in college courses, night ones at the time. I come in early. But you knew that since you are here,” the general said as he set his carryall down next to his desk. “What's up?”
“You noted the latest round of training?” the colonel asked.
The general nodded once. “I did. Your people are coming along.” Which was very true. They were expanding explosively. They'd even gotten one of his up and coming captains by offering him a promotion out of the zone to major and giving him their First Brigade. He knew a few of his officers were a bit put out over that, and a few were considering that option.
“Fair to middling now, but I think we've got at least one company ready to stand up, which is why I'm here actually,” the colonel said as the general indicated they should be seated. “You are in a relaxed uniform today? Did I miss a memo, sir?” the colonel asked as he indicated the general's BDU pants but tee shirt top.
“Oh this?” the general looked down then snorted. He indicated his bag. “I have breakfast a little later and sometimes I get sloppy. I put my shirt on after,” he said.
“Ah,” the colonel replied with a nod. “Gotcha.”
“So, you want to stand another unit up. And do what with them?”
“I read the report on Hidoshi's World. I wish we'd gotten our people up sooner, but if wishes were fishes …,” the colonel shrugged. “That ship has sailed for the time being. But I'd like to send a Brigade to Protodon on the General Elliot convoy. I want them to get experience and show the flag.”
The general nodded slowly. “But you said you had a company of trained troops ready to go,” he reminded the colonel, eying him.
“Church thinks he'll have his battalion up and ready by then. I'd like to send the entire brigade, but I thought his Alpha company would be a good starting point since they have been up the longest. Sort of like you did with the First Agnosta RECON Expedition unit you sent here,” he said politely.
The general nodded again thoughtfully as he sat back in his chair. “Okay, I see the wisdom. You don't want to bite off more than you can chew? Or are you afraid the powers that be will balk at the entire unit?”
“Yes and no. I want to use one of the other companies to train,” the colonel stated. “And one to work on missions here on Agnosta as you do.”
“Engineering support?” the general asked.
“That was my second point. The mission directives do not have an Army engineering unit. I think that needs to be rectified.”
“Send me the file for both,” the general said. “I'll sign off on them once I've read them,” he said.
The colonel indicated a set of chips on the general's blotter.
“Ah,” the general said as he glanced at them and then back up again. “Okay,” he said with a nod.
“I understand there is a resupply mission going to Protodon in two weeks ….”
“The General Elliot convoy as you mentioned. Well, I think we can expedite it … if Admiral Irons signs off on it of course.”
“Thank you, sir,” the colonel said as he rose out of his chair.
“Thank you, Colonel, for stepping up. Keep up the good work,” the general said as he extended a hand. The colonel took it and shook it once then left the office.
Chapter 33
“Admiral Sienkov recommended this?” Admiral Irons asked as he read the email. It was short, sweet, and to the point. There was also no mention of the Cadre. It took him a moment to realize the admiral hadn't been briefed fully about them.
“Yes, sir,” Protector stated.
“Well, he's right. And we have dawdled too long. Shoot this off to Jersey. Get his two cents on it before we run roughshod over his command though. But I agree; it's past time we do something about having a captain running a major command.”
“Are you intending to move him all the way up, sir?” Protector asked carefully.
“No, but we can fast track him,” the admiral stated.
“And others who are doing similar jobs?” Protector asked pointedly.
The admiral frowned then shrugged. “Send me a list,” he said.
“Yes, sir.”
<)>^<)>/
As the Cadre members settled in, Jethro and Captain Lyon organized the fire teams into two squads. They had to be flexible since they weren't certain how they would be deployed yet. There was scuttlebutt about them being sent to a hot spot as just a fire team.
Jethro was of the opinion that the more you use the less you lose, but he did have to admit quality had a qualitative factor all on its own. A few Cadre in the right place could smash the enemy allowing the regular Marines or hell, even the Army to come in and clean up afterward.
And since the fronts were opening up, that might be how they were going to be run. Not that he was looking forward to being run here, there, and everywhere around the sector and then eventually around the galaxy.
As the captain recovered, he'd swapped a few stories with Jethro about Tobias, his ancestor. He kept it short; apparently the encounters were still classified.
Jethro handed some of the DI duties over to Gunny Z'v'll or Tungulria when he was busy with meetings with the captain. Eventually though he had to delegate some of the training oversight to some of the junior noncoms as the captain ordered meetings with the leadership to fine tune their organization.
They had already identified those who would do well with their own squad eventually. It was a given that if they were rising through the ranks they could handle the load. Jethro and the captain discussed it again after the others had left for another training SIM.
“Part of the problem is we've got a lot of noncoms. We've got a lot of chiefs and not that many Indians for a traditional organization,” Captain Lyon said. “And I'm aware Admiral Irons considers us a platoon. I don’t quite see us that far yet,” he said with a shake of his head.
“We’ll get there. Eventually, sir,” Jethro stated. “Cadre requires prior service and preferably combat experience. Also advanced training. When people go through that, they tend to get the rank to go along with it.” He rubbed the small of his back. He'd spent some time in the field recently since the captain had tapped him and the others to help out with RECON training. Marines who were interested in RECON were being put through the wringer in Antigua now just like in Agnosta. It doubled their chances of finding someone who might be Cadre material, but it was a pain in the ass. Sometimes literally he thought remembering the thorn bush he'd slipped and fallen on.
“I know. And I'm starting to get complaints about poaching,” the captain said with a snort. “The other problem is our recruiting goes through ONI. Just something I'm going to have to get my hands dirty with eventually. They do graciously let me have final choice,” he said dryly.
“Good sir.”
“I'd say just about everyone currently in the Cadre is earmarked for an eventual warrant like yourself or an officer's commission. How we handle that in the future is
going to be a pain in the posterior,” the captain mused.
“And A.I. rank,” Mars reminded him.
“Yes, thank you, Marvin,” the captain said.
“You like to needle him,” Jethro said with a shake of his head.
“No, I think of it as a tease. He's … well, I was going to say cute, but that's a little too weird coming from a guy. I'd say a bit full of himself and his destiny. Right, Marvin?”
“I am not going to respond to that name,” the A.I. retorted.
“Too late, you just did,” the captain replied with a smirk.
Jethro shook his head and chuckled. When he glanced at Bast, she glared at him. He closed his mouth before he fully opened it.
“Wise,” Bast purred. He snorted, then chuffed in amusement as the captain eyed him.
<)>^<)>/
A lot had happened in the time they'd arrived on Antigua, Bast reflected with 2.4 percent of her higher functions she normally kept in reserve. Jethro was currently at rest so she had time to think.
The Cadre start, the fact that they hadn't lost anyone was a phenomenal achievement or a blessing from Lady Luck. Well, they had lost the two humans, but they hadn't died.
Morale was high. Training was going well. They were pushing themselves and their equipment, but not hard. They were allowing the A.I. to get up to speed, not forcing them to grow up too quickly. Currently the organics were working on learning their own side of the equation. That was good.
Jethro and the other Cadre members were also being lent out to help train or oversee the new RECON bases and exercise centers. That was also good though it tended to cause conflict with Jethro in his home life. Red was a complication she hadn't considered, nor Jethro's continued attachment to the cat.
The recent assassination attempt bothered her on several levels. She felt a thread of concern that Jethro would be transferred. Her original concern that he would have been transferred to Bek with Commodore Logan was no longer high on her probability list of future deployments. Currently, deployment to Protodon topped the list, followed by Destria, Nuevo Madrid, or an extended leave if the political situation went south and the Cadre was forced to wait on Phase II.