“Aye, aye sir.”
The admiral seemed genuinely surprised. Both men saluted, about faced, and marched out.
* * * *
“Man Denver, you really hung it out over the edge this time.”
“Yes sir that’s true, but it had to be done.”
“I just wish you had discussed it with me first.”
“If I had done that, you might be placed in jeopardy. This way you were innocent. I was the only one to feel the fallout.”
“I see your point, but still. You were supposed to be reverse designing that Reptilian vehicle you and your people used so well.”
“Oh yes sir, we’ve specked it out and made some preliminary drawings. We need to get some technical people involved now and please without all the committees, forms, etc. Quick and dirty, that’s what we need.”
“That would seem to be your approach.”
“We’ve even simulated it in several battle scenarios. You want to see?”
“You bet.”
Off they went.
* * * *
“Okay on this screen you can see the overall battle and here you can see it from any vehicle’s point of view.”
“I can switch back and forth here, correct.”
“Yes sir.”
“Have you tried it with one man and two man crews?”
“Yes we have,” answered Smith.
“And?”
“Well both have their advantages. With only one man the vehicle is smaller. If we lose one, it is only one man. However, even with more complicated electronics, shooting one way while driving another has led to several simulated accidents.”
“Other than size and doubling the number of men you need, are there any other disadvantages to the two man crew?”
“Not really, now we’ve run three main battle plans: the attack of a fortified position, meeting them on open ground, and where we are dug in, letting them come to us. Given what I have observed, while we are fighting an aggressive war we can more easily fight defensive battles.”
“You seem to have exceeded your mandate.”
“Sir I am letting the battle situation drive the development of equipment, not the other way round. We’ve seen enough of that back home.”
“What do you mean?”
“Defense contractors pushing their latest and greatest toy; lots of guys got killed that way. Some people even went so far as to claim it was the defense contractors pushing us into wars that could not be won but dragged on for years.”
“I see. Okay, how have you set these simulations up?”
“First, I started with the assumption we were using the vehicles to support the infantry in the three scenarios I mentioned. Then I ran them again where it was mainly an armor attack and the infantry protecting the armored vehicles. Of course, for this we would need more vehicles. In the final case, I ran with all armored vehicles, no infantry.”
“Just where do you expect to get all these armored vehicles?”
“That’s a good question, and it brings up another good question. Where do you plan to get all those combat suits? We’ve had to take turns training in the practice ones, but the malfunctions and downtime were killing us. We went into the first fight without them because it was supposed to be easy.
“So far the legion has taken pretty good care of us, but I get the feeling there is something your side is not telling us. What gives?” asked Smith.
“Well rumors mostly, your little trick really freaked out the top leadership, not just the admirals.”
“Little trick? Do I read you right? Those people might have been left there if not for …,” His voice trailed off. The realization was staggering.
Not only did no one in the legion know about the rescue, Captain Nemo and company did not know either. “That leaves only the Greys,” Denver said softly.
“Beg pardon?” asked Fitzpatrick.
“Your people did not order the rescue. You didn’t even know about it. Someone in the Grey command structure must have. That’s what this entire hubbub is about. Those little gray guys took the initiative, and that scares you to death.”
Denver thought to himself, well at least one of them took initiative, but I’ll let these guys work it out on their own.
Fitz went through the simulations making notes, comments, and asking questions from time to time. After a couple of hours, he sat back and rubbed his eyes. Smith stopped the sim.
“You ready for a break?” Smith asked.
“Yeah, I think so. Let’s get something to eat.”
After they ordered and while waiting on the food, Fitz began to ask questions. “I don’t suppose you made any unauthorized trips back to the other side of the base.”
“That was the only way to make contact with people who possessed the expertise I needed.”
“We have machinists and metallurgists here too you know. Now, what about this rifle?”
“It is based on the Russian Kalashnikov AK-47; it’s gas operated, with loose tolerances, but fires a more powerful round. Actually, there are two, one fires the NATO 7.62 X51 or .308 round. It’s a powerful round and will probably do the job. However, I had him make one that uses the .30-06 which has much more punch.”
“I imagine it has much more recoil as well.”
“Normally it would but it incorporates a recoil reduction system where the bolt mechanism never touches the rear of the receiver. It runs out on a long spring. The whole system dampens out most of the recoil. That way it can be kept on target during automatic fire. It’s fairly small and not too heavy, though the ammo is considerably heavier.”
“When can I see these new rifles?”
“Let me get in the ammo, test them to work out any bugs, and make any adjustments needed.”
“Bugs?”
“Any problems with the weapon.”
“Development is working on an infantry weapon.”
“Commander we’ve been waiting on that, but it hasn’t come. The AR-15 was substituted and brought up from Earth. It clearly wasn’t enough. The lizards know this. We are only encouraging them to hit us again.”
“I hadn’t thought about that.”
“I hope command has.”
“I don’t know what they are thinking.” Fitz seemed exasperated.
Smith sensed something was going on, but he let it lie. They both continued to eat in silence until Fitz saw fit to add something.
“This is the second time you’ve surprised us,” he said pretending to concentrate on his plate.
“I’m not trying to do anything to anybody. I’m just trying to stay alive. And if you don’t mind my saying, you might be further along in this war if you got the governments of Earth involved.”
“That has been argued among our own leadership. It was flatly turned down.”
“Why?”
“If one government got our technology, they might conquer the rest of Earth. If we gave it to several nations it would only increase the level of violence.”
“You really believe your society is that much more advanced than any on Earth,” said Smith.
“Yes, until we ran into the Reptilians we had all but done away with violence.”
“But you have weapons on your ships.”
“Actually, we didn’t until we learned there were others out there. I think the Greys took offense at that.”
“You armed your ships after you met the Greys,” Smith blurted out.
“Keep your voice down.”
“Sorry, but I don’t get it. They haven’t an aggressive bone in their bodies.”
“Oh, then how did they dream up your rescue mission?”
Gotcha’! Smith picked at his food before answering. “So you guys didn’t order the rescue after all.”
“Apparently not,” Fitz admitted.
“Then who did?”
“I don’t know. They were hoping you could tell them.”
“I’ve already told them all I know. I just did what I was told to do.”
“No you didn’t, and that creates something of a problem.”
“Don’t follow you,” said Smith.
“You see you people from the Earth are supposed to be rather, well uh, backwards. They never expected a dumb grunt to show your level of resourcefulness. No offense intended.”
“None taken; besides I’ve already picked up on the attitude problem of the Captain Nemo faction.”
“I still get a smile out of the comparison.”
“Anyway, without getting off the subject, your attitude has been seen on Earth as well. I think it was Enrique Krumb who said, now let me see, how did it go?
“Oh yes, ‘Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy’ or something to that effect.”
“Who?”
“One of the parasites who parade around pretending we need them to lead us.”
“Don’t you need someone to lead you?”
“No! Each of us can run our own lives, and we would all be a lot better off if there were no huge governments to spread war and death all around the planet.”
“But how would you maintain order, get things done?”
“The free market, when allowed to operate without interference, can usually work out these things. It’s when governments start raking off the cream and handing out favors to their friends, that the trouble starts.”
“We have all that sort of thing planned out for us by those who understand these things,” assured Fitz.
“You mean like the super rifle or the fighting suit you were going to give the legion.”
“Ouch.”
“Governments should do just two or three things, but all they are really good at is wasting resources and piling up dead bodies.”
“What should they do?” inquired Fitz.
“One, protect the liberty and property of the people; that’s their first legitimate function. Then protect the value of the people’s money. Don’t debase it, don’t print us into hyperinflation, and keep the accursed bankers away from issuing money. Lastly, defend the country from threats, foreign and domestic, heavy on the domestic.”
“What about crime?”
“Local governments formed by the people can deal with that. You don’t want the central government involved in that. Otherwise, next thing you know, anyone who doesn’t go along with the central government is a criminal or a terrorist. We had this happen on Earth.”
“How do you maintain order?” continued Fitz.
“Most people, most of the time maintain their own order. Yes sometimes it doesn’t work, but local government is usually better at handling any problems that come along. Ever heard of Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union; that’s what happens when you have too powerful a central government.”
“And that’s how you got on the wrong side of your own government.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yep. What can I say?” answered Smith.
“Okay, say we go along with your approach, new guns, new ammo, new fighting equipment, what then?
“New tactics.”
“Such as?”
“We skip some planets they have taken. You navy guys block shipments. Then we set up on a planet to be fought over, dig in on the high ground, and let them come to us.”
“Why skip planets?”
“Starve them out. Deny them resupply.”
“Naval command is not going to accept this from a Captain of the legion.”
“Then you take the credit.”
“Not even from a lieutenant commander.”
“Well, what about our admiral friend. I mean, it is his command, so technically, it is his team’s idea.”
“Just sell it to the admiral. Is that it?” asked Fitz.
“I don’t have a better idea, and given the circumstances, neither do they.”
Chapter 23: A Legion at Last
The admirals were not happy. Then again they never were. The Reptilians were still out there, now quite possibly with the same technology they had, more or less, and the Greys had managed to keep their star jump technology a closely guarded secret.
Every improvement in their situation meant more authority to the legion, especially that earth-trash professor, Denver Smith.
Oh yes, they had pumped him for information, but still Intel felt he was holding something back. Moreover, here he was acting like a five-star captain. He obviously did not know his place. Soon he would be running the whole blasted war!
* * * *
“Hello Dmitri,” Smith began casually. “You been making some more vodka?”
“Lizards about to drop in on us and you ask about vodka. You think I don’t know what’s going on, huh? I don’t mean just our people. I got more than Russians. You got any idea what the Trups will do to sleep with a real Earth woman, not another Trup, real women not what they got?”
Denver did not want to think about it. “I’m thirsty; you got any vodka or not?”
“Come here.” Dmitri put a huge hand around his neck and pulled Denver to him.
Denver put his head down so as not to get kissed on the lips. He got it on the top of his head instead. He knew that Dmitri could easily snap his neck, but what the heck; at least he did not get it on the lips. Strange Soviet custom, at least among the top brass, that it was.
“You damn right I got vodka; the best you ever seen.”
“Is Frenchy back?”
“Yes, and I’m putting on weight again. It’s all your fault.”
“I’ll see if I can get him picked up again.”
“Don’t you dare. You bring the ammo?”
“Both kinds, .308 and .30-06.”
“When you people going to join the rest of the world and go strictly metric?”
“Don’t know,” responded Denver.
“It would be easier.”
“Yeah, then the rest of the world would know what we’re up to.”
“They already know.”
“Yeah, I know; only we are still in the dark.”
Dmitri and his stone-faced escort led Denver to what passed for an outdoor range. It was just a jumble of half built structures decaying into ruins before even being completed. Smith could only wonder at what they were supposed to be. Had the Reptilian threat brought everything else to a halt, or was there a bigger problem, a systemic problem?
“Here it is.” Dmitri handed Smith a weapon that superficially resembled the fabled AK-47, a weapon renowned for its toughness and reliability. It was a weapon that some called ‘The rifle that kept America from ruling the world.’ Whether or not that was true was largely a matter of opinion and of no importance here. Was this new rifle as rugged and reliable? Could it do the job? These were the questions. Earthly concerns and opinions were light years away.
It was a fine bit of craftsmanship. The wood was gone, too bad. Some sort of plastic-like material, which just didn’t have that ‘feel’ had been used instead. Trees were also a long way away.
This one was chambered for the .30-06. Denver loaded up a magazine. “You sure the range is clear?”
“What range, just shoot.”
The magazine easily slid into place. He knew Dmitri had the wherewithal to put together a couple of weapons, but the legion needed a couple of thousand, at least. He pulled the operating handle back and released it chambering a round. He especially liked the long selector switch, one click auto, two clicks semi-auto, and all the way up, safe. What could be easier?
“Rifle’s dirty,” Denver said as he brought it up into firing position.
“Yes, I know; we buried it for a few days in the mud and just rinsed i
t out a while ago. You will see that it remains reliable even under field conditions.”
“Let’s see what it’ll do.” The sights were primitive iron sights, but the Separatists would have better if it became necessary, some sort of red dot or something. Right now the legion needed a rifle that would knock down a big lizard; nothing fancy, just knock it on its ass and keep it down.
Denver tried semi-auto first. He was surprised at the lack of kick. It really was not that bad. He had no trouble holding the weapon on target. The .30-06 would kill a man at 1000 yards if you could see him, but it would cripple on the other end unless the rifle was heavy enough.
“I had expected more kick from the .30-06 in such a light weapon.”
“You heard of the American AA-12?” asked Dmitri.
“No, what is it?”
“It’s an automatic shotgun your police state has.”
“It’s not my police state.”
“Right, right, anyway the spring system absorbs about 10% of the recoil and about another 80% is absorbed by the gas system. It’s made from several different types of stainless steel and is almost maintenance free.”
“Okay, let’s try auto,” said Denver.
He raised the lever one click, put it to his shoulder, and let it ride. It still rose a bit, but with short bursts, it would be manageable.
“Wow!”
“You like, huh? This weapon had maybe 90% less recoil, is made of stainless steel, will fire even after being dumped in water, and the stock is made from high impact plastics. The whole thing is less than a meter long and weighs in at around four and a half kilos. The constant recoil mechanism never allows the bolt and bolt carrier to impact the rear of the receiver. It just runs out on the long two stage recoil operating spring.”
“Sounds complicated.”
“Hell no, it’s Russian. It has the Kalashnikov rotating bolt, is gas operated, with loose tolerances which means high reliability.”
“Will it kill a lizard?”
“Both might, but I would go with a 220-grain ball and the .30-06. Now you can go to something like a 450 magnum, but you have heavier ammunition to haul around.”
Hell Fighters from Earth Page 32