by Dan Worth
The briefing room in the basement level of the Naval Headquarters for the Eta Cassiopeia system was packed. Chen had rarely seen so many senior officers in one place at the same time. Looking around the room she could see three admirals, at least two dozen captains, a Marine Corps colonel and a number of his officers as well as a handful of senior Naval Intelligence figures. They were all seated around three quarters of the circumference of the oval, dark wood conference table that dominated the centre of the room, its varnished surface reflecting the blues, greens and gold of the smartly uniformed figures. They faced a raised dais and display screen, and a lectern that for now was vacant.
Chen shifted uncomfortably inside the stiff garments, and tried not to fiddle with the hat that she clasped in her nervous hands. She placed it on the table out of range of her fidgeting. There were a few faces she recognised. Captain Lehman of the Rameses had been in the same year as her at Naval College and they had spoken briefly when she had arrived. She saw a few other captains that she knew in passing. All were quite highly decorated, judging by the ribbons on their uniforms, as was the Marine Corps colonel, Simonov, and the three admirals.
Admiral Haines. He was a legend within the Navy. One of the few still serving war veterans, his scarred and grizzled features and full head of closely cropped silver hair had achieved iconic status both within the military and amongst the civilian population in general. He had seen more battles than any other commander within living memory. A tactical genius, he had never lost a single engagement. He had even helped to organise as well as survive the last stand at Elysium, although it had cost him an eye. Now at the artificially extended age of a hundred and twelve it was widely said that he couldn’t be killed, and only half in jest.
A controversial figure, Haines’s hatred of the K’Soth was no secret. Despite having his eye replaced after the war he insisted on keeping the scar he had received when a K’Soth shock trooper had gouged its claws across his right socket as he defended his bridge from a boarding party. He wore it as a badge of honour, as the K’Soth did. If they continued to proclaim themselves as the galaxy’s greatest predators, it seemed that Haines was willing to challenge them. His mere involvement in this venture would have confirmed Chen’s worst suspicions. Whatever he had planned, the K’Soth were about to receive a very unpleasant surprise indeed.
A door next to the dais was opened by a junior orderly and Haines entered. Another orderly trailed in his wake clutching a sheaf of notes and a data pad. All those present hurriedly rose to their feet. Haines bade them re-seat themselves whilst his assistant hooked up his data pad to the display screen. The Admiral stood at the lectern and gripped its smooth wooden sides, and then he cleared his throat noisily and spoke, his gravelly voice echoing in the silenced chamber.
‘Officers of the Commonwealth Navy and Marine Corps, the time has come to smash the tyranny of the K’Soth Empire,’ he began.
Holy shit, thought Chen.
‘For too long we have co-existed with our old adversaries whilst they terrorise and pillage thousands of systems and subject over two dozen sentient species to a regime of medieval brutality. For too long have we had to watch our own backs, lest we share that fate. The decision has already been taken. The time to strike is almost upon us.’
Haines activated the screen displaying a three dimensional map of K’Soth space.
‘The Empire can be likened to a diseased tree: outwardly it appears as robust as ever, but it is rotting from within and we believe that it is close to collapse. The very nature of the Empire works against its own interests. Feudal states create a constant demand for more territory in order that the ruling elite can maintain the loyalty of the lesser nobles by rewarding them with property; in this case entire planets or systems to rule over. This constant state of warfare has placed tremendous strain on the economy: ruinous levels of taxation and the sequestering of ever higher levels of resources and personnel for the military are leading to stagnation and collapse. Furthermore, the brutality of the regime causing ever higher numbers of revolts, thus placing a further strain on the military who find themselves forced to allocate ever more assets to merely keeping order within the existing imperial possessions.’
‘The defeat of the K’Soth in the last war has shown to many oppressed systems that their feudal masters are not invincible. The revolutionary fervour of the underground movements has increased steadily during the last few decades and it is our intention to assist them via direct action in addition to the covert assistance they have already been receiving from us in exchange for intelligence data. According to our reports almost a hundred systems within the Empire are now in a state of open revolt.’
Haines highlighted them in red on the map with the press of a key.
‘It is believed that a further hundred or so would join them if they were encouraged to do so and maybe an additional five hundred could follow. This would lead to a general collapse of the Empire and its reduction to a rump consisting solely of those systems colonised by the K’Soth alone and not wrested from other species.’
A further scattering of systems were now coloured yellow, with a mass of others coloured green. A small ball of around fifty systems remained un-highlighted at the centre.
‘Of course, the problem for any revolutionary movement is the threat of retaliation by the K’Soth via planetary bombardment or other terror methods. The Empire’s Navy would play a major role in any such action, either by conducting a punitive strike itself or by the transport of K’Soth troops. The Imperial Navy’s upper echelons are filled entirely by K’Soth whose personal honour and clan ties demand that they serve the ruling dynasty without question. Furthermore, few aliens are allowed aboard military vessels. Hence there is no possibility of a military revolt. The Imperial fleet remains a threat to the revolutionaries and we intend to deal with it.’
He changed the image displayed on the screen once again, to a breakdown of estimated K’Soth naval assets.
‘We believe that the current Imperial Navy consists of four thousand vessels of capital ship size including one hundred carrier battle groups. This places their fleet at over twice the size of our own. However, many of the K’Soth ships are, as I mentioned before, tied down policing the Empire and consequently are too thinly spread to mount a credible defence. We estimate that the total number of K’Soth ships available to defend their border with us equals around a thousand craft. For the rest to be brought into play would take days, weeks and in some cases months, such is the extent of the Empire and the dispersal of their forces. It should therefore be possible to destroy the K’Soth fleet in a piecemeal fashion.’
Haines switched the image on the screen again. It now displayed several images of K’Soth warships.
‘Once again, the very nature of the K’Soth works in our favour. Economic strains coupled with their religious fanaticism are causing increasing technological stagnation. There have apparently been a number of purges within the ranks of their scientists in recent decades for seemingly minor religious transgressions and funding has been drastically cut back due to economic difficulties. The result is that K’Soth military technology has barely progressed since our last confrontation with them. Most of their ships are relics and some, it is believed, are in a dangerously poor state of repair.
There have been some attempts at modernisation - I’m sure you have all heard of the new Flayer class anti-fighter cruiser - but in general they’ve been churning the same old crap out of their shipyards for the past hundred years. Their ships are slow, unreliable and their weapons lack both range and firepower compared to our own vessels. As I imagine you are aware, our combat simulations show that one of our ships can match at least two equivalent K’Soth vessels in a close range fire-fight, and more at longer ranges where our ships can utilise the superior range of their main guns and missile batteries to attack the K’Soth ships with impunity. Consequently, Command believes that a Commonwealth fleet is quite capable of destroying a K’Soth one of superior
numerical strength. It is our plan to lure the bulk of the K’Soth border defence force to its doom.’
Haines switched the image on the screen once more. It now showed a depiction of the border between the two powers and current naval deployments.
‘It is the intention of the government to engineer a situation whereby we can justify deploying a small force into the demilitarised zone between our two nations and seize control of one or more systems. This force will consist of a destroyer squadron of four vessels plus fire support and defensive frigates and cruisers. In addition, the Marine assault carrier Normandy and its battle group may also be sortied to seize control of any installations present. Unfortunately at this time we do not know where this deployment will be since it is largely dependent upon unfolding events and the disposition of K’Soth fleet assets, therefore I apologise for the vagueness of this briefing. Nevertheless, the general strategy will remain the same.’
The image on the screen changed to illustrate the Admiral’s words as he spoke.
‘Our move will doubtless result in a counter deployment by the K’Soth, whereupon we shall sortie a further two carrier battle groups led by the Gustavus Adolphus and the Leonides to engage them. We believe that this should be sufficient to provoke the K’Soth into sending a sizeable portion of their defence force into the demilitarised zone to attempt to destroy the carriers. We will then respond with the bulk of the Navy, commanded by myself, to cut them off and kill them. Surprise will be achieved by pre-deploying the fleet in suitable locations obscured from K’Soth long range sensors via natural phenomenon such as nebulae or dust clouds.’
‘Once this is achieved we will proceed to the naval base at Banu-Baku and seize it as a forward centre of operations. From that point on, our aim then will be to engage the remainder of the enemy fleet and defeat them before advancing to their twin capitals at Polaris and Sothon whilst providing what assistance we can to the revolutionaries. We expect a total capitulation by the Empire in space in less than ninety days, though planetary conflicts may last somewhat longer. The liberated systems will then be invited to join the Commonwealth.’
There a few gasps and murmurs of amazement around the table. Haines continued.
‘Of course, the initial phase of the operation will be the most difficult and the most crucial. The destroyer group will be expected to initiate the conflict and survive against greater odds until the relief force arrives. Captain Chen, do you believe you are up to the task of leading the destroyers?’
Chen felt her stomach lurch
‘Yes sir. Thank you sir,’ she replied, the eyes of everyone in the room on her.
‘Good, glad to hear it.’ She felt Haines’s gaze boring into her.
The Admiral addressed the room once more.
‘I have selected Captain Chen both for her outstanding tactical abilities but also because I believe her recent exploits will allow us to deploy the squadron close to the border. The destroyer group will be based in the Klondike system on the pretence that they are there as a show of force to deter further arms smuggling across the border. Who knows Captain, you may catch a few,’ he said and shot her a wry grin.
‘In the event of Marine deployment, Admiral Kojima of the Normandy will oversee any assault or landing operations. The additional fleet deployments will be gradually scattered amongst the border systems as part of the regular patrols or will be stationed at our forward installations or in the sensor shadow of certain planets and other cosmic phenomena. They will be assigned marshalling waypoints as the situation unfolds. However, for now all we can do is watch and wait for the right opportunity.’
‘Individual ship briefings will be disseminated to the rest of the fleet accordingly and all those present here today will be given an encrypted copy of the plan tailored to their needs. This hard copy is to be kept secure in your ready room safes and be subject to the strictest security protocols. Is that clear? Additional briefings will be transmitted to your ships on a secure channel as need be. I don’t need to remind you all that this operation is classified at the highest level. However, feel free to train your crews how you see fit, since the current heightened tension between ourselves and the K’Soth is no secret. You may return to your duties and await my orders. Captain Chen?’
‘Sir?’
‘Once your ship has been refitted you are to proceed to Klondike with the Rameses, the Thermopylae, and the Wellesley and rendezvous with the rest of your group there; the frigates Crazy Horse, Beowulf, and Tipu Sultan and the cruisers Stillwell, Spartacus, Drake and Powell.’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Thank you Captain, dismissed.’
Haines gathered his things and left the room, which began to empty of people. Chen stood up shakily and replaced her hat before heading for the door. A number of officers congratulated her. In her stunned state she gave polite, perfunctory replies and headed with all possible haste for the exit.
Outside in the sunshine, free from the stuffy confines of the briefing room, Chen stood in the small ordered garden in front of the tall glass obelisk of Headquarters and gulped down deep breaths of fresh air. As she called a taxi she realised that her hands were shaking uncontrollably.
Chen spent the brief aerial journey back to the hotel in a daze. The enormity of the task she had been handed felt overwhelming. She felt numb as she watched the buildings and streets rush by below the vehicle and contemplated the chances of her surviving the mission. She didn’t like the odds that she gave herself. Chen told herself that she had to calm herself down now. If she, her crew and the crews of the other ten vessels now under her command were to survive, she would have to think clearly and rationally. If she panicked or lost her nerve she could seal the fate of all of them.
If Command were willing to risk sacrificing her to start this war, to hell with protocol, she’d play as fast and loose as she dared. Chen also had a few ideas about avoiding her fate. She and the Mark Antony were going to survive this war, she would make sure of that, but standard tactics would not suffice. Whilst she waited for Ramirez she pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil from her bag and began to sketch a few tentative diagrams.
Ramirez looked at his watch: it was 7:57pm. He checked his appearance in his room’s full length mirror a final time. He hadn’t really brought much in the way of smart clothes. The one suit he did own would have to do, topped off with the tie he had hurriedly bought that afternoon; a necessity for the restaurant he had booked a table at. Okay, he thought. Time to go.
He felt unusually nervous, unsure how this evening was going to turn out. After everything that had happened he was uncertain as to his relationship with Michelle. For a captain and a first officer they had grown unusually and perhaps unprofessionally close. He wasn’t sure if this was a date, or just dinner with a friend and colleague. If he was honest, part of him was surprised that she was even still speaking to him at all after what he had told her earlier in the day.
Ramirez left his room and made his way up to Chen’s. He stood outside her door, feeling momentarily foolish and then knocked. Chen answered: she was wearing a simple blue trouser suit, high heeled shoes and a small amount of jewellery. Her collar length hair was loose and glossy. Ramirez found himself gawping like an idiot. He’d never seen her look so, well, feminine before. There was something else about her though, she had an almost predatory glint in her eye, the one he sometimes saw when she was in command of the Mark Antony. It gave her a feline quality.
Shit, he thought. She’s after something. Dare I ask what?
‘Michelle, you look great.’
‘Thank you, Al. My sister bought me this for my birthday a couple of years back. I rarely get a chance to wear it so I thought I might as well do so tonight.’
‘You ready to go?’
‘Yes, where are we going?’
‘It’s a surprise.’
‘Oh, good. One more today,’ her brow wrinkled slightly as she pulled her door shut behind her.
‘Don’t worry, it’
s a pleasant surprise.’
She hooked her arm around his and smiled brightly at him.
‘Well that’s alright then. Come on, lead the way.’ She said and they started down the corridor.
‘How was the briefing?’
‘That,’ she replied grimly, ‘depends entirely upon one’s point of view.’
‘Oh?’
‘You were right Al. Okay? Now, let’s talk about something else and enjoy the evening shall we?’
The restaurant Ramirez had chosen, the Tiber Swan, was actually a custom built AG barge. A long oval shaped canopied deck, open to the air, contained the spacious dining area with the kitchens housed in the decks below. The entire structure floated a metre above the surface of the river as it made its slow nightly journey up the river from the eastern end of the city. At the culmination of this, each night the entire restaurant floated up and over the falls, its diners protected from the spray by a low level shielding system. It cost a fortune to run, but as one of Constantine’s most popular and more costly venues it made a hefty profit and deservedly so, the quality of the food was renowned system-wide. Ramirez had been lucky to get a table at such short notice. Dropping Chen’s name to the maitre de had possibly helped.
Constantly mobile, the Tiber Swan was most easily accessible from the air, Ramirez and Chen took a taxi, which flew them across the city and down to the river’s eastern end, alighting a few minutes later on the starboard docking platform that jutted out from the side of the barge. They stepped out into the warm night air and were quickly shown to their table on the far side of the craft. The restaurant was full to capacity with diners from a number of races, though humans predominated. The air was filled with conversation and laughter in a dozen tongues, music from a live jazz band, the sounds of the river and the aromas of innumerable dishes.
‘I’m impressed,’ said Chen once they were seated. ‘You were right, it is a nice surprise. I must say Al you’ve excelled yourself this time. I presume the food is up to the same standard as the setting?’