by Musser, Dale
“Sooner or later we will, Admiral. Perhaps I can get Cantolla working on that. Galetils had been working on it and was supposed to be in the final stages of developing a fusion reactor that could generate enough power for the RMFF, but the solar flare at Astamagota destroyed it. The factory, plans, and pretty much everything that might have given us a clue as to how far they had advanced the design are gone. I’m not sure how well it would work for some of your smaller ships; Galetils’ design may only be suitable for something the size of the DUSTEN, as I know how large a space he had allotted for the fusion reactor here on the NEW ORLEANS – and it was a very large space. That reactor wouldn’t fit in the NIGHTBRIDGE, of that I’m sure.”
“Equipping only the star ships would still grant us a huge advantage. We would then have invulnerable bases of operation in any star system and a safe haven for our patrol ships and corvettes while in hostile territory – and, of course, the greatly enhanced firepower.”
I briefly discussed this matter already with Cantolla when I hired her. Once she has her lab and staff functioning, she and her team are to make this project a priority and concentrate on trying to figure out what Galetils was doing. But even if she comes up with the answer, it will take quite a bit of time to modify a ship to include the fusion reactor as well as the RMFF equipment. Both are going to eat up some space. Fortunately your star ships are not lacking in space; but with all the diplomats and civilians you carry, I think you’re going to require some layout modifications so there is a more rigorous isolation of military areas from non-military personnel.”
“Yes, I agree, but it’s not going to be an easy thing to accomplish. Many of our dignitaries and senators are going to be very sensitive on this matter. They feel they should have access to everything. Also, while I’m here, how soon do you think you can start training our FSO agents?”
“How about tomorrow, mid-morning?” I responded. “I would like to hold the first day of training in the conference room that we’ve been using for your meetings and Federation broadcasts. It’s large enough to hold everyone and I think it’s important to maintain the feeling of Federation discipline and jurisdiction in their training environment. We want super patriots for this type of work.”
“What about our Special Operations troopers? We need to get started with their training as well.”
“Initial training is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning in the sports arena on the upper level under the direction of Lieutenant Marranalis. The arena provides sufficient space for the first drills they will undergo. I’m going to be observing their abilities over the next few days to see who among them should be leaders. This may be a sensitive issue with you and some of them, but as of tomorrow they all have equal rank; and new ranks will be applied according to their demonstrated abilities. One other thing, I don’t know how you selected these recruits; were they given a chance to volunteer or were they simply drafted?”
“All the candidates for the Special Ops units are volunteers. We made no secret of the formation of that unit. I’m not so sure about the equal ranks or how that will go over. l go along with it for the moment, but I think we need to readdress it after their training is complete. FSO candidates were drafted; only those with the highest skills and loyalty ratings were selected,” explained the admiral, “but they were given the right to refuse the assignment if they wished.”
“Normally, Admiral, I would say that only the top 30% would make it through the program. However, this organization is new and the Brotherhood is completely unaware of its formation, so they won’t really be looking for them. Under these conditions we will probably retain every recruit, though some may strictly be clerical and desk operatives. We’re going to have to go with what we have. Moving quickly will be the key to success with the fewest possible casualties.”
“Again, I have to agree with you. I don’t think most people have a clue what a nightmare we have in front of us between rooting out the Brotherhood and trying to safely distribute the solbidyum. One misstep and the entire Federation could go up like a super nova. I don’t think I’ve had a good night’s sleep since you showed up at Megelleon with the solbidyum – that’s no reflection on you, Tibby.” The admiral was about to continue, when a message came in over his personal communication link requesting his presence for a meeting with the High Command. “I’m afraid we will have to cut this short, Tibby, no doubt one of my staff has forgotten which shoe goes on which foot. Were there any other critical issues we needed to discuss at this time?”
“No, sir,” I replied, “I think we’ve covered the major points for now. We’ll be seeing you this evening, of course, for the reception dinner with Senator Tonclin?”
“Yes, definitely, it would hardly be proper if I didn’t attend. I think I’ll also enjoy seeing the surprise on his face when we tell him why we’re here.” The admiral chuckled at the thought. So did I.
After the admiral left I tracked down Kala and found her busy with her staff. As I approached, I heard her giving them instructions and helping them deal with problems that they were afraid to handle on their own.
She smiled when she saw me coming and said, “My hero comes to rescue me from a fate worse than death!” Then she turned to her staff and said, “You will have to handle these problems yourselves. That’s what I hired you for. Right now I have more important business to attend to.” With that she walked over to me, kissed me on the cheek, and laced her arm in mine while she led me away from her gaping staff.
“Where are we going?” I asked Kala, after we cleared the doorway of the administration area.
“You tell me; you’re the one who rescued me,” she said with a grin.
“I gather things are not going well with your staff?”
“Actually, things are going very well. They’re all very competent and highly motivated, but they’re also terrified of making decisions, given everything that’s been going on. I don’t think anyone in the Federation has had to work as hard and as fast as they have; I think it’s just a bit overwhelming for them. Once they get used to making decisions and seeing them carried through successfully, they will all do fine. At this point I want them to stop relying on me to make decisions. They know what to do; and as soon as they start exercising some autonomy, they’ll gain more confidence and understand their level of authority.”
“Good thinking,” I said. “Do you have any idea where Cantolla has set up operations here on the ship?”
“Actually, it just so happens that I do. Is that where we’re going?”
“It is if you’re willing to guide me there,” I said. Kala poked me on the arm, then grinned and tugged me in a direction that took us to the aft end of the ship.
When we arrived I was astonished at what I saw. Cantolla had wasted no time in obtaining a staff and getting things organized and running. It was as though she had things set up in advance of my offering her the job. Cantolla looked up as we entered and came across the room to greet us. “Tibby and Kala, this is a surprise. To what do I owe this visit?”
“Wow, Cantolla, this is quite the setup. How were you able to accomplish so much so quickly?” I said.
“Well, to be honest Tibby, most of these people are here under contract on a trial basis. Those that work out I will keep and the others will be replaced as we journey on. I can’t afford to spend years putting together a team before I get to work, now, can I?”
“No, I guess you can’t; but I’m surprised you were able to find so many so fast.”
“Actually, I had three times this many apply for positions, but a third of them didn’t pass the psych/loyalty test and another third didn’t meet my expectations. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? The people?”
“No, actually I wanted to talk to you about another urgent project that requires your attention. I also need you to research any records you can find on a fusion reactor design that was under development by Galetils Industries before the solar flare destroyed Astamagota. Galetils had been working
on a plan to build a fusion reactor ten times more powerful than anything operating in the Federation today, one that would be robust enough to power a fully functional RMFF system. We know the approximate physical size of it, because he had planned to install it on the NEW ORLEANS. I can show you the compartment where it would have been installed. Unfortunately, Astamagota was destroyed before the prototype was completed and, as far as we know, the plans and all the people who knew anything about the reactor were also annihilated in the event. The Federation has a pressing need for those reactors so they can install RMFF shielding systems on their star ships. For a number of reasons, it’s also critical that the size of the reactor be kept minimal. I’m hoping that, since you seem to have a sizeable staff at your disposal, you would be able to make some rapid progress on this project. You should have no problem obtaining any special supplies you might need from the Nibarian merchants or, if necessary, from other sources on Megelleon. Have everything shipped here within the next 60 hours. Tell them to place a rush on the order if you must. Everything must be here by then and cost is of no consequence.”
Cantolla laughed. “Tibby, if anyone else but you made that request, I would not take it seriously; but with you I have every reason to believe that you won’t rest until you see it done. I will give it my very best effort; but what you ask is nearly impossible, as I understand it. Of course, there is first time for everything. We’ll give it our best shot.”
“Tibby,” Kala began, “I think the best place for Cantolla’s team to build the reactor is in the originally planned compartment, where it was supposed to have been located to begin with. Besides that, the compartment is adjacent to the hangar bay; so once it’s completed, it can be easily transferred out of the NEW ORLEANS to whatever star ship is designated.”
“Very good point, Kala. Why don’t you show Cantolla the reactor compartment? I need to meet with Marranalis to discuss some training that begins tomorrow and I’m running out of time. Can you greet Senator Tonclin when he arrives? I’ll try to be there before he docks; but if I don’t make it, please extend my apology for my absence.”
“Right. But do try and be there, it really is important.”
“Okay. Oh, what outfit should I wear – dignitary or military?”
“Based on recent events, I think your vice admiral uniform would be the most appropriate. Plus, I personally get turned on when I see you in it,” Kala said with a grin.
“Me too!” said Cantolla, with a glint in her eye and enough enthusiasm that, had I not known her sexual preferences, I might have taken her comment seriously.
As Kala and I left the lab to finish the day’s business, we encountered Marranalis in the corridor. “Ah, Marranalis, I was just about to come looking for you. We’re scheduled to begin training tomorrow morning for the Special Operations personnel that the admiral has sent us. Everything is ready, I trust?”
Marranalis is a big man, a good 120 cm taller than me and a lot heavier build. His brown skin, dark wavy black hair and brown eyes reminded me very much of a race on Earth we call Polynesian. I relied on him heavily. I found him to be a good natured individual who bore no grudges, followed orders, and eagerly performed his best at all times. He had a fair sense of humor, but tended to be on the quiet side. He rarely mentioned or discussed anything of a personal nature, so all that I really knew of him came from my personal experiences.
“Just about ready,” Marranalis replied, “but we need to talk about ground training. Right now we can do a lot of fundamental training and certain types of exercises here on the ship, as there are still large expanses of unoccupied space where we can simulate shipboard actions; but we’re going to need training facilities on a planet before we can teach other outdoor combat scenarios, clearing of buildings and so forth. And we definitely don’t want to be working with live explosives here on the ship.”
“Yes, I’m aware of our current constraints. Perhaps we can conduct training on some of the planets we encounter. I’m sure there are Federation bases on all of them; and I know the admiral will provide us the authorization to use whatever facilities we need. After all, these are his troops we’re training. We will want to train for all environments – wet, dry, hot, cold, deep space and, of course, underwater and combatant swimmer training, since the Brotherhood operated out of a secret suboceanic base. These troops will become the Federation’s elite squadrons and I want them prepared for anything. I want them to be able to perform in combat as individuals and teams in ways no one has ever seen before. They need to be ready to do the unexpected and do it effectively.”
While I was talking, a rather attractive blonde-haired woman in a trooper uniform that displayed the rank of major walked up to Marranalis and said, “Lieutenant, I need to talk to you.”
“I’ll be with you in a moment, ma’am,” said Marranalis before returning his attention to me.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me, Lieutenant. I said I need to talk to you. You will come to attention and salute me and give proper greeting or I will have you written up. Is that understood, Lieutenant?”
“And I SAID I will be with you in a minute, Major; and on this ship you salute me; is THAT understood?” replied Marranalis with some irritation in his voice.
It was obvious that this officer had not been fully informed as to the modified protocols on the NEW ORLEANS or the status of my staff. Either that or she had not been paying attention when she was briefed. Either way, things were about to get interesting.
“Very well, Lieutenant, I’m going to have you brought up on charges of insubordination,” the major fumed. “Lieutenant Commander Kalana, you witnessed his insubordination.”
Kala looked at me with a smirk on her face.
“Actually, Major,” I began, “if you will note the two gold stars on the lieutenant’s collar, you will realize that he is part of the crew assigned by the High Command to my personal staff and, as such, on this ship or when taking part in any training program here or on the surface that is conducted by me or my staff, you answer to him, regardless of your rank with the Federation. Also, for the record, when you approached and interrupted our conversation, you failed to recognize both Lieutenant Commander Kalana and me with the salute and recognition due to us; so the insubordination is yours, not Lieutenant Marranalis’.” I could see the major’s face redden as I spoke.
“Begging your pardon, Vice Admiral,” the Major began with some ice in her voice, “but you’re not in uniform and your rank is only honorary; you have no real authority in this matter.”
“That will be enough, Major,” Kala said with fire in her voice. “You will never speak to Vice Admiral Renwalt like that again, and you will always salute and show him proper respect, regardless of what he is wearing, is that UNDERSTOOD, MAJOR?!” The major stood in shock for a moment and then replied, “Yes ma’am; but you should know that I intend to file a full complaint on this matter.”
“Please do, Major, and be sure to file that complaint with Admiral Regeny personally. In fact, I am making it an order that you do so – to the admiral personally. Is that understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” replied the major while standing at attention.
“What’s your name, Major? I intend to follow up to make sure that you do as you’re ordered regarding this issue.”
“Sokaia, ma’am,” the major stammered. It was now becoming clear to her that she had bitten into something she shouldn’t have and that her butt was hanging over the fire.
“Very well, Major Sokaia, I suggest you get on with filing your complaint. Dismissed!” said Kala with a tone of genuine anger in her voice.
“Yes, ma’am!” said the Major while retreating.
Marranalis smiled and said to Kala, “Do you think my chances of getting a date with her will be ruined by this minor confrontation?” Both Kala and I laughed.
One of the things that I found difficult to understand about the Federation military was that it was not organized into branches like the military on Earth. Th
ere was simply the Federation Space Force made up of troopers. There was no division of armed forces into equivalents of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard. Rank was also confusing, as the Federation military seemed to be a mixture of all branches of service on Earth. There were no ensigns; however there were privates, corporals, sergeants, lieutenants and other ranks that were combined to reflect a somewhat different chain of authority. Also, unlike Earth’s military, where more stripes on a uniform means a higher rank, the Federation’s system was the converse – the more stripes, the lower the rank. Metals, ribbons and other such trappings were also nonexistent in the Federation.
Kala excused herself to prepare for the arrival of Senator Tonclin as I went over some of the details for the Special Ops unit the next day with Marranalis. When I finished, I went to my suite to prepare for Senator Tonclin’s arrival. Fortunately, Piesew anticipated my arrival and had laid out my uniform for me. I dressed and arrived at the hangar just as the senator’s shuttle arrived. Captain Stonbersa, Admiral Regeny and Kala were already there. Several troopers had taken up stations on both sides of the walkway leading away from the shuttle.
Senator Tonclin exited the shuttle accompanied by another Nibarian of similar stature and appearance, though the second Nibarian’s skin texture seemed somewhat smoother. Nibarians are one of the few non-human races residing within in the Federation territories. One of the things I was surprised to discover as I learned about the peoples inhabiting the millions of Federation planets was that most were humans – or humanoid – and that they shared similar and even compatible DNA. But there were also planets that had environments not suitable for humans where sentient life had also evolved; and these people could be quite different in nature from humans. Nibaria was one of those planets. Nibarians are not exactly dependent on the nitrogen-rich atmosphere that defines their planet’s environment, as they can breathe more human-friendly atmospheres without significant discomfort. Their skin is thick and looks much like gnarled tree bark. On average, they are shorter and more stoutly built than humans, yet they have amazingly high-pitched voices that are completely incongruent with their physical appearance. My personal experience with Nibarians, while limited at this point in my life among the Federation peoples, had shown them to be friendly, highly skilled, hardworking, and most certainly honest individuals; and I was happy to see Senator Tonclin once again.