Righteous Reign The Series: E-version Boxed Set Edition

by Thomas J. MacDonald

  "Who the hell is that? What Group is this, George?" She asked.

  "It's one of yours, Grace. It's Nichols in charge of the Columbia Group. It's like watching a ballet. It is so smooth and synchronized you can barely tell when a vessel breaks off, checks out some anomaly, and rejoins the motion. I cannot believe it. I actually lived through it. It is marvelous to be a part of that circus ride, especially if you're using the viewports.' Bryant said with admiration in his voice. 'This man has found a way to increase the speed of a patrol by forty percent without missing anything and without endangering a single vessel. My feeling is that we should adopt this Fleet-wide, but I did not want to impose it. I offer it to you. Use it if you want. But, I will be setting higher standards on patrol efficiency." He finished with a laugh.

  "I don't know about you, Tom but I absolutely love it, and I love that man for figuring it out." The appreciation in Grace's voice was palpable.

  "I will adopt it, too. I've never seen anything like it, either. And, I've been at this game for thirty years." Stevens countered.

  "I didn't want to step on any toes, so I haven't said anything. I feel we should get the man in here and tell him what we think.' Bryant said. 'After a little poke in the eye, of course,' he added with a smile.

  Grace paged Nichols to Admiral Bryant's office.

  "Commodore Nichols reporting as ordered, sir." He snapped while at attention.

  Bryant pointed to the air above his desk as he started the graphics. "What the hell is this?" He asked sternly.

  There was a lengthy silence as Stephen seemed to be trying to figure out what he was watching. "I don't know, sir. What do you think it is?" He asked.

  "Think. We know what it is. It's you doing your patrols - and we have to say... we love it. It is the most efficient and thorough way of doing them we've ever seen. Even Tom hasn't seen it before, and he's been on these ships since the OESA was founded." The four broke into laughter.

  "What made you think of orchestrating your patrol in such an elegant fashion?" Grace queried.

  "I assure you that I was not attempting grace. The idea was to find a way to use the new Group configuration to its maximum capability. This was my first trial of the concept." He responded.

  "Trial... This was a trial? It was executed with precision - like you've done it a hundred times before!" Bryant bellowed in disbelief.

  "No, sir. This was the first attempt, since discussing it with my Captains and sending them the navigational math formulae and order of operations.' Nichols responded. 'We did conduct this maneuver once with each helmsman at a simulator. But, this was the first actual attempt." He added.

  "Well, consider it a success. If it’s okay by you, we want to adopt it Fleet-wide. We will call it the Nichols Patrol Maneuver, so all future helmsmen and Captains will know where it came from." Bryant said.

  "No problem, sir. The Fleet is welcome to it. I would be happy to have contributed to overall Fleet productivity." Nichols replied.

  "If it works out on a wider basis, we'll send it on to the Quadrant Commander. Right now, it looks like everyone should adopt it." Bryant added.

  Boots finished the patrol a couple of days earlier than it had been done when the previous record was set. So, Bryant recorded that and stopped where they were for two days of exercises teaching Nichols' system to the other Groups. When they left for the next patrol at Tau Bootis, they were all fully versed and rehearsed on the new regime. George would be interested to see how proficiency checked out on this mission.

  The trip from 14 Hercules to Tau Bootis would be completed in two jumps. Boots Fleet would first travel twenty-six and one third light years to HD130948 in Bootis. Then, they would leap the additional seventeen light years to Tau. This was about five light years longer than the direct route but allowed them to complete the journey without discomfort to the crew. The Fleet would rest at stopover for a full day to ensure everyone recovered their space legs.

  This time they would arrive at Tau, check it out, and disburse to cover all the stars in a triangle with it, HR5273 and 70 Virgo at the points. Wolf 515, LTT 13826, Diadem ABC, and Ross 837 along with the three points were among the thirteen that would make up this patrol. It would be a difficult test. After all Groups secured Tau, there were twelve more systems to distribute among the four teams. Each Group would make four jumps and visit three systems by the time they all returned to Tau.

  They exited the jump on Friday, September 29, 2248, at eleven hundred hours Quadrant Regional Time. All four Groups jumped out to their first targets separately at thirteen hundred. At 10:00 PM, on Friday, October 6, 2248, Columbia was the first to return to Tau. El Salvador Group followed an hour and a half later. At two hundred hours on October 7th, Grenada and Dominica landed at virtually the same time. It had taken just over seven and a half days to complete a patrol that took nearly two weeks, six months earlier. Bryant called all the senior tactical staff to a meeting.

  "I don't want to waste a lot of your time, folks, so I'll get right to the point. That was an outstanding mission. We completed it in fifty-two percent of the time it was done the last time. I know the reconfigured Fleet helped but this is way beyond the projections. The difference between the forecasted twenty-eight percent improvement and the forty-eight percent actual improvement has to be Stephen's new patrol maneuvers. I wanted to thank and congratulate him for the effort, and I wanted to congratulate you all on executing it so well the first time. I would like all the Group Commanders to forward their mission helm maneuvers to my station. If you’re not sure what I want, ask Commodore Nichols. He has done this once already. I would like our Quadrant Commander to see these refined ballets for himself. I will have the Task Force Commanders join me in making the recommendation to Bill Stephenson. You have all outdone yourselves. We will take a four-day shore leave at 44 Bootis, as a reward for you and all your personnel. Make sure everyone gets a couple of days ashore. Does anyone have anything to add?" George asked.

  "Yes, sir.' Responded Group Commander Evan Aldridge. 'It was a bit scary at first. If you watched through the viewports, it looked like we faced collisions from time to time, but in the end, it all turned out to be a very sexy slow dance. Commodore Nichols and his Captains did a great job of training us all on the simulators. But, I am sure that some of us will have to travel to pass this on to others. So we should be sure to reinforce the notion that though it may look scary, it is all well planned-out allowing all the regulated spacing, and no one ever actually comes close to each other if it's all executed correctly. It is the most amazing experience I ever had. It's a new way of observing space from the viewports. My hat is off to Stephen and our teams who have implemented it so well." Aldridge finished.

  "Thanks, Evan," Nichols whispered.

  "Thank you, Mr. Aldridge. We will take your observation and recommendation into consideration, and I'm sure Stephen is thankful of the praise.' Bryant said.

  'He does have a point, though. Several of you and your people will have to travel to pass on what has been developed here. If you become one of the chosen, I wish you the best. Let's get back to work, now." Bryant finished as he turned to leave the room.

  ....................................................................................................................

  "Okay folks, I have to end this for today. As you know, things are far from normal. There's a lot going on aboard the Shenzhen, and I need to be available for anything that may arise. I am sending you a pretty lengthy handout. It's the last one. It'll bring you up to the present time. But I want to point out that using your head while you're doing your job goes a lot farther than just following orders. Look at Admirals Bryant and Nichols. Their ability to think on their feet is what got them where they are. If you work like that, one of you may be C&C one day. Dismissed!" I called out over my shoulder as I quickly exited the room.

  Chapter 11 Mobile Fifth Command!

  Monday January 29, 2249

  "More than once have most promising oppo
rtunities been lost for want of men to take advantage of them, and victory itself had been made to put on the appearance of defeat, because our diminished and exhausted troops have been unable to renew a successful struggle against fresh numbers of the enemy." Robert E. Lee

  By the time the first of nearly thirty Quadrant Three communication drones appeared off the port bow of the Columbia, on January 29, Boots was the talk of the service. They had completed another three patrol missions. That made five since the conclusion of their expansion. And, to complicate matters they were often short a Group Commander and several Captains who were sent to train other Groups on the Nichols Patrol Maneuver. Boots was sitting at Chi Draco enjoying a well-deserved break.

  The first message only hinted at trouble. But, each got progressively more urgent in tone. What seemed like a minor intrusion, at first, was detected on January 15th by Eridani Fleet at BD+22 583, a relatively bright yellow star. The incursion grew to a flood over the next few days as the attackers made a second entry into Empire territory at CD-46 9733 in the constellation Lepus on January 18th. By the 20th, it was apparent to Bryant that the minor intrusion was the point of one pincer that made up a pair that was attempting to meet at Alpha Taurus. They would take a bite out of Empire space equal to nearly twenty percent of our total territory.

  From the few prisoners that had been captured, it was evident this was a species that evolved to fight. They were large, sturdily framed and motivated. Though not as technologically advanced as the Empire, the intruders were tactically sound in their planning. They did not speak our languages, but our speech processors effortlessly deciphered their jargon which was full of guttural grunts and growls. Most were a full ten centimeters taller than the average humanoid, and easily forty percent heavier with their extraskeletal structures and plating. Massive skulls protected a brain case the size of our own. Interrogators had determined that they were a caste society with the upper echelon raised from birth to fight. It seemed little effort was made in the social sciences areas like medicine. Support classes concentrated on developing spacecraft, weapons, and battle training at all levels. Their ships were relatively small and sturdy with no artificial gravity and minimal shields. Hulls were designed to withstand weapons strikes but could not handle our fire power. However, the ships were swift and maneuverable in open space generally traveling at around thirty percent of the speed of light.

  When Bryant received the nineteenth drone on Tuesday, February 6th, it was apparent, the Empire was losing what was actually a war. Taurus, Eridani, Pictor, and Reticula Fleets, had combined as much force as they could against this enemy who had twelve hundred craft within our borders by then. Fear of losing ten member-worlds and a hundred systems was palpable in the message. The one thing that really helped Bryant was the graphical mapping of the battle zone sent with memos. Though this enemy was tactically capable, they seemed to think in two-dimensional terms. They came into the Empire between ten and minus ten degrees declination over a three-hour wide swath and did not vary from that region.

  Bryant prepared a memo for the C&C with a copy to Quadrant Three and Theatre Command. In it, he offered his services in the battle zone, provided he could take another fully complimented Fleet. George proposed taking Draco which was now at full strength and having Borealis, Serpens, and Virgo expand patrol sectors to cover the weakness created by the temporary move. The Admiral informed them that from the battle-site maps and accounts of the intruders, he could see a way to repel the invaders. At the moment, it was a fuzzy tactical plan that would be able to eliminate them with minimal losses to the two supporting Fleets. The one proviso he had was that the two Fleets would be under his command and he would be detached from any Theatre operation, giving him the freedom to do what was needed. He advised them he would move Boots to Barnard's star, for communications purposes.

  Boots made the twenty-five light year jump to Barnard's arriving on February eleventh. A communications drone was waiting. There was an encrypted message from HQ and another from Quadrant Command.

  MEMO

  From:Flt. Adm. B. Williamson C&C OESA

  Flt. Adm. D. Dickinson C&C OESA

  To:V. Adm. G.T. Bryant Commander Boots Fleet

  Re:Invasion

  Date:February 4, 2249

  George,

  This is a field promotion. You are temporarily elevated to level 10 Admiral. Draco is assigned to your temporary field command. Your proposal has been accepted. Draco will meet you at Barnard's February 13. OESA leadership and the Emperor wish you and all your people the best of luck. Take care.

  Notice of the promotion and assignment has been sent to all Quadrant, Theatre and Fleet Commanders, but this has not been described as a temporary Field Promotion to solidify your command, quickly.

  Brian Williamson Fleet Admiral C&C OESA

  David Dickinson Fleet Admiral C&C OESA"

  "George,

  If anyone else said they had a plan and didn't explain it, I'd tell them where to go. But, I know if, you can't do this, no one can. This is a formidable enemy - not as technologically advanced but smart, big, and mean. Alexander the Great once said, “I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion.”

  Remember, they may be technically lacking, but they appear to be directed by lions. Don't forget to change your rank insignia. Please consider the fact that though Vice Admiral Palakiko is sharp, she can be a real ass sometimes. But, she does not screw with more senior levels. You are detached from Quadrant Three until reassigned by the C&C. Congratulations on your promotion and appointment. Good luck! Take care of yourself - and my daughter.

  Bill Stephenson OESA Quadrant Three Commander"

  "Moe, could you come into my office, please? It's important." George called his Chief on his system.

  Moe appeared a minute later. "Yes sir, how may I be of service?"

  "Please sit. We'll be here for a bit. I just received these.' He handed the pad with the memos to his Chief. 'I need you to witness my removal of Level 10 insignia from the safe as per the memo. Then I need you to prepare the appropriate announcements and make sure they are forwarded to Draco when they arrive. Do not refer to any promotions for this operation as a Field elevations, ever. As you can see, the C&C asked me to grab authoritative command, quickly. I also want you to prepare a warrant granting a temporary field promotion to Grace Tonaka to the level of Vice Admiral. She will replace me as Fleet Commander. Then, I require the same type of warrant elevating Nichols to Rear Admiral. He will take over Grace's task force. We need to make Malcolm a Lieutenant General as a Corps Commander, and he must choose a replacement and fill all the ripple positions, accordingly. You have to get them all in here, immediately without so much as a hint as to why. You should also prepare a warrant elevating you temporarily to the rank of Rear Admiral and Chief of Staff for Mobile Fifth Command which our combined force will be called. There will be more, later. And, there won't be any parties, this time.' Bryant joked as he tilted forward to open the safe. The insignia was a circle of four silver stars enclosing the number ten. He removed three sets for movement between uniforms. 'Could you do this for me?" He asked as he closed the door.

  "It really adds something to your appearance, George.' Moe said with a grin as he pinned on the stars. 'Is there anything else, sir?"

  "Yes, could you also find Commodore Bryant and have her report, too," Bryant ordered.

  Moe left the office. Marie showed up a couple of minutes later.

  "What the hell is going on, Admiral?" She asked with her eyes focused on his collar points.

  "Have a seat. There's a lot materializing and it isn't all that good. I will need your assistance. I'd like you to read all the mail from this point on." He said as he handed her his pad and sat back to give her time to read.

  "So, we're going to fly half way across the galaxy to save the Empire. Is that what is inferred here?" People gathering outside were noticing how animated she'd become.

  "Well.
..not halfway - but, you are factually correct?" His feigned naivety triggered a soft laugh from her.

  "So, why am I here? You need your tactical people, right now." She muttered.

  "But, I required you, first. I wanted you to be the first to know everything. I will want your help too. All those people outside the door are about to have their responsibilities increased dramatically. I need you to sit in and keep an eye – evaluate them. I seek your empathy. I need to know if anyone's overwhelmed by what I will ask of them. Is that okay with you?" He asked Marie.

  "Of course, I'll support you in any way I can. I love you, George. I am a bit afraid of where we are headed. But, I will assist you no matter what. Let's get the ball rolling." She said with a smile.

  He raised his right arm pointing to Tom, Grace, and Moe then waved them in.

  "Welcome, I have news. Everyone take a seat and a deep breath." He advised.

  "What the heck is happening, Admiral?" Grace asked with her eyes fixed on his collar points.

  "My promotion is part of the discussion.' George paused to organize his thoughts. 'I have been receiving memos from HQ and Quadrant Command at the rate of about five each a day for the last week and a half. We have been attacked and are losing a war. The intruders came in between plus and minus ten degrees declination at Lepus and Eridani in a pincer attack. There are twelve hundred enemy vessels in our space as of the last update. They are fierce fighters. We have captured a few, so we know a little about them now. I have been tasked to form a unique Command, under Headquarters control, which we'll christen Mobile Fifth Command. Draco Fleet will join Boots on the thirteenth in this new operation. Both Fleets are officially detached from the Theatre and Quadrant Commands they serve. I was promoted to Admiral to head the operation. There is a lot of intelligence, and I've already formulated a preliminary tactical plan. We will have some time to review it. We'll jump from Barnard's to Aldebaran on the fourteenth. In the meantime, I have to structure my Command and Boots needs some restructuring because of it. Though the moves may endure, any promotions you receive are temporary for now. As far as anyone else knows, they're permanent. The C&C chose this path so there'd be no question of authority when I absorb the other Fleet. It also makes it simpler and more efficient to draft or request additional forces. All notices will be posted as if they are permanent promotions and assignments. However, you will be paid accordingly if you are elevated to a new level. I've decided to make Grace the Fleet Commander. This is not a slight to you Tom. You are as capable of taking the Fleet. But, it's her turn to be first. Grace will be elevated to Vice Admiral and will be Boots Fleet Commander. Grace, I want to raise Nichols to Rear Admiral and have you appoint him as your replacement. He has a real tactical knack. You and he will need to fill the hole he leaves and all the others down the chain of command. Below Executive Officer positions, you won't have to promote. Just reassign. Will you take the Fleet, Grace?" He asked.