Chapter 28 Seeking Justice
Monday, April 15, 2272
"I'm for justice no matter who it's for or against." Malcolm X
We didn't get this mission started until a week ago because I felt Epsilon required recovery time and I wanted to witness and comprehend all its capabilities. And, of course, we needed to conduct a memorial service almost all Epsilon personnel could attend. Below us, things are incredibly intense on the surface of Eta Pegasus, and we've temporarily lost contact with the Marine Corps Commands. Up here, we are still mopping up remaining active Isesinis base stations, cruisers, and satellites. It had taken extensive planning and effort to reach this stage with our combined Mobile Fifth RAC, SOCC, Polemista, and Spiel Forces. Over two thousand warships and three and a half million people had cleared a corridor and surrounded Eta Pegasus the home of the Isesinis. As we exited our jump thresholds, we perceived covering clouds of orbiting debris created by SOCC's preparatory mining of circling enemy assets. But, it all didn't happen by accident.
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On Wednesday, February 28, 2272, nearly four million filled the OFSA rotunda, its patios, and gardens and all the streets along the processional path. It tested Rigil's facilities to the maximum since only just over a million live there permanently.
My first order of business was to hold a meeting of my senior team. Admiral J. Coquinas, Admiral Palikiko, Admiral Kura Neko my Tier One Commanders, and General Shellots my Marine Army Commandant joined Tom Stevens, Moe and me in my office. I issued orders directing my team to instruct all their ships to park in high stationary orbits. And, they were all to run on reduced power since it only takes thrusters to correct any trajectory decay for the five to six days those procedures were employed. I also directed them to grant leave to all personnel, effective immediately except for the smallest possible skeleton crews. Everyone was to be recalled and aboard their ships by no later than eighteen hundred March 4. That allowed two days to disembark, two to reboard, and the full day of the memorial on the planet.
Since Rigil doesn't have enough capacity for that many visitors, I also authorized the distribution of all the Transferable Field Sheltering (TFS) units our ships carry. That included providing mobile hygiene stations for landed personnel to use. Each ship stores enough TFS equipment to house everyone aboard in case a need suddenly arises to abandon ship in favor of a planet or moon. Each Commander was instructed on the cooking gear, water purification capability, and emergency medical stations they should provide to secure the numbers they were dispatching. The encampment turned into a giant temporary city with millions housed along the shores of the Lake. Flag and Senior Officers, politicians, and dignitaries took up all the motel, hotel, and lodge accommodations. By February 29, I received calls from all the other arriving HQ Commands to discuss deployment of their attendees. I explained how we were handling ours.
The funeral march and rites were conducted on March 2. George was memorialized by the King, the SOD, myself, Tom Stevens, and Marie Bryant. His gilded casket, replete with Federation Insignia and OFSA badge rested atop a six-wheeled open carriage drawn by four white Arabian horses. It led a convoy of a dozen landaus pulled by black Arabians. The Royal Family rode in the first. Marie, Atina, Tom, myself and Admiral Savage were in the next. I was also one of six Admiral pallbearers who laid him in-state on Feb 29 then, transported him from carriage to a mausoleum on the grounds of the OFSA, after the funeral. He was laid to rest there.
Though we'd honored him at the reassignment party, I ordered up an official Epsilon wake. Tom, Pal, Grace Tonaka, Marie and I shared stories from the past. Several wars had made things quite somber in the past several years. But, we all concentrated on the devilish unrestrained humor George displayed more frequently around the time of the forming of Mobile Fifth RAC. There were lots to raise a toast to, and even more that garnered a laugh or two.
On March 5, I ordered Epsilon forces to break orbit and move to Wolf 359. The trip is over a day at our slowest cruising speed. We would do nothing for five days after we entered the quiet system with the tiny red dwarf. We'd use the six days to contemplate our loss.
Tuesday, March 12 found me in another day-long meeting with my senior team. I didn't issue directives but conveyed my need to see all of Epsilon's capabilities. I asked them to run low-pressure drills that tested all their Fleets' proficiencies, so I could watch. I explained they were not being graded - I just wanted to see everything. But, I wanted the troops to know that. I didn't think they should be under pressure, yet.
Then, I scheduled another meeting for the following Tuesday, to discuss an impending mission.
Once they'd all left, I contacted El and asked if I might speak with Sparks to get some intelligence information I needed. He replied that I didn't need his permission but it just shows respect, so I will always seek El's authorization.
I asked General Sparks to release Suvayeek intelligence of the Eta Pegasus system to me along with anything else he had pertaining to it and Isesinis formations in their own space or near ours. Half an hour later, I had nearly a five hundred page book to contend with.
On March 20, I summoned Admirals Coquinas, Palikiko, Laft, Neko, Stevens, Mohahu and General Shellots to my office. I explained the picture I was trying to form and split the document among us by spatial regions. That gave us each a little more than seventy related pages to scan. Each Officer would be able to build an image of their area and together we'd assemble a mosaic. By entering their summaries into my system, we created a current three-dimensional representation of enemy deployments.
I projected the 3-D video image in the air over the conversation pit. It was evident the Isesinis had about seventy percent of remaining forces at or near their homeworld.
"It's like Fort Knox!" Stevens observed referring to the once impregnable gold depository.
"Yes, but I don't believe their intention is fortification," I said.
"What are you thinking?"
"I believe the fastest way to restore services and rebuild plants and technology is to bring home the Fleet and use its Engineering capabilities, parts stores, and manufacturing ability to rebuild everything quickly. There's no doubt they can defend, too. But, I believe their primary purpose is reconstruction."
"That makes a lot of sense." Moe injected as everyone else nodded agreement.
"So everyone take a look at this model and give me your opinions on how many ships and bases are within ten light years of Eta Pegusas. Then, I need you to tell me how many you think are within a ring from that perimeter out another ten kilometers. I'll sort of average your estimates and make some quick decisions from that information. Finally, I need you each to prepare a list of enemy flotillas within your region, by location. I will make some more accurate decisions based on that data. We'll meet again once I have a draft idea for a plan. I'll update all of you Tier 2 Commanders, and you will have to get together with your Field Operations and prepare your part of a battle. From what I see here, we'll need more forces than Epsilon has. I'll seek sizable representation from the Spiel and Polemista. And we'll need a significant contingent from SOCC. Any thoughts from any of you?"
"Yes, Kurt. What about advanced mining?" Pal suggested.
"Yes. We'll do it again. I don't see any other way to succeed, and as far as we know, the Isesinis still haven't figured out our cloaks. Anyone else?' I asked. There were negative wags all around. "Okay then, let's start with Pal and just go from left to right. Everyone give me your numbers, please."
It took nearly an hour for me to record all the figures as they rhymed them off. Each worked on their particular list when not engaged in their presentation.
"So, generally, we'll need to mine the ships in this corridor.' I outlined a pathway within our 3-D mock-up. 'Then we'll want to booby-trap all the GPHC stations around Eta Pegasus. It seems there are none of those in outlying regions, anymore. And, we'll require inten
se up-to-the-minute intelligence on each of the Fleets in the outer-donut region. It'll take one to three days for them to receive a distress call and the same time for them to return to defend the planet. So, we can't be more than two or three days accomplishing our goals."
"What will our objectives be?"
"Primary is to capture their Emperor. Secondarily, I want to destroy as many remaining Baseships as possible. Finally, we should demolish any military production assets they've resurrected. Hopefully, we'll get a formal surrender, if we're successful."
"Why do you want that passageway cleared?" Admiral Coquinas inquired.
"That'll be our staging and exit area. We'll use Limpets on everything in there and finish off any remaining vessels when we land. One Epsilon and one Polemista Theatre will hold the pathway while the other five go to Eta Pegasus with three more Polemista and Spiel Tier Three operations. We'll take up high stationary orbits above the enemy facilities on the planet that holds the Empire's leader and government. Once all space-borne Isesinis ships are subdued, we'll land a couple of hundred thousand Marines with heavy armor and artillery. We'll send down more when they've secured the Capital and have a beachhead. They will conduct ground operations outlined in the plan. I want them to pacify the entire planet. We need more surface surveillance to be confident of our facts. But, we definitely have to grab the Emperor. So, let's meet again tomorrow at eleven hundred. We can have lunch, together.' I stood up as I ended my explanation. 'Dismissed!' I barked. Then, I added, 'General stay behind, please.
As is the usual protocol, the last person out shut the door. General Shellots and I stood just inside. My hand rested on the doorknob.
"How are you, Donald? How are you doing in the new assignment?" I quietly asked.
"Fine sir - better than I thought I would. It's a big job though."
"Yes, that's true. But, no one's ever been more ready than you are. You Commanded Svesion's Second Corps for a year. You had eighty thousand before. The next job is an Army.' I paused in thought for a moment. 'No one can train you for that. And this particular Marine Army is the biggest one. Now it's nearly six hundred thousand in three substantial Corps. But, still - you know all the ins and outs from your Zeta Second Corps experience. It's the same but bigger."
"Yes, sir. I tell myself that every day." He responded with a sheepish grin.
"You realize it's fifteen years since we met aboard the Shenzhen?"
"...seems like yesterday."
"I've kept my eye on you. I have confidence in you."
"Thank you, sir."
"Are you up for this ground operation? You're going to have to lead it. It'll take more than two full Corps, in all."
"Yes, sir. Field maneuvers aren't a problem. It's administration that's so much bigger."
"I know what you mean. Anyway, you'll do fine. But, don't hesitate to seek me out if you need to." I opened the door.
He saluted and exited.
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An hour later in his Office just a few doors down from mine, General Donald Shellots looked over the ground recon reports. A few decisions came quickly.
He'd need a blanket bombardment of all known defensive positions in the Capital City region. After a formidable attack, the tactic would need to be altered to a perimeter assault that would restrict bombing to a toroidal profile surrounding the opening salvos as his landing-crafts made their way through the open central corridor onto the surface. And, those deployment operations would consume considerable time since it would require three round trips of the twenty-four hundred eighty-seven large transport vessels to land the two hundred fifty-eight thousand Marines he deemed necessary to secure the territory in the initial landing. That's one full Corps and a Division. An equal number would organize over the following two-week period as OFSA Marines sweep over the planet. A final Division would be held in reserve in case exit, or fortification assistance was needed. Each of the two large Groups necessitates an additional thirty of the heavy-landers to deploy all their armor and artillery. In the end, Shellots will have dispatched over a half million to this world's surface to deal with land-based battlements.
He wrote me a memo requesting the strike, suggesting it for after all orbital Isesinis assets were destroyed and as a prelude to his invasion. The message told me it would take nearly thirty-six hours to dispatch all divisions included in the first landings. This would have to be considered in my own preparations.
Then, Shellots summoned his Corps Commanders.
It took nearly an hour for Lieutenant General Richard Montpelier to make it from the FSS Sif. Palikiko's FSS Midgard and Coquinas FSS Asgard were nearer, so Lieutenant Generals Yberil and Mashuka were already relaxed with a drink in hand when "Monty" arrived in Donald's doorway. It took him nearly ten minutes to pay his respects and grab a cocktail before getting comfortable.
"I wanted to gather to discuss our impending operation." Shellots began.
"What operation is that, Donald?" Mashuka asked.
"Are you being mischievous?" Shellots smirked.
"No, sir. It's obvious we're about to conduct an operation. I was seeking clarification and details. No disrespect was intended." Mashuka responded as his face flushed.
"And none was taken. You are so easy. It's the way you talk. You leave yourself so open, and I just love to pull your chain." Donald responded with a laugh.
"So what's happening?" Monty cut in impatiently.
"We're on our way to Eta Pegasus, soon. We'll be there by April 10. And, we're expected to capture the Isesinis' Emperor and pacify the planet.
I have already requested a heavy shelling of the capital. It will expand outward, leaving us an expansive disc to land in." General Shellots began but was interrupted.
"Those are risky landings. We never know if our forces will be killed by friendly fire." Monty injected.
"Let's not worry about that here. I can take steps to minimize that possibility.
Anyway, one Corps and an attached Division will execute the initial incursion. But, that'll entail nearly twenty-five hundred LCs and thirty HLs for the heavy stuff. You will have one hundred twenty-eight Carriers to launch from so I suggest waves of two hundred fifty-six. That will put twenty-six thousand on the ground in each surge. The same size force will land every ten minutes over the next two hours. It seems to me that if you overload each vehicle a little and borrow some large shuttles, you could land by Brigades. I suggest you have a Division Commander in that very first Group. The Corps Commander should arrive with the last Major General. Depending on the initial bombings, those first two Brigades may face problems. They must deploy quickly on settling, and they'll only have a little over thirty-one thousand personnel and limited artillery and armor to defend with. But they must hold their ground until the next contingent arrives later.
At the same time, we can send nine HC's at a time from all our SuperCarrier Class Vessels. But, I think that would be too much for a Brigade to have to manage. So, I believe we should deliver just five heavies at a time. The Brigades will be able to use them and won't have to worry about protecting any unassumed hardware.
The Corps Commander should stay mobile until a good portion of the second Brigade is on the ground. Tying up personnel to set up headquarters could leave the force vulnerable, at first. Once you have enough troops landed, the Corps and two Brigade HQs could be raised together.
We'll execute from our staging point thirty-six hours after the first landing. That first wave will quell the Capital. Once that happens, we'll send another group of the same size so all forces can begin fanning out. Those landings will take longer. They can be deployed as our perimeter expands and they're needed.
The remaining Division will be held in reserve. It will be sent in as reinforcements if someone gets in trouble or when we need exit fortification."
"Who's got Job One?" Lieutenant General Mashuka queried.
"Corps One will
be the primary assault unit, and they will be supported by one of your Divisions. Corps three will execute the second surge with another of your Divisions. And, your third Division will be the reserve unit.
I need you all to sit with your immediate subordinates. Show them the current intelligence and have them help you build a plan for each of the stages you're involved with. Then, we'll reconvene and modify the whole thing to ensure it meets our objectives and all the schemes are coordinated into a single assault strategy. And Generals Yberil and Mashuka should sit together to discuss how they'll organize the second leg of the battle.
Rules of Engagement are in Force. No mishandling of prisoners, no genocide, and no accidents! Everything we do must be by-the-book. Do you all get it?" The three nodded as Donald finished.
They chatted for another half-hour before heading off to the Flag Officers' alcove in the Officers' Mess.
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In their respective offices, Admirals Palikiko, Coquinas, and Nguyen were meeting with their subordinates to plan their specific operations for the coming adventure. All three included the leadership of the Spiel and Polemista Theatre strength units. One of Coquinas' Theatres was being held in reserve. Otherwise, the three had very similar responsibilities. Each would move in to destroy remaining enemy assets after the detonation of the hidden mines.
General Donald Shellots joined each individual meeting. He expressed his need for accurate bombardment targeting to permit the window his forces needed for the landing without endangering them. Each Tier 2 Admiral assured him they would enforce the most stringent standards on their Theatre Operations regarding any surface bombings during the campaign.
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While the others were conducting their briefings, Laft was already joining Admiral Corgos Basi at the target. Between the two Commands, they'd finish all the booby-traps before the rest of Epsilon arrived. It's slow, perilous, meticulous work. But, it has to be done.
Righteous Reign The Series: E-version Boxed Set Edition Page 147