Admiral Lee had set me up, and I tried not to disappoint. He waited for a beat after I finished and asked, “By ‘peeked’, do you mean to say ‘advanced and very long range scanning utilizing optical, infrared, gravitic and possibly other sensors’?”
I said, very smartly, but not overly so, “Just so, sir.” He combined a nod of understanding with a shrug of sadness that further lightened the mood, then said, “Anyone wish to offer another possibility?”
Captain Speer stood up, looking slightly uncomfortable as well as irritated, “Sir, it has been reported that the colony planet launched eight, possibly more, mother ships, of which we can account for five. Possibly one of those missing fleets had already surveyed that solar system. That would account for the twin facts referred so inexpertly to by Lieutenant Padilla as a ‘coincidence’.” He added extra emphasis to the last word.
Admiral Lee looked down at the captain and asked, “Captain Speer, how would that hypothetical bug mother ship, which has not been sighted by any scans, have communicated to the other colony ships that it had found a suitable location, and why would it have communicated that fact to their pursuers?” Captain Speer almost sneered at Admiral Lee and answered, “I have no idea, sir, but we know that the fourth mother ship communicated a signal to the fifth, just before it was destroyed. Presumably, that was the method used.”
Admiral Lee nodded his head thoughtfully, and asked, “And, Captain Speer, how long would it take for that message to reach the fifth flotilla, and to reach their pursuers?”
For just a second Captain Speer’s eyes widened. He said, “I have no way of knowing that, admiral.” Admiral Lee smiled kindly and looked around the room for a brief moment before looking directly at Elian. He asked, “How long.” It was a question, but it came out as a statement. Elian stood, obviously thinking very hard, and said, “Sir, that radio transmission from the fourth bug mother ship will reach the region of space formerly occupied by the fifth mother ship in approximately six months time. That is, six months from now. Finally, the transmission was highly directional. It is highly improbable that the signal could be received at that distance more than a few degrees off center.”
Without missing a beat the admiral asked, “And, Lieutenant Commander Turner, how long for a message from the target solar system to reach the fifth colony mother ship?” Elian said, very promptly, “Sir, that solar system lies two and a half light years from the last position of the fifth bug fleet, so, approximately two and one half years to it, and as many as five years to as little as three years to the home world pursuers. Additionally, both the fifth colony fleet and the sixth home world fleet have, or had been, traveling on the same headings for at least six months, giving a figure of three years, minimum, to the fifth colony fleet and three and one half or more to the sixth.”
While Elian answered, Admiral Lee was looking calmly at Captain Speer, who visibly flushed as he listened. The admiral calmly asked, “Captain Speer?” The captain said, “Admiral, I do not know if those estimates by the lieutenant are even remotely correct. It is possible that the aliens are capable of communicating FTL.”
Admiral Lee looked down at the captain, who finally looked away. The admiral said, “Captain, please verify the Commander’s off-the-cuff estimates and comm my office with your results.” He paused briefly, looking around the room at the collection of officers, some recruited by him, others more or less forced on him.
He continued, “I recall a talk I sat through in my third year of the academy. The lecturer said that when one is confronted with several possible explanations to a problem, the simplest is usually the correct one. Does anyone have anything that might add additional light to this question?”
Nobody stood. After looking around the room the admiral said, “Captain, thank you for participating. I believe, in the absence of any evidence to show that this species possesses the ability to communicate FTL, we have to assume that it does not – the simplest answer.”
Admiral Lee looked back at Captain Speer who abruptly sat down. The admiral said, “Earth government has been unable to decide just how to respond to this latest incursion, other than to order this ad hoc collection of combat ships to protect human occupied systems without provoking a fight, losing our fleet, or allowing the transfer of technology, most specifically our FTL ability. Just how Fleet is supposed to manage the former while not losing ships, lives and transferring technology I have no idea. However, I hope for the best and plan for the worst, but for the life of me, I can’t think of anything about the appearance of this sixth fleet that would qualify even remotely as ‘best’. If we leave it alone, we might end up with a highly warlike species right on our doorstep. There would be no possibility of hiding our FTL capability from these beings, and scientists estimate it might take no more than one or two years for them to figure out how to replicate that technology once they know it is possible. Their possession of FTL would represent the worst possible nightmare I can imagine, as they could not only easily reach all human occupied systems, they would be very difficult to bring to battle if they chose not to fight. As we have seen, once they found where we live they would be able to destroy our systems, just as they have destroyed their own.”
Admiral Lee took a sip of water and continued, “The so called worst scenario is, in my estimate, the one least likely to result in the death of millions or billions of human beings. Our latest estimates are that our Dresdens, Hawks and Kestrels could, between them, destroy the sixth fleet with little or possibly even no loss of life on our part. I know that you have been reading extremely pessimistic analyses, but we have learned a great deal over the last year. It would require approximately four thousand capital missiles, which would entail an initial, full launch at the bug carriers followed by two additional launches at the mother ships and finally at all remaining capital ships. If we were to proceed with an attack, we would have to systematically destroy every single bug ship, we would not dare leave even one. That, ladies and gentlemen, would mean the probable extermination of the species. This is not a military decision, it is a political one, and I am heartily glad not to have to make it. I will follow the decision of our government, whatever that decision may be. However, of the two listed choices, I prefer the second as I believe it gives humanity the better chance at survival. Understand me; my preference will not get in the way of obedience to the lawful orders of my civilian superiors. I will attack and destroy that fleet if I am ordered to do so.”
The admiral looked around the room and said, “If anyone in this room cannot, in all good conscience, obey orders that would lead to the destruction of the sixth fleet, and the probable extermination of that species, comm me immediately after this meeting. If there are no questions, return to your ships. I want you to inspect and re certify every single missile on your ships. I want every single operational system on your commands to be completely and thoroughly tested. You have twenty-four hours to complete those inspections and tests. You will comm my office when you have finished. Any problems that crop up I expect to be solved. If you discover something that cannot be repaired out of your own ship’s resources, I expect you to immediately comm my office. That is all.”
An aide jumped to her feet and bawled, “Atten hut!” Everyone stood as the admiral turned and stepped down off the platform and quickly walked away, already speaking to someone via his comm device.
We returned to our ships, which were now running in close proximity to the Constitution. On the way over Elian and I commed our execs and by the time we boarded ship our crews were working feverishly. Elian commed me and said, “Bet you ten credits that the Lee finishes before your crew figures out where the bow is.” I laughed and said, “No, ten credits won’t do much for my crew. Let’s make it twelve dozen doughnuts.” Elian laughed and agreed.
I replayed our conversation to my entire crew and told my exec, “If I have to pay for twelve dozen doughnuts, I guarantee there will be severe repercussions. By severe, I mean, um, you and I have to buy th
e doughnuts.” She laughed and said, “You are one evil captain, captain sir.” I looked as severe as possible and harrumphed. She laughed again and started to turn away. I added, “Exec, I would much rather pay for those doughnuts for the Lee than suffer a breakdown on the Grant during battle.”
She stopped smiling and said, “Yes, sir.” She saluted and ran out of my cabin. Good commanding officer material, my exec.
Eleven hours and forty three minutes later she commed me from the forward missile room, “Captain, we’re done. No down checks on the missiles, every system is in the green.”
I already had my message written out and before she finished I transmitted it. Admiral Lee’s aide commed me ten minutes later and said, “Congratulations Captain Padilla. You are the second ship to certify its readiness. Considering that we have forty-three capital ships, that is highly commendable. Only one ship in fact, bettered your time, and that was by only three minutes. That would be the, um, let me see here. Yes, the Lee, Captain Turner commanding. Do you know that ship?”
Lt. Graziano looked up from her supposed list, grinning widely. I sighed and asked, “Lieutenant, approximately how difficult will it be for me to obtain twelve dozen doughnuts?”
She positively giggled and it took a moment for her to regain a semblance of composure. She asked, “Are you considering some form of reward for your crew’s performance, sir? I believe that fleet would pay for that use of resources.”
I finally laughed and said, “Lieutenant Graziano, I am sorry to say that the purpose for the aforementioned twelve dozen doughnuts is indeed a reward for an exceptional job. Unfortunately, as you seem to be joyously aware, said reward is to be, um, handed out to the crew of the Lee, commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Elian Turner. Therefore, the acquisition falls outside fleet regs, and will have to be paid for out of my own pocket.”
I heard some distinctly male laughter out of camera and Lt. Graziano turned her head to the side. She listened alertly and turned back to me. Her eyes opened wide in an elaborate expression of deep regret. She said, “Sir, I am sorry to inform you that due to the somewhat off regulation nature of your proposed acquisition of fleet assets, that, in addition to the actual cost of those items, you will have to pay for the transportation costs associated with their delivery to the Lee. I am told that the doughnuts will run approximately, um, two hundred thirty seven credits. That cost represents a surcharge, due to our present location. And, let’s see, the cost of transporting them from the Constitution to the Lee, hmmm, forty two thousand, three hundred and fourteen credits. How do you wish to pay for them, sir?”
I heard more laughter from the unseen admiral and asked, “Will the commissary officer of the Constitution take payments? Let’s see. I estimate I could pay that lofty sum in approximately two hundred seventy-three equal monthly payments. Will that be acceptable?”
I heard the admiral say something and Lt. Graziano sadly shook her head. “I regret to inform you sir that that will not be possible, due to your present occupational hazardous duty. However, if you would be willing to provide a small, additional service, I believe that the required funds would come available.”
I groaned out loud, and said, “Yes lieutenant, I agree to provide the unnamed small service. Can you tell me when we can expect receipt of the doughnuts?”
Lt. Graziano looked to the side once again and turned back. She said, “Sir, a shuttle will dock in your bay within one hour, after which it will transport you to the Lee.”
I grinned at her and said, “Lieutenant, do you believe in Karma?” She grinned back and said, “Absolutely sir. In fact, I am witnessing a fine example of Karma right this instant.”
I laughed along with her and we terminated the transmission. My exec had heard most of the conversation and asked me, “Are you going to replay that for the crew?” I shook my head and said, “No, whatever authority I had left after losing the bet would evaporate if they heard.” She smiled and said, “I suggest sir that you change into your very best uniform. Unless I miss my guess, those doughnuts won’t come unaccompanied.”
I looked at her in confusion for a moment then I jumped to my feet. “Oh my God! He’d do it. He’d come along just to watch!” She nodded her head, trying unsuccessfully to hide her enjoyment of the position I’d put myself in, and I ran for my sleeping quarters. I had one possibly clean dress uniform.
My exec wasn’t wrong. When we boarded the shuttle, I found Admiral Lee and Lieutenant Graziano sitting comfortably in the fourth row of seats. The first three rows were occupied by large containers from which I could smell the aroma of fresh baked doughnuts.
I saluted and asked permission to sit. The admiral nodded his head somberly and said, “Good idea Captain Padilla. You will be on your feet for quite a while, serving doughnuts to the crew of that fine ship, the Lee, commanding officer Lt. Cdr. Elian Turner. I do believe that he has a good future ahead of him, don’t you?”
As I sidled past him and sat down in the fifth row of seats I answered, “Yes sir, I agree almost completely.” The admiral turned to look back at me and asked, “Almost completely? Is there a problem I am not aware of?”
I nodded my head, and said, sadly, “Yes sir. Lt. Cdr. Turner suffers from a little known malady. I’ve counseled him from time to time over the years, but he can’t seem to kick his habit. It’s called, I am informed, “Pastritis Redondus Obsessionus”. I am afraid that there is only one way to help the poor man, and that is for a responsible person to perform an intervention on his behalf. Unfortunately, I am too close to him; it would be much better, more successful that is to say, if that intervention were to be performed by someone he respects and even looks up to.”
Admiral Lee looked at me with a poker face just as impressive as WO Kana’s. He said, “As it happens, that particular malady is far more common than you might imagine. I know of senior officers, men and women far above you in rank, for example, who display the same traits you have observed, and yet they are able to achieve great things. Greater in fact, than you seem capable of. Perhaps, just perhaps, you ought to consider this conversation as my own counseling service to you.”
I nodded my head sadly and said, “I would of course follow your counsel sir, were I able. Unfortunately, there will be no possibility for me to do so, as the affliction requires the intake of certain, very hard to find items. I do not foresee my being able to acquire those items in the near future, due in no small part to Captain Turner.”
Admiral Lee grinned and said, “Commander, I swear I just saw your eyes turn brown. I brought along enough doughnuts for both ships. Now, I expect you to personally serve every single crewman aboard the Lee. That’s the ‘small thing’ my aide spoke of. Is that clear?”
I grinned and said, “Yes sir, absolutely clear. No ambiguity at all, sir.”
It took me over two hours to go through the ship and personally serve Elian’s crew. The admiral would not allow my exec to even touch a container. While I went through the ship, the admiral and his aide sat in the wardroom, sipping coffee with my exec, Elian and his exec, who chatted nicely with my exec. Progress was being made in that one area. In fact, the entire crew of the Lee seemed to be in quite good spirits.
Afterwards, I returned to the wardroom where I discovered that the admiral and WO Kana were regaling everyone with some of the bawdiest stories I’d ever heard. It seems that when you throw males and females together onto Fleet vessels, there sometimes occur sparks, even explosions. One particular story, recounted by the admiral, concerned a young female Marine corporal who discovered a pair of enlisteds in an extremely small electronics compartment. They had attempted to disrobe and gotten entangled in the equipment and had not been able to free themselves. The Marine in question, currently married to WO Kana, had heard voices calling out for help and it took her several moments to track them down. When she opened the hatch and saw the tangle of arms and legs she first thought there had been an explosion. When she stopped laughing, she called for the ship medics. Tha
t wasn’t strictly necessary, but it was fun, recounted the admiral. WO Kana beamed so proudly I thought his face was going to break.
By the time the impromptu visit broke up, I was exhausted from laughing. Elian commented as the admiral and his aide left for his shuttle, “You know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; I’d give my right arm for that man.” I snickered. WO Kana raised his eyebrows, and asked, “Last time, as I recall, you said you would give your life for the Fleet, but for the admiral you would, and I quote, ‘give it three times. Unquote. So, what has happened in the interim that has caused you to lower your offering?”
I grinned and answered for Elian, “Carolyn happened. She is now owner of all his other pertinent organs.” Elian nodded his head in agreement, and changed the subject, “I hope this break from his responsibilities was worth the cost of those doughnuts. I can’t imagine how he can get through the day, knowing that of the two known sentient races inhabiting our local piece of space, one may disappear from existence, and he will have an important role in either preventing it in the one case or causing it in the other.”
I said my good byes and my exec and I ran to catch up.
Hawk Seven (Flight of the Hawk) Page 77