by Jeff Sims
Arean continued, “Well, the only other change is to our accounting methods. They changed the profit and loss statement from a classic EBITDA to a functional look for better transparency.”
(Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization)
Solear responded, “You don’t understand. Every takeover always starts with changes to the earnings statements. What’s next, adjusting the generally accepted accounting principles? What will follow, harmonized procedures, joint quality policies? This is a full-scale invasion and a severe imposition to our way of life. The problem is that no one realizes it yet.”
Arean held his hands up in mock surrender. He said, “I agree. We must fight. But in order to fight we need an entire navy, not a collection of empty ships.”
Solear said, “Where do you think we should look for beings?”
Arean responded, “I have given that considerable thought. We don’t have time to train thousands of new volunteers. We need troops that are already trained.”
Solear said, “We could go to Altian. Maybe we could fill our ranks with their former navy members.”
Arean said, “They are certainly trained, but they are like the Advranki in one respect. I sincerely doubt that they would be willing to abandon their homes and families either.”
“Solaria?” Solear asked.
“It possesses a different problem. I don’t think that there are enough trained troops on the planet to staff an entire navy. Besides, both planets are probably occupied. We would never get close to them.”
Solear said, “We could go to station number 9, the one located in deep space. Those beings really never felt like they were a part of the original Alliance. They may be willing to support our cause.”
Arean said, “Possibly, but we would have to conscript every being on the station to have enough manpower. I don’t think that solution is feasible.”
Solear said, “Where can we find thousands of trained soldiers that are actually willing, able, and ready to fight?”
Arean said, “Don’t say it. Don’t even think it. We can’t. We just can’t. It’s not worth the risk; not now, not ever! We cannot in good conscience unleash that level of horror upon the galaxy.”
For some reason this made Admiral Solear very angry. Today, right now - he had a fleet of 84 warships with no one to staff them. He needed thousands; no he needed tens of thousands of fully trained volunteers ready, willing, and able to fight against the Hiriculans! However, it would be years before he would be able to recruit enough beings to do so.
Chapter 22
“Report,” Jim demanded.
Jim looked around the command and traffic control (CTC) room. The head of each department was seated around the conference table for their morning meeting. This was their 21st such meeting since returning to Earth, so the flow had already been established.
Lorano said, “There is little news to report in R&D. We are still working on a new cruiser design that will fit your … peculiar needs.” Lorano paused for effect and then overstressed the word peculiar to highlight his thoughts about the new design.
Jim asked, “How much longer until we have a useable ship design?”
“Six weeks, maybe more,” Lorano responded. “A unique design such as this one can’t be rushed.”
They had had this discussion 21 times so far it seemed. Lorano was struggling mightily with the concept of designing warships primarily for function instead of aesthetic beauty.
Jim replied, “We have discussed this several times. The Earth needs a ship that it can easily build and efficiently repair. It simply has to be able to fly fast, jump into hyperspace, shoot missiles rapidly, fire an ion cannon, and launch fighters. Everything else is secondary.”
“Yes, yes, your plan to fly around the galaxy in glorified tin cans is well understood. Trust me, the thing will look absolutely horrendous when we finish. Perhaps the Hiriculans will find the ships so ugly that they will simply refuse to fight and go home.” Lorano retorted.
Jim turned to the monitor and said, “Next subject, Colin, what is the status of fighter production?”
Colin replied, “We can build the hulls now. Fortunately, the electronics package is virtually the same as the video game. Ours won’t have quite as many features as an Alliance fighter, but it should have the same payload and the same performance. The only thing we are missing is a plasma reactor.”
Becky didn’t wait to be called upon. She said, “Soon. I hope. The issue so far is building a stable containment chamber. I have another round of prototypes being delivered by the end of next week. The main problem is that we are introducing new metallurgical and die casting techniques.”
Jim nodded and said, “Carank, any updates on building advanced heuristic networks?”
Carank said, “No. The Earth will not be able to produce an artificial intelligence on par with the Sunflower’s computer or even the communication pads. It will take more development time than we have. However, I should be able to produce a scaled down version relatively soon. AI development is not like ambulating through a parking lot.”
“No it isn’t,” Jim commented. “Staffing?”
Paul responded, “There are now 2,000 civilian workers on the space station and more coming as fast as we can bring them up. The laser drill is fully manned and operational. We are continuing to rotate pilots into actual fighters for training.”
Jim said, “Okay, now let’s discuss…”
He stopped because a loud chime, almost like a warning claxon, sounded and deafened out any hope for further conversation. Russ jumped up from the conference room table and raced over to the communication panel. He acknowledged the message and silenced the alarm.
Russ turned back to the group and said, “We just received a high priority communication from Admiral Solear. It came through on a special Alliance Navy broadcast signal that ensured that it cannot be traced.”
Jim said, “Computer, play the message.”
…Jim Donovan, I hope this message finds you alive and well. Arean and I hid an entire fleet of 84 warships in deep hyperspace before the Hiriculans reached Advranki 2. The ships are not manned. I want to bring them to Earth. We will need twenty thousand or so Human volunteers to crew them. Let’s meet and discuss. Solear…
Russ said, “When are we leaving?”
When everyone’s laughter died down, Jim said, “Well, it looks like we have one volunteer. However, this may a trick by the Hiriculans to get us to expose the route to Earth.”
Colin said, “We won’t know until we know. Admiral Solear doesn’t seem like the type to get involved in a ruse. I think, well I truly want to believe that he is telling the truth.”
Jim said, “You’re right. The Sunflower has to go check it out. The reward is just too big. Phenomenal really. We have to go investigate it.”
Paul said a moment later, “The marines are going.”
Gus replied, “First squadron is going.”
Colin and Becky proceeded to volunteer as well. Jim was touched by the show of solidarity, but that really wasn’t what he had wanted. Now, he would have to make several decisions about whom to leave behind.
Jim said, “Some of you will have to stay behind. I will work up a final crew roster today and let you know who is going at tomorrow’s meeting. Let’s adjourn the meeting here.”
Jim looked around the room and saw the excitement on everyone’s faces. It was unbelievable really. If they could get those ships, they could jump start the war.
Everyone filtered out of the room. Russ and Paul stayed behind and politely cornered Jim. It was clear that they wanted to have ‘the’ conversation again.
Jim looked at Russ and said, “Okay, say it.”
Russ said, “We both can’t go. One of us has to stay and negotiate contracts for components, continue the process for recruiting, vetting, and hiring new volunteers, and form a new military organization. Just to mention a few of the dozens of items that need attention.”
Jim continued looking at Russ. Jim knew that his friend really wasn’t saying the words ‘one of us’ as if it were still up for debate. He was politely telling Jim that he had to stay on Earth. And Paul was silently telling him the same thing.
He knew deep down that Russ was right. This particular mission needed a captain. The new Earth Navy needed an Admiral - and a better name than new Earth Navy.
He said, “Okay, I hereby promote myself to Fleet Admiral Earth Navy. Russ, you are now the captain of the Sunflower.”
The addition of the adjective fleet to his title was intentional. It ensured that he outranked everyone currently in navies on Earth and also in outer space.
He turned to Paul and said, “What should we make the title for the commander of our amphibious forces?”
Paul said, “I think we should continue to use the name Marines and my rank should be General. However, since marines are technically trained to fight in air, water, and land we probably need to add an identifier for enhanced clarification.”
Jim responded, “Okay, I am promoting you to General - Space Marines.”
Paul thought for a moment and said, “If I accept the position, am I still allowed to go on this mission?”
Jim shook his head no.
Paul said, “I think we should focus on other aspects of building the new navy first, such as engineering and construction. There will be plenty of time to train and staff a full complement of marines on every ship even if we delay implementation by a couple of months.”
Jim smiled to himself. He recognized that Paul was nervous. Paul had a tendency to use long words and complex sentences when he was nervous. Jim was ready though. He had looked up the word he wanted a couple of months ago and was just waiting to use it.
Jim said, “Paul, you don’t have to go sesquipedalian on me. You can go on the mission and accept the promotion when you return.”
Paul replied, “Thank you for delaying the promotion.”
Jim smiled and replied, “You’re welcome.” He turned to Russ and said, “Captain, Go get those ships.”
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22