A Faded Star

by Michael Freeport

  “Admiral, no matter what we say, the alliance doesn't have the manufacturing capacity and especially not the material resources to rebuild their entire fleet.”

  “They do if they scrap the fleet they have now, captain. The decommissioning could be performed in stages and updated ships built from the raw materials salvaged from their older ships.” The idea was vintage Drogue. He had used similar strategies during the Ebrim-Karn war. Often he had played large risks off against decisive advantages. Building the Rampart had been his idea, the final step in a long-range plan to completely pacify the Karn people that, thankfully, had never been needed.

  Hanlon shook her head, making the same argument she had made before, albeit slightly modified. “Sir, we can just develop new resources without further weakening the alliance fleet positions. We can also take resources from the crabs from their defeated ships. If we strike in strategically unimportant locations where the crabs have left some of their materials, we can salvage their materials to build new alliance ships. The secondary benefit would be the potential gain of intelligence from captured equipment and data systems. As hard as the alliance is being pressed now, they can hardly afford to take ships off of their battle lines.”

  “The alliance needs to develop a force that can be projected,” Drogue thumped his fist into his palm to emphasize his point. “Hitting strategically unimportant areas is just picking off the low hanging fruit. It also exposes our forces to unknown situations for gains that are marginal at best. A purely defense strategy is ultimately a losing strategy. They are trying to be strong everywhere instead of changing the focus of the enemy from attacking the alliance to defending themselves. If the alliance can't take the offensive, they'll be annihilated in the next six months at the rate they're going. Your plan may be better in the long run, but they don't have the time to carry it out.”

  “So what we need is a way to slow the crabs down in order to implement new ship designs.”

  “It would be helpful if the alliance had been less circumspect with their explanation of why they are at war.” the admiral said.

  “I'm beginning to suspect they don't actually know why the crabs began attacking them. Understanding their motives would give us quite an advantage. Maybe that's why they have been playing a purely defensive strategy. They don't know where the next attack is coming from.”

  “That's true of all war, captain. I do agree, however, it would be a huge advantage to know the reasons behind their 'sudden and inexplicable aggression and resource exploitation' as that alliance commander said. What was his name?” The admiral arched an eyebrow speculatively at his executive officer.

  Linis rolled her eyes. “Oh, I don't think we can pronounce it, sir. I just kept calling him commander and hoped it translated the way we wanted it to.”

  Drogue chuckled. “I had the same idea.” The admiral grew silent for a moment. Suddenly his eyes brightened, and he looked at Hanlon with a ghost of a smile on his lips. “What about a series of raids? We take one location, strip it bare to create an offensive force then send it out on a series of raids to force the crabs off balance and to capture raw materials and resources at the same time. No recapture of territory, just go in, blast them into oblivion, take what we need and retreat.”

  “It certainly has the advantage of being unexpected. The alliance commander would never do such a thing. What about targets?”

  Drogue said, “We have to limit ourselves to targets we can concentrate overwhelming force against. Go in, decimate the crab forces, snap up the salvage with one of their cargo and manufacturing ships and get out before reinforcements can be called in.” Drogue leaned back in his chair with a smug expression on his face. “It should accomplish both of our goals. Give us additional resources and additional time as well. With any luck, the crabs may start seeing the alliance as a less soft target and look for ways around their remaining borders.”

  “The only issue I see is convincing the alliance commander to go along with our plan. I'm beginning to wonder if any of their military understands how bad the defensive strategy they have been following really is.”

  The pair talked it over quietly for another few minutes when the conversation was cut short by the door opening. The alliance commander, a Xalcek, like Thun, entered.

  “Good morning, Admiral, Captain. I have with me the other alliance commanders.” He motioned, and a short, wide creature entered. Hanlon watched as it shuffled slowly on short, round legs. Her eyes traveled up the gray utilitarian uniform all alliance military personnel wore. The torso was also short and round, topped by a complex shoulder structure supporting four arms. Hanlon realized with a start the slit just below the head must be the mouth. The head was elliptical in shape and had four eyes arranged on the front in a diamond shape. All of the exposed skin was electric blue. “This is Ithi, the Unam commander.”

  Hanlon and Drogue had been provided dossiers on all the alliance species that included example imagery of each race, but seeing such an alien creature in the flesh was remarkably unsettling for Hanlon.

  The commander motioned again. In walked what had to be a Yaderiedea. He, Hanlon defaulted to male pronouns to each one until she was able to determine a more appropriate term, was tall, more than two meters, bipedal with two arms and rough gray skin and a long, drooping, snout like face with binocular eyes.

  “This is Howrrl, the Yaderiedea commander.”

  Behind Howrrl, another alien walked in. He was spindly, with an overly large head that made Hanlon think of an infant of her own species, roughly human shaped with a prehensile tail that swished back and forth. “This is Ip, the Hontoata commander. The last of us is Ufsr. He is a Gol.” The Gol commander was easily the most fearsome looking. The Gol's serpent like body measured nearly four meters from his head to the tip of his tail. His upright torso had two arms and a head that was quite reptilian with large, toothy mouth, obviously evolved for the purposes of ripping prey animals apart.

  Hanlon watched the group enter and wondered how a group of species who had obviously mostly evolved from carnivore predator races had evolved a communal culture that had not continued the pattern of violent conflict so common to human beings.

  As the group of disparate aliens seated themselves at the remaining chairs in their various ways, the Xalcek commander addressed the humans. “I am pleased to find you here. We have been preparing for this meeting by reviewing our combined combat reports from all battles so far with the-” the commander made a series of whistles and clicks, the assemblage of sounds the crabs used to identify themselves, ”-and we have a number of ideas on how to improve the survival rate of our forces.”

  Admiral Drogue leaned back in his chair. His attitude of complete relaxation made Hanlon think he was intentionally trying to lull the alliance leadership into believing he didn't take the situation very seriously. She waited for him to take control of the meeting. However, Drogue had other plans.

  “Very well, commander. I look forward to hearing your ideas. Before the strategic briefing, I am curious about your command structure. You refer to everyone as commander, which in our military is a specific rank. Do you have a way of differentiating levels of authority within your ranks?”

  “We do, Admiral. We use the term commander to refer to something that would probably translate better as leader in your language. Each ember race of the alliance is represented by a single military leader. This group makes up the ultimate military authority. Among the commanders, I am acknowledged as the leader. Membership in the military is otherwise regulated only by the intelligence and aptitude standards all races must meet.”

  “I see. Thank you for answering my question.” Drogue said.

  “Gladly, Admiral. Are you ready to hear our ideas on the tactical situation now?”

  “Please share them with us,” Drogue said.

  The commander paused while he scrolled through accumulated information on his tablet. “We have learned the enemy is gathering a force to attack our forward tactical
base in the Ithilki system. Forces have been dispatched to supplement the ships already stationed there to enact a defense. It also appears we may be facing an attack near our third most populated system.” The commander stopped speaking and tapped the tablet, causing a large display to activate. Both systems were displayed. “What is your opinion, Admiral Drogue?”

  Drogue looked the displayed data over carefully for a few minutes before responding. “Can you show me where the crabs are massing their forces?”

  “Yes, of course.” The commander gestured on his tablet for a moment, and the display added a third display with marked crab formations in an unnamed planetary system.

  “Commander... Would you please repeat your name. I fear it may be unpronounceable by human vocal capabilities.”

  The commander huffed in what Hanlon assumed was laughter and then said something that was, indeed, not something she would have tried to replicate.

  “Ah, would it be acceptable if I referred to you as Ktenu?”

  “It is not the exact pronunciation, but I will answer to it, Admiral,” the commander said.

  “Thank you, Commander Ktenu. I see a number of issues and possibilities just with the information displayed here. Before I delve into that, would you mind if I ask you a question?”

  “Please proceed, admiral.”

  “Have you ever considered assembling an offensive force to attack the crab forces?”

  “We are not the aggressors here, Admiral, and I would appreciate you not implying we are again. These... crabs as you call them are the ones attacking. We are merely defending ourselves against their unjustified and immoral actions.”

  Drogue looked at Hanlon. His eyes were wide with disbelief. Hanlon was shocked. The idea that they were defending themselves was one thing, but to refuse to take the offensive once hostilities had begun was an entirely different matter.

  Hanlon spoke. “Commander Ktenu, is it never permissible to attack a force once it has already made it clear it has hostile intentions?”

  Ktenu looked uncomfortable, his expression remarkably human seeming. “Your question implies we are willing participants in the hostile actions the... crabs... are taking against us.”

  “I apologize, commander. That is not my intention at all. Perhaps I could rephrase my question. Has the alliance ever taken an offensive action in an effort to defeat an enemy rather than waiting for the enemy to come to them?”

  “Ah, I believe I understand your question now.” The commander paused for a long moment before answering. When he did, his eyes took on a curiously intent light. “At the founding of our alliance, we banded together to defend ourselves against an enemy so fearsome we had no choice but to take just such an action. The result was so devastating to our enemy that all the peoples of the alliance vowed never again to take an aggressive action unless it was in direct defense of an ongoing action by an enemy. Our society has held this belief for so long it has become an ingrained part of our identity. Although it is possible for us to recognize the advantage of 'taking an offensive action' as you put it, we cannot truly contemplate it and maintain our moral identity.”

  Admiral Drogue responded, “I see, commander. Thank you for the enlightening answer. If I may, a follow-up question to what Captain Hanlon asked: is it possible to sanction the use of offense by us? Perhaps as commanders of an offensive force?”

  “This question is difficult for the alliance, admiral. Perhaps if you had ships entirely crewed by humans, we would be able to supply logistical support, but alliance members would not easily take part an action like the one you propose.”

  “I understand. Miss Hanlon and I have been sifting through your after action reports, and we both have independently come to the conclusion you are in danger of being overrun by the crabs. Perhaps a change in your moral stance would be appropriate in order to preserve your society?”

  Ktenu shook his head slowly and stared sightlessly at the table while he weighted the question. “We simply cannot do as you ask, Admiral. Our people would never support it. Even the most aggressive of our military officers would have a very difficult time accepting orders along the lines of thought you suggest.” Ktenu looked up from the table and pinned Drogue with his black, unmoving eyes. “You have plan, don't you?”

  “Captain Hanlon and I have been working on one, yes. The plan required an offensive force be assembled and put into action. We can train your troops to think offensively and to use offensive action to deflect attacks before they happen. Without this kind of thinking, we are concerned the alliance will be completely annihilated.”

  Ktenu hung his head, again striking a surprisingly human pose and said, “I see your point, Admiral. I cannot say I am comfortable contemplating the kind of action you propose, but if it is in the interest of our very survival, I believe I can make a convincing argument to our political leadership that this an unavoidable step. You must realize there will be a very high price to pay for both the military and political leaders who endorse and advocate for your actions.”

  “Contrasted with the survival of the five species of the alliance, it must be an acceptable price.”

  “I am forced to agree with you, Admiral. Let us proceed and see what you are proposing, then.”

  Drogue nodded and gave Hanlon a sidelong look accompanied by a wink. “Miss Hanlon, would you display the particulars?”

  “Of course, Admiral. We are proposing we begin by assembling a small offensive force, crewed by the humans of the expeditionary force. This force would be used to attack crab positions in these three locations.” Hanlon brought up a display of the local star cluster. Alliance held systems and fortifications were highlighted in green and crab forces in yellow. Linis stood and pointed to the first of their proposed raids. This system, designated L1131 by your stellar cartographers is a forward supply base held by the crabs. At one point, it was a potential colony site for alliance races, but the war has forced the alliance to put these plans on hold. A long range scan of the system by alliance intelligence craft indicates the system is sparsely defended. A force of three destroyer class ships and a single cruiser supported by a dozen or so corvettes would be able to completely overwhelm the crab picket. The attraction of this system is the concentration of raw and salvaged materials located here. The system is near the current boundary between alliance and crab held space. The force could be in and out before the crabs can reinforce the position. Their nearest detached fleet is located here.” Hanlon indicated a system about 20 light years from L1131. “We can be in and out before the crabs can do anything about it.”

  Ktenu's eyes were wide, and his face pantomimed what could only be interpreted as shock. “What you propose is nothing short of murder, Captain! You propose we attack with a complete assuredness of victory, effectively rendering the enemy forces in that system dead before the first shot would be fired. That is... evil, captain. I can tell you now that there is no possibility of us acting in this way.”

  Drogue said, “What if all of the ships were entirely crewed by humans, Commander? Would that make a difference for the rest of the alliance?”

  The other officers of the alliance, who had been silent and nearly motionless up to this point in the meeting began to shuffle quietly out. Hanlon wondered if she had missed some covert signal. “Why is everyone else leaving, commander?” She asked.

  “They feel the meeting is over. No action you have proposed can be taken by the alliance, captain. Ships crewed entirely by humans might be acceptable, but the decision will still carry a very high price for those who allow it, and none of them are willing to consider it. I will have to consult with the political leadership before we can approve any such action. What would be the point of killing all these people and destroying all their ships, other than the extinguishment of every being currently living in L1131?”

  “Material supplies for building new ships, commander. Your current strategy is to be strong everywhere which allows the crabs to attack at their leisure and concentrate thei
r forces in exactly the way we propose against you. Each time this happens, the crabs take heavy losses. Your ability to react and see their attacks coming is excellent, but the crab forces are still winning. It is a very high rate of attrition for both sides, commander. To ensure the survival of the alliance, you must either have an overwhelmingly powerful defense everywhere you still have territory, or you'll have to assemble a powerful and effective offensive force to begin carving the crab forces up and defeating them. Without either of these actions, your way of life will be destroyed. Either of these actions will need a massive influx of additional materials to assemble new ships and defensive structures for your remaining systems.

  “Additionally, Commander, an offensive action has the effect of forcing the enemy to begin thinking of where you will attack rather than where they will hit you next. They must begin dividing their efforts between attacking and defending.” Drogue leaned forward in his chair for the first time during the meeting. His pale blue eyes were intent on Ktenu's black ones. “I understand you have a moral objection to killing any living being that is not in the immediate process of attempting to kill you or one of your people, but you simply can't win this war the way you are fighting it. Eventually, the crabs will hit you in a weak spot, take out some vital part of your infrastructure, and you will be gone. Your alliance has stood for five thousand years. Isn't it worth some moral discomfort to stop that?”

  Commander Ktenu nodded slowly. “I believe you have made a convincing point, Admiral, and Captain. I will take your proposal to our political leadership.”