by Chris Hechtl
Chapter 17
Antigua
April O'Neill sat at her desk and grimaced at the unfairness of the universe. On the one hand, having the ansible was great. But, it meant her boss could breathe down her neck whenever he wanted to do so. That was not something she appreciated. Knox usually kept his messages in email form, but recently, the media conglomerate had become so powerful and rich from ad revenue that he had started to splurge on weekly addresses to his various media heads.
Which meant she had to endure a discussion with him. He was smart enough to keep it short and sweet. Ansible time still cost a lot, and the discussions weren't actual news. No, it was about the direction the news cycle was taking, what he wanted to see for a spin, and any intel on future news.
But, that still meant she had to deal with him, if not in person then close enough with the holographic avatar system. It meant he could do his chewing out in virtual now too; something she failed to appreciate. At least he hadn't figured out how to get his mood across when he did so.
She had covered the Eastern Front launch at the anchor desk, along with the Second Fleet invasion of B-97a. Since it had happened only two weeks prior, there was no news update. The news cycle was getting dull and boring.
“Politics are quiet on that front. Everyone is interested in the war. We need to embed some of our people. We need footage of war correspondence on assignment. That will be one up on the competition.”
“The problem is none are allowed with the navy since there was a genuine threat of information bleeding out that the navy doesn't want. There is also a real risk of getting killed,” April replied with a shake of her head.
“Lean on your contact,” Knox urged.
Her green eyes flashed. She knew he couldn't see her ire though. “I will not bring that up with Admiral Irons. There are some lines I refuse to cross,” she growled.
“I'm not saying have it out with him or blackmail him, I'm saying just ease him into the idea,” he suggested.
“Right. Not going to happen.”
“I don't see what the problem is. You don't even have to discuss it with him directly. Just do a how was your day thing, let it drop about this discussion, keep it light, then move on. Let him ruminate on it. Have your usual sex, and he'll come around.”
Her eyes narrowed as she scowled. “First off, Pete, my sex life is my own.” She hated that her stressing words didn't get through. Everything she said came out as flat and robotic on the other end.
His avatar said, “Ha ha ha.” She realized he had typed it. “You're killing me, girl,” he said after a moment. “You know full well your sex life with the president is news. Everyone talks about it.”
“Frack,” she muttered. It was true she was forced to admit. She just didn't like being the fodder of the gossip people. “I'll … think about it. No promises,” she growled.
“That's my girl. Look, I've got to go; these damn ansible calls are expensive. Look into lowering the costs there too. The avatars are a neat idea.”
“You can thank the navy for the idea.”
“Right. I'll have to do a story on it sometime. Knox out.”
She snorted and cut the channel, and then looked thoughtful. “Hell with waiting on him,” she murmured. “I'll write the story since it's a slow news cycle,” she said as her tone firmed up. She pulled out a tablet and began to make notes about what she wanted to say and how to say it. “Irma!” she said, using her implants to open an audio channel.
“You are done with the big boss I take it?” the mousy woman asked.
“Yeah. Hey, dig up someone who can handle holographic talk. Someone photogenic, but we can do an audio narration if possible.”
“Oh? What's up?”
“Knox reminded me of a story right under my nose. So since we're in a slow news cycle, I figured we'd use it as a fluff piece. A little bit of education and a feel-good piece to make us look good.”
“Ah, gotcha. Okay, I'll check with Felix and get back to you. I can explain the camera system, but I don't want to be on the air.” The woman made a honking noise she used for a laugh.
“Good to know,” April said absently as she kept working. She pulled the program up and scanned the code to see who the makers were. If she could find it, maybe they could arrange an interview or two …
:::{)(}:::
“Sir, we've got a situation,” Captain Sprite said, breaking into a meeting.
“Oh?” Admiral Irons demanded, looking up and then focusing on her. She was attending the meeting as well, but she'd said that through his implants. Apparently, Protector had opened a port for her to get it to him he noted absently.
“It's classified,” the A.I. said as she downloaded the file to him.
He frowned, annoyed at the interruption but also secretly relieved. “Then you should have, oh,” he said as he read the header. “Let's take five people,” he said instantly as he got up and walked away from the table for a moment. He didn't hear the murmurs of consternation behind him, though he did hear Sprite's voice cut through them with assurances that the admiral would be back momentarily. These things happened from time to time.
What the hell had happened? He braced himself for bad news. Was Horatio dead? How bad was it? He did his best to ignore the distractions as he blinked and then opened the file. His lips pursed in a frown as he scanned the contents. It was brief; the report had come from the B-102c ansible after all. “This has been confirmed?”
“Yes, sir. Not the origin of the virus, I doubt we can do that without an electronic forensic account. That isn't going to happen given the possible infection vector.”
“Damn. Okay, so, Bek isn't as clean of the damn things as we thought.”
“No, sir. Unless it was brought with them on Caroline, which I doubt.”
“But, you are ordering a check?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get me a full report on the breakage when you have it.”
“Yes, sir. This will delay Admiral Logan's mission for some time, sir.”
“Not long. I know Ilmarinen is useful to rebuild the station, but the moment it is self-sufficient I want them to take him to Bek. We need to get Bek straightened out ASAP.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
“Okay,” he said as he turned to the group. “Sorry, some things happen that you don't have control of. Where were we?”
The senate delegation looked at each other and then back to him. “We were doing an exploration of what laws need to remain on the books …”
:::{)(}:::
Proteus recommendations began to bear fruit with BUSHIPS. BUSHIPS had insisted on finishing what they'd started and running some simulations before they got into it. Admiral Irons had been busy with other concerns so he'd more or less left them to their own devices for the time being.
But, he was pleased when Vestri discontinued carrier production to focus exclusively on the capital ships. All of the Federation carrier production would be centered in Pyrax. Once each carrier frame was space worthy, it was outfitted with a hyperdrive, sensors, and a power train. It was then tested before it was sent to Pyrax in the regular convoys to be finished and outfitted. Shipments of fighters and components to outfit the carrier compliments came in with them or in the convoys as well.
The yard production lines were reset for cruiser or battle cruiser production. Half of the workers were shifted to open up two more SD production lines. After a week of retraining, two more SDs were laid down in the slips. Sun Tzu passed her third stage of grand block assembly. They had to pause several times to open her up and make adjustments, but they were hopefully through the teething problems. All of the lessons learned had been applied to the blueprints and passed on to each of the build teams, though a few messages slipped through the cracks initially with Future Guardian's power train. The snarl up caused a twenty-hour delay when fittings stopped lining up in blocks that had been adjusted. When a fix came through, it was a relief for all involved.
Admiral Irons'
blitz had helped push Sun Tzu's production schedule ahead by three months, but due to all the headaches, a lot of that time had been burned away. But, the lessons learned and the additional components he'd made and stockpiled allowed Sky Titan to close the gap on her older sister, Vestri noted with approval. With a little luck, the two ships would graduate from the yards within two weeks of each other. That was a good thing. Future Guardian would follow two months later.
He scrubbed his brow and thick busy eyebrows as he considered his newest headache. In some sort of brilliant move, someone, quite possibly the admiral himself, had set the dogs on him, or at least the loonies in ET. Or, they'd just latched onto him because he'd tried to help them get the job done initially, he wasn't certain. If it was his fault, he had only himself to blame. Most likely it was the ranking officer in the system, Captain Richards. He'd looked her up. She was a reservist and a medic. Undoubtedly, she'd sicced the unholy trio on her in order to get them off of her own back. If she had, he owed her something nice and nasty as a return gift. Something along the lines of a lovingly gift-wrapped poo box on her doorstep … though she'd probably send it to her lab or something. He grimaced and discarded the thought.
Despite carriers being built in Pyrax, the corporate nuts of Lexcorp, Waynetech, and Powers Inc had latched onto him with a series of lobbyists they'd hired off of Antigua Prime. They were competing to get naval fighter and small craft contracts, lucrative things he knew. After the interest was noticed, a competition was announced.
Each company was given minor small craft part contracts. They were universal parts like wiring bits, bolts, and sundry parts every ship or small craft used. They were also given a small contract to build subassemblies, and a third contract to build entire assemblies. The top two who won those competitions, and it was all based on quality not production quotas, would go on to the final stage of actually building the entire craft.
Just getting the licensing, keys, and such was an ongoing headache. He had no clue how to handle all of that and he'd said so. Captain Sprite had taken pity on him and had helped a bit.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of the story. Oh, no, not by a long shot. Interested parties in Antigua, Pyrax, and even Protodon had come out screaming about not being allowed in to the contest. Since it hadn't started yet, Admiral Irons had ordered that they be included as well. It had soothed some ruffled feathers, but not all. Some still grumbled that the ET trio had a head start and therefore an inside track on the competition.
If anyone knew Admiral Irons, he was meticulous about such things. He'd choose the best not based on who they were, but on the quality of the product and if they can deliver on their promises. Underbidding would be carefully scrutinized. Anyone who did would find they wouldn't be able to slip in cost overruns or other accounting games later to make up the difference.
All of the talk of competition had opened the door to competing for ship component production too. Ship fitters were starting up in Pyrax. ET had yet to get the ETMI yards fully online yet, but they were getting there. He judged another three months and they'd start laying down their first series of hulls. He had to admire that Faith lady. If she had been in Antigua, he would have looked her up. He had sent her a bottle of champagne at tremendous expense when ETMI had been announced. Interestingly enough, that had started up a long-distance correspondence relationship. He was curious as to where it would lead. He was also curious about what she looked like and her reaction to what he looked like. Dwarves weren't everyone's cup of tea after all.
:::{)(}:::
B-102c star system
“You are certain you want me to go through with this?” Horatio asked.
“I wouldn't ask it of you if I didn't,” Admiral Irons replied.
“And you know it could, it probably will go bad in some way?”
“I'm hoping it won't. I'm hoping that those under him will see the light, relieve him, and then we move on.”
“And if they don't?”
“Then … we have a problem. I have a series of contingencies in case it goes south. How far south is anyone's guess. Unfortunately, I can't game it out well with the little information I have. Yorgi helped me fill in some of the blanks, but the intel he gave me is old and out-of-date. Undoubtedly, Childress has been putting his own people in key positions. The question is are they loyal to him or to the ideals of the Federation? You are going to find out I'm afraid.”
“It could go very badly for me. The whole shoot-the-messenger thing comes to mind.”
“You are saying you won't do it?”
“Admiral, you know me better than that. I'll always follow you. Right into hell if that is what it takes to get the job done. I'm your man, sir.”
“Thank you. I won't forget it, Horatio. But, it won't come to that, hopefully.”
“Well, color me Guinea Pig I guess.” Horatio inhaled and then exhaled noisily. “Into the lion's den I go.” He paused then nodded grimly. “I'll get it done, Admiral.”
“Good. I've got your back. Remember that. Safe sailing, Horatio.”
“Thank you, sir.”
:::{)(}:::
Antigua
Admiral Irons smiled politely to his guest as his yeoman showed her in. “I'm glad to see you, Miss Sema.”
“Admiral, you know damn well to call me Moira by now,” she said with an exasperated toss of her head. She ran a frustrated hand through her hair.
“Sorry. Rough day?” he asked.
“A bit. Stroking diplomats can be a lot more tiring than in just Bek I see,” she said with a shake of her head as he rose and went over to a small bar. He indicated she should take a seat. “Drink?” he offered as she settled in a chair.
“Yes, please. Talking always makes me thirsty,” she said with a bit of whimsy in her voice. He smiled and poured her a glass. She took it with a grateful smile.
“How are you settling in?” he asked as he poured himself a drink.
“Good,” she said slowly. She crossed her legs. He sent a signal to the chair to begin massaging her. Her eyes widened and then her eyelids lowered slightly.
“Damn that feels good. Thanks.”
“Don't mention it.” He was glad she wasn't upset by his overreach. “Ready for a road trip?” he asked when he thought she was a bit more relaxed.
“If you are considering sending me to Bek, don't. Admiral, I can't do anything to help. I'm a civilian, even if I'm one in the government; he won't listen to me,” she shook her head.
“Ah,” he said slowly. “So, you know what is going on?”
“Yes,” she replied tightly. She feared for her family. It could go very bad very quickly.
“Then what do you recommend?” Admiral Irons asked, clearly frustrated by the situation. “Unfortunately, there are no longer mechanisms in place in Bek to remove him. He's certainly taking advantage of the Federation control of the military over local control!” He grimaced in annoyance.
“I know,” Moira said looking away.
“Childress … I honestly don't know or understand how he got himself back into uniform. Undoubtedly, a crony who was well placed and owed him or someone else who supported him a favor. I don't know; we're too far away from it.”
“I know,” Moira said again. He looked sharply at her. She made a brushing motion. “I meant I agree, we're too far out, and yes, most likely that was how he got back into uniform.”
“Fixing it is going to be a messy process. Hopefully, Horatio and the orders I sent him with will sort things out,” Admiral Irons mused.
“Unless it breaks into civil war,” Moira said. He eyed her. “You don't know if Childress will step down. Or if someone is in a position to relieve him and make it stick. Remember what you said about cronies getting him back in uniform?” the admiral nodded. “I remember Childress. He's an empire builder. That means he, undoubtedly, surrounded himself with people of like mind who are his supporters through and through. People he knows and trusts. Do you think any one of them is willing to sharp
en a knife and stick it into his back? When they most likely owe him for getting to where they are now?” She shook her head.
“That bad?”
“Oh, worse I imagine. Throw in ONI and it really is going to be a hell of a knot to untangle.”
“Lovely,” the admiral said heavily. “So, what do you recommend?”
“You need to send an officer with the rank to do the job,” she said with a shrug. “The rank to relieve him and make it stick. Someone he can't ignore, sweep under the rug, or worse, make disappear completely.” She hid a mental flinch at the idea of Horatio getting killed. If he did get killed, it was due to Admiral Irons and his naivety. “A message can get easily lost. It's happened too many times to count,” she said with a shake of her head.
“I took steps to avoid that,” he replied.
“You …” she stared at him for a moment, then her eyes narrowed in speculation. “How?” she asked slowly before she took a sip from her glass. She set the glass down gently and stared at him expectantly.
“I sent Rear Admiral Logan with my orders and orders to broadcast it across the star system to prevent the orders from being ignored or lost,” he said evenly, meeting her gaze with his own.
She stared at him. He cocked his head. “Do you know what you've done?” she asked quietly.
“It's the best move I can think of to chop the head off the snake from this distance. But, I need someone I can trust there. Which means?” he again cocked his head. “Yorgi or someone else. The only other flag officers, Bekian ones, I know of with the rank are either in Bek or on assignment here.”
“The only way Yorgi can do the job is if he has the rank to go with it like I said, Admiral. Rank is a big thing in the navy, you know that. And who has seniority is also a big thing. Then there are contacts and the patron trees. But, if you get him in there and he outranks Childress, Childress will have to stand down.”