by Jay Allan
He took a deep breath.
“I can elaborate further on these ideas if you wish, and I have other thoughts that aren’t within the immediate time frame you specified, but that’s a quick overview of my thoughts for now.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Howard turned to look at Johansen.
“Proceed, Commander Johansen.”
She leaned forward. “Thank you, Admiral. My thoughts are very much in agreement with Commander Shiloh’s comments. In addition, I would like to put forward the following recommendations.
“We don’t know enough about the enemy. We don’t know what they look like, how they think, where they’re from. We don’t know what level of technology they have. For all we know, we may be ahead of them in some areas and behind in others. We don’t know what star systems they inhabit. We need more intelligence. I see two ways to get it. The first requires that we capture an alien ship. That has to be a primary objective of any military operations. Second, we need to do tactical reconnaissance of star systems that may have an enemy presence. That would entail ships capable of refueling themselves so that they can operate without support for long periods of time. Eventually we should design and build a special purpose long-range reconnaissance type, but in the short run we can use tankers. We should expect them to suffer a high loss rate, so I would suggest that the crews be volunteers. Losing part of our tanker fleet will restrict our ability to operate in the forward areas, so a tanker construction program should be started as soon as possible.”
She stopped.
Howard leaned forward. “Is there something else you wish to add, Commander?”
Johansen looked at Shiloh who nodded ever so slightly. This silent communication did not go unnoticed by either Admiral Howard or his two associates.
Johansen continued. “I do have one more idea to put forward, and that idea is this. If we are going to prevail, we’ll have to out fight them. In order to out fight them, we’ll have to out build them. The only way I can see that we can out build them is if the Space Force develops its own internal industrial and shipyard infrastructure. The best way to do that is to obtain the use of at least one of General Electric Dynamics Universal Fabrication Complexes. We can use one UFC to build more, which can then build the mining robots, processing and fabrication facilities, and the shipyards, as well as the actual equipment for the new ships.”
She was about to say more when the Admiral to Howard’s right interjected.
“Commander, that’s all well and good, but are you not aware that the Space Force has been negotiating with GED for years to buy a UFC? The price they’re demanding is far beyond the budget capabilities of the U.E.S.F. There is no way that they would sell us a UFC, when they can use the ones they have to build the ships that the Space Force needs and will pay for.”
Johansen nodded. “Yes, Sir. I’m aware of the past efforts to buy a UFC. I was proposing something different. If GED won’t sell us one, then we should explore other options, such as leasing one for just long enough to build our own. If GED won’t agree to that, well, the Space Force should do whatever it takes to gain access to a UFC, whether GED likes it or not.”
“Commander, are you aware that you have just proposed an illegal act, and by doing so you have left yourself open to charges of conspiracy?”
Johansen was about to reply when Howard came to her defense.
“No she hasn’t, Sergei. Not only did I guarantee that nothing these people said would be held against them, and I meant that, but with regards to Commander Johansen’s comments, I’m going to interpret them as a hypothetical scenario of what rogue Space Force elements might do if we can’t come to some kind of accommodation with GED. Isn’t that right, Commander?”
Johansen was just about to reply in the negative when she realized that Admiral Howard was on her side.
“That’s right, Admiral.”
Howard smiled slightly at her. “Now then, Commander. I would be interested in hearing how, hypothetically of course, a rogue element might go about gaining access to a UFC … so that we can take precautions against such a possibility.”
Johansen was taken aback by this request. “Well, there might be a number of different scenarios, but the one that comes to mind would have some distinct advantages. We know that GED has deployed a UFC on a particularly rich asteroid that’s almost on the opposite side of the sun from earth. In another six weeks, I believe, the orbital rotation of the asteroid relative to earth will place the sun squarely in between the two, thereby cutting off direct communication between the UFC unit and GED Central. That won’t stop the UFC from continuing its preprogrammed instructions, and if I’m not mistaken, there will be several GED employees onsite to monitor its operations. They live in a support module that can sustain them for months if necessary, although GED has scheduled regular visits by a supply ship roughly every four weeks. I suppose that if a rogue element were able to go to the UFC site, they could essentially commandeer the UFC and … persuade the onsite staff to reprogram the unit. GED may not find out for weeks, or maybe even months. By that time, the newly-built unit could have been moved practically anywhere in this star system, or even to another star system altogether.”
“Very interesting. But wouldn’t the GED staff onsite eventually report back to their bosses that Space Force personnel had temporarily hijacked the unit?”
Johansen smiled. “Not if the hijackers disguised themselves and didn’t wear Space Force uniforms or insignia … Sir.”
“No, I suppose not.” Howard looked thoughtful. “I think that scenario deserves more analysis … to make sure something like that doesn’t happen. Thank you for your insight, Commander.
“Now that we’ve heard from both of you on the short term priorities, my colleagues and I would like to go over the reports that both of you submitted and discuss specific items that we’d like greater clarification on. Commander Shiloh, I see on page two of your report you talk about…”
The sessions with the Admirals went on until lunch, at which time the Admirals left the room to eat elsewhere, and food was brought in for Shiloh and Johansen. After that, the Admirals returned and continued questioning the two about their reports for another four hours.
When they were finally satisfied that they had examined every aspect of the reports, Howard closed his folder and leaned back in his chair.
“Okay. That’s it. I want to thank both of you for your candor and insights. The Oversight Committee is going to want a briefing in the next 48 hours from me, and at that time I’m going to brief them on what happened, what we know with certainty, and what we think we know with a high degree of probability. They’re then going to ask me what we should do next. I’m very likely going to tell them that we are looking into the options that you suggested this morning—most of them that is—to see if they’re practical, and how long it would take to implement them, not to mention the cost. I may need to have you nearby as a resource. My staff will let you know when and where that briefing will take place. Commander Shiloh, I’d like you to accompany me to my office for a few more minutes before the two of you return to the hotel.”
Several minutes later, Shiloh found himself standing in front of Admiral Howard who was sitting behind his desk. Howard seemed in a good mood. After getting himself more settled in his chair, he spoke.
“I wanted to talk to you privately, Commander First, I want you to know that I’ve arranged for you to receive a Commendation for your actions during the battle with the alien vessel. It’s a good thing you launched those recon drones when you did, Commander. The mission would have ended very differently if you hadn’t.”
Shiloh felt a shiver go down his spine. Those were the exact same words he ‘heard’ the Admiral say in his vision. He realized that the Admiral expected him to say something.
“Thank you, Sir.”
Howard nodded. “You’re welcome. Second is the matter of your next assignment. Once the 344 is repaired, you’ll be back aboard as her Commanding
Officer. But we’re going to give you more responsibility. We’re going to make you Squadron Leader.”
Shiloh was stunned. “Shouldn’t Commander Omar move up to that slot, Sir?”
Howard chuckled. “Yes he should, and he will. You’ll be getting another Squadron. SFE144 will need a new SL when her present CO, Commander Delvecio is promoted to Senior Commander and given command of a Task Force that will include a Support Group and at least one Frigate Squadron. SFE144 may very well be assigned to that Task Force, so Delvecio may end up giving orders to his old command again. Any questions?”
“Yes, Sir. Isn’t SFE144 the squadron that had one of their ships missing?”
“Yes, it is. 344 will replace the missing 233. Delvecio’s ship will get a new skipper, but you’ll assume the SL slot. The Command ship that Delvecio will use as his flagship isn’t ready to be commissioned just yet, and until it is, he will continue as SFE144’s Squadron Leader. When he takes command of the support group, you’ll officially take over as Squadron Leader.
“Now I also wanted to discuss the Oversight Committee. I’m pretty certain that the Committee will want a much broader, long term plan submitted to them in due course. Even if they don’t ask for it, I know I want to have it. We’re going to need a Strategic Planning Group, which will be ad hoc initially but may eventually become a permanent section of the HQ staff. While the 344 is being repaired, which I understand will take at least three weeks if not longer, I want you to participate in the SPG sessions and give the group the benefit of your insights.”
“Of course, Sir.”
“Good! Well Commander, I won’t take any more of your time. Keep yourself available, and my staff will contact you in due course. You’re dismissed.”
Shiloh saluted and was starting to leave when Howard called to him, “By the way, Commander, I’m curious. What was it that made you think to deploy those recon drones in that way?”
Shiloh knew he had to answer quickly, but he didn’t want to tell the Admiral about his vision. “The thought just seemed to pop into my head, Sir.”
“Well, it’s a good thing it did.”
“Yes, Sir.”
When Shiloh arrived back at the underground garage to catch a ride to the hotel, Johansen was waiting for him. On the way back, he told her what the Admiral had told him. She congratulated him on his pending appointment as Squadron Leader. After riding in silence for a few minutes, she turned to Shiloh.
“Do you think we’ll be able to beat these aliens?”
“I think we have a chance, but only if our politicians get their heads out of these asses and make the tough decisions in a timely manner. What worries me is that they’ll debate, delay and try to make do with half measures. We can’t afford that. I’m pretty sure Admiral Howard understands that, too. Let’s hope he can convince the Oversight Committee, and that they can convince the rest of the Planetary Assembly.”
Johansen was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “What do we do if they can’t or won’t?”
Shiloh looked at her with a grim expression on his face. “Then we do whatever we have to do.”
Johansen nodded her agreement.
Back at the hotel, Shiloh briefed the rest of his officers before they and Johansen left on their shore leave. After saying their goodbyes and agreeing to meet again in two weeks, Shiloh found himself as the only guest of the hotel that night. The next morning, however, the hotel staff informed him that the Support Group and attached frigates under Cmdr. Omar had arrived in orbit around the moon as per standard procedure, and that the hotel had been alerted that the officers of those ships would be checking in later that day. He also received a message that the Oversight Committee would be meeting with Admiral Howard the following day at ten a.m., and that Shiloh was ordered to be at the HQ conference room no later than 0930 hrs. Shiloh didn’t see how that left enough time for Howard to meet with Omar and his officers before the meeting with the Oversight Committee. Later, to his surprise, a Space Force limo flying a flag with three stars pulled up to the hotel entrance, and Admiral Howard stepped out. Shiloh went to greet him at the hotel lobby.
“Ah, Commander. How nice of you to greet me. Commander Omar and his people aren’t here yet, I take it?”
“No, Sir. Not yet.”
Howard looked around. “Well then, they’ll be here shortly. There won’t be time for me to attend their debriefing sessions tomorrow, since you and I will be in front of the Oversight Committee, so I’m going to set a precedent and have an informal debriefing with Omar and his senior officers here as soon as they arrive. This is what I want you to do, Commander. You wait here in the lobby. I’ll tell the hotel staff what kind of arrangements I want for this meeting. When Omar and his people get here, you inform him that the Chief of Operations wants to see him, the other three frigate COs and their XOs, along with the Support Group Leader, immediately. The hotel staff will take care of their belongings. The rest of the group can do as they please for the rest of today. My staff will make sure that everyone knows where they have to be tomorrow, but you’ll have to make sure that they know what they have to do tonight. I’m certain they’ll all be tired and hungry. Food will be provided during the debriefing. As for their fatigue, well, they’ll just have to hang in there a little longer. Any questions, Commander?”
“No, Sir.”
“Very well. I’ll make sure that you’re told what room we’ll be using for the debriefing. I’ll leave you to it then.”
With that, the Admiral turned and walked towards the reception desk, gesturing for the staff’s attention. Shiloh didn’t have long to wait. A few minutes later several of the ubiquitous Space Force vans pulled up to the hotel entrance. Approximately thirty officers got out, picked up their duffel bags, which even after all these centuries were still the easiest way for military personnel to carry their personal belongings, and wearily climbed the steps to the hotel entrance. Just as they entered, the hotel manager appeared at Shiloh’s side and whispered to him.
“Sir. The meeting with the Admiral will take place in the Gagarin Room down the hall on your left.”
Shiloh thanked him. He recognized most of the officers who were entering the hotel, and they recognized and greeted him.
Cmdr. Omar walked up to him and said, “Victor. Glad to see you made it. Congratulations on your battle victory. We got the details at our refueling stops. That was a neat trick you pulled off with the drones. You’ll be glad to know that the injured you had to leave behind are going to be okay. Gaspar’s people did a good job of patching them up.”
Omar held out his hand.
Shiloh took it and said, “That’s good to hear. I’ll thank him personally when I get the chance. I’m also glad to hear that you and the rest of the squadron made it out okay. I heard what happened when you went back there. It’s a damn shame about 301 and 299.”
Omar nodded before saying, “Yeah. It is. But at least they didn’t get any more of us, and we have you to thank for that. I’m just happy to be back. We’re all beat as hell. Most of us would normally be in the middle of our sleep shift now. I guess we’ll get a quick bite and then sack out…”
His words fell away as he saw Shiloh shake his head in the negative.
“That’s not in the works, I’m afraid. Admiral Howard is here to personally debrief you, the other frigate COs and their XOs, plus Gaspar, and he wants to do it right now. Tell those officers to leave their gear here in the lobby. The hotel staff will make sure it gets to your rooms. The rest of your people will be able to check into their rooms now, and are free to do whatever suits them.”
Omar was clearly displeased. “Damn it! Some of us have been awake for 24 hours, and we have to debrief NOW?”
“I’m afraid so, Tom. The Admiral has a good reason for doing this now. But at least you’ll get to eat during the debrief.”
Omar ran his fingers through his hair and looked around. “Okay … well, if the Old Man says jump, then I guess we jump. Where do we go for this debri
ef?”
Shiloh smiled sympathetically. “I’ll show you the way. Go ahead and get your people sorted out and I’ll wait here.”
Omar nodded, turned and gestured for the group to gather round him. He called out ten names, told them to stay where they were, and then told the rest to walk over to the reception desk and get their room assignments. After they left, he told the remaining group that they were going to meet with the Chief of Operations. The groans were loud enough that Shiloh was worried the Admiral would hear them. Resigned to their fate, they dropped their duffel bags right there in the middle of the lobby, and Shiloh showed them the way to the Gagarin Room. Howard was already waiting for them. He sat patiently while Omar’s people found seats and got settled in. Finally they were ready.
“I know that you’re tired and hungry. The hotel staff will be bringing in finger food shortly. That will have to do for now. I’m taking the unusual step of informally debriefing you now because I need to get your first hand impressions before I testify in front of the Oversight Committee tomorrow morning. I’ll try not to keep you any longer than necessary. Here’s how we’re going to do this. I’m going to ask Commander Omar to describe the sequence of events of your return to the battle system. If any of you feel that you have something useful to bring forward, and by that I don’t mean jokes, good humored insults or other gratuitous comments, then signal me in a non-verbal manner, and I’ll make sure that you get the opportunity to express yourself. If this goes on for more than an hour, we’ll take a short break.
“Now, unless there are any questions, we’ll begin.”
There were no questions. As Omar began to relate the sequence of events, Shiloh listened with half an ear and used the rest of his attention to watch the other officers. Gaspar, the Support Group Leader, was listening intently. The other officers seemed to be less interested, probably because of the obvious fatigue that Shiloh could see in their faces. When Omar got to the part where the recon drones started using active scanning to search the target and the aliens destroyed them, one of the XO’s signaled that he had something to add. Howard signaled Omar to pause and gave the XO the nod to speak up.