by Ryk Brown
“Captain Roselle, how goes the work on the Jar-Benakh?”
“We started installing the antimatter cores recovered from the engagement with the Eridani forces this morning. Those should all be online in about four days, at which time we will be back to full operating power,” Captain Roselle reported. “Repairs of the decks damaged by Scout Three’s escape jump and the subsequent Ghatazhak boarding will be completed tomorrow, after which we’ll start repairs on the outer hull in that area. Also, we’re starting the process of converting all the controls and displays on board from Jung into English. Most of the control consoles are touch screen and are easily reconfigurable. An operator will be able to choose either language, in fact. Anything that is hard-labeled will get secondary labels in English. As far as our combat readiness, we can fight as we are, but we’d be hard pressed to do anything other than basic maneuvers and firing our weapons. We simply don’t have the crew. When we begin switching out our big rail guns for big plasma cannons next week, we will do so one at a time, as requested, so that we will be able to respond to defend the Tau Ceti system if need be.”
“How long until you have more adequate staffing?” the admiral asked.
“Well, we have the same problem as Mister Aberdin,” Captain Roselle explained. “A lot of the qualified Cetians volunteering for service have unusually high concentrations of Jung nanites, so we have to turn them away. It’ll be a lot easier once we find a way to remove those little bastards. Regardless, I expect we’ll have at least one full shift manned and trained by the time we are ready to leave the shipyards, so, as long as you don’t send us on any long-duration missions, we should be okay.”
“Admiral,” Mister Aberdin interrupted, “if I may, once the Jar-Benakh is completed, many of the technicians currently working on her might be available to serve as crew, at least until such time as additional crew can be secured.”
“We’ll keep that in mind, thank you,” Admiral Dumar replied, as his gaze shifted to the next man after Roselle. “Ensign Tillardi?”
“We managed to correct the code that caused the Aurora’s jump KKVs to miss their target. It wasn’t so much an error as it was a couple of unnecessary subroutines designed to double-check course and speed prior to committing to the final jump to the engagement point. The additional code caused just enough of a delay so as to put the weapons far to the edge of the impact envelope. When the battleship dropped out of FTL and initiated a turn toward the incoming weapons, the weapons missed. The closest one missed by only a few meters at the most. However, the code has been altered, and subsequent tests simulating the exact same conditions have resulted in strikes in every simulation run. We did manage to receive confirmation that all four weapons self-destructed as designed, once they had determined that they missed their targets. It took a while to pick up their signals, but we eventually found them. Future versions will release a marker buoy just before detonation that will not only record the weapon’s destruction for verification purposes, but will also transmit a signal to enable us to retrieve verification more quickly.”
“Good idea, Ensign,” the admiral agreed. “I have to say, that was possibly the longest ten days of my life.”
“All of ours, sir,” Tilly agreed.
“Then you are ready to begin production?”
“Yes, sir. Once the assembly line is up and running, we should be able to push each conversion through in ten days, with two days at each station. So ten days after production begins, we will be rolling jump KKVs out the door at a rate of one every other day.”
“And how soon will the production facility be ready?” Dumar asked President Scott.
“Barring any problems or delays, it should be ready to begin production in just under two weeks.”
“Very well.” The admiral turned back to Ensign Tillardi. “Good work, Ensign. What about the jump missile project?”
“That one is a bit trickier,” Ensign Tillardi said. “The Jung missiles are smaller than ours, so there is less room for the jump drive. Our plan is to reduce the size of the propellant tank enough to house the mini-jump drive and energy storage. However, because of the space limitations, we can only fit a single energy cell. Unfortunately, they will only have a jump range of about three million kilometers. That means the attacking ship will have about ten seconds after jumping in to get those missiles locked on target, launched, and jumping toward their target, before the target detects the attacking ship’s presence and goes to general quarters and raises her shields.”
“Will shields stop those missiles?” Cameron asked.
“A few of them, even the nukes, yes. The battleships, definitely. It would take at least eight simultaneous nukes hitting the same shield segment at once to bring one of their shields down. Even more for a battle platform. A lot more.”
“What if you reduce the propellant storage even more?” the admiral asked.
“There’s barely enough left over to make final course corrections between arrival and impact as it is,” Tilly explained. “The Jung missiles are smaller because a lot of their acceleration is provided by their launchers. They only burn for about fifteen seconds after launch. The remaining propellant is used for course corrections.”
“Can you strap the energy cells on the outside of the missiles?” Nathan wondered.
“Yes, but then we’d have to completely revamp the launchers, as they’re made to launch the missiles as designed. And we were planning on pulling stock launchers to outfit the Aurora and the Celestia. Two from the Jar-Benakh and one from each frigate.”
“Can they spare them?” Cameron asked.
“We’ve got eight of them,” Captain Roselle said. “I think we can spare a couple, especially if the impact percentage will be higher. We won’t need to fire as many at a time.”
Admiral Dumar sighed impatiently. “Is this a viable concept or not, Ensign?”
“Yes, sir, I believe it is.”
“How soon will you know?”
“We’re using components left over from the jump KKV prototypes, so it shouldn’t take us more than a couple of weeks to get the prototypes ready for testing. Three weeks at the most.”
“I prefer the least,” Dumar replied flatly, one eyebrow raised.
“Yes, sir.”
“Miss Ta’Akar?” the admiral said, looking to Deliza next, seated next to Ensign Tillardi.
“The final modifications to Falcon One have been completed, and yesterday’s initial test flights were a success. We did uncover some minor modifications that need to be made, but nothing that will put us behind schedule. We’ll be doing more test flights over the next few days, but in the meantime, we will be proceeding with the modifications of the remaining Falcons. We believe that we will be able to get a total of eight Super Falcons operational. The last two will require the acquisition of additional engines. Captain Navarro has his people working on that back in the Pentaurus cluster.”
“Perhaps he can find some more on Palee?” Dumar suggested.
Deliza shook her head. “Doubtful, between your first buying spree and the follow-up ones my father’s people made, Palee has been picked clean. We’ll probably have to head further out.”
“I’m sure Navarro will find something,” Admiral Dumar said. “What about the Super Eagle program?”
“The first prototype should be ready in a little over a week.”
Admiral Dumar looked at President Scott, silently requesting an answer.
“The Eagle plant will be operational in three weeks,” the president said.
Deliza looked at President Scott, then at Admiral Dumar at the opposite end of the table, her eyes wide with shock. “Admiral, we haven’t finished the computer simulations yet.”
“It takes time to build airframes from the ground up,” Admiral Dumar explained patiently.
“That’s my point,” Deliza exclaimed. “Maybe we should wait until we’ve flown the prototype before we start setting up for production. What if we have to make a major change in
the airframe?”
“The plant already existed, as did the dies and molds for the Eagle’s hull and control surfaces,” Admiral Dumar told her. “If you are unable to make the Super Eagle concept work, we will just build regular Eagles.”
“But what if I can make it work, but I need to modify the airframe to do so?” Deliza wondered.
“It would be better if that were not the case,” Admiral Dumar admitted.
Deliza’s head went down slightly. “No pressure,” she mumbled to herself.
“Doctor Sorenson, how are things going with the Cobra project on Tanna?” Admiral Dumar asked next.
“The first Cobra gunship rolled out yesterday. It’s undergoing a rigorous preflight right now, and will launch on schedule the day after tomorrow. Captain Nash will spend a few days in flight trials, and then it will go into service as a trainer for the Tannan Cobra crews. We should see a new gunship rolling out every five days, and entering service five days later.”
“You’re producing a new gunship every five days?” Jessica exclaimed in disbelief.
“Actually, it takes about a month to assemble one. Each ship spends three days in a station, and there are ten stations overall. The Tannans have really dug in hard on this project. The gunships are a symbol of pride for them. They finally feel like they are standing up against the Jung. They work day and night. People who aren’t qualified to work the line help out by providing food for the workers, or by helping take care of their families while they are busy working. It’s an amazing thing to watch.”
“Then everything is on schedule?” the admiral asked.
“Yes, sir. The first twelve gunships will be in service, fully crewed, within two months. In addition, the docking facilities on the asteroid base will be ready in another week. They’ll be able to dock at least twenty gunships there by the time the first twelve are ready.”
“Very well,” Admiral Dumar replied. He took a moment to reflect before continuing. “So, it looks like we’re finally starting to get some significant forces going here. Which begs the next question… What are we going to do with them?”
“I believe that is why I was asked to attend this meeting,” President Scott said. “Some of you may have seen the news report of Admiral Galiardi’s release from the rehabilitation facility. He was somewhat vocal as to his opposition of the Alliance’s efforts to clear a twenty light year sphere around Sol of Jung forces. He was also opposed to taking on more members into this Alliance.”
“Then he’s really not going to like what I’m proposing we do next,” Admiral Dumar mused.
“Which is?” the president wondered.
“I want to extend that Jung-free zone out to thirty light years.”
The room went silent, as all eyes turned toward the admiral.
“It’s not that I am opposed to the idea,” President Scott began. “However, there may be others who are… Others with considerable influence.”
“Such as Galiardi,” the admiral said.
“And others… Others who will listen to the admiral.”
“You’re talking about eleven more worlds,” Jessica said, her eyes coming up from her data pad on the table. “Every one of which has a battle group, and every one of which is already aware of the threat the Alliance represents, at least to some degree. So, they’re all going to be on alert status.”
“That makes it a bit more of a challenge,” Nathan muttered.
“Perhaps,” Admiral Dumar admitted, “then again, perhaps not. We do have more ships, and we do have better weapons than before, as well as shields. If we can crank out enough JKKVs, we should be able to clear all eleven of those Jung-held systems within four months.”
“The Celestia won’t be fully operational for another month,” Cameron reminded the admiral. “The Jar-Benakh and the Aurora for at least two. The frigates more like six. Not to mention the training of their crews.”
“We’ll have enough KKVs to strike the first system by the time the Celestia is fully operational,” Admiral Dumar said. “You’ll also have four Super Falcons and at least as many Cobra gunships, either of which could probably deal with the frigates on their own. Same as before. Strike the battle platform and battleship with JKKVs, then go in and clean up the rest.”
“It’s not the same as before, Admiral,” Cameron disagreed. “Those ships aren’t going to be cruising lazily along as if nothing is wrong. They’re going to be randomly changing course and speed, and they’re going to have all their shields at full strength, every minute of every day.”
“None of which matters, as long as at least a few jump KKVs hit them,” the admiral replied.
“And if they don’t?”
“Then you abort the attack. Since they are already on alert, you’ve lost nothing by the attempt, except a few JKKVs.”
“And then what?” President Scott wondered. “After you extend the Jung-free zone out to thirty light years, what next? Forty? Fifty?”
“If need be, yes,” Admiral Dumar replied.
“The Jung will not sit idly by while you destroy their ships, one battle group at a time,” Commander Telles said. “Nor will they increase their defenses, or double up the number of ships in each group. Instead, they will assemble a vast fleet and send it toward Earth, with the intention of destroying it once and for all.”
“And what would you suggest, Commander?” President Scott wondered.
“You must strike them in the heart. You must strike their homeworld.”
“You’re not suggesting that we glass the Jung homeworld?” the president wondered.
“Not at all,” Commander Telles replied, “as I know none of you would be willing to resort to such measures. Besides, it would likely escalate the conflict considerably. However, you could attack their fleet. Destroying a substantial portion of the Jung homeworld’s defenses, and with only a handful of ships, would send a strong message to the Jung. If their leaders are subject to the same kind of public pressures as most world governments, they may rethink their plans of conquest.”
“There’s only one problem with that plan,” Jessica said. “We still don’t know where the Jung homeworld is located.”
“Then you must find it,” Commander Telles insisted. “In the meantime, the admiral’s plan to expand the Jung-free zone is sound, as it increases the amount of time that you have available to increase your forces.”
“Some will side with Galiardi,” President Scott warned. “They’ll argue that we are provoking the Jung, forcing an escalation in the conflict.”
“It is only a matter of time before the Jung either capture a jump drive, obtain usable scans of one, or simply develop one of their own,” Commander Telles pointed out. “To believe otherwise would be foolish.”
“Recent events would support the commander’s assertions,” Admiral Dumar agreed. “If the Jung do develop a jump drive, it will take them several years to install working prototypes in even a few ships. Removing Jung assets from nearby systems, and perhaps even the entire Sol sector, will not stop them from coming. However, it may give them cause to reconsider their plans. We can build weapons, we can build ships, and we can train crews. But not without time. The only way to acquire that time is to continue expanding the Jung-free zone as much as possible.”
“We have already killed hundreds of thousands of Jung troops and ship crews,” President Scott said. “When I consider that fact, I start to wonder if Galiardi isn’t right.”
“He probably is,” Commander Telles replied. “But that is not the point. The fact is that the Jung have already killed millions of your people. Not just ship crews and troops, but civilians. Innocent men, women, and children, all of whom were not a threat to the Jung. The point is that the only thing the Jung respect is strength. You must show them your resolve. You must make them aware, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that continuing their campaign will exact an enormous cost on their society, one that they may not be able to bear. That is how you will dissuade the Jung from pressing their
attacks.”
President Scott took a deep breath, letting it out in a long, slow sigh. “Continue preparations for your plans to extend the Jung-free zone further, Admiral,” he finally said. “I will convince the other leaders of Earth, as well as the other member worlds of the Alliance, to support your plan. It will not be easy, but I will do my best to get their support.”
Nathan couldn’t help but remember Captain Dubnyk’s words. A war is what you have started, and a war is what you shall have to fight.
* * *
“One minute to the summit,” the controller’s voice called over the comms.
“Copy that,” the copilot replied. He glanced to his left at Captain Nash. “All checklists are complete, sir. The ship is ready for launch.”
Captain Nash sighed. “Hell of a way to launch a ship…pushing it up a hill and then letting it roll down the other side. Reminds me of the roller coasters I used to ride when I was a kid.”
“Roller coaster?” the Tannan copilot echoed, unfamiliar with the term.
“Little trains that rolled really fast around a track full of loops and twists and turns.”
“Interesting. Was it an enjoyable experience?”
“Scared the hell out of me, every single time.”
“Twenty seconds to summit.”
“Launch jump is plotted and ready,” the copilot reported. “Jump drive is fully charged, and all jump systems show green. All engines are online and ready to fire.”
“Control, Cobra One,” Captain Nash called over the comms. “We are go for launch.”
Nathan stood on the dignitary’s viewing stand at the Cobra gunship compound on Tanna. Before him were the hundreds of Tannan and Terran technicians who had built Cobra One, each of them watching with bated breath. Behind him, thousands more gathered to watch the launch of the first gunship that would be used to protect their world.
Nathan looked to his right at Jessica, Cameron, and Vladimir. It was rare for all four of them to meet away from their ships. They had been through so much together over the last five hundred and twenty-three days, more than any of them could have possibly imagined upon graduation from the EDF Academy nearly two years ago.