Righteous Reign
Page 42
Vice Admiral Helena Leeds
Two and a half hours later, I receive a response from Admiral Bryant.
MEMO
From: Admiral George Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
To: Rear Admiral K. Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
C.C. Vice Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet, Admiral S. Nichols Commander Theatre Nine, Commodore Can Ngyuen Commander Phoenix Thor Group
Re: Candidates for current and pending position vacancies.
Date: March 31, 2256
Kurt,
I have discussed your plan with the Theatre Five Commander and the appropriate Fleet Commander who was hoping to get someone in trade. I explained that Phoenix is short of people with the skills needed to fill the positions that would be vacated. The Commander relented and has authorized transfer of Commodore Anna Arce and Captain David Simmons. I wish to advise you of something that is not common knowledge. David is a direct descendant of the founder of the OESA.
I hope this solves your needs; and please convey my best wishes to the newly united Mr. and Mrs. Simmons. Good Luck.
Admiral George Bryant
I don't usually get as excited as I did; when, I read the approval. I decide to compose the offer to both, immediately.
MEMO
From: Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
To: Commodore Anna Arce Commander Columbia Group, Captain David Simmons Commander ESS Espanola
C.C. Vice Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet, Admiral S. Nichols Commander Theatre Nine, Admiral G. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC, Commodore Can Ngyuen Commander Phoenix Thor Group, Theatre Five Commander
Re: Candidates for current and pending position vacancies.
Date: March 31, 2256
Commodore Arce,
I would like to offer you the position of Commander Thor Group within Task Force 1 of the Phoenix Fleet. This is essentially a transfer. There would be no change in your rank or the assignment level. Some duties may vary slightly from your current ones due to specific Fleet and Task Force regulations and protocols. You would establish your Flag on the ESS Thor; which, would become your home.
Captain Simmons,
I would like to offer you the position of Commander ESS Thor. Thor is a carrier class vessel housing the Thor Group Command. This is essentially a transfer. There would be no change in your rank or assignment level. Some duties may vary slightly from your current ones due to specific Fleet and Task Force regulations and protocols. Loki would become your home.
To both candidates,
I was excited when I saw your availability and understood the reasons behind the situation. I enjoyed working with both of you in past assignments. You are both competent, capable officers capable of rising to the top. At the same time, your need solves several issues within my Command; so, I will state bluntly that, Phoenix Task Force 1 needs you both. I believe you would be happy here; would enjoy the challenges; and, would rise as our fleet matures. Phoenix is a relatively recent addition to Mobile Fifth Command.
I ask you to forgive me for the variation from normal protocol; but, I make these offers in a single communication because of the circumstances. I wanted to assure you both that you would be posted together.
We are desperately in need of a competent Captain for the ESS Thor and a competent Group Commander. The Group Commander opening had been in the Loki Group. However, I discussed the matter with the current commander and he has agreed to reassignment to Loki Group. That clears the way to have you both on board the Thor; and, solves my issues. I would hope that, you would both accept the offer I have made.
Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher
I begin to go about my business. The internal investigation is going well. It is now quite obvious that, Chan has absconded with a lot of funds. But, we now have the accounting situation in hand. Normal activities can continue. It is really only a blip in my Task Force One Budget. The pilfering of supplies is less apparent. The shortage is considerable; but, still barely affects my budget. We will need the official investigation to find the culprits. The search for my COS has been fruitful. There is one at HQ that wants a move to a field command. She lost her husband two years ago; and, decided she should see as much of the Empire as she can. The HQ file shows a great history with the exception of the nine months, after her loss. It looks like she is over the hump, now. She is a Quadrant COS; so, she holds the rank of Commodore. It is acceptable; but, the highest rank a Rear Admiral's COS can hold. She will not have to accept a demotion. Under the circumstances, I do not need approval. There is no elevation and HQ indicates, in the file, they will release her. I am allowed to make this kind of offer for my Chief on my own under those conditions. I decide to write.
MEMO
From: Rear Admiral K. Brubacher Commander Phoenix Fleet Task Force 1
To: Commodore Anita Enzulio COS Quadrant 2 Command
Re: Offer of reassignment to a field command
C.C. V. Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet, Admiral O. Blackman Quadrant 2 Commander, Mobile Fifth RAC Command
Date: March 31, 2256
Commodore Enzulio,
I would like to extend the offer for you to assume the position of Chief of Staff Phoenix Fleet Task Force 1. This would be a reassignment. Your rank would remain unchanged; and, your duties would be very similar; though the responsibilities are a fraction of a Quadrant Command. I believe you would initially find the position a challenge, despite the reduced size of the operation. The previous Task Force Commander and the previous COS left the Task Force in quite a state. It will take a real expert to get it running smoothly within a reasonable timeframe.
I believe, I would be the envy of all Commanders within Mobile Fifth, should you take the position. I would expect to lose you to a better offer, in relatively short order. But, I believe that, you would enjoy the field assignment and we would benefit from your management, in the meantime.
There is a hidden benefit to a field assignment. Your remuneration rate would remain as it is. But, field assignments include lodging, food and many other benefits; as, a reward for giving up the permanence of ground assignments. Most of us bank considerable sums of money, over our careers. I sincerely hope you accept this offer.
Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher.
It wasn't even five minutes later, when my pad started chiming. I received the following messages.
MEMO
From: V. Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet
To: R. Admiral K. Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
RE: Commodore Anita Enzulio COS Quadrant 2 Command
C.C. Admiral S. Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
Date: March 31, 2256
Admiral Brubacher,
Another great catch. I hope you get her; so, I can entice her to the Fleet Staff. I have met Anita. She is a wonderful person and a real bulldog. At the rate you are going, it looks like you will have Task Force 1 running like a fine machine, in another week. Good Luck.
Vice Admiral Leeds
MEMO
From: Admiral S. Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: R. Admiral K. Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
RE: Commodore Anita Enzulio COS Quadrant 2 Command
C.C. V. Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet
Date: March 31, 2256
Admiral Brubacher,
You are probably not making any friends in the flag ranks. You're stealing all the good ones. Good job Kurt. Keep up the good work. We need your task force fixed quickly; so, Phoenix is fully functional.
Admiral Stephen Nichols
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The JAG and audit units arrived on April 2. They interviewed me immediately. They know I just took over and found this mess. They are aware that, Helena hasn't been Fleet Commander very long. I am happy that, they are okay with the steps I took. I made them understand that, I would have had to ground the unit; if, I hadn't investigated and
straightened up enough to make operations possible. Audit keeps coming to me with Chan's expenses. They want to know if this or that could be legitimate, for any reason. Part of their team is working on the warehouse issue. The two services share information. Anyway, that was all yesterday. Today, they are working silently and diligently. My enunciator sounds again.
MEMO
To: Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
From: Commodore Anita Enzulio COS Quadrant 2 Command
RE: Your offer for the COS position, in your command
C.C. V. Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet, Admiral O. Blackman Quadrant 2
Date: April 1, 2256
Admiral Brubacher,
Thank you for your kind offer. I agree that, many offers may come my way while under your command; but, I find your current problems intriguing. I did some checking here. It looks like you initiated a JAG investigation and an audit.
I am accepting your offer, effective immediately. Admiral Blackman has arranged my transport; so, I should appear at your office door on April 7, 2256. Whatever happens in the future, I think I will enjoy the experience this position will offer. It sounds like, I will have to rebuild your staff and its processes, from the ground up. (Is that expression used in space?) I am not sure of my arrival time. I am not good at those kinds of calculations; since, I have never done any navigation.
I look forward to our partnership.
Commodore Anita Enzulio
I tapped my implant.
"Commodore Can Ngyuen.' I directed the system. 'Chan everything we discussed has panned out. The new Task Force Commander and your new Carrier Captain should be here in a few hours. Can you come over here with that gem that's running the Thor?" I asked.
"We'll be right over." He responds.
Ten minutes later they report, at my door; looking like Frick and Frack. Nguyen is relatively short and Captain Levinson is quite tall.
"Take a seat, gentlemen. And, shut the door please, Can.' I say as I motion towards the conversation area. 'How do you think you're doing as the Captain of the ESS Thor, Arthur?" I ask him as he’s taking his seat.
"I don't know, sir. I am really not sure." There is puzzlement in his voice.
"I have to evaluate you as a poor Commander, Captain. But, it's not entirely your fault. You were promoted through three levels very quickly; as, we went through the expansion. My feeling is that; you weren't ready for either of the last two promotions. What do you think?" I asked him.
"I am really not sure, sir. I do feel over my head a lot of times." He answers.
"Well, you are going to get a second chance. You will be relieved of command of the ESS Thor and demoted to Lt. Commander. You will be assigned as the fifth shift Bridge Commander on the ESS Loki. You will get some training here. In a year, we will reevaluate and see if we can make you a Commander and a First Officer. Hopefully, you'll be trained and ready for your own Command a couple of years after that. How does that sound, Captain?" I ask.
"It's disappointing, sir; but, it is also a considerable relief. I do feel the Thor is too much for me. And, the experience has really reduced my confidence level. It would be a little embarrassing, though. But, in the end, I still think I'd have to say you're right - and thank you." The young officer responds.
"If you remove your eagles, I will pin your new insignia on your collar. Commodore Ngyuen will have all your stuff moved over. Report to Captain Elasima on the Loki. He's expecting you. And, don't worry about the embarrassment. Everyone will accept you, in a little while. And, in a few years, no one will remember; when, you're back on a bridge of your own ship.' I finished as I pinned on the new rank jewelry. 'Commodore can you stay please? You go find your new Captain, Lt. Commander. Your dismissed." I said as he rose.
The young man left the room and closed the door behind him. I waited for a minute; until, he entered the lift.
"Well, what did you think?" I asked Can.
"That was very smooth. You fired him; and, he felt like you did him a favor." The Commodore said with admiration apparent in his voice.
"The trick is the self-evaluation. People having trouble are honest if you ask them for their own evaluation. Some make excuses at first; but, you can usually turn those, too. The other thing is showing the positive side of a move that results from this kind of situation.
Anyway, I will be posting all the announcements, now. As soon as they are public, you should start your move. When Anna Arce gets here, we will do the warrants right here. I will issue you Loki Group Commands; but, you will have to transfer Thor commands to her. You know the procedure." I instructed.
"If you'll excuse me Admiral, I will get going." He said.
I nodded as I began typing.
MEMO
From: Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher Commander Phoenix Task Force 1
To: All Phoenix Task Force 1 personnel
C.C. V. Admiral H. Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet
RE: Pending changes in Task Force I
Date: April 3, 2256
All,
I would like to advise you all of the following changes.
Effective March 31, Amrit Singh was relieved as COS Task Force 1, demoted to Lieutenant and reassigned to an engineering position.
Effective immediately, Captain Arthur Levinson has been relieved of Command of the ESS Thor. He has been reassigned as a Bridge Officer on the Loki.
Effective at fifteen hundred hours this date, Commodore Can Ngyuen will be reassigned as Commander Loki Group.
Effective fifteen hundred hours this day, Commodore Anne Arce will take Command of Phoenix Task Force 1 Thor Group Command. Anna has already commanded a Group, in Boots Fleet, for a considerable time. She has a stellar record.
Effective fifteen hundred hours this day, Captain David Simmons will join Thor Group as Captain of the ESS Thor. Captain Simmons comes from the ESS Espanola; which he commanded for the last eighteen months.
Commodore Arce and Captain Simmons are husband and wife.
Effective April 7, 2256 Commodore Anita Enzulio will assume the post of Chief of Staff of Phoenix Task Force One. Commodore Enzulio was the Chief of Staff for Quadrant 2; but, developed an urge to see more of the Empire; to our good fortune. She will have the daunting task of bring the staff offices up to normal efficiency. Please assist her in any way you can. She speaks for the Command in most matters.
On a special note, the incident with the Staff Offices of the Chief of Staff has led to an extensive investigation and remedial actions. Teams are on site from Fifth Mobile RAC JAG offices and Fifth Mobile RAC Accounting Audit Services. This incident could result in some persons being criminally charged. Please bear with the investigating staff; and, assist them, if asked. Your understanding in this matter is appreciated. The incident nearly grounded Task Force 1.
Rear Admiral Kurt Brubacher.
Anna was piped aboard with David in tow, at fourteen-ten hours. They appeared at my door ten minutes later. I invited them in and notified Can. We spent the next thirty-five minutes chatting. I broke it up at fourteen-fifty-five; so, we could get everything together. Helena arrived for the quiet ceremony. I read the warrants assigning them to their commands and congratulated them. Then we did all the transfer of operational Command Codes. Everyone excused themselves to go and supervise the coding percolating down through the commands.
"That went well, Admiral. You have sure accomplished a lot in a few days. In fact, your stamp is all over this Fleet, already. A lot of people have taken notice. You should be very proud." Helena said softly as she stood very close to me.
"I'm just doing my job. And, I wouldn't want to let the girl I love down." I responded softly.
"I've got to go. But you'll get your reward tonight." She said as she let the back of her hand brush my groin as she turned toward the door. I almost groaned out loud.
....................................................................................
I feel like it's the holidays
, today. First the two investigative teams advised me they were finished. When I inquired, they advised me that both Chan and Singh would face charges. Singh was actually hiding the embezzlement for Chan. A third person in the warehouse would be charged. That was a Chan scam, too. He used the leading crewman to help remove materials from the storage. Then, Chan offloaded the goods and sold them on alien planets. Singh colluded in that operation, too; and, received his “cut” for everything. Singh and the young crewman would be taken, now. Admiral Chan would be arrested at the academy on Rigil by OESA security forces. Next, I was advised that, Commodore Anita Enzulio was being piped aboard and welcomed by El. She reported at my door ten minutes later.
"Welcome Commodore you are right on schedule. This is the best April 7 anyone could have. It's like a birthday. Have a chair and relax. I've already announced the appointment; but, I have to give you Command Codes. That means your team will be down until you issue to them. I will assemble them. We don't expect you to work today; but, we need this meeting, now. In a closed space alone or with other senior officers, you may call me Kurt. May I call you Anita?" I asked the handsome late fortyish woman. I broadcast a message to the entire staff office to assemble in the same configuration as before, in the amphitheater in fifteen minutes. I advised El; so, he could allot the room.
"Yes Kurt, you may. And thank you for the pleasant welcome and the warm smile." She said as she took a chair.
"I just received the reports on the audit and the Jag investigation. The losses are accounted for; so, you team won't be hindered by them. Three people are headed for prison. My predecessor, your predecessor and a leading crewman from the warehouse are headed out. Two are on their way, with JAG. The third, Admiral Chan, is being arrested on Rigil, today. So, the office may need a lot of reworking; but, you are starting with a clean slate.
"I have been leading your team as best I could. I do not pretend to know your job; but, based on my needs I could direct them, clumsily. I have also been handling my own appointments; and, orders, directives, announcements and memos; which, have not gone through your office, for the last ten days. There was no way to maintain or establish protocol under the circumstances." I finish.