Thank you all for your cooperation.
Admiral K Brubacher
Shortly after sending this broadcast, I received the following communiqué.
MEMO
URGENT!
To: Edward III Head of State Orion Empire, Council of First Ministers of the Orion Empire, Secretary of Defense of the Orion Empire
From: Fleet Admiral William O. Stephenson C&C OESA
C.C.: All Quadrant Commands, Mobile Fifth RAC, Inspector General Branch
Re: C&C of OESA and ongoing operations
Date: November 2, 2257
All,
Tonight's events have stunned us all. I am especially shocked that Fleet Admiral Williamson would be a party to actions designed to interfere with the Emperor's constitutional right to govern our Empire. His authority does not just come from the constitution. It has been earned over generations of rule of the Delnikov family that have always been conducted fairly and in the best interest of the Empire and his half trillion subjects.
Though stopping such a conspiracy was a very positive action, it has had a negative effect on the Empire's ability to defend itself; since statutes and OESA regulation require that all Tactical Action Messages and operational orders issued by the Office of the C&C, in the name of the OESA, are with the consent and signature of both officers appointed to that position. Those laws and regulations do not allow for operation of this Command by one person.
In that light, I would ask that you, at least temporarily, suspend Fleet Admiral Williamson from duty. I also ask that you, at least temporarily, elevate a replacement and appoint that person C&C OESA to serve alongside me. This is an urgent requirement. The OESA is unable to lawfully defend the Empire, at this moment. An intrusion into our space would be met by automatic responses from Fleets following protocols of the Rules and Regulations in the region; but, any wider required actions would be unlawful.
In the interest of expediency, I would respectfully like to nominate Admiral O. Blackman, currently Quadrant 2 Commander, for temporary elevation to Fleet Admiral (12) and assignment as C&C OESA. Admiral Blackman is the next logical candidate to assume a role as C&C. He has had a long and loyal career; and, has always worked for the good of the service and the Empire. This would have to be done in the form of an order and not an offer; since, time does not permit making an offer. Official ceremonies would have to be postponed and the elevation would need to be conducted, by you as soon as possible to re-enable the OESA.
Yours respectfully,
Fleet Admiral William O. Stephenson.
I received the following message just the next morning.
MEMO
URGENT!
To: Fleet Admiral William O. Stephenson C&C OESA
From: Edward III Head of State Orion Empire
C.C.: All Quadrant Commands, Mobile Fifth RAC, Inspector General Branch
Re: C&C of OESA and ongoing operations
Date: November 2, 2257
Admiral Stephenson,
In response to your urgent situation, we convened an extraordinary meeting of the Council and First Ministers; with the Secretary of Defense and me, in attendance.
Since your need is immediate and affects the defense of our entire sovereign space, we have agreed to temporarily suspend Fleet Admiral Williamson from duty and temporarily elevate Admiral Blackman to Fleet Admiral (12); provisionally assigning him as C&C OESA. Permanence of this promotion will be based on criminal court findings in the matter of the charges against Fleet Admiral Williamson.
The Secretary of Defense and I will travel to your offices, on Rigil; arriving at five hundred hours November 3, 2257 to conduct this elevation and appointment. Please have Admiral Blackman present and ready to assume his duties at that time.
We are aware that, the Inspector General Branch vessel ESS Examiner is currently parked at Rigil. We would want Admiral Brubacher in attendance at the ceremony.
Respectfully yours,
Edward Delnikov (Edward III)
After a very disturbed sleep back on the Examiner, I shuttled down to Rigil at four hundred hours the next morning to attend the ceremony. We occupied a room I had never been in on the executive level. It is the first door, after the central elevator, located on the south side of the corridor. The room claims more than six-thousand square feet. There is a very large table with sixteen places at one end of the room; and, a lectern at the other end. Towards the table’s end of the space, a fully stocked bar stands witness to special events, probably, held here. I stood witness with a considerable group, at that ungodly hour, to the promotion. Then, the Secretary and the Emperor approached me.
"Admiral Brubacher, I would like to thank you personally. And, on behalf of the Empire, I would like to commend you. How convincing is the evidence?" The Emperor asked.
"Your majesty, we have the Tactical Action Message issued to Theatre Two Command by Fleet Admiral Williamson. It shows both C&C authorizing it. We have Admiral Stephenson's sworn, and verified, statement that he never even saw or discussed this order. We have an e-mail chain going back many months; conspiring to carry out this action; should you attempt any constitutional changes. The e-mails describe the planned action in great detail. We have the previous arrests and all that evidence that ties to this. It will be hard for any defense counsel to refute everything. I have no doubts; our evidence is strong enough to convict all the perpetrators." I explained.
"Do you expect to find any more participants?" The Emperor inquired.
"Yes but, only within the Quadrant One Theatre Two Command. It is apparent that the Theatre One Commander had nothing to do with this. She was approached some months ago and brushed it off as some kind of stupid prank; never believing the C&C would be involved in such a plan. We are still not sure of which Fleets in Theatre Two are involved. We don't know if all the Fleets responded to orders from the Theatre Commander. One very positive point is that these conspirators bypassed the Quadrant Commander completely; knowing that Command would not be a part of it." I explained.
"Very good, Admiral. We will copy you on all subsequent communications that we generate as a result of this incident; and, will order the C&C to follow suit." The Secretary added.
"Thank you, sir. I am just glad that, our operation began to unravel this thing a few weeks ago. I am loyal to the Emperor and the Empire. I would not have wanted this rebellion to succeed." I added as we all shook hands; and the two leaders turned and exited the room. A short while later, I received another memo.
MEMO
To: All Commands of the OESA, All OESA Personnel
From: Edward III Head of State Orion Empire, Office of the Secretary of Defense
C.C.: Orion Council of First Ministers, Orion Empire Representative Assembly
Re: OESA C&C
Date: November 2, 2257
All,
We are saddened to advise you that, effectively immediately, Fleet Admiral D. Williamson has been suspended from duty as OESA C&C.
Please be advised that, effectively immediately, Admiral O. Blackman has been elevated to the Rank of Fleet Admiral (12) and will assume the second chair as C&C OESA.
These actions were precipitated by recent events. Please give Fleet Admiral Blackman your full cooperation, loyalty and obedience.
Edward Delnikov Emperor Orion Empire
MEMO
To: Fleet Admiral W. Stephenson C&C OESA,
Fleet Admiral O. Blackman C&C OESA
From: Edward III Head of State Orion Empire, Office of the Secretary of Defense
C.C.: Admiral Kurt Brubacher Inspector General
Re: Recent rebellion
Date: November 3, 2257
Gentlemen,
The events of recent days have left me concerned; and, the Council, Assembly and Secretary of Defense shaken. It goes without saying that, our Empire has always conducted the business of governing in a civilized manner; and that, attempts to circumvent legal and constitutionally valid efforts to legislate, govern or modify the constitution for t
he improvement of the Empire are detested.
Since there is uncertainty over whether or not the threat has been completely resolved, I ask that you dispatch OESA field forces to protect the space around Earth and Rigil; and, deploy adequate ground forces to protect our citizens and government operations on Earth and OESA operations on Rigil, for a maximum period of ninety days, unless otherwise directed by this office. Please keep the Inspector General Branch Apprised of all action, in the matter. The Council, Assembly and Minister of Defense are aware and in agreement of this request.
Edward Delnikov
Within minutes, I received the following communication.
Tactical Action Message #CC57-1211
CLASSIFIED
From: Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson C&C OESA Fleet Admiral O. Blackman C&C OESA
To: Admiral G. T. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
C.C. Inspector General Branch
November 3, 2257
You are ordered and required to deploy your Command to protect the space around the Sol system; and, citizens, all government facilities, the Emperors residence, representative bodies and supporting installations, on Earth; and, the space around the Kentaurus system and all citizens, facilities and grounds of the Rigil OESA Headquarters and supporting installations, as you see fit to protect those targets from possible attack or disorder. You are ordered and required to keep the Inspector General apprised of any actions taken in regard to this order.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
Fleet Admiral W.O. Stephenson
Fleet Admiral O. Blackman
There is a twenty-two and a half hour communications lag between Rigil and 61 Virgo, where Valhalla is sitting. It took until November 5, for further action to become visible to me.
Tactical Action Message #FM57-1239
CLASSIFIED
From: Admiral G.T. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
To: Admiral Palakiko, Fifth Mobile RAC Theatre Ten Commander
C.C. Office of C&C OESA, Inspector General Branch
General Ian Malcolm Marine Army Commander Fifth Mobile Command
Date: November 4, 2257
1) You are ordered and required to place all forces under your command on Maximum Alert Status in response to a threat from within the Orion Empire.
2) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy your Command to protect the space around the Kentaurus system and the space in the corridor between the Kentaurus and the Sol System. Please deploy ground forces on Rigil as directed under an action order to be generated by General I. Malcolm Commander Marine Forces Fifth Mobile Command.
3) Further still, you are ordered and required to take steps to keep the Inspector General Branch apprised of your actions.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
Admiral G. T. Bryant
Tactical Action Message #FM57-1240
CLASSIFIED
From: Admiral G.T. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
To: Admiral S. Nichols, Theatre Nine Commander
C.C. Office of C&C OESA, Inspector General Branch
General Ian Malcolm Marine Army Commander Fifth Mobile Command
Date: November 4, 2257
1) You are ordered and required to place all forces under your command on Maximum Alert Status in response to a threat from within the Orion Empire.
2) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy your Command to protect the space around the Sol System. Please deploy ground forces on Earth as directed under an action order to be generated by General I. Malcolm Commander Marine Forces Fifth Mobile Command.
3) Further still, you are ordered and required to take steps to keep the Inspector General Branch apprised of your actions.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
Admiral G.T. Bryant
Tactical Action Message #FM57-1241
CLASSIFIED
From: Admiral G.T. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
To: General I. Malcolm Commander Mobile Fifth RAC Marine Army Command
C.C. Office of C&C OESA, Inspector General Branch
Date: November 4, 2257
1) You are ordered and required to place all forces under your command on Maximum Alert Status in response to a threat from within the Orion Empire.
2) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy ground forces on Rigil to protect and defend the OESA Headquarters and all citizens, ancillary facilities, structures and support operations against insurrection and rebellion with a strength capable of repelling a divisional attack.
3) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy ground forces on Earth to protect and defend the Government installations and the Emperors citizens and facilities; including all ancillary facilities, structures and support operations against insurrection and rebellion with a strength capable of repelling a divisional attack.
4) Further still, you are ordered and required to increase the security level on all vessels within and supporting your command to a level compatible with a Maximum Alert Status.
5) Further still, you are ordered and required to take steps to keep the Inspector General Branch apprised of your actions.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
Admiral G. T. Bryant
Tactical Action Message #FMG57-1242
CLASSIFIED
From: General Ian Malcolm Commander Fifth Mobile RAC Marine Army Command
To: Lt. General Svesion Commander Theatre Nine Marine Corps
C.C. Office of C&C OESA, Inspector General Branch
Admiral G.T. Bryant Command Fifth Mobile RAC
Date: November 4, 2257
1) You are ordered and required to place all forces under your command on Maximum Alert Status in response to a threat from within the Orion Empire.
2) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy ground forces on Earth to protect and defend the citizens, Government installations and the Emperors facilities; including all ancillary facilities, structures and support operations against insurrection and rebellion with a strength capable of repelling a divisional attack, in the following manner.
2a) 4 Regiments strength to patrol and defend the Capital under command of two Brigade Commanders.
2b) 3 Regiments strength to defend the Representative Assembly under the command of a Brigade Commander
2c) 2 Security battalions to guard and protect members of the Representative Assembly under the authority of a Regimental Commander
2d) 2 Battalions strength to defend the Council Offices managed by a single Regimental Command
2e) 1 Security battalion to guard and protect Councilors controlled by its Battalion Command.
2f) 2 Companies to defend and protect the Emperor's premises and facilities under direction of a single Battalion Command
2g) 1 Security company to accompany, guard and protect the Emperor under the direction of their Battalion Commander
2h) 1 armored Battalion positioned for support of the above under the direction of their Battalion Commander
2i) All other forces held in reserve for relief and counter attack
3) Further still, you are ordered and required to increase the security level on all vessels within and supporting your command to a level compatible with a Maximum Alert Status.
5) Further still, you are ordered and to take steps to keep the Inspector General Branch apprised of your actions.
6) On – the – ground coordination should be via a commanding
Divisional Command working under your direction.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
General Ian Malcolm
Tactical Action Message #FMG57-1242
CLASSIFIED
From: General Ian Malcolm Commander Fifth Mobile RAC Marine Army Command
To: Lt. General Miyuki Akiyama Commander Theatre Ten Marine Corps
C.C. Office of C&C OESA, Inspector General Branch
Admiral G.T. Bryant Commander Fifth Mobile RAC
Date: November 4, 2257
1) You are ordered and required to place all forces under your command on Maximum Alert Status in response to a threat from within the Orion Empire.
2) Further, you are ordered and required to deploy ground forces on Rigil Kentaurus to protect and defend its citizens and OESA installations; including all ancillary facilities, structures and support operations against insurrection and rebellion with a strength capable of repelling a divisional attack, in the following manner.
2a) 3 Regiments strength to patrol and defend the Rigil New York – commanded by a single Brigade Command
2b) 2 Regiments strength to defend the OESA Headquarters Facilities – under direction of a single Brigade Command
2c) 2 Security battalions to guard and protect internal OESA HQ offices – under the authority of a single Regimental Command.
2d) 1 Regiment security to guard and protect Flag and Senior Officers – under the direction of its Regimental Commander.
2e) 1 Battalion to defend and protect Flag Officers' residences – under the authority of its Battalion Commander
2f) 1 armored Battalion positioned for support of the above – under its Battalion Commander’s direction.
2g) All other forces held in reserve for relief and counter attack
3) Further still, you are ordered and required to increase the security level on all vessels within and supporting your command to a level compatible with a Maximum Alert Status.
5) Further still, you are ordered and required to take steps to keep the Inspector General Branch apprised of your actions.
6) On – the – ground coordination should be via a commanding Divisional Command working under your direction
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