Righteous Reign

by MacDonald, Thomas J

  That command will grow by around a thousand people, or more, now; and, will be run by a Brigadier. So there'll be a lot of work for HR, Accounting and Payroll; not to mention all the equipment those people will need. We've also been authorized to purchase four new large shuttles for the I.S.I.E. to use for missions. We'll need two pretty soon; but, we can hold off on the other two for a bit. We need to get them built if no extras are in the yards, though; so, we may have to order all four at the same time. Then, there's staff. You may need small increases in staff; so, you can accommodate an increased I.S.I.E and resources. Let me know. Finally, you will need to separate a couple of people in each of your disciplines who can handle very secure functions for the Intelligence people. Their role is changing. Your special people will keep separate personnel files, for instance. That way sensitive stuff is only in your file; while all the other pertinent info is in both files. Accounting will need to structure ledgers so expenses and capital items are in secured files and entries to the common books are referenced block totals from that. We need a separate slush fund accountable to someone in your office. It's for paid informants. There will be times when we will offer money to someone in a position to give or get us information. That needs to be itemized within your separate ledger; but recorded as a block expense, with reference, in the main Command ledgers. Right now, our role is changing enough to handle all the increased investigative activity; but, it will change even more later. The C&C has proposed making Inspector General Branch the only Investigative, Enforcement and Intelligence operation. That means all of JAG's and the Miltary Intelligence Department's people will move here. Mobile Marine Commands’ enforcement and investigation operations, will come under our operational authority; though, they will still be under their command's tactical authority. The last item is promotions.' I tapped my pad as I said it. 'I'm sending Roh the promotion of Shane MacDonald to Captain. It needs to be processed. That's it. Any questions?' I ask to negative nods. 'Dismissed." I bark. Roh stays behind as the others leave.

  "Admiral, I finished looking over Helena's file and checking with Commanders. Her record is spotless. She has successfully managed all her commands on the way up the ladder. I'm no tactical expert; but, it looks like she has good skills there, too. And, her people have always been loyal to her. I would hire her to a position another level higher with no hesitation." She finishes with a smile.

  "Very good. I just don't want to show favoritism. She is my wife afterall.' I explain with a smile. Then, I add. 'Thank you Admiral. Your dismissed."

  ........................................................................................................

  MEMO

  From: Adm. K. Brubacher Commander OFSA Inspector General Branch

  To: V. Adm. Rohkea Sielu COS Inspector General Branch,

  Adm. Helena Leeds OFSA IGB Command Theatre Commander

  Commodore Shane MacDonald IGB Theatre Group 1 Commander

  Commodore Elasima IGB Theatre Group 2 Commander

  Maj.Gen. Christopher Sparks Commander IGB I.S.I.E.

  Re: Expansion under way

  Date: February 16, 2258

  All,

  I thought I should send a quick note on expectations to all of you. We will be receiving the new ESS Examiner, in the morning. She still needs to undergo proofing. Commodore Elasima and I have had experience at this process. Normally, I would like to attend such an operation; but regulations forbid a senior flag officer from even boarding an unproofed vessel. In that light, Commodore Elasima will command the endeavor, with Commodore MacDonald assisting to gain experience. The Captain and three shifts of crew of the current Examiner will disembark it and embark the new one. We will remain parked until, their task is complete; so, two shifts can maintain operations, here. We were fortunate to have received our other new vessels after they went through their testing and shakedown phase; since, it is a major undertaking. Proofing the new Examiner will require three to eight weeks; depending on problems encountered during the process.

  I would also like to make you aware that Lt. General Svesion the new Commander of IGB Marine Corps Command will be arriving on the current Examiner, this afternoon.

  It will be good to board the new Examiner, when it's ready. I know we are cramped but I ask you to bear with me. I want to thank you all for your hard work since the creation of IGB.

  Adm. K. Brubacher

  I send it out as I begin to think back. What a ride it's been. Not all that long ago, I was promoted to my first Command on the Shenzhen. Now I'm a full Admiral running a Fleet of twenty-five vessels with a station holding fourteen thousand; and, my wife, who was my Commander back in the day, is now my Deputy.

  On Saturday December 26, 2257, in a special sitting, the Legislative Assembly voted unanimously to accept the new constitution; with the proviso that, it did not take effect until January 15, 2258. Every member of the Assembly signed the document, as the elected representatives of their planets; along with, Emperor Edward III. Monday December 28, 2257 was Edward's coronation; delayed from the previously announced date. He became King Edward I. It was a daylong event honoring his predecessors, him and his descendants. At the end of December, Sparks sent out four teams to the three fleets and the Theatre Command that had spearheaded the rebellion. It took between two weeks and sixteen days, on-site, for each team to turn their assigned command upside down and inside out. The result was ten more arrested; but, another forty-four suspect senior and flag officers in positions to stop or prevent the action were cleared. In early January, we took delivery of our first two of the four large shuttles and began to receive additional personnel transferred from other assignments at other Commands. In the third week of January, Sparks sent a large team to Theatre Two and three small teams to Quadrant Four Fleets to answer the question of why there had been suspicions about the Quadrant Four Command. There turned out to be three Fleet Commanders that had attempted to incite rebellion and failed. It was communication between them and the Theatre Two command that made it appear the whole Quadrant Four Command was at risk. Three more were arrested, there. But, in a surprise move, though they had all resigned or been dismissed from the OESA, the new President pardoned all those whose crimes did not include the deaths of others. It was of no consequence. Without their positions at the OESA they had no pedestal of power to continue the rebellion. Eleven people were left to stand trial for Fomenting Rebellion and Participating in a Conspiracy Causing Death. One was David Williamson. He committed suicide the same day he was charged. On Friday January 15, 2258 the new constitution went into effect with a lot of fanfare; and accompanied by representatives from the Gray's delegation. We are now the Orion Federation; and. because we are a democracy the Grays feel, we're worth a second look.

  On Saturday January 16, 2258 the Assembly passed a newly written law officially changing the name of the OESA to the OFSA and embedding its Charter in the new Constitution. On the same day, the Legislative Assembly passed the budgets of the service; which, included the expansion of the Inspector General Branch. On January 17, 2258, I received "official" notification of the expansion plan with the offer of promotion and assignment as Inspector General.

  On Tuesday January 19, 2258, The expansion of the Inspector General Branch was publicly announced; and, I was promoted to Admiral (11) and reassigned as Commander Inspector General Branch in a Headquarters ceremony complete with cocktail party and a ballroom dinner party in the facility's massive party facility. Sparks and Roh were promoted and assigned in the same event. The day after the promotion I received a memo.

  Operational Action Order

  Office of the C&C

  From: Office of the OFSA C&C

  Office of the Secretary of Defense

  To: Admiral K Brubacher Commander OFSA Inspector General Branch

  C.C.: All Quadrant Commanders

  Fifth Mobile RAC

  Re: OFSA Executive Planning Committee

  Date: January 20, 2258

  Admiral,

/>   Over one hundred years ago, paragraphs creating the OFSA Executive Planning Committee (formerly the OESA) were embedded into our Rules and Regulations; and, secured by statute law. The OFSA Executive Planning Committee consists of all Level 11 and Level 12 Flag and General Officers, in the service of our organization.

  Its purpose is to evaluate the current condition and status of the OFSA and develop plans that will be used in forecasting and budgeting the year to come. This committee is required to meet monthly, at a minimum. Though we call other extraordinary meetings, the regular ones are scheduled on the 28th day of every month at sixteen hundred hours.

  You are ordered and required to appear, in person, at the office of Fleet Admiral William Stephenson on the 28th day of every month, from here on. You are asked to bring your Chief of Staff with abbreviated records, from your command; so, any and all questions or planning involving your Command may be dealt with logically and completely. Dinner will be served on these occasions.

  Fleet Admiral W. Stephenson

  Fleet Admiral O. Blackman

  It was two weeks after that before, we started to receive our additional warships. They had all been available but were delayed; because, it was agreed they would be tested and proofed before delivery, if possible. Wonder of wonders, there were almost enough vessels in all necessary classes to fill the order. The major exception was the Examiner. There was a Super Carrier in the ship yard; but, it was unfinished and required extensive modification for the duty it would do, in IGB. Adding the Theatre operation increased personnel in all departments by a total of nineteen thousand nine hundred seventy-five; and, adding the extra Super Carrier and her flotilla crew members totaling over ten thousand brought our strength to forty-one thousand two hundred seventy-six. First, I offered Helena the Theatre command. She hesitated until, I told her it was the Deputy Inspector General Position with a promotion to four stars; and that, the entire Command was slated to grow rapidly. Once she agreed to take on the position, we began the hunt for personnel. We have acquired about two-thirds of the officers and ninety percent of the crew we need for Theatre operations; so, we expect to stay operational on a four shift basis for a while. Little by little, we will grow into the standard five shift structure. The problem with the entire service is that, things have been changing so fast, over the past five years, the OFSA hasn't been able to keep up with Academy graduates. IGB is at a state where, we can execute fairly benign investigations by shuttle craft; or, support more dangerous ones with Group or Task level power. On the intelligence side, we have paid informants on twenty-one planets; including Rho Corona Borealis and agents on five. We have agents imbedded in nearly every OFSA command already. When the new Examiner returns from trials, Helena will move to it with me. She is here most of the time, already; but, has a temporary Command set up on the Carrier Travis Donnelly - named after a fictional detective created by author Reginald Dawson. Most of my Theatre Command personnel came from warships; but a percentage who were doing duty as officers and crew on hospital and supply vessels are in positions that needed filling. So, on my orders, Helena has been running war game exercises and drills continuously.

  We all got one hell of a shock with an incoming communique.

  MEMO

  From: Fleet Admiral W. Stephenon

  To: All Quadrant Commanders

  Mobile Fifth RAC Commander

  Commander Inspector General Branch

  All Theatre Commanders

  Re: Nomination of Fleet Admiral O. Blackman - Disposition of C&C

  Date: January 22, 2257

  All,

  A few days ago Fleet Admiral Blackman asked to see the Secretary of Defense, in my presence. When we convened, he advised us that, he did not wish to permanently fill the position of C&C; instead wanting to return to his command in Quadrant Two. Needless to say, there was a great deal of discussion with the two of us trying to convince Admiral Blackman to accept the post. He felt he could not; for personal reasons.

  We did not need any approval to restore him to Quadrant Two Command; since, he had been approved for that position and had taken only a temporary assignment as C&C. So, we agreed to return him to the post. There was a flurry of communications activities; offering the position to another Admiral, nominating that officer, and nominating officers, to fill the positions vacated as a result of that move;and, subsequent vacancies created by it, throughout the senior ranks.

  Though we have several qualified applicants, the position was offered to Admiral George Bryant; who prompltly refused it on the grounds that, he would like to remain in charge of a Tactical Field Command.

  We are pleased announnce that, Admiral Grace Tonaka, currently commander of Quadrant Three will be elevated to Fleet Admiral and will assume the post of C&C effective Saturday January 23, 2258.

  We are pleased to announce that Admiral O. Blackwell will resume command of Quadrant Two, effective imediately.

  We are pleased to announce that, Admiral (10) Stephen Nichols, currently commander of Fifth Mobile RAC Theater 9 will be elevated to Admiral (11) and will be assigned Commander Quadrant Three, effective Saturday January 23, 2258.

  We are pleased to announce that, Commodore Olivia Hurst will be elevated to Rear Admiral (8); and, assigned as COS Quadrant Three Command.

  We are pleased to announce that, Admiral (11) Admiral Tsoh Shah's temporary promotion has been made permanent and he has been reassigned as the Commander of Quadrant Four.

  Two senior Flag positions opened due to the recent rebellion will remain unfilled, for a short period of time.

  Fleet Admiral W. Stephenson

  On Saturday January 23, 2258, most senior Admirals and many officers and personnel from Fifth Mobile and Quadrant Three Commands gathered at HQ, for the elevations. It was the usual all day splendid event.

  On January 29, 2258 the Inspector General Branch (IGB) formally closed it's investigations into the rebellion. Though our report to superiors included a summary of evidence and the naming of all criminal participants, we presented JAG with only the eleven criminal files they would need. This included Williamson's file; though, he is now deceased; because; he was under indictment when he put a gun to his temple. Having his criminal file with all the evidence will give JAG the means to respond, if ever accused of badgering him to his death. JAG now had all the proof needed indicating, they were acting within the bounds of their charter; when, Williamson took his own life.

  Friday, January 29, 2258 was also a watershed day for the new Federation. It was the day that Gray delegation presented a formal request to the President to open negotiations for expanded trade, mutual defense and expanded representation and interaction between our two sovereignties. As they made the presentation, they included mention of the fear they had always felt in living next door to an expanding dictatorship; but, the respect they now have for King Edward, who actually led the move to democracy. That statement silenced the final remaining detractors speaking out against the constitutional change to representative government.

  On January 30, Admiral Naabaahii pled guilty on all counts. As the next senior Command to Williamson, all the prosecutorial force JAG could muster, was focused on him. Over the next several months, the other nine remaining charged participants would plead guilty on all charges.

  Things kind of move to a routine, after that. The Grace Tonaka settled into Headquarters, the Nichols settled into the Quadrant Three Section of HQ, Helena and I settled into our existance within our hybrid Headquarters Command; and, IGB began to do regular investigative audits at an average rate of eight a month; while, continually suffering the pains of growth.

  On February 5, Brigadier Sparks came to me with a great plan. He wanted to embed three full teams and three shuttles aboard each of the two Group Commands; leaving two on the Examiner. Those teams would not be responsible to the Carriers' Regimental Commanders; but, would take orders from him. The advantage is that they can run light investigations from the shuttles; or will have Group force for the la
rger ones. It also meant that, the Groups could be used to get three shuttle teams closer to Fleets before employing the shuttles. The other two teams and shuttles on the Examiner would be handled the same way. Examiner would get them close or support them with its own firepower and that of the flotilla. I approved the plan and we notified the team. I made a major decision right then. It will be the policy of IGB to embed a mixed investigation company into each squad, from now on.

  It took about a week to implement the Brigadier's plan. By the twelfth, we were starting Group level operations directed by Helena, at the Brigadiers request. In the first round, Examiner stayed close to Rigil. There was still a major event coming; and, we were waiting for the new Examiner.

  I was awarded the King Edward Cross, yesterday Monday February 15, 2258, for my part in putting down the rebellion. Now, I am sitting in my office waiting for the new Super Carrier and Major General Svesion; for whom, we have a ceremony scheduled at seventeen hundred to promote him to Lieutenant General and assign him as Corps Commander of IGB Marine Corps.

  It’s eleven hundred when a big flap starts outside my office. I go out to see. Everyone is staring out the view-window at the hulk pulled up beside us. The SCC2258-27, which will be the new Examiner, has arrived; and, it's a monster, when this close. The Examiner's pilot will come aboard to officially deliver it; so, I head to the docking port, on the starboard side, to sign for it.

  "Captain Hecuba with your new vessel, Admiral." The Venation, from a system in Virgo we know as HD126053, says; as, he offers a brisk salute.

  "Thank you Captain, the proofing crew will be moving in over the next few hours. Then they'll give you a ride back to the yard. It'll be one of the proofing trips." I say with a smile as I sign the delivery receipt; after, retuning his salute.

  "She's a beauty, sir. Would you like to see her?" Hecuba asked.

  "I would love to take a tour; but, I can't. Regulations don't allow a senior Flag Officer to even board a new ship; until, after it's been tested and proofed." I said; as, I shook my head feigning sadness.