by Saxon Andrew
“A hundred thousand, Admiral.”
The bridge crew looked at each other in shocked expressions and Maranda quickly ordered, “Computer play the recording of the Brer Rabbit’s encounter with a Fagan formation.”
The crew turned to the monitor as the recording began. Maranda began narrating, “Notice that the Fagan had numerous ships moving far out from my ship’s location. There was no warning that they were working together until all of them suddenly rushed in and formed a large globe around my rabbit. They began closing in on us and we almost waited too late to attempt an escape.” The crew watched the small rabbit fight its way through the Fagan ranks destroying three warships to open a path out. The recording ended, and Maranda remarked in the silence, “The Fagan used more than ten-thousand warships to set up that trap. Using a hundred thousand to trap our carrier is exactly what they would do.”
“How were they able to see us, Admiral,” Lt. Stahl asked.
Maranda turned to Todd and allowed a touch of anger to enter her expression, “Captain Connor is not the only one that dropped the ball during the simulation. It is the responsibility of your scanning team to keep him informed of any danger the ship might be moving into. The carrier is invisible to electronic scans but how many stars had their light blocked by the carrier as it moved into their space?” Todd’s eyes flew open and Maranda added, “If you had used your optical scanners to search for blocked light, you would have detected that large formation of powered down ships.”
Andrew spoke up, “Admiral, your rabbit destroyed three enemy warships. You told us you’ve not destroyed any.”
“You asked me how many warships I destroyed while commanding a ship; I did not command that ship. This carrier is my first command, Captain Connor.”
“What would you have done differently, Admiral?”
Maranda turned to Andrew, “First, I would have never allowed the ship to fall into that ambush. I would have ordered optical scans to be taken and this would have never happened. However, let’s say I failed to do that, and that huge cloud of blips appeared on the monitor. I would have immediately ordered full speed and launched a missile barrage ahead of our course. I would have launched every rabbit on board and had them move in behind the missiles and clear a path for us to escape. We know that the carrier is faster than the Fagan warships and we should have been able to fight our way through the ships ahead of us. Trying to turn the carrier is wasted effort. It just doesn’t respond fast enough and the ships surrounding us would have been on us in a heartbeat.”
“We also should have been at battle stations when we entered Fagan space,” Andrew added.
Maranda nodded and looked around the room before turning back to Andrew, “Captain Connor, our total responsibility is to make sure this ship stays safe. It is not to use it to fight against enemy ships; that’s what the rabbits we carry are here to do. If we are forced to use our defenses, then I, and you, have failed to do our job.” Maranda paused and added, “The Prime Minister put me in command of our carrier because I have been to Fagan space and know what we’re up against. Some of you may not like it, but this simulation demonstrates that moving into their territory blind is a sure ticket to destruction.” The room was silent, and Maranda turned to Andrew, “Captain Connor, you will go through this simulation again and get it right!”
“Sir, you are better qualified to command the ship during the simulation.”
Maranda was surprised by the Captain’s admission and she immediately replied, “You are my second-in-command and you have to be just as capable as me. I won’t always be on the bridge and I’ll have to depend on you to keep her safe. We will start the simulation again in an hour, and you will be in command, Captain Connor. You may discuss how to handle it with your bridge officers.” Maranda stood up and left the room.
Andrew sat down at his console, and Todd shook his head, “Boy, she’s tough.”
Andrew snorted, “Yeah, but she’s right; she could have eviscerated both of us. I think she deliberately held back from what she could have said.”
Syl looked up from her pilot controls, “Do you still think you should be in command?”
Andrew jerked his head around to her and Syl tucked her head into her shoulders. He glared at her and then sighed, “By a show of hands, how many of you would rather I be in command of the ship.” No one raised their hands. Andrew said, “Notice I didn’t raise my hand either. I think she’s shown us she deserves to be here and it’s up to all of us to do whatever we can to make sure she’s successful. I was an egotistical idiot to challenge her.”
Todd chuckled, “Andrew, you aren’t saying you have an ego, are you?”
The bridge burst out laughing and Andrew shook his head, “Todd, tell me what you’re going to do different and Syl, I also need to know how you think we should maneuver the ship.” Andrew paused and looked at Captain Masud, the ship’s weapons officer, “I want all of the missile tubes loaded, not just the front launchers.”
“Sir, regulations stipulate that the tubes should only be loaded in a threatening situation.”
“I think flying through enemy space is threatening enough to call for it, Captain; load the tubes.” Andrew turned to Captain Tarangelo and ordered, “Make sure the Rabbit Squadrons remain on full alert status.”
“Yes Sir, I’ll have half of them with their pilots on board ready for immediate launch and the others will be ready before the initial launch is completed.”
Andrew nodded and looked around, “Is there anything I’ve missed.”
“Sir, are you taking into account that our mission is to avoid being detected,” Syl asked. Andrew turned to her and she raised her shoulders, “I mean, aren’t we supposed to sneak in to remove the inhabitants on America without being detected?”
Andrew stared at her and then started chuckling. After a moment he said, “Syl, you are worth your weight in crowns.” He looked around the bridge and turned to Todd, “I want you to look for a route where the ship won’t be blocking any stars as we enter Fagan space. My previous orders stand, but if we can get out without being detected, then I believe this will be a victory.”
Captain Tarangelo spoke up, “This is a great opportunity to take out a huge number of their warships, Captain.”
“And there will be a time for your wings to do just that. But this isn’t it. We’ll try to escape without detection and if we’re forced to defend the ship, we’ll do it. Todd, start looking for a clear exit.” Todd nodded, and Andrew turned to Syl, “What direction are you going to take?”
“Sir, I’ll take the course Lt. Stahl comes up with but then I’m turning the ship to continue moving toward America.”
Andrew smiled, “Keep up the good work, Syl. And please, tell me if you see I’m missing something.” Syl smiled broadly and turned to her console.
• • •
Maranda entered the room and took her chair five minutes before the scheduled simulation. She looked at Captain Connor and said, “I’m transferring control of the ship to your console, Captain.”
“Yes Sir,” He replied. Maranda noticed his usual sarcastic tone was missing. She sat back and waited for the simulation began. She ran a quick survey of the ship’s defenses and saw all the missile tubes were loaded. All the blaster teams had reported in ready and the attack wings were listed active ready status. She sighed and had hoped that the Captain would have been better prepared for the requirements of this simulation. But she’d discuss it after the simulation. She sat back, as the Computer announced the start of the simulation.
Maranda was surprised the simulation ended almost as quickly as it began. Lt. Stahl announced loudly, “Captain, I’m detecting a large area of starlight is being blocked ahead of us.”
“Turn the ship, Lt. Tyers.”
Todd immediately announced, “Turn to one hundred seventy-degrees. That’s the best route to avoid blocking any stars behind us.”
Syl turned the ship and accelerated away at maximum speed and then turned
on a course to America. The computer announced, “Simulation successfully completed.”
The bridge crew cheered, and Maranda cheered with them. “Excellent job, Captain. You are to be congratulated for adhering to the mission parameters. Do you still want to develop the battle strategies?”
Andrew turned to Maranda, “No Sir, I do not.” Maranda nodded and announced, “Please continue working on the units you haven’t completed. You’ll have an extra day tomorrow to complete them due to passing the first simulation scheduled for tomorrow. You’ve done an excellent job and I’m proud of your achievement.”
The bridge crew high-fived each other as Maranda walked off the bridge. She went to her quarters and said, “Computer, play the conversations that took place after I left the bridge at the completion of the first simulation.” Maranda listened to what was said and thanked Abby for her advice. She so wanted to dress Connor and Stahl down but saw that they were better for the experience by not doing it. That pilot was something special. She kept the crew focused on the mission and she was responsible for them successfully completing the simulation. She sat back and suddenly realized that this crew worked together. They were better as a whole than as individuals. That was something she needed to keep in mind. Well, so far, so good. Let’s see how they handled the next simulation. She thought a moment and realized she would be commanding the ship during the next simulation and she could lose their respect if she failed. Oh well, that’s the life of a commanding officer.
She contacted Abby and thanked her for her advice. She shared what happened and Abby shook her head, “Thank you for telling me, Maranda. That simulation sounds like a doozy!”
“I suspect your first simulation will be different, Abby. Just keep in the front of your mind that avoiding combat is what you must make happen.”
“Thanks, Maranda.”
Chapter Twelve
The third simulation was almost more than Maranda could handle. The carrier had landed on America and was boarding the inhabitants when an emergency transmission came in from one of the Super Rabbits holding station outside America’s star system, “Admiral, I have a large fleet of Fagan warships headed in toward America.”
“How many ships?” Maranda demanded.
“Fifty thousand plus, Sir.”
The bridge crew heard the transmission over the loud speaker and Maranda quickly asked, “Estimated time until arrival?”
“Two hours, Sir.”
Lt. Stahl put the scanner feed from the Rabbit commander on the tactical monitor and Maranda tried to decide how to handle this situation. Her carrier was not the only vessel on America boarding colonists, but she couldn’t afford for her ship to be disabled, Melbourne depended on it too much. She turned to Syl and said, “Lieutenant, prepare to lift the ship.”
Andrew quickly spoke up, “SIR, BEFORE YOU DO THAT!” Maranda turned to him and he said quickly, “Sir, we know the Fagan can detect our gravity drives; have the rabbits activate their gravity drives and see if those Fagan warships will follow them.”
Maranda replied, “Make it happen, Captain!”
Andrew activated his communicator and began speaking quickly. Maranda stared at the tactical monitor and saw the huge Fagan formation moving into the star system. Suddenly, it changed direction and went to maximum speed away from America. Maranda sighed and fell back in her chair. The computer announced, “Simulation successfully completed.”
Maranda took a deep breath and released it slowly. The crew cheered Captain Connor and Maranda felt an inner twinge of jealousy. She would have failed the simulation if her order was carried out.
Andrew accepted the crew’s cheers and then walked over to Maranda’s chair, “Sir, permission to speak honestly.” Maranda nodded. “When you first appeared here, I thought you were a wet-behind-the-ears, stuffed collar, egotistical, kid.” Maranda tilted her head and her eyes narrowed. “I thought I should have been promoted instead of you and I resented you more than I can say.” Connor paused and then continued, “However, you have proven me wrong.”
“Oh?” Maranda replied.
“You know this ship and its capabilities far better than I do and you aren’t a stuffed shirt at all. I’ve served with many commanders during my career in the navy and most of them would slap a subordinate down for suggesting something other than what they ordered. You accepted my suggestion and allowed me to implement it, even if it cost us failing the simulation. I don’t know if my ego would have allowed me to do the same, Sir. I want you to know that I believe in you and will do whatever I can to support you.”
Maranda smiled, “Thank you, Captain. It was your suggestion that won this exercise.”
“That’s the thing, Sir. You listen to us with an open mind and not many senior officers are willing to do that. I think that we’re better together than alone.”
Maranda nodded, “Feel free to question me at any time, Captain. You’ve impressed me with your understanding of what should be done. Thank you for your suggestion.” Andrew smiled and walked to his console.
• • •
The crew faced a new simulation every day and on some days two. They successfully completed every one of them on the first try and the crew no longer cheered their victories; they expected them. Finally, two days before training ended, the computer announced after the day’s simulation, “Simulation completed successfully. This simulation is the last one developed to prepare you for your mission. There is one simulation remaining and it does not have any relationship with your current mission. The final simulation will place you in combat conditions defending Melbourne against an enemy invasion. There is no option on taking it later; you are required to take it immediately after your final mission simulation. You will be given thirty minutes to prepare your ship and choose the weapons you’ll use in the simulation. The simulation will start in thirty minutes.”
Maranda looked around and said, “Department Commanders, suggestions!”
Captain Tarangelo spoke up, “Sir, if we know we’re going into combat, I’m having half of the Rabbit wings on patrol around the ship. The others will be in their cradles for instant launching.”
Maranda nodded, “Good.”
Captain Masud began, “All blaster and missile crews will be at ready stations. It will only take them ten seconds to go to full battle stations.”
Maranda nodded, and Lt. Stahl began, “Sir, I’ll be running full passive and optical scans. I’ll also be receiving the feeds from the Wing Commander’s ships.”
“Does anyone else have a suggestion?”
Lt. Tyers spoke up, “Sir, shouldn’t we have Lt. Stahl finding routes of escape that won’t block the light from any stars?”
Maranda’s eyes narrowed and then they went wide open. The crew saw her reaction to Syl’s suggestion and Andrew could see she had a thousand-yard stare. He held up his hand for everyone to be silent and the crew stared at Maranda wondering what she was thinking. Maranda started shaking her head Andrew said, “Admiral?” Maranda was startled and looked at him. “Are you alright?”
Maranda looked around the bridge and sat down in her command chair. She looked around the training facility and began speaking, “I’ve paid attention to the simulations we’ve been given to prepare us to go and save America. The simulations started when we first entered America’s spiral arm. They then moved to the voyage getting to America. Then there were simulations when the inhabitants were being picked up. This last simulation dealt with escaping without being detected.” Maranda paused and then asked, “Does anyone see a pattern?”
Connor replied, “Fleet walked us through the entire mission preparing us for what to expect.”
Maranda smiled, “Very good, Captain Connor. However, there is only one simulation covering a Fagan Invasion of our spiral arm. What do you think we’re going to face in that single simulation?”
Syl said softly in the silence, “We’re going to have the book, kitchen sink, and everything in it thrown at us.”
The cr
ew burst out laughing and Maranda joined them. A moment later she looked around the room, “If you had to say, where do you think this simulation is going to take place?”
Todd spoke up, “At the edge of our spiral arm trying to keep them out.”
“That would be the first one if there were more than just one, Lieutenant,” Maranda replied.
The bridge was silent, and Andrew said quietly, “End Game, Sir.” Maranda turned to him. “The final simulation will take place above Melbourne.”
Maranda nodded, “I believe it will, Captain. That changes how we go into this simulation.”
“How?” Captain Masud asked.
Maranda looked around the room, “We won’t be running from this fight. There is no reason to keep our ship safe if Melbourne is lost. Our carrier will put its back to Melbourne and take on all comers. Everyone should understand that caution has no place in this simulation. There’s only one simulation and you can take it to the bank that what we’ll be facing is…” Maranda hesitated and chuckled before saying, “Exactly what Syl said it was going to be.” Maranda turned to Captain Masud, “How many Head-knockers do we have in our inventory?”
Masud’s expression turned serious, “Three hundred, Admiral. But fleet has issued stringent cautions that they should not be used in combat operations.”
“Load ten of them into launch tubes and program for a fifty-mile spread,” Maranda ordered.
Masud tilted his head, “Are you sure about this, Admiral?”
“I am, Captain. Get it done.”
Maranda turned and added, “Captain Masud. If any Fagan warships enter the range of our blasters, I want the crews to start firing and not stop. Don’t try to use the computers to lock on a target, just have the blaster teams sweep the area in front of their station.”