by Seth Libby
In addition to the location of the command bridge the battlecruiser two had also had several new updates to her weapon systems. They were now sporting the new Foxfire interceptor missile pods, capable of intercepting and destroying incoming enemy torpedoes. The Foxfire system could also be used against incoming enemy fighters but it tenuous at best. The engineers had claimed they were close to solving the bugs that prevented the pods from being an effective offensive weapon.
All of these new additions were achievements of human ingenuity, much to the distress of the Meshtrell. Meshtrell were dumbfounded to how a race such as the humans, who almost two years ago were barely space worthy, could understand and improve on Meshtrell technology.
Captain Jenson Donaldson enjoyed his new ship; she was beautiful, which was now out on her shakedown cruise. Even though it was so late, he found himself unable to sleep. He was as excited as a boy on Christmas morning to finally have his very own Battlecruiser. Everything sparkled with a new shine as he looked about the command bridge. Reading the tactical display he checked on the other four warships that accompanied the Phoenix. Of the four other warships present only one was a Battlecruiser, the EDF Minotaur, a recent addition to the fleet. The other three warships present were two heavy cruisers, the EDF Okinawa and the EDF Glasgow, and one light destroyer, the EDF Patriot. Donaldson didn’t know any of the captains well as all were newly promoted and had little to no combat experience. Only the commander of the Okinawa had any real combat experience with the Shenkar. Captain Donaldson had never met the young lady but he had heard she originally been stationed aboard the Sacrifice.
After making sure all was well with the other warships he turned back to his surroundings. Except for him there were only three other crew members on the bridge. He liked the late nights, it was relaxing to just sit in command chair and just enjoy the hum of all the equipment.
The sound of the door opening behind him made him look around to see the newcomer. Seeing who the newcomer formed a pit in his stomach causing him groan inwardly. Occasionally, one of the council of Earth would accompany a shakedown cruise to see how well the new crew performed and to report back their findings. Captain Donaldson unfortunately had been unlucky enough to have the President of France, Jacque Lecroix, on his shakedown cruise. Turning forward again, Captain Donaldson studied the tactical display on the command chairs personal computer. Trying as hard as he could he attempted to feign interest in a report of the latest readouts on the performance of the pulse drives. As he re-read the report for the second time he became aware of Jacque Lecroix standing beside his chair, evidently wanting to speak with him. Finally realizing that his mere presence wouldn't be enough to initiate a conversation with the young captain, Jacque Lecroix spoke, not bothering to hide his annoyance.
“Mr. Donaldson, may I have a word with you?”
“Captain,” Donaldson said simply without looking around.
“Excuse me?”
“I am Captain Donaldson aboard this ship, not Mr. Donaldson. How would you like it if I addressed you as Mr. Lecroix instead of your due rank Mr. President?” Jenson asked as he turned to look at the French president.
Jacque Lecroix's face darken red at being addressed so by a mere captain. Especially when he had clearly spotted some of the bridge officers, although attempting to hide it, were clearly smirking at the way their captain addressed the President of France.
“Captain Donaldson, do I have to remind you I am part of the Council of Earth. If I wish it, I could have you busted down to an ensign and cleaning the toilets. So I recommend you change your attitude or I will do just that. Do we have an understanding?”
“My apologies Mr. President, how may I help you?” Donaldson asked, although he clearly didn't sound sorry as his dislike for the President was evident in his voice.
“I have requested repeatedly to have someone check my quarters. There is a smell that is truly dreadful. It smells as if something died in there,” explained the President of France.
Captain Donaldson had to fight from rolling his eyes at hearing this. He knew exactly what the smell was as he had overheard two of his ensigns speaking of how they were going to put a dead fish in the President's ventilation duct. Although he didn't condone such behavior aboard his ship he sympathized with the two ensigns as he knew the President had embarrassed them earlier in the day.
Evidently the two ensigns had been talking about visiting France and seeing the Louvre. One of the young ladies, Ensign Pedroya he thought, remarked how she wanted to view the Pyramid at night. Apparently the President of France had overheard the conversation and proceeded to comment on how only an ignorant American girl would go to the great Louvre and would want to see the Pyramid first over all of the other great pieces of art present. Both ensigns had attempted to explain they had wanted to see it all and just happen to be speaking of the Pyramid when the President overheard their conversation. Instead the President just sneered at the woman and continued to insult their intelligence to a group of French soldiers. It wasn't until Captain Donaldson came upon the scene did the abuse cease. Captain Donaldson had been furious with the French soldiers as well as the President of France. The French soldiers were now responsible for keeping the bathrooms clean throughout the Battlecruiser. As for the President of France, all he could do is remind him that he was only there as an observer and not to berate the crew on non military conversations. Since then the President had been absolutely irritating with demands. He would have to remind himself to give the two young ensigns an extra weekend leave as a reward for their stunt.
“I will have someone look into it as soon as I can Mr. President. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
The President looked as if he did have more to say but before he could say anything further he was cut off. Ensign Mendez, his communications officer, spoke.
“Sir, I am receiving a priority one message from Outpost 238, it seems they are under attack.”
“Put it on the overhead,” ordered Captain Donaldson, all thoughts of the President of France forgotten.
Immediately Ensign Mendez pressed a few keys on the panel in front of him and transferred the broadcast to the overhead bridge speakers. A panicked voice full of desperation blared to life.
“This is Outpost 238; we are in need of immediate assistance. Multiple Shenkar warships are firing upon the asteroid belt. So far we haven't suffered any serious damage. I believe they do not know exactly where we are but they will soon at the rate they are going. Numbers are undetermined due to interference but last count had the Shenkar warships numbering fifteen Battlecruisers, thirty Shirec medium cruisers and twenty Kelgen class destroyers. They also have multiple Drelai gunships as well as heavy fighter support. I repeat we are under attack and in need of immediate assistance. We can't hold out much......”
The transmission was cut off suddenly. The Ensign moved to try and re-establish the connection but was unable to.
“Captain, the transmission has been lost,” reported Ensign Mendez.
“Does this mean they all have been killed?” asked Jacque Lecroix.
Captain Donaldson looked to the President of France for a second at the sound of his voice. He clearly seemed distressed by the news of Outpost 238 which surprised the captain. What disturbed him was the transmission was at least two hours old which may mean the outpost has been destroyed. While the communication relay system could transmit messages around such a vast distance in so short a time, sending a fleet to reinforce the base would take much longer.
“Possibly Mr. President, but highly unlikely. It is more likely they hit the communications transmitter than to have destroyed the outpost. I was there and I can assure you that place is solid,” explained Captain Donaldson.
Clearly the President wasn't satisfied by this answer.
“We need to get there immediately. Summon all available warships!” commanded Jacque Lecroix.
Captain Donaldson was annoyed at being commanded to do this by someone w
ho wasn't his superior officer.
“Mr. President, we cannot simply fold the entire fleet away from Earth. For one it would leave the Earth defenseless and two, I don't have that kind of authority.”
Turning back to Ensign Mendez he was about to give orders to contact fleet command but again Jacque had another outburst.
“I am on the Council of Earth, I have the authority and I am commanding you to send word to assemble the fleet. We leave for Outpost 238 within the next half hour. If you disobey me I will have you fired from the nearest torpedo tube,” the President of France commanded in his most authoritative voice he could muster.
“Sir, they will not accept my orders.” Captain Donaldson tried to explain.
“Give me a headset and connect me to fleet net,” commanded Jacque Lecroix.
Sighing, Captain Donaldson signaled for a headset to be given to the President. After donning the headset he indicated he was ready.
“Attention to all warships of the Earth Defense Force, this is President Jacque Lecroix. I am invoking a priority one directive. Outpost 238 is currently under assault by a heavy Shenkar force. I am calling in all available warships to form up in sector 22,” ordered the President of France.
December 22nd, 2013 4:43am
EDF Okinawa, Terran system
Commander Kimino Sukita sipped at her tea as she read the latest reports regarding preliminary results of the shakedown cruise. The flavor was robust and of her private stock, sent to her from her mother in Japan. She had received the care package before she had reported to the Okinawa. Her mother had also included a long letter pleading with Kimino not to accept another posting aboard an EDF warship. She felt for her mother but she had explained to her mother that she had never felt such contentment as she did now. Her mother had cried at length stating she would never understand but she would pray every day for her and that she loved her.
All thoughts of her mother were driven from her head as her communications officer spoke.
“Commander, we are receiving a priority one directive. It is from the President of France….he is aboard the Phoenix. We are directed to sector 22 where we are to fold to Outpost 238.”
“The President of France doesn’t have that kind of authority. What is the reason for this?” Kimino asked.
Her communications officer was silent for a moment as he listened.
“Ma’am, it seems that Outpost 238 is under attack from Shenkar forces,” explained the young officer.
Kimino was surprised at the report; she hadn’t expected the Shenkar to be back so soon. She had, in fact, hoped they wouldn’t come back at all.
“Inform the captain of this news and get me Fleet Admiral Saunders on the Reagan,” commanded Kimino.
Kimino wasn’t sure but something about all this just didn’t make any sense. She knew she should have waited till Captain Dvares arrived on the bridge before she called the Fleet Admiral but she had a feeling time was of the essence.
“Commander, the Reagan reports that Fleet Admiral Saunders isn’t aboard, he is attending a summit on Earth.”
“Damn it, well then try and get Admiral Kelvin at the Texas facility and connect me with the Phoenix.”
December 22nd, 2013 4:53 am
EDF Phoenix, Terran system
“Captain, a Commander Sukita of the Okinawa is requesting to speak with you,” said Ensign Mendez.
As the captain opened his mouth to speak the President of France cut him off.
“Put it on the overhead.”
Throwing the President of France an annoyed looked Donaldson then spoke aloud.
“Commander Sukita, you are on with Captain Donaldson and the President of France.”
“Captain Donaldson, something isn’t right here. Why would the Shenkar hit an outpost when they aren’t even sure we have anyone there? I have fought the Shenkar before and this just doesn’t fit their modus operandi. I suggest we contact Fleet Admiral Saunders or Admiral Kelvin before we proceed.”
Again as Captain Donaldson opened his mouth to speak he was cut off by the President of France.
“We are well aware of your service record aboard the Sacrifice Commander Sukita. You will obey my orders or do I need to remind you that I am part of the Council of Earth,” Jacque Lecroix said angrily.
“But sir….” Kimino began.
“Enough commander! You will inform your captain he is to proceed to the sector 22 for the rendezvous or you all will be brought up on charges.”
December 22nd, 2013 4:59 am
EDF Okinawa, Terran system
Kimino Sukita fumed at the way France’s President had spoke to her. Pompous ass, was all she could think after he so unceremoniously cut the link after commanding the Okinawa to proceed to sector 22. She would be damned if she did so without speaking with someone of greater importance than the President of France. Thankfully, Captain Dvares arrival saved her from exploding.
“Commander Sukita, what is the situation?” Dvares asked as he entered the bridge.
“Outpost 238 is under attack from Shenkar forces. President Lecroix had invoked a priority one directive and has ordered all forces to sector 22. He wants to fold the entire defense force to help them,” explained Kimino.
“Who the bloody hell is President Lecroix?” asked Dvares.
Under different circumstances Kimino would have broken out into fits of laughter at the captain’s question. She didn’t think the captain ignorant; it was more that the President of France, was such an insignificant part of the Council of Earth that no one remembered his name most of the time.
“He is the President of France sir.”
“That irritating fellow? Yes I remember him now, spoke with him once and that was enough to leave a sour taste in my mouth.”
Kimino couldn’t help but like Captain James Dvares. Captain Dvares had previous servred with the British navy and was now entering his twenty sixth year in the military. At the age of forty five, he was one of the oldest captains of the new military. He wasn’t full of himself like some of the other captains of the new Earth Defense Force. When it came to regulations he was pretty relaxed for a military man and had learned to value the opinion of those with experience.
“Tell me commander, what is your opinion on this matter?” Dvares asked.
“I think the Shenkar are up to something. Why would they give away their fleet numbers on such a minor attack? I believe they are looking to draw the fleet away from Earth and her massive defense platforms to make the odds more even. Either way I feel we shouldn’t make any moves without contacting Fleet Admiral Saunders or Admiral Kelvin,” explained Kimino.
“Did you advise these recommendations to Mr. Lecroix?”
“Yes sir.”
Captain Dvares thought for several moments before he turned to his communications officer.
“Open me a channel to the fleet.”
The communications officer’s hands moved about his console for several seconds before he spoke again. While he did this the captain retrieved a communication headset and donned it.
“Sir, I have the fleet for you.”
“Attention all defense forces; this is Captain Dvares of the Okinawa. Recently we have been ordered to respond to an attack on Outpost 238 by Shenkar forces. It is in my opinion we wait for orders from fleet headquarters before taking any such action.”
It looked as if Captain Dvares was about to say more the President of France’s voice cut across the fleet net.
“Men and woman are dying and you wish to debate this? I for one wish to rescue them before the Shenkar murder them or…..”
But Captain Dvares wasn’t intimidated by the President of France. He in turn cut into whatever the President had wished to say.
“Do I need remind you all that no one councilman can invoke a priority one directive unless under dire circumstances.”
“I would say this qualifies for dire circumstances. Anyone who doesn’t join us will be subject to inquiry and most definitely havin
g charges brought against them.”
Captain Dvares, emitting a disgusted noise in his throat, pulled the commset from his head and tossed it onto his nearby command chair.
“Fool!” he muttered angrily.
Kimino studied the tactical display, only two thirds of the fleet was moving to the rendezvous coordinates. Six battlecruisers, twenty five various types of cruisers and ten destroyer class warships had either stopped moving to the coordinates or hadn’t moved at all.
“Captain, only two thirds of the fleet is moving to the coordinates,” Kimino said.
Captain Dvares turned to the tactical display and studied it for a moment.
“Well at least one third of the fleet has captains that don’t have their heads firmly stuck up their own arses. We need to get in touch with someone at fleet headquarters, something isn’t right here. I don’t believe the Shenkar would waste their time with that outpost when they need all the ships they have to attack Earth again.”
The captain stood there and pondered this over in his head in silence. The silence was broken by the young communications officer.
“Captain, the fleet has just folded.”
Kimino looked to the captain at this news but he just stood there in silence with a grim look on his face.
“This isn’t going to turn out well,” was all he said.
December 22nd, 2013 6:59 am
Olympus
Earth Defense Force training facility, Texas
“HE DID WHAT?!?” yelled Admiral Kelvin.
Frank Kelvin fumed at what he had just heard. A transmission had come in from Outpost 238 calling for assistance because they were under a Shenkar attack. The President of France, who had apparently been onboard the Phoenix for her shakedown cruise, had invoked a priority one directive. A directive that is only supposed to be used under the most dire of circumstances. The directive that can only be invoked by a member of the Council of Earth. It was designed in case most of the council was killed that any survivors could assume the leadership. This was to prevent any military squabbles for assuming control of the fleet. For that pompous ass to take control of most of the fleet, infuriated Frank. What made it even the situation worse was nearly two thirds of the fleet captains had listened to that pompous ass’s threats. Luckily some of the captains had some sense and had refused the orders without contacting someone of real authority. Kelvin looked to the bank of monitors that was now showing all of the remaining members of the Council of Earth as they listened. Besides Admiral Kelvin, Fleet Admiral Saunders was also listening to Captain Dvares explanation of what had taken place.