TSN: The Best Laid Plans (Terran Space Navy)

by Paul Phipps

  Next week would be a large graduating class though, nearly nine thousand in that one. She snorted softly, ‘As if being in a graduating class had anything to do with these trainees.’ She thought to herself. ‘Each and every one of them was an individual and all of the training was personalized once the introductory courses were done.’

  With a slight smile on her face she tore off one end of the envelope and pulled out the several sheets of paper. ‘Hmmm… Mousehole Council… Received my missive…’ She stopped and in shocked amazement said out loud, “They want my powered wheelchair BACK! Council property my arse!” She fumed for a few moments and then a devilish smile came over her lips.

  ‘So they want my wheelchair back, do they. Well, well, well, and I am to deliver in person no less. Well! Being an honest and upstanding lass it behooves me to do just that and as soon as possible.’ She thought with rapidly increasing humor.

  She spoke out loud to her Command A.I. for Camp Heinlein. “Sandy is the Mentor available for a little trip?”

  “No Chief, the Mentor and the first training squadron are currently Enroute to Jupiter for a simulated Bug invasion scenario. They will be back by Saturday though.”

  “Very well then, which of our vessels is available for me to make a little trip to Cornwall?”

  “Any of the Scalp-hunters or the MARS units can do that Chief. Or are you looking to make a splashy entrance?” Sandy asked carefully.

  “Oh yes, definitely splashy Sandy. The Council has demanded I return my wheelchair since they have declared it council property. And I suppose they are correct, I no longer live in the Council Flat.”

  “I see or I think I see.” Sandy said slowly, “Is this part of our recruiting efforts?”

  “I suppose so; mostly it’s an ‘in the face’ thing for me. The council did jack-shit for me when I was an invalid. I think they just hoped I would die quickly so that the flat could be assigned to someone else. If it hadn’t been for the Admiralty sticking up for me I think it would have happened already.” Susan said with some bitterness. But then she brightened up. “On the other hand it does make for a perfect recruiting opportunity.”

  “Oh… And how does it do that?” Sandy asked with a slight chuckle in her voice.

  “I believe that I am going to ‘borrow’ the Star Fighter Carrier that has been in Dock 2 for the last couple of weeks being rebuilt into the Advanced SFC configuration. With her and a few thousand of the senior recruits here at Camp Heinlein I believe we will make an official ‘training and good-will visit’ to the British Isles and Cornwall in particular.

  And I can return a certain powered wheelchair at the same time.” She finished with satisfaction.

  “Yes…yes that is definitely doable. We will need to talk to Admiral Webster and Seeker too. I believe there was a bit of a diplomatic row over the last time a TSN vessel visited the British Isles.”

  “So I understand and I think Commander Webster would be delighted to come along.” Susan added smoothly, “To make sure that everything is done properly that is.”

  * * *

  Captain Johansson had just finished the question and answer phase of his presentation to the assembled politicians and senior military men and women that had assembled at Andrews Air Force base. In the background behind him were the thirty-two Terran Space Navy fighter craft hovering a few feet off of the grass and runways of the base.

  He was tired at hearing and answering the same questions over and over again with there just being slight differences in the phrasing of them but now it was over and he was giving a walking tour of the Navy F-47N aircraft that the TSN had delivered with the Epiphany to the U.S. Navy and comparing them to the Lockheed Martin F-22’s that were assigned to the local Air Force Squadron.

  “Colonel Zorn I would like you to look carefully at the wing structure here. As you can see there are no rivets or even minor machining marks. Compare that to the same areas on an F-22 or an F-35 fighter.” Captain Johansson pointed out.

  “Yes, I do see Captain.” The Colonel replied in an impressed tone. “And what is this material? It feels like metal but it seems to be molded like a carbon composite.”

  “I believe that it is a Titanium-Lithium alloy with a few special ingredients thrown in. I asked about it once myself and was told that it was discovered on one of the Alternate Earths’ and was originally used as a lightweight construction material in what was euphemistically called a Mega-Scraper. That would be a skyscraper that was also a complete self-enclosed city.”

  “Really!” The Colonel asked in an impressed tone. “And what about their aircraft and spacecraft? What did they use in them?”

  “According to the records they had no concept of flight. The Gho’ L’Gamesh records showed that they had very impressive land and sea craft but nothing that flew. Admiral Webster and Seeker theorize that birds never evolved on that version. So with no idea that flight was possible the mental desire for flight didn’t exist either.” Captain Johansson told the group who listened to him avidly.

  “And what happened to them? Are they still alive on that alternate Earth?” Asked a Congesswoman.

  “No Ma’am, theirs was a different fate but the ending was the same as all of the rest except for ourselves. In their case they developed a highly technological civilization with no real thought to balance between their population and what the Earth could support. In the end they ran out of energy supplies and their civilization collapsed. No humans survived that crash.” The Captain ended up with a heavy sigh.

  There was a moment of quiet as they all contemplated that fate of the electricity fading away, no water, no food. Death would have been slow in coming but it would not have been stoppable. Finally the mood could not be maintained and Colonel Zorn the Quarn-Slave pushed on seeking data for him master and the mother Quarn.

  “Captain Johansson, now that you have drawn attention to it, why are the F-47N’s so much more… Well, smooth is the word I should use here, versus the F-22’s and F35’s?”

  “It has to do with the different manufacturing philosophies actually. Your aircraft and ships are put together out of discrete components, much like a Lego toy. The TSN’s manufacturing can be compared to growing the vessel as a whole unit.”

  At that point a very grey haired man who was standing in near the rear of the crowd said in a loud disbelieving tone of voice; “You GROW your ships?!”

  Captain Johansson gave the gentleman his full attention and said, “Yes sir, that pretty much sums it up, we grow them as we need them and therefore we produce our vessels at a much faster rate than you can produce yours.” At that statement he turned once again to Colonel Zorn and continued, “Which brings us up to a slightly related topic Colonel. After much discussion and study of our historical records we have found a Single Stage to Orbit design that incorporates all of the current technologies available to this Earth’s technology base.

  We are in the process of building you an example. Unfortunately for you it’s going to take us around a month to possibly two month’s to do so. It comes back to the two different Manufacturing philosophies you see. This SSTO will be built in the same manner as you would do so. That means we need to build all of the tooling first before building the SSTO itself.”

  “Will you permit our contractor personnel to be present as you do the building of this SSTO and perhaps some of the test pilots we have assigned to that project?” Colonel Zorn asked quickly.

  “Certainly Colonel, I told you that in the beginning of our discussions. However they all have to pass a standard TSN security check before being allowed on board the fabricating facility.” Captain Johansson told him.

  “I’ll get back with you as soon as I can, probably tomorrow sometime.” The Colonel said.

  “Excuse me Captain Johansson,” A Master Sergeant asked from near the rear of the group. “How do you repair any battle damage or do routine maintenance on your F-47N’s?”

  Gunnar craned his neck around trying to see the Master Sergeant
’s nametag. And finally gave up because of all the people between the two of them. “Master Sergeant, please come on up here near the front.” He asked politely. And as the man moved through the group in front of him he could finally see the man’s nametag.

  “Master Sergeant Johnson, routine maintenance on the F-47N’s is actually done by the Aircraft’s on-board Artificial Intelligence. If there is a problem when routine diagnostics are performed the A.I. will repair it using on-board repair capabilities.

  On the other hand if there is battle damage that doesn’t destroy the aircraft out-right and is beyond the aircraft’s ability to repair it. Then the Aircraft will be taken to the fabrication facility on board the Epiphany and be rebuilt from the Epiphany’s stock.

  In any case the repairs should take less than an hour and the aircraft will be back in a combat ready condition then.”

  “Thank you sir for explaining that.” The Master Chief said and then shook his head, “So what do your aircraft maintainers do? I mean the human ones.”

  “A very good question, Master Sergeant. The ones who have that as an additional duty keep abreast of developments in that field and also learn how to do that work in case of a massive A.I. failure. You know how that is in the Air Force. There is always training going on so that your people are at peak efficiency.”

  Sometime later Captain Johansson and his flight crews left Andrews Air Force Base. All were satisfied with the “meet and greet” and the contacts that had been made on both sides. Colonel Zorn in particular was in a very good mood. Defense Secretary Anderson and the Master would also be pleased at the progress being made. Soon they would rescue the Master and then the rest of the Great Plan would move on to its inevitable conclusion.

  ‘The humans of this world would be consumed just as all the others had been and the Quarn would be the stronger for it. The Galaxy would someday be a hive mind and then the push outward would be possible.’ The Colonel smiled in satisfaction as he imagined how it would be.

  Thursday, February 11, 2028, Camp Heinlein

  Sarah Cavendish was putting the final touches on her latest project when Sandy, Camp Heinlein’s Command A.I., announced:

  “Chief Cavendish, your 0900 appointment is here.”

  “Excellent! Send him right in Sandy.” And with those words hardly out of her mouth a young looking man of around thirty-five appeared at the Trans-Portal, with three steps forward he came to attention and gave her a perfect salute.

  “Recruit Llewellyn reporting to the Commandant’s office as directed, Ma’am.”

  She in turn stood up at her desk and gave him a salute in return. With that out of the way she indicated that he was to take the chair in front of the desk. She gave him a careful visual inspection and reviewed once again the recruit’s Biography and current progress through the Terran Space Navy’s basic training course.

  Former Rear Admiral of the British Royal Navy George Llewellyn was close enough to eighty-four to count as that. He had been a real fighting Admiral, the Falklands conflict as a young officer had blooded him. Then the various sub-rosa conflicts that were never admitted to and finally the Anti-Pirate patrols that were well-publicized but were so much more than that.

  His retirement to Singapore had saved his bacon as he had never gone back to England and faced the Multi-Culti backlash of the ‘Asian’ influence as it made itself more and more obnoxious in the country.

  Then with a slight smile she said, “Well Recruit Llewellyn how does it feel to be lowly recruit once again?”

  “It does feel a bit different Command Master Chief Cavendish. Frankly being a Rear Admiral in retirement was a big let-down. I like this much better.” He said straight-faced.

  She in turn nodded her head in agreement, and then said, “You are scheduled to graduate in four days, correct?”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “What I want to discuss with you is your future assignment.” She stopped and paused to await his reply.

  “Master Chief Cavendish, as far as I know I am being assigned to the Companion as a Fire Controlman with a secondary assignment in Operations.” He told her with a questioning look.

  “Yes that was true this morning, now though… Well things do change don’t they?” She said with a slight headshake. “We simply cannot allow your previous experience in the Royal Navy go to waste. So you get the honor of being the Recruit Captain of the Huntress when we make a good-will cruise and show the flag trip to England next week. There will be three thousand of your fellow recruits to assist in manning her. You get the lucky job of handling them and the Huntress as your final Exam.

  Commander Webster and I will be on board to monitor and assist where necessary with the inevitable political shit that does pop up.”

  Llewellyn’s eyes popped out of his head at the sudden increase in responsibility. “Who will be the actual Captain of the Huntress Ma’am.” He finally managed to get out.

  “If you do this to my satisfaction then you will be her assigned Captain.” She paused and finished, “That is if the Huntress wants you to be that is. So stay on your best behavior with her.”

  “That’s quite an incentive Ma’am and I thank you for the offer. But what I meant is for this for this trip.”

  “You will be the acting Captain, Commander Webster and I will be along to monitor and evaluate you and the rest of your recruits.” She reiterated.

  “I see… Who is making the diplomatic arrangements then?”

  “You and I are and we are doing that as soon as you instruct your Shipsuit to assume the appearance of a TSN Captain’s uniform. Once that is done we are contacting Sir Arnold Jamesway and the British Foreign Minister to inform them of our request to visit Jolly Old England.”

  “It’ll be nice to see the old sod again.” He mused and then brightened up a bit. “Let’s make very sure that we have diplomatic immunity. Otherwise you will never get me off of the Huntress. I made way to many enemies there over the years and they would love to crucify me. Figuratively and literally I fear.” He ended up with a glum smile.

  “Yes, we will get those guarantees and more, otherwise not a man or woman in the TSN will step foot onto England’s soil. And we’ll make sure the newsies know that too. Perhaps after the fact though. No need in causing strife while we are there now is there?”

  “Yes Ma’am, you are correct I believe.” Recruit Captain Llewellyn said in agreement.

  A little while later Sandy had made the appropriate telephone connections and Commander Webster, Command Chief Cavendish and newly minted Captain Llewellyn were having a VERY long distance teleconference with Sir Arnold Jamesway of the Royal Navy and Foreign Minister Holloway and Prime Minister Hutchinson.

  “That’s correct Admiral Jamesway, we are launching the first of our Advanced Star Fighter Carriers and would like to have a good will visit with her to the United Kingdom.” Ansel was telling the listening trio with a soothing voice.

  “According to the itinerary I have just now received you are asking permission to visit the Britannia Naval Academy, Scapa Flow and Mousehole in Cornwall. I can understand the first two, but Mousehole?”

  “That stop is for my benefit mostly, Sir James.” Sarah piped up, “I have had an official request to return my powered wheel chair to the Council house. So I figured that I would do that while on this Goodwill trip.”

  “Hmmph!” The Admiral snorted loud enough for all to hear. “If the Prime Minister doesn’t have a problem with it, I don’t either. It would be a good thing for our people to see that we have good relations with the Terran Space Navy.”

  “Will you need any special landing facilities for your vessel?” The Prime Minister asked after a moment of thought.

  “We thought we would keep the Huntress at about seventy-five thousand feet. That’s high enough so that she won’t be in any of the air corridors for commercial aircraft. We will either use ferry craft or perhaps a gravity elevator for visitors to come see and visit her when we have an open house.” Capta
in Llewellyn said.

  “Do you plan on shore leave for your crew?” Admiral Jamesway asked.

  “No, I don’t think so.” Captain Llewellyn answered thoughtfully.

  “Why not?” asked the Foreign Minister.

  “Unless the crew was given diplomatic Immunity, every one of us would be in violation of various English laws or regulations as soon as they touched English Soil.” Captain Llewellyn said in a direct manner.

  “Oh, such as?” asked the Prime Minister curiously.

  “For instance our Marines are required to be armed at all times with their personal sidearms. It’s a part of their uniform and their training emphasizes that. Your laws specifically prohibit the carrying of personal weapons except under very narrowly defined circumstances and shore leave doesn’t fit any of those circumstances. The Navy and Marine personnel are similarly in violation of other regulation such as the anti-defamation laws and regulations. If you recall just a month ago your Islamic Members of Parliament passed a resolution that you signed decrying our intervention with the IUR.