by NB VanYoos
* * * *
Once everyone returned from lunch, Marshall Triin wasted no time delivering his intelligence report. According to the latest intelligence, their failed attack had caused considerable damage to Krildon forces and created great concern among the population.
According to estimates, the Krildon forces were fifty percent of pre-battle strength. Unfortunately, intelligence on their weapons’ production was sketchy at best, so they didn’t really know how or when Krildon would rebuild their fleet.
Tyler noted this last bit fed perfectly into the Vice Admiral’s hands. They could easily justify an offensive action while the enemy rebuilt. Although their own forces were depleted, Krildon knew this and that gave Poolto an edge.
The problem was the enemy would have adjusted their defenses, and Poolto’s intelligence was still too sketchy. What if Krildon’s supply chain was full before the attack? No one knew, therefore, Tyler sided with caution.
Marshall Triin reported on various known assets, their locations, and defensive status. Watching through the Admiral’s perspective, Tyler realized the enemy was ready for another assault, even though they might not expect it.
As he finished, Marshall Triin shared a small bit of information he confided the intelligence community was not concerned about, although it was puzzling. Based on his information, they suspected another base was being constructed somewhere around their home world.
This assumption was based on intelligence indicating an increase in shipments of a benign Krildon mineral called scrilt. The mineral was an additive for certain plastics and ceramics used in space construction. Before the war, even Poolto companies used the substance to build mining colonies, although the cost proved greater than comparable materials found on Poolto.
Those wasteful companies had been fronts for the intelligence community in a rare insight into the possibility of war with Krildon. At the time, the companies tried to find military applications for the mineral, but never succeeded in creating anything other than pre-fab construction for space applications.
According to Poolto’s scientists, the best application was in creating materials for ‘non-atmospheric’ environments. The substance, when combined with other materials, just didn’t have sufficient strength for military applications. At the time, rumors had circulated that Krildon was experimenting with the mineral as a catalyst in reactors, but Poolto chemists had discounted that application since the substance had such low reactive properties.
To this day, Poolto intelligence had tracked the mineral’s use, but only as an indicator of military base and depot construction. Marshall Triin ended his report and turned the proceedings back over to Vice Admiral Teesen.
For some reason, Tyler was concerned about the scrilt. The Admiral’s memories didn’t support his anxiety, but something about the mineral shipments raised a red flag.
He needed more information, but wasn’t sure how to get it. He had to talk with Marshall Sliss to see if his resources could track down additional information about those scrilt shipments. Marshall Triin reported Krildon shipped an enormous quantity of the material over the last year, so the natural assumption was new base construction.
Perhaps that was all it would amount to, but Tyler wanted to make sure. If Krildon had found a way to use the mineral in reactors, then it might have been adapted to military ship propulsion. Tyler could envision a fleet twice as fast and needing half as much fuel. That alone would turn the tide of war in favor of Krildon.
The Vice Admiral finished questioning Marshall Triin before announcing a thirty minute break. Tyler was relieved for the break, especially since the issue nagged at him and he wanted to consult with Marshall Sliss.
Tyler leaned over to the Marshall as everyone filed out. “Let’s chat about this intel report during the break—bring Beelen and Kooren.”
Marshall Sliss nodded and signaled the two officers to follow. They made their way down the corridor and found an empty conference room. Everyone took seats at the small table and turned towards Tyler.
“Okay, Marshall, I need your quick response to the report and what you intend to do with the information.” Tyler watched as Marshall Sliss took a minute to scroll through his portable tablet.
“Using our best estimation, I would assume their numbers were off by nearly ten to fifteen percent. That’s about normal for the intelligence branch; however, I do believe their assessment of the defensive capabilities were right on. I know how they gather that data, and it has remained reliable till now.” He paused waiting for Tyler to respond.
“That was my basic assessment as well,” Tyler agreed, “why doesn’t the Vice Admiral come to the same conclusions? He has the same experience we do, especially when it comes to defensive capabilities?”
The Marshall considered the question carefully. “Well, he may be blinded by the thought of becoming Supreme Commander and might move forward despite the data.” The Marshall looked puzzled for a moment before revealing more. “Or, maybe the Vice Admiral has better intelligence than we do. Considering his ties with the Emperor, he may receive all the information from the intelligence community rather than the spoonfuls we’re fed.”
Tyler thought about the Marshall’s summation, but something didn’t add up. He had also considered the possibility the Vice Admiral was getting more intelligence than usual due to his newfound devotion to the Emperor, but the Vice Admiral could also be fed misinformation to ensure his support of the Emperor’s objectives. Or, they really could be sitting on information that indicated an offensive was warranted.
Assuming they had this additional information, it would give them fuel to discredit the Admiral and garner support for another offensive that might actually succeed. Damn! Tyler knew accurate intelligence was an edge Vice Admiral Teesen might have over Admiral Osloo’s staff. They needed more, and they had to find a way to get it.
“All right Marshall, I’ll admit that is a possibility. It could be how they plan to win this conflict and discredit me at the same time. I always wondered why they would move down such a risky path after our last defeat. It seems reckless, but I don’t credit the Emperor with recklessness, regardless of my personal feelings about him.”
“True,” the Marshall responded, “he has never acted reckless in the past. Perhaps they have seen a way to win this conflict, and they want you out of the way in the aftermath. Then, he would be a truly victorious Emperor, with no one to threaten Imperial power or popularity.”
“Fine, assume for the moment this was true, then why should we resist?” Tyler asked, puzzled himself. “If he has seriously found a way to attack our enemy and inflict heavy damage, why should we stop him? I am, after all, a true professional, and a victory is a victory even if I didn’t design it. I am not a politician and the loss of power does not mean that much to me. The safety and success of Poolto—that is what I care about.”
The Marshall absorbed it with deep concern. Tyler was more than happy with the idea of retiring with Toosia to their estate and spending the rest of their lives enjoying each other. The Marshall, however, was military through and through and wouldn’t know what to do with himself if he were forced to retire. Tyler was certain the Marshall had never even entertained the notion before now.
Without the Admiral, the Marshall was out. He could vie for another position, but the Vice Admiral, if he became Supreme Commander, would hardly be generous to the man who had worked so hard against him. That was the way military politics went, and the Marshall knew it.
“I don’t know,” the Marshall said, “at the surface, it seemed reckless. Now, however, I am not as certain as I had been. Perhaps we need to reconsider our position and re-analyze their plan?”
Tyler didn’t like the uncertainty he had created in his top advisor, time to lead him back.
“Not yet, it is only a theory at this point. One to consider, but not one to base our strategy on. Put a few people on analyzing the intelligence and the Vice Admiral’s plan to cover ourselves, but l
et’s not detract from the mission we started.” Tyler watched as the Marshall’s demeanor changed back to military duty.
“Now,” Tyler wanted to change the subject, “I noted the scrilt shipments were included in the report, but they were downplayed pretty heavily. What do think, Marshall, is it something we shouldn’t worry about?”
“I agree with Marshall Triin. I think Krildon is building more bases or supply depots.”
Tyler had hoped the Marshall would provide greater insight, but then they could be correct in their assessment. “I can’t put my finger on it, but something about this has me concerned. I realize our best resources have discounted the mineral as not having military applications, but with so much being produced, something large is underway.”
“Well, we did do a lot of damage to many of their bases and installations—perhaps this is for repairs and replacements?”
Tyler realized the Marshall was not overly concerned, but something nagged at the back of his mind.
“Perhaps, but why were the shipments started more than a year ago, before our last battle?”
That puzzled the Marshall who was clearly thinking about it. Tyler kept pushing, he needed to explore this, and the Marshall was the only one who could get additional information.
“Krildon has had a long time to work with the material … longer than our experts. Perhaps they finally found a military application for it. After the war started, we lost our supply, so we never continued to pursue research. What if they found a way to use it in new weaponry? Would you want to make an offensive move considering that possibility?”
“No, I wouldn’t, but our experts have discounted this possibility.”
“Yes, but that does not make it so, it simply makes it less probable.” Tyler looked at Beelen and Kooren, both staring intently. Apparently this exchange was exciting enough to pull them from their devices.
“Officer Kooren, what do you think of this information?” Tyler asked.
Officer Kooren was caught off guard. He obviously wasn’t expecting the Admiral to ask for his opinion. Tyler knew it was out of character, but he felt compelled to seek out other’s thoughts on the subject.
“Well, sir, I must admit the quantities expressed in the report were considerable. As a communications officer, we get familiar with the size of supplies that move around the military, and those were much larger than I would expect for a base or depot.” He paused to gather his thoughts.
“I am no expert on material chemistry, so I cannot give any advice on whether they have found a military application for the material; however, I can tell you that about a year ago, I read our own scientists found a military use for a substance that was a common by-product of a certain food production. The details escape me, but the premise was that the discovery was significant to the war effort. Perhaps Krildon has made a similar breakthrough?”
They all sat quiet, contemplating what officer Kooren had said. Tyler knew fresh eyes could often help define a problem. Answers may not be given, but another way of looking at it could be invaluable in finding answers.
Tyler noted Kooren’s comments had an effect on the Marshall. He stared at his tablet in deep thought before he began writing something forcefully.
“Admiral,” the Marshall started, “I think that perhaps your instincts may be on to something. I know we have often relied on our ‘experts’ too heavily, and since they have not looked at this problem for many years, we should assume Krildon has found something valuable.”
“I agree, Marshall. Is there any way we can get more intelligence on this? How much pull do you have?”
“Enough, Admiral. I can put more than a few resources on it if we determine it deserves that priority.”
“No,” Tyler cautioned, “don’t put too many on it. I don’t want to raise suspicions. If they knew we were interested, they may simply pull the data away from your people. Keep it low key, but make sure your people know it is a high priority.” Tyler felt that was how the Admiral would have handled it.
“Very well, sir, I’ll get my people on it immediately.” The Marshall began writing furiously.
Tyler thought about his own resources. Perhaps Toosia might have some idea on how to track down additional information? Intelligence was not her strong suit, but she had a lot of insight into the scientific community from years helping her father. He chaired the committee on science and industry and had many connections they could use.
“Very good, Marshall, let’s get back to the conference and see what else the Vice Admiral will share.”
Neither looked forward to the final speaker, Marshall Goori. He was a notoriously boring speaker who took his passion for analyzing enemy strategy far too seriously. You would think he was from Krildon, although Tyler knew the man had never been there.
He was a book worm who specialized in Krildon military history. Tyler understood the Marshall had some inherent value but he also knew Admiral Osloo had far more insight into the enemy than this man ever would. He prepared himself for a long afternoon.