by Sam Schall
“Understood,” they both said.
“I’ll comm when I leave the admiral’s quarters.”
As she made her way through the ship to Tremayne’s quarters, she noted the change in atmosphere. Even though official word might not have come about what happened in the Bennington System, unofficial word had leaked out. There was a grimness to the crew that hadn’t been there when she left the ship six hours earlier. Along with the grimness was a determination she recognized and shared. Every member of the crew, be they Navy or Marine, wanted to avenge the latest attack. As far as Ash was concerned, that couldn’t come too soon.
“You heard,” Tremayne said as she motioned Ash inside a short time later.
“MJ and Faith were waiting for me when I returned to the ship.” She nodded in appreciation when Tremayne handed her a beer. “They didn’t know much, just the bare bones.” She left the question unasked, trusting Tremayne to tell her what she knew.
“Let’s sit.” The admiral indicated the sitting area across the room. Ash followed and settled onto one of the chairs. “What did they say?”
“Like I said, they didn’t know much. The Callusians attacked the Bennington System. Some of our LAC pilots sacrificed themselves to intercept missiles loaded with the biotoxin. Despite that and despite the best efforts of the other ships on-station, we still lost the Sullivan and the Kamura to that damned biotoxin.” She took a long pull on her beer.
“That’s the short version and pretty much what FleetCom’s forwarded to me.” Tremayne leaned back and crossed her ankles. “Reading between the lines, the enemy transitioned in-system without warning and immediately open fired. The Sullivan was lost because a missile carrying the biotoxin hit Engineering. Between the damage to the section and the loss of all hands stationed there, the engines went critical and the ship exploded. The only good thing that happened was the captain managed to get almost half the crew into life pods before systems went critical. Because he followed protocol, the biotoxin was confined to Engineering and one hangar bay. None of those who escaped were exposed.”
Ash nodded, relieved to know the new protocol appeared to work. “And the Kamura?”
“The CO fucked up. There’s no other way to say it.” Anger roughened Tremayne’s voice and Ash frowned. It was rare for the woman to let her emotion show in this kind of a situation.
“Miranda?”
“He didn’t follow the new protocols. Two missiles loaded with the biotoxin made it through the ship’s defenses. Under most circumstances, the ship would have survived the strikes. But by the time he realized what happened and ordered the new protocols put into place, the biotoxin had gotten into the environmental systems. His crew was doomed.”
Ash cursed softly. No wonder Tremayne was angry. Negligence caused the deaths of so many good men and women. Damn it!
“Captain Burnam prepared his log and then downloaded it as well as the ship’s logs to the Charon. Then he set a collision course with the enemy flag ship. That turned the battle and the squadron was able to not only turn aside the attack but hold the system. Reinforcements are already headed there.”
Ash frowned and set her beer down on the table between their chairs. Then she stood. She needed to move, to pace. Otherwise, she might just explode. This was exactly the sort of strike she’d feared from the enemy. They’d gotten lucky—if you could call it luck that they lost only two ships and who knew how many LACs. Maybe now FleetCom would realize how foolish it was for First Fleet, not to mention 10thDiv7th Reg, to be parked and out of the action.
“Have we gotten updated orders?”
“Not yet. At least not officially.” She frowned and Ash guessed she liked being left out of the fighting no more than she did. “Unofficially, we are to finish up here as quickly as possible and head back to the home system. Once we off-load non-military personnel and any data and/or prisoners, we will be shipping out to join the main push.”
“Finally.” It couldn’t happen too soon. “Have you briefed Nelms?”
“Not yet. I wanted the two of us to put our heads together and run various scenarios before I did.”
Ash nodded and finished her beer. After setting her bottle to one side, she turned and paced the length of the sitting room. As she did, she wondered if the Bennington System attack was the shoe she’d been waiting to drop or just the prelude to something much worse.
“Miranda, have there been any other attacks?” she asked as she turned back to face the woman.
The admiral shook her head. “No, and that bothers me. The Callusians have never limited themselves to one sector of battle.”
“That worries me as well. Unfortunately, there are a number of possible targets they could be closing in on as we speak.”
“Including here,” Tremayne said.
Ash nodded.
“Suggestions?”
Ash didn’t answer immediately. Instead she considered the various options. Part of her wanted to say the fleet needed to withdraw from the system and leave the Midlothians to fend for themselves. She pushed the thought back. FleetCom was right. They couldn’t leave the system unprotected. But they also couldn’t sit there, waiting. At least not for long.
“Honestly?” she asked and Tremayne nodded. “We implement the new compartment protocol immediately.” She shook her head when the admiral opened her mouth to say something. “Miranda, I know your ship commanders have everything in place to lock it down at the first sign of trouble. But so, supposedly, did the Sullivan and Kamura. Unfortunately for their crews, the enemy got the drop on them. We can’t risk that happening here.”
Tremayne frowned and nodded in agreement. “What else?”
“Keep the new defense platforms and sensor arrays on passive but move them into position to cover any gaps in the current array system.” Ashlyn paused, considering what else. “Nelms needs to quit playing politics with the Midlothians. He either gets the last of the information they are holding back or we pull the rest of our people off-planet and withdraw our ships.”
“And your Marines?”
“I’ve already issued orders putting my Marines on full alert status. LAC and attack shuttle crews are to bunk hot in the hangars. The birds are to be kept flight prepped. We’re increasing the number of escorts for both Nelms and the Major Khan’s people. They will be in full battle rattle and are to let me know if the Midlothians give them any grief over it.”
“As soon as we finish here, issue orders to all fleet Marines to do the same. Let’s not take any risks with your people. They will be the first line of defense going forward, especially for Nelms and his people, not to mention those of our people still on-planet.”
“Understood.” She thought for a moment. “Miranda, I got the impression during today’s negotiations that at least one member of the Bureau knows where Watchman is. Either that or they know how to get into contact with him. I recommend Nelms and Izaguirre confront him with any evidence to support my hunch that Khan’s people have managed to pull together. I can’t help feeling that if we don’t grab up Watchman now, we’ll never get him.”
Tremayne sat back and looked at her thoughtfully. “You think he’s still on the planet?”
Ash understood the admiral’s reaction. They’d had their suspicions since their arrival in-system. In fact, the more then Midlothians assured them there was no way the former Intelligence Czar was on the planet, the more convinced they became that he was. Ash lost all doubt during the day’s negotiations. Today she’d changed not only the makeup of the Secretary of State’s escort but her role as well. Instead of standing guard at the door as Anderson had when she commanded the escort, Ash took her place behind the man as he sat at the table while Anisimova guarded the door. That gave Ashlyn ample opportunity to study each person present. One in particular set off all her internal alarms. Watching him, she noted his reaction every time someone mentioned Watchman’s name. He definitely knew more than he let on and it was time to find out what.
“I’ll spea
k to Nelms about it.” Now it was Tremayne’s turn to fall silent for a few moments. “I want you and Anisimova with him when he returns to the surface, assuming you are confident leaving the ship. But the same restrictions apply as tomorrow as did today. You are to return at the first sign of trouble or if I tell you to. But I want the two of you, along with the biggest, meanest looking Devil Dogs you have, to act as Nelms’ escort. Put the fear of God into those damned politicians dirtside. It’s time to stop playing games.”
“Understood and agree.” She returned to her chair. “Miranda, if we’re doing this right, we need to be in full battle rattle. Full armor, helmets and faceplates, weaponed up, battlenet active. Also, I’ll not be part of the escort party. Nelms will formally introduce to me in my role as the Marine CO of the mission. Unless either you or he have strong objections, I plan to make it very clear to the Administrative Bureau that we will no longer sit still and wait for them to comply with our demands. My duty as Marine CO is simple. My Marines and I will either assist their people in taking Watchman into custody or we will escort Nelms and Izaguirre back to the embassy. From there, we will evacuate them and our people to our ships. That means you have to make sure Nelms agrees with our plan.”
“Trust me, I’ll make sure he not only knows what you plan but fully supports it.” She paused and cocked her head to one side in a manner that told Ash she was listening to a comm. “It seems we both have new messages coming in from FleetCom. I suggest you see what your mother has to say and then be prepared for a briefing. Lt. Meyer will inform you of the time.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She stood. “Miranda, we’re heading toward the endgame. I feel it. I just wish I felt more confident about the outcome.”
“I know, Ash. The biotoxin and what it can do has thrown us all off our game. But we have an effective if inconvenient workaround. Remember that.”
“I’ll try to.” She started for the hatch and then stopped, looking over her shoulder. “Miranda, I recommend all essential personnel be in light armor going forward. Let’s not get caught with our pants around our ankles.”
“Let me think about it.”
Ash frowned slightly but didn’t argue. She’d bring the recommendation back up during the briefing. If the Callusians did attempt to launch a sneak attack on the system, they needed to be prepared and not scrambling to secure essential areas of the ship or essential personnel. Hell, the admiral was lucky she hadn’t recommended all personnel go to full battle gear all the time.
“Miranda, we both know the enemy is going to target this system. The only question is when. You’ve already taken steps to prevent them from being successful. Don’t let yourself get overconfident now. Please.” She turned to fully look at the woman. “You’re protecting the crew. You’re protecting those loyal to Fuercon and our allies on the surface. Do me a favor and protect yourself as well.”
“I promise to think about everything you’ve said.” She moved to stand before Ash and rested a hand on her arm. “But you need to take your own advice. I want you taking precautions, you and all your Marines.”
“Trust me, we will.” Even if she had to kick every Marine butt to see to it. “Do you want Adamson or Anisimova at the briefing?”
“Both. Connery as well.”
“I’ll make sure they know.”
With that, she left the admiral’s quarters. As she did, she had a feeling it was going to be a very long night.
Ash settled behind her desk and reached for her mug. She’d prefer a large whiskey but knew better. She needed a clear mind, not only to listen to the message from General Okafor that just arrived, as well as one from her mother, but to brief her senior officers. If she managed an hour’s sack time before transporting down to the surface, she’d be lucky.
She punched in a command and leaned back, blowing across the top of her mug. A moment later, Helen Okafor’s image appeared on her screen. The general looked as grim as Ashlyn felt. That wasn’t good, not good at all.
“Colonel Shaw, there are developments you need to know about,” Okafor said without preamble. “I’m aware your mother sent you a basic brief. Since then, more information has come to light, information you need to be aware of. There is also a change in your orders.
“One week ago, an element of Fifth Fleet was attacked while on station in the Bennington System. Enemy ships translated into the system without warning and caught our ships unprepared.” She went on to confirm everything Elizabeth and later Tremayne had told Ash.
“Colonel, we managed to turn back the enemy but not without great cost. That cost, however, confirmed our fears. The enemy has managed to produce enough of the biotoxin to use it with at least some of their missiles. This information means naval tactics must be adapted. FleetCom is already working on that and will be sending updated orders and recommendations to Admiral Tremayne in very short order.
“As for your Marines, new orders are as follows. First, daily sims are to be run. They are to be split between holo and live action. In both, the Marines are to be armored up. Standard warfare simulations combined with those where the biotoxin is used. Make sure your people respond automatically with the new protocols. Let’s not lose any more Marines to this damned biotoxin.
“Second, any time a Marine is on duty outside of the home system and certain allied systems, which will be laid out in the memo following this message, they are to be in light armor if onboard a ship or medium to heavy armor, depending on his specialty, if part of a landing party.
“Third, I have been informed by FleetCom and by President Harper that the timeframe for your current mission has been cut. If the Midlothian Administrative Bureau has not met our demands within the next forty-eight hours, First Fleet is to pull out of the system and return home. It is my understanding that FleetCom will authorize Admiral Tremayne to leave the sensor arrays and defense platforms she launched to help cover the system. However, the fleet is not to delay its departure any longer than that.
“From now until your regiment returns to Fuercon, you are now in command of not only the regiment but of those Marines assigned to Captain Middleton’s command. All appropriate orders have been sent to Captain Middleton as the naval commander and to Major Bischoff, Marine CO. Integrate them into the regiment the best you can in the short time you have. Make sure they are as comfortable with the new protocols as your Marines are.”
Okafor paused and from the way she looked to her right, Ashlyn guessed someone had come into her office. When she turned back to the screen, Okafor looked, if possible, even more concerned.
“Ash, we just received confirmation of another Callusian attack. This time they struck Goran’s Rest. The station was destroyed. If there is any good news, it is that initial reports do not indicate the biotoxin was used.”
Ash cursed and brought up an astro map on her data pad. Goran’s Rest was on a line that ran from the Bennington System to Midlothian space. If that wasn’t enough to worry her, the fact the way station was owned by Midlothian was. The Callusians’ message was clear: they could destroy Midlothian’s holdings and they could destroy the home system. The only question was when.
“By the time you get this message, the Callusians very well may be knocking on your door. Do not take any chances. You are one of my best Marines and those you command are a credit to you and to the Corps. Your primary duty right now is to protect our people. Secretary of State Nelms is not to fall into enemy hands. Nor is Admiral Tremayne. If you have to knock both of them out and confine them to quarters to make sure they are kept safe, do it. Get them and yourself home safe. This fight just got real and we’re going to need your regiment to help bring this war to an end.
“A full explanation of your orders is included with this message. I will be in contact as more information comes available. Okafor out.”
The image changed to the regiment’s wallpaper and Ash leaned back. She didn’t like the idea of leaving the system open to invasion. But if it came down to choosing between protecting Midlot
hian space or her home system or even taking the battle to the Callusians, the answer was clear. Fuercon had to be protected and if going after the Callusians meant an end to the war, it was worth the risk. The blame for the current situation didn’t lie with FleetCom or General Okafor. Nor did it lie with Fuercon’s government. No, it lay firmly at the feet of Alexander Watchman and the Midlothian government.
She leaned forward and activated her comm. “Faith, send for MJ and Edita. Then ask the mess to send up coffee and sandwiches. We’ve received new orders and it looks like we have a long night ahead of us,” she said over the comm.
“Understood, Colonel.”
Ash reached for her datapad and scanned the orders Okafor sent with her message. The war had taken an unexpected turn with the events on Shennong. Fuercon and her allies were still trying to catch up. The Callusians had upped the stakes and she prayed her Marines were up to the task. It was up to her to make sure they were.
13
Caspian Bay, Midlothian
Alexander Watchman ended the comm and frowned. He’d made the decision long before it became necessary to disappear from public view not to abandon Midlothian. It didn’t matter his government had abandoned him, at least for the moment. All that mattered was making sure the mission was ultimately successful. If it was, Midlothian would finally assume its rights place of prominence among the major powers in the sector. If not, well, there wouldn’t be anything left for them to worry about. The Callusians would see to that.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t planned on Derek Harper and his administration. Under Harper’s leadership, Fuercon became a threat instead of the ally he’d carefully cultivated during the previous administrations. Harper had nothing he could use to influence his actions. Worse, the man was being true to his campaign promises of protecting Fuercon and her allies and being victorious over the Callusians.
