by T J Bryan
The crew exited swiftly and embraced family and friends and soon disbursed to the complex of hatches and airlocks that led to their homes in the Habitat. Abel waited a bit and then Fivecent Haugen, ever youthful and rather dashing, stepped forward followed by a rather tiny young woman Abel knew was the Marchioness and now Ambassador to the Commonwealth. Fivecent stepped forward and saluted Abel who returned the salute.
"May I present Marchioness of Shen, Countess of Tsiang, and Protectress of the Temple of Seven Mountains, Guardian of Jamon and Wu and now our Ambassador from Xitang to you First Admiral Abel Stoneman of the Obsidian Commonwealth Navy."
The young woman stepped forward and offered her hand which Abel took and found her handshake firm for such a small woman. "Welcome to the Commonwealth," said Abel.
"I am delighted to be here and to assist your Commonwealth in any way my Emperor wishes. Of course our first desire is to completely destroy the Megra."
"As is ours Marchioness."
"Admiral, please call me Li, or if you insist Mia Li. That is my name and I hold that name dearly since it was denied to me for so long. The other titles Marchioness, Countess, Protectress of the Temple of Seven Mountains, and now Guardian of Jamon and Wu, are just words and mean nothing. All except the Protectress of the Temple of Seven Mountains, as that title was earned, and for which I hold the title dearly, much like that of an Admiral.
"You are welcome Li. If I may escort you to our State Visitors House. I will have my crew bring along your baggage."
"Thank you Admiral, but I have only a valise with me. My needs are few but my responsibilities are many."
As they walked across the cold dock Abel noticed Mia Li's eyes taking in everything and occasionally she asked a question.
"And what are those small ships that stand in racks against the stone wall of this dock?"
Abel responded, "Our youth are encouraged to live and survive in the void, and to this end our schools encourage the building of small in-system racers we call runabouts. Each year we hold a race in which more than 100 of those runabouts compete. The race is out about 1,000 kilometres and involves circling a few asteroids before returning."
Mia Li paused a moment and stared at the stacked racks of runabouts. "And they are all different? These runabouts?"
"Yes. They are all hand built by middle school students. And each student team builds according to their own desires, and that desire is often to win the race. Some hope only to finish. During the two hundred years of this race tradition we have seen many innovations and improvements in small ship design."
"And the prize for the winner?" she asked.
Abel laughed. "Bragging rights. That is all. Just the right and honor to be recognized as the best ship of the year."
Abel could see Mia Li thinking. "Do many die in this dangerous pursuit?"
"No. We have had deaths, but only a few over the years. But Mia Li our life is hard here on a hollow asteroid on the edge of nothing. Our children grow up fast. Foolish and stupid behaviour is quickly rewarded even to the very young."
Mia Li turned and they resumed their walk to the hatches and in toward the Habitat.
"Your people", she asked. "How many are you?"
"We have 46,091 citizens and an additional 623 visitors from our allied systems?"
"And yet you have defeated the Megra in many encounters?"
Abel wondered why Mia Li was asking such a question but he continued. "We are a small community but our democratic traditions produces unity and trust in one another. The Greayson ships we recovered to form our fleet have allowed us to hold off the Megra."
Mia Li took a long look at Abel. "Ships are ships. People win battles."
"Agreed," replied Abel. "People win battles."
Abel thought this Ambassador, this Mia Li, was going to be a very interesting person.
...
Cranmore System - Greenland - Year 3248 September 23 ET 05:55
The Destructor Ragnarök and the SARs Brynhildr and Hilda entered the Cranmore System and relieved Hirst which had been on picket duty for the last month. Upon entry Ragnarök began mining the entry portals from Osaka and Pope Leo. Although the portals had been mined previously the additional mine made any attempt to enter the system extremely dangerous. Entering ships must proceed at a dead slow pace to avoid the mines and avoiding seeker mines was a near impossibility. The only options the Megra might have in the face of the mines was to simply destroy them with missiles and torpedoes, a process that would take time and delay any advance into the system.
Hilda had been a SAR training ship for the OCN and served well in that purpose although Abel and Emmitt did not fully trust the apparently hasty repairs made to the ship after some skirmish 200 years before in the Great War. She had also been the first ship consigned to the newly recommissioned repair ship Eria which had repaired and certified the Hilda as battle worthy over a six day period. The second repair ship Eil had set to work repairing the second training ship Herja, but after a few hours the Eil reported that the Herja could not be made battle worthy and was best scrapped. She had structural damage that was not evident on superficial examination and the Eil determined that she was not suitable even for training.
Ana Arast, Captain of the Destructor Ragnarök, had watched the Eria two weeks before as it set about to repair Hilda. The Eria was 1800 meters long and 1600 meters wide. Eria was essentially a long tube with a hollow center only twenty meters wide. She carried a crew of six and as the ship approached the Hilda Captain Arast stared in amazement as the ship extended its' width to envelope the Hilda. Sixteen sections of Eria slowly separated to surround Hilda. Looking closely Ana could see that each section was supported by a gantry like linkage and after the separation the individual sections contracted against the arrow head shape of the SAR. Six days later Eira completed its' work and began repairs on another SAR 1024 dragged in from the ghost fleet. The automated control systems of Eira, after an hours long inspection of the 1024 reported that the ship was repairable but that repairs would take 15 days.
Before Ana and her flotilla left for Cranmore both repair ships were busy working on previously damaged SARs that within weeks would be returned to service as OCN warships. Ana was pleased to see the repairs progressing, and she hoped and even prayed that of the 20 some SARs identified as possibly repairable that most if not all could be returned to service. However even with a strengthened OCN fleet, and the availability of a few reactivated torpedoes, she knew that the OCN remained too small to defend the Commonwealth and its' allies should the Megra launch a massive attack on the system as they had done at Xitang. Once the damaged SARs entered the fleet that would be all there was. Without the ability to build warships the OCN could fight with only the ships they had at hand, and that was not nearly enough to defend their systems, and nowhere near enough to take the battle to the Megra on an offensives raid.
Ana returned her attention to the Cranmore system and its two planets. Cranmore itself had a single moon and once it must have had a base or outpost in addition to the populous cities below on the planet. This was evident from the destruction and radioactive emissions from both the planet and the moon. The second planet, Borneo, also was enveloped in a nuclear cloud of dust and debris. However its' two moons seem to have never been occupied and were spared the killing atomic bombardment of the once prosperous trading post at Cranmore.
Ana manoeuvred the destructor into orbit around Borneo. She chose and orbit that would obscure her presence from an approach from either the Osaka entry or Pope Leo entry portals. Both portals were only 900,000 kilometres apart or about three light seconds. In any 121 day period Ragnarök would be visible from the Osaka portal for only three days. She would remain invisible for the entire period from the Pope Leo entry portal.
Brynhildr and Hilda she positioned about halfway between the two portals but just outside the entry or behind the portals. Although she was certain that the famed 'back door shot' that had cost the Megra dearly in the past
was not likely, it was always worth a try. Further any ships entering the portal would soon find themselves facing Brynhildr and Hilda from behind and Ragnarök ahead.
The distance from Borneo to both entry portals was about 41 million kilometres and at her best speed Ragnarök could be within striking distance of any Megra ship within two hours. Half that distance would be on reaction engines at a relatively slow speed, but the remaining distance would be under GWP given that Ragnarök would be well clear of the gravity wells of Cranmore.
Greenland arrived two days later carrying Professor Hamza Lynn and his crew. After a full day of manoeuvring Greenland took up a stationary orbit around Borneo's moon Prince. Within hours of arrival the site survey began and while the dense nickel moon was scanned, probed, and drilled, the Epigoni Neutron Gun was affixed to the deck of Greenland and the large hatch door opened to space. Surrounding the Epigoni gun were 32 fusion reactors all supplying power to a distribution box fabricated in the Commonwealth and providing enormous power to the neutron gun. The distribution box had been tested briefly at Jamon, but there was some concern that it might not stand up to two or three weeks of continuous bombardment of Prince anticipated in drilling out an under surface fortress site.
Within four days the survey was completed and two major flaws in the moons structure were uncovered and this required relocating the fortress by 300 kilometres from its original proposed site. An ancient collision with something large had split a small portion of the dense moon from its' core. The section, comprising no more than 6% of the moon's mass was tenuously holding on the moons core, more by the force of Prince's gravity than by any actual structural link. By relocating the fortress sight they would build well clear of the structural flaw.
...
Jamon System - Collegium Lecture Hall - Year 3248 September 28 ET 11:05
The newly wood panelled Collegium Founders lecture hall held 350 seats but the room was packed with more, and many more were standing outside in the hallway watching Silvi Karrlson's lecture on their vid-coms. Abel had initiated the practice of having the commanding officer following a battle provide a lecture outlining the events, lessons learned, and results of the battle. If available, captains and crew often formed a panel ready to answer questions. Anyone was allowed to attend, however Collegium students, even those not in the Navy program, were given first choice of seats. On this day the crowd was so large that Stephen Klein devoted his entire mid day news broadcast to the lecture.
The lectures had proven very popular to both Navy Students and Collegium students as well. Abel found that the lectures served in increasing the interest of students in the Navy program as well as increasing support for the Navy by those that choose other professions. Abel had insisted that the lectures not be given until a month after all hotwash activity had been completed and the dispatches fully reviewed. He found that the additional delay often added insight not found in the days immediately following the conflict. Abel himself attended the lectures, not because the presenter might have something new to say, but that the questions and answer period that followed, which was occasionally brutal in its inquiry, often resulted in new insights Abel might otherwise have missed.
Mia Li sat next to Abel as Silvi completed the presentation portion of the lecture on the Fourth Battle of Wu. Mia had adapted well to life in the Commonwealth although on occasion she seemed puzzled by its' culture. She often took Abel aside to ask questions and many of the questions were about the educational systems within the Commonwealth and the total lack of class or lineage distinctions or preferences. Abel soon began to understand that the concept of equality among citizens, and particularly equality of educational opportunity was alien to Mia's world view. Xitang provided advanced education only to an established elite class, and most of the 90 billion who lived on Xitang's three home systems were either illiterate or poorly educated. Mia also found the Collegium itself to be a wonder and the wealth of studies available she found overwhelming. Abel knew that she had studied the course catalogue intently and was often found in the Collegium library reading or conferring with John Beckley the reference librarian and now a very, very close friend of Farn Mayer.
Abel had during the last week found Mia's description of Xitang also fascinating. As First Admiral of the OCN he was particularly interested in the organization of the Xitang military forces. The Emperor maintained an enormous land and sea army of well over a billion men, or about 1% of the population. The army was headed by the General of the Left, and the navy, both wet water and space, was managed by the General of the Right. In the complex pecking order of government offices in Xitang, the Minister of the Left was considered superior to the navy head or the Minister of the Right.
Li went on to describe how the navy was managed but Abel found the description so confusingly complex that he would need an entire day with Li to even begin to understand. The entire government of Xitang and that included the Army and Navy was seemingly based on a merit system. Every three years competitive examinations were held in every major city and town throughout the empire. Anyone was eligible to participate. Those who scored high on the exams were admitted to government service. Abel assumed that any examination for government service would include topics like mathematics, science, and political organization, but Mia informed him that the examinations were, as ancient tradition dictated, based only on the ancient learned texts of the philosophers of old Earth. Those who gained high scores knew nothing of science and math, but a wealth of the truisms of long dead poets and philosophers. The high scorers however did demonstrate the attribute of hard study and concentration, and many, once in an office of the government, set out to master the subjects needed for success. Unfortunately they were few and far between. Additionally since only the elites were educated sufficiently to pass the examination, they held an unfair advantage over all others. The system was stacked against the enormous population of ordinary citizens. To Abel the flaws in this system were obvious, but he wondered if Mia Li saw similar flaws in the Commonwealth that Abel as one of its' citizens failed to realize.
Silvi ended the formal lecture with a brief summary of lessons learned. During the questions section there were numerous questions about new weapons revealed by the Megra during the attack on Wu. Several questions were quite specific and somewhat painful as Silvi was queried about the loss of Skuld and Róta. There were several questions that intimated both ships might have been saved if only certain actions had been taken. Hindsight is 20 20 thought Abel as the panel tried to explain the effects of the unanticipated new Megra weapons.
Li turned to Abel as the lecture ended, "This would never happen on Xitang. To discuss defeat, even of a small ship, was to invite criticism and result in detention or worse."
"We call that 'killing the messenger' replied Abel. Li frowned as Abel continued. "There was on ancient Earth a king who led his troops into battle. He was convinced of victory, but as in all wars things never go according to plan. Eventually a messenger arrived to tell him of an adverse battlefield development. The king became enraged and killed the messenger. Moments later another messenger arrived with a similar message and he too was murdered by the king. Eventually no messengers would dare tell the king the truth. At some point enemy soldiers entered the kings tent and much to the king's surprise they removed his head from his body."
Mia responded, "Yes, we know that story well. But defeat is never pleasant and many Emperors reacted badly to loss."
"And your uncle, The Emperor Li Bian?"
"He knows this story well and accepts only the truth from his officers. He insists on all elements of both victory and defeat. Many are punished for deception while failing to provide a full assessment of a battle. And in battle there are always small defeats as well as victories."
The lecture hall was almost empty but Li and Abel continued sitting and discussing both systems.
Li looked pensive for a moment. "My uncle Li Bain learned much from my father Shinmin Bain, who was called by the p
eople Shinmin the Sot. Shinmin refused any bad news or difficulties and often killed messengers or even those whom he thought might bring bad news. He refused to hear of the first Megra attacks and our early defeats. He killed three Ministers of the Right in succession. One of the ministers had actually beaten the Megra off, but lost two ships doing so. However that was enough to have him executed for treason. Many died, even those who chose silence."
Abel looked carefully at Mia Li. She was describing her father's murderous behaviour as if it were some child's fairy tale. "Your father was a despot?"
"No. My father the Emperor was a drunk and madman. Well before the attack of the Megra our Empire was in disarray as Shimin the Sot retreated into drink, opium, and his women. Traditional ceremonies were neglected or cancelled. Promotions to government office went unapproved and some government functions simply ceased. Floods and famines were neglected and millions died from government inaction. He began to turn in paranoid delusions against his ministers and childhood companions and eventually he turned against his family."
"Did that include you Mia Li"
Mia Li smiled, "Yes, but it is a long gruesome story and best told some other time."
Abel could see pain in Mia Li's expression. "LI, I am sorry to have raised the question. There is no need to pursue this issue again."
Li smiled again, "No, First Admiral. It is best to speak of my exile and the many attempted murders and insults of the past. It helps me see the world as it is, rather than dwell on the pains and deprivations of the past. Some other time we shall talk."
Mia Li stood and together with Abel proceeded to leave the lecture hall.
Chapter One Hundred Nine
Jamon System - Navy Dock - Year 3248 September 19 ET 06:31
Abel stood on the cold Navy Dock and just outside the hatch leading to the swift runner Gungnir. Helen, Emmitt, the Chairman, and Mia Li had joined Abel to bid farewell to the Gungnir and her crew of two.
