Shaking his head, Quinn replied, “Captain, I hate to disagree with you, but I think Salazar and Cooper might be right. I'm not having any luck getting anything coherent out of them.”
“Not to mention that there are saboteurs on board.”
The doors opened, and Ghewon walked in, saying, “My people are united, Ensign.” Three other Neander followed him, all senior officers from Ausori.
Looking sharply across at him, Cooper said, “Two of your people tried to kill me, sir, and another set the charges that ruptured the fuel tanks. Whether they were infiltrated agents or dissident factions, the end result is the same.”
Molpa and Aussketi followed their commander in, taking their seats at the table, and Quinn asked, “Have you managed to put together a full damage report yet, sir?”
“Was I summoned here for an interrogation by junior officers, Captain?” Ghewon asked, dropping down onto a chair.
“We need more information than we've got if we're going to put together a coherent strategic plan,” Orlova said.
“I can give you a summary,” Molpa said. “We can repair the damage to the hull in a hundred and ten hours. It's a little worse than we thought, but I've got everything I need to repair it.”
Nodding, Quinn interrupted, “You can have four damage control teams from Alamo if you need them.”
“I think we can manage,” Ghewon said.
“Take the help,” the unfamiliar Neander replied. He looked around the room, and said, “I feel as though I know all of you, but I know I'm new to you. Morcos, Personnel Director.”
“A pleasure,” Orlova said.
Turning to Ghewon, Morcos said, “I know our skill situation a lot better than you, Ghewon, and I say that we need all the help we can get and then some. Molpa's managing with a lot of old hands who half-remember what they are doing, and kids who've only read a few technical manuals. Mr. Quinn's engineering teams would be more than welcome.”
Molpa glanced between Morcos and Ghewon, then said, “Sir, it would be good to at least get some trained people to help supervise.”
“If you think it truly necessary,” Ghewon said.
“The big problem,” Molpa continued, “is the fuel tank. Again, we can repair the damage, but we can't replace the fuel. I know you've got extraction equipment on board.”
Nodding, Powell said, “I've completed a full survey of the system, and have located several suitable sources for mining.”
Shaking his head, Quinn replied, “It isn't as simple as that. That behemoth out there is ten times larger than Alamo. With the equipment we have, it would take the better part of two months to top up your tanks for another jump.”
“Two months?” Ghewon asked. “Are you serious?”
“Alamo isn't a tanker, and the fueling shuttle is an experimental backup, a supplement, not part of our primary equipment,” Nelyubov said. “What if we transferred our surplus fuel to Ausori?”
“Even if we gave them every drop, it wouldn't be anything like enough, sir,” Quinn said.
Ghewon looked at Morcos, and said, “We need to find other options. Waiting here for two months is out of the question. Lieutenant Salazar's robust defense of our farming deck cost us a third of our production.”
“If I hadn't,” Salazar replied, “You'd have lost it all. My team was in position minutes before yours, and...”
“I'm not assigning blame,” Ghewon said, looking away from the officer, “only stating a fact.”
“The hell you….”
“Lieutenant,” Orlova snapped. “That's enough. Ghewon, can't you feed your people?”
“A tenth of the vats were destroyed. Which cuts down our reserve, but could be managed. The damaged equipment presents a different problem. All of the crops under production had to be scrapped, and it will be at least six weeks until we begin harvesting.” He shook his head, “Even going on two-thirds rations, people will start going hungry in two.”
“What about Alamo?” Morcos asked.
“Jack?” Orlova said.
Shaking his head, the engineer replied, “I'm a quantum mechanic, not a nutritionist, but you're talking about feeding thousands of people. Alamo has the theoretical capacity to provide food for two hundred. We can help, but it'll be a drop in the ocean.” He paused, then said, “We can certainly send over all of our emergency rations.”
“Come on, Jack, we like these people,” Harper quipped, trying to lighten the mood.
“Anything you send will help,” Ghewon said, “but at best, it will only postpone the inevitable.”
“Even if we had all the food we could eat,” Orlova added, “it wouldn't really make a difference. In five days, the Xandari will know exactly where we are, and we can expect a fleet to arrive as early as ten days from now. We've got to be out of here by then.” Looking around the room, she continued, “Testament Station is one jump away, and a damn short one at that.”
Nodding, Aussketi said, “That's a major facility, and one the Xandari would never dare attack. We could get all of the fuel we need.”
“Alamo cannot leave my people defenseless,” Ghewon said. “Or are you simply planning on running out on us, leaving us to face our enemies alone?”
“Don't be a fool,” Morcos replied. “We'd still be stuck on that hell-hole of a world if it wasn't for this crew, and you know it.” Turning to Orlova, he said, “Captain, if you want to go for help, I trust that you will come back.”
Shaking her head, she said, “Alamo needs to stay here and defend the ship. If there is a sabotage ring on board...”
“There isn't,” Ghewon said, bluntly.
“Then our assessment of the tactical situation could be worse than we fear,” she pressed. “At any moment an enemy task force could jump into the system, one far larger than the last one.”
“Ma'am,” Quinn said, “I must point out that Alamo has suffered significant damage. We're in no shape for a battle.” He looked at the glaring Ghewon, and said, “I'm not advocating pulling out, but for the record...”
“You have to make it clear what the risks are,” Orlova said. “I understand.”
“Then what are our options.”
“Daedalus,” Harper said. “That's why...”
Nodding, Orlova said, “She's ready to go, and can leave the system in thirty minutes. I want you to head for Testament Station and find the fuel we need. I don't care how you do it, and given your past performance, I think it's probably as well that I don't know how you do it, but we've got to have that fuel, and quickly.”
Powell frowned, and said, “It's a short hop, Captain, but it will take at least nine days to get there. Even assuming there are no hold-ups obtaining the fuel. It's going to be close.”
Turning to Harper, Ghewon said, “You are asking me to trust the safety of my people to such a junior, inexperienced officer?”
With a smile, Harper replied, “I've spent a hell of a lot more time on the bridge of a starship than you have, sir, and I'm not in the habit of running from my bridge when the missile start flying.”
“Why...”
“That's enough!” Orlova said. “Ghewon, I'm not asking you to accept anything. This is the way that it is going to be, and that is my final word on the subject.” Turning to Salazar, she said, “I'm sending you along as well to bulk up the command staff. You can take one of the midshipmen, as well.”
“Maqua,” Harper and Salazar said together, as Nelyubov attempted to hide a smile.
Shaking his head, Ghewon replied, “Child officers and renegades. That is the team you are sending? I insist...”
“We aren't in any position to insist on anything,” Morcos said. “Lieutenant Salazar was responsible for saving a lot of lives back on the planet, my own included. Lieutenant Harper's tactical skill allowed us to get to safety. I'm satisfied with their judgment.”
“Then that's settled,” Orlova said.
“One more thing,” Cooper replied. “Ghewon, I know you don't want to hear this...”
“No,” the Neander said. “I don't.”
“You have saboteurs on board. The explosion and the battle might have destroyed the evidence, but you've got to accept the possibility. There has to be a full investigation.”
Looking down at him, Ghewon said, “If such is true...”
“Ensign, can you handle such an inquiry?” Aussketi asked, looking at Ghewon. “We don't have anyone trained in such work, and there would be legitimate questions about the integrity of anyone we assigned to the task.”
“She's right,” Morcos said with a sigh. “Let's not pretend we're one united people marching towards freedom. We need someone from outside, someone neutral, and someone everyone trusts. Frankly, I'd have suggested Lieutenant Salazar if he wasn't going to Testament Station, but Ensign Cooper would also be a good choice.”
“I have no objections, ma'am,” Cooper said.
“Is he trained?” Ghewon asked, a sneer on his face.
“Top of his class in military law,” Harper replied, and Cooper snapped his head towards her.
“How the hell did you know about that?” he asked.
She smiled, and said, “Intelligence Officer, remember?”
Cooper looked at Orlova, blushing, and said, “Well, it looked like I wasn't going to OCS any time soon...”
“So you're doing a correspondence course in Military Science from Syrtis Tech. I knew, Ensign, and no, Harper didn't tell me. Your instructor was quite eager to sing your praises before we left.”
“I'm getting by, ma'am.”
“You're doing a lot better than that. In any event...”
“A correspondence course?” Ghewon said.
“Ensign Cooper has my full confidence,” Orlova replied.
Nodding, Morcos added, “I concur. We can assign you an aide, Ensign, one familiar with our legal code to help you through that particular minefield.”
“You will find nothing,” Ghewon said, “but if you want to waste your time, I will allow it, provided that you do not hinder any ship operations. Is that understood?”
“Of course, sir,” Cooper said. “For the record, I suggest that I am assigned to provide advanced training to some of your combat troops. That'll give me a good cover story. I'd also suggest that no one else know what I am up to.”
“And if it is one of us, Ensign?” Morcos asked with a smile.
“Then we're in real trouble, sir,” Cooper replied.
Looking around the room, Orlova said, “I think that's about everything, then. Harper, would you stay for a moment?”
The room emptied, a sullen Ghewon leading the Neander detachment from the room, Salazar holding back for a second to clap her gently on the shoulder, flashing her a smile of support. Within a moment, the two of them were alone, and Orlova looked carefully at her.
“Are you sure about this, Maggie?” Harper asked.
“Are you?” She paused, then continued, “This is your sort of job, Kris. If this was a question of sending a team down from Alamo, you'd be on it. This is no different. Just a little further to go.”
“With Pavel as the other.”
“Which is why he's going with you.” She leaned forward, and said, “I can't strip Alamo too far, not with the threat of an enemy task force hanging over our heads, but I'll give you a half-squad of Espatiers.” With a smile, she added, “I doubt you could fit much more on that ship of yours anyway.”
“No, I guess not. Maggie...”
“Kris, you know how you would play it, and this isn't the first time you've worked without a safety net. All that I'll say is that thousands of people, including children, are depending on you to pull this off.”
“No pressure, then.”
“About the same as always. Don't second-guess yourself, don't dwell on the problem, just trust your instincts and those of your people. You've got Scott, Salazar and the rest of your crew to help, but you have the command. The final decision is yours.”
She nodded, and said, “I never expected anything like this.”
“Sometimes that's just the way the dice fall.”
Chapter 5
Orlova walked into her office, where Ghewon was sullenly waiting for her, sitting opposite her chair, Aussketi standing by his side with an exasperated look on her face. Without a word, she moved around to take her seat, sliding into position and skimming down a datapad before looking up at him.
“If you have something to say to me, please get it over with. We've all got far too much work to do as it is, without wasting time on chest-beating exercises.”
“I want to know whether you consider yourself in command of this fleet.”
“Yes,” she replied. “Does that answer your question?”
Shaking his head, he said, “It's as simple as that, is it?”
“Hardly. My ship is responsible for the defense of the entire fleet, doubly so now that Daedalus is heading on to Testament Station, and you are unable even to protect yourselves, still less to take an active role in any battle.” Leaning back on her chair, she replied, “When the Xandari arrive, and they will, all you will be able to do is sit and watch while this ship fights and its crew dies to protect your people. So, yes, Ghewon, I do consider myself in command here.”
“How can we fight?” he asked. “My ship is unarmed.”
“And surrounded by the debris of two warships, with a selection of fabricators on board.” With a sigh, she added, “If you don't want our assistance, then there is still time for me to recall Lieutenant Harper, and Alamo can join them at Testament Station. But you can't have it both ways. If we're going to protect you, then we're going to do it our way.”
“Quite right,” Aussketi said, looking down at Ghewon. “We need to be doing more to work on our own salvation. To start with, I'll organize some of our shuttles to pick up the emergency rations. That's the very least we can do.”
“Of course,” Ghewon said, rising to his feet. “Captain, I consider that you are assuming authority you have no right to, but I don't see that I have any choice but to accede to your demands for the present. This situation is not resolved, though. Don't assume that for a moment.” Turning on his feet, he walked out of the office, leaving Aussketi behind.
“That could have gone better,” she said, taking the vacant seat. “Don't take it personally, though. He's not trained for command, especially not for a combat command. I don't think he's ever had any independent authority, and things are getting bad over there.”
“Should I be worried?”
“We'll get home. I think.” The Neander shook her head, and said, “So many different factions squabbling. Ensign Cooper is going to have a hard time over there, I'm afraid.”
Rubbing her forehead, Orlova said, “I'm too tired to be diplomatic...”
“So I've noticed.”
“Which means I'm going to get right to the point. None of my senior staff have any confidence in Ghewon's ability to handle himself in a battle. I've had several requests to relieve him of command and put one of my own officers in charge over there.”
“I see.”
“I have no intention of taking such an action...”
“That's a pity.” Shaking her head, Aussketi said, “We don't have the people to do this, Captain. A lot of half-trained technicians and low-level bureaucrats trying to run a starship, and everyone's paranoid that there might be another Lostok on board.”
“He's secure?”
“Locked in solitary confinement under guard, waiting for a treason trial when we get back. There have already been half a dozen attempts on his life, and I think the odds of him getting home in one piece are lousy.” She paused, then said, “It might be as well if one of them succeeded. When we left, there
was enough public unrest with the Guildmasters as it was. Finding out that one of them had sold out to the enemy might push things over the edge.”
Her eyes widening, Orlova said, “I don't believe this. You're telling me that even if we do pull off a miracle and get your people home, we're either going to run right into a group of people desperately trying to cover everything up, or could start a civil war.”
“That's about it, yes.” With a sigh, she continued, “It's been a long fight, Captain, and it's changed us all. Maybe sped up a few things that would have happened anyway, but the end result is the same.”
“I can sympathize,” Orlova said. “It's a miracle the Confederation made it through the war without turning into one sort of dictatorship or another. We had a couple of narrow escapes, though you won't find any details in the history books.”
“Wise.” She frowned, then said, “Sending Lieutenant Salazar away might be a mistake. He's a hero to the refugees, and if you were to assign anyone to command Ausori, I think he's by far the one most likely to make a success of it.” A smile curled her lips, and she added, “Which, if I am not mistaken, is one of the reasons you've sent him.”
“If he's three light-years away, he can't be forced to do something we would all quickly end up regretting.” Leaning forward, she continued, “I'm not imposing a commander on you. If I were, it would be one of your people, not one of mine. Have you considered taking the job yourself?”
“I'm far too junior for that.”
“War rarely respects seniority, and it ruthlessly punishes inaction and incompetence.”
“Are you asking me to launch a mutiny against my lawfully-appointed commanding officer?”
“Of course not. Such an action would be a violation of countless Fleet Regulations. All I'm asking is that you carefully monitor the situation over there, and that you stand ready to take action if necessary to protect your ship and crew. As well as assuring you that I have no intention of intervening in the internal affairs of your chain of command, no matter who might request it. You can feel free to pass that on to anyone you think might profit from hearing it.”
Battlecruiser Alamo: Final Testament Page 4
