Leon frowned. “Which means Erad won’t be the target the Odurans go for.”
“No. It will not.” Jacob shrugged. “We have to eliminate some of their possibilities in order to lessen their ability to surprise us. Reinforcing Erad takes it off the board and leaves us with Manassas Fords and Tiredel to worry about.” He paused. “It also reduces the amount of ships available to attack the Odurans when they do arrive.”
“All the more reason to keep me and my command in the system, Sir.” Leon’s voice gained a determined edge. Jacob hoped it came from the strain of seeing what risks they were running rather than any impatience on Leon’s part.
“That would be the more responsible idea, Captain Nivrosky, but we are going to have to risk your departure anyway.” Jacob motioned to the map again. “Since Mirov is reinforcing Siddiqui, New Manassas is going to be left with fewer ships available for its defenses at the Fords. If the Odurans head in that direction, we could lose the system and suffer for it. Alongside that risk, I need to make Tiredel a more inviting target for the Odurans and their allies. That means I can’t afford to continue to maintain a high concentration of force out in the open in this system.”
Leon blinked. Then his eyes narrowed. “So you’re going to pretend to send the Galahad to Manassas in order to fool the Odurans into attacking?”
Jacob grimaced. “More or less. Most of the ships assigned to you—the Kay, the Edward, the Nathan, and a few others—will actually be staying in a remote location, within riftjump distance. They will avoid any contact with enemy units or other vessels until I send a signal to bring them back into the system. That way we can hit the Odurans with a second force they didn’t realize was there and crush them.”
Leon was silent a moment. “You said most of the ships. Why not all of them?”
“Because unfortunately, the Odurans have already marked some of my commanders as high interest targets.” Jacob sighed. “They know you, Leon, and they are aware of how much I depend on you. Even if they hadn’t picked up on your presence at Kryshaen or other battles before now, Admiral Yeseti would have told them about how closely we’ve worked. They will assume wherever you are is where a significant amount of my forces will be. If I keep you here…”
“Then they will expect most of your forces to be available to fight here as well.” Leon turned to the map again. “Whereas if I show up at Manassas and start digging into the system…”
“They’ll expect a trap there, and come here instead.” Grateful Leon’s tone did not still reflect the anger and frustration he’d shown at the beginning, Jacob sighed. “I need someone to attract attention and make the Odurans think most of my cruisers are waiting for them in Manassas. They’ll come here to catch me off guard, and I’ll smash them instead.” He paused. “If there were any other way, Leon, I’d take it. I just can’t see one.”
Leon nodded. “I know, Jacob.” He fell silent, still staring at the projection. His brow was furrowed; he was deep in thought. Then he glanced at Jacob. “What do I do if the Odurans come my way?”
“Try to hold until I can reinforce you.” Jacob grimaced. “Hopefully they won’t do that, since you’ll only have a small force with you. If they do show up, try to hit the more isolated parts of their formation, maybe slow them down. The Fords should give you some advantages there.”
Again, Leon nodded, his expression sober. There was never any joy in getting a command to hold at all costs, particularly when one was in direct command of the ships and crews who would be paying those costs with their lives. At the very least, Jacob hoped the unique advantages of the Fords would negate the risk he was ordering Leon to take, but he didn’t know if it was a fool’s hope or not. It all depended on where the Odurans attacked, and in what numbers.
Finally, Leon spoke. His voice still carried regret, but no trace of anger remained. “Thank you, Sir, for explaining the situation. It wasn’t something you needed to do for a subordinate.”
“I think it’s the least I could do for a friend.” Jacob shrugged. Then he looked back at the projection and sighed. “I’m going to miss you, though. I seem to be running short on friends. Al-shira’s on the surface, plotting with Intelligence. Ashford’s already stomping around on Carvell, and Isaac’s going to be one of the captains I pretend to send with you.”
Leon smiled. “Well, that still leaves you with Turley. I’m sure he’d like to keep you company.”
Jacob snorted. “He would—if he doesn’t want to bang my head against a wall. Apparently New Vermont didn’t quite get everything put together right. He’s had to crawl through half the ship, tweaking systems and getting everything laid out correctly. You can practically see the mountain of curses he’s edited out of his official reports.”
With a laugh, Leon gestured to the map. “I’m sorry to miss that while I'm preparing my illustrious defense of the Fords, then.” He looked back to Jacob. “I’ve said this before, but I think it would bear repeating. Don’t get yourself killed while I’m gone, High Admiral.”
“I’ll try not to.” Jacob smiled. “Have a good journey, Leon. I’ll see you once this is over.”
After Leon left, Jacob walked over to the star map and studied it for a moment. None of their scouts had reported in from the Frontier; so far, everything seemed to be quiet on the Oduran side of things. Of course, that could have been because Yeseti had blinded half their Intelligence agents on the far side of the border, but Jacob hoped it meant he still had a little time left before the next attack came. If not, then he would just have to do the best with what he had.
Jacob watched from his seat in the command center as the cruisers left.
It was a little disheartening to see them go. At least eight of the twelve cruisers Jacob had brought to Tiredel were leaving, and the broad majority of them were the newer Knight-class ships. They took dozens of smaller ships with them; destroyers, frigates, and corvettes disappeared along with their larger comrades, all supposedly headed out to the Fords to defend them from invasion. The small remainder of his forces looked almost emaciated by comparison, with only a tight formation of cruisers and destroyers around Eagle, with a few light formations of smaller ships to patrol the system.
Of course, that was precisely what Jacob wanted the Odurans to see. He needed them to think Tiredel was wide open for invasion, and that he’d gambled by leaving his only dreadnaught and the Celostian flagship open for a strike. Only Galahad would actually reach the Fords, with its few escorts. Isaac would be in command of the remainder of the cruisers, and they would wait outside detection range of the system for a messenger drone to tell them to return.
Jacob looked back toward the planet, where he was sure Carmichael’s spies were noting most of the ships of the Celostian force had disappeared. He wondered how they were planning on broadcasting the information to the enemy. The blockade worked both ways—Carmichael couldn’t have his agents riftjump back into San Marcos space to send a message, and there certainly weren’t any real messenger drones jumping back and forth. That move would have been too obvious, even for agents as inept as Al-shira had indicated.
He turned his attention back to the reports from New Vermont, and a beep interrupted his train of thought. A blinking light indicated an incoming tranmission. Jacob frowned. The signal was apparently coming over a civilian channel rather than a military one, which ruled out another call from Al-shira or one of his ships. There were very few other people who would want to talk with him who would have access to get through the officers at the communications center on Eagle—who could it have been?
The answer came to him a fraction of a second after he’d accepted the transmission, and Jacob suddenly wished he hadn’t done so. His suspicions were confirmed as an all-too-familiar voice rolled out of the speakers at him. “High Admiral Hull, I was wondering if you would have a moment to spare so I might speak with you.”
Jacob took a few seconds to steady himself before he answered. “Of course, Mr. von Clanrence, I would love to meet
with you again. When would be convenient?”
“A few hours from now, when we dock.” Von Clarence’s voice gave no hint as to his intentions, but given the trouble he’d caused the last time, Jacob wasn’t looking forward to anything the man said. “Until then, High Admiral. High Elder von Clarence, out.”
The transmission terminated abruptly, and Jacob laid his forehead on the palm of his hand for a moment. He was suddenly very tempted to beg off. Yet if he knew von Clarence at all, the former High Seat would be able to read the excuse for what it was and arrange some form of rebuke for Jacob’s reluctance.
No, it would be better to simply bite the bullet and meet with the man. After all, with all the trouble they had already, what was the worst von Clarence could add to the mess?
Jacob looked up when the door to his office opened. Von Clarence was once again accompanied by Al-Kesh, though Nathaniel Maxwell was missing this time. Jacob didn’t mind the smaller number of witnesses, but he hated the fact the man from Rigannin was there. He didn’t like to admit it to himself, but he still had a reflexive distrust of Al-Kesh, no matter how accurate his assessment of San Marcos had been.
Shaking those feelings off, Jacob stood to extend his hand. “Gentlemen, thank you for coming to see me.”
Von Clarence shook his hand firmly. Al-Kesh had a much weaker grip and seemed eager to release Jacob’s hand. As they sat, Jacob noted that while von Clarence appeared as calm and smooth as ever, Al-kesh was much more agitated. The Rigannin survivor almost seemed to squirm in his seat. Jacob allowed a pause, and then he spoke frankly. “Well, what can I do for you?”
Al-Kesh blinked, taken off guard by the blunt question, but von Clarence didn’t show any sort of hesitation when he responded. “I would like to know precisely what your plans are for the defense of this system, High Admiral.”
Jacob stared at him for a moment. He might be a former High Seat, but von Clarence didn’t have the kind of operational security clearance he would need to get a full working knowledge of the current Navy operational strategy. The fool had to know Jacob wasn’t going to answer that sort of direct question; to do so would lead to a possible security breach that would expose his people to the worst kind of disaster. Trying to recover his control over his temper, Jacob took a breath and let it out slowly. “I’m afraid the details of my plans are secret, von Clarence. No one who doesn’t need to know the details is aware of them, and I would prefer I keep it that way.”
Von Clarence spitted Jacob with an irritated glare. “Regardless of your preferences, High Admiral Hull, I need to know you are actually prepared to defend this system as well as Erad and New Manassas. You’ve taken great pains to reinforce both of those areas at the expense of Tiredel, and I would like to know how you plan on defending this place against a fleet from San Marcos—let alone an assault force from the Oduran League! As the situation now stands, you are likely to be crushed within the first exchange of fire. Unless,” von Clarence’s voice dropped lower, “you simply plan on withdrawing and leaving the system to its fate.”
It took an incredible amount of effort to restrain his reaction to such an accusation. Jacob clenched his hands slowly, and managed to bite back his first response. When he was sure of his voice, Jacob answered in what he faintly hoped would be a calm, controlled tone. “You can rest assured I do not plan to withdraw from Tiredel, Mr. von Clarence. I intend to defend the system against any aggressors, whether they are from San Marcos, Telos, or anywhere else in the region that would threaten our safety. The specific details, however, will remain at my discretion until the time is right. Do you understand?”
Any serving officer might have read a warning in those words and given up on the subject, but von Clarence’s blunt features showed no surrender when he answered. “What I understand, High Admiral, is that there is a relatively new, overconfident chief commander in charge of the Navy, and he has placed himself in an untenable situation. Your mighty flagship cannot hold this system, Jacob, and the rest of your newly refitted ships aren’t going to take up the slack. No force this small, no matter how well equipped, could turn back a real attack, and anyone with competent faculties and real military experience should be able to see that fact.”
Jacob tightened his fists until the knuckles were white. “Is it your opinion that you have at your disposal more military experience than I do, Mr. von Clarence?”
Von Clarence’s expression darkened. “I have fought for the Union, just as you have, High Admiral. I was the one who directed the battles at Serena and Galbun. I turned back the Odurans there, and I know what sort of strategic problems the Union faces.” He waved a hand in a frustrated gesture. “I’ve sacrificed too much to see you waste my efforts thanks to your own blasted pride!”
Anger curled itself through Jacob’s words, despite his effort to restrain it. “If your experience in fighting has taught you anything, Mr. von Clarence, it is that operational security is precious. I cannot afford to give the Odurans any chance to find out what I have planned, and sharing any details of our defenses with you will give them an opening.” He paused, struggling against what his instincts wanted him to add. Then he gave in with a measure of satisfaction. “Particularly when you have the tendency to jump directly into their hands out of your own sense of self-importance, I might add.”
The words were likely a mistake, but it was worth the opportunity to see von Clarence’s face turn purple. For once, the former High Seat looked as if the ability to speak had deserted him. He had just managed to gather himself for a fresh barrage of invective when Al-Kesh cleared his throat.
Both Jacob and von Clarence looked in the man’s direction. To Jacob’s surprise, Al-Kesh looked from him to von Clarence with a calm air, with no trace of the fidgeting that had characterized him before. “Roderick, tell me again why you appointed Alan Nivrosky to the post of High Admiral?”
For a moment, both men stared at Al-Kesh. Then von Clarence spoke slowly, as if trying to regain control of his emotions. “I believe there were many reasons. He had extensive experience in the military, had an impressive reputation with the people of the Navy, and could be relied upon to be predictable and resolute in his duty.” The former High Seat shot Jacob a look; he obviously found those qualities lacking in the current High Admiral.
“Is that so?” Al-Kesh’s tone was one of amusement. “As I heard it before, you appointed him because at Galbun you got your ass shot off.”
There was a moment of silence, and von Clarence turned abruptly and utterly red. Jacob struggled to hold onto the incredulous laughter bubbling up within him. He fought to keep his own tone only faintly amused and curious. “Pardon me, Mr. Al-Kesh?”
The man from Rigannin glanced at Jacob, his eyebrow raised. “You see, Galbun is one of the spots along the border where the passage can be a bit tricky. The Union had reports of an Oduran task force supporting the Telosians for a push in the area, and Roderick led his ships there to stop them. They were in the middle of crossing the dark matter fords there when they caught him.”
Jacob blinked. He’d seen records of that battle, but he had never really registered just quite how badly the Navy detachment had been positioned. He quickly reviewed the details of the battle in his head, going over it with a fresh eye. They had been caught, he realized, in exactly the same situation he had meant to catch the Oduran fleet in at New Manassas—unable to easily riftjump out, kept to a cautionary speed due to stellar debris, and unable to maneuver effectively against attack. With fresh appreciation for how that victory had been won, Jacob glanced at von Clarence, then back to his companion.
Al-Kesh continued smoothly. “From what you told me, Roderick, the situation was desperate. The Navy was already divided thanks to the Telosian treachery, and they were being pushed back. You were on the edge of a rout, and then your flagship was hit. Right below the bridge, I believe.” It was starting to become difficult for Al-Kesh to suppress a grin. “Some shrapnel might have shot right up through the deck—”
/> “Yes, yes, I understand.” Von Clarence’s voice was gruff, as usual, but this time his face was red from embarrassment, not anger. “I can see quite clearly my military skills were not quite up to the task. It is rather easy for someone outside the battle to criticize, I might add.”
“Especially when, in your own words, it was a miracle from God you made it out at all.” Al-Kesh studied the former High Seat with raised eyebrows. “And might I point out that we are just as far outside the High Admiral’s perspective as anyone else in the Union? Why would we have the basis of correcting his actions when we ourselves do not have all the information available to him?”
“That’s exactly why I want to know more, Shareed!” Von Clarence shook his head stubbornly. “If there is more information, then so be it, but even with my limited talents, I can tell how vulnerable he’s left us here. This is an entire world we are risking. I can’t let what happened at Rigannin happen again here.” The former High Seat seemed to age suddenly, and he dropped his gaze. His eyes grew distant.
Jacob spoke after a small silence, trying to keep his words soft. “You can rest assured I have arranged for the defense of the system, Mr. von Clarence.” When the former High Seat looked up at him, Jacob tried to sound reassuring. “We are ready for whatever the Odurans might bring here, and I will personally make sure the Oathbound are safe. I owe it to them.”
Doubt still clouded von Clarence’s expression, but Al-Kesh leaned over and placed a hand on the former High Seat’s shoulder. “He knows what he’s doing, Roderick. Alan trusted this man, and so does Smithson. This isn’t going to be like Galbun. He isn’t another version of you, and he’ll do what needs to be done.” Al-Kesh’s voice grew firmer. “You can either help, or you can stand aside, or you can stand in his way and be damned for it. Those are your choices; try to make one you won’t regret forever.”
For a moment, indecision reigned on Von Clarence’s face. Then the former High Seat’s expression softened slightly, which in itself seemed a small miracle. “You know, I don’t know how reassured I should be to hear I should relax because someone is not like me. You have an odd way of putting things into perspective, Shareed.” Then he sighed, and looked back to Jacob. “I apologize for my lack of confidence, High Admiral. I should have trusted more in your judgment.”
Eagle (Jacob Hull) Page 25
