“Welcome Commodore, it’s good to see you. Dave and Keg are making final preparations for the demonstration.”
“Demonstration?”
“Yes, Sir. They want to show the Sensor suite’s performance. It’s limited, and he hasn’t set up active Sensors here, but I’ve seen what his passive Sensors can achieve, it’s impressive.”
“Lead the way Lieutenant. I want to see this.”
“Yes, Sir, please follow me.”
Lieutenant Downer turned to walk toward the offices with Colin and his party.
The group entered the building, and Kelly made straight for a disused office. She didn’t hesitate, walking straight through the door. At first glance, the inside resembled a mess, but Colin realized first impressions were deceiving as he noticed order among the chaos. The room looked a mess because cables lay strewn across the floor and equipment crowded the space. Among the hardware, Colin noticed three consoles from a Starship.
With everyone in the room, Lieutenant Downer closed and locked the door before nodding to Dave Bach, who stood near a console.
Dave said, “Thank you for coming Commodore. I asked you here because I consider it important for you to see the power of the Sensor suite we can install on the new Destroyers. Let me explain that I am only showing the passive Sensors here today. The active Sensors radiate too much power to run them on a planet. Are there questions?”
Colin’s face split into a grin as he asked Dave to explain what he’d done in more detail.
“I accessed the specifications for our Destroyers then set up a simulation. Although I got permission from the Commandant before doing the full-size mockup, I’ve upset a few people. We’ve spread Sensor elements around the base. By necessity, these can only detect things above the horizon, and the planet’s gravity well interferes with the Sensors. Sensitivity isn’t as good on the ground, but we can detect plenty. With your permission, I’ll show you what we can do.”
“Please go ahead, Mr. Bach.”
Dave turned to his console and entered a series of commands. He’d connected a holo-projector to the equipment so everyone would see the show. The display was impressive, every bit of data the Sensor elements gathered appeared as the Sensor suite populated its database. Although not instantaneous, it wasn’t a long, drawn-out process either.
Dave said, “Commodore, I arranged for the release of this processor to run our mockup, it’s from my old ship. With more processing power and tweaking, we can improve performance by order of magnitude.”
“That much?”
“Oh yes, Sir.”
“Okay Dave, now, the active Sensors, will they improve as much?”
“I estimate we can improve them, maybe even doubling the sensitivity, Sir. I’m working on FTL Sensors. We have a way to go before they’re perfected, but I intend recommending changes included in the Destroyer fit out to ease installation later.”
“Dave, send me a list of what you need. Keep this set up for now. Commander Corbett will come to look, tomorrow. If he likes this, we’ll install your equipment on our newest ship.”
Dave grinned. He hadn’t needed to invent much new gear. Most of his work revolved around implementing ideas he was working on when the Commodore captured him. Colin had become necessary to Dave. This man gave him an opportunity to leave his past behind and make good. Dave intended to grasp this opportunity with both hands.
Government House
Edward entered the Conference room and sat at the table. His eyes rested for a moment on each participant as they moved to their places. After everybody quietened, he began his speech to the Cabinet.
“Gentlemen, Ladies, we have been through tough times in recent months. The opposition stopped us implementing our policies at every turn and did too much damage to us in the eyes of our constituents. The treasonous acts of a few power-hungry individuals have decimated the opposition. We can achieve great things while they’re on the ropes, but we mustn’t be too greedy. I propose we limit ourselves to dealing with outstanding defense issues for the next few months. I made promises to secure help during our crisis, promises I intend to keep. After the bi-elections are over, we’ll decide the way forward. Questions?”
Edward looked at the group to see shaking heads. Everyone there understood who helped him and nobody wanted to upset Commodore Gordon. He nodded to himself, pleased he had their attention.
“Good, our first order of business is less onerous than normal. The Destroyers are progressing well, the first is due for commissioning soon. Because Cambridge is financing this ship’s construction, our Government will name her. Does anyone have suggestions for this ship’s name?”
The participants fidgeted for a few moments before ideas flowed. Over the next two hours, they considered naming these ships after famous people, places on Earth, even planets within the Federation. The group debated names, like Indomitable, Wasp, Hawk and others.
After hours of debate, they concluded they would name the ships for cities and towns in Cambridge. Cambridge’s towns and villages had been after early colonists. Edward’s Cabinet chose FNS Harmon for the first Destroyer’s name. This made the Destroyers a Harmon class, and she bore the name of Cambridge’s first Colony Leader. They considered this a good choice.
With the meeting over, President Edward Constantin returned to his office. He contacted his secretary asking him to contact Admiral Fraser and Commodore Gordon. Thirty minutes later, the two Officers were together and able to take Edward’s call.
When he saw them on his pickup, Edward said, “Good afternoon, Admiral, Commodore, I trust you are both well.”
Colin and Henry glanced at each other them answered they were fine.
Henry said, “It’s good to see you, Mr. President. Why did you call us Sir?”
“Two reasons Admiral. The Government has decided on the first Destroyer’s name. We shall call her FNS Harmon.”
The Naval Officers glanced at each other again then smiled as they nodded.
Colin replied, “That’s an excellent name, Mr. President. What was your second reason for calling us, Sir?”
“Please, tell me how the Destroyer is progressing. I’m due to give my Cabinet a report.”
Colin answered, “We’ll be ready to launch in two months, Sir. We were lucky; our engineers completed much of the design before we signed contracts. I started construction once the hull design was in place. Since then, we’ve worked on support equipment. If not for Walker’s games, we may have launched the first ship. I’d prefer not to give you more detail. These will leave the current Destroyers in the dust though.”
“Thank you, Commodore. That’s what I need to know.”
“Mr. President, would you and Ms. Constantin attend the launch and commissioning ceremony. You should make a speech too, Sir.”
“Send my secretary the invitation, we’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Cambridge Naval Headquarters
Colin held the final design review the day after they named their new ship FNS Harmon. By then, they’d resolved every integration issue caused by deliberate sabotage. The teams expected further problems and addressed them on a priority basis.
Colin invited his team from the training-base to this meeting because they had something worth discussing. When everyone was present, Colin walked to the front of the room, waiting till everyone focused on him.
Colin said, “Thank you for coming today Ladies and Gentlemen. Over the last year, you’ve achieved amazing things, finished so much work, but you’ve had your share of hurdles. You overcame each problem and moved on to the next, I’m proud of you. We’ll work our way around the teams. Tell me if your part of the design is ready, or not. We won’t get too involved with detail now. I must understand the remaining work. Let’s start with propulsion.”
System by system, the group worked their way through the designs until they came to Sensors. Colin saved this for last because he wanted Dave to leave a positive impression. Dave had ach
ieved so much but needed help from the engineering staff to complete what he’d started. The reaction to Dave’s claims was everything Colin expected, ranging from excitement to disbelief.
It was time to pull these people into line, so Colin said, “You don’t believe Mr. Bach’s claims. I can tell you now, he showed me the capabilities of his passive Sensors, and they do everything he claims. After this meeting, we will attend a demonstration. I arranged transport, we’re going on a field trip. Are there questions?”
Many people in the room shifted in their seats, but nobody ventured an opinion.
Colin continued, “Good, that’s decided, one other thing; the Government is proposing to call the first Destroyer FNS Harmon. Admiral Fraser and I spoke at length about this choice. We’ve agreed Harmon is a fitting name after the recent invasion, these Destroyers are now Harmon class.”
Again, the audience greeted Colin’s question with silence.
He scanned the room for a few seconds then said, “Okay, it’s time for our field trip.”
The demonstration went better than Colin expected. Dave had tweaked his Sensor suite to make allowances for being set up on the surface of a planet. He’d improved the focus and added ID’s for the ships he’d identified. This was a significant improvement over the display Colin saw earlier. Colin noticed intermittent contacts among the asteroids. They might be anomalies or a ship, nobody knew. With more processing power Dave might have identified it. This installation design is meant to show possibilities.
Engineering staff responsible for Sensor integration reacted in a way that pleased Colin. Until they observed these Sensors in action, they held an unfavorable opinion of Dave. Now, they crowded him, asking for more information. Dave won them over when he asked for help with the final integration.
Government House
Two days after the last design meeting, Henry summoned Colin to his office.
“Commodore Gordon, President Constantin has requested your presence at Government House to brief him about progress on the Destroyers. I expect he wants more detail than we’ve given him till now. You understand we’re limited in what we say. Do you think you can tell him enough to satisfy his curiosity while not giving anything critical away?”
Colin chuckled to himself, aware of Henry’s dislike of politicians. Colin even suspected that Henry got a kick out of informing the President when the Pirates first invaded Cambridge System.
“I’ll handle it, Admiral; Anne can help with explaining what we can’t tell him, and why. Anne has a gift with people.”
“Good, thank you, Colin.”
Colin gathered Anne on his way to the exit, explaining where they were going and why.
The two Naval Officers arrived at Government House, passing through the usual security checks. Colin’s security stayed outside, blending in with the surroundings. After Colin exited the building, they’d reappear.
They didn’t wait long before one of Edward Constantin’s staff came to escort them to his office. Edward was effusive with his greetings. It was plain to Colin, Edward had forgiven him for the direct approach he took with Randal Walker.
Colin started by saying, “The Navy concurs with the Government choice for the name of our first Destroyer Mr. President. We consider FNS Harmon to be the perfect choice for this ship’s name.”
Bemused, Edward said, “I’m glad you liked our choice, Colin.”
Colin’s brow furrowed, then he turned to Anne, “Lieutenant Fraser, I’ve said something wrong here. I understand that but educate me please?”
Both Anne and Edward burst into laughter. Colin didn’t mind, the joke relaxed everyone for the briefing. President Constantin wanted detail that Colin wouldn’t give him, so they walked a fine line. With any secret, the more who knew it, the less likely it stayed a secret. There were many details to keep quiet, so Colin took great care in choosing which features to divulge.
Constantin asked, “What can you tell me about the Harmon Commodore?”
Colin launched into his description, “FNS Harmon is one-thousand metres long with a beam of two hundred metres. From the bottom of the keel to the top of the superstructure she measures one-hundred and eighty metres. The cross-section is ovoid. Without giving away any details, she has more armament, stronger shields, better Sensors, and is both faster and more maneuverable than the current Destroyers. The hull sports heavy armor, and she carries more point defense turrets than any ship built by the Federation. Beyond those details, I can’t tell you much.”
Edward pursed his lips for a moment as he considered whether he should argue. His Government was paying for this ship, so he presumed they had a right to the detail.
Colin saw the look on Edward’s face and continued, “Mr. President, our people’s lives might rely on us keeping this ship’s capabilities secret. Our enemies will gather enough data when we meet them in battle, but we shouldn’t make it too easy.”
Edward bristled, saying, “Are you suggesting you don’t trust me, Commodore?”
“Not at all Mr. President, I rate you as being trustworthy but consider recent events. People from the Democratic Party bugged you and the residence, are those bugs gone? I presume you had leaks within your staff and I am sure you haven’t found those yet either. Sir, we cannot afford these leaks.”
Edward Constantin deflated as Colin explained his reasons for the reticence.
Constantin snickered and said, “Okay Colin, you’ve made your point, don’t tell me more. Lieutenant Fraser, Colin is the sole person in Cambridge who can tell me that. When I ask him a question, he will always give me an honest answer, even if he puts himself at risk, and his reasons are sound.”
Anne nodded, replying, “I know Mr. President, he doesn’t pull his punches either, he won’t play political games. On the rare occasions when he does, he doesn’t follow the same rules as everyone else.”
Edward laughed as he rose and showed Anne and Colin from his office.
Fraser Home
Julia sat in the chair as Colin settled nearby. She’d learned the finer points of being free from this man. Julia accepted how lucky she was. First, Dave bought her at the slave market, and then Colin Gordon’s Troopers captured them. Since then, Colin had arranged for her to receive an implant and she made rapid progress. Julia hoped to join the Navy soon. She’d even convinced Dave to teach her how to fight and shoot, never wanting to be helpless again.
Colin asked, “How are you, Julia?”
“I’m fine thank you, Colin. Even here, I’ve kept myself busy. Soon, I’ll be ready to join the military. Then I won’t be a burden on you any longer.”
“Oh Julia, I promise, you were never a burden. You’re an intelligent woman, talking to you helps, me stay sane.”
“But you have others around you, many people care for you, Colin.”
“Yes Julia, I’m blessed with friends. When I arrived in the Federation, I knew no one. Now, I’m surrounded by friends, but I need my family. Sometimes, I consider you a daughter.”
“You’re still missing them?”
“Oh yes. I miss my family every day. It’s been four and a half years since I saw them last. Work kept me occupied, but…”
Colin sank into a quiet place in his mind, remembering the people back home, memories that depressed him but kept him sane. He couldn’t accept the possibility he’d never see them again but didn’t understand how to find his way home.
Colin noticed the world around him fading as his mind turned in on itself. No matter what, Colin couldn’t drag himself back to the real world, his mind refused to obey. He sank deeper into his reverie, losing awareness of his surroundings,
Julia sat as Colin fell into his reverie. She still watched and worried when Anne arrived home hours later. Julia hoped Anne might help her lift Colin out of his mood.
Anne listened as Julia explained her concerns and walked into the sitting room where Colin sat, still deep in his fugue. He didn’t acknowledge Anne or even appear to notice her presence. When A
nne spoke to him, Colin ignored her. Both her parents were away on their ship so she couldn’t discuss the problem with them. Anne couldn’t even consider it with Sam.
The one man she could discuss the issue with was her grandfather, Admiral Henry Fraser. She wondered if it was fair to involve the Admiral, but contacted him anyway.
Henry accepted her call, asking if she needed help. Anne was his favorite granddaughter but didn’t call this time of day. She explained her concerns and Henry decided he had to witness this himself before deciding what to do.
When he arrived, Colin still sat in his chair zoned out. Colin never acknowledged the Admiral when he entered the room, so Henry touched him on the shoulder. This gained Colin’s attention, and he looked up at Henry, blinking red-rimmed eyes.
Henry said, “You, Colin, need to talk when I walked in here, you were a million miles away. What’s happening? Are you holding it together?”
Colin blinked a few times then replied, “I was much more than a million miles away Admiral. I remembered my home and family, I must confess, I’m missing them, it’s too long.”
“Is there anything else burdening you or causing you trouble, Colin?”
“No, Admiral. I have time to relax. I don’t have a world-shattering crisis to resolve. There’s time to consider my needs.”
Henry stared at Colin for a few moments before deciding what the man needed.
“Colin, you are on leave, effective now. Tomorrow, you will visit our Psych’s, the doctors will decide when you’re fit for duty. Do you understand?”
Colin stared at Henry for a minute, trying to comprehend his instructions, then deflated, agreeing to follow instructions. Colin accepted he wasn’t with it and needed help.
Henry turned to Anne.
“Lieutenant, you are his aide, look after him, make sure he goes to the doctor and rests. Questions?”
“Only one, Admiral. May I enlist Julia’s help for this? It might take two of us to bully him into submission. You know how determined he is sometimes.”
Star Strike: Book 3 of the Star Man Series Page 19
