Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space (The Henry Gallant Saga)

by H. Peter Alesso

  Caine’s plan spread his ships and their antennas, out into as wide an area as possible. The dispersed battle cruisers, destroyers and fighters scanned outward toward Saturn to produce a huge collective array system that could superimpose their results.

  Renown, Remarkable, Retribution, Dauntless, Devastator and seven destroyers were deployed with Repulse along Jupiter's orbit. Renown, Remarkable, and Retribution, were each fifty million miles apart on the clockwise side of Jupiter’s orbit. Dauntless and Devastator were each fifty million miles apart on the counter clockwise side from Jupiter. Each of Jupiter Fleet’s six battle cruisers were positioned so when their collective radar scans could be analyzed accurately while covering the largest possible sector from Jupiter extending toward the outer planets. Together the scans could look toward Saturn and Uranus and catch any large formation of ships at ranges of several hundred million miles.

  In addition, Caine collected supplemental information from his search drones. Their input was integrated with the radar reports. The drones set an early estimate of ship activity at Saturn, and then the collective radar scans were intended to monitor any large ship formations coming toward Jupiter.

  While this offered some assurance that Jupiter could not be approached from the direction of the outer planets without detection, Neptune and Uranus were on the other side of the sun and completely outside the radar search area. Also, if the Titans traveled along the Saturn orbit for several months, they could then turn and travel sunward beyond Jupiter Fleet’s detection range.

  The Weapon’s Department head, Lieutenant Stahl, and Operation’s Department head, Lieutenant Mather, were on the bridge reviewing the results. As each battle cruiser reported its findings, Repulse's CIC analyzed the results. The results showed no significant ship activity coming from Saturn.

  Lieutenant Stahl said, “There are no large formations coming from the outer planets. The Titan’s seem to be content to stay in their own backyard.”

  “Maybe,” said Caine.

  Lieutenant Mather said, “There are still a lot of Titan destroyers patrolling the asteroid belt that might interfere with mining operations or interdict shipping.”

  “They haven’t done so yet,” said Caine thoughtfully. Nevertheless, after deliberating with Stahl and Mather, Caine considered the possibility more seriously.

  Captain Caine said directly to his communication officer, “Midshipman Gallant, draft an order for Devastator and Dauntless. They’re to move into the shallows of the asteroid belt. Once there they are to evaluate alien ships near the mining settlements.”

  “Aye, aye, sir,” said Gallant. He began thinking not only about how he would word the orders in preparation for transmission, but what impact moving two battle cruisers such a distance away would mean to the fleet.

  CHAPTER 13

  Several weeks later, Gallant went to the captain’s cabin and reported, “Junior Officer of the Deck, sir. The Officer of the Deck sends his respects and reports a distant radar contact approaching Jupiter at high speed.”

  Captain Caine had just sat down to a very special breakfast, given to him from the Ganymede laboratory as a present for the glowing report on their performance that he had filed with Mars Fleet. It consisted of a cup of strong steaming hot coffee, two real eggs over-easy, crisp bacon, and toast with strawberry jam. A delicious aroma was wafting about the compartment.

  From the captain's longing glances at his breakfast and the frown on his face, Gallant couldn’t quite tell if he was more concerned about a possible enemy invasion fleet or the forfeiture of his morning repast. Gallant couldn't help wondering, whether, perhaps, this day held some special personal meaning to Caine.

  “Thank you,” replied Caine, as he pulled away from the table. He briefly checked his local computer readout before following Gallant.

  Caine finished buttoning his jacket as he opened the stateroom hatch. He had just enough time to acknowledge the salute of the marine guard stationed there.

  Taking two stairs at a time, he bounded up the ladder toward the bridge.

  “Report,” said Caine, as he reached his destination.

  “Captain, we have a contact at a distance of three hundred million miles moving at 0.002c on a flight trajectory directly toward Jupiter Station. It must be a very large formation of hundreds of alien ships to register this significantly. ETA is ten days,” responded the OOD.

  Caine considered the distance to the aliens. They could be coming from any of the moons of Saturn. The sixty-two moons of Saturn ranged from tiny moonlets, less than a kilometer across, to enormous Titan. The rings of Saturn were made up of objects, ranging in size from microscopic to hundreds of meters. Of course, they could have started even further out. Uranus has twenty-seven moons and Neptune thirteen, including its largest, Triton.

  Caine said, “Mr. Gallant, signal Mars Fleet Command and inform them of a possible major attack to Jupiter Station in ten days.”

  On returning to the bridge as JOOD, Gallant resumed manning the communication station. In response to the captain’s order, he broadcasted the message. Then, they waited as the signal went outward at the speed of light. Mars station was four hundred eighty million miles away and it took eighty-six minutes for a response.

  "Repulse, this is Mars Fleet Command. Mars Fleet is being placed on alert, but it will remain to defend Mars. You are to collect all available units in your area and defend Jupiter Station at all costs.”

  The captain shrugged, "I was expecting that; even if they could send help at flank speed - 0.002c, Mars Fleet reinforcements wouldn't reach Jupiter for sixteen days."

  Then he ordered, “Send a general recall to all ships between Mars and Jupiter. Tell them to rendezvous with Repulse at best possible speed."

  Caine leaned closer to Gallant and asked, "What’s your best estimate for how many ships can respond in time?”

  Gallant made a few quick motions over his computer panel, to locate the last known positions of certain ships. He said, “Renown and Remarkable.” Then he hesitated before adding, “Possibly Retribution along with six or seven destroyers.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Yes sir.”

  Caine nodded, but made no further reply as he reviewed the fleet’s battle characteristics and assessed its strength.

  Gallant was lost in his own thoughts. He wondered what four battle cruisers and some destroyers could do, to defend this post.

  Repulse, Renown, Retribution, and Remarkable were all ships of the Repulse class. They resembled a supersized nuclear submarine. Their armament included eight bow missile tubes and four aft missile tubes, ten short range plasma weapons, forty laser guns deployed amidships, and armor belts and force shields, with electronic warfare decoys and sensors.

  Each sixty foot section of the hull had been constructed on Earth and then launched into orbit where it was assembled piece by piece in a shipyard orbiting the Earth. The construction had taken several years and a great deal of money and resources.

  The missiles were both fire and forget (which had their own AI controls for target search and selection) as well as remote guidance including laser target painting. The missiles had a maximum speed of 0.1c and were equipped with their own sensors and decoys.

  The hangar deck of each battle cruiser carried a dozen Eagle fighters for launch from amidships, each with a maximum velocity of 0.01c.

  The UP destroyers looked like a smaller version of a battle cruiser. Each included four bow missile launchers and two mid-ship launchers. The missiles launched by a destroyer were only one-fourth the explosive power of a battle cruisers missile. The destroyers had six lasers, but no plasma weapons and no fighters.

  Previous confrontations with the Titans had involved only one or two alien ships. Usually, they exchanged missiles or laser fire; some ships were damaged, but little information was learned. The coming encounter was going to be on a considerably different scale.

  Gallant looked up as Caine surveyed the bridge. The Repulse was a po
werful ship and worthy of the pride the captain was showing in his command. She had already won her spurs through a number of previous skirmishes with the aliens. Caine's face showed a mixture of faith in his ship and concern for her mission, but Gallant was troubled that there were just too many unknowns.

  CHAPTER 14

  As Gallant decoded the communication traffic over the next few hours, calls for fleet protection for the asteroid belt and Jupiter’s moons were frantically crossing his desk. The UP merchant fleet was in panic.

  Several thousand cargo ships routinely transited between Earth and the neighboring planets. Another thousand ships moved to and fro in the asteroid belt. In addition, dozens of cargo ships were occupied with trade around Jupiter’s moons.

  Earth’s twenty billion citizens along with the additional billion citizens scattered across Mars, Venus, and smaller satellites were dependent on interplanetary trade. It supplied an efficient commerce for powering their modern civilization. Each planet and colony contributed its own unique assets – as did the resource-rich asteroids and Jupiter moons.

  Many of Earth’s minerals such as antimony, silver, indium, gold, copper, platinum, and cobalt had been nearing depletion by the year 2100. Minerals were now being mined that required special equipment to extract and process. By using self-replicating machines, miners were able to reduce much of the inherently redundant effort. These machines were used to construct the more complex automation factories for strip and shaft mining. Most asteroid orbits were between Mars and Jupiter including the four largest; Ceres, Vesta, Pallas, and Hygiea. Miners extracted carbon, silicate, or metal from these asteroids. Cargo shipments of minerals moved according to schedules that were meticulously planned to optimize fuel utilization and keep the cost-benefit ratio low.

  In the past, the alien ships had been content to merely observe merchant ships, but there was new concern that the appearance of a large alien fleet might be signaling a change. An action message arrived in communications, and Gallant carried the communique by hand directly to Captain Caine. “Action message, Captain,” said Gallant, knocking and then entering the open hatch to the captain’s cabin.

  Captain Caine was sitting beside Commander Eddington going over the ship’s general quarter’s bill. Both men froze for a second at the mention of an action message. Caine swung around in his chair to face Gallant and said, “Read it, aloud.”

  Gallant read, “In accordance with Jupiter Fleet’s general instructions and emergency procedures, NNR Inc. demands immediate escort for our merchant ship convoy from Jupiter to Mars Station.” He paused and then added, “It’s signed by both G. Neumann, President NNR Inc., and Senator W. Graham.” Gallant recognized Midshipman Anton Neumann's father, Gerald Neumann as the owner of the principle commercial shipyard and largest merchant fleet in the United Planets. He also recognized Senator Graham as the leader of the Senate of the UP Congress.

  “They didn’t waste much time,” said the XO, taking out a handkerchief and wiping his perspiring brow. He leaned back in his chair and the cushion almost moaned from his bulk.

  “Gallant, pull up the text of the Fleet General Instructions and Emergency Procedures,” ordered Caine.

  Gallant typed into his tablet and then tapped an icon to send the information to the main viewer screen over the captain’s desk. The captain and XO skimmed through it quickly.

  “The provisions relevant to requests for emergency convoy escort are fairly clear,” said the XO.

  “Nevertheless, there is broad discretionary leeway as to when, where and how many escorts, we must provide. There is even wiggle room in describing what constitutes hazardous circumstance,” responded Caine.

  “Captain, that demand comes from Gerald Neumann, himself. Senator Graham’s co-signature is merely to add emphasis that he expects immediate compliance,” said the XO, offering what he considered his well-informed opinion.

  “Gallant, pull up the classified fleet orders we just received from Mars Fleet Headquarters,” ordered Caine.

  As communications officer, Gallant had organized and prepared the necessary documents for just this request. He had the orders displayed in seconds.

  “Hmm ..., Here it clearly states, ‘You are to defend Jupiter Station and the Ganymede support base at all cost.’ See ‘AT ALL COST’. There is no mincing of words there. That means with every ship and resource at my disposal,” Caine seemed to wait a moment to let that sink in.

  “NNR would argue that you should defend the station with every ship at your disposal, after you dispatch an escort for their merchantmen,” said the XO, playing devil's advocate.

  “They might say that, but any officer worthy of the name would keep his force united in the face of the enemy,” said Caine.

  “Captain, I suggest we convene a videoconference with Rook, Minford, and Waller to make them aware of the situation,” said the XO, referring to Captains Rook of the Renown, Minford of the Remarkable, and Waller of the Retribution.

  Caine said, “Which situation are you referring to, the alien fleet, or the merchantmen convoy?”

  The XO said, “Both. You could tell them what our objectives are and your plan of action. Perhaps, they can make some helpful suggestions.”

  Caine grunted, as if he already knew how helpful their suggestions would be. He said, “Mr. Gallant set up a videoconference with the captains of Renown, Remarkable, and Retribution. I want it running in this room in thirty minutes. I want Chief Howard monitoring it from the communications shack, but I want you to remain here during the conference, in case of any signal interruptions.”

  “Aye aye, sir,” said Gallant, hustling back to the communications shack to make the arrangements.

  When he returned thirty minutes later, he said, “The videoconference is ready, Captain.” He tapped the captain’s view display screen and individual images of the three captains appeared. He added, “The one-way time delay is four minutes to Renown, seven minutes to Remarkable, and fifteen minutes to Retribution.”

  Caine began, “Gentlemen, I sent the recall message to bring you back to Jupiter Station because we have a radar contact. It could be a fleet of one to two hundred alien ships heading here. Mars Fleet orders are to defend Jupiter Station and the colonies at all costs. In addition, we have a request to provide convoy escorts. My plan is to gather our four battle cruisers and seven destroyers with our combined forty-eight fighters to defend Jupiter Station. I intend to deploy of our fighters primarily in a defensive role to destroy incoming missiles. I intend to attack the aliens if they threaten the colonies; otherwise, I will wait for them to make the first move. I will order the marines to deploy to defend Jupiter Station, the Ganymede Research Lab, and the Ganymede capital, Kendra.”

  Gallant was thrilled at the opportunity this conference afforded him. He would be privy to the private thinking of the senior officers and the latest intelligence within United Planets. He sat quietly, monitoring the communication setup, as well as the conversations.

  Caine, the XO , and Gallant waited for a reaction from the other commanding officers after the intervening time delay. Their conversation was somewhat disjointed due to the various time delays between ships, but they were able to make the conference work. The conversations may have proceeded in slow motion, but the ideas were quick and aggressive.

  Rook said, “Finally, an opportunity to engage the aliens in a serious contest where they wouldn’t just fire a few shots and run away. But why wait for them at Jupiter Station? Once our ships assemble, we should charge forward and send them back to the outer planets where they belong, with a clear lesson they wouldn’t forget.”

  Minford said, “We must consider the political consequence of our disposition. We need to reassure the population of colonists that they will be protected, and guarantee the mine owners and merchants, that their goods and services will not be left to the vagaries of the enemy. We should evacuate the essential members of the civilian population and include them with the convoy. Of course, providing subs
tantial escort for the convoy is undeniable. They are the life blood of our supply chain. The President of NNR and Senator Graham would not look kindly on…Well, you know. Besides what if the aliens are only making a feint toward Jupiter Station? With their speed advantage, they could go right past this fleet. They could head for Mars, blasting every defenseless merchantman on the way, leaving us miles behind in a stern chase.”

  Gallant was surprised at the difference of opinions and he suspected there were hidden agendas.

  Caine said, “We will accept battle at the time and place of our choosing, not theirs! And that place is here, at Jupiter Station. We have our orders to protect the citizens and facilities here in Jupiter orbit. Mars Fleet can take care of itself. We will not make special arrangements for political leaders to flee the area. Nor will be divert a substantial portion of our force to escort merchantmen—not when hundreds of thousands of women and children colonists remain at the mercy of the Titans. The colonists will evacuate their dwellings and go to their underground shelters, trusting the marines for protection. I hope to make use of Jupiter Station’s missile battery and the research lab’s Faser cannon. They will come as a surprise to our opponents. We will defend the area and drive off any threats with a united force.”

  Waller said, “We must prevent any threat to the Ganymede population and defeat the Titans. I believe Captain Caine’s plan is the best one to accomplish this.”

  Gallant agreed that Caine’s approach was the best but remained quiet.

  Rook said, “We don’t know how powerful the enemy force is. We have very little information about how well-trained they are. We have no idea if they have AI systems, or how such systems would operate in battle. How they think may be as important as how many ships they have.”

  Caine said, “If we can gather intelligence on their AI capabilities, or their tactical thinking, we will, but we must consider those as secondary issues.”

  The videoconference ended with agreement, when Minford said, “Together, we can succeed to meet all our obligations. But we must act united.”