by Chris Burton
“We have adequate funding from the APF and other parties.”
“I am sure you do Admiral, but space battles cost money and frequently squeeze the war chest. There will be losses, new ships need to be built and manpower and resources replaced. Additional funding from these outside sources won’t be immediately forthcoming because the ‘war’ is seen as an Earth issue.”
“What did ECG have in mind?”
“Not much. A direct reporting link between ECG and Alpha. Ideally between you and the President personally, but on an informal basis and a change to your articles that makes you once again representative of Earth, i.e., that your ‘main’ reason for existence is the protection of Earth.”
“All seems a bit familiar. ECG won’t fund unless they have an influence on the actual decision making process. They need to define ‘reporting’ further.”
“They don’t seek to be your masters. Funding would be specific and paid yearly in advance. ‘Reporting’ suggests advising ECG on Alpha issues, presumably with some cross-discussion about ways in which ECG can help and ways that they feel Alpha should go. There would be no formal command structure in place.”
“So what does ECG get out of this?”
“At the moment they feel completely divorced from the whole thing. There is a war in which many of its citizens are going to die and they don’t currently sit at the table, let alone have an influence. They accept Alpha would want more relaxed reporting lines. They accept a command structure is inappropriate, but they do want to be involved.”
“There are issues with Alpha’s current funding providers and our reporting lines to them.”
“There are, and ECG doesn’t wish to prejudice these. Discussions need to be more in depth, but need not be complex. I propose you appoint a member of your bench to act on your behalf and that I sit as chair in order to broker a deal. This whole issue need not stand in the way of your main issues today, Admiral. A battle is imminent and that is your main concern. Do you wish me to set something up?”
Koenig was not overly convinced, but discussions didn’t commit and he needed to see which way Roslyn really headed on this. “Yes, discussions would appear to be in everybody’s interest. I will appoint a senior Admiral from the bench to represent Alpha.”
“Excellent, my friend. We will speak in the next few days and let’s see if we can get this moving.”
They exchanged pleasantries and the comm line went dead.
Koenig’s reticence was misplaced. He knew Alpha without ECG was not as easy as they anticipated and that this was moving things in the right direction. Now was not the time to discuss funding or Alpha’s constitution. He sat down at his desk and returned to the small matter of the Sentinels. Battle would shortly commence.
Chapter Thirty
Relationships
The day dragged. It was Friday afternoon and Carla looked forward to a quiet weekend. She had nothing specific planned other than Tennis with Jake. Maria asked her whether she wanted to join her and two other friends on a trip to Rome for a spot of shopping; normally something at which she would have jumped, now she needed time to herself this weekend.
Her day began with a communication link from her parents in Australia. Joely made contact and finally agreed to meet her parents in Singapore this weekend. This was great news. Carla spoke to Joely and confirmed her visit to Titan in three weeks. Next she finalized the arrangements for their trip with Jake. Initially, he sounded unenthusiastic, but he yielded and in the end seemed happy to go, even if Maria didn’t feel the same way.
As for Steve, it was two weeks since she enforced their ‘temporary’ split. He was persistent. She stood her ground, but she did miss him. You couldn’t spend three years with someone without feelings lingering after the event. Did that mean she regarded the split as permanent? On the other hand, Steve was suffering. Given his other issues, was it fair to do this to him right now? She had needs too. While she needed space at the moment, she needed someone to cuddle and support her in the next few months.
It wasn’t Steve she wanted. She wanted and needed Jake, but she could not have him…or could she? Maria was away and she was not with Steve anymore. Carla smiled…maybe she would not have to wait until their ‘Trip’.
* * * *
Jake met Maria after class, late on Friday afternoon at the Refectory. In the two months they dated, Jake looked forward to their afternoon rendezvous, but today was different. There was an uneasy silence as they sat drinking their coffee and their initial greeting was brief and formal.
It was cooler today, certainly less than twenty degrees and comfortable. The ‘monsoon’ rain season finished. Between now and the end of the year, the climate would be pleasant. When the sun shone in a cloudless sky, the radiation threat from UV rays remained high. Protective clothing and sun shades were absolutely necessary, but the liquid tubes could be dispensed with until Spring.
Maria broke the silence. “So when are you going to Titan and for how long exactly?”
“Three weeks tomorrow. We will be gone for five days, returning on Thursday in time for jump ship training and the Top Gun competition that weekend. Look, Maria, you are not still hung up on me going with Carla are you?”
“Yes, I am. Okay, Jake, cards on the table.” She looked down at the floor briefly before looking back at Jake with her opaque blue eyes. “I need you to tell me something. If I ask you not to go will you consider it?”
Jake looked at Maria and found himself hypnotized by the sheer beauty and depth of her eyes, the color of the sea in a tropical bay. He could not let Carla down. She needed him right now.
“You know I can’t. It’s the same as you being away in Rome this weekend. You have to let this drop. Seriously, this is not good for either of us.”
Maria paused before replying and a tear ran down her face. “Jake, I think we are going to have to finish. I cannot be your girlfriend, if you won’t even discuss this. I told you we needed to talk about how we feel about each other. Well, you have made it clear how you feel about me.”
Jake was a little stunned. “I guess I am not ready to commit to anything more serious at the moment. Look, I am sorry things have not worked out between us. Let’s stay friends and see what pans out.”
“I am not going to wait around, you bastard. We had something special here and you ruined it because you won’t commit.” Maria stormed off.
Jake sat there, slightly bemused, but with the growing feeling this was a lucky escape.
* * * *
Steve Costello went straight from class directly to Occupational Health. He suffered from headaches all week and, despite medication, he found it more difficult than ever to concentrate in class. Concerned this could be something which would impact on his jump ship training, he asked for a body scan to ensure all was okay.
The scan was conducted immediately and Steve was relieved that all was okay. The Medic suggested the headaches were stress-related and he should take a short break, perhaps a week’s detox. Steve laughed. No matter how tempting this was, he was still playing catch up on his work. He needed to work hard and be seen on campus. As he left the screening facility, he noticed Maria coming towards him. She walked briskly, clearly in distress.
“Everything okay?”
“Do I look as if everything is okay?”
“No, you do not. What happened? Is this something to do with Jake?”
“Yes. It’s over. Jake and Carla can go off and fuck like rabbits for all I care.”
Steve let her go past him. She was not taking this well. Maybe he should stop her. He called out but she ignored him and continued on her journey, presumably to the next Disciplinary Panel. I feel sorry for whomever stands accused before her today, he thought.
He grabbed his mobile comm device from his pocket and opened a comm link.
“Hi Jake. Do you fancy going out tonight and getting drunk.”
“You better believe it. Maria just dumped me.”
“I know. I just spoke to her. She didn�
��t seem happy.”
The two friends agreed to meet later. Steve still had a headache, but a few drinks would rid him of that.
* * * *
Jake awoke with a start. It was light but still early. Another freighter left en route, to a distant star system. Jake had a sore head and the noise from the space port didn’t help.
Jake and Steve spent much of Friday night drinking themselves to oblivion. Somehow he found his way home and presumed Steve must have also. It didn’t look as if he crashed on the floor. The evening was amusing. They both let rip and enjoyed life a little. Steve grew a little confrontational half-way through the evening, when he again accused Jake of infidelity with his ‘girlfriend’. Jake told Steve to wake up, nothing went on. Steve shacked up with Lydia last week. Steve backed off and the two of them went on to enjoy the rest of the night, drinking well into the early hours.
Jake got up and took a shower before donning his towel robe and sitting down at his workstation. He needed to finish his presentation on Quadroponics and, having showered and taken an anti-sickness tab, he felt much better and ready to start work.
Two hours later, Carla arrived and made coffee while Jake finished off his presentation notes. Satisfied he completed his task, he dressed quickly and took a seat next to Carla and proceeded to tell her what happened last night. He missed the bit about Steve and Lydia. Carla was sympathetic, but knew Jake was not that concerned.
What did concern Jake was what Carla said next.
“So we can go to Titan as two single people. That should make life interesting.”
Carla definitely came on to him again and Jake found it difficult to resist. She was an alluring woman at the best of times, but this morning she looked particularly good in her tennis whites.
“Yes, we should have an interesting time. Does your sister know we are coming?”
“Absolutely. She will be putting us up in the AUSWAS accommodation block, which is very pleasant.”
“Okay sounds good.” Jake looked to change the subject quickly. “Are you up for Tennis?”
“Yes. The question is, are you?”
“I am fine. The tab I took has cleared it all up and my head is clear.”
Maybe on the outside, he thought, but most definitely not on the inside.
The two ‘friends’ left Jake’s apartment and headed for the sports complex. They played three sets of competitive tennis, with Jake eventually winning the close match two sets to one. They then took breakfast in the café opposite the courts and headed back towards the accommodation block.
Carla was keen to raise the subject of Titan once again, but Jake soon changed the subject to his parents and his scheduled visit next weekend and to the next Top Gun event. They talked as they walked and, ten minutes later, arrived at Carla’s apartment. She took the hint and didn’t bring the subject of Titan up again. She kissed Jake on the cheek before they parted company, having agreed to meet up later with Steve on campus for a drink. Jake returned to his apartment and sat at his work station once again. Studying is getting harder, he thought. The work load, the stress and my personal life…
Chapter Thirty-One
Halo 7
The fleet remained at high alert despite the diminishing threat from the Partacians. There were no further skirmishes since the gas cloud, although the Partacians kept watch out of range. The Halo 7 remained at alert status and the crew stood down. The real battle was yet to come, and they needed down time prior to battle.
We are within 12 hours of the Partacian border and within 48 hours of the Sentinel Fleet. We have not yet detected any Sentinel activity, but this is as anticipated with the Sentinel fleet gathered in front of the main Alpha Fleet.
Hoskins was in the process of drafting his Ship’s Log. This was a daily chore, but one he enjoyed as it helped him to get any issues off his chest and into perspective.
Halo 7 received new orders from Fleet command. We have been temporarily re-classified as a Class B ship of the line and will partner the Defiant as the two lead ships supporting the Flagship when we assume attack posture. This places the ship under greater risk, and the crew will have to be at their best if we are to come out with credit. We will be under close scrutiny. The new orders are currently classified with just Commander Jacques and myself aware, at present.
Hoskins was interrupted as his first officer entered the ready room. He suspended the log entry on his palmcorder.
“Morning Commander. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to discuss the new orders sir. Off the record. I am a little concerned.”
“Why?”
“Are we combat ready to take on the Sentinel Fleet as a main assault vessel? This is the front line.”
Hoskins interrupted. “We have been upgraded to a B class ship, Jean-Luc. Admiral Shenke has shown a great deal of faith in us, especially with the debacle surrounding our CAG errors. We have to grab this opportunity by the horns. We have the element of surprise and forty-eight other ships to back us up, not to mention the main fleet.”
“Jonathan…”
The two officers reverted to first-name terms in the privacy of the ready room because it made both of them more comfortable.
“There are still some unknowns with the ship’s capability. I am not saying we should not be heavily involved. Perhaps it would be more prudent to select a different ship to front the attack.”
“I understand your concerns and, given that we are close to battle, they are inevitable. We need to remind ourselves why we are here and what we have. This ship is battle-ready and has a formidable arsenal and an excellent crew.”
“Jonathan, I take issue with us being battle-ready, but my main concern is that this element of surprise factor is almost irrelevant. We will be in open space and detectable from before we reach weapons range. They will have time to create a significant response before we can attack. If they concentrate their efforts on us then, we are dead in the water.”
“This was always the case Jean-Luc. We knew the odds would be stacked against us and this task force would need a kill rate. That’s accepted with a high number of anticipated losses. This is war and it is not nice. It is repugnant. Shenke is a good commander and has the balance right. We are in the firing line and shall remain so as long as we have the capability.”
“Are you prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice?”
“Don’t question my commitment Jean-Luc. I am committed to this ship and my crew first and foremost. The fleet is secondary. If I believe fleet command orders are not in the best interests of this ship, then I will act accordingly. If the crew are safe and the ship is near loss, I will use the ship as a weapon. I will ram it straight into the Sentinel Fleet.”
“Look, Number One…” Hoskins took on a more formal tone, “I assume you still have faith in me as the ship’s commander and need reassurance. We have covered the main points of ambiguity. I note your concerns. We will advise the crew of our new role in the fleet tomorrow evening. In the mean time, I suggest you get some rest. I need you at the top of your game.”
Commander Jacques realized the conversation had drawn to a close. He agreed and assured his CO he had the utmost faith in him. With that he left the ready room.
Hoskins wasn’t surprised. His first officer had every right to challenge his decisions in their one-to-one discussions, as he too was an executive officer. It was also healthy to have a constructive discussion on such things. He was concerned. This would not be an easy battle and losses were inevitable. He hoped he would not have to make a decision to act against the fleet. The consequences could be catastrophic from a career perspective.
He was concerned, too, about his new CAG. Obeya would be in one of the most dangerous areas of the ship. Perhaps he could find an excuse to bring her up to the bridge, he thought. Then he dismissed the thought and Obeya from his mind. He reminded himself he was finished with her and that his wife was pregnant.
Suddenly, he no longer wanted to be here. He wanted to be
with his wife, to make up for lost time, to curl up in front of a warm open fire. He was interrupted this time by Fleet Command. It was Shenke, who wanted to know if all were okay and if the proposed changes to the Halo 7’s status were acceptable to the crew.
“I have only just told my first officer, so far. I will be telling the crew tomorrow. Yes, Admiral the changes are fine. It will be good to be in the thick of the action.”
“I will look for you and the Defiant to keep the fleet moving forward. If we push into the Sentinels, we will win in close-proximity combat. It will be dangerous, but exciting and I feel good about it. Anyway, I just wanted to check all was okay. Call me if you need to discuss anything.”
The link went dead and Hoskins smiled. The Admiral’s call was remarkably timed. He must finish his log and then get some rest.
* * * *
Obeya Temsouri was in the CAG operations room. She sat with her back to the Main Hangar and studied her reflection in the clear plastic window looking out over the fleet.
She knew a Sentinel battle was imminent and her involvement would be considerable, but she yearned to be involved directly. She was a jump ship pilot and not a CAG. She didn’t know why she accepted Jonathan’s promotion and she disliked his major influence over something so important to her.
Jonathan Hoskins made it clear he didn’t want her to continue with combat operations and that the CAG post would help him out and give her the step up she needed to progress to Squadron Leader Command. At the time she accepted the promotion, anything Jonathan said would be taken as gospel. He cast a spell over her because she loved him. At the time she had not realized he made her decisions for her.
She still loved him. She resented that he could flick his fingers and she would run. Not any more, she told herself. She was her own woman. Only she would decide her destiny. She already decided she would set about the CAG operation for the forthcoming battle initially as an active leader. She would prove herself in the first few days of battle and then, in the thick of it, she would hand it over to her deputy CAG and pilot a Sabre as Group command. She wouldn’t tell Jonathan. He didn’t need to know. She needed to be out there and he was not going to stop her.
