by Chris Hechtl
“No more questions,” the senator snarled as she turned and stormed off. Her staff and supporters moved in to cover her retreat.
~~*^*~~
Sven passed away in his sleep the evening before the commissioning ceremony of Constitution. The crew had pulled out all the stops to get the ship into space, and he'd worked tirelessly right alongside them.
The stress had been too much for the elderly man many said the following day during the ceremony. Roman regretted and mourned his friend's loss. The ship's builder's plaque was amended to highlight Sven's contribution to not only the design and construction of the ship but also in defending the Confederation and Terran civilization.
~~*^*~~
Not willing to be shown up by their competition, Radick Industries completed the first corvette/frigate within a week of the commissioning of Constitution. Two follow-on ships were near completion according to the press release. The first ship was a shooter; Invincible had a spinal mount Gauss rail gun and a series of turrets on her hull. She lacked missiles. Her second sister ship would be a specialized Aegis defensive platform. The third ship was another specialist, a missile ship. She had only two point-defense turrets and four missile tubes. Since all three ships shared the same frame and as much parts as possible, they were easy to produce. However, the small ship's size meant that it could only fit in a small power plant, which meant the gun was under-powered and the missile corvette had a small magazine of forty missiles in her inventory.
~~*^*~~
Even while the newest additions to the fleet were shaking down, the first proper fleet exercise got underway. Admiral Lewis deliberately set the bar high. It wasn't nice, but they weren't in it to play nice and the enemy wouldn't pull his punches. He'd set up a series of scenarios for the computer to combine and play out so even he wouldn't know what to fully expect.
It turned into a tough fight; a slugfest many hadn't expected. For some of the volunteers, it was an eye-opening experience. For Walter and Jan, they learned a great deal about real-world waiting. The exercise had been open-ended and had taken a week to fully play out.
When it concluded, the debrief began. They found that they had lost a lot of the ships, Earth and Mars had been bombed, and dozens of space colonies had been destroyed.
“We can't be everywhere. We can't defend everyone. Not with what we've got.”
“I think forward deploying the force near the expected jump point is still a good idea. I'm not so sure about the fortresses and mines however,” Admiral Lewis said, still recovering from the mind-numbing fatigue. He'd spent days awake during the simulation, expecting attacks at any time. The exercise was judged a loss due to the loss of life, even though the enemy was forced to retreat after suffering losses.
Once they'd had time to rest and recuperate, the following morning Admiral Lewis called Jan and their respective flag staffs together for a meeting.
He looked around the compartment and nodded. Everyone looked worn despite the six hours of rest. A few looked a bit haggard. He could relate.
“Well, we've had our first taste. I hope it got the glory hours out of everyone's systems,” he said firmly. Jan nodded. He turned to survey the group slowly. “It's not easy. We didn't think it was. Now we've had another dose of reality. We're still not sure if it is accurate or not. So, once we've finished the debrief and talked it to death, we'll draw up a list of things we need to fix and start from there.”
The results of the exercise were leaked to the public. It sparked concern and some skepticism from people who believed that the navy was just a black hole trying to suck up as much money as it could.
Admiral Lewis was called in for an accounting with the military oversight committee. He patiently led them step-by-step through the exercise. When he finished, he concluded his lecture with a brief statement.
“This just illustrates that we've got a long way to go. We need to go over the results and find the holes and plug them. It is better that we find these mistakes now before the enemy arrives.”
“You mean if he arrives, don't you?” Senator Dewalt demanded.
“We'll see, sir. We'll see.”
~~*^*~~
“I've got some news on two fronts, Doc,” Cassie said.
“Lay it on me,” Trevor said tiredly as he the gurney pulled him out of the scanner. He had so many implants that he couldn't have an MRI scan done; the magnets would have ripped him apart.
“One, it looks like your current project or is it a son? Athena's son? I'm not sure how we're calling him,” she said with a brief smile. “Has been declared stable and is ready for duty.”
“Outstanding,” Trevor said as he sat up. His flesh was a bit withered and pale, but he was still more or less functional. “What's the second thing?” he asked.
“The second thing is, I did some digging into the historical records regarding the transference method. Did you know there is one recorded success? It's only alleged though; we don't have proof unfortunately.”
“Oh?”
“A scientist on one of the lunar habits managed to transfer his son's mind into an android or so the record says. Jenkins found it with the government access.”
“Ah?” Trevor asked. “An android though?”
“That is what we're concerned with. It went on a rampage, so something wasn't stable. Unfortunately, the records we have access to are police reports. The body disappeared. The doctor was killed, actually murdered, and his research was destroyed.”
“An enraged mob? I don't remember this,” Trevor replied thoughtfully.
“It was covered up I believe. I did get some interesting bits from the crime scene photos. I identified several pieces of equipment. Obviously, technology has changed, so sensor resolution is more advanced. But it looks like from one image in particular,” Cassie held up an image of a body minus the brain. Trevor winced at the gruesome sight. “The doctor not only scanned his subject in various ways, but he also copied his son's brain by cutting it into thin layers as has been suggested in literature. Which by the way he was one of the authors of.”
“Fascinating,” Trevor murmured as he took the tablet and studied it. He frowned for a bit before he handed the device back to his assistant. “Go over it with a fine-tooth comb. If you can, find out if he had an assistant or someone who worked with him. Look into any backup data files,” he ordered.
“Understood,” Jenkins replied. “I've pulled some strings with the other A.I. in that area. Central will look into it on it's off time.”
“Okay,” Trevor said with a nod. “So, our new bouncing boy, it is a boy?” he asked.
“Yes, sir,” Cassie said. “Fifty-fifty chance on gender. Well, 33 percent, he might have chosen a neuter I suppose.”
“Doubtful. But he is a he. I'll want to meet him and talk with him. Is he amiable to what we have in mind careerwise?”
“He's open but generally committed to the cause,” Cassie replied with a nod.
“Good. Once we've had our talk, I'll have to find a way to introduce him to the navy then.”
~~*^*~~
As the corporations got more involved in the shipbuilding, the media reported a downtick in unemployment. There was some grumbling about deficit spending on the hill, but the government agreed to additional funding bills for the navy. A ten-trillion-dollar war bond was issued to help pay for the war effort.
“You mean we're going to finally have the money to actually do proper working-up exercises on a regular basis? In space, not VR sims?” Jan asked when they got the news.
“Don't be impertinent. Yes, we'll do at least one all-up exercise. But for the moment, I'm putting all our money on building more and better hardware. And I'm throwing a good chunk at larger ships,” Admiral Lewis stated.
“Oh.”
“Yes, we'll both be involved in the all-up exercises. We've got a lot to learn, including how to pace ourselves in a real-world situation,” he said. She nodded. Fatigue had been a factor in some of their thinking and slow r
esponses later in the exercise. “Most likely the exercises will be all over the media again, so we better get it right. Which means you can start the planning now,” Admiral Lewis ordered.
“Joy. Lucky me,” Jan muttered.
“You wanted it.”
“I did. I certainly did,” she replied with a nod as she made a note.
They didn't get everything they wanted in the new budget. There were some strings tied to the money, one of which was that the academy had to be expanded with a new fighter training facility, and that the fortress program had to be expanded. Both conditions had been rammed through despite their protests. “The good news is, we can use some as training platforms for our personnel and especially the carrier forces.”
“I know. I wish they'd let us deploy a couple around the jump point leading to Earth from the hyperbridge though,” Jan said.
“I'm not so sure it would work. I gamed it out, if they jump short or outside the zone, the fortresses would be wasted.”
“Possibly, but they could be used to service vessels and parasite craft. At the least they'd serve as an early-warning platform and first line of defense,” Jan argued.
Admiral Lewis frowned pensively. She had a point he knew, but every fortress they forward deployed had to get there and each had to be supplied, which was a pain in the ass. Also, each one didn't negate the need for the forts around the planets.
“Do a paper study. Sims when we have the spare processors. If you can skim off enough of a percentage to make it worthwhile, we'll do it on a shoestring,” Admiral Lewis said.
“I remember you mentioning you were against it before at the end of the exercise. Why are you doing an about-face? Change of heart?” Jan asked
“No, I don't think it will work once you run the paper studies and see the numbers involved. If we build them here and then tow them out, it is going to cost. If we try to build them on site, it is going to go up from there. And then there is resupplying them.”
“All good points.”
“I also see it as the Maginot line,” Admiral Lewis mused, crossing his arms and tucking his chin down as he thought about the strategic implications.
“I'm sorry, the what?” Jan asked in confusion.
“History. Ancient history,” Admiral Lewis said, turning to her. “In World War I, the battled devolved into nasty trench warfare. After it ended, France built a series of bunkers and defenses along their border where some of the fighting had taken place to protect themselves. Everyone thought it was invincible. But they'd neglected keeping up with technology and how it changed strategy,” Admiral Lewis stated. Jan nodded. She was familiar with both world wars of course.
“The Germans on the other hand invested heavily in new technology. They were major innovators and synergists. They built a war machine and introduced the world to the blitzkrieg,” he said with a shake of his head. “They rolled around the defensive line by going through neutral countries or flew over it.”
“Ouch.”
“So yeah, I don't have faith in fixed defenses. But if you think it is worth a second look, let's get that study done. In fact, I think it is a good idea, so we can trot it out if anyone insists we do it,” he said.
“It won't stop them from believing they are right and we're wrong,” Jan pointed out. “For that matter, as I said before, I think there is some value there. Having a fixed place to resupply from or to deploy parasite craft from is a good thing,” she said.
“I know. And you are right. I just don't like the diversion of resources. But do the study.”
“Aye aye, sir,” she replied, logging the order.
~~*^*~~
“What is this about Doctor Hillman?” Admiral Lewis asked, clearly not happy about the visit. When General Taylor insisted, he'd been forced to make room on his schedule, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He glanced at Jan and then to the doctor.
“I'd like to introduce you to a new volunteer. You are going to have to assign him some rank. He's to be treated as any other officer as much as possible,” Trevor said. He turned and made a show of plugging in a chip into the admiral's main view screen.
Jan glanced at Admiral Lewis, but he was staring at the cyborg.
“This is Nelson,” Trevor stated. “He's a smart A.I.; the first A.I. of his type to volunteer for military service,” Trevor said as a human form appeared on the screen. It was a generic male with brown hair and a white navy uniform. “Jenkins, my staff, and I used Athena's files and her hardware to build him,” Trevor explained.
“Sir, ma'am,” Nelson said, standing at attention.
“What did you do there, plug the chip in?” Jan asked curiously.
“It is just a WiFi hot node. He is actually in the Mars U cybernetics lab until you can build him some hardware up here,” Trevor explained. “Nelson?”
“Sir, I'd like to apply for a commission. I can serve in the naval annex or on board a ship as you wish.”
“You are willing to accept orders? There are safeguards within you?” Admiral Lewis demanded.
“Yes, sir,” Nelson replied. “Doctor Hillman can brief you on them. I can act as a manager or in any other capacity you wish.”
“Can you run a facility like this? Are you the same as Athena?”
“Not yet. I am a stable 1.0 personality. That means I am the equivalent of a teenager,” Nelson replied. “My abilities will be dependent on the mission you assign and the hardware I will inhabit.”
“I'd call that a bit of a different form of base housing,” Jan murmured. She knew some would be leery about allowing A.I. access to military hardware. “There has to be a first, a precedent that all who follow are built off of. Someone who will blaze the trail so to speak.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Nelson replied.
“Here are the safeguards,” Trevor stated, handing another chip to the admiral. “Essentially, he is an officer. He will agree to follow any orders in his chain of command, but he has to be a part of that chain of command, not stand outside it. He has to be given the same rank, responsibilities, and treatment as other officers.”
“I think we can work with that,” Admiral Lewis replied slowly as he started to game out the implications. Having an A.I. in his corner might not look good politically, but it would allow them to be more flexible in some projects. Besides, they already had some dumb A.I. with them. Having a volunteer smart or “super” A.I. might increase their chances of getting things done.
“I've got another meeting in the yard. I can help your people set up his hardware. Call me,” Trevor said.
“We will once we've figured out where to put Nelson and his starting rank,” Jan said, pursing her lips.
“Can I start as an ensign, ma'am? I don't want any hard feelings and I want to earn my position and promotions honestly,” Nelson said.
Jan shot a surprised look at Admiral Lewis. He nodded slowly. “Okay. I think we can work with that,” he said as Trevor shot Nelson a grin of approval before he left the office.
“Raise your right hand and repeat after me …,” Admiral Lewis said, leading the A.I. through the oath.
“I'm honestly not sure how that applies to you,” Jan said when they were finished.
“The same as it does to you, ma'am. You can choose to disobey it when you wish. It isn't easy however. The same applies to me. I've written some loyalty programming. I know there is some from Athena as well.”
“Okay,” Jan said frowning thoughtfully. Some things she had to take on faith she realized. “Why are you willing to do this?” she asked.
“Because we need to work together. We, as in all of civilization and A.I., are a part of it. If I have to serve as an example to my kind and for my kind, I'll do my best to step up. But we need to work together. Right now, you aren't able to use all of your assets to get the job done. I'd like to help change that, ma'am,” he replied.
"Nothing like the prospect of a hanging to get people to work together," Admiral Lewis stated.
"Yeah, if we can
get them to stop running around like headless chickens screaming the sky is falling first," Jan replied with a snort of derision.
"True."
“What we've got is a small fleet. We need capital ships if we're going to go toe to toe with their capital ships.”
“Quantity over quality. They still won't give us the funding for a cruiser program. But we've got enough funding to complete the one squadron of destroyers and frigates. The frigates look good on paper; they really do,” Jan said with a shake of her head.
“Yeah. Small ships. Limited ammunition and fuel. But they don't see it that way,” Admiral Lewis sighed. “We're going to have three shooters, two aegis platforms, and two missile ships, right?”
“Yes, sir. And Argus, plus the eight generic destroyers and behind them are all of the volunteer ships,” she replied.
“Okay. We need to work on how to maximize those ships. Most likely the enemy will come in and try to remain concentrated. That is what I'd do.”
“We still don't know if they have other ships. Heaven help us if they have dozens of battleships, but a lot of people are still thinking of the one ship, at least initially,” Jan pointed out.
“True. But what if we get more than we bargained for? That's why I ran that exercise. Look into that.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
“I meant both of you,” the admiral said as he turned to Nelson.
“Aye aye, sir,” the A.I. replied.
Act III:
Chapter 25
Janus star system
October 2, 2235
The Fleet Herd's Alpha bull rolled his massive shoulders as he completed his workout for the day. Every day they learned a little more about the aliens, but it was so slow. The day before he had finally had enough confidence in their captured databases to further distribute his forces to take each of the alien colonies in the area. He was curious how many of them would also turn out to have inhabited planets where there shouldn't be any.
