Rust Bucket

by Atk. Butterfly

  ***

  I drilled the squadron for an hour before we returned to the port where we were met by a cheering Headquarters' staff along with various ground personnel. I called all my ships' personnel together and gave them a quick debriefing before I let them get besieged by the crowd of people wanting to congratulate them on their efforts.

  I was able to smile proudly as I told them, "You did a good job of getting into space quickly. Some of you continued that fine performance by responding immediately to the crisis by attacking forcefully and aggressively. You may not have noticed it, but the enemy wasn't prepared for us to respond in so aggressive a manner. Because we responded together, they didn't have a chance to even get away. This won't be the last time they try this. If you use the tactics we're learning right now to our full advantage, then I can assure you that you will be giving yourselves the best chance for survival and helping to shorten the war significantly. That's all for now. Dismissed!"

  Most of the men and women from the ships cheered themselves over their performance. They knew they did a good job and were happy to have all the attention the ground personnel were giving them a few moments later. I let them enjoy their celebration and reported to Headquarters where the Fleet Admiral was waiting, apparently for me.

  He said, "My boy, come in and sit down. Light up if you want! Your squadron did a superb job out there last night!"

  I replied, "Thank you, Admiral. Most of them did a good job. A few need more practice and confidence. It could have been real bad if there were more of the enemy present than there was."

  "Regardless, you're inspiring other squadrons to do better. Fewer of them are retreating than before. Of course, we're losing more ships, but we're also destroying enemy ships in the process. How soon do you think your squadron will be ready to attempt an attack on their home planet?" he asked.

  I said, "Truthfully, two months, Admiral."

  He looked at me, as if to study my face, before saying, "I'll give you one month to get them ready. You'll have full authority to move personnel around as you see fit. No questions asked by Headquarters and no one here will end-run you. Have you made any progress with Captain Bleyer?"

  I answered, "Not enough. He's still the weak link. His ship was the last to respond to the attack. They didn't even get close enough to use their Mark IV quads before the enemy was destroyed."

  "I see. Are you considering taking disciplinary action then?" he asked.

  I replied, "No sir. He hasn't done enough in my book to warrant disciplinary action of that severity. The only thing I afraid of is that he'll get his crew killed before he actually does."

  He said calmly, "Then you should consider replacing him."

  I said, "I am. Right now isn't the time to do that. What I'm thinking of doing is transferring him to my ship and putting my ship's captain in charge of his ship."

  "Do you think you can trust him with your ship?" he asked.

  I answered truthfully, "No, but at least I won't feel guilty about not doing something for the men and women aboard his current ship. If he still manages to screw up, at least I'll know about it immediately and can take some action."

  "Fine. Do what you think best and good luck. Will you join me in a celebration drink?" he asked.

  "Yes sir. I'm honored," I said as I went ahead and lit up a cigarette before accepting a drink from the admiral.

  ***

  My squadron adopted the name of the Mad Dogs Squadron. It was more inspiring than being called the 21st Squadron. I continued to drill them with scrambles into space and battle stations and charges in space. We practiced our formations until we could move quickly as a formation. Then I gave them scenarios where they were slowly forced to think about how to recognize an opportunity and take the initiative for the good of the squadron. I wasn't fooling myself that they would all be successful when they tried it for real. I could only hope that we would become so fearful to the enemy that he would be the one making mistakes that would make it easier for my squadron to capitalize on, whether we were acting together or on individual initiative.

  ***

  Four days after my meeting with the Fleet Admiral, I made the switch in ship captains and put Captain Bleyer on the Thurman. Then I had him where I could keep an eye on him and not have to worry about him losing a ship with all its personnel. He wasn't pleased with the transfer, but my own ship's captain who went over to the other ship was pleased to learn that I had that much confidence in her. Before the transfer took place, I spoke with my new First Officer, Lieutenant Millie Ostengard.

  I said, "Millie, I'm switching my ship's captain with Captain Bleyer. He's not shaping up over there. I'm not going to live with a guilty conscience for failing to give the men and women of that ship an even chance of survival in the next battle. Keep an eye on Captain Bleyer. If he tries to do anything behind my back, relieve him at once. If necessary, have him sedated and locked up."

  "Yes sir. Anything else?" she asked.

  I answered, "Yes. If he has to be taken off the bridge, you're to assume the captain's position immediately until the crisis is over. Somehow, we'll muddle through this and keep everyone in one piece. We're going back on patrol in a few days. Be prepared. That's when it's likely to hit the fan."

  "I will. Is this because you don't trust him or because you trust me?" she asked.

  I answered her truthfully, "It's because you're a better officer. If he doesn't shape up, I want a better officer behind me. So, yes, I do trust you more. I know that you won't let me down. Keep this to yourself. I don't want this going out among the squadron. Those men and women need all the confidence we can give them. We're almost at the point where we'll be able to go out as a squadron and attack the Ape-oids' home planet again, this time to hurt them badly. By that, I mean even worse than this ship did before by itself. This, too, you're to keep to yourself."

  ***

  We went out on patrol again three days later. We faced a lone scout. I gave the order to charge. Captain Bleyer didn't repeat my command to my ship, although we still charged since the pilot acted on my instructions anyway. While the scout was being blasted apart, I turned around and looked at Captain Bleyer.

  "Why didn't you order the charge?" I asked.

  He replied, "You already said it and the pilot was already acting on it."

  "I don't care. Are you the ship's captain or not?" I asked.

  He yelled, "Apparently, I'm not, you raving lunatic! Why bother asking me? You've already taken my command away from me! I'm just extra baggage on board this ship! Run the ship yourself! You and this damn rust bucket deserve each other!"

  With that he left the bridge in a huff. I called for the First Officer to take charge.

  ***

  When we got back to port, I pulled the bridge video tapes of the incident and consulted with the Fleet Admiral.

  He said, "Well, boy. Technically, you've got him for dereliction of duty. He didn't turn over the bridge to anyone else. He did it during a battle which makes it even worse. You going to prefer charges?"

  I replied, "I'd rather see him resign instead of in jail. I'd like you to apply pressure on him to do just that. Otherwise, I'll press charges."

  "Why don't you want him to face charges?" he asked.

  I said, "Because if he should get off too lightly and be reassigned, he'll get good men and women killed. Getting him out of the service is the best thing that can happen. His reputation will be unsullied and people will still be alive. That's the best I can do for him under the circumstances."

  The Admiral said, "All right. I'll call him to my office and apply pressure. I'll let you know if you have to follow up with charges."

  I replied, "Thank you, sir."

  ***

  Hours later, Captain Bleyer came up to me, furious about the fact that he had been threatened with being charged with dereliction of duty. Instantly, I sized him up for the type of action he was prepared to do. I figured that he would probably get himself worked up enough to take
a swing at me. I was right.

  I explained to him, "Captain Bleyer, you failed as ship's captain to perform your duties. Then you absented yourself from the bridge without putting a replacement on the bridge. That's dereliction of duty, no matter how you look at it. I don't want to see you court-martialed, if only to save you the embarrassment. I know you're rich enough that it won't affect you on the outside since you don't have to go looking for a job. However, I figured that your country club friends might like you a little better if your service career was unblemished. I suggest that you take the opportunity to resign and not disgrace yourself further."

  He yelled, "You lying son-of-a-bitch! What proof do you have of what you said I did? I can get every officer on that bridge to swear that I did no such thing!"

  I replied, "You're wrong. The Thurman is a civilian gunship on loan to the Navy. As such, she has a few features not present on Navy ships, such as a bridge video recorder. Your entire display of behavior is on Tamp-a-pruf video tape. It doesn't matter how many officers you convince to perjure themselves, you won't win. You'll be disgraced and thrown out of the military. You could even possibly be given some jail time."

  He swung his fist then. I was ready to duck. Then I backed off and looked at him for a moment to see if he was going to try to follow up. When he did, I struck back. He hit the ground and smiled back at me.

  He sneered, "Striking an officer is a court-martial offense, too. Now we'll see who's thrown out of the service!"

  I turned on my heels and left him there gloating. If nothing else, I had to report the incident. I did so by going directly to Headquarters where the Fleet Admiral was still in his office.

  I said, "Sir, I just had to punch Captain Bleyer when he came at me for the second time. Both times, he missed with his punch. I backed off from him after he threw and missed with his first punch. When he came at me a second time, I reasoned that no amount of backing up would stop him, so I decked him with one punch. I imagine he intends to press charges for striking an officer. I will counter his charges right now by charging him with attempting to strike a superior officer."

  He said, "All right. Seems like we can't keep you away from courtrooms. No matter. I know how to deal with him. Don't worry about a court-martial. You should have taken the opportunity to hit him a few more times, though. No more severity in the penalty for that even if you did have to face a court-martial. Go on about your duty. I'll see Captain Bleyer shortly. He'll be off base before the day is through. You have my word on that."

  ***

  True to his word, the Fleet Admiral did get Captain Bleyer off the base and out of uniform before the day was through. From what I understand now, the Admiral managed to walk in front of a basketball and get a bruise on his face. Then he met later with the Captain and told him that he was going to be charged with striking a superior officer, namely the Admiral himself. Furthermore, the Admiral's aide was going to testify that he saw Captain Bleyer punch the Fleet Admiral. In essence, the Fleet Admiral convinced Bleyer that more than one could play at the game. Bleyer would spend a guaranteed ten years in a military prison, where money wouldn't do him any good, unless he had Bleyer's resignation of his commission in hand within an hour. The Fleet Admiral had Bleyer's resignation in hand within ten minutes. Bleyer was off the base within the hour.

  Chapter 16

  I moved Millie up to become Captain on my ship and had a new officer brought into the squadron to replace her as First Officer. We still had two weeks to practice and plan for what I knew was to happen. No one else in the squadron knew that we were going on that mission in less than two weeks. They still believed that we would be doing routine patrols for quite a while. Regardless of what they knew, the Mad Dogs Squadron was making a name for itself. Our personnel were able to walk about with pride wherever they went. They had met the enemy several times and won. No other squadron in the Navy at that time could boast of winning all their engagements. Even when the extra rations were put on board the squadron ships, I didn't tell anyone that we would be leaving the next day, not for an extended patrol as they were guessing, but for the home planet of the Ape-oids.

  ***

  My squadron captains and I, along with the other officers, had gone over various ancient naval battles and the tactics they used in preparing for the mission we were now on. For a change, we didn't scramble into space. I handed each officer a sealed envelope before he or she boarded his or her ship with instructions not to open it until I ordered it opened.

  Then I led the Mad Dogs Squadron into space where each ship did a test drill of battle stations and fired its weapons. We then set course for what was our usual patrol area, doubtless with every ship's captain wondering what was in the envelope. When we reached the patrol area, I communicated to the ships to open the envelopes. We continued on past our patrol area and headed at top speed for the Ape-oids home planet to attack and destroy as much of their military as possible. While we moved through space, we maintained strict communications discipline. Not one word was passed over the lightbeam radios from any ship.

  ***

  The Mad Dogs Squadron swept into the near space of the enemy home planet and found itself facing only three heavy warships detailed to protect their planet because of my previous successful attacks on them. My squadron drew up into a line formation as we moved toward the enemy home planet. The three heavy warships turned towards us and communicated with the rest of their fleet to come and offer assistance. I yelled, "Charge!" over the lightbeam radio to all the other ships of the squadron now that our presence was known.

  With our new Mark IV quads on each ship, we were first to fire. We immediately scored hits on the three enemy ships. It was an easy victory despite the fact that the three alien ships didn't retreat. They stubbornly tried to resist the unfavorable odds of my ten ships to their three. It was exactly the kind of initial skirmish I anticipated as we destroyed those three ships completely. We swept past their battered hulls to the enemy home world to begin a systematic bombardment of the military installations.

  Five ships of the squadron remained on orbital patrol against enemy reinforcements from other areas while five ships went into the atmosphere to destroy each and every military installation we could find. I had all the ships take turns at patrolling and bombarding so that they all got in some practice and gained more confidence. We had almost a full day to bombard the military installations before enemy ships from other locations in space finally showed up to defend the planet from attack.

  All ten of my ships regrouped as soon as the patrolling ships picked up the incoming enemy ships on long range sensors. We were fully lined up before they got into range and moved out toward them with every intention of facing them down and destroying them, even though there were twenty of them to our ten. Just before any of their ships got into extreme weapons' range, I ordered the charge. I was pleased to see all nine other ships abreast of mine as we went into top speed and fired our weapons. It didn't matter to me that the enemy was just barely out of range. I wanted my ships to score the first hits, even if they only caused minimal damage. We were outnumbered. Any damage we could inflict on the enemy was to our advantage.

  Because of our longer range Mark IV quads on each ship, we caused the first heavy damage to the enemy ships before their own weapons could affect us even minimally. By the time we were in range of their weapons and also of our remaining on board weapons, two of the enemy ships were permanently disabled. The odds were turning in our favor. The heavier Mark IV quads only became more effective as the range decreased. We had more impact on the enemy than his ships were having on us. We were receiving only light damage compared to the heavy damage we inflicted on him.

  As two more of the enemy ships were destroyed or disabled, one of my ships was likewise destroyed. Still, we charged at top speed as our shots' accuracy continued to tear at the heart of the enemy squadron. Then two more of the enemy ships stopped firing as their hulls were penetrated fully by our weapons fire. Some more
of my ships were hit, but they all pressed forward. We continued to use whatever weapons were operational against the remaining ships of the enemy squadron.

  Then we were suddenly into a melee situation as both squadrons came up to each other. The training I put my squadron through of using individual initiative paid off. I was able to notice that some of the ships of my squadron took advantage of opportunities to slip behind some of the enemy vessels, where the enemy's guns couldn't reach, and put massive T-shots on the enemy. Quickly, in the space of less than a minute, three more enemy ships were out of action as the odds continued to improve in our favor. One more of my ships was destroyed, but the remaining enemy ships were already doomed as the rest of my ships ganged up on the enemy. The massive firepower of the Mark IV quads at extreme close range instantly disabled or destroyed any enemy ship hit by them.