by Dale Musser
“Knowing what you know now, Admiral, what would you have done differently?”
I sat quietly for a moment and swallowed hard. “I would have tried harder to stop Admiral Regeny from his senseless rush to liberate Glomar Rosa; or at least delay him long enough to allow the FSO enough time to collect the intelligence that would have shown him his plans were dangerous. However, I doubt that would have changed anything. His mind was set.”
“What about your decision to blow up Glomar Rosa? Would you make the same decision again?”
The roiling anguish that filled me turned to a painful blackness in my chest as I answered, “Yes, sir. Even in retrospect, I cannot see any other option that would have resulted in the survival of the Federation.”
“Thank you, Admiral. That is all. You’re excused.”
That was it. I went back to my estate, still unclear as to how things would end; but it certainly didn’t look good. It was about two hours later when Piebar announced that I had a visitor. Rebadat Tonclin had come to see me.
I asked Piebar to escort Tonclin to one of the patios that overlooked a portion of the garden and lake.
“Tib, I thought I would come by to see how you’re doing,” said Tonc as he approached me.
“It’s nice of you to come, Tonc. I wish that you were visiting under happier circumstances. Please have a seat.
“Piebar, could you bring us some refreshments, please?”
“Yes, things are rather bleak at the moment,” said Tonc. I sipped my afex as Tonc continued. “I have to tell you, Tibby, this is a huge mess. For the first time in centuries, the Senate is holding closed meetings and keeping their findings secret. The government is shaken to its core and they’re looking for a scapegoat.”
“I suspected as much. I’m waiting for them to ask me to sever my own head and then serve it to them on a gold platter,” I said sarcastically.
“I can’t say with certainty that you won’t take the brunt of the penalties, but I doubt it will come to that,” replied Tonc. “While I’m not getting full details, I am hearing enough to get the mood of the committee. Tibby, there are certain senatorial actions that have thus far been kept from you and details I think you should know about at this point in time. The Senate Committee is shouldering part of the guilt in this situation. Shortly before Admiral Regeny embarked on his foolish venture, he was called in before the same committee now investigating the calamity at Glomar Rosa. The Senate was thinking about retiring him. They had lost confidence in his abilities and his judgement. For years he’s been little more than a figurehead and, frankly, some of the decisions he made to inhibit your actions were not sitting well with the Senate. He was under review when he made the decision to attack Glomar Rosa. I think it was his belief that he could prove his worth to the Senate by carrying out this blitz attack and liberating the people of Glomar Rosa, much in the way that you did on Alamar-4. He deliberately isolated you from the planning and battle so he could take full credit for a victory he thought would be a sure thing. He feared that you would get the greatest measure of credit if you were involved and that his career would be over. Regeny has been walking in your shadow ever since your arrival in the Federation. Though you were helping to boost his status and popularity, he was still not in the spotlight like you were.”
“I didn’t know any of this,” I said. I recalled the baffling contradictions in Regeny’s reasoning and his unreasonable behavior before and during the Glomar Rosa campaign. Everything Tonc said was making sense.
“I think Regeny thought taking Glomar Rosa would be an easy and straightforward undertaking,” Tonc continued. “But he wanted to make it look like a monumental mission on behalf of the people of Glomar Rosa and the rest of the Federation. That's why he took so many ships. The problem was that he couldn’t control his ego – or his mouth. He spoke openly his plans at parties and other events in the weeks before the battle. As you know, Admiral Regeny liked to brag and be the center of attention – and he was never great at keeping secrets. Word of his plans surely reached the Brotherhood in ample time for them to use the opportunity to lay a trap for the fleet. So you can see why the Senate is being so secretive about the investigation.”
“Does Wabussie know any of this?” I asked.
“Yes. He was one of the sources utilized by the Senate to gather information that would inform their ruling. Wabussie tried repeatedly to warn them that allowing Admiral Regeny to proceed with his plans was extremely dangerous; but the committee decided to let him go through with the attack, thinking it would turn out poorly and that it would be enough to substantiate a decision to retire him. Essentially, Tibby, the Senate recognizes they acted irresponsibly by taking a political approach to a volatile military situation that was placing nearly all the Federations protective resources in jeopardy, not to mention untold numbers of lives. They thought they could simply allow the campaign to result in a quick retreat, after which they would remove Regeny and split the military forces into two classifications – the space fleet and the infantry. Each division would fall under separate commanders, who would coordinate actions that involved both branches. You would become Admiral of the fleets and Admiral Slater would be in command of the troopers.”
“Slater? Where is Slater? I asked, when I realized I hadn’t heard him mentioned since the battle.
“Didn’t they tell you?” Tonc asked in a shocked high-pitched voice that almost squeaked. “Tibby, Slater is dead. He and a few of his troopers were still on the planet when it exploded.”
“Wha... What?” I stammered. “No one told me. I gave orders that all our people were to leave the surface immediately and that I was going to fire on the planet.”
“Slater was on the ground when you gave the order. He immediately began to pull back his squadrons and getting them through Cantolla Gates as fast as he could. He wouldn’t pass through the gate until he got everyone out. Most of his men made it. It’s unclear exactly what happened. He and the last of his troopers may have been injured or killed before making it through the gate or the gate itself may have been destroyed. Whatever happened, contact with Slater was severed and he didn’t make it through.”
I slumped back in my chair, completely overcome and unable to speak. Within seconds Piebar appeared with a glass of amber liquid and handed it to me.
“Here, sir. I think you had best drink this.”
I took the glass, almost unaware that I had done so. Tonc sat across from me in silence, waiting for me to get my mind around yet another devastating loss. Before long, the strong aroma of Andarian whiskey hit my nostrils and I gulped it down.
“Why hasn’t anyone told me about all this before now?” I asked.
“I thought you knew,” Tonc said. “But I suspect this is one of the reasons they have isolated you here. The situation is extremely delicate; and until they can figure out what to say to the public, including how they plan to fix things, they don’t want the news media to have access to you. It’s a real mess, Tibby, and it all started with of Senate – their investigation of Admiral Regeny and their neglectful dismissal of Admiral Wabussie’s forewarnings.”
“So what is Wabussie’s own situation at the moment?” I asked.
“He’s probably the only one who will come out of this unscathed, but I don’t think he’s too happy about what’s going on. While he’s not being held accountable to the Senate for anything that’s happened so far, I believe he holds himself responsible for not being more resolute with the Senate about the need to prevent Regeny from going forward with his plan.”
“What about the intelligence I was given about Domagota and Ming?" I asked. "Won’t he be held accountable for that?”
“Wabussie was the one who gave it to you?”
“Well, I assumed it was him or that it was at least provided to me at his orders. I have no confirmation of that.”
“Good! If it was him, let's hope he covered his tracks well; and if it wasn’t… well, we may never know who did it. If you hadn
’t taken the course you did, the battle at Glomar Rosa may well have turned out even worse.”
“How so?” I asked.
“Well, let me put it this way, Tibby; would you have won the battle at Glomar Rosa without the aid of the androids, your private fighters and the Ruwallie Rasson private forces you had gathered for your assault on Domagota?”
I thought about it a minute and realized it was unlikely. “Probably not,” I answered.
“So by assembling those forces in your mission to destroy Ming before he fled, you had a ready fighting force assembled that could quickly be diverted to help at Glomar Rosa.”
“How do you know about all of this?” I asked.
Tonc smiled. “I have my sources in the Senate that remain close. I don’t have all the details they do, so I’ve had to piece the events together from conversations that have come my way; but I think my understanding of what has unfolded is at least ninety percent accurate.”
“Thank you, Tonc. You’ve certainly given me a new perspective on all of this.”
“Just hang in there, Tib. I think it will all work out.”
“I hope you’re right; but the Senate certainly has some pretty solid evidence against me, as well as my own confession to violating orders and Federation laws. I don’t think they’re going to exonerate me this time.”
“Perhaps not. I can’t say for sure. However, I don’t think they’ll ask you to sever your own head and serve it on that gold platter you talked about earlier.”
After Tonc left, I had a strong desire to see Reide and talk with him. Lunnie was sympathetic with me about all that had happened and, while she was disturbed by what I had done, she understood the necessity of the decision I made. I wasn’t so sure about Reide. In the isolation of his JAC training we had no communication with him. I knew he was allowed visitors, but my movements during the Senate investigation were restricted to Megelleon, so I wasn’t able to see him. I mentioned it to Kala when she came to sit with me on the patio. She said, “Tibby, you know you can petition the Senate for a waiver to visit Reide. Since you won’t be leaving the Federation and you’ll remain more or less available to them, they should allow you to go. You’d be accompanied by a security guard, but you are almost all the time anyway. If you like, I’ll prepare the request for you and submit it.”
“I guess I have nothing to lose,” I said.
Kala left to prepare the petition and I remained on the patio, still devastated by the loss of Slater and the troopers. A few hours later Kala returned with unexpected news. “Your request has been approved. You can go to Plosaxen tomorrow to visit Reide. A Senate guard will be arriving in the morning to escort you.”
As promised, a Senate guard was at the estate the next morning. The guard turned out to be a young woman not too many years older than Lunnie. We used the estate Cantolla Gates to travel to the Capitol Station and, from there, directly to the military facility on Plosaxen. The route used by my attendant circumvented the main Cantolla Gate station used by most people during their travels to the Capitol or the military base, I assumed because the Senate wished to keep me out of the public eye as much as possible.
Plosaxen was actually the site of many military bases, but the JAC training area was adjacent to the largest base in order to facilitate observation and non-combat skills training and the integrated military exercises that were mandatory curriculum for graduating cadets. We arrived at the main military facility, where I was greeted by the base commander, a man named Caskajon.
“Welcome, Admiral. I received word early this morning that you would be coming and I wanted to greet you personally.”
“Thank you, Commander. It’s a privilege to be here. Plosaxen provides the best troopers in the Federation.”
“Thank you, Admiral. I’m pleased to hear that. It’s part of our mission to make sure we continue to be the very best.”
Commander Caskajon glanced at my attending guard before continuing. “Admiral, I was told before you arrived that I was not to ask you any questions about what happened at Glomar Rosa. I just wish to state that, in spite of the rumors that have been circulating these past few days, I want you to know that you have my utmost respect and full support. I have no doubt that whatever you did out was in the best interest of the Federation and I thank you for it.”
“Thank you, Commander. That means a lot to me. I hope I can live up to that trust and respect.”
“Sergeant,” the commander called out. A young man rushed forward and saluted. “Take the Admiral and his attendant to the JAC facility so he can meet with his son. I think he should be in the dining hall about now. Furthermore, tell cadet Reidecor he’s relieved from his duties for the rest of the day so he can visit with his dad.”
“Yes, sir!” the sergeant responded. He saluted the commander again before turning to me and saluting again. “If you’ll follow me, sir, we have a transport waiting to take us to the JAC complex.”
I was unprepared for the reception I received when we arrived at the mess hall. I had been accustomed to eating either at home or on a ship most of the time and I don’t think I had ever dined at a Federation base before. We no sooner entered the mess hall than a voice called out, “Admiral in the mess!” Immediately everyone stopped eating and stood at attention.
Damn, I so hated military protocol. I had to gather my thoughts for a moment before I said, “As you were.”
Everyone immediately returned to their meals or kitchen duty, though the general tone in the room certainly became more subdued and eyes seemed to stay low, except for one young man who stood rigidly, staring at me with his mouth agape.
I grinned and walked to him, “Well, Cadet Reidecor, do you always stand about with your mouth open?”
“Uh, no Dad… uh, Sir!” he stammered.
I leaned toward his ear and said quietly, “Hey look, I’m not here on official business. I'm here to visit you, so drop the military jargon. Let's find a quiet place to sit and talk, shall we?”
“Uh, I can’t. I'm on duty,” he replied.
“It’s alright, cadet,” said the sergeant. “Commander Caskajon said you’re relieved from your duties for the remainder of the day.”
One of Reide’s classmates bussed his tray for him as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and straightened his uniform. As we walked together through the corridor, Reide asked quietly, “Dad, I don’t understand. What’s going on? I’ve heard that a huge portion of the space fleet has been destroyed and that Admiral Regeny is dead. Some of the troopers on the base are saying that you saved the fleet. Others say that you weren’t there because you ran off, but that you came back at the last minute and that, to cover up your mistake, you blew up Glomar Rosa, killing billions of innocent people. We’ve not been allowed to watch the news for the past four days by orders from the base Commander. What’s the truth? And why are you so bruised up?”
“It’s complicated, Reide,” I said. “Is there someplace we can sit down away from the others where we can talk?”
“Sir, the sergeant recommended, you and Cadet Reidecor are certainly welcome to use the officers' lounge. It’s unoccupied at the moment and, as an officer, you’re entitled to invite a cadet to join you.”
“That will work,” I said. I requested some leniency from the guard so I could speak privately with my son. She granted my request and posted herself just inside the lounge entrance. After Reide and I were seated, I told him the entire story. He listened quietly and without comment until I finished.
“Wasn’t there anything you could have done besides sacrificing the entire planet?” he asked.
“If there were alternatives, the Admiralty and I weren’t able to think them – not even one – and believe me, we tried,” I said.
“But you killed billions of innocent people! Was it really necessary?”
“I guess that’s what the Senate is trying to decide,” I replied.
A voice spoke up from nearby. “Admiral, may I make a comment?” I turned to see a young
female JAC cadet who had paused from her cleaning duties.
“If you wish,” I said, curious as to what she had on her mind.
She approached the table and saluted before continuing. “I apologize, sir, but I overheard your conversation and I’d like to say something about it. I just returned to duty today after being permitted to take an unscheduled leave to see my father. He was just released from the infirmary, where he was treated for injuries after being deployed to Glomar Rosa on the RIPMON.
“Sir, my father said the attack fell apart almost immediately and that it resulted in the worst carnage imaginable. He and his shipmates thought they were doomed after the Brotherhood blocked access to the Cantolla Gates and began decimating the Federation fleet. He said they watched as Admiral Regeny’s flagship was completely destroyed by one of the Brotherhood asteroid-ships. After that, there was nothing but chaos. No orders were issued; no defensive actions were taken; not even one of the remaining Admiralty knew what to do next. All that was left was certain death.
“Then you arrived. You took command, organized the fleet and started to get things under control. When you gave the order to fire on Glomar Rosa, my dad was infuriated, because his brother, my uncle, was down there fighting. He was one of the troopers who died with Admiral Slater. My dad was angry for a while, but he has since realized it was the only thing you or anyone could have done to turn things around. He said it was the right thing to do. Sir, he says you’re the bravest man he knows, because most men would never have been able to make the decision you did. He said that, had it not been for your actions, the Federation would have been doomed for sure. My dad doesn’t make statements like that lightly; and I know he put a lot of thought into it before reaching that conclusion and before sitting me down to tell me how my uncle died. Sir, I just want to thank you. I can’t imagine how difficult a decision that must have been for you to make.”
