"Although I believe the information to be accurate, I don't expect further help from SHQ. The ships under my command will meet the enemy when they arrive. Other ships are too far away to arrive in time.
"Jenetta Alicia Carver, Rear Admiral, Upper Half, Base Commander of Stewart Space Command Base, message complete."
Admiral Moore looked around the conference table. Only the other admirals and their chief aides had been summoned to this meeting. Even the clerks, normally present at meetings where top secret matters were discussed, had been excluded. "Although we've expected an attack," he said, "seven months seems barely enough time to marshal our forces and complete preparations for this invasion."
"Are we going to just accept this date as accurate?" Admiral Hubera asked.
"Donald," Admiral Moore said reproachfully.
"Now wait a minute, Richard, I'm not criticizing Admiral Carver. I'm questioning the report from the Hudeeracs. Are we going to trust this information from them? Are we going to scramble all our forces and turn our part of the quadrant upside down because they report the Milori are coming?"
"We already knew the Milori were coming, Donald." Admiral Hillaire said. "We just didn't know when. This gives us a date to plan around."
"And what happens if they don't come on the 11th of May?"
"Then we wait until they do come. Can you predict a better date? At least this one makes sense when coupled with the distances involved and all our other information."
"On the assumption that the date is correct," Admiral Moore said, "is there anything we can do to further support Admiral Carver? She'll be outnumbered four to one."
"As she acknowledged, additional ships can't possibly reach her in time," Admiral Platt said, "even if we had additional forces to send."
"There are two ships we could send," Admiral Plimley said, "ships that are currently being tested at the Mars Shipbuilding facility."
"At Mars?" Admiral Burke said. "They couldn't possibly reach her in time."
"I'm talking about the two scout-destroyers that are sheathed in Dakinium."
"But I understood those ships to still be in experimental status," Admiral Platt said.
"Technically they are. We haven't been able to overcome all the problems associated with speeds in excess of Light-487, nor completely verify the hypothesized mechanics."
"We can't send ships that might break down in the middle of a fight," Admiral Bradlee said. "The crews would be left defenseless."
"We have devised a way of using the ships safely," Admiral Plimley said. "Light-9375 only became possible because the Dakinium hull plating begins to resonate as the light speed increases. In physics, as you know, resonance refers to an excited state of a stable particle causing a sharp maximum in the probability of absorption of electromagnetic radiation. Once the speed of the ship exceeds Light-487, the resonance in the hull is responsible for causing the formation of a second temporal envelope around the first. Think of it like an echo. The problem occurs when a second temporal envelope actually begins to take shape around an existing envelope. Like a sound and its echo, the envelopes are out of sync. That causes an electrical charge to build in the Dakinium hull that reverse flows through the main ground, overloading most circuits. We haven't yet been able to find a way of isolating the spike without the occurrence of damage, while still permitting the creation of a second envelope around a formed envelope. But, if we eliminate the sync problem, Light-9375 speed is achievable."
"You've managed a stable Light-9375?" Admiral Hubera asked.
"Yes. We've experimented with a lockout device that blocks any speed above Light-487 and found everything to be fine. A special override, one that allows the helmsman to enable Light-9375 while disabling all other FTL speeds, eliminates the power spike problem that crippled the Colorado when Admiral Carver was testing it. We've found a method of instantly creating the resonance in the hull that allows both temporal envelopes to develop simultaneously. Creating them simultaneously means that both are in accord, while also out of phase. Being out of phase keeps them from simply merging."
"So you're saying if the ship engages Light-9375 from outside a temporal field, such as from a dead stop, there's no problem?" Admiral Moore asked.
"Exactly. The ship can even be moving at any sub-light speed. As long as it's not accelerating from any FTL speed, the process is stable because we create the two temporal envelopes at the same moment. Given enough time, we're sure we'll find a solution to the problem. But under the circumstances, i.e. the seriousness of the situation confronting us, I think we should authorize the use of the ships despite their limitations."
"Can the helm console be set so that there's absolutely no chance of the temporal envelope problem occurring?" Admiral Bradlee asked.
"Yes, as long as no one disassembles the console with the intent of overriding it."
"Given the higher speed, can the crew identify potential obstacles in time to avoid them?" Admiral Woo asked.
"It's not really necessary, Lon."
"Not necessary? What do you mean?"
"Admiral Carver reported that the drive of the Colorado was shut down automatically by the ACS, but they were never able to identify what the sensor net might have seen. Her chief engineer on board, Commander William Cameron, hypothesized that they had flown through the object without impacting it."
"What? How could that be possible?" Admiral Platt asked.
"Our finest minds have been grappling with just that question since we learned about the possible occurrence. Commander Cameron is a very gifted officer who ought to be heading up a research section, but he prefers to remain a ship's engineer. His theory that the double envelope effect moves the ship out of phase in dimensional space has been the subject of much study. Our scientists constructed a wall of easily breakable plastic components in space and we drove the ship through it. Nothing happened."
"Nothing?"
"Nothing. It was as if the ship never arrived at the wall, but telemetry data confirmed it did, and that it flew through it. So we were emboldened to try with something more solid. We constructed a wall of titanium plating and tried again. This time, we remotely piloted the ship because of possible danger. Again, the ship passed through the wall without impacting it."
"Through titanium?"
Yes. For our final test, we flew the ship through Leda."
"Leda? The Jupiter moon?"
"Yes. Leda is sixteen kilometers in diameter. The Colorado emerged from the back side of the moon as though it wasn't even there."
"Amazing," Admiral Platt said. "How come you haven't mentioned this before?"
"We wanted to be sure before we said anything lest people think we were certifiably mad. We have trouble even believing it ourselves. The test at Leda took place just yesterday. You can see why knowing about obstacles ahead is unimportant; however, the Colorado will still have to be wary of other ships using the double envelope system. We don't yet know what will happen if they cross paths while traveling at Light-9375. Much more research is required."
"And these ships are ready to go now?" Admiral Moore asked.
"Not immediately, but they can be made ready within five to six months and still make it to Stewart before the Milori."
"Has the Dakinium been tested against a nuclear torpedo strike?" Admiral Woo asked.
"Yes, thoroughly. We estimate the damage to the ship would be less than ten percent that of an equivalent force on a three-layer tritanium sheathed hull, such as on our newer battleships. While the ship certainly isn't indestructible, it's as close to that as we can make it at this time. We have plans to add the new automated anti-torpedo weapons system developed at Stewart and that should add another measure of safety."
"Then I agree with the proposal to send the two scout-destroyers to Admiral Carver as soon as they're ready," Admiral Woo said. "They may add just the extra bit of firepower that can help repel the Milori."
"Does anyone disagree?" Admiral Moore asked. "Very well, Loretta
," he said to Admiral Plimley when no one spoke up, "please see that the ships are made ready and sent to Admiral Carver in time for her to employ them against the Milori."
"Can we use this new technology on our other ships, Loretta?" Admiral Bradlee asked.
"Yes, if we completely strip off their outer hull and replace it with Dakinium. It's the new material that allows the formation of the second envelope. Although we've tried to simulate creation of the resonance in every other material used for hull plating during the past century, we've had no success."
"So there's no chance that an enemy can duplicate the speed capability as a result of a close inspection of one of the ships."
"None. Moreover, we're reasonably certain they can't reverse-engineer the Dakinium material simply by getting a sample piece. We were only able to produce it because we had the benefit of the research files in the computer core that Admiral Carver found in the underground facility on Dakistee. The files put us on the right track, but they were incomplete, so our best chemists and metallurgical engineers conducted thousands of experiments in their effort to reproduce the almost indestructible material that we found on Dakistee. It was pure chance we developed a material with the unique properties it has. Since then we've continued to experiment, hoping to improve the durability of the hull material, and we've come up with similar compounds that offer even better protection against attack, but none resonate like the Dakinium. Even a sample piece of the original Mawcett material doesn't create the necessary resonance."
* * *
Vertap Aloyandro knocked and then entered the royal chambers. He walked quickly to the small group of Hudeerac noblemen that sat in sumptuous sofas and chairs, comfortably facing a roaring blaze in the ornate fireplace.
"Vertap," one the group members said, "I understand you've received a reply from Space Command?"
"Yes, my Lord. Admiral Carver thanked me for the intelligence data."
"Did she pass on any new information?"
"No, my Lord, nothing new since she reported the success of her attacks on the Milori ships that were hidden in GA space."
"That's all, Vertap."
Vertap bowed, turned, and left the chambers.
The nobleman who had spoken to Vertap said, "Okay, we've prepared her for the attack. That's all we can do."
"Why are we even bothering with these Terrans?" one of the others asked. "They're so far away that they can never be good allies."
"Don't underestimate the value of an alliance, regardless of the distance. We want them to be as prepared as possible for the attack by the Milori because it will enable them to cause more damage to the Milori fleet. Once the Milori have been sufficiently weakened, we'll strike and take back our territory."
"The Milori won't go easily."
"That's why we're pouring all available resources into ship building. We'll be so strong they won't be able to stand against us after they do battle with the Galactic Alliance."
"But their shipbuilding capacity is incredible. If Maxxiloth remains on the throne, it'll only be a matter of time before he rebuilds his fleet and counterattacks us."
"The Galactic Alliance knows they can't simply spank the Milori and send them home this time. If they defeat the invasion force, they'll have to go to Milor and dictate the terms of a new treaty directly to the Emperor. He'll have put all his resources into producing new ships to replace those destroyed, but it won't be enough if the Galactic Alliance somehow manages to destroy his invading fleets. He can't replace five hundred ships in two annuals. Space Command will then destroy all his new ships, leaving him defenseless. As soon as Space Command leaves, we'll step in and finish him off, all without sacrificing any of our people. Space Command will have done most of the fighting and dying for us and we'll have retribution for our slaughtered Hudeerac countrymen. We'll also have the Milori Empire and a fleet capable of defending our new territory against the Tsgardis, Gondusans, and Uthlaro."
"What about the Galactic Alliance? What if they decide to annex the Milori Empire, including our former territory, instead of just leaving?"
"They've just expanded their territory beyond what they're capable of managing and they only want to be left in peace. Maxxiloth was a fool to attack them. And by the time they arrive in this part of space, we'll be strong enough to convince them to leave our new empire should they be foolish enough to consider staying around after they've eliminated the Milori threat for us."
* * *
Stewart's engineers did a great job of fabricating and attaching four torpedo tubes and reloading assemblies to the exterior stern of the Scorpion and then camouflaging them to appear to be part of the propulsion systems. Without close inspection, no one would ever guess they weren't what they appeared until they were on the receiving end of the torpedoes. The five undercover agents spent the weeks getting the inside cleaned up, provisioned, and adapted for their personal use. Unlike the old ship, this one had a bridge large enough to seat six individuals and the holds were many times larger. The crew quarters were also a vast improvement over the old ship, and Vyx and Brenda would finally have a private place where they could engage in whatever suited them without any of the others happening by. Vyx was extremely pleased with the new ship; now all they needed was an assignment.
* * *
Waiting is something military people are familiar with, but that few enjoy, and Jenetta was no exception. There was little more that could be done to prepare for the Milori this far in advance but the base was always in a state of active readiness anyway. Once she had recalled all ships and sent a few special messages, she could do little except think about the coming tide of enemy warships. She had long ago turned over most of the day-to-day management duties to her officers and she didn't go out of her way looking for political contact with the various governments in her sectors, or with the ambassadorial staff posted on Stewart. Most of her day was consumed with reading reports or writing them, and in between, she thought about the Milori and what she would do when they arrived.
She always looked forward to returning to her quarters each night because there would invariably be several personal messages waiting for her. Before she did anything else, she would sit down and view them, then begin composing responses in her head. It was a wonderful way to get her troubles off her mind, if only for a short time.
On this evening, she had messages waiting from her mom, her sisters Christa and Eliza, and her brother Richie. Since Christa and Eliza were aboard ships that were part of her command, she was able to exchange messages with them most evenings while they were away from port. Richie, six years older than Jenetta, was aboard the San Francisco on patrol duty in the sectors adjoining Stewart's. In the new message, he announced that he had received his promotion to Commander. He also said he would be remaining aboard the San Francisco, but now as First Officer. Jenetta was glad his promotion had finally come through. It seemed reasonable to assume her brothers had some mild embarrassment or held some resentment to Jenetta's meteoric climb through the ranks, although they professed none. Billy, upon being appointed as interim captain to the Mentuhotep following the first battle with the Milori, had confessed he had taken some ribbing from his shipmates for serving in his kid sister's command. He had since been promoted officially to Captain and given permanent command of the GSC destroyer Seoul when its former captain moved up to a frigate. Jenetta sent a message to Richie congratulating him on his promotion before responding next to her mom's message and then to Christa's and Eliza's.
After sending her messages, she knelt on the floor to groom her cats. The hundred-sixty pound Jumakas purred and rubbed against her as she pulled the wire brush through their short, dense fur. Although fully grown, they always loved rolling around on the floor with Jenetta after a grooming and never extended their claws or nipped at her, no matter how rough the play got.
* * *
When the North Pass wall on Siena reached ten meters in height, two giant wooden doors, each fifteen centimeters thick and eig
ht meters high by three meters wide, were hung on thick steel hinges made at the new forge. At ten meters, no one felt completely safe yet, but they were at least as safe as they would have been with the barricade, and probably much more so. With the ability to close and bar the doors, the barricade of sharpened poles was dismantled and transported to the South Pass, then re-erected there as a secondary line of defense. Any dinosaur that managed to jump over the first barricade would now impale itself on the second.
The wall of stone blocks, although incomplete, provided great peace of mind and everyone was breathing a little easier. Two massive wooden bars could be turned to lock the door when it was closed and it was doubtful the dinosaurs would find any give if they pushed against it. Thick steel straps ran across the rear surface and heavy timber support posts could be propped between the door and concrete foundation to reinforce the doors further when closed.
Admiral Vroman continued to push for the additional five meters before it became too cold to work on the wall. When completed, the wall would resemble parts of the Great Wall of China. A three-meter wide walkway on top would allow a solid platform from which the sentries could watch the pass and from which defenders could mass to repel the expected visitors. A counter-balanced drawbridge, which could be closed by one person in seconds, was also planned, even though the doors were so well balanced that one person could close and lock them given sufficient time.
The forge had made a world of difference, as everyone had known it would. The blacksmiths were kept so busy throughout the day with people pestering them for various items that Admiral Vroman finally had to step in and require that all blacksmith requests go through him. Steel knives, axes, and steel-tipped spears had replaced the stone versions, and iron hinges and door closures had replaced the leather versions on all buildings and shelters. Now that steel bands were available, coopers were able to make wooden barrels and the farmers were drawing up plans for new plows to be ready for planting season. The new plows would be far cry from the thick, pointed sticks originally used to open furrows.
Castle Vroman Page 14
