"Eight lasers act as an insulator and the one in the middle is the conductor carrying the data - like an insulated wire. The outside ones protect the core from being assaulted by the forces in the wormhole. That way, the data stays intact. That idea is not so unusual. It's a pretty logical extension of applications we already have. But, the continuous nano-wormhole that can be moved as we travel is the big leap. I must admit that I am kind of a little proud of that one. I screwed around with the Casimir for half a day, a while back and realized it would open useless wormholes at almost any level. The problem was that the less energy you put in, the smaller the event horizon. I was thinking in terms of travel at the time, so it seemed like a wasted effort. We couldn't use less energy for FTL flight. But, when this war started, the idea kept haunting me. My brain kept trying to tell me I could use the scheme for this war. The more frustrated I became with the communications problem, the more the wormhole preyed on my mind. So, when it occurred to me that you could send a message through it, I pulled out my old university textbooks and did the math. It turned out a wormhole that weak could be dragged all over the universe. And, it seemed to me that it would pass through the energy of the vortex without interfering with our jump. It's too weak to affect FTL flight. So, I gave engineering and astrophysics the concept and my calculations. I didn't hear a thing until they actually had built and tested the model. Tom, it just seemed like a hunch with a little bad math attached. I really didn't believe it would work. And you know what, Pal. I haven't done that kind of work in over twenty years, so I had good reason to be unsure and not want to tell you." Bryant finished.
"It's okay, boss. We all understand. I'm just glad they didn't prove your idea on the day we land at the staging site. Thank goodness we haven't even left, yet." The Draco Commander observed.
"Anyway, keep working towards a scenario. The effort will result in a solid framework for battle, even if it requires significant last minute alterations. We should be able to solidify whichever plan we settle on several days before landing, because of the communications improvements. We'll be able to do precise tuning as we approach the field." Bryant ordered.
There was a lot of laughing and talking as they broke for lunch, later. Meantime, George advised all the ships in both Fleets to prepare for the first jump as directed in their orders from their Group Commanders. At fifteen hundred he released the authorization to the Fleet Commanders’ systems. Each had programmed their computers to generate their directions to Task Force Commands. This would domino down through the ranks to all the people in charge of the Bridges on the various ships. All instructions would reference a Tactical Order. Helmsmen and Propulsion would only have to enter the directives' numbers to activate the correct flight plans. The entire Mobile Fifth began to move. Each approached its jump aperture. They suddenly all disappeared, at the same instant.
Chapter 12 The Spiel?
February 26, 2249
"Impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fools." Napoleon Bonaparte
George was taking a few private moments, before the meeting. Aldebaran is a swollen giant near the end of its life. Its system is veiled with a thin wisp of dust and gas that probably indicates it has belched off a great deal of its mass, already. A denser hollow orb of smoky grit and gas surrounds it several light-years out. Four planets still orbit it, but it's likely that several more have been swallowed up as the star expanded. Two remaining ones are rocky but were initially probably gas giants whose extensive atmospheres evaporated as the star’s outer perimeter approached. One is now in what would be called the habitable zone of the star and sports a considerable amount of water over nearly ninety percent of the surface. It appears to have little life, if any, but has been a good source of water and gas supplies in a pinch. A swelling, dim, red, dwarf orbiting at an average distance of ninety-one million kilometers is a comparatively bright point in the sky, from this perspective. This kind of red giant is intriguing. You never know when it will puff off its exterior and die. You certainly don't want to be too close -which is why George chose it as the staging site.
It is almost dead center of the two edges of the incursion, which are now at the three-hour-ten-minute and five-hour-five-minute right ascension points. The invasion, after spreading inward from its two arms, now actually forms a wedge. At its innermost battle line, the war is raging between plus and minus two degrees, while on the border enemy forces can be found between plus and minus ten degrees declination. It takes in both Theatre Command regions of Quadrant One Command, so there are sixteen full fleets to draw from, minus the five already in the fight.
The new communications system had worked well throughout the journey. From February 20th on, Fifth Mobile RAC was in continuous receipt of information no more than forty hours old. Updates became even more current as they approached. At Aldebaran, they are now in constant receipt of updates and intelligence that is no more than a couple of hours old from the most distant sources.
George was hosting a gathering to finalize a strategy to execute. They would make a choice, and do the final tune-up in twenty-four hours, just before launching the counter attack. This gathering was with just Fifth Mobile’s upper echelon. Admiral George Bryant, Vice Admiral Grace Tonaka, Vice Admiral Palakiko, Lieutenant General Ian Malcolm, Rear-Admiral Stevens, Rear-Admiral Nichols, Rear-Admiral Laft, Rear-Admiral Davies and Rear-Admiral Moahu. These nine people had overseen what turned into a forty-eight-person team that developed all the options. His eight subordinates had sent him four plans, each with a multitude of alternatives as reactions to enemy responses.
Meanwhile, he was noting how the surface of the big red star actually looked like it was boiling. He had never seen it before this. In fact, he had never viewed most of the stars in the Empire up close. An officer might visit two or three hundred in a career, but there are thousands. He turned to the door in response to a knock on the frame.
"Rear Admiral Stevens reporting, sir" He was at attention in front of the desk.
"Welcome, Tom. Take a seat and relax.' Bryant responded. 'Seems like you’re a bit early, though."
"Yeah George, just a little. I wanted a minute with you.' He replied. 'The others will be here soon, but I wanted to talk to you about our recommendation. The suggestion we like has been sold to the rest of us by Stephen. I don't mean that as any kind of accusation. Point by point, he ran us through comparisons with the others. He presented sixty-four variations of all the plans in computer simulations. I just want you to know that our choice is not a cop out. We really are sold on the idea. Everyone'll be here, but Stephen's going to do most of the talking if you’re okay with that. I have to tell you that he has one of the finest tactical minds, I've ever seen." Tom finished.
"Tom, you don't have to prepare me. I already know which plan they like. I could tell by the way they were presented. Don't worry. I will decide, in the end. It could be one of the four or another one I've dreamed up. But, you're right about Nichols. I could see his imprint all over these. He's going to be a real winner, at this game. Anyway, this meeting will be relaxed. Grab a drink from the bar and just wave everyone else in as they get here." Bryant said with a smile.
Ten minutes later, everyone was seated on the two couches and four chairs with Bryant at his desk. Each had a drink in their hand.
"Well folks, today is the day of decision. I have all the plans, and I know you're recommending plan one. And, I know you have reservations because you believe, I'll think you took the easy way out. But... I don't. It's still the best idea. I noticed the changes to the plan. I think I like them but can someone take me through them?" He looked into all the stunned faces as silence prevailed for several minutes.
"Well?" He prompted.
"Sorry, sir. We're all a little dumbfounded that you know our recommendation. May I ask, how?" Nichols spoke up.
"It's the way they're written. Everyone does the same thing. They build a bunch of plans, but they write up the one they like with more flourish than the others.
I mean it's written to sell it. The others just present the facts. Plan one is a presentation. The others are monotone monologs in style. And, you think I will believe you took the easy way out because it's based on my initial idea. I don't because you've added a lot to it. I think you made it better, but you have to take me through the changes." George finished.
Stephen Nichols took George through the entire plan four times in the next hour and a half. Each time, he brought up a different simulation accounting for major differences in enemy responses. During each playback, Stephen changed parameters several times, incorporating minor variations caused by enemy reactions. He took the time to slow or stop action on several occasions during each review to demonstrate the reasons George's original plan needed the changes. In all, though they really only ran the four simulations, it was like running a dozen.
"Approved, as is!" George snapped.
"What do you mean, sir?" Pal asked.
"I mean I like it. It's approved just like it is. I have to call and make arrangements with a couple of Theatre Commands, and our people are pretty whacked from the trip. All the time dilation from the last jump has really disoriented everyone. So, I will say we execute at seven hundred hours the day after tomorrow. You need to issue all your orders. A couple of maneuvers in this plan require some pretty fancy flying so I'd think you'd all want to program parts of them. This is great work people. It was something to watch you all pull together like you did. Let's see if this time next week we can be sitting here having a drink in celebration of having thrown an aggressor out of our Empire. Can I buy you all lunch?" He said with a smile.
Everyone acknowledged that lunch together would be a cool idea.
"Okay, I'll meet you in the Flag Officers Mess in half an hour. Finish your drinks and leave when it's convenient. I have some work that will not wait." He said as he turned back to the system to dictate some memos.
Tactical Action Message #FM49-0021
CLASSIFIED
From:Admiral George T. Bryant Fifth Mobile Command
To:Admiral Zelená Tráva Theatre One Commander,
Admiral Inang'aa Mkali TheatreTwo Commander
C.C.OESA C&C, OESA Quadrant 1 Command
Date:February 26, 2249
Please detach the following Fleets from your commands for three days duty with us. Though they will face some action, they will be used in a mostly diversionary maneuver, by us. I will release them back to you as soon as possible. They will be asked to move into action from their current locations based on timing within our counter-attack plan. Fleets to Release Eridani - currently at Beta Eridani / Pisces - currently at Gamma Ceti.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
Thank you.
Admiral G.T. Bryant
Tactical Action Message #FM49-0021b
CLASSIFIED
From:Admiral George T. Bryant Fifth Mobile Command
To:Vice Admiral Kura Neko Commander Eridani Fleet
C.C.OESA C&C, OESA Quadrant 1 Command
Date:February 26, 2249
Fleet Commander Neko,
You will have or will receive orders from your Theatre Command, orders to detach from the Theatre. You are attached to the Fifth Mobile RAC, until further notice. We have affixed an encrypted guideline regarding a new communication system we are using. Two-way communication is available as the initiator is moving at five times the standard delivery speed. Please configure and engage this system, immediately. This is a far more secure communications system that cannot be tapped. It eliminates the need to frequently launch communications drones. This technological advancement has also been applied to our sensor system. That bulletin will be added and encoded, too. In the meantime, you are already in position for the required maneuver, so please, do not move. I ask that you configure your Fleet in a defensive posture, in the meantime. This message will take three days to reach you. We will contact you in four days using the new system. We welcome your participation in this endeavor.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
George T. Bryant Commanding Fifth Mobile Command
Tactical Action Message #FM49-0021c
CLASSIFIED
From:Admiral George T. Bryant Fifth Mobile Command
To:Vice Admiral Arian Bicell Commander Pisces Fleet
C.C.OESA C&C, OESA Quadrant 1 Command
Date:February 26, 2249
Fleet Commander Bicell,
You will have or will receive orders from your Theatre Command to detach from their operations. You are now attached to the Fifth Mobile Command, until further notice. We have included an encrypted guideline regarding a new communication system we are using. Two-way communication is available while the initiator is moving at five times the standard delivery speed. Please configure and engage this system, immediately. This is a far more secure communications method that cannot be tapped. It eliminates the need to frequently launch communications drones. This technological advancement has also been applied to our sensor system. That bulletin will be adjoined and encrypted, too. In the meantime, you are already in position for the required maneuver, so you are required to remain in place. Please configure your Fleet in a defensive posture, in the meantime. This message will take three days to reach you. We will contact you in four days using the new system. We welcome your participation in this endeavor.
Any unnecessary communication regarding this matter should be avoided. All steps should be taken to secure this information should communication be necessary.
George T. Bryant Commanding Fifth Mobile Command
George applied the current standard cipher as he saved each file. When he put the folders together including the messages and each bulletin, he encrypted at that level, too. Then, he forwarded each entire package to their respective Fleets, via the old drone system. Boots would move to three hours at twelve degrees declination, and Draco would jump to five hours by minus twelve degrees declination in the morning. They would keep communications open throughout the maneuver. Once in position, they would send new orders to the other two Fleets. He spent the next two hours accessing records on the Fleet, Task and Group Commanders of both Fleets he had just enlisted. When he left to go to their quarters to meet Marie as she came home, he was quite confident in the new additions.
....................................................................................................
When they walked into the Flag Officers mess hall, George and Marie spotted all the Senior Commanders, with their significant others, seated at three tables grouped together. No one was eating, yet. But, they were enjoying a beverage and light conversation.
"Afternoon everyone. I have one piece of business news to give you. Then, we stay away from it for the rest of the evening. Eridani and Pisces Fleets will be conducting the diversions. They don't know the details, yet. They are already in position, so I asked them to hold. I sent them all the plans for the communications and sensor system upgrades and ordered them to adopt the modifications. We will contact them in four days and send them the maneuvers they need to accomplish and their objectives." George stopped and was about to say no more business when he was interrupted.
"What upgrades, George?" Marie asked.
"Oh...I guess I didn't tell you about..." He was cut off.
"You really don't like taking credit for things, do you?' Stevens howled, then continued. 'The man comes up with the idea for the biggest technological advance the OESA has seen in a couple of centuries, and he doesn't even tell his wife...not to mention that she is a Headquarters’ Commander.
Marie, your husband proposed a way to speed up communications. And it works. I can get a message from someone ten light years away in one-fifth the time it took before. And, I can receive that communication while I'm moving. And, the whole
thing is more secure. It’s much harder to tap into. We've used it successfully, and we adapted the idea to the sensor system. Fifth Mobile can monitor its outer perimeter with much less lag time." Tom finished.
"Is that true, George. You invented it?" Marie asked.
"Not alone! It was an idea I had. But, I needed all kinds of help to make it work. It was a team effort." George sounded defensive.
"Yes but, was it your idea, in the first place?" Marie asked.
"Yes, Marie, it was." He answered.
"And, you didn't even tell me. I never met a person with so little ego, but this takes the cake. I know you don't like to brag, but you can at least tell me about things like this!" She howled.
"Okay Snookums, in the future I will brag to you about the things I do.' He said in a squeaky nasally voice as he feigned the hen-pecked husband. Everyone broke into laughter. 'Seriously Marie, I would have told you if I'd remembered. Things have been a little hectic, you know. I have had a lot on my mind, lately. One hundred fifty thousand people are looking to me to lead them against an enemy who wants to tear each and every person in the Empire apart." He was cut short, again.
"What do you mean a hundred and fifty thousand?" She was cut off as she wailed again.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about that, too.' He was cut off again as the entire table roared with laughter. 'Two more Fleets are attached to Mobile Fifth, now.' He looked over at the Boots people. 'See, I told you all at the wedding reception to watch me for bruises. She's a pretty tough cookie." The uproar got even louder. Draco people nudged Boots ones looking for information on the wedding reception.
The evening went very well, after that. Everyone stayed on the light side. There was a lot of ribbing and mini-roasting.
There were slight differences in the trajectories of the two Fleets, so Draco jumped out first. Boots left half an hour after. Boots would leap forty-four light years to where its maneuver would begin and Draco forty-five. Both would be running at forty percent. That meant considerable time dilation when they exited. But, it also implied they would not be so disoriented from a long jump. Both Fleets would be able to continue with the maneuver. They would slow to twenty percent only to exit their apertures, then accelerate to thirty in regular space, with the option of forty to make their moves. Part of the plan was for Draco to make two very short stops in route. This would be where Columbia would contact them since only the initiator could keep their end of the communications link moving. At that time, Columbia would attempt contact via the new system. Draco would resume when it received. Because of that, Columbia would actually reach the start point, first. They would stop and run full long range sensors to see if they could pick up the other two Fleets as they ran their maneuver. Timing all this took a lot of math work and transmission times were exceedingly hard to calculate because the two stop points were required by Draco, and Boots would keep moving as Columbia transmitted directional vectors. It was all complicated by time dilation which would have cashed out when Draco stopped but would still be growing in the Boots Fleet.
Righteous Reign The Series: E-version Boxed Set Edition Page 26
