"The two of us have become very good at bargaining, Admiral. There are a pair of considerations we'd want if we were to attend your celebration. I am impressed with your kitchens. They took great pains to prepare our foods and were very successful at it. They also prepared some of your foods that were very good. We would ask that your celebration includes some of our dishes, and some of the delightful delicacies of your world. Especially pancakes and maple syrup. They are amazing. My second demand is that we are allowed to transport some of our spirituous beverages to the ships we will attend. You may wish to try them. We have many you would like. One is much like your Cuddy Sark. Another is like your Cognac. But, ours are just a little stronger than yours." He finished with a great belly laugh.
"I agree to your demands. I am just making all the arrangements and sending out all the notices. You will be officially invited shortly. In case it's too noisy to say this later - thank you for remaining and attending the gathering." The Admiral responded with a laugh.
Chapter 13 The Fifth RAC Forever
May 31, 2249
“It is no use saying, 'We are doing our best.' You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” Winston Churchill
At fourteen hundred, on Thursday, May 31, 2249, eighty exit apertures appeared in the space outside the Kentaurus system, and the entire Mobile Fifth exited and coasted towards orbital positions around Rigil executing orbit burns placing them in a tight formation in synchronous orbit around the planet. George reported in for Mobile Fifth, first. Then each Fleet Commander called in listing all the ships in their Command. Headquarters welcomed them and ordered George to report to the C&C by fifteen-thirty. That gave him time to shuttle down and spend a few minutes with Bill Stephenson, first.
"Admiral!" He was at attention as he stood in the doorway.
"Get the hell in here and relax. You don't have to stand on ceremony, my boy. You are an Admiral, too you know?" Stephenson said with a raucous laugh.
"Technically, you still outrank me, Bill. I have a ten on my collar. You wear eleven. So, you see, I have to suck up to you." George responded with a smirk.
"Bullshit. We should all be on our knees to you, my boy. You pulled our pants back up. This whole event has been an embarrassment to the OESA in some respects. You've been the only bright light in the whole thing." Bill said.
"Not the only one, sir. Thousands served with me, and thousands died." George responded.
"I know, I know, my boy, but without you, none of it was possible. Your press contingent did an excellent job, by the way. That proposal the bigwigs want from you better be good. They'll give you anything you want, right now! I think the Secretary of Defense would kiss your bare ass on top of the Assembly building, in broad daylight, with the Press Corps present, if you demanded it. Over five hundred billion citizens believe the OESA is George T. Bryant!' Stephenson's enthusiasm was overwhelming. 'Oh sorry George, would you like a drink?" He added.
"Just a water, if you don't mind, Bill. I have a meeting with the C&C, shortly. I want to have a clear head. We had a hell of a celebration, after the signing. It’s been nearly a week, but I think I'm still recovering." George replied.
"Yeah, I get it. You should have seen the celebration, here. I bet there's no champagne left anywhere in the Empire." Stephenson said with a laugh.
They sat and talked for another ten minutes before Bryant excused himself and headed over to the C&C side of the top floor.
"Admiral George Bryant reporting, as ordered, sirs." He said to both men who were in Dickinson's office, as had been prearranged.
"Relax George and take a seat.' David said. 'That was one hell of a job you did. Your reports were always concise, but it was actually the press that radiated the intensity of the situation through the entire Empire. It was a tough job, and you did it well. I'm not sure any other man in our territory could have accomplished it." He observed.
"I must add my congratulations and admiration. You did a marvelous job. We are all in awe. What amazes me is how short a time you took to deal with such a potent invasion, over such a wide area. It seemed like you had your fingers on all the thousands of control buttons at the same time.' Brian added. 'Would you like a drink, George?" He added.
"No, sir. I'm fine for now. But, can I take a rain check?" Bryant asked and received a nod.
"Did you prepare a proposal, George? David asked.
"Yes sir, and I'll send the data version to your system. But, I have it here in hard copy, because it is detailed and lengthy. That makes it hard to study on a system.' George said as he dropped the six hundred page bound proposal on Brian's desk. 'I think that is the most paper I've seen in one place in my entire life." He added.
David pulled his chair around, so he was sitting within eyeshot as Brian leafed through the book.
"I can see it's impressive. You probably make your case very well, but can you give us the condensed version verbally?" David asked.
"Of course, sir. It'll take about an hour, if, you have that much time now. And I'll need to tie my pad to your system; so, we can display some relevant graphics, if that's okay, sir." Bryant added.
"Use what you need, George. And, I can tell you that, both our schedules are open for the day. The Emperor and First Minister cleared their schedules, too. They want to be called in when we think the time is right. They are both here at headquarters." Brian said.
"I think they should come in, now, Admirals. The proposal is extensive and costly, but it's based on experience, so I believe it is necessary. It would be wise if they hear it all. If you like it, we will need to present a unified front. Besides, I think I can sell it to them if they can hear it from me." Bryant said.
"Okay, George. It'll take a few minutes to get them here. Do you want to take a break before we start - you know - use a washroom - get a drink?' David's tone seemed concerned. 'I know this a lot to ask so soon after what you've been through." He added.
"That's a great idea, sir," George said and rose to head into Dickinson in-suite. When he returned, he poured a black coffee from the insulated carafe and placed it beside his seat. By then, it was time to greet the Emperor and First Minister who had appeared. He detected a note of near awe towards him as if he was their superior.
"Shall we begin?" Dickinson said once the greetings were over, small talk was exchanged and everyone was seated.
"Gentlemen, before I get into the meat of the proposal I want to explain where it's coming from. When you assigned me the task of repelling the invasion, I looked at the size and extent of it and came up with a foggy notion I called Fifth Mobile. It was intended to be a rapid response team that could move about to conduct the actions necessary. But, I knew at the time that, I would need more and more assistance in the endeavor, as the battle progressed. Tactically, to repel an action of that size, you need to place pressure on the battle front while you perform diversionary maneuvers. This all takes the enemy's eye off the points where you will make the real strike. And, in this dimension the genuine onslaught was best conducted as a pincer, so we could come in at two points and close a loop around a great deal of their forces in the rear, crippling supply lines and reducing reinforcements to a minimum. After that, you keep the pressure on at the front and counter attack, slowly shrinking the enemy to a meaningless force. But, this all takes a lot of people, hardware, and support. You need the forces for the front, the diversion, and the counter-attack. At the same time, you need to maintain your own resupply and reinforcement. But, what drains resources the most is that after each successful battle, you must leave forces at the site, so the enemy won't just return and take it back. I knew at the beginning that; the counter attack would probably take a minimum of six fleets to conduct all its required operations. In addition, I was aware the frontal actions required eight fleets to hold the enemy along the eighty-five light year line we had drawn. Then, I needed the two fleets that conducted the diversion. So, in all, that was a full Theatre Command. So, I set up Mobile Fifth like a Quadrant just i
n case we needed more help. Thus, the name – there are four quadrants so ours would be the Fifth such command. If the enemy had not succumbed when it did, we would have needed two more fleets, immediately and two more two weeks later to hold the ground we recaptured. So you see, a sizeable force is necessary for a Rapid Response Force.
Few people consider that, in addition to all those forces, you need to hold a reserve. There are several reasons for it. This additional contingent presents an immediate resupply of ships and people, to replace losses. It can also be used as an additional force to conduct a secondary diversion or counter-attack to turn a battle you may not be winning. And most important of all, it can be used as a protective force to aid in a withdrawal if you get into trouble. An effective reserve should be no smaller than twenty percent of your total assets – one-third would be preferred.
Regardless of who actually commands it, I am essentially proposing the creation of a Fifth Quadrant Command. That operation would be fully mobile - not based at headquarters. Two Theatre Commands would accompany it to regions deemed necessary. Its daily job would be to patrol areas of the Empire to temporarily reduce the load on a Quadrant or even two Quadrants at once and to project power in the regions it visits. With the current forces, a sector would seem extremely well fortified with the presence of another sixteen fleets. It would also be tasked with parallel diplomatic and planetary assistance duties in support of what is needed in a region. Its specialized operations would be to attend natural disasters and repel invading forces. It's two Theatre Commands would be structured the same as those in the existing Quadrant Commands, with the exception that each of those units would have twelve additional Frigates not assigned to Fleets. These vessels would be tasked with autonomously patrolling space within the Theatres current field, conducting reconnaissance and support at the Captain's discretion, within mission parameters set by Theatre Command. We would be able to respond to any threat, anywhere within the Empire, from anywhere within the Empire in less than three weeks including recovery time for long distance jumps. This would allow the remaining OESA to protect and defend the realm as usual. It would take a force that is much more technically advanced than ours, or that is twice the size of the one we faced before we would need to draw additional help. Essentially, a regional Theatre Command would only have to conduct holding operations until we arrived to repel invaders.
I realize it is a considerable investment. Capital expenditures would be about thirteen and a half billion sovereigns over four years. That is equal to about a third of our current capitalized assets. Its operating budget would be in the vicinity of thirty-five billion sovereigns a year, which is slightly less than a current Quadrant Command. That is because of Staff level efficiencies gained by the configuration we propose. So, the initial investment is somewhat more than a regular Quadrant Command because it is mobile and has the additional recon capabilities. But, I believe the war that just ended pinpoints each and every need we are trying to answer in this proposal. And, I feel the costs are justified because Fifth Mobile would essentially double our defensive strength for an investment of twenty-five percent of the current force.' George said as he held up the book. 'You will find it presented in more detail than I offered in here. There are projected timelines, capital budget estimates, expenditures and budgets for the first five years, the proposed chain of command and all the information needed to support it. Please, take a good look at it. It's a long read, but once you've absorbed it all, I think you will find it reasonable. Does anyone need any questions answered or further explanation?" George finished.
Questions, answers, and explanations took another two hours. By the time the meeting was winding down, everyone in the room understood the proposal, its costs and the projected benefits gained by adopting it. It was the First Minister that tipped their hands.
"George, we are not at all surprised by this.' He said as he held up the proposal. ' We've been in countless meetings and discussions about what has happened and have come to similar conclusions. We were not as detailed. You are working from first-hand experience, so we understood that you would know best. Your proposal is a little grander than we had envisioned, but it is realistic based on the supporting data you have presented. The council and representatives are very concerned and are awaiting some kind of proposal. They all know we need to act. What I think will happen here is that we will take your suggestion and study it for a week. We will have financial people look at the acquisitions, proposed budgets, and capital expenditures. We will have logistical people look at the procurements and timelines. And, the C&C will look over the tactical assessment and the Chain of Command. It might take us a week, but it won't be longer. It probably wouldn't take that long, but the Secretary of Defense could not be here. Her cousin died on the weekend. She is at the funeral, today. So we will need a day or two to apprise her. We may make a few minor changes. That is our prerogative. But, I think in the end, you will see it approved relatively intact. And, though with your usual humility you stated that it should happen regardless of who commands, I think, it goes without saying, we would all want you to run it." The First Minister finished as all heads in the room nodded assent.
The Emperor cornered George as the official part of the meeting ended. "George you did our Empire a great service. And, your proposal is exceptional. You have provided us all the data to support it. That is so refreshing. Thanks again and say hi to that sweet girl of yours." He said as he shook Bryant's hand, then turned to leave the room.
"Good job, Moe!' George said after returning to the Columbia and calling in his Chief. 'The meeting went very well. I think Fifth Mobile will be pretty much the way we proposed, and permanent. And, it looks like they'll give her to us." Bryant added.
"Sir, I am astonished and amazed, but I have to get back to my office. There is so much to do I better get started, right away!" The Chief of Staff was almost out of breath with excitement and didn't seem to know whether to turn left or right to get out the door.
"Relax, Moe. Take a breath. Take enough time to absorb it all. Relish it for a bit. It isn't even official, yet. You can start work on it tomorrow. Why don't you take the rest of the day off? You worked hard for this. That's the second proposal in a year, where you had to do six months’ work in less than one." George said slowly, softly and firmly with his hand on the man's shoulder.
"You're right, George. I am wound up like the mainspring of an old mechanical clock. I'll see you tomorrow." He said softly, as he turned and exited the office.
George sent an e-mail to all the Fleet Commanders and General Malcolm to report to his office in twenty minutes. Then he asked Marie to walk over. When she arrived, he filled her in on the meeting. They talked about the personal implications for a few minutes before some Fleet Commanders began to appear. He asked her to stay for the meeting.
"Welcome everyone. I did not want to hold this little get together until Mobile Fifth's future was resolved because I wouldn't have known what to say." He said rather solemnly.
"So, it's all over, and everyone goes back to the old way, eh?" Vice Admiral Palakiko interjected.
"Let's not be so cynical Vice Admiral. Fifth Mobile will live and will probably grow. It looks like a proposal I presented to the C&C, the First Minister and the Emperor will be accepted. If so, Mobile Fifth will be equivalent to a Quadrant Command and will have two Theatre Commands and sixteen Fleets. But, it will also have twenty-four additional frigates assigned to the Theatre Commands, for autonomous reconnaissance. My first goal is to retain the four fleets we have to reduce acquisition time and have the other Quadrant Commands share in the pain. Then, I will need to establish my Command. I may have misinterpreted your reactions to our interaction, but I think you've enjoyed working with me, and I know I have been very thankful to have worked with all of you. Some of you have been given temporary promotions which you will retain if you stay. Others will be offered more senior positions. At any rate, I will only try to keep Fleet Commanders who wish to stay.
It will be tough going. Unless there is some kind of miracle, it will take us forty months to grow from four to sixteen Fleets and acquire our Mobile Command Vessels. The cost to the empire is substantial. The capital budget for that period of time will total somewhere around thirteen and a half billion sovereigns added to existing OESA capital allowance. Our personnel requirements will fall in at somewhere around five hundred ten thousand including mobile hospitals and command staffs. Our annual operating budget will be in the vicinity of thirty-five billion Sovereigns for the entire Command. One--time special charges for trials, testing and deployment will be in the neighborhood of five hundred million Sovereigns. So, if you agree to come along, you will be under pressure all the time. But isn't that the way our jobs are most of the time. It's only a matter of scale.' Bryant finished - he paused. 'I should be extending offers to you and many of your people in about ten days. But, you can let me know before that if you don't want to be a part of this big project. Please do not discuss this matter with anyone else, yet. You're all dismissed." Bryant finished.
Over the next week, Bryant was called to several meetings with the C&C. The Secretary of Defense was in attendance twice. He was asked to be at the legislature by nine hundred hours on Thursday, June 7, 2249, to be available to answer any question the representatives might have. When he saw his proposal presented to the legislature it was in quite a different format. The Secretary of Defense produced a detailed outline of the plan including its goals and the projected benefits of adopting it. The government voted on that proposal, first. Then the Treasury presented the Capital budget for the project over the next four years in detail. The legislators then voted on the capital budget. The Treasury then described the increased operating budget for the OESA for the rest of the year, and the next four. It was discussed in detail and voted on. Finally, logistics presented the timeframe on acquisitions - how and when each of the three hundred seventy-five vessels would be acquired. Someone was thinking like him. He was to retain the four Fleets he had, and some acquisitions would be diverted to replace the ships and people he absorbed. The legislature voted to approve this scheme. Then, the C&C presented a plan to amend the Space Agency Act for a change to the configuration of the service and the Rules and Regulations to include the Fleets and positions needed to fulfill the proposition. When they were done, a vote was held. All proposals were unanimously approved. Everyone doing presentations seemed to understand the entire plan. Bryant did not have to answer any questions. The Council and the Emperor added their assent the next day. At thirteen hundred hours on June 8, 2249, George received the following communiqué.
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