by Dietmar Wehr
“What we’d like to do now is get some ideas from both of you since you two have a unique insight into this alien threat. So you are encouraged to speak freely and nothing you say will come back to haunt you. I guarantee it.” As he said that he looked at his two fellow Flag Officers and they nodded. Howard continued. “Okay…we’ve read your reports of course. I was particularly impressed with the gamut of your recommendations. You’ve covered everything from short range weapons to new ship types to thoughts on grand strategy. You can both rest assured that our planning staffs will be taking a hard look at all of your recommendations. But what I want to hear from you now, is your thoughts on priorities. If you were the Chief of Operations, what would you recommend to the Oversight Committee? Commander Shiloh, why don’t you start off?” Shiloh nodded.
“Yes, Sir.” He paused to collect his thoughts.
“I look at what the initial situation was when 319 encountered the aliens and I see on one side a single vessel designed for exploration with minimal armor and modest weapons and on the other side, multiple vessels that seem to be designed for combat. I can’t see any rationale for them to feel at all threatened by 319’s presence. They had numerical superiority. If anyone had a right to feel threatened it was the 319, and we know that our standing orders specifically require our exploration frigates to attempt peaceful contact regardless of the relative balance of force. And yet the aliens attacked 319 and then used her as bait. That tells me that they didn’t just react out of fear. It suggests strongly that they knew exactly what they were doing and had planned for that eventuality in advance. That kind of aggressive attitude is what you would expect from a barbarian horde like the old Mongol invaders. They weren’t interested in peaceful exploration, only conquest. If that’s the kind of model that they’re following, and I think we have to assume that it is, then they’ll keep on coming at us no matter what. With that as the scenario in mind, I think we need to do the following right away.” He started counting on the fingers of his left hand.
“First. There should be a crash program to design and deploy drones that pack a bigger punch. I was able to use our existing recon drones because they had built up enough velocity to be destructive even though they weren’t designed with that purpose in mind. Our ships may not have the time to build up velocities like that in future confrontations. We should develop drones that have explosive warheads, kinetic energy warheads as well as decoy drones and electronic countermeasure drones. They should be simple to make and therefore easy to mass produce. Smaller drones would mean that our frigates would be able to carry more of them.”
“Second. Our ships have to have more armor protection. I realize that Exploration Frigates weren’t designed for this kind of combat but they’re all we have right now so we need to modify them quickly so that they have at least a chance of lasting long enough to be able to fight back. We may not even have to add armor to the whole ship. It may be enough in the short run to just add armor to the more critical areas of the hulls like the Bridge, Engineering, Weapon Turrets, Life Support and Tactical Systems.”
“Third. If we’re going to go back out there, we should try to achieve numerical superiority ourselves. That means one or more squadrons operating together. It also means developing and practicing multiple ship combat tactics which up until now, we’ve never had to worry about and therefore haven’t trained for.”
“Fourth. We need to establish an early warning network of passive sensor satellites in key systems so that we have advanced warning of where they are and how many of them there are. That way we can concentrate our strength, such as it is, to the greatest advantage.”
“Fifth.” He paused for effect. “The whole culture of the Space Force has to be changed. Up until now we’ve been an interstellar police force concerned with exploration and anti-piracy/anti-smuggling operations. If we’re going up against the barbarians hordes, we have to start thinking and acting like an elite fighting force. That means developing the killer instinct and identifying those officers who have a knack for strategy and tactics.” He took a deep breath.
“I can elaborate on these ideas more if you wish and I have other thoughts that aren’t within the immediate time frame you specified but that’s a quick overview of my thoughts for now.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Howard turned to look at Johansen.
“Precede, Cmdr Johansen.” She leaned forward.
“Thank you, Admiral. My thoughts are very much in agreement with Commander Shiloh’s comments. In addition, I would like to put forward the following recommendations.”
“We don’t know enough about the enemy. We don’t know what they look like, how they think, where they’re from. We don’t know what level of technology they have. For all we know we may be ahead of them in some areas and behind in others. We don’t know what star systems they inhabit. We need more intelligence. I see two ways to get it. The first is that we need to capture an alien ship. That has to be a primary objective of any military operations. Second, we need to do tactical reconnaissance of star systems that may have an enemy presence. That means ships capable of refueling themselves so that they can operate without support for long periods of time. Eventually we should design and build a special purpose long range reconnaissance type but in the short run we can use tankers. We should expect them to suffer a high loss rate so I would suggest that the crews be volunteers. Losing part of our tanker fleet will restrict our ability to operate in the forward areas so a tanker construction program should be started as soon as possible.” She stopped. Howard leaned forward.
“Was there something else you wished to add, Cmdr?” Johansen looked at Shiloh who nodded ever so slightly. This silent communication did not go unnoticed by either Admiral Howard or his two associates. Johansen continued.
“I do have one more idea to put forward and that idea is this. If we are going to prevail, we’ll have to out fight them. In order to out fight them, we’ll have to out build them. The only way that I can see that we can out build them is if the Space Force develops its own internal industrial and shipyard infrastructure. The best way to do that is to obtain the use of at least one of General Electric Dynamics Universal Fabrication Complexes. We can use one UFC to build more which can then build the mining robots, processing and fabrication facilities and the shipyards as well as the actual equipment for the new ships.” She was about to say more when the Admiral to Howard’s right interjected.
“Commander, that’s all well and good but are you not aware that the Space Force has been negotiating with GED for years to buy a UFC? The price they’re demanding is far beyond the budget capabilities of the U.E.S.F.! There’s no way that they would sell us a UFC when they can use the ones they have to build the ships that the Space Force needs and will pay for.” Johansen nodded.
“Yes, Sir. I’m aware of the past efforts to buy a UFC. I was proposing something different. If GED won’t sell us one, then we should explore other options such as leasing one for just long enough to build our own. If GED won’t agree to that…well…then the Space Force should do whatever it takes to gain access to a UFC, whether GED likes it or not.”
“Commander, are you aware that you have just proposed an illegal act and by doing so you have left yourself open to charges of conspiracy?” Johansen was about to reply when Howard came to her defense.
“No she hasn’t, Frank. Not only did I guarantee that nothing these people said would be held against them, and I meant that, but with regards to Cmdr Johansen’s comments, I’m going to interpret them as a hypothetical scenario of what rogue Space Force elements might do if we can’t come to some kind of accommodation with GED. Isn’t that right, Commander?” Johansen was just about to reply in the negative when she realized that Admiral Howard was on her side.
“That’s right, Admiral.” Howard smiled slightly at her.
“Now then, Commander. I would be interested in hearing how…hypothetically of course, a rogue element might go about gaining access to a UFC�
�so that we can take precautions against such a possibility.” Johansen was taken aback by this request.
“Well…there might be a number of different scenarios but the one that comes to mind would have some distinct advantages. We know that GED has deployed a UFC on a particularly rich asteroid that’s almost on the opposite side of the sun from earth. In another 6 weeks, I believe, the orbital rotation of the asteroid relative to earth will place the sun squarely in between the two, thereby cutting off direct communication between the UFC unit and GED Central. That won’t stop the UFC from continuing its preprogrammed instructions and if I’m not mistaken there will be several GED employees onsite to monitor its operations. They live in a support module that can sustain them for months if necessary although GED has scheduled regular visits by a supply ship roughly every four weeks. I suppose that if a rogue element were able to go out to the UFC site, they could essentially commandeer the UFC and…persuade the onsite staff to reprogram the unit and GED may not find out for weeks or maybe even months. By that time, the newly-built unit could have been moved practically anywhere in this star system or even to another star system altogether.”
“Very interesting. But wouldn’t the GED staff onsite eventually report back to their bosses that Space Force personnel had temporarily hijacked the unit?” Johansen smiled.
“Not if the hijackers disguised themselves and didn’t wear Space Force uniforms or insignia….Sir.”
“No I suppose not.” Howard looked thoughtful. “Well I think that scenario deserves some more analysis to make sure something like that doesn’t happen. Thank you for your insight, Commander.”
“Now that we’ve heard from both of you on the short term priorities, my colleagues and I would like to go over the reports that both of you submitted and discuss specific items that we’d like greater clarification on. Cmdr. Shiloh, I see on page 2 of your report you talk about….” The sessions with the Admirals went on until lunch, during which the Admirals left the room and ate elsewhere while lunch was brought in for Shiloh and Johansen. Then after lunch, the Admirals returned and questioned the two of them about their reports for another 4 hours.
When they were finally satisfied that they had examined every aspect of the reports, Howard closed his folder and leaned back in his chair.
“Okay. That’s it. I want to thank both of you for your candor and insights. The Oversight Committee is going to want a briefing in the next 48 hours from me and at that time I’m going to brief them on what happened, what we know with certainty and what we think we know with a high degree of probability. They’re then going to ask me what we should do next. I’m very likely going to tell them that we are looking into the options, that you suggested this morning…most of them that is, to see if they’re practical, and how quickly it would take to implement them, not to mention the cost as well. I may need to have your nearby as a resource person. My staff will let you know when and where that briefing will take place. Commander Shiloh, I’d like you to accompany me to my office for a few more minutes before both of your return to the hotel.”
Several minutes later, Shiloh found himself standing in front of Admiral Howard who was sitting behind his desk. Howard seemed in a good mood. After getting settled in his chair he said.
“I wanted to speak with you privately, Cmdr. First I want you to know that I’ve arranged for you to receive a Commendation for your actions during the battle with the alien vessel. It’s a good thing you launched those recon drones when you did, Commander. The mission would have ended very differently if you hadn’t.” Shiloh felt a shiver go down his spine. Those were the exact same words he ‘heard’ the Admiral say in his vision. He realized that the Admiral expected him to say something.
“Thank you, Sir.” Howard nodded.
“You’re welcome. Second is the matter of your next assignment. Once the 344 is repaired, you’ll be back aboard as her Commanding Officer. But we’re going to give you more responsibility. We’re going to make you Squadron Leader.” Shiloh was stunned.
“Shouldn’t Cmdr Omar move up to that slot, Sir?” Howard chuckled.
“Yes he should… and he will. You’ll be getting another Squadron. SFE144 will need a new SL when her present CO, Commander Delvecio is promoted to Senior Commander and given command of a Task Force that will include a Support Group and at least one Frigate Squadron. SFE144 may very well be assigned to that Task Force so Delvecio may end up giving orders to his old command again. Any questions?”
“Yes, Sir. Isn’t SFE144 the squadron that had one of their ships missing, Sir?”
“Yes it is. 344 will replace the missing 233. Delvecio’s ship will get a new skipper but you’ll assume the SL slot. The Command ship that Delvecio will use as his flagship isn’t quite ready to be commissioned just yet and until it is, he will continue as SFE144’s Squadron Leader. When he takes command of the support group, you’ll officially take over as Squadron Leader.”
“Now I also wanted to discuss the Oversight Committee. I’m pretty certain that the Committee will also want a much broader, long term plan submitted to them in due course. Even if they don’t ask for it, I know I want to have it in any event. So we’re going to need a Strategic Planning Group which will be ad hoc initially but may eventually become a permanent section of the HQ staff. While the 344 is being repaired, which I understand will take at least 3 weeks if not longer, I want you to participate in the SPG sessions and give the group the benefit of your insights.”
“Of course, Sir.”
“Good! Well Commander, I won’t take any more of your time. Keep yourself available and my staff will contact you in due course. You’re dismissed.” Shiloh saluted and started to leave but Howard called to him.
“By the way, Commander, I’m curious. What was it that made you think to deploy those recon drones in that way?” Shiloh knew he had to answer quickly but he didn’t want to tell the Admiral about his vision.
“The thought just seemed to pop into my head, Sir.”
“Well, it’s a good thing it did.”
“Yes, Sir.” As Shiloh arrived back to the underground garage to catch a ride back to the hotel, Johansen was waiting for him. On the way back, he told her what the Admiral had told him. She congratulated him on his pending appointment as Squadron Leader. After riding in silence for a few minutes she turned to Shiloh and said.
“Do you think we’ll be able to beat these aliens?”
“I think we have a chance but only if our politicians get their heads out of these asses and make the tough decisions in a timely manner. What worries me is that they’ll debate, delay and try to make do with half measures. We can’t afford that. I’m pretty sure that Admiral Howard understands that too. Let’s hope he can convince the Oversight Committee and that they can convince the rest of the Planetary Assembly.” Johansen said nothing for a few seconds, then said,
“What do we do if they can’t or won’t?” Shiloh looked at her with a grim expression on his face.
“Then we do whatever we have to do.” Johansen nodded her agreement. Back at the hotel, Shiloh briefed the rest of his officers before they and Johansen left on their shore leave. After saying their goodbyes and agreeing to meet again in two weeks, Shiloh found himself as the only guest of the hotel that night. The next morning however, the hotel staff informed him that the Support Group and attached frigates under Cmdr. Omar had arrived in orbit around the moon as per standard procedure and that the hotel had been alerted that the officers of those ships would be checking in later that day. He also received a message that the Oversight Committee would be meeting with Admiral Howard the following day at 10am and that Shiloh was ordered to be at the HQ conference room by no later than 0930 hrs. Shiloh didn’t see how that left enough time for Howard to meet with Omar and his officers before the meeting with the Oversight Committee. Then later to his surprised, a Space Force limo flying a flag with 3 stars pulled up to the hotel entrance and Admiral Howard stepped out. Shiloh went to greet him at the hotel l
obby.
“Ah, Cmdr. How nice of you to greet me. Commander Omar and his people aren’t here yet I take it?”
“No, Sir. Not yet.” Howard looked around.
“Well then they’ll be here shortly. There won’t be time for me to attend their debriefing sessions tomorrow since you and I will be in front of the Oversight Committee so I’m going to set a precedent and have an informal debriefing with Omar and his senior officers here as soon as they get here. Here’s what I want you to do, Commander. You wait here in the lobby. I’ll tell the hotel staff what kind of arrangements I want for this meeting. When Omar and his people get here, you inform him that the Chief of Operations wants to see him, the other three frigate COs and their XOs along with the Support Group Leader immediately. The hotel staff will take care of their belongings. The rest of the group can do as they please for the rest of today. My staff will make sure that everyone knows where they have to be tomorrow but you’ll have to make sure that they know what they have to do tonight. I’m sure they’ll all be tired and hungry. Food will be provided during the debriefing. As for their fatigue well…they’ll just have to hang in there a little longer. Any questions, Cmdr?”
