The Gathering Storm

by Chris Hechtl

  “Then we'll need to deal with that too.”

  “What about the budget?”

  “I'm going to tap the reserves. We haven't had a crisis like the Retribution one to wipe it out, so I'll tap that. Plus, we're going to be selling civilian keys to bring in some fresh income. That should offset things a bit.”

  Saul nodded.

  “Anything else I need to be aware of?” Admiral Irons asked.

  “Security,” Major Burrows murmured.

  “Ah yes,” Admiral Irons said, turning slightly to the major.

  “I'll clear the way, sir.”

  “Good.”

  Admiral Irons started to turn away but then paused. “Along the way I suppose I should figure out what to do with our Bekian friends,” he said wryly.

  “Most need implants and training. We're aware that they are woefully short on hyperspace and starship tactics. They have a mindset for defensive action and subspace warfare,” Saul ventured.

  Admiral Irons nodded. “There are shipments coming in on the other ships. You'll get to deal with them. I'm afraid I've got to keep the group I've got with me, though I'd love for them to do a stint at the academy teaching and being taught.”

  “There is a class graduating soon, sir,” Saul replied. “They'd kill to have you as the commencement speaker, sir.”

  “If I was here when it happened, I'd do it. But I doubt I'll be here for more than a couple days. What you can do, in your copious free time,” he smiled slightly at that, “is give Protector the contact information for the governor and local politicians. I'm giving them one meeting to meet with me and hash things out—busy schedule and all,” he said.

  “And they can get their keys around the same time. Then you can send them packing. Yes, sir,” Saul replied, making a note.

  “I wish it was that simple, but okay, we'll try it your way,” Admiral Irons replied with a rueful shake of his head. “Politicians seem to be the bane of my existence the longer I sit in the president's seat I suppose.”

  “It goes with the job, sir.”

  “It does indeed. Hopefully, I can hand it off to someone in a decade or so and be rid of them. I doubt it though,” Admiral Irons said with a grimace. “Shuttle?”

  “Scheduling it now,” Saul said as his fingers flicked on a virtual keyboard. “Done. B719K is ready for you. I'm uploading the location now.”

  “Right. Let Phil know I'll see him around in a bit.”

  “Dinner, sir?”

  “Oh hell, I'll eat a ration bar,” Admiral Irons said as he waved a hand and took off. His Marines fell in around him. Saul blinked at the nonsequitur and then put in an order for food to be catered to the shuttle fast.

  :::{)(}:::

  Barry saw the rush of orders and opened a channel to Saul. “Tell me he isn't serious.”

  “He is. Just do your best.”

  “Well, the good news is we just got a shipment in. Plus, we've got some defective parts to recycle. But no way can we meet this sort of order!”

  “I know. Fortunately, the keys do not have a time limit. Unfortunately, we have to produce them in order. So, we'll make do.”

  “Aye aye, sir,” the A.I. replied dubiously as he cut the channel.

  :::{)(}:::

  Once he finished the rounds in the yard, he met with the next batch of officers to get implant and key updates. By the time he had run that gauntlet, another much grimmer one awaited him. Governor Sim Saladin and a retinue from the local politics had been given special clearance to meet him in Command One.

  He turned it into a working lunch. He quickly ate while the others politely picked at their meal.

  “Sorry, I'm on a tight schedule. To forego any beating around the bush, the answer is still no.”

  “No?”

  “No, we're not moving the capital here. Get over it and move on. Time to focus on other things,” Admiral Irons replied firmly.

  “Ah, I had hoped …,” the governor saw his stern face and then shrugged. “You can't beat a man for trying, can you?” he asked with an urchin smile.

  Admiral Irons couldn't help but snort at that. It might have been a carefully planned fallback statement, but it worked well with him to disarm any misgivings. “No. That ship has sailed. What I can do is help you to focus on rebuilding.”

  “We need more infrastructure, Admiral. Our population is booming in some areas, but we can hardly keep up with the need for fresh habitats. The terraforming projects are so slow! They've barely gotten off the ground,” a local senator griped.

  Admiral Irons nodded sagely.

  “Admiral Logan and Admiral Subert opened up some of the habitats the navy built. I don't suppose some of them might come onto the market again sometime in the near future?” a senator asked curiously.

  Admiral Irons shook his head.

  “Darn.”

  “Your people helped to kill the Dyson Sphere project. That was going to be a signature piece for our star system. What can we do to replace it?”

  “I suggest you invest in your local shipyard.”

  “But materials …”

  “You can get that by breaking up moons or you can invest in civilian factory and mining ships and mine the local unoccupied star systems around you.”

  “But there aren't any!”

  “Oh, yes there are. You forget that there are far more stars in space other than those on the routes we travel on. I've encouraged the same sort of industry in Antigua. You should explore that option too.”

  “We'd have to explore … I don't suppose you have already?”

  “The navy has. The star systems locally are clear of any threats. I can have Admiral Subert's office give you the nonclassified information or provide it to a company interested in such mining activities.”

  Thank you, sir.”

  “Is that really the best you can do? Offer advice?” a senator asked, clearly disappointed.

  “Actually, I planned this meeting to pass on the civilian keys to Governor Saladin here and his lieutenant governor, as well as his industrial board.”

  “Keys?”

  “Civilian grade industrial keys and the like. There are licensing issues involved; your government and the Federation government will each get a cut and any goods produced for them will be at a small percentage above cost. But you get the idea. That will help stimulate your economy and infrastructure and entice people into investing.”

  “Interesting,” the governor murmured. “I don't have full implants though.”

  “I don't have a lot of time, but I can give you the basics.”

  “Here? Now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, all right then …”

  :::{)(}:::

  Admiral Irons couldn't help but be a bit surprised and suspicious at the auspicious timing of a graduating class. According to Protector, the Commandant of the academy and crusher had authorized the ceremony to be held two weeks early if the class could pass all of their paper exams. They had done so.

  He received the formal request from Commandant Brown to make the keynote speech.

  He knew that it was supposed to be the Commandant's last graduating class as well since the Neochimp had been promoted to list and was taking on new responsibilities in ET in two months once he shipped out. He didn't like stealing the other man's thunder, but he had ulterior motives. He wanted to make an impact on the future of the navy and those who would watch the ceremony's broadcast so he reluctantly agreed to do the speech.

  Even though the ceremony had been quickly rescheduled, it went off quite well. He kept his part in it brief but as rousing as he could without sounding too hoaky. He was amused to find out that the speech had not only made the local but also the Federation news.

  :::{)(}:::

  Once he left San Diego, Admiral Irons agreed to do a sit-down interview with KNOX News in order to mend some fences. He knew April would be unhappy about being scooped, but he fully planned to make it up to her once he was back in the capital.

/>   He was surprised when Peter Knox himself performed the interview. The set was basic with two comfortable seats on either side of a small round coffee table. He knew it was designed to make them look cozy and keep the subjects comfortable as Knox grilled him.

  He was amused when Protector reported that KNOX News had booked the broadcast through ansible at tremendous expense.

  “We only have thirty minutes, but in that time, I'd like to touch on a lot of things starting with your recent trip. Can you tell me why you went and what happened in your own words, Admiral?”

  The admiral smiled. “Well, I know you've gotten the briefings, so I'll tell you that Childress tried a coup of sorts. It was strictly limited to the ranks of the military, and it succeeded for the most part. At the time I arrived though, those who refused his orders were about to start a full-on civil war. We jumped in literally between three fleets.”

  “It must have been harrowing.”

  “It was when we found out. Fortunately for us, those who intended to support Childress folded.”

  “I'd say fortunately for them, sir,” Pete replied.

  “Something like that. So, we went to the inner system, I faced down Childress who took a shot at me by the way …,” he held up a hand. “I'm fine. Not a scratch. He's been arrested and is on trial for treason. Depending on the timing, he's probably been convicted by now,” he said with a shrug.

  “And the rest?”

  “Admiral Logan is okay. I spent two fruitful weeks there doing what I could to oversee a restructuring of the navy and help restart their economy. Things were barely starting to tick along when I left.”

  “So, Admiral Logan is all right, so you saved him? I understand the verdict was about to come in?”

  “It was.”

  “But you made it in time.”

  “The verdict came in not guilty,” Admiral Irons replied. “And I'm aware my arrival might have had the jury see reason. There were some reports of a tampered jury. JAG will look into that. They probably are now,” he replied.

  “What of Admiral Logan?”

  “You can ask him questions through the ansible of course. Or,” he smiled indulgently, “you can book travel arrangements for a team to go there and set up an affiliate office. Or one of your competitors can in the near future.” If anything, his sly smile broadened ever so slightly as Pete's eyes narrowed.

  “You are incorrigible, you know that?”

  “So I've been told,” Admiral Irons chuckled.

  “I'll look into that, presuming the navy opens up the shipping to civilian passengers soon,” Pete said with a look to the admiral. The admiral smiled. “But I'm glad it worked out and you saved your friend.”

  “It wasn't just to save a friend and good sailor. An entire population was at stake. A lot was at stake. I was the only person to de-escalate the situation, the only one Childress couldn't ignore.”

  “But, the risks, sir,” Pete said, shaking his head.

  “Were minimized as much as possible. But, life is about risk. I can't say I wasn't heartily glad to get out of the hot seat for a while. I've been buried under paperwork and shaking hands and kissing babies isn't my thing.” He grinned like a roguish imp. “Sorry, but that's just me. But, as I said,” his face sobered once more, “I am an engineer; I know the risks. We got it done. I'd prefer not to dwell on the couldas and wouldas that might have happened and move on from here. It worked. Pat on the back done, time to step up to the next challenge.”

  “And that is?” Knox asked, going along with the subject change.

  “Returning to the capital—the war obviously. I'd like to say we're winning it, but it's not over. Not by a long shot. We know the pirates have been out across the galaxy setting up their end game for centuries. We're just getting started and so are they. They've got a lot of resources to draw on; they've been stockpiling them for centuries after all.” He grimaced. “They might be right next door figuratively, but they also have a lot of hardware they've salvaged and towed back to their home star system—not to mention any people they've enslaved along the way.” His face took on a stern, cold look. “I think it's past time we do something about them once and for all.”

  “Agreed,” the reporter turned media tycoon said with a nod.

  “And along with doing my part for the war, I intend to keep going full steam ahead with rebuilding the Federation. That means education, health care, industry, and bringing more worlds into the fold. We're going in one sector at a time. Trade, commerce, medicine, news,” he smiled as he indicated Knox. “The works.”

  “Quite an agenda,” Pete murmured.

  “It's a big galaxy. It's all been done before; we can and will do it again. The easy we can do right off, the trickier parts we break down until bite-sized chunks and go from there.”

  “I remember using a similar statement back in the day,” Knox replied with a nod.

  “If it works, don't change it. There is a fundamental difference between us and the Horathians. We are about helping each other. Democracy. The pirate empire is about taking from anyone and sowing death and destruction to anyone who isn't a human. I'm ashamed of them. I know most humans are. We're going to do our part to put an end to their tyranny before it spreads any further than it has. My question to you is, what are you going to do?”

  Pete looked at him and reared back in surprise. Admiral Irons turned his look on the camera. “For centuries, the galaxy has lived in the dark ages. Civilization was just about gone and everyone moaned that. They thought no one could do anything about it, so why try. Well, here is your chance to do something. To make a better place for you and for those who come after you. I'm opening the door. It's up to you to step up. Do you have the courage to do so? I hope for your sakes, you do.”

  “And on that note my producers are telling me we've used up our budget for the next six months. Thank you, Admiral,” Knox said with a smile.

  “My pleasure. We'll have to do this again some time,” Admiral Irons said with a return smile.

  :::{)(}:::

  When the cameras were off, they shook hands once more. “Admiral, I don't have to tell you how good it really is to see you. And,” he smiled, “you may not want to hear this, but you are getting better at the politics. That speech at the end, I loved it. They'll eat it up. It's one for the history books.”

  “I'll do my part,” the admiral said as they disengaged from the handshake. “I guess you could say it’s part of engineering but on a grander scale. Hopefully, people step up.”

  “I think with you and those around you leading by example, they will.”

  “We'll see,” the admiral demurred as his security escort led him out.

  :::{)(}:::

  “So, that's it?” Phil asked as they met up before Admiral Irons boarded a crowded Federation One for the return trip home.

  “For now. I've already outstayed my welcome,” Admiral Irons replied impishly.

  Phil snorted. “Not for want of trying to chain you here and force Antigua to give up the capital,” he said with a shake of his head.

  “I know. I let them know it wasn't going to happen,” Admiral Irons stated. “No way, no how. Time to move on. They are already working on trying to reassert Pyrax as the sector capital.”

  “I'd wish them luck but I'd probably get dragged into it,” Phil grumbled.

  “Kicking and screaming the entire way,” Admiral Irons teased.

  “Definitely,” Phil replied with a snort. “Thanks for having BUPERS let me hang onto Saul a bit longer.”

  “Good chiefs of staff are hard to come by. You do need to work on training his replacement though. He needs to spread his wings.”

  “I know. I'll hate it, but it's a part of the process, to keep training the next generation. Even if some are internal these days,” he said, looking away.

  “You'll get used to it,” Admiral Irons murmured.

  “Say's you,” Phil replied, turning back to him. “You are an engineer. You've already been certifie
d borderline crazy. Voices talking in your head are situation normal for you,” he stated.

  Admiral Irons blinked and then chuckled. “Was that a joke?” he asked, clearly surprised considering the source.

  “I do have a few moments of my own on occasion,” Phil replied dryly. He even cracked a smile, much to Admiral Irons’ surprise.

  “Okay, now I've seen everything,” Admiral Irons drawled. That got a snort out of his fellow flag officer. “So, ONI,” he ventured.

  “I want it still. No, I don't want to go to Bek. Pass on that.”

  “Which means finding a replacement for you here. I was going to ask Admiral Creator of Things to stay …,” Phil shook his head. “Okay?” Admiral Irons asked, cocking his head. “Why not?”

  “I don't know the bug, though I know a little about him now. I'm not ready for a Bekian to take over for me. I'm … I'm just not comfortable or ready to turn it over to one of them just yet.”

  “Can I ask why?”

  “After what you just went through, do you even have to ask? Besides, I don't like how they put on airs. They never really earned their stars. Few have.”

  Admiral Irons bit back a retort about a certain newly-promoted vice admiral.

  “If it's just the same with you Admiral, I want to leave on a high note with someone I know and trust can do the job. Most of the people you brought back are okay, but they are specialists. What this needs is someone who can do their job but also handle the politics and administration too.”

  “Okay. The job you want will be waiting for you when you are ready.”

  Phil nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

  “Okay then,” Admiral Irons sighed. “That is going to make it tough to fill this job.”

  “I think Horatio would do. If not him, then one of the new crop of promoted people. Someone who can handle it all though—admin, politics, engineering, and fleet command. I realize those are some big shoes to fill. I also know I've been okay with some of those roles but not all.”

  “No one ever is. That is why you train a good staff and nurture them wisely,” Admiral Irons replied with a nod.