by Rodney Smith
Kelly dropped down a ladder and wandered into crew’s quarters. Crew’s quarters were spacious, well lit and set up for a modicum of privacy. Considering he had a mixed crew, that was appropriate. Here he found the crew had picked whatever bunk suited them, but that would not work for patrols. He would speak to the chiefs about getting bunking organized by watch and section. If someone had to be replaced mid-watch, one didn’t want to wander around shining a flashlight in sleeping faces to find a replacement.
One of his yeomen found him. “Sir, you have a message here from a Master Chief Barbara Blankenship. She says it’s urgent.”
Kelly took the pocket terminal and read, “Commander Blake, I would very much like to serve with you again. I am willing to serve as your master chief or sensor chief or any other function you deem necessary. Please contact me at your convenience.”
Kelly was surprised. Chief B had been his Chief of the Ship on the Vigilant. She was a damn good, no nonsense chief. She had learned all the functions of her subordinate chiefs on the Vigilant. He didn’t think she’d be available and he never asked. Kelly asked the yeoman to pull up her file for him. Chief B was currently finishing her tour as Sensor Section Chief on a cruiser going into the yard for collision repair and a major engine replacement.
Of course he’d take her as his Master Chief Petty Officer. He replied for her to put in her request to join the Orion’s crew as the MCPO and pack her bags.
* * * * *
David Reese, President of the Galactic Republic, had spent the day meeting with the leadership of the House and Senate. They had gone round and round over Admiral Chang's plan to invade the K’Rang Empire. They refused to understand that it would force the K’Rang invaders of the Eridanus sector to leave in order to save their home world. They favored a direct counterattack into the Eridanus sector to liberate the four human worlds. They were convinced that unspeakable atrocities were being inflicted on the residents of the four worlds.
It was two hours into the meeting and the minority party members were becoming increasingly shrill. They opposed war under any circumstances and were urging that the Republic negotiate with the K’Rang, to find out what they wanted, so the Republic could get the four worlds back.
Frank Jones, his Chief of Staff, came in and whispered in his ear that Georgette Kane, Governor of Savitskaya, was calling him. Would he like to slip out and take it? President Reese told him to put the call through here in this conference room. He walked away to arrange it.
President Reese addressed the gathering, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I was just informed that the Governor of Savitskaya is calling. I’ve asked that it be put through here. I ask that you let me do the talking. We have no idea what the call is about or if the K‘Rang are involved. Here it comes now.”
The screen opened up with a seated Governor Kane looking into the video pickup.
“Good day, Mr. President. I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but our comms were evidently never permanently cut off. They jammed our comms for the first few days and we just assumed they continued. We estimate our comms have been restored for about a week. I wanted to give you a status of the four planets since the invasion. I have talked to the other three governors and they agreed to let me speak for all of us.”
“I think it best if I start at the beginning. On the day of the invasion, the K’Rang sent a delegation down to explain that we would be left alone, provided we turned over all FTL ships. They told us that a patrol would be maintained over the planets and any FTL ships would be destroyed if they left the planet surface and ventured into space. The K’Rang have left and we haven’t seen them since.”
President Reese asked, “Georgette, do you mean there is no K’Rang occupation force?”
“Not so much as a private soldier. We haven’t seen any K’Rang since the delegation left.”
Reese asked, “Do you have any idea what their objectives might be?”
“I haven’t a clue. I tried to ask them, but they wouldn’t respond.”
“Mr. President, I don’t think they are interested in us. I got the impression that their interests lie elsewhere. It’s just a feeling I got from a very brief conversation with their delegation head. It was nothing he said, more what he didn’t say. He just didn’t care that much about us. He was more interested in keeping us calm, like we were hostages, not captives. I wanted to let you know what was happening, Mr. President. That’s about it.”
“Thank you, Georgette. Please keep us informed if there is any change.”
The call ended and the President turned to the assembled group and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I think this gives us something to think about. Why don’t we adjourn and meet again tomorrow at 1000? I have a press conference to set up.”
* * * * *
Kelly wound up with two piles in front of him. He and one of the yeomen had the crew positions on the screen of his large office monitor. When Kelly selected or approved someone for a position, the block went blue. If the position was open, it stayed red. He had only a few candidates left from the volunteer listing. When the list was exhausted, he still had the regular personnel system to pull from. As it was he was about 90% fill, normal peacetime manning. He could go up to 100% wartime levels, and would if he could.
Looking at the monitor, he was happy with what he saw. He had Scout Force veterans in most key positions. His officers were a mixture of Fleet and Scout Force. His Chiefs were mostly Scout Force except for operations and quartermaster. He finished the list and approved the choices he had made; it was up to the personnel system to fill the rest.
* * * * *
Major Mary Chen was very happy. The battalion had just passed a brigade snap deployment inspection with flying colors. The vehicles had only minor maintenance issues, and the combat loading was inspected without a single deficiency. Mary saw a few, but the inspectors didn’t.
1st Battalion, 22nd Marines (Heavy) was the best in the brigade. Mary’s battalion commander was happy, too, congratulating Mary on the progress she’d made. The brigade commander came over to congratulate the battalion commander on his success, and the battalion commander gave all credit to Mary. The brigade commander looked at Mary, then walked away, talking to the battalion commander.
The battalion commander came back a few minutes later with a glum look on his face. “I guess I sang your praises too loudly. The brigade commander wants you for the brigade operations officer position. He just fired his and needs a replacement. He wants you to report starting Monday. Who do you recommend to replace you?”
Mary took a second to get her bearings, then said, “Bring the Ops officer up to be XO. Make the A Company commander the Ops officer. Move his XO up as the commander.”
The battalion commander thought about it for a few seconds and said, “Yes, I couldn’t have chosen better myself. Mary, thank you for all you’ve done for the battalion. I’m sure you’ll do just as well at brigade. I sure hate losing you.”
Mary replied, “Thank you for the opportunity to make a difference in the battalion. I’ll leave with a sense of real accomplishment.”
The battalion commander walked away after shaking her hand again, saying he had to go make some personnel shifts. He seemed a little bewildered.
Chapter Five
Admiral Thomas walked through the quiet productive hum of Flag Country. Her staff was filling out – she was at 75% strength and filling in fast. She anticipated she could start internal training exercises next week. She had a good Chief of Staff and Ops Officer. She was starting to feel much better.
Her Battle Fleet was starting to fill in too. The cruisers Rorke’s Drift and Pearl Harbor were now maintaining station off the Bolivar’s bow. The destroyers Kanimatsu and Marisella were off her stern. The frigates Hazlett and Chretien would arrive tomorrow. Her other carrier task forces were forming around the carriers de Gaulle, Jones, Nelson, and Wellington. They were at 50%, 60%, 65%, and 70 % respectively.
She had her operations staff working to see
how to maintain pressure on the K’Rang without eliciting an attack. The K’Rang Fleet would outnumber hers once she arrived on station. So far, the A-100 and A-120 attacks hadn’t been responded to because the K’Rang knew the entire Fleet was out there. When they found the Fleet was attacking into K’Rang space, there would be less reason to hold back.
She had to remember also that the draft operations plan said one of the objectives was to keep pressure on the K’Rang invasion fleet so they would remain in the Eridanus sector until the two combined fleets were in range to mutually support one another. If she could keep the K’Rang occupied and attrite them down some, it would make it easier on the combined fleets once they did move out.
She called in her Ops and intel officers and had a skull session. She began to see a way to meet her objectives.
* * * * *
Kelly had his first meeting in his conference/work room. It was capable of sitting his division heads and selected others around the large conference table. Today it was his division heads and Chief Blankenship.
“Shall we begin? We’re at 92% percent fill with all key positions filled, and we’ll be at 100% fill in a week. Time to conduct a shakedown cruise. We leave this Wednesday. I want to see your draft exercise objectives tomorrow, and you’ll brief them on Tuesday. Work your sections hard. Don’t be predictable.”
“Each of you should have received my objectives. I expect to see them worked into yours, but I want to see your training objectives, as well. You should know your sections’ strengths and weaknesses by now. I want to see your objectives reflect what you see as important, too.”
He went around the table to all for their input. Connie Cortez remarked that she didn’t see a great deal of cohesion yet. The departments tended to operate in seclusion. She wanted to see more interaction between them, and asked for a mass casualty drill to stress sickbay. The engineering officer said the engines and mechanicals were ready to accomplish any task called for. Weapons asked for more live target practice, having done all he could with simulations. Operations asked for live targets for the CIC to work against. He had also done all he could with simulations. Supply asked if it would be possible to have live missile pods available to test the ring and handling equipment. Kelly, Connie, and Chief B would work all this into the drills.
* * * * *
Admirals Haddock-Halloway and Levi sat across the table from each other, Admiral Chang at the head.
Admiral Chang began. “Okay, you two, what do you need that I haven’t provided to you?
Haddock-Halloway said, “I have all the ships I need. I’m still waiting for fill on some of them. I have the battle fleets out running drills on station keeping and gunnery, getting them used to operating cohesively. I’ve given permission for individual ships to run shake down cruises as they reach 90% fill. I just need the remainder of the personnel slots filled.”
Levi said, “What do we have on K’Rang fleet dispositions? I’ve had my Ops/Intel staff working up scenarios, but we need some hard and fast assessments of where we can expect the K’Rang Fleet to defend. My axis of advance has very few nebulae or other features they can hide within, so I don’t expect any ambushes. I’ll be conducting meeting engagements mostly.”
Admiral Chang responded, “I’ll get you the remainder of your personnel fill. The retiree recalls effort is working well. Some of them have gained a bit of weight, it seems, but we’ll work that off them. Fleet Intel will be providing a final laydown of the K’Rang Fleet on Tuesday. It will include all we have on their disposition. From what I’ve seen, you outmatch them four to one on both axes of advance. Each of you has a ring ship – guard it well. I will send my reserve through it for specific operations, but will want my reserve back after. I also may chop forces from one of you if one has less of a threat than the other.”
This got a reaction from both admirals. Levi spoke first, “Damn sir, that could gut us if you don’t do that sparingly.”
Admiral Chang held up his hand. “Don’t worry, I will. If I need more cruisers on one side than the other I will move them, but you’ll have an opportunity to reclama. I want to make sure we use our forces wisely. Your axes of advance aren’t identical. Levi, you have more inhabited worlds. Haddock-Halloway, you have more nebulae along yours. Neither of you have asked for force changes as a result. I reserve the right to move forces as needed. Deal with it.”
* * * * *
Amy Craddock arrived on the midday commercial shuttle from the southern continent to the Antares City Spaceport. Spaceport was a rather grand name for such a measly facility – if it had ever serviced a space going ship, it didn’t show. She left the shuttle, claimed her bags, and waited for Candy to pick her up. Her flight had been early and Candy had called to say she would be right there.
Candy walked in, saw her Mom, and rushed over to give her a big hug. “It’s so good to see you. You look good. Come on, give me one of your bags.”
They walked out to her car and put the luggage in the trunk. Candy drove them west from the spaceport until she cleared the spaceport safety zone, then climbed to 1,000 meters and flew to her home.
She landed, escorted her mom to a guest room to freshen up, then fixed sandwiches for lunch. Amy came down a few minutes later.
“You did a wonderful job on this place. What do you plan to do with it after you’re married?
“I plan to keep it.”
“You might want to think about that. Kelly is the first Commander to captain a new type of Scout Ship. Admiral Minacci may want him to move into quarters on base. How would you hold parties or receptions here? How would your guests get here?”
“Mom, we’ll work those things out. How do single captains hold receptions and social activities? They work things out. We will, too.”
Amy looked out the back and admired the pool. “It is a lovely place. You did such a wonderful job designing and decorating it. It would be a shame to give it up. How warm is the pool water?”
Candy told her it was probably right around 30 degrees Celsius. It was just right for hot or cold weather. She liked it about six degrees below body temperature.
Amy asked if she could borrow a suit. Candy laughed and said she didn’t have one and it wouldn’t have fit her anyway. She told Amy to just strip down and jump in – no one was going to see her. Amy laughed and said no way. Candy said she could get one tomorrow at the Base Exchange.
Amy asked, “Did you invite Moira Kelly to come help plan the wedding?”
“I asked Kelly, but he said whatever we two decided was fine with him.”
Amy pulled out her communicator, said, “Men!” in a disdainful tone, and called Moira.
“Moira, this is Amy Craddock. I’m at Candy’s place and will be working on a plan for the wedding. Could you break away from what you’re doing for a few days? We’d love to have your input. You can. Good, let us know when you get in and we’ll pick you up. Fine, see you then.”
She hung up and turned to her daughter. “That settles that. She’ll call when she gets in, on the next available shuttle. Candy, there are right ways and wrong ways to plan a wedding, and excluding the mother of the groom is a wrong way.”
Amy asked for a glass of wine, even though it was only 1000 hours. Candy realized it was, of course, later in Geneva. She poured two glasses.
Amy sat down on the couch and patted the seat for Candy to sit beside her. “Candy, I hope you don’t have some romantic notion of eloping or having a small, intimate ceremony. Your wedding will unite two important families. Your father is head of the RIA. The Blakes are the finest scientific minds of our time. We’re a spacefaring race mainly due to their inventions. FTL communications means I can pick up my communicator and have a near-instantaneous conversation with Moira fifteen light-years away. In addition, her baby brother is the Senate Majority Leader. Your wedding will be big news. Tri-Vid coverage, paparazzi, interviews – get used to being under surveillance around the clock. No more skinny-dipping, sunbathing, or gamboling about
your meadow starkers – unless you want to see yourself on the evening news that way.”
Candy had indeed imagined an intimate ceremony on the meadow outside with a few friends in attendance. She saw now that that wasn’t going to happen. For the rest of the day, she and Amy planned a much more elaborate ceremony. Moira came in the next day and added her input, and also put in the money to hire a professional wedding planner. Candy’s wedding kept getting bigger and bigger.
* * * * *
Kelly ran the Orion through its fifth drill of the day. Damage control was doing quite well. The XO had done a great job preparing the damage control parties. Minor or major damage was dealt with properly and quickly. Sickbay was squared away due to a last minute change to the manning document, trading out one of the three corpsmen for a Physicians Assistant, Lieutenant Rajna Kumar. Rajna had been his corpsman on the Vigilant and had become a PA in the time he was in retired reserve status. Kelly was very happy to see him onboard.
Operations department showed the most improvement. Kelly had arranged for three scout ships to run exercises of their own against the Orion. The captains were quite devious in their actions against the Orion, for Kelly had promised a bottle of 20-year-old Earth scotch to the captain with the best attack.
The prize went to the captain of the Vigorous for shadowing a bulk freighter and popping out as they crossed paths. He made a head on run at the Orion as they were attempting to negotiate the Gagarin ring. Kelly cautiously laughed as the Ops Officer attempted to avoid the freighter, line up with the ring, and deal with the Vigorous’ attack all at the same time. If there hadn’t been the real chance of a collision with the freighter, the ring, the Vigorous or all three, Kelly might have laughed out loud.
