“There’s still an enemy out there to fight.”
“Yes, but after that, then we have the main event.” With a sigh, he made his way to the door, and said, “Come on, let’s go.”
The two of them walked down the short corridor to the crew mess. None of the scout ships had any meeting rooms worthy of the name, not something that Marshall was too unhappy about in the normal course of events, but they’d had to scramble to accommodate the incoming personnel.
“You really should transfer your flag, you know,” Caine said. “Wyvern’s a good ship, but she really isn’t built for fleet command.”
“She’ll do.”
“There are two battlecruisers floating out there, and Gilgamesh even has a…”
Shaking his head, he interrupted, “Wyvern’s fine for the moment.”
“Danny, you aren’t getting Alamo back. You’re too high-ranked for the command.”
“I know that, Deadeye,” he replied. “Don’t expect me to like it.”
“Like it or not, you’re going to have to accept it.”
“I’m getting there,” he said, pausing at the door. “Let’s get this over with.”
He stepped into the mess, evidently the last one to arrive. Cunningham was standing over in the corner, there to speak for the scoutships, Cooper standing next to him with a puzzled expression, evidently wondering why he was here and his senior officers weren’t. Sitting at one of the tables were the auxiliary commanders, the garrulous Pilsudski and the icy Franklin, each attempting to avoid eye contact. His battlecruiser commanders, Rogers and Gorski, sat at a different table, keeping their distance. Lounging over at the far end of the room was Lieutenant Dragomirov, the nearest thing left to a fleet CAG, still wearing his flight jacket.
Marshall looked around the room, half-expecting to see the more familiar faces walk in. Quinn, Orlova, Race, Nelyubov, Rider, Dietz. The old Alamo hands he’d served with for years. Somehow, it seemed as if there was something missing, something big. Shaking his head, he gestured at the nearest table.
“Gather round, everyone. I’m sorry for the conditions, but hopefully this won’t take too long. Let’s open with a quick status report. How are the battlecruisers?”
Gorski looked at Rogers, then said, “Gilgamesh is ready for battle once again, sir. All combat damage repaired.” He almost tripped up on the ‘sir’, as though he was still unwilling to acknowledge Marshall as his superior. “We can do anything we need to do. Are we going after the Cabal task force?”
“Thermopylae isn’t in as good shape,” Rogers said, reddening. “We’re still having trouble with our laser cannon, and our combat fabricators aren’t in a good way. We need another week.”
“We haven’t got it, Frank. Can Hadfield help?”
Pilsudski shook his head, and said, “They’ve got the components, and we’ve sent over engineering teams. I don’t know why they’re running behind, frankly.”
“Because our damage is an order of magnitude worse than your assessments,” Rogers snapped. “Your repairs are too damn superficial.”
“Gentlemen,” Marshall said. “Get it fixed. I don’t care how. What about our guest?”
“I’ve got my medics working on her,” Rogers said. “Our sickbay is in better condition than Gilgamesh.”
“She wasn’t wounded,” Cooper said.
“Some sort of psychological trauma. I’ve got my staff shrink looking at her right now, then we can start to find out what she knows.”
“When she left me, she was fine,” pressed the Espatier.
“We’ll wait for the report,” Marshall said. “Scouts, John?”
Cunningham shrugged, and said, “Dragon and Griffon are at full capability, Wyvern’s as good as we can get her for the present. She really needs some spacedock time. Nevertheless, my squadron can fight.”
“As can mine,” Dragomirov added. “We’re ready to go. I’ve got our reaction-to-alert launch time down to three minutes in the last simulation. Given that we’re spread out to hell and gone, that’s the best we can do.”
“Thanks, Lieutenant,” Marshall said, sitting down at the edge of the table. “We need to discuss our ongoing mission here. The Espatiers have secured the asteroid, so in one sense our job here is concluded. All we have to do is knock out the remains of that Cabal task force and we can go home.”
There were smiles around the room from everyone but Cooper, who said, “We’re going to need a garrison, sir, and a substantial one. I wouldn’t care to walk down some of those corridors without a guard for a while.”
“Understood, Ensign,” Marshall said. “I’m sure you are wondering why you are here.”
“I certainly am,” Gorski replied. “Where is Lieutenant-Major Brownworth?”
“She’ll be remaining in command of our forces in this system when we leave,” Marshall said. “Given that my main purpose in calling this meeting was to discuss what we will do after leaving this system, there didn’t seem to be any need to have her here.”
“I disagree,” Gorski said.
“That’s your prerogative, Captain, but I think you will understand in a minute.” He glanced at Caine, then said, “Can anyone tell me what our original orders were?”
With a scowl, Franklin said, “Our mission was to take Hades Station, and secure the supply lines to Hydra. If you’re commanding this fleet, I’d hope you were aware of that.”
“Really?” Marshall said, waving his datapad in the air. “Just before the last fleet engagement in this system, I found out what our actual orders were.” Looking at the text, he read, “You will proceed in force to Hydra Station, and serve as a garrison in the event of Cabal attack. You are authorized to conduct reconnaissance of adjacent systems.”
Pilsudski looked from Marshall to Caine, then said in an uncharacteristically calm voice, “Could I see those orders, please?”
Nodding, Marshall passed them to him. The rest of the room waited while the tender commander scrolled through the document, checking the authentication, then reading it again before resting it on the table. He looked up at Marshall again, his face set.
“If that bastard Pierce wasn’t dead, I’d kill him.”
“Walt…,” Rogers said.
Pilsudski leapt to his feet and turned to face the other officers, “I lost fifteen people. Across the whole fleet, how many? Hundreds? An entire company of Espatiers, Mister Cooper. Just because some god-damn contemptible bastard decided to go medal-hunting in enemy territory.”
Cooper nodded, and said, “I had some idea of this on the flight out. We had the wrong force for the job.”
“Why didn’t you say something?” Franklin snapped.
“He did,” Marshall interrupted. “To me. There was no evidence of anything but incompetence, and it wouldn’t be the first time.”
“We’re stuck, aren’t we,” Rogers said. “I mean, we can’t abandon Hades, not now. The damage is done, and we’re going to have to work with what we’ve got.”
Shaking his head, Pilsudski said, “I disagree. Let’s leave this mess behind and get the hell out of this nightmare.”
“No,” Cooper said. “We paid too big a cost for that rock. The Espatiers won’t give it up.”
“Are you giving orders now?” Franklin asked.
“He’s right,” Cunningham said. “There’d be a mutiny if we tried, and besides, Frank has a point. We’ve taken this installation, and we’ve fought our battle. Pulling out now would be pointless.”
“How long have you known about this?” Gorski asked.
Taking a deep breath, Marshall said, “About four weeks.”
“Why the hell…,” Pilsudski began.
“Because I wasn’t sure, and it’s taken me most of that time to go through everything and double-check, and because the fleet wasn’t in a position to do anything about it in any case. We
had a mission, Captain, and whatever we think of it, whatever led to it, we can’t simply abandon it for nothing.”
“There’s a chance that this is still legitimate,” Caine said. “Alamo’s operated on verbal-only orders before.”
“So has Thermopylae,” Rogers added. “In which case failing to obey our orders would constitute an act of mutiny. You’re in a hell of a position, Danny.”
“Obeying our orders, Captain,” Pilsudski said, “might well have started a war.”
“For all we know, we’re at war. We don’t know what is happening outside this system.”
“We’re the big push, though,” Rogers said. “This fleet and Admiral Tramiel’s.”
“What are you going to do?” Dragomirov asked. “And for that matter, why are we here?”
Looking around at them, Marshall paused for a moment. Had he been looking at his officers from Alamo, he wouldn’t have hesitated for a second. He’d have known how they would react, what they would think, and while they might had disagreed, they’d have backed him up. This time it was very different.
“We should head to Hydra,” Rogers said, filling the vacuum. “After dealing with the Cabal fleet in this system. Admiral Tramiel needs to know.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Pilsudski said. “He must have been in on this. He wouldn’t give away half his fleet without knowing what he was doing.”
“Our orders are to remain on station,” Gorski said. “At least until relieved.”
“Danny,” Caine whispered. “Come on.”
“We’re going home,” Marshall said. “We will deal with the Cabal fleet, and then my intention is to return to Mars and demand a full investigation into whatever happened here.”
“Captain,” Gorski said, “We’re serving officers. I don’t think…”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it,” Pilsudski said. “We’re just meant to be little robots, following orders, aren’t we? Don’t think, don’t consider, just do as we’re told.” Gesturing at the viewport, he said, “And that’s cost a lot of lives – and if we end up at war, it could cost us everything. If this was some sort of terrible mistake, there might be a chance to resolve it without bloodshed.”
“At the very least,” Caine said, “Hades is a tool we can use in peace negotiations.”
“We aren’t at war!” Pilsudski replied. “At least, we weren’t until we set off on this fool’s crusade. I’m with you, Captain. All the way to the Combined Chiefs, if that’s what’s needed.”
“Walt,” Rogers said, “You’re talking gross insubordination. At best.”
“If that stops this happening again to some other fleet, that’s fine by me. I didn’t join the service to be someone’s puppet.”
“Our job is to defend the Confederation…,” Franklin began.
“And we can’t do that by launching unprovoked attacks on our neighbors. I don’t even think we should wait, Marshall. We ought to head home now.”
“No,” Gorski said. “I cannot countenance that. We must finish the job here.”
“This is not a matter for debate!” Marshall said. “I remain the commander of this fleet, and the decision and the responsibility are mine, and mine alone. Is that understood?” There was a chorus of reluctant nods, and he continued, “I will contact the Cabal forces commander and attempt to organize a cease-fire. Failing that, we will neutralize them as a threat in this system, and then we will head home.”
“And end our careers,” Dragomirov said.
“Just one,” Marshall replied. “As I said, the responsibility for this lies with me.”
“Optimist,” the pilot replied. “Not that I mind, though. It’s been a good run while it lasted.”
“What exactly are you planning to do?” Gorski asked. “Walk up to Admiral Remek’s office, knock on her door, and ask her why you were sent on an illegal mission?”
“It might be just that simple, but you’ve found the whole point of this. I believe that we have been operating on illegal orders, outside the chain of command. If that is the case, then it is our duty to try and fix that if we can.”
“They’ll fight,” Cooper said. “They won’t yield. Not unless you surrender everything we’ve gained.”
“Assets that, in the event of a war, we’re going to need,” Rogers said. He looked around the room, then said, “We might be stuck fighting a war. We can’t give up strategic advantages.”
With a sigh, Marshall said, “Captain Rogers is quite correct, and so is Ensign Cooper. I’m very much afraid that we have another battle to fight in this system yet.”
“So what are we supposed to do?” Franklin asked.
“Investigate,” Pilsudski said. “Go through our systems, try and find any more evidence, and start putting together a case to take to the JAG.” He looked at Marshall, and said, “You think there’s more to this, don’t you.”
Cooper said, “The general feeling among the Espatier contingent is that we were being used as a sacrificial lamb. That we weren’t supposed to do anything other than, well, die gloriously and give the politicians back home a reason for war.”
“That’s absurd,” Gorski said, though a trace of doubt was evident in his voice.
“I hope you are right about that, Captain,” Marshall replied. “Nevertheless the possibility remains that there is more to this than just a few rogue officers out for glory. Admiral Pierce didn’t strike me as the sort of person who would co-ordinate this by himself, and Admiral Tramiel…”
“I’ve known Jack Tramiel for years,” Cunningham said. “It doesn’t seem possible.” He glanced around, and said, “There must be more going on than we know about.”
“Perhaps,” Caine said. “We’ve got to know, though.”
Gorski shook his head, then said, “Excuse me, but this all sounds rather paranoid. Now you are suggesting some sort of vast conspiracy?”
“I didn’t say…”
“I don’t deny that this whole operation has been mishandled, but that doesn’t mean some shadowy…”
“Cabal?” Caine interrupted.
“Is behind it all.”
“Can we rule that out?” Dragomirov asked. “They’ve run intelligence operations before. Perhaps they suborned Pierce, or sent him fake orders, or something like that.”
“If their intelligence network is good enough that they can move fleets around as they want, then we’ve already lost the war,” Caine said.
“Why am I here, sir?” Cooper asked.
“Because I need an Espatier platoon,” Marshall replied. “I can’t strip the garrison on the station much, but…”
“Why do we need an assault force?” Franklin asked, her eyebrow raised.
“I don’t know,” Marshall said. “I do know that I’m not taking any chances. Cooper, put together a platoon, and feel free to pick the best. Volunteers only, though, and make it clear that there is a risk that it will adversely affect their careers.”
“Can I tell them why?”
“No.”
“Pity. I’d get nothing but volunteers.”
“If you told the troopers that,” Caine said, “We’d end up launching a full-scale assault on the Admiralty, and I’m not convinced that would help the situation.”
“None of what I have said in this room is to leave it,” Marshall said. “That must be completely clear.”
“Don’t worry,” Gorski said. “I have no intention of passing any of this on.”
“Because you don’t believe a word of it,” Pilsudski said with a sneer.
“Captain Marshall is at present my commanding officer, and I will follow his orders. I do not recall where in Fleet Regulations it tells me that I have to believe everything he tells me.”
“Frank?” Marshall asked.
“You’re the boss, Danny. Whatever you say goes, as far as I’m concerned.�
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“Right. I want the fleet ready for action, and ready to leave the system immediately upon the conclusion of that action. I will maintain my flag here in Wyvern for the moment.”
“You’d be better off on Thermopylae,” Rogers said.
“Thanks, but I’m settled in now.”
“If you change your mind…”
“You’ll be the first to know. Dismissed.”
The officers filed out of the room, talking quietly among themselves. Caine and Cunningham remained in their chairs, waiting for the rest to leave.
“That went well,” Caine said, deadpan.
“Pilsudski’s mad enough that he might just take off for home, Gorski and Franklin think you are crazy, and Rogers is sticking his head in the sand,” Cunningham summarized. “Cooper and Dragomirov will go along with you for the ride, whatever that’s worth.”
“So at least you’ll have infantry support and fighter escort at your court-martial,” Caine added.
“Good to know,” Marshall said with a smile. “And the two of you?”
“If someone’s trying to start a war, we’ve got to stop them. I didn’t sign up to fight wars of territorial conquest,” Cunningham said. “It’s as simple as that.”
“I agree,” Caine said. “Though I doubt it will be that simple.”
“You know what I meant, damn it.”
A chirp came from Marshall’s communicator, and he placed it by his ear, saying, “Marshall here. What’s up?”
“Bridge here, sir. We’ve got an aspect change from the Cabal forces in-system. They just placed themselves on an attack vector, sir. Intercept in four days, nine hours.”
“Four days?” Caine asked. “Not top speed, then.”
“Damage to propulsion systems?” Cunningham suggested. “But then, why attack?”
“Good question,” Marshall said. “At least they’ve given us plenty of warning.”
“Why do that, either? At least they could have tried to decoy us? This commander’s been smart enough so far, why change now?” Caine said. “There’s something missing here.”
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