TSN: The Best Laid Plans (Terran Space Navy)

by Paul Phipps

  “Ah yes, the Epiphany. Well Arnold, I did tell you that she was special.” Admiral Caparelli said mildly.

  “Yeah, Yeah, special all right. What did you do? Did you call on her Fabricator to give her a lift so we couldn’t find her?” Admiral Sir Jamesway asked finally in a reasonable tone of voice.

  “Nope not at all. She did it all on her own. And how she did it? That’s for me to know and you to figure out!” Admiral Caparelli said conspiratorially.

  “Fine! You win! Dinner at Alphonse’s then?”

  “Sounds good , when?”

  “Tomorrow night?”

  “Certainly, are you staying at my place or at the Embassy?” Admiral Caparelli asked his old friend.

  “Yours if it’s all right. The Embassy always feels like a prison.”

  “I’ll pick you up at 1900 Local then.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. I might bring some associates along, if you don’t mind.”

  “No problem, I’ll do the same then.”

  * * *

  Captain Johansson was at the Pentagon finishing up an introductory meeting with General Owens and four of his top Officers and Industry representatives from Boeing, Lockheed-Martin and Cessna-Scaled Composites on the Air Forces desires for Beyond-Next-Generation aircraft and the Single Stage to Orbit project.

  He had been in this briefing for almost six hours and his mind was getting tired of the absurd level of detail being provided for him. Thank goodness his Telefactor had a full recording of the briefing for him to review later on. Now it was time to sum it all up from his side of the table.

  “Gentlemen and ladies,” he said with a nod to the two women project managers from Boeing and the Air Force for the F-54 project that was just entering the R and D process. “I appreciate the hard work and the passion that each of you brings to your projects and the desire to push them through to completion. I have a question for you all though; If you suddenly found yourself in a War situation and resources were limited would your project’s funding and completion bring the War to an end faster than any of the other projects that have been presented to me?” He smiled at the consternation that flashed through all of the eyes in the room. “There is no need to answer that now, just think about it for the moment.

  Colonel Zorn, General Owens indicated to me that the Secretary of Defense was intensely interested in getting your Single Stage to Orbit project up and running with a demonstration vehicle as soon as possible.”

  “Yes Captain Johansson that is what I have been told too.”

  “It can be done easily enough I imagine. The problem here goes back to the beginning of the meeting when I briefed you on what we are allowed to do for you in the way of assistance.

  We can’t give you anti-gravity, we can’t give you super-material science, Artificial Intelligence. Things like that are off the table, but we can show you how to make your current technology more efficient or better as needed.

  So with that on the table, what sort of missions do you intend for this SSTO to do? Are you trying to carry and place heavy spy satellites into orbit? The International Space Station would have been a good destination but it was de-orbited during the late President-for-life’s regime. Or are you interested in just faster transportation that a vehicle designed to go sub-orbital from one location to another quickly and perhaps stealthily would be better suited for?”

  “That is a good question Captain Johansson, I think it is likely that we would like to do all of those things with one SSTO vehicle.” Colonel Zorn said with a self-deprecating grin.

  “I kind of thought you would say that. The Air-force in particular and all of the other services in general have always leaned that way. The problem there is that the finished vehicles are prohibitively expensive to operate and maintain let alone design and build. We in the TSN also do that on occasion. That’s why so many of our vessels are miles in length to fit in all that’s necessary to do that.

  Whereas purpose built vessels can be more reasonably sized because they are intended to do one job and do it very well.”

  “And you are saying?” Colonel Zorn indicated with a slight frown.

  “I’m saying that for your first demonstrator of a working SSTO you should pick a mission and build to that mission. After you have proven your design then you can take the lessons learned and apply them to other mission specific SSTO’s

  We are going to help you come up with a working SSTO but we are not going to just hand you one and say; here you go.” Captain Johansson said pointedly.

  “Very well Captain Johansson, you do have a good point there, actually several of them.” Colonel Zorn said unwillingly and grudgingly. “

  “Thank you Colonel, so please pick a mission profile for your demonstrator SSTO and we’ll help you get it off the drawing board and fully functioning.” Captain Johansson then brought his attention back to the rest of the participants.

  “How many of you have examined the F-47N fighters that the TSN provided to the Navy?”

  After some looking around at each other the answer was none of them.

  “In that case I would ask you to have a couple of them flown to Andrews Air Force Base for you to do so. The construction of them was entirely done by Nanite construction methods. By the very nature of that method you will find no tool marks and in many instances you will find their construction impossible to duplicate using your current technology.

  Now before you ask, the reason I bring that up is that the various vehicles you want to build need to be designed by you to work only with your existing fabricating technology. Yes we can help you enhance those methods and we will do so, but that also means that our fabricating the demonstrators for you will be much slower for us than what we can do with our own technology.

  So once you settle down on a design it may takes us several weeks to build them for you. We will also require your engineers and machinists to be present at the time of fabrication to insure that it is duplicable by you in all particulars. I trust that is acceptable to you?” He finished up with a wry grin.

  General Owens had a slight smile to his lips and then said. “Thank you for bringing that up Captain, you are making the same points I was going to make in my own follow-up. Now, once we do have a design for you for each of these projects, how long will it take the TSN to be ready to fabricate the demonstrators?”

  “I’m not sure, once we have the design details and your initial capabilities in hand then a good estimate will be possible. Until that is done anything I could say would be a guess and probably a wild-assed one at that.” Captain Johansson finished off pithily.

  The meeting ended shortly after that with the agreement to meet again the following Wednesday.

  Saturday, January 30, 2027 – Alphonse’s

  The Restaurant was located in Alexandria Virginia. It was a plain brick building with the colonial façade that the planning and zoning boards required for all businesses dealing with the public. There were no neon signs or large advertising to bring customers in. Just a small bronze plate in the wall next to the front door with the name Alphonse’s.

  Alphonse’s was a restaurant that specialized in catering to the wealthy, politically powerful or just the politically connected. There was a small common room with bistro style furniture for those who wanted to be seen. Alphonse’s main attraction though was the eight private dining rooms with the guarantee of no bugs or snoopers.

  Before and after each dinner party arrived a discreet security team swept the room for any electronic bugs and the furniture was removed for a detailed check-out while ‘clean’ furniture and tables were brought in.

  It was an expensive operation to maintain and Alphonse’s prices showed that. But with three four-star chefs on the staff and a guarantee of privacy, Alphonse’s was doing very well for itself.

  In Dining room #2, The Blue Room as it was known, was a collection of men and women seldom seen together. At the high table was President of the United States Richardson, The Duke of Yor
k who was the current King of England’s Uncle. Admiral Caparelli Chief of American Naval Operations, Admiral Sir Jamesway, Second Lord of the Admiralty of Great Britain, Fleet Admiral Webster of the Terran Space Navy.

  There were assorted other Admirals and Captains of the American and Royal Navies and finally at the last table was TSN Commander Webster and TSN Command Chief Cavendish. Seated with them were Captain Eagleton USN and Captain Billingsworth RN.

  In an effort to keep a modicum of Anonymity all of the Military personnel were wearing business suits and President Richardson as well as the Duke of York had arrived inconspicuously at the rear of the restaurant at a very secure loading and unloading area designed for guests who wanted their privacy.

  “Commander Webster,” Captain Billingsworth said quietly while they were waiting for the meal to arrive, “I’m pleased to finally meet you. You have made quite an impression with your handling of the news media.”

  “Thank you Captain, I’m glad you think so. Dealing with them is quite tiring, but necessary. Otherwise so much misinformation will be spread instead of the truth.”

  “Ah yes… Truth… I admire your truth verifier, I imagine it cuts through so much when negotiating or questioning.” The Captain said with a disarming smile.

  “Sometimes… You should see the looks I get when I pull it out.” Ansel said with a laugh, “Some people are more comfortable with the lies they tell, rather than the truth.”

  “Hmmm, Yes… I could imagine that. It would be funny to watch that as a spectator.” The Captain said with a chuckle.

  “And with that Captain Billingsworth, how is everything going in Military Intelligence?” Ansel asked disingenuously. To which comment Captain Eagleton and Chief Cavendish both laughed at quietly.

  “Fine… Just Fine!” The Captain said repressively and then he chuckled, “Ok you got me. So how did you know?”

  “I didn’t, but thank you for the confirmation.” Ansel said with a smile.

  “Harumph! I say, Harumph!” And then the four of them had a good laugh.

  “So do you know why we are all here?” asked Captain Eagleton.

  “Yep! Your boss won a bet and his boss lost it.” Ansel said pointing to Captain Billingsorth.

  “And the President along with the Duke?” Pressed Captain Billingsworth.

  “Sometimes a social occasion promotes good will and understanding.” Chief Cavendish put in.

  Upon hearing her voice Captain Billingsworth gave her a very close look and said, “You’re not American, there’s Welsh with a touch of Cornwall in your accent.”

  “Correct Captain, I wanted to see my old skipper pay off a bet. Considering how many he won off of me, it’s a fine sight for these eyes.”

  “I see or maybe I don’t.” he murmured almost to himself.

  Just then the staff of Alphonse’s brought out the meal and everyone was busy enjoying a first class Italian meal.

  The custom at Alphonse’s was that the Chefs’ chose what they were going to make for the evening and the clientele would just have to be surprised at what they received. Since it was all wonderful, the anticipation and surprise of the meal had long since become a source of additional pleasure for the diners.

  Once the meal was consumed and the diners were enjoying their after dinner desserts or drinks, President Richardson stood up and tapped on his wine glass with a table knife. The conversation amongst the diners ceased and everyone was paying full attention to the head table.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen I present the reason for our wonderful dinner tonight. Admirals’ the floor is yours.” He said and then sat down to watch.

  Admiral Sir Jamesway of the Royal Navy rose to his seat and said, “Admiral Caparelli in recognition that you have won a bet with me… honorably I hope.” He added with a pause, “I hereby tender to you my hat. I hope you will display it in your office as a reminder that you… Damn it Gus you fucking pirate in uniform, I hate losing a bet!” At which outburst everyone laughed delightedly.

  Command Chief Cavendish stood up at her position at the other end of the room and said with a snap of command. “Arnold! Do it right!”

  At the sound of her voice Sir Jamesway whipped his head around and stared at her. She stood there with her hands on her hips glaring at him. Recognition flared in his eyes at who she was, finally he turned to Admiral Caparelli and with a mighty sigh, he said, “Very well. Gus I concede, you won this one fair and square.”

  Admiral Augustus Caparelli nodded his head gently and shook the hand of Admiral Sir Arnold Jamesway. “Thank you Arnold, It’s about time you know. You already have two of mine in your office to keep you company.” He added with a chuckle.

  “Thank you for the kind words and reminding me of that. So HOW did you do it? We had her when she rounded the horn and then we just lost her. Two days later there she is sailing off of the Virginia Coastline!”

  “I could say superior seamanship and tactics. Sir Jamesway and that would be true. But the real reason is that the Epiphany is very special and her capabilities are still yet to be revealed. So how we did it will be a secret for now, even from our allies. But the ability to do so is something you now know about. So let’s just keep that knowledge close to our chests for as long as possible… Please.” Admiral Caparelli told him.

  ‘Very well Gus, but when you can I would be VERY interested in acquiring that technology for my own ships.”

  “I suggest then that you have a conversation with Fleet Admiral Webster here.” He said indicating the Admiral with his hand, “The Epiphany is on loan to us from the Terran Space Navy.” And with his new prize in hand sat down with a beaming smile on his face.

  “Perhaps you could come to London and discuss things with myself and other interested Government types.” Admiral Sir Jamesway asked Admiral Webster.

  “I could do that, but I have a different offer. Perhaps you and your party would like to return home on board one of my vessels? A nice tour and a chance for some private conversation might be beneficial.”

  Sometime later on in the evening Admiral Sir Jamesway stopped at Ansel’s table and pulled up a chair to sit down and chat with Sarah Cavendish. After looking at her quietly and with calculating eyes he finally said.

  “Sarah Cavendish, quite frankly I never thought I would ever see you again. The last report I had on you said you had been shot and paralyzed at Newport News. And now, here you are looking the same as you did when you served with me on the Dauntless.” He paused to give her a chance to say something.

  “It’s good to see you again Sir Arnold.” She replied in turn coolly and with an enigmatic smile.

  “So what are you up to these days?”

  “I work for Commander Webster here as his Command Master Chief. I am the commandant of Camp Heinlein, the TSN’s basic training facility.”

  “Really? Well you always were a dab hand at bringing up the youngsters to standard. How do you like it?” Admiral Jamesway asked curiously.

  “It’s very interesting and unusual too. The current average age of a TSN recruit is fifty-two, I really don’t have that many youngsters to deal with. All training is individualized for each recruit so we get the opportunity to turn out some very high quality people. And yes, I like it tremendously.” She finished up with a brilliant smile.

  Admiral Jamesway and Captain Billingsworth gave Susan a bemused look as what she had said started to sink in.

  “Would it be possible to take a tour of your training facility, Chief?” Admiral Jamesway asked after a brief pause in the conversation.

  “Certainly Admiral, here is my contact information.” And with that she produced the TSN’s latest ‘Smart-Business Card’ and gave him one.

  On the SBC was a picture of Chief Cavendish in her TSN Uniform as well as her contact information. There was also a promotional video for the Terran Space Navy available for viewing on the back of the SBC.

  “To Nurture and Protect the Human Race? Nice motto you have there.” Admiral Jamesway commented
in a slightly snobbish tone.

  “You misunderstand Admiral, it’s not a motto.” Ansel told him a quiet yet dangerous sounding voice. That is the First of the General Orders all members of the Terran Space Navy are given. It is an absolute order that may never be disobeyed.”

  “I don’t understand.” Captain Billingsworth finally said into the deadly silence that was now at the table.

  “Perhaps because you are in the Service of the Royal Navy of England Captain and you too Admiral. Your mission is to protect the British Commonwealth and you follow the directions of your King and his government.

  The TSN is in the service of humanity, we are here to protect all of you. We are also here to help nurture each and every human so that they too have the opportunity to achieve their own destiny. We won’t give you the answers to your dreams and wishes but we will help give you the ability to achieve them on your own. To paraphrase a politician, ‘A hand up, not a hand out.’” Ansel finished with a smile.