“To hell with Casey. I’m not letting this ship roll out of here without its systems working. Without fully functional shields, weapons systems, and the tactical network that links it all together, this thing is a flying coffin,” Kenneth spat.
Joshua sat back. About ten years older than Kenneth, he was usually the voice of reason, but he was silent for a moment. “Are you willing to fall on your sword for that?” he asked.
Kenneth nodded firmly. “This mission might be the end of the war. If it costs me my career to ensure this ship’s ready to meet the challenge, that’s worth it to me.”
“Then let’s get moving… and you don’t get to quit without me. They fire you, I’m right behind you,” Joshua said, grinning.
Kenneth laughed. “Have our leads pulse the entire team on who’s willing to stay aboard, and make sure they don’t pressure anyone. This is strictly a volunteer assignment.”
At that moment, the door swung open, and Harold Billings, one of the leads on the Lion of Judah project, stuck his head in. Kenneth had nicknamed Harold Master Chief because he was older and had many youngsters on his team. “Hey, boss.”
Kenneth motioned him inside. “Good timing, Master Chief. Come on in. We’ve got a lot to discuss.”
18
David sat at one end of the table in the main conference room aboard his new ship. Most of the senior command crew was present, including Major Sheila Thompson and Major Arthur Hanson. Their promotions had been processed and awarded. Also in attendance were Lieutenant Colonel Calvin Demood, First Lieutenants Ruth Goldberg and Shelly Hammond, the ship’s third-watch officer and backup navigator, First Lieutenant Robert Taylor, and Major Elizabeth Merriweather, who was assigned to the Lion of Judah for the duration of her shakedown.
Dr. Hayworth was absent, as David had ordered that the civilian engineer not be present for military command briefings. In truth, he didn’t want the man around period, although he had no choice but to work with him.
General MacIntosh walked through the door at the far end of the room, followed by an older man also in a CDF uniform with a medical patch. The entire assembled staff stood and braced to attention.
“As you were, ladies and gentlemen.”
At MacIntosh’s command, they resumed their seats.
“Before we begin,” MacIntosh said, “I’d like to introduce everyone to Dr. Izmet Tural, the chief medical officer for the Lion of Judah. I’d give you time for introductions now, but we have urgent matters to discuss, so please be seated.”
Tural sat, while MacIntosh remained standing.
“Two days ago, League military operations across the entire front halted. All active combat operations were ceased, and troops pulled out of ten contested systems where the League had commenced invasions. We’ve even gotten reports that on partially occupied worlds, the League armies have ended direct combat operations.”
Calvin spoke up. “Sounds like they’re planning something big. It could be ’48 all over again.”
“That’s what we thought, but yesterday, one of our ships on patrol intercepted a League transmission. The League wishes to commence peace negotiations immediately,” MacIntosh said.
While that had been an open secret, it was still a shock to the members of the command staff.
Taylor was next to speak. “Twenty-six years of fighting, and they’re coming to the table now?”
MacIntosh nodded. “Yes, I understand your skepticism, but our intelligence, corroborated by those neutral states that still favor us, indicates the League is facing a crisis in their home systems because of their war footing disrupting their economy. Forces in their government have already made statements to the effect of needing peace to deal with internal dissensions and economic stagnation. We believe these elements have now come to the fore in the League government. A peace party is en route to our border to be brought to Canaan for talks. They are aboard a League dreadnought, the LSS Destruction, and are accompanying a transport carrying a load of POWs to be returned to the Coalition as a gesture of good faith.”
“They’re really going to send a ship named that on a peace mission?” Sheila asked incredulously.
“It’s the flagship of their mission’s overall commander, Admiral Pierre Seville.”
David recognized the name. “The man who led the initial attack on Canaan,” he said hoarsely. “My father died ramming his flagship.”
“One and the same. And you will be going out to meet him, Colonel.” MacIntosh’s gaze bored into David.
“Sir?”
“The president and SecDef approved the proposal. We’re sending the Lion of Judah out to escort them in.”
“Sir, we’re still in preliminary shakedown preparation. We’re not even sure the antimatter reactor will work properly in sustained operations.”
“The thought is that if we send a carrier, we’re simply reminding them of how we’ve devoted ourselves to a permanent defensive effort. But the Lion? She represents our new direction, a signal to the League that they need to take us seriously in the peace talks and afterward.”
“Ah, so... the League is sending a ship named Destruction to negotiate peace with us,” Sheila said, “and we’re going to respond by sending a ship named after Jesus Christ to make peace with a nation of militant atheists. Is anyone else feeling a bit skeptical of our chances here?”
Various people chuckled. Even MacIntosh seemed amused, if in a subtle way.
“There’s nothing you can say about the ship’s name I haven’t already heard from Dr. Hayworth, Major Thompson.”
“So we’re being sent. Do we have enough stores for the trip?” David turned to Sheila.
“We were bringing aboard parts and items needed for the shakedown cruise. It’ll take a day or so to check over the life support system and charge up the atmosphere reserves from the station supply, but we should be ready to go within forty-eight hours.” She glanced at Hanson. “Provided the engines are ready.”
“Dr. Hayworth and his crew should have them ready, but I’m not sure about our readiness to run the new antimatter reactor under full cruise conditions, much less combat,” Hanson said hesitantly.
“That’s why you’ll be taking Major Merriweather and Dr. Hayworth with you. She’ll oversee the operation of the reactor for the duration of this mission.” MacIntosh drew in a breath. “Listen, I know some of you are skeptical about this. I am too. If anything suspicious happens, report it and keep your guard up, but I shouldn’t have to tell you that if we can put together a negotiated peace with the League, it would mean a lot for the Coalition.”
“An end to the war,” Calvin said slowly. “Demilitarization, no more military oversight in the border worlds, getting the civil services back up...”
“No more killing,” Sheila added.
“Let’s just hope they’re thinking the same thing,” David said.
Sheila gave him an uncomfortable look, but he didn’t acknowledge it.
“Okay, everyone, let’s get busy. We’ve got to be ready to go in forty-eight hours. Time is wasting.”
Everyone nodded.
“You heard your CO. Let’s get to work. Dismissed,” MacIntosh said.
The team stood to leave, and as they did, each stopped to welcome Dr. Tural to the ship and the crew. Sheila raised an eyebrow at David in question, though he opted not to respond. He knew she would ask some very tough questions later about where his mind was in dealing with Admiral Seville.
After everyone else filed out of the room, David and MacIntosh were alone.
“Sir, our fighter and bomber squadrons aren’t due for another two weeks. We’ll be going out there without their support.”
“We’re going to arrange for you to rendezvous with the Pat Tillman,” MacIntosh replied. “They’ll transfer some of their squadrons to you. You’ll also be receiving your CAG, Major Amir.”
“Hassan Amir?”
“Yes. You’ve met, I presume?”
“When I was the XO on the Audacious
, sir. I’m looking forward to having him as my CAG.”
“Well, that’s good to know.” MacIntosh retrieved a data disc from the wardroom computer. “I’ll be keeping tabs on your preparation. You’re getting top priority for everything you need to be ready for departure, by order of the president.”
“What about my XO? Major Thompson has been assigned as the navigator and second-watch officer, but I haven’t seen the service jacket of any XO candidates yet.”
“You won’t be getting your XO in time. For now, you can have the major function as XO. Use First Lieutenant Shelly Hampton as your navigator. She was to be the second-shift navigator.”
David nodded. “Thank you, sir. That should work out fine.”
“Good luck out there, Colonel. We all hope this will work, but be ready for anything. You should know that President Spencer personally led a prayer for your success in my presence.”
David allowed a smile to cross his face. “I’ll take all the help I can get on this one, sir.”
MacIntosh turned toward the door. “Carry on, Colonel. Godspeed.”
19
“Are you sure I can’t talk you out of this, General?” David asked, pausing before the double doors of Studio C.
“We’ve been over this, Cohen. You’re doing the interview,” MacIntosh replied, pointing toward the door.
“I’m a ship driver, sir—”
“So you’ve said, Colonel. Do I need to explain to you yet again that the Lion of Judah has as much morale and public relations value as it does in military might?”
“Point taken, sir,” David said, resigning himself to the task. He’d been trying to get out of the assignment for the last six hours without success. Why not at least get me onto a broadcast that’s remotely pro-CDF?
“I’ll be in the broadcast booth upstairs while you handle the interview, Colonel. Remember to tout the Lion’s technology without revealing classified information and signal our support for the peace process.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Carry on, Colonel.”
MacIntosh disappeared through another door, leaving David to push through to the studio. He found it teeming with employees of the news channel—Galactic News Network—and the reporter that he was to sit down with, Leslie Sharp. I’ve seen her reports God only knows how many times. She’s so slanted against the CDF that it’s laughable. Again wishing he were anywhere but the studio, he pulled his uniform jacket down one last time, put a smile on his face, and made his way to the interview chair, which was positioned directly in front of a desk, and behind it was Sharp.
“Ms. Sharp,” David said.
“Colonel. Please, have a seat. Ready to go?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“It’ll just be a moment.”
Something about her voice is fake. David took a sip of water as the director of the show gave a countdown. When the count reached two, Sharp waited three seconds before speaking directly into the camera.
“This is Leslie Sharp with the Galactic News Network. Tonight, we have a special guest, Colonel David Cohen, commanding officer of the newly revealed CSV Lion of Judah. Welcome, Colonel.”
David smiled toward the camera awkwardly. “Thank you, Ms. Sharp. It’s a pleasure to be speaking with you tonight.”
Leslie looked him in the eye with a trademark one-hundred-watt holonet smile. The effect reminded David of a used-helicar salesman. “Just to introduce you to our viewers tonight, how long have you been in the Coalition Defense Force, Colonel?”
“Twenty years, ma’am.”
“I understand it’s nearly impossible to make colonel after being drafted as an enlisted soldier. Sounds like you’ve had an exceptional career, Colonel.”
David wasn’t sure where she was going with that line of questioning. “I’ve done the best I can with the abilities given to me by God, ma’am.”
“I see. Has the fact that your father was, in effect, the hero of the Terran Coalition helped your career along?”
David fought to keep a grimace off his face. “I wouldn’t know, ma’am. I’ve certainly never made anything of it. If anything, I’d rather it never come up. My father would never have considered himself a hero. He used to remind me often that some things, like our freedoms, are just worth fighting for. That’s what he dedicated his life to.”
“He sounds like a noble man.”
“He was.”
“I understand that in your last combat, you rammed an enemy warship.”
Alarm bells went off in David’s head. What exactly is she trying to do? “Ah, yes, I did, ma’am.”
“And why was that, Colonel? Ramming another ship is usually fatal, isn’t it?” The one-hundred-watt smile was still at full blast.
“Because a League ship was bearing down on a group of transports, and I had no other way to stop that ship from killing tens of thousands of civilians,” David replied an edge to his tone.
“I’m sure you can understand, Colonel, that billions of citizens around the Coalition want to make sure that this wondrous new ship we’re sending into space to meet the League is commanded by an able officer.”
“Of course, ma’am, and I will do my duty to the utmost of my ability. I think everyone in the Terran Coalition is praying that our next mission will be a success and that we will achieve a peace agreement with the League of Sol.”
“Do you believe your superiors in the Coalition Defense Force want the peace talks to succeed?” she asked sweetly.
“Of course they do.”
“I see. Do you think that the League will be willing to forgive the atrocities committed by the CDF during the last twenty-seven years of war?”
David fought to keep his voice neutral. He had expected some kind of ambush but not quite this. “And what atrocities might those be, ma’am?”
For just a moment, the smile faded. “The dozens of documented incidents in which CDF forces have killed League civilians and, in some cases, our own civilians in their overzealous attempts to defeat League troops.”
“Do you know what the rules of engagement are in areas that have civilians in them, Ms. Sharp?” David asked, using his own version of the one-hundred-watt smile.
“I’m familiar with them, yes.”
“Then you know that to fire any type of weapon other than a battle rifle or sidearm in an engagement with civilians present, a JAG attorney must sign off on the strike.”
“I fail to see what that matters, Colonel. Let’s get back to—”
“It matters that a legal representative reviews each request in real time and approves or disapproves the request. I’ve served on the front lines, ma’am. I’ve seen Marines killed from enemy fire coming from buildings with human shields in them. Good men and women have died because we are so against killing civilians that we wouldn’t return fire. With all due respect, the CDF does anything and everything possible to avoid innocent deaths.”
Leslie sat just a bit taller in her chair. “Are you trying to say that the CDF has never killed a civilian, Colonel?” she asked incredulously.
“No, ma’am. I’m saying we don’t kill civilians on purpose. We do everything we can to save civilians. I’m also saying that when we capture League soldiers, they’re interned in camps with better living accommodations than some of our citizens have. They get three hot meals a day, which is more than those serving on my ship get, and I’m sick and tired of hearing people second-guessing the tens of millions of men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defend them.”
“Are you trying to say I don’t have the right to criticize the military, Colonel?” Sharp asked, her lips tight.
“You have every right to, ma’am. But try to remember that if the League won the war, you’d be among the first people they shot.”
“That…” She sputtered for a moment. “And why would you say that, Colonel?”
“Because the League needs people like you to drive our morale down and question the ethics of our military. Once it wins,
it doesn’t need you anymore. I think we all know what happens to people who aren’t needed by the League. You can ask our ancestors, or you could ask the families of the dead soldiers from the initial League invasion of Canaan.”
She was clearly shocked by the forcefulness of David’s response. “I see, Colonel. Well, I think our viewers can make up their minds about your fitness to command the first peace mission with the League of Sol.”
David took the barb in stride. “I’m sure they can, ma’am. After all, peace comes through strength.”
“And how exactly is that, Colonel?”
“We all know the history of the first League attack. They decided they could overwhelm us with one massive strike. While it failed, it was close. If we’d had a massive military advantage over them, they wouldn’t have attacked. And with our new breed of ships and technology, that will provide strength and encourage peace.”
“I guess we will find out, Colonel. Thank you for joining us tonight.”
“Thank you for having me, ma’am.”
As the director indicated they were off the air, Sharp stood up and stormed off without a word to David. He was left sitting in the chair for a few minutes until MacIntosh came to collect him. Standing at attention as MacIntosh strode in, he waited for his reaction.
“Well, not quite what we expected, Colonel. Officially, I should reprimand you for getting into a political discussion on intergalactic holovision. Unofficially, jolly good show,” MacIntosh said with a smile.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now, get back to your ship and get ready to go meet the League.”
“Aye, sir,” David said, bracing to attention once more before walking off.
20
David sat behind the desk in his spacious office and stateroom, also known as the day cabin, aboard the Lion of Judah. He was reviewing CDF paperwork, one of the few constants in the universe. He smiled slightly. No matter what happens in terms of advancing technology, the one thing the military is able to keep around is forms in triplicate.
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