“They would not make such a request. Any Senfo who is part of the exchange program is considered a part of the military they are working for. My superiors consider me a TERRA officer. It would not be their place to request that I leave my post here.”
“What about the Commonality?” Jacob asked. “Would they feel the same?”
Fotell knew the Commonality did not inject themselves into internal military matters. They trusted the military leadership to operate in the best interest of Senfo society. “They would.”
Jacob wasn’t familiar with the relationship between the Commonality and Senfo military. “What happens if we get a call from them wanting you off SOLARA? I have to consider that possibility.”
“I would tell the Commonality the same thing I would tell any commandrant who might make the same request. My place is here. I will not abandon my obligations to the exchange program.”
Jacob smiled. “Okay, I just had to be sure.” It would be a sticky situation if the Senfo Commonality demanded no Senfo participate in this mission. Captain Dewis would most likely grant their request given his dislike of aliens. Hopefully, it was something they wouldn’t have to contend with at all during the mission. Fotell’s skills were needed if they were to make this mission a success.
********
Later, up on the command deck, Commander Diego was sitting in the captain’s office. He sat patiently as Dewis conferred with both the Onixin and Quix ship commanders over a communication link.
“The Senfo leaving changes nothing for our mission,” Dewis stated. “We can still activate the jumpgate and travel through it.”
“Without the IQUIS, we will have less firepower in the event we encounter hostilities on the other side,” Tretridic replied.
Sasasaduigriganabasas agreed with the Onixin vori. “Tactically, the loss of a ship has an adverse impact on us. Unless we can request additional vessels…”
Dewis interrupted the cadri. “TERRA doesn’t have any spare ships to send here.”
“I am afraid my leadership will not send any more ships,” Tretridic revealed.
“The protectorate is unlikely to send another vessel to us,” Sasasaduigriganabasas concluded. “Captain Dewis, our leaders are unwilling to risk the loss of ships on this endeavor. We should consider returning to the original mission parameters and only conduct scientific studies on the gate.”
Captain Dewis realized he needed to remind them of something. “SOLARA’s going through the gate alone. Your ships are remaining on this side, so there’s no risk to you. If we run into trouble, we can send a message back and order you to destroy the gate.”
Jacob knew that was pure speculation at this point. They needed to activate the gate and test if sending transmissions through was even possible. “If sending a message through is even possible,” he corrected.
Dewis was quick to counter his XO. “We’ll know that shortly after we activated the gate.” He planned to send a probe through the wormhole first. If they could communicate with it once it passed through the gate, then they would have verified communications through the wormhole was possible.
Diego sat there, saying nothing more. He’d already argued earlier that two ships should travel through the gate so that they could support one another, but he’d argued without success. The captain was adamant that the SOLARA could conduct exploration on the other side alone.
“You are still willing to assume the risk on your ship?” Sasasaduigriganabasas asked Dewis.
“Yes. The benefits of this mission are too important to pass up. All I ask is you provide backup support when we go through the gate. Someone needs to stay on this side and ensure the data we send back is forwarded to the alliance.”
“If you are willing to assume the risk for the whole protectorate, then we will stay,” Sasasaduigriganabasas offered.
Tretridic found the offer acceptable as well. “We will remain and provide support.”
Dewis nodded to both commanders. “Thank you. We’ll proceed with the operation. Let’s reconvene when we have a definitive timetable on activating the gate.” The alliance commanders nodded as the communication ended.
“I’d bring up the tactical disadvantage again about going through the gate alone, but you’re not going to listen to me,” Jacob said.
“We have a difference of opinion, commander. I believe the tactical issues are not enough to abandon the mission.”
Jacob was sarcastic in his tone. “Of course you do.”
“I want you to contact the IQUIS and try to get Zwelic to change her mind,” Dewis ordered. “I tried reasoning with her, but she won’t listen to me. You might have better luck.”
Jacob wasn’t about to do such dirty work for the captain. He respected the commandrant’s decision to pull out of the mission. “My experience with the Senfo isn’t going to give me any leeway. They’ve made up their minds. I’m not going to be able to change it.”
“You’re refusing my order and not even going to make the attempt?”
“Correct, sir. My efforts are better spent preparing for this mission.” Jacob felt a bit of pride in defying the captain.
The captain was visibly upset. He didn’t like that his XO was outwardly refusing to comply with a request. But his demeanor went back to calm and he reclined in his seat. He reminded himself that conducting this mission was the priority. He could deal with Diego’s defiance so long as it didn’t interfere with his plans. “Very well, commander. Continue to oversee the gate studies and send me hourly progress reports.”
Jacob got up and left without saying anything more. What was the point of uttering a word? The captain was committed to going through with this nonsense. The commander was stuck. Maybe if the Quix and Onixins pulled out, it would be enough for Dewis to reconsider the mission. Jacob seriously considered reaching out to them. He was confident he could convince them to pull out under the guise of returning with more support craft.
Then again, Dewis was a man with nothing to lose. He may be so intent on making a name for himself that he’d be willing to have SOLARA undertake the mission alone. The Onixin and Quix abandoning the mission may do nothing to change the captain’s mind.
The more Diego thought about it, the more he realized that Dewis would put his career above the safety and well-being of the crew. No, going to the alien commanders would most likely result in the SOLARA left alone conducting this mission. Jacob couldn’t risk it.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Admiral Vespia couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a day off, not that it bothered her. She was a workaholic, tending to her duties around the clock to further her career ambitions. That habit served her well since the Screen’s defeat. Ever since humanity was freed from them, she was busy keeping her head above water with all the changes that were occurring in TERRA. She had cemented herself as head of the command council, but to retain her position she had to make some concessions. The council now consisted of nine members, six of them Earth Security officers. That only left three TERRA officers on the council, including Vespia. She couldn’t protest the change, so instead, she ingratiated herself with the ES officers. She made sure she was at any social event involving high-level ES officials, solidifying relationships to secure her position on the council.
Despite her goodwill with ES, she had little input on the removal of several high-level TERRA officers. Some, like Superintendent Mortino who ran TERRA Academy and Admiral Block who was her adversary, she was glad to see go. Others, not so much. She walked a fine line justifying keeping some of her allies in TERRA without compromising her position.
A more recent change to the council was the inclusion of representatives from the alliance. The president’s office determined that inclusion of the alliance in TERRA matters was necessary to keep the military in check. As President Butu stated in her last union speech, “Aliens are part of our lives now.” Although TERRA officers weren’t thrilled at that notion, the public overwhelmingly approved of her speech. Luckily, these
alien representatives had no voting power in the command council. They were merely observers who could offer their input, nothing more.
Vespia called a meeting of the council to address some recent developments. She received word from the president’s office that the Senfo Commonality had reported something disturbing. The ship they sent to participate in studying the Screen jumpgate reported to their superiors that the human capital ship intended to activate the gate and travel to the other side. The news riled up the Onixins and Quix while the Aldarians seemed indifferent about the whole thing. The admiral had to convince the president that she was unaware of the plan and did not authorize the SOLARA to go through the gate.
It was this kind of situation that could easily get Vespia removed from her post. She had to be proactive to ensure her position was safe. She quickly sent out the order for the council to convene, including the new alien representatives. This action seemed to appease the president.
As Vespia headed towards the council chambers, she regretted not removing Captain Dewis from command. She should have replaced all the ship commanders, but she felt some stability in the fleet was required. She couldn’t replace everyone in key positions. If she did, there’d be no one left with any experience. The officers who still were able to retain their positions were people loyal to Vespia and, most importantly, her eyes and ears in the military. But this situation with Captain Dewis blindsided her. Once she got the SOLARA back to the solar system, Captain Dewis would find himself permanently removed from TERRA.
When the admiral entered the council chambers, everyone was already assembled and waiting for her. No one stood up at attention for her. That was a practice she did away with to avoid the appearance of arrogance. Along with the nine council members were representatives from the Onixin, Quix, Aldarian, and Senfo races. Their presence was to ensure transparency with TERRA and provide consultation in matters that affected the entire alliance. So far, Vespia found their presence positive for her. For several decisions not popular with TERRA, she used the alliance as the reasoning for the council’s decision. The aliens were more scapegoats available for her to use for her own means.
“Good afternoon,” Vespia said as she took her seat at the center of the council table. “I assume you all read the briefing I sent you. The last report from our long-range probes showed the SOLARA, BEUSMIC, and VFLEP still holding position by the gate. So far, there’s no indication they’re working to activate it.”
Nujil, the Senfo representative, was the first to speak. “Commandrant Zuwelic provided the mission outline that came from the SOLARA. They intend to activate it.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Vespia replied. “I merely pointed that out as an assurance that we may have time to stop them from executing their plan.”
“It would be reasonable to conclude that they will conduct studies of the device first before attempting to activate it,” Quix representative Forreziqudadraforfinkarada said.
TERRA Admiral Joseph Sansabar spoke up. “The solution’s simple. We send them a message to cease the mission and recall them back home.”
“I don’t trust that Captain Dewis would obey such an order,” Captain Michael Forsent of Earth Security stated. “He’s a career TERRA officer who can’t be trusted to do what’s right for everyone. The fact he plans on activating the gate to travel through it shows he’s looking to make a name for himself.”
Admiral Brandus disagreed with Forsent’s words. “Captain Dewis is a loyal TERRA officer who’s never disobeyed the change of command.”
Forsent just glared at Brandus. “I stand by my statement.”
Vespia gritted her teeth, trying not to say anything offensive to Captain Forsent. He had no problem airing TERRA’s dirty laundry in front of the alliance reps. She couldn’t outwardly defend Dewis, not that she was inclined to do so. It would make her appear as wanting to continue the self-serving mentality that was pervasive in TERRA. No, she had to tread carefully here. Luckily, she was good at that.
Vespia offered a solution. “I recommend dispatching a ship to retrieve the SOLARA if she continues to make preparations to turn on the gate.” Vespia looked over to Admiral Brandus. “Where are we at on the hyperdrive installation on the JORDAN?”
“We’re weeks away from completing the installation.”
Forsent proposed another solution. “Why don’t we have BEUSMIC or VFLEP force the SOLARA to cease the mission?”
Forreziqudadraforfinkarada dismissed that idea. “It would be improper for protectorate members to engage in an adversarial stance against one another.”
“SOLARA is a TERRA vessel. It would be inappropriate to take action against the ship unless there is an imminent threat to the alliance,” Onixin representative Googoran added. “At this time there is no imminent threat.”
“The threat could be sitting on the other side of the gate,” Nujil pointed out.
Forsent wanted the SOLARA stopped, but not by using fear. That’s what kept humanity in the solar system for nearly one hundred years. “That is speculation, not fact.”
Forreziqudadraforfinkarada agreed. “I concur. Acting against the SOLARA would not be in the interest of the alliance. Although my people are concerned about the activation of the gate, the SOLARA must choose to return home on its own.”
Vespia would have smiled if she could have. It seemed the alliance members had made the choice for the council. She turned to the Aldarian representative, who had not spoken at all during the meeting. “Do you concur?”
“We will defer to the actions this council,” Halides replied. “Whatever occurs is meant to happen.”
It was good enough for Vespia. “Then it seems our course of action is clear. In the interest of continued good relations, we will not ask that the alliance engage the SOLARA. Given TERRA has no ships capable of interstellar flight at this time, our only option is to send them a message to halt their mission.”
“Agreed,” Forsent grumbled. He was not happy about any of this. Unfortunately, Earth Security only had transport ships which were incapable of faster than light travel and no match against a capital ship if force became necessary.
“I’ll send the order personally, so Captain Dewis knows how serious the council is about the situation,” Vespia added. “Once I’ve received confirmation they’re returning, I’ll let you all know.” She stood up and left the chambers without saying another word as the group separated.
She was only halfway down the corridor back to her office when a voice caught her attention. “Admiral Vespia…Karla.” She turned to see Captain Forsent approaching her. “You think Captain Dewis is going to follow orders?”
“He’s a TERRA officer who respects the chain of command.”
Forsent chuckled at her response. “Come on, Karla. I’ve read his personnel file and have friends here who tell me things. This is his last mission before you retire him and he knows it. The guy’s got nothing to lose.”
Vespia conceded to his point. “Maybe he doesn’t, but he’s spent a lifetime respecting our institution and following orders. That sort of loyalty doesn’t just go away. I expect him to obey.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Well, Michael. I guess you’ll have something to hold over my head,” Vespia replied sarcastically. “Nothing’s guaranteed, but as you heard in the chambers, this is our only option. The alliance won’t intervene with an internal matter.”
She was right. They only had one option to stop Dewis. Forsent was curious about one thing, though. “Do you want him to activate the gate?”
“Despite what the Screen did to us, I am curious as to where the gate leads. Yes, I would like to see it activated...when we have a hundred warships stationed and ready to combat whatever is on the other side.” She turned and walked away from the captain.
She played that well. Most importantly, none of them knew she was already aware of the SOLARA’s mission and had approved it, off the record. She felt they needed to have some idea about what was on
the other side of the gate, but it had become a hot button issue. Luckily, Admiral Vargas was an ally. When he told her Commander Diego covertly contacted him to reveal the captain’s intentions, she jumped on the opportunity to convey the “council’s” approval for the mission before the council convened to even discuss it. With any luck, SOLARA would obtain valuable information. If they failed, well, it saved TERRA from having to decommission the ship.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The alliance fleet spent three days studying the Screen jumpgate. As much as Jacob disagreed with the captain about activating it, he had to give Dewis credit for insisting that the crew take their time with the analysis work. The captain insisted that sensor data be rechecked and simulations run multiple times to ensure they reported similar outcomes. He was doing what he could to minimize the ship’s risk. If the captain was anxious to activate the gate, he wasn’t letting that feeling get in the way of the crew doing a thorough job of studying it.
With all the analysis work completed, the data reviewed and planning completed, the day to activate the gate finally arrived. Jacob, like most of the day shift crew, slept very little the night before. He went over everything that could go wrong. They tried to anticipate every possibility, but the fact was they had no idea what they would find on the other side. Jacob had an ominous feeling. It was the same feeling he had the night before PHOENIX engaged the Screen armada at the Ni star system. His instincts were telling him they were making a mistake, but he was powerless to stop it. Captain Dewis was committed to seeing this mission through its conclusion. All the commander could do was ensure the crew were prepared for any contingency.
Jacob didn’t share his concerns with either Jonas or Michelle. He had become better acquainted with them over the course of the survey and did consider them friends. Despite that comfort level, he wasn’t ready to share all his concerns about the captain with them. David was starting to come out of his shell a little bit. He kept to himself, although Jacob had seen David and Fotell together in the mess hall a couple of times. The commander wished he had more time available to spend with the communications officer, but he was too busy with mission preparations. He was content that Lieutenant Block was socializing with somebody.
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