Fighting for Melbourne Page 8

  “What else?”

  “I would have sent the scouts in to do a full active scan ahead of the fleet. That would have revealed the trap being set by the alien’s giant warships and the fleet could have stopped before moving into it and have backed out.”

  “Anything else?”

  “I would have moved all the Defense Platforms to the rear of the formation as it fled and have them fire on the alien’s huge warships as the fleet backed out. We could have at least killed some of them before running. We might have lost the twenty-four Defense Platforms due to them being so heavily outnumbered, but the fifty-thousand warships would have survived, and we would have been able to find out if a block of Defense Platforms could have held off the alien’s large warships due to their superior blaster range. We missed a good opportunity of finding that out.”

  The Ruling Council was silent, and the woman finally asked, “Just how do you know so much about commanding a fleet?”

  Kathy shrugged, “I’ve spent my career scouting the aliens and have participated in most of the attacks our fleets have made on them. Admiral Martov and Jennings have done an excellent job of keeping their fleets out of trouble, although some of the Junior Admirals under them have made some foolish mistakes.” Katherine raised a shoulder and added, “I’ve kept a copy of all the battles I’ve recorded and past the time during my long scouting missions watching them.”

  The Dictator stared at Kathy with a grim expression and stood up, “Captain Rice, you are dismissed.” Kathy was surprised by the announcement and immediately saluted, “Thank you, Excellency.” She did an about face and left the chamber. The Dictator turned and walked out of the chamber with his platoon of guards.

  The woman looked at the other councilors and they saw her surprise, “What was that about?” No one knew. They were told this meeting was called so the Dictator could personally order this captain’s execution.

  • • •

  The Dictator went to his office and contacted Admiral Jennings, “Have you received the recording of my meeting with the scout captain?”

  “It was being fed directly to me, Sir.”

  “What do you think about what she said?” Jennings hesitated, and the Dictator said, “You may speak freely and there will be no reprisal.”

  “She’s right, Sir. They went in blind and that proved to be their undoing.” The Dictator was silent, and Jennings added, “If what she said about being present during most of our attacks on the aliens is true, she probably knows more about them than any of my officers.”

  “Is she right that a block of Defense Platforms could have held off the aliens’ large warships.”

  “Twenty-four Defense Platforms would have exploded their missile barrages outside the firing range of their major warships, Sir. They would have eventually been defeated by overwhelming numbers rushing in on them, but our enemy would have suffered high losses.”

  “What if there were more Defense Platforms than just twenty-four?” the Dictator inquired.

  “How many more?”

  “A thousand.”

  Jennings whistled, “I don’t know if the aliens could have penetrated that large of a formation.”

  The Dictator thought about Jennings’ comment and then asked, “How long will it take for our planets to build a thousand of the new Defense Platforms?”

  “Two years, Sir.”

  “What if we stop building warships?”

  “If we only build the new Defense Platforms, it will take a year to construct a thousand, Sir. What are you thinking, Excellency?”

  “I’m starting to agree with your assessment on reducing their forces in their territory instead of facing them here. Our old Defense Platforms are being updated to the new technology and they will be a formidable force to overcome at Earth, but that is going to take time. I believe slowing them down is in our best interests, don’t you?”

  “I do, Sir.”

  “I like this scout captain, Admiral. She doesn’t scare easily and says what she believes is true even if it means her life. I fully intended to execute her, but her bravery impressed me.”

  “What do you suggest, Excellency?”

  “Promote her to Fleet Admiral and put her over the new Defense Platforms. I trust she won’t make stupid mistakes with them and will make them count against the aliens’ defenses. When she has enough to launch an attack, send her fleet out.”

  “Excellency, she’s going to need warships to support her.”

  “Give her as many as she thinks she’ll need, Admiral.”

  “The number could be quite high, Sir.”

  “Send them all if she wants; I’m certain she won’t waste them. As you said before, they won’t be any help defending Earth.”

  “I’ll call her in and discuss this with her, Sir.”

  “Do you agree she is the one to do this, Admiral?”

  “I do, Excellency. I’ll need to promote a new Admiral to command the fleets of warships going with her.”

  “Send Admiral Martov but make sure he knows she is in overall command.”

  “He won’t like that, Sir,” Jennings responded.

  “Send Admiral Martov to meet with me. I’ll handle that issue.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  • • •

  Kathy stood at attention in the Supreme Admiral’s office and saw him leaning back in his chair with a hand on his chin staring silently at her. She wondered if this was where she would be executed. The Admiral surprised her when he asked, “What possessed you to tell the Council that twenty-four Defense Platforms could have held off the aliens’ attack?”

  “Sir, they would have held them off until they were overwhelmed by superior numbers.”

  “And just how do you get off suggesting that?” Jennings asked sternly.

  “Sir, the beams fired by the Defense Platforms are more than fifty-miles wide at the edge of its range. Four of them would cover an area more than two hundred miles wide. The missiles fired at the fleet would have been vaporized outside the firing range of the aliens’ major warships. If they tried to move inside that range, they would have been destroyed.”

  “Go on,” Jennings ordered.

  “The beams of the new Defense Platforms last for ten seconds and those beams could have been overlapped and swept across the enemy formations.”

  “But there is a gap of one second before they could fire again,” Jennings retorted.”

  “Yes Sir. But they could be staggered in their firing such that as they swept across their formations new beams would be fired while the others recharged.”

  “And just how did you make this determination?”

  Kathy remained at attention, as she replied, “I’ve looked at the data on the new Defense Platforms and one second wouldn’t allow enough time for new enemy warships to move forward.”

  “And what if they’re rushing in at maximum speed, Captain?”

  “They still wouldn’t be able to move inside the range of their blasters in that time, Sir.” Jennings stared at her and Kathy added, “Keep in mind that the alien missiles fired would be destroyed far outside the range of the aliens’ blasters; the missiles aren’t armored and don’t require a maximum hit from the Defense Platform’s blasters.”

  Jennings stared at her and asked, “How many Defense Platforms would it take to keep holding them off, Captain?” Kathy was surprised by the question and was silent. “Could five hundred do it?”

  “I don’t know, Admiral. I don’t know how many major warships they have to use, Sir.”

  “Could a thousand do it?” Jennings asked.

  “Not alone, Sir. They could send waves of their warships to suicide against them.” Kathy quickly added, “Sir. I’ve requested to retire from the service. Will I be allowed to retire?”

  Jennings chuckled, “No, you will not.”

  “Does this mean I’m to be executed?”

  Jennings expression turned serious, “No, you are not.”

  Kathy stared at Jennin
gs and asked, “Then what?”

  “You are being promoted to Major Fleet Admiral and will take a thousand Defense Platforms in a year to attack the alien forces.” Kathy’s head went back, and her mouth fell open. Jennings added, “You will be given as many warships as you think you’ll need to support your attack and I expect you to come up with a plan to get your fleets back safely.” Kathy was still in a state of shock and Jennings said, “Take a seat, Admiral. We have a lot to discuss.”

  • • •

  Abby looked at Mulvaney on her monitor and asked, “Have we learned anything from the Fagan, Admiral?”

  “Yes Sir. They are focusing on building their major warships to the exclusion of everything else.”

  Rory was sitting beside Abby and asked, “Has any mention of the absence of small white warships been mentioned?”

  “No, Sir, they have not.”

  “What about the aliens?” Abby quickly asked.

  “We’ve not intercepted anything, Sir. They are still trying to rebuild from their losses to the Fagan. Earth, the Fagan, and the aliens have all suffered a major defeat and they appear to be going into their respective corners to lick their wounds.”

  “Let us pray they stay there,” Abby replied. “Thank you for the update, Admiral.” Mulvaney disappeared from the monitor and she turned to Rory, “The computer has reduced the odds of Melbourne being attacked to less than fifty-percent for a year.”

  “How is the evacuation proceeding? Rory inquired.”

  “Since we upped the crowns to leave, another fifty-million have left for the colonies.” Rory nodded and took a call from Fleet Operations. They reported that military freighters were going to be needed to move the new colonists. The numbers asking to leave were increasing daily. It couldn’t increase fast enough to suit Abby. She began to wonder if the population on Melbourne was beginning to suspect there was an increasing danger of the planet being attacked.

  Chapter Six

  Taffy walked into Grady’s office in the giant construction building and his assistant looked up, “He’s out on the floor. Do you want me to call him?”

  “No, just tell me where to find him.”

  The assistant looked at her console and smiled, “He’s with Joshua, Desmond, and Noel at the pouring vats. Take a right and keep walking.”

  Taffy smiled and unfolded Candy’s stroller. Candy started clapping; she loved stroller rides. Taffy left the office and after a mile decided she might have bitten off more than she could chew. The workers pointed her toward the end of the building in the distance and she realized she needed to start working out more. She finally arrived at some gigantic vats and asked one of the engineers where Joshua’s office was located. He smiled and pointed to a door fifty yards ahead of her. She arrived at the door and knocked. She heard Grady yell, “I SAID WE WERE NOT TO BE DISTURBED!”

  Taffy opened the door and stepped in. Grady was obviously perturbed until he saw her. He jumped up, rushed over, and took Candy out of her stroller. He swung her around and Candy screamed laughter. He leaned over and kissed Taffy on the cheek, “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I’m bored and thought I’d stop by and see what’s going on.”

  Joshua stood up and hugged Taffy, “It’s been a while. It’s good to see you.”

  “What’s up?” Taffy asked.

  Grady sat down with Candy in his lap and replied, “We’re discussing how to determine the capabilities of our new warships, Taffy.” One of Taffy’s eyebrows went up and Joshua added, “We’ve run every test we can think of to try, but we’ve not taken one of our ships out to see if we’re right. The crews are being trained but we’re lacking a lot of real-world data to include in their training.”

  Taffy shrugged and offered, “Then send one out and find out. That sounds easy enough.”

  “Taffy, it’s not that simple,” Grady replied.

  “Oh? Why not?”

  “No one knows about our new warships and we don’t want to risk them becoming known.” Taffy stared at Grady and he knew that expression. “I’m serious, Taffy.”

  Taffy sat down and asked, “You told me this new warship could not be detected, right?” Grady glanced at Joshua and then nodded. “And if they are, when do you want to find that out?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When do you want to find out if they aren’t undetectable? When they’re sent into battle or now?” Taffy replied.

  Noel was leaning back in a chair and he replied, “She makes an excellent point.” Joshua and Grady turned to him and he smiled, “This ship will only be effective if it can remain invisible in combat conditions. If it can’t, it’s nothing more than a target for overwhelming numbers of enemy warships.”

  Grady turned back to Joshua and he shrugged, “They’re right Grady. We have to know.”

  “What are you suggesting, Joshua?” Grady asked.

  “We need to send a ship out to Fagan and alien space and see.”

  Desmond sat up straight and interjected, “Louisa and I can take a ship out and look around.”

  “NO!” Grady quickly replied.

  “If not us, then who?” Desmond asked.

  “I should be the one to take a ship out,” Grady replied.

  Taffy smiled sweetly, “If you go, I go.”

  “No, you won’t!” Grady replied.

  “Oh yes I will! We’ve crossed this bridge before and you will keep your promise, Grady Henricks!” Taffy retorted.

  Desmond quickly interrupted them, “Look, Kendal is attending classes and Abby’s mother will love having her visit. Louisa has been badgering me about when we’d be allowed to take a ship out and I agree with her. How am I going to lead our fleets without knowing the capabilities of the ships I’m commanding? You know I’m right, Grady!”

  Grady stared at him and everyone saw his stubbornness. Taffy smiled, “Then we’ll both go.” Everyone jerked their heads around to her. “Candy can stay with Clarissa while we’re gone, she’s kept her numerous times, Grady. And I do think it’s not wise to just send one ship out. Two would be much safer.”

  “Grady, we can’t risk losing you!” Joshua interjected forcefully.”

  Grady’s eyes were slightly narrowed as he turned to Joshua, “Desmond is right, Joshua. I also need to know our ship’s capabilities.”

  “Grady…” Joshua started but Grady interrupted him.

  “If these ships are all we believe they are, we’ll not be at risk; we won’t take any foolish risks.”

  “You’ve said that in the past and still took risks!” Joshua replied as he rolled his eyes.

  “I don’t want to do this, but it must be done, Joshua.”

  “Are you adamant about doing this!?”

  Grady sighed, “Yes, I am.”

  “Then you’ll be taking one of the modified warships.”

  Taffy turned to Joshua, “Modified?”

  “Yes. I’ve developed a special chair for the crew that’s new.”

  “Do tell?’ Taffy replied.

  “The crew’s chairs will be anchored to the deck with a flexible stem. There will also be a liquid cocoon that will surround the crew members if high gravity forces are detected.”

  “Has this been trialed, Joshua?” Taffy asked.

  “Yes; but not with a live person.”

  “And what were the results?”

  “Taffy, the data says that the crew would survive extreme levels of gravity, but it has not been trialed on a real crew.”

  “And just when do you intend to do that?”

  Grady turned to Taffy, “We were discussing that before you arrived.”

  “So, you’re saying that the crew will be surrounded by a cocoon of water? What happens after it’s deployed? Will the bridge be soaked in water?”

  “No,” Joshua answered. “The cocoon is filled with a gelatin substance that will mold to the shape of the crew member. Once the event is over, it will be retracted back into its casing.”

  “So, who is go
ing to trial this?” Taffy asked.

  “No one,” Grady replied.

  Taffy turned to him, “Is that a good idea?”

  “Taffy, we’re hoping this system will never have to be used. It’s a failsafe system to protect the crews and if it ever deploys, then the ship and crew are in grave jeopardy. I’m not asking for volunteers to do this,” Grady replied.

  Taffy smiled, “Then let us hope it’s never needed. When do we leave?”

  “That’s the real reason you came here today, isn’t it?” Grady asked.

  “A girl likes to be taken out, Grady,” Taffy replied with an impish smile.

  Grady laughed and then turned to Joshua, “Have the two ships provisioned and ready to leave tomorrow.”

  “I really wish you’d reconsider this, Grady.”

  “Josh, I believe in what you’ve created. We won’t take any risks.” Joshua shrugged and activated his communicator.

  • • •

  Taffy leaned back in her chair and smiled, “Boy! This is the most comfortable chair I’ve ever had on any of the ships we’ve flown, Grady.”

  “It’s designed to mold to your shape when you sit on it, Taffy. It’s also made to move with your movements.”

  “Is that big bulge on the stand supporting the chair the cocoon Josh talked about?”

  “Yes, it is, Taffy.”

  “I don’t understand why it’s necessary, Grady?”

  “Well, it’s needed for two possible events, Taffy. If we’re rammed by another ship or if we immediately go to full speed.”

  “What?”

  “If a ship rams us…”

  “I’m asking about going to full speed, Grady!” Taffy interrupted.

  “The new gravity drives are more powerful than anything ever developed, Taffy. If we push the thrusters fully forward, the acceleration could cause our bodies to be harmed by the Gs being exerted on us.”

  “Shouldn’t the gravity compensators prevent that?”

  “No, Taffy. The compensators will only protect us in first or second stage thrusters. They aren’t able to cope with going directly to third stage gravity thrusters.”