Commander Keller’s team of navigators was assembled in the Saratoga’s flag bridge. Set behind the main bridge, the flag bridge was as a communications, command and control point from which task forces were directed. It was large and spacious with a dozen multipurpose workstations arrayed around a central command station. There was a large holographic display and numerous flat screen displays of various sizes around the perimeter.
The flag bridge, usually called the flag, shared the back side of the main elevator with the bridge and two connecting halls. Many of the same systems and displays from the main bridge were replicated in the flag. Immediately adjoining the flag was a small conference room, bunks, a head, and a small galley: everything that a 24-7 operation needed to keep going.
Keller had everyone enter the conference room and started before the sixteen officers were all settled: “Welcome to the Saratoga gentlemen. We’ve got a lot of work to do and a short time to get it done so let’s get down to it. We need four teams of four: I’ve picked Rankin, Dubois, Taggart and Zhao as team leaders.”
“My plan is to run three eight hour shifts a day with one team off every day until we get to hostile territory. When our tempo of operations increases, we’ll run four shifts of six hours a day to try to keep everybody fresh and avoid burnout.”
“Dr. Sokolsky is a special case. As he came over from the merchant fleet, I want him observing until he knows our procedures. He’s also the Saratoga’s acting science officer and will have other responsibilities. Doctor, I want you to familiarize everyone with the new jump equations.”
Danny said, “Aye sir.”
Keller said, “Team leaders — figure out who is on your teams and post a schedule for a week in advance.”
“Now — for those of you that have never served on a carrier, I want you to attend orientation — check the ships information network on when and where. There are things about carrier operations that you need to know. Standing orders: we’ll be wearing Battle Dress Uniforms at all times. In case of emergency decompression of this compartment, the emergency shelter is right inside that door. There is air, water and food for four days. As you move about the ship, one or more emergency shelters can be found in every major compartment and are designated by a green diamond symbol on the door. Your BDUs will keep you alive but in the case of battle damage, fire or other hazards, the shelters are safer.”
“Any questions? Good. Dismissed.”
Danny sighed at the thought of wearing BDUs all the time. The Battle Dress Uniform looked like an ordinary uniform but it weights several kilos. If there was a loss of pressure, the BDUs were made of a smart nano-polymer blend of materials. They would change their shape into a pressure suit that could keep you alive for a number of hours. They were even heat and cold resistant. The suits that Danny had used aboard his old ship were not nearly so high tech. They weren’t used constantly and only when there was danger of decompression.
Danny assumed that he was dismissed but Commander Keller said, “Doctor Sokolsky, I need you for a moment. If you would follow me, I’ll show you to your office.”
Keller led him through a connecting hall to the main bridge. As he walked he said, “Since the war broke out, most ships don’t carry a science officer and none smaller than a heavy cruiser. I’m glad to have you, especially for this trip.”
He stopped at a door that opened off of the back of the main bridge. “Since we will be traveling through parts of the galaxy that are very rarely traveled, we will have some opportunities to make some important observations — mostly in the area of stellar cartography. You are going to have a staff of four enlisted techs to assist you.”
He typed a code into the pad and the door to the science officer’s office opened. Keller said, “Computer, log in at this date and time Lt. Commander Daniel Sokolsky, Science Officer, Saratoga.”
The computer terminal on the desk lit up and a synthesized voice said, “Noted and logged Commander Keller. Do you have any further instructions?”
“Yes I do. The Lt. Commander has come to us from the Merchant Marine and needs to get up to speed on the Fleet’s policies and procedures. Please outline a course of studies to bring him up to speed. Assume that he is a quick study.”
The computer said, “Affirmative. I will create a course of study from existing training materials. Will there be anything else?”
“Yes, familiarize him with the sensors and onboard science systems. Add him to the Enemy Intelligence Study Group and the Fleet Science Officers group.”
“Yes Commander.”
Danny said, “What is Enemy Intelligence Study Group?”
The computer answered, “EISG is a select group of officers that have access to all of the intelligence that the Alliance Fleet has gathered on the enemy. They analyze and attempt to interpret the enemy’s intentions and capabilities.”
Danny said, “I’m guessing that is a rather select group.”
Keller said, “Admiral Tanaka suggested it. He likes you and respects your intelligence. He thinks a fresh set of eyes without preconceived ideas couldn’t hurt.”
“There’s one other thing that I want you to look into. The new fleet carriers have hyperspace projectors integrated into our six launch tubes. They are a little different technology than the jump drives on our ships. We can use the launch tubes to launch either fighters or probes into local space or open a jump point. Our probe launchers are compatible with our SM-1 missiles.”
Danny said, “You want to use them to deliver weapons.”
Keller said, “Exactly. If we can launch a spread of nukes, we could take out a big bite out of the enemy fleet from a safe distance.”
“We should be able to use the same equations to make micro-jumps. We’ll have to test it of course but I don’t see any insurmountable problems.”
Keller grinned like a wolf. “Good. Let’s work on that en route. With a little luck, we’ll have another nasty surprise for our enemy. Now I’ll leave you to get acquainted with the ships computer. I think you two will get along just fine.”
* * *
The Flag Bridge of the Repulse was alive with activity. Twenty officers and enlisted men were manning the various stations. Depending on the issues that they were dealing with, the number might rise to thirty. Most of the time it was twenty-five but it never fell below twenty.
Someone had put a countdown to jump on the monitors that stood at 17 hours, 20 minutes. The communications links between the Repulse, Kongo, Saratoga and Yorktown, the fleets designated nerve centers were alive with chatter. Admiral Bassett sat in the command chair with a cup of coffee at his elbow and a pad computer on his knee. He had channels open to the three other flag ships and was following a hundred different issues at once.
“Admiral, we have flash traffic from Omicron Ceti.”
Bassett said, “Send it to my console.”
An instant later the message appeared on his screen.
**Flash Priority**
TO: Fleet Command
FROM: Omicron Ceti Actual
All units this sector be advised an enemy offensive is in progress. Outposts 34 and 36 have been destroyed. Probing actions of our perimeter defenses are in progress. Rally all available forces to Point Union. Divert merchant traffic to 44-Auriga until further notice.
Bassett said, “Damn. Captain Hutchins, report fleet readiness.”
The Admirals Chief of Staff said, “All ships fueled and loaded. We’re still retrieving personnel from Capella. Estimate another four hours.”
“Pass the word: I want to get underway as soon as possible. Things are getting hairy at the front and I’m getting anxious sitting at anchor.”
* * *
Commander Haley, the Executive Officer for the Saratoga was standing the mid watch. Things were beginning to spin up for the fleets impending departure as a steady stream of shuttles retrieved the crew from the surface.
He could tell that things were also busy in Flag Bridge. Commander Keller, the fleet’s designated senior navigator had disappeared into Flag country and hadn’t been seen since.
“Commander Haley, we just got a message from Top Hat sir. He wants to accelerate our departure time. They request that we task our remaining shuttles to accelerate retrieving personnel from the surface.”
Haley replied, “Comms, acknowledge Top Hat’s request and give me Operations.”
The ensign standing watch at communications said, “Top Hat, Saratoga acknowledges order.”
He then opened a voice channel to operations. Haley said, “Bridge to Operations.”
“Operations.”
“Top Hat has advanced our departure schedule. What’s the status of our shuttles?”
“We have a full squadron deployed. Four aboard, eight are in the air and I’ve got the second squadron at ready five.”
Haley said, “Light them up. We want to get the crews aboard ASAP. Concentrate on crews of light cruisers and destroyers — ships with minimal shuttle capacity. Let them know we’re on the clock.”
“Roger that Bridge.”
Haley broke the connection and said, “Comms, put me on the 1MC.”
He pulled a microphone from the command station. He waited for the light to turn red and he keyed the mike. “Attention all hands, this is the XO. Task Force command has ordered that we accelerate our departure schedule. We have dispatched more shuttles to the surface to expedite crew pickup. Report any problems to the bridge immediately. We need to be ready to jump by midnight. That is all.”
He returned the microphone to its cradle and said, “Let’s not be the ship that delays the fleet. When TopHat signals, be ready to shove off even if we have to get out and push.”
* * *
The smell of coffee filled the compartment. A table in the corner laden with plates of sandwiches was waiting to fortify pilots on a busy rotation. Pilots were milling around waiting for orders when the phone rang.
Tom picked up the phone and answered, “Deputy CAG.”
“This is Operations. TopHat has advanced our departure schedule and we need to expedite the retrieval of our personnel dirt-side. We are activating the reserve shuttles and adding them to the pattern.”
Tom said, “Roger that Operations. I will have them crewed and ready to go.”
He hung up the phone and said, “OK gentlemen. I just got the word. The reserve shuttles have been activated to pick up the remaining crew dirt-side. Remember the regulations. Personnel shuttles require a pilot and a co-pilot. The patterns are full so be sure to pay close attention to the traffic controllers on both ends. Pick your bird and move out.”
In pairs the pilots walked by the ready board for the 2nd Transport Squad and grabbed a clipboard that corresponded to the bird.
Finally all that was left was the two-two bird and Ensign Holloway.
Tom said, “Holloway. Is your back-seater still dirt side?”
He nodded.
“Give me a minute.”
Tom picked up the phone and dialed the CAGs extension. Crash answered on the second ring. “Operations. What can I do you for?”
“This is Tom. We’re short a co-pilot. I’m going out.”
Crash said, “Thanks Tom. I’ll keep the shop open.”
Tom hung up the phone and wrote on the ready room white-board: Pilots, check in with operations.
He picked up the clipboard for the two-two bird and said, “Let’s get it done.”
* * *
In the space of a couple of hours, the flag bridge had been transformed. The main display was labeled “Jump Status”. The board had the name of every ship in the fleet arranged by division with a small red indicator light beside it.
One indicator light was bright green: the Summers.
Keller had his A-team standing watch for Summers test jump. He keyed his microphone and said, “Top Hat, this is Plot. We are standing by to receive waypoints for the first leg of our course.”
“Plot this is Top Hat. Stand by to receive.”
Lt. Taggart standing watch at the Fleet Command Console said, “Data received. Plotting waypoints now.”
The big holographic display on the ceiling zoomed into local space and a series of eight red dots leading from Capella to the galaxies northern rim.
As soon as Danny received the initial waypoint, he said, “Designate initial waypoint Master-1. Calculating jump.”
Twenty seconds later, the solution appeared on his screen and he said, “I have a valid solution.”
Taggert said, “Wow that’s fast. I concur. We have a valid solution for the jump to Master-1.”
Keller said, “Transmit the solution to the Summers.”
Keller changed channels and said, “Gunslinger, this is Plot. Request permission to release Summers for detached duty.”
“This is Gunslinger Actual. Good luck and Godspeed Summers.” Keller and Sokolsky made note that Admiral “Six-Gun” Sam Stewart was standing watch on his flag bridge at this hour.
A moment later the command circuit crackled to life, “This is Summers to traffic control. Request permission to break formation and move to our IP at best speed.”
“Flight Control to Summers, please stand by.”
There was a moment as Capella Traffic Control checked Summers course. Danny imagined Commander Hardy and his XO Enright impatiently pacing their bridge.
“Capella Control to Summers, you are clear to follow the beacon on flight path Charlie-three-one to your IP at best speed.”
“Summers Actual to Plot, we are underway at this time. ETA to IP is twenty minutes where I intend to jump. Expect message via StarComm in about an hour.”
Keller keyed his mike, “Plot to Summers. Good luck.”
One of the external cameras was tagged to the Summers. The Plot team watched as the stout little destroyer broke away from her squadron formation and began to accelerate away from Capella toward an imaginary point a few hundred kilometers away that had been designated the fleets IP or initial plot.
Everyone in Plot watched as the Summers moved out of visual range. They continued to watch her progress via her telemetry. Right on time the Summers jump engines charged and she jumped away.
* * *
The conversation between Rivers and Holloway was terse and professional as they picked up and delivered crews. Rivers was sitting in the co-pilots chair. It was clear to Tom that the Ensign was extremely uncomfortable and it had to be the 1000 kilo gorilla in the cockpit that neither of them were talking about.
After delivering the last thirty crewmen to the light cruiser Savannah, Rivers asked for refueling.
As the Savannah’s shuttle bay crew was refueling Tom said, “Go ahead and ask before your head explodes.”
Holloway said, “OK. Why do we look just alike?”
Tom replied, “Does the number A0, 2C, 32, 4F, 12, 08, 0F, B2, 70, 77, F2, AC mean anything to you?”
Holloway said, “Hey, how do you know my genome code? That’s confidential medical information.”
Tom said, “It’s mine too.”
“How is that possible?”
Tom said, “That’s not the half of it. There’s another officer aboard Sara with the same code. We tell people that we’re cousins. We don’t know what the hell it means but we’re going to find out.”
Holloway said, “What could it mean?”
Tom replied, “We don’t know but we decided that it’s best to keep it quiet.”
“I don’t want any problems with the gene cops.”
“That’s what we were thinking. All I ask is that you keep it quiet and we’ll let you know whatever we find out. Where are you from?”
Holloway said, “Evergreen. It’s an agricultural world in the Scorpius sector.”
Tom said, “I’ve been there a few times. Beautiful place. I’m from Vega Prime and the other guy is from Mars.”
“What do we know?”
Tom sighed. “Not much. We’re all from different planets in the core systems. That’s about it. Look. Danny and I are new to the Sara. What is the Ship’s Doctor like?”
Holloway grinned and said, “Dr. May? She’s pretty hot for an older woman. Nice, easy going.”
“Do you have any idea how she would react to this?”
“I don’t know but my gut tells me she would be as curious as we are. Bottom line on Dr. May is that she’s a scientist. She has been around with the fleet and has a rep for being pretty good.”
Tom said, “Thanks for that. Just stay cool and we’ll let you know what we find out. Are we OK? I got the idea that seeing me had freaked you out.”
Holloway laughed and said, “Yeah. It was pretty weird at first. Call me Jeff. Any day that you get a couple of new cousins can’t be all bad.”
* * *
Admiral Burke saw Colonel Goreman arrive on his flag bridge. As there was nothing pressing happening in the next few minutes he said, “Captain Hughes, you have the conn. I’ll be in the conference room.”
He gestured for Goreman to follow him into the adjoining conference room.
Once inside Bassett said, “I understand that we have had an incident yesterday.”
Gorman said, “One of the Ministry of Justice people that they loaned us for background checks was a mole. We couldn’t get him to tell him us who he was working for but he was talking to someone in the Ministry back on Parliament.”
Bassett groaned. “Parliament politics: that’s all sorts of good news Colonel. Any idea what the Ministry was after?”
“I’m not an expert on the inner working of Parliament but I do know that various Senate Committees use the Ministry as their own personal fact-finders and trouble-shooters.”
Bassett said, “And the Ministry of Justice is happy to play ball to keep the Senate happy.”
Goreman said, “Not the Senate as a whole. Key senators — the ones with a lot of clout and seniority like Coalition leaders and committee heads.”
Admiral Bassett turned to a coffee pot and poured himself a cup. “Care for some?”
“No thank you sir.”
The Admiral sipped his coffee and asked, “So what is the senate interested in?”
“I have no idea sir. When you are dealing with Parliament, it takes a while to figure out the game and they are always a few moves ahead.”
The watch officer’s voice crackled over the intercom, “Admiral to the Bridge.”
Burke sighed. “That’s for me. Stay on this Colonel. It’s probably just politics but we need to stay on top of it.”
“Aye sir.”
Bassett stepped back onto the flag bridge and the watch officer announced, “Admiral on deck.”
He said, “As you were gentlemen. What is our status?”
Captain Hughes said, “The last of the personnel shuttles are landing now and we just got a message from the Summers. They signal their regards and invite us to join them at Dahlgren 63.”
Bassett said, “Excellent. That puts them right where they are supposed to be.”
He walked to the command deck and grabbed his microphone. “Comms, give me the fleet.”
“You are on fleet-wide Admiral.”
Bassett keyed the mike and said, “This is Top Hat actual. Form up the fleet and jump.”