Retribution (The Federation Reborn Book 3) (58 page)

Phil's image shrugged. “It's just a thought. I have experience in ONI.”

Admiral Irons nodded. “Understood.”

“You know I'm the best candidate. Monty is a screwup, though I admit he's been trying to bootstrap the entire organization while trying to learn how to do so at the same time. That's all the excuses I'm willing to give him though,” Phil growled. “Sienkov is a political animal. I admit, I didn't get much of a feel for him when he and the other Bekians were here in Pyrax.”

“Oh no?”

“I was busy doing my job. I can't run personal tours,” Phil replied tartly.

“Understood. A couple of lunches or …”

“A few. Minor things, I kept getting interrupted. Twice we had people come over for a photo op or to chat with the new guy,” Phil sniffed. “Fans,” he said in disgust.

“Right,” Admiral Irons drawled. He wondered briefly if Phil was jealous. Most likely he was, and most likely he was intimidated by Yorgi's elevated rank. “Well, hopefully you two will get a chance to know one another better. I suggest taking up a correspondence or something. Maybe intelligence related?” he frowned.

“Always trying to fix things,” Phil replied with a shake of his head.

“I'm an engineer. It's what we do.”

“Sometimes you don't need to fix what isn't broken Admiral,” Phil replied. “We get along. A working relationship and understanding is all we need to function.”

Admiral Irons blinked then nodded slowly. “As you wish. But you will need to talk with him soon. This problem with Amadeus has brought our lack of additional field officers, specifically flag officers to a head. I know you need someone to handle Third Fleet. Several someones actually,” he said. “I need them here as well.”

“What about Harris? I thought you solved it by promoting him out of the zone?” Phil asked acidly.

Admiral Irons frowned. He didn't like Phil's tone of voice. He reminded himself that the other man was a staff weenie, a paper pusher at heart. When someone stepped outside the bounds of the rules to get something done, it rubbed his types the wrong way. “I frocked him. We can run it past the board … if Amadeus doesn't confirm the promotion with a battlefield one that is,” Admiral Irons stated.

“See, it’s things like that that bother me. We have a system; it shouldn't be bypassed,” the admiral growled.

“Unless it needs to be. Unless the system is stopping us from getting the job done in an efficient manner. We need flag officers, Phil; you know that.”

“Yes, I admit we do. What about the ones from Bek?”

“They aren't here. They will need time to get implants and get up to speed. They are an unknown,” Admiral Irons pointed out. “For the moment we need to promote to fill the voids we have. It'll be months before we get anything back from
Caroline
.”

“I'm glad you are admitting that,” Phil stated.

Admiral Irons snorted. “Was that part of the problem? Worried about them?”

“Yes and no. I know I can do better than Montgomery. Sienkov …” He paused and shrugged, letting the comparison die unsaid.

“Is an able administrator, just like you are, Phil. He's still learning some things though. He's juggling a lot of roles. You know he's stepping up to take the helm of ONI more?”

“I heard something to that effect,” Phil said cautiously. “And you mentioned it a moment ago.”

“Monty has long-range plans like you do it seems,” Admiral Irons stated. Phil's image scowled. “Part of them is clearing the decks for you and looking out for what's best for the federation and ONI.”

“I … see.”

“Talk to him about it. You might warm up to the idea.”

“I'll see,” the admiral drawled slowly.

“In the meantime, I think we need that flag board sooner rather than later. You, me, Yorgi, and Jersey. If all four of us can arrange it, I'll bow out and let you three wrangle it. Or we can take turns, submit personnel, then abstain from voting to keep it fair,” Admiral Irons stated.

Phil nodded. “I like that last idea. I've got a short list. A couple of people from Lemnos fit the bill. They'd do well in a commodore's slot, though I'm loath to lose them as skippers,” he admitted.

“They aren't gone; we can keep them around to pass down the information they've learned—at least those not in the field,” Admiral Irons stated.

“True,” Admiral Subert stated. “And we do need people to handle the fleet. The administrative parts alone are biting into my time managing the star system let alone the yard.”

“See? Delegation. I've been thumped about it often enough. It's time to delegate a bit more since we're growing.”

“Vargess is also on my list.
Not
Mayweather for obvious reasons,” Phil said, holding up a restraining finger.

“Make your list and arguments. I'll have each of us do the same and consult with BUPERS on who they think as well. Obviously we can't get Amadeus's input at the moment.”

“Obviously.”

“Okay. I'll bump Vargess up to the top of the list, but that'll put a hole in Amadeus's command structure since Trajan is his flag captain. I'm interested in your Lemnos list.”

“Understood. Shall we handle the captain's promotion's board at the same time?” Phil asked, seeming to cool a bit.

“I think it would be wise.”

“That way you can sneak Shelby Logan onto the list,” Phil replied with a sniff.

“Sneak isn't necessary since you just brought her up. You and I both know she's overdue. She's done an excellent job, and I've got plans for her. She'll need the rank.”

“Understood. We can discuss it I suppose,” Phil said gruffly.

“Good. Now …”

Chapter 23

The arrival of reinforcements from Protodon came as a relief to the tired but still game crews of the warships and factory ship. Weary cheers and smiles abounded. Some were nervous about the enemy arriving before the reinforcements crossed the star system, but others weren't as pessimistic.

They'd all been waiting for the axe to fall. Now it seemed either the enemy had pulled back or had delayed their own arrival to make repairs and resupply. Either way, things were starting to look up.

Admiral White felt intense relief at the sight of their emergence. Two CEVs, the seven cruisers, two squadrons of destroyers and the support ships didn't seem to add up to a lot of fire power though, not with what they were up against. But at least it was something, he thought, fighting off the gnawing discomfort.

His relief intensified when
Stinging Swarm
transmitted her logs to him along with a copy of orders from Admiral Irons. The news that John was rushing
Bismark
and her division mate along with the First Battle Cruiser Squadron to Protodon was further relief to him. He made certain that was announced to the various crews.

After they spent three days crossing the star system, he ordered the senior officer to report on board
Lady Liberty
while Jojo and Kyle coordinated the transfer of fighters and bombers as well as beginning the steps to integrate the new ships into their data network.

A rating led the Chimeran ship captain to the flag bridge. Admiral White exchange salutes with the Chimeran. “Lieutenant Commander Mrix. Your reputation precedes you,” the admiral said with a grin.

“Reporting aboard, sir. We didn't break any speed records, but we damn well did try, sir.”

“The effort is much appreciated,” Trajan said with a smile. “Nice to see you, Mrix,” he said with a nod.

“Captain, it is good to see you as well,” the green, blue, and yellow being stated. He was tall and slim, with golden cat eyes. His fur was arranged in a bright blue mohawk that went down his spine to a thin tail. He had curled backward-facing horns on his head and goat-like ears that stuck out. To some he might have looked like a comical creature … that was, right up until they came up close and saw his sharp predator teeth and claws.

“You didn't let any grass grow under you. We appreciate the efforts you made to get here,” Amadeus stated.

“Thank you, sir. And maybe my chief engineer and nav team will speak to me again one day,” Commander Mrix said wryly, flicking his ears. The admiral blinked at him. “I wasn't kidding about pushing it, sir. We hit the eighth octave of Gamma in transit. We burned through a lot of fuel and put a bit of extra wear on our hyperdrive and nodes that the chiefs are undoubtedly not happy about. Mine has stopped complaining, but he's still sulking and fuming.”

“What's a little lost time on components among friends,” Admiral White joked. “Believe it or not,” he said leaning in to take the commander in confidence. “Although they bitch and whine, engineers like to punch it too. It feels good, and they get the excuse to gripe and break out the tools to run maintenance.”

The captain grinned. “Yes, sir, I know. Not that I'm going to let on that I know,” he joked.

“Believe me, they know that you know,” Amadeus replied, straightening. “It's all a game until something really breaks or the bean counters get involved.”

“They always need to spoil everyone's fun,” the captain mock pouted.

“Now, now, the paper pushers need their day too,” the admiral scolded with a smirk. “Right, Lieutenant?” he asked, pitching his voice so Jojo could hear.

She looked up, her eyes narrowed. She shook a fist at him, then shook her head and went back to the tablet she was working on.

Amadeus snorted as did both of the captains.

“See?”

“I heard that,” Jojo growled. “And unless you want me to “accidentally” order you pink floral underwear instead of your usual, you'd
better
behave,” she said, not looking up from her station.

There was a general muffled chuckle from the bridge watch. Trajan snorted.

“Oh, I don't know. Pink's not really my color, but a floral print …” Amadeus grinned. The captain chuckled as Jojo placed her free hand over her eyes and shook her head. Mrix just flicked his ears at the byplay.

“We've made good time with the repairs,” Amadeus said. “Every ship is above 75 percent. That's the good news.”

“We're transferring fighters and bombers now, sir,” Kyle reported. “Ordinance is next.”

“Good.”

He turned to the two officers. “The problem is where we go from here. I think that a lot of people aren't going to like my answer. But I have a plan. If it works, well, we'll lose ground temporarily but we'll get it back and then some while paying the enemy back for what they did in B-97A. Pay them back permanently,” he growled.

“I like the sound of that,” Trajan said.

“I thought you would. But, it has a price to be completely honest, Commander,” he said, turning to the Chimera. “I appreciate your ships, but I'd hoped you'd have a bit more weight behind you.”

“I know
Maine
and
Justice
are on their way, sir. They should be getting to Protodon shortly,” the commander replied. “I already sent that in the updates but,” he fished out a flash chip out of his breast pocket and held it up, “I brought a physical copy along, sir.”

“I'll take that, thank you,” Kyle said holding his hands out in a cupping motion. He caught the chip and then inserted it.

“Unfortunately, I don't think we have the time to wait. I wish … no, never mind. We'll deal with it.”

“Understood, sir,” Trajan said, finally catching on. Amadeus glanced his way then nodded slightly.

:::{)(}:::

Admiral White surveyed the group as the last of them filed into the mess. It was risky having all the ship captains on board, but he needed to do this face to face, not over the radio network. Therefore, he had called them onto
Lady Liberty
after Jojo and the XO had set up the officer's mess as an impromptu conference room.

He had considered various strategies to deal with the juggernaut headed their way. He'd initially settled on a fighting withdrawal but he had too many damaged ships to contend with. The two extra carriers, as well as the extra fighters and bombers they'd taken on helped replenish his carrier force to full. However, that was the one bright spot in his arsenal.

Only the newly arrived ships and the carriers were above 90 percent. Most of his battle cruisers were rated at 75 percent combat effective or lower. Anything at half had already been sent back, and he knew his people were willing to fight, but he also knew it would be a slug fest. If any of the ships took a significant drive hit, they'd have to be abandoned.

So after a night of agonizing it, he'd made the hard call, and hence the meeting. They deserved to hear it straight from him if he had any chance of keeping their confidence in him. Once they were all seated, he took the podium.

“I'll make this quick, folks, since I, like the rest of you, do not like having all of our eggs in one basket at this time,” he said. That would normally have caused a smile but instead it just caused an uncomfortable shuffle and squirm.