Synchronicity War Part 1, The (18 page)

“Hm. Well whoever came up with it had a great idea. I hear
that the AFP and gunboat projects have been combined. The result is going to be
a larger vehicle of about 5500 metric tons that can be configured as either an
unmanned unit under AI control or as a manned vehicle using interchangeable
modules. The thinking seems to be that the unmanned version can be deployed for
longer periods of time, while the manned versions will be retained for
operations that are shorter in duration and require flexibility in strategic
and tactical thinking. In some circumstances, both kinds of units may operate
together. In terms of long-term defense of this base, that’s what seems to be
coming down the pike. Squadrons of unmanned units will be on permanent patrol,
while manned squadrons will be on standby alert status for quick deployment as
needed. When we get to that point, this base will have more protection, with
less strain on our ability to support them logistically. Personally, I can’t
wait.”

SFE144 was ordered back to Sol. On its way inward after
emerging from Jumpspace, Shiloh noticed how much more industrial and
shipbuilding infrastructure there was since the last time the 144th was in Sol
system. Dozens of combat frigates and other ships were under construction.
Orbital traffic around Earth and the Moon were both noticeably higher. With the
squadron’s frigates installed in parking orbits around the Moon, the crews were
ferried down to the Moon’s naval base and then transferred via shuttle to
Earth. By the time the shuttle landed, and Shiloh stepped out onto the
spaceport tarmac, it was night. The tarmac was still wet from the rain that had
ended only minutes before.

Shiloh took a deep breath and savored the fresh smell of
clean, moist air. This last tour of duty had been the longest of his entire
military career. With a guaranteed stand down for the Squadron of at least four
weeks, Shiloh was looking forward to some serious R&R, but first things
first. There would be the usual debriefing, as well as memorial ceremonies for
Cmdr. Caru and his crew. With a sigh of resignation, Shiloh followed the robotic
luggage caddy that carried his and his officers’ luggage to the Space Force bus
that would take them to temporary quarters where they would get some sleep. The
debriefings were now only seven hours away.

The debriefings were routine except for the fact that
several very senior officers, including Admiral Howard himself, were in the
room as observers. A large screen on the wall showed the recorded tactical data
from the battle, while Shiloh narrated the battle’s progress, followed by a
question and answer session involving all of his squadron’s Commanding
Officers. Shiloh expected to be called to Howard’s office when it was over, but
that didn’t happen. With the debriefing out of the way, Shiloh and the other
officers made their way back to their quarters and gathered in the Officers
Club for dinner, drinks, and some games of pool and darts. Shiloh was just
about to doze off with a beer in his hand while sitting in a comfortable chair
by the roaring fireplace, when Chenko sat down in the chair next to him and
nudged him on the arm.

“What’s up, XO?”

“I just wanted to share with you a rumor I heard from one of
our debriefing officers during the afternoon break, Sir.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. It seems that the scuttlebutt has it that all squadron
CO’s are to be awarded the Outstanding Combat Medal, and that 339’s crew will
be awarded a unit citation.”

Shiloh paused to consider that and then said, “That’s very
interesting, XO. Caru and his people definitely deserve the citation. I’m not
sure I see the justification for awarding the OCM. It was an ambush after all.
The enemy really didn’t stand a chance, so it’s not like we persevered in spite
of overwhelming odds or anything like that.”

Chenko nodded, hesitated for a second or two, and then said,
“I also heard that you’re going to be given the Sentinel, Sir.”

Shiloh was wide awake now. He was about to reply when the
room disappeared, and he was in Admiral Howard’s office. He barely had time to
realize that he was having another vision when a clearly older Howard said,
‘When you turned down command of the Sentinel, I thought you had lost your
nerve. However with the benefit of hindsight, I now realize that you made the
right decision. I shudder to think of where we’d be today if you hadn’t stuck
to your guns when I tried to pressure you to accept that command.’

The vision faded and Shiloh found himself looking at Chenko,
who said, “Are you okay, Commander?”

Shiloh tried to laugh it off.

“Yes, of course, XO. Why do you ask?”

“Well, you were staring off into space for a few seconds
there.”

Shiloh thought fast. “Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I’m kind
'a tired.”

Chenko nodded. “It’s been a long day, Sir.”

“Yes it has, XO. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Sir.”

Shiloh got up and walked to his quarters pondering the
meaning of this latest vision. The next morning he received word that he and
his people were free to start their leave. After saying the usual goodbyes, the
officers and crew dispersed to their homes and various other destinations.
Within 24 hours Shiloh was sunning himself on a white beach, looking forward to
some scuba diving later that day.

Two weeks later, he received a message to report back to
Space Force HQ for reassignment. After checking-in his things to his temporary
quarters, he arrived at Admiral Howard’s office as ordered. They exchanged
salutes, and Howard gestured for Shiloh to sit down in the comfortable chair
facing his desk. While they chitchatted about Shiloh’s leave, Shiloh accepted
the offered cigar and lit it. When both men had taken a good puff of their
respective cigars, Howard got to the point.

“It’s unfortunate that I had to call you back in when your
leave was only half over. If it’s any consolation, you’re not the only one
who’s been called back early. In your case, I wanted you back here now because
we’ve waited as long as we can to name a CO for the first of the new combat
frigates. It’s almost ready for its shakedown cruise. That ship is the
Sentinel, and she’s yours if you want her. As CO of the Sentinel, you’ll also
be Squadron Leader of a new squadron. It will be fleshed out with upgraded
exploration frigates, but only until they can be replaced with the combat
frigates that will be sliding out of the shipyards at a rate of about two a
month before much longer. That new squadron will be where we will assign all of
our most capable and aggressive officers, and I guarantee that promotion will
be fast. You’ll be a Senior Commander before you know it. Well, what do you
say?”

Shiloh hesitated. He realized that he was sweating and
breathing faster than normal. If he hadn’t had that vision, he would have said
an yes without hesitation, but after having three visions pan out perfectly, he
felt he should heed this one too. He took a deep breath before speaking.

“If you’re giving me a choice, then I’m going to
respectfully decline the offer, Sir.”

Howard was clearly surprised, and just as clearly annoyed.

“You can’t possibly be serious, Shiloh! I know officers who
would literally give their right arms for this command. Why don’t you want it?”

Shiloh sighed. “Personal reasons that I’d prefer not to
elaborate on, Sir.”

Howard said nothing for a few seconds and then replied. “Are
you absolutely certain about this? You do realize I trust that this will
generate a hell of a dark cloud over your career for years to come!”

Shiloh nodded. “Yes, Sir. I’m aware of the repercussions,
and yes I am certain that I do not want this command, Sir.”

Howard shook his head as he took another puff from his
cigar.

“I don’t understand this, Commander. You’ve always struck me
as someone who’s cool under fire and not afraid of a fight. Did something
happen at Tango Delta 6 that’s making you gun-shy?”

Shiloh replied without hesitating. “No, Sir.”

“Well then, what is it that has you spooked about this
command? I insist that you tell me!”

Shiloh wondered for the nth time if he should tell the
Admiral about his visions. If that was the right thing to do, why didn’t he
hear Howard mention it in his vision? Keeping the secret to himself had seemed
to work so far, and he decided to stay the course, but he had to tell Howard
something.

After some more thought he said, “Well, Sir, the thing is
this. I don’t think I’m as good a combat strategist as you and the other senior
officers of the Space Force think I am. My past success has, in my opinion,
been due to a combination of luck and gut hunches. This is not something that I
would want the fate of Humanity to hinge on if I were eventually to be in
command during a key battle that decided the outcome of this war.”

Howard’s response was immediate and unexpected.

“Bullshit!” He paused then blurted out, “I think you’ve lost
your nerve!”

Shiloh said nothing. He tried to remain calm, but his
stomach was tied up in knots.

Howard took his cigar and stubbed it out, then leaned back
in his chair. “I’m tempted to order you to take that command, but if in fact
you really have lost your nerve, then that’s the last place you should be!” He
paused again. “Alright! I’ll find someone else to take command of the Sentinel.
You’re dismissed. As far as the rest of your leave is concerned, that’s over.
Stay close to your quarters so that we’ll know where to reach you when we’ve
decided what to do with you. By the way, you were going to be awarded the
Combat Medal, but I’ve just decided to rescind that award! Now get out of my
sight!”

Shiloh jumped to attention, saluted and left the office
quickly. The ride back to his quarters aboard the Space Force shuttle bus
seemed to take forever. Shiloh wondered if he had done the right thing. His
head said yes, but it didn’t feel right. When he got back to his quarters, he
stayed in his room for the rest of the day. After a night of fitful sleep, he
felt a little better after a shower and headed down to the Officers Mess for
breakfast. While he was eating, a steward brought an envelope to him that had
been delivered by courier. It was from HQ. He opened it and began reading.

From: Admiral Dietrich, Chief of Personnel

To: Commander Victor Shiloh.

As of 0800 hours today you are relieved of the post of
Squadron Leader of SFE 144. You are also notified that you are relieved of
command of FE 344. You are ordered to report to the Alpha Weapons Development
and Test Base as soon as transportation can be arranged.

The loss of his ship was like a blow to the gut. He started
feeling a slight queasiness in his stomach and wondered if he was going to
throw up. After another minute or so he decided he wasn’t and looked at the
message again. He had never heard of the Alpha Weapons Development and Test
Base, nor did he know where it was or how to get there, but that wasn’t much of
a problem. One call to Space Force Transport Command should clear up the
mystery. What they wouldn’t be able to tell him was what he’d be doing once he
got there.  Unable to finish his breakfast, Shiloh returned to his room, called
the SFTC, and soon found out that the AWDT base was a newly established station
in the Epsilon Eridani star system. The next transport ship scheduled to head
that way left orbit in 36 hours. Shiloh made arrangements to be on the last
shuttle carrying cargo and passengers to the transport ship.

With that out of the way, he checked to see if any of his
crew were still nearby and was surprised to find that Chenko was at Space Force
HQ. He arranged for her to get a message asking her to meet him over lunch.

When Chenko arrived at his table in the Officers Dining
Room, the first thing she said was, “I heard they relieved you of command of
the 344! Why did they do that?”

Shiloh shook his head. “They offered me the Sentinel, just
like you heard, and I turned it down. That’s why.”

Chenko reacted with uncharacteristic shock. “You did what?”

“Yup. I turned it down. I’m not the right man for that
command. Howard and everyone else seem to think I’m some kind of tactical
genius, and I’m not.”

Now Chenko was clearly angry.

“Well you’re certainly better at it than most of us. Now
they’ll assign someone to the Sentinel who isn’t half as good, and he or she
will probably screw up royally! For God’s sake, Shiloh, how can you be so
selfish?”

Chenko’s use of his name instead of his rank surprised him.
She was clearly upset.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Svetlana.
You’ve
learned to trust my judgment during our deployment on the 344. I’m asking you
to trust my judgment one more time.”

Chenko said nothing and looked away, clearly still unhappy.
After a few seconds, Shiloh tried to change the subject.

“Do you know who will take over command of the 344?”

Chenko sighed. “Yes, I will. Temporary promotion to
Commander until further notice. Unofficially I’ve been told that if I don’t
screw up during the next deployment, the promotion will become permanent.”

Shiloh nodded. “Good for you, Svetlana! You’ll make a fine
CO.”

She gave him a small smile in acknowledgement of his
compliment. “Thank you, Sir. Do you know where you’ll be assigned?”

Shiloh told her about the AWDT Base. She nodded.

“Well, I suppose if you’re not going to be commanding a
combat ship, then helping with weapons development is the next best thing. Good
luck with that, Sir.”

“You too, Svetlana.” She nodded once again, then turned and
walked away.

Shiloh spent the next 36 hours doing things to make the time
go faster. He had difficulty sleeping that night, wondering if he had made the
right choice. He was no closer to figuring out an answer to the mystery of his
visions than he had been before. What really began to bother him was that his
visions were only showing him confirmation of decisions when they would have
been different if he
hadn’t
had the visions. Which came first, the
actions or the visions? It seemed as though the visions were coming first, but
that made no sense because the visions were of future events that depended on
him taking the right actions. How could an effect precede the cause? It would
have made far more sense if he had the visions AFTER deciding to take those
actions because then the visions would be confirmation of something that he was
going to do anyway. But in each case, his decision to take the correct action
happened after his vision. Thinking about it gave him a headache.