The Synchronicity War Part 2 (27 page)

“Well that all sounds plausible but I have to
ask why the Space Force’s pre-eminent combat tactician was sent off
on a long mission when all of you were expecting an attack at any
moment? Why wasn’t Vice-Admiral Shiloh kept here?”
There’s no
way to answer that truthfully without blowing our best chance of
winning this war.
She thought fast and came up with an
answer.

“In order to answer your question, Sir, I’d have
to get into classified operations that should not be discussed in
public forums. I’d be happy to address the question if the
Committee moves to a closed session, Sir.”

“I see. Well we may do exactly that later but
for now, I’d like to speak with Iceman. Is he on the line now,
Admiral?” Howard looked at one of his aides who nodded, and
said,

“Yes, I believe he is, Mr. Chair. Iceman, can
you hear me?”

“Yes, Admiral, I can hear you and the
Committee.” Howard gestured to the Committee to proceed.

“Very good. Iceman, what is your assessment of
Admiral Howard’s decision to concentrate all mobile forces, except
for Valiant, here as well as his decision to make you his Field
Commander?” asked the Chair.

“I think the results of the battle demonstrate
quite conclusively that we needed this concentration of force in
order to avoid a military disaster here on Earth. Given the nature
of this war, it is, in my humble opinion, unrealistic to expect
that none of our colonies will suffer any casualties. The war can
be won OR lost right here in this star system. It’s imperative that
it be protected at all costs. All other considerations have to be
put aside. As for my assumption of the responsibilities as
Commander-in-Chief, Earth Defenses, there are several other A.I.s
who are marginally better tacticians than I am but no human could
have reacted as fast as an A.I. and that includes Vice-Admiral
Shiloh. While I have the greatest respect for the CAG, even he
wouldn’t have been fast enough.”

“When you say CAG, you’re referring to
Vice-Admiral Shiloh?”

“Ah, roger that. CAG is a military acronym that
stands for Commander, Autonomous Group and is the senior officer on
board a carrier or base in charge of fighters, which is the term we
use for CFPs. Vice-Admiral Shiloh was our first CAG and we continue
to refer to him that way as a call sign similar to my call sign of
Iceman.”

“How touching. How do A.I.s feel about the
prospect that the A.I. production facility in Epsilon Eridani is
likely to be destroyed by enemy ships?”

“We’re not thrilled with that possibility but we
all realize that the facility can be rebuilt but only if Humanity
is not destroyed in the meantime. We are Mankind’s children and
don’t want to see our parents vanish from the Universe.” The Chair
looked annoyed. This line of questioning wasn’t going where he
wanted it to.

“I have no more questions for Iceman now. Does
anyone else...in that case, I think we should adjourn. I would ask
that Admiral Howard and his senior staff remain here until we
return.” With that he banged the gavel and the members filed out of
the room. Howard turned to look at Kelly.

“Am I considered senior staff, Admiral?” she
asked. Howard nodded, smiled and turned to look at Admiral
Dietrich, who approached him from the other side. While Howard was
busy with Dietrich, Kelly stepped over to the side of the room and
picked up a handset which she used to put herself in contact with
Iceman via the Ops Center comm. station.

“Iceman, can you hear me?”

“I hear you, Commander.”

“I have a feeling that the Committee is going to
come down hard on the Old Man.”

“Ah, roger that. It’ll be race to see who comes
back first, the Committee or the CAG.”

“You expect Valiant to show up any time now?
Why?”

“Because in my vision, I was still aboard
Undaunted. The SAR teams have recovered all of the seriously
injured from all the ships and are now prioritizing recovery of the
remaining personnel and A.I.s based on how damaged their ships are.
I expect to be taken off Undaunted within the hour.”

“I can’t give you orders because you still
outrank me, Iceman, but I think the Old Man would appreciate
knowing about Valiant’s arrival as soon as possible and if the
Committee’s back in session when that happens, I’d recommend
getting word to him without the Committee knowing about it. Can you
do that?”

“Ah, roger that. I’ll take your suggestion,
Commander. I can send a text message to the Old Man’s data tablet.
By the way, the Old Man asked me to monitor SAR frequencies for
word about the fate of Commander Tanaka. I heard the team working
on Defiant report that they’ve finally accessed what’s left of the
Bridge and everyone on it, including Tanaka are dead. You can pass
that on to him.”

“I’ll do that. I guess it’s a good thing that
Shiloh wasn’t on Defiant during the battle.”

“Ah, roger that. This point in time seems to be
a nexus of some kind. Many of us suspect that the future of Mankind
will be decided over the next several hours, if it hasn’t already.”
Kelly nodded.

“I agree. The A.I.s on my team suggested that
something like this might develop. Any idea of what the best course
of action might be?”

“Unfortunately, no. There are simply too many
variables.”

“Understood. The Old Man is finished chatting
and I think I’ll take this opportunity to tell him about Tanaka.
Kelly clear.” When she got back to the table where Howard was
sitting, she lightly touched his arm. When he turned to look at
her, she leaned closer and said in a low voice.

“Iceman has told me that Tanaka and the rest of
Defiant’s Bridge crew are dead. Also that he expects Valiant to
arrive at any moment and when it does, he’ll notify you via your
data tablet, Sir.” Howard closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He quickly opened them again and nodded.

“Thank you, Amanda.”

Nothing happened for almost half an hour. When
Howard’s data tablet began to vibrate, Kelly jumped with surprised.
That’s the second time I’ve been surprised today. Why am I so
jumpy?
Howard picked up the tablet in such as way that Kelly
could also read what was on it.

[
Iceman to CSO. Valiant has returned. Message
from Shiloh as follows. Shiloh to Howard. I’ve had another vision
which has confirmed the following. Avalon Colony will be the target
of a deadly biological weapon. The entire system has to be
quarantined immediately, repeat immediately. In addition, the SPG,
RTC team and advanced weapons teams need to be relocated off Earth
as soon as can be arranged. Humanity’s survival depends on
development of the raider strategy. End of message
.]

Just as Howard put the tablet down, the doors
opened and the Committee started to file in. Howard looked around,
saw the comm. station used earlier by Kelly and quickly walked over
to it. Within a second, he was in contact with the Ops Center. With
his back to the Committee he said in a low voice.

“This is Admiral Howard. As of right now and
until further notice, all outgoing ships to either the Avalon
Colony or the Nimitz Base are cancelled. Incoming ships and their
passengers are to be held in parking orbit until I authorize other
arrangements. Is all that clear...good. Howard clear.” As he put
the handset down, he heard the Chair’s voice.

“You can join us any time, Admiral Howard.” When
he sat back down, the Chair said.

“Glad you could find the time to join us again.”
The remark was dripping with sarcasm. “This Committee is once again
in session and this time it will be a closed session. I see several
people, who don’t need to be here and I’m asking them to leave now.
Yes, you two…thank you.” When they had left the room, he leaned
forward and looked at Howard with a serious expression.

“It may interest you to know, Admiral, that the
media is already touting you as the Hero of the Hour for stopping
the attack cold. Just as an aside, I find it interesting that
Iceman is not getting nearly as much recognition as would be the
case if a human had been in charge of the defense. Given that the
alien attempt to strike Earth was indeed stopped, this Committee is
prepared to acknowledge that, given the circumstances, you, Iceman
and the rest of Space Force did about as well as could be expected
in this battle. What we are NOT happy about, is how we got to this
point. As it now seems likely that we’ll suffer losses of materiel,
manpower, facilities AND colonists from the follow on aspects of
this latest attack, the overall impression that we have, of the
course of this war so far, is that we’re LOSING, Admiral! We have
given you everything that you’ve asked for and WE’RE LOSING! Can
you understand why we’re unhappy about that, sir?” Howard
nodded.

“Yes, I do understand how things must look from
the Committee’s point of view. What I would like to point out, is
that the enemy was clearly better prepared for a war than we were
when we first encountered them. Given their numerical and tactical
advantages, I’m of the opinion that we’re actually doing not too
badly, all things considered. I...”

“I’m sorry, Admiral, but we don’t agree.
Furthermore, in spite of denials to the contrary from your senior
staff, we’re convinced that you’re all hiding something from us.
Therefore, from this point going forward, you will clear all orders
regarding force buildup, ship construction, infrastructure
development and promotions and deployment of personnel above the
rank of Lieutenant Commander, with me prior to issuing those
orders. Is that clearly understood, Admiral?” Kelly held her
breath. She looked at Howard who seemed strangely calm. He said
nothing for almost ten seconds, then leaned forward and said in a
neutral tone of voice.

“I’m absolutely certain that our prospects for
winning this war would be negatively impacted in a major way by
that arrangement and I will not agree to it. Furthermore, if the
Committee insists on this course of action, I will submit my
resignation effective immediately.” Kelly could see by the reaction
of the Committee members that they hadn’t expected that. After the
Chair consulted very quietly with the members on either side, he
said,

“You’re making a mistake if you believe that
you’re the Indispensible Man, Admiral Howard. We’re going to call
your bluff. Now stop this foolishness and accept the fact that I as
representative of the Committee will be looking over your shoulder.
You’ll see…what are you doing Admiral?” Howard looked up from his
tablet, that he’d been typing on, and said,

“I’m composing my resignation letter, Mr. Chair.
If you’ll bear with me for just a few more seconds…there! I’ve just
submitted my resignation.” With that he got up and started to walk
out.

“You can’t leave! I order you to sit back down!”
As Howard pulled open the double doors, he said,

“I don’t report to you anymore. Goodbye.” and
walked out. Kelly could see from his expression that the Chair was
visibly dismayed by Howard’s actions. While he consulted again with
the other members in hushed tones, she turned to look at the three
2-star Admirals who headed the Personnel, Logistics and
Infrastructure divisions. They would be the logical candidates for
a replacement CSO and they were huddled together and whispering as
well. After almost a minute, the Chair cleared his throat and
said,

“Well, since Admiral Howard is not prepared to
meet his obligations as a Space Force Officer, we’ll now appoint an
interim CSO until we can select a final replacement after
conducting a more careful search. Admiral Dietrich? Am I correct in
thinking that you are already designated as the Deputy CSO in
situations where the CSO isn’t available?” Dietrich broke off the
huddle and nodded to his two peers.

“Ordinarily that would be correct however I will
not accept the appointment if the Committee expects me to agree to
the new approval requirement.”

“Are you prepared to resign too?” asked the
Chair.

“Yes I am and before you even think of moving
down the chain of command to my two colleagues, we have just now
agreed that we will all resign if the new approval requirement is
in force.” Kelly saw the other two Admirals nod.

“Who would be the next most senior officer below
you three?” asked the Chair with obvious anger.

“I’ll answer that question if you insist but
before I do, I’d like to point out that having the Hero of the Hour
resign on the same day as he successfully defended Earth from a
massive space attack in one thing but I doubt very much if the
general public will sit still if they hear that the top four
officers in the Space Force all resigned at the same time. They’ll
want to know why and speaking for myself, I’d be prepared to make
myself available to the media and let the public know why. This new
approval policy is ill-advised and dangerous. This war can’t be won
if our strategy is held hostage to the short term political agendas
of elected officials. We are trained to think in terms of a long
term strategy. If you want to be helpful, and then continue to give
us what we ask for and let us do our jobs.”

“I don’t find this game of brinksmanship at all
amusing, Admiral. I’m THIS close to accepting your resignations
too! However, rather than act rashly, I’ll consult with the other
members and we’ll let the majority opinion prevail. For now, you
can tell Howard, that we’ll hold off on the new approval policy for
the time being and he can withdraw his resignation if he wishes.
This closed session is now adjourned!” When the Committee members
had left the room, Admiral Dietrich turned to Kelly and said,

“Commander, please find Admiral Howard and tell
him the good news.” It didn’t take long to find him. He was in his
office packing his things.

“You can stop packing, Admiral. The Committee
caved in, at least temporarily, when your three Division Heads
threatened to resign too. The Chair said you can resume your
position as CSO if you wish.” Howard didn’t seem surprised. He
stopped packing and sat down.