The air was stale in the alcove adjoining Brad's
office. Hodak and Kumiko hovered over a console,
entering and manipulating data. They compared
computations against hard print charts, entered
notes in manuals and drawings spread across a
worktable, and mumbled at each other solemnly
across the space separating them. Adari studied
a large-scale celestial navigational chart tacked
to the wall, Zolan tapped at a remote keyboard,
and Myra scrutinized a spreadsheet. All were
engrossed in their own piece of the action.
Brad, entered and paused to observe them. Myra
glanced up, waved absently as her eyes returned
to the spreadsheet.
Weaving along the tight aisle to a chair against
the far wall, Brad turned the chair about and sat,
his arms on the upper crossbar. He drew a deep
breath and exhaled slowly.
"Take five," he said. "Let's talk."
Zolan pressed a key to save his data, Kumiko rolled
up her chart, and Hodak put a marker in the manual.
Myra and Adari's charts lay where they were as eyes
focused on Brad. The room was cramped, space for
moving about was tight.
"We have new orders," Brad said.
Zolan grunted, "Ahh, nuts," and frowned at Brad in
disgust. Myra groaned and Hodak spit a sullen blast
of profanities. Adari shrugged, and Kumiko gave Brad
her sweet so-what-else-is-new smile.
Brad recounted his meeting with Narval and Drummer.
So that there would be no misunderstandings
among them, he repeated Narval's strategy and
instructions, finishing with the new target for the
assault. The room was silent.
"Now that we know the construction site is the
target we'll use it for working out the details for
fleet integration, formation and logistics in place
of what we had before," Brad rasped. "Better now
than after we've launched and met up with our
allies. Not much time, though. We'll be working
round-the-clock until it's done, checked out, and
space and surface Commanders briefed."
He gave orders rapidly.
"Break out the tactical and support plans we worked
up for the Combined Fleet's Order of Battle at
the Neptune meeting. Myra, rework your admin and
medical requirements. Install two dozen psychic
probes on the Dragon. We'll need at least that many
to check out the loyalty flip-flops Narval expects
when we lay the new target on the INOR Commanders,
plus accepting Narval as their new Supreme
Commander.
"Draft an order to Scarf for Narval's signature to
transfer three hundred of his shock troops from
our attack transports to the Dragon, and crank
its effects into tactics and logistics. Scrounge up
enough certified technicians to operate the probes.
That'll still leave about eleven hundred troops to
secure the Terminals after we take them, which
should be enough. Juggle the tactics for that
change. If anyone asks, we're using Scarf's troops
on the Dragon as flunkies during the victory party.
I don't think you need me to draw a picture of
the real reason. We've got to reshuffle the entire
logistics deck. Your job, Myra. Got it?"
Myra grunted, raised her middle finger, then
quickly realigned it with the rest of her hand and
snapped off a mechanical salute.
"Got it," she said.
"Kumiko, the targets will cover an area much wider
and deeper than you planned for in your original
computations. Rework the combined fleet's weapons
disposition, analyze our firepower and orient them
to the terminals' weak points. Let's talk after
we finish here and work up formation options and
vectors from rendezvous. Cover surveillance and
interdiction against potential threats from UIPS
assets in the Special Zone; compute tracking
guidance for each type of weapon installed on
Plutonian ships, and update target displays for
our launchers and guns should it get to that.
I especially want you to analyze the combined
fleet's Order of Battle to identify our potential
vulnerabilities and how an enemy force might
exploit them. Provide me with a detailed document
in a capsule so I can use it on the Dragon."
Brad turned to face Hodak.
"Re-examine emergency maintenance in this new
arena. Our ships will be much further from home
base than when the depot was the objective. We
can't afford any ships dropping out of the line for
repairs.
"Adari, got a big one for you. The other INOR ships
will still rendezvous with the Plutonian fleet at
Point Icarus, halfway between the depot and the
Slingshot work site. Work out the nav for our fleet
to the rendezvous; design formations, convergence
and other vectors that'll keep the ships out of
each other's way. Employ Order of Battle options to
lay out the nav for each ship of the combined fleet
from Point Icarus to target. Kumiko and I will be
working on tac-options and we'll get them to you as
soon as they're ready.
"This applies to all: compute, coordinate and
commit resources to implement our new orders. OK.
Get going."
Brad motioned Zolan and Hodak closer.
"I'm putting a fast utility under your command,
Zolan. Your number one job is to build, harmonize,
test and whatever else it takes to create a
communications interference generator. Camouflage
and position it between the Planet Pluto Special
Zone and all sunside comm boosters, both spunnel
and conventional. Set it up to activate by remote.
The screen must have enough spread to block all
messages, incoming and outgoing from Planet Pluto,
the combined fleet, plus the depot area and the
Slingshot terminals. Exception: Narval wants us
to flash him a message as soon as we've taken the
objective and turned the ships' Commanders. Fix
the barricade so that we can shoot a one-time
flash-spunnel message through to him. Clear?"
"Clear. When?"
"Now. I'll go with you to the tunnel where the
generators are stored to make sure we select the
best of the lot. Hodak, you come with us to give
'em a condition check. We can't afford chances with
this equipment."
##
Narval removed the tiny ear piece through which
he had listened to Brad give his orders, smiled with
satisfaction, and pressed a button along the edge
of his desk.
"Scarf out there?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
"In."
Scarf sidled in and stood deferentially at the
entry.
"Don't just stand there, you idiot," Narval
snapped. "Get up here where I can talk to you."
Scarf hastened forward and halted a couple of
meters from the desk. He held his helmet in one
hand and saluted with the other.
"Here are my orders to you for while I'm gone.
Double the guards on Planet Pluto's spunnel
transmitter. No Plutonian communications are to be
permitted to destinations outside the Special Zone.
One exception: I've given Drummer orders that
when he completes the tasks I've assigned him, he
is to send a flash message to me at the conference
site. Assign reliable technicians to open the spunnel
center for only that one outgoing message."
"Yes, sir."
"Figure out some way to be aboard the Dragon
during the operation. Watch Drummer; I still don't
trust him. If he tries to undermine my authority
while I'm away, shoot him."
"It'll be a pleasure, sir. What about Brad and his
buddies?"
"If they resist my orders, kill them. If it does
get to that, send me a spunnel flash after you've
done it. If you do kill Drummer and Brad, assume
control of the combined fleet and the Terminals.
If that's not possible, blast the terminals out of
the sky."