Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space (The Henry Gallant Saga) (25 page)

Gallant smiled. A few long strides brought him to the entrance of the residence. “Mrs. Wellman, I’m so glad to see you again,” he squawked, out of breath, as she squeezed him in bear hug. Mrs. Wellman was a heavy-set middle-aged woman with dark, freshly dyed, hair. She had known Gallant since his plebe year and considered him to be one of her own offspring. Her daughter, Kayla, was just thirteen years old, but she already found midshipmen fascinating. She smiled up at Gallant. The family also included three smaller children.

Mr. Wellman spoke pleasantly, “Henry Gallant, it’s good to see you again. Please, come in.” Gallant entered the modest house, feeling heartened by the words of welcome. The walls were covered with pictures of the family, each child in several poses over many years. The carpets were a synthetic fabric, durable but plain. The furniture was mass-produced prefabricated tables and chairs because wood on Mars was a rare and expensive commodity. The environmental air controls were going full blast because so many doors and windows were open. Even though terraforming had brought Mars near to Earth air-quality standards, buildings still maintained environmental controls for indoor comfort. Despite all that, it was the most hospitable home Gallant had ever entered.

It was full of noise, clutter, and most of all, young children. Little boys and girls of every description were running all over the place, playing and engaging in hijinks. Two large rooms on the right side had obviously been converted into temporary playrooms. Several lads were playing an animated game on the floor. A tall youth was practicing the violin in the corner. In the room on the left, a long supper table was set with pitchers of milk, piles of bread, and many dishes, indicating that they would be starting dinner soon. The hall, where Gallant was standing, provided needed shelter as a brisk game of tag was beginning to develop among the youths. So absorbed was Gallant with the exciting scene before him that he didn’t venture out of his corner.

"No, they're not all ours,” laughed Mrs. Wellman standing next to him.

Mr. Wellman chuckled and said, “You picked an exhilarating night for a visit. We’ve taken on the task of babysitting some of the neighbors’ children while they attend a local event. Don’t worry, they’ll soon tire themselves out and then their parents will pick them up.”

“You’ll stay the night Henry?” asked Mrs. Wellman.

“Of course he will,” said Sam.

“Let’s get dinner underway. Then we can settle the little ones down,” said Mrs. Wellman. “Oh, by the way, John, you should look at Kayla’s report card.”

Gallant could tell that Mr. Wellman wasn’t pleased with what he saw as he opened the card.

“Gee, Dad you’re soooo funny when your face gets all red!” exclaimed Kayla, as she swiped her red hair away from her twinkling green eyes.

John Wellman pursed his lips and rose to his full six foot two height. Then he broke into a broad grin and leaned over to kiss his thirteen year old daughter.

“Well, maybe I wouldn’t get so red, if you spent as much time on your grades as you do texting your girlfriends,” he said.

Turning to his wife, he added, “She’s still texting just girlfriends, isn’t she? No boyfriends yet?”

“Mom !?!” Kayla whined.

“She’s growing up, John,” said Mrs. Wellman trying not to laugh out loud, as she carried dinner dishes to the table. “Right now you can actually help her with her school report.”

“What report?”

“Really, John what’s the use of having a professor of astronomy in the family if he can’t help his daughter with some basic science?” asked Mrs. Wellman.

“Yeah, Dad, I’ve asked you a dozen times to explain about other life-forms in the galaxy.”

“You should already know that there are vast numbers of Earth-like planets and many possible life-forms,” said Mr. Wellman.

Kayla asked, “Does all intelligent life have to be like us, or the Titans?”

Wellman said, “Life on other planets could take many possible forms, which could include the possibility of a collective intelligence.”

Gallant found the conversation interesting and more advanced than he would have imaged. He listened as the family discussed the topic of aliens for several minutes, but soon the dinner table conversation was interrupted as the other children became more rambunctious and required attention. Having grown up as an only child without his parents, Gallant relished the chaos and warmth of the Wellman’s home. He enjoyed spending the evening with this jovial household and that night he slept better than he had in a long time.

The next day, Midshipman Gallant was ordered to report to Mars Fleet Command in New Annapolis to give a briefing to senior government officials. He noticed a conspicuous calm among the population, even though the news of the Titan threat had spread. It reflected a sense of uncertainty, rather than alarm.

When he arrived at Mars Fleet Command, Gallant presented his comm pin to the security officer and was instructed to proceed to a large conference room on the fifth floor. The conference room turned out to be closer to the size of an auditorium. He was taken aback by the austere gathering of powerful people. He had been under the impression that this briefing was merely a formality to present his collected intelligence to a few senior politicians.

The focal point of the room was a single chair next to a small table. Several larger tables and many rows of audience seats were in front of this table. The first large table contained seating for nine senators with their name plates before them. Senator Graham was the committee chairman presiding over what appeared to be a senatorial investigation. Behind each senator were several staffers and behind them were two rows of important civilians, including NNR president, Gerald Neumann. Behind this group were several rows of reporters and other media personalities. At the very back of the packed room was a line of military officers, including some that Gallant recognized from his debriefing two days before. Admiral Collingsworth stood in the center of the officers.

Gallant remained at attention, shifting his weight uneasily.

"Please take your seat and make yourself comfortable, Mr. Gallant," said the committee chairman, Senator Graham, smiling broadly for the television cameras that were strategically placed throughout the room.

What have I walked into?
thought Gallant, as he sat down in the single chair before him. On the table in front of him were the memory chips containing his data and ship’s log. In addition, Gallant recognized his own report and deposition next to them.

Everyone turned their laser-like attention on him.

“We're so glad you were available to give testimony before this committee,” said Senator Graham, turning his head to the back of the room and nodding at Admiral Collingsworth to acknowledge his cooperation.

“Let me describe how the Armed Services Oversight Committee will exercise its responsibilities.” He paused dramatically, as if daring someone to challenge him. Once more, he made a quick glance over his shoulder toward Admiral Collingsworth.

Then he continued, “This is an informal fact-finding inquiry into the recent military actions at Jupiter and in the asteroid belt. We will be evaluating the current conduct of the Titans war. This hearing will be recorded and an unclassified edited version of these proceedings may be released to the public at this committee’s discretion.

“To begin the hearing, I will read my formal opening statement for the record. Each senator will also provide a written copy of their statement to be included in the transcript.” As Chairman Graham read his statement out loud, the audience grew restless. His statement was a brief summary of the military and related political events since the Titan force was first spotted approaching Jupiter.

Graham banged his gavel several times in an attempt to restore quiet and order. Then he said, "Let’s begin by reviewing some of the factual information about the activities and data you collected, Mr. Gallant."
Step-by-step, Graham took Gallant through his report. The court members and the audience listened attentively as a summarized account was read of each action. First, they heard how Gallant entered the Titan destroyer and collected the AI equipment; they heard about Gallant being ordered into the asteroid field, where he found the alien fleet hiding. Finally, there was a brief account of his fighting his way free and traveling to Mars.

"This report is a credit to you and Midshipman Mitchel," said the chairman. “It appears that you've discovered vital information for the United Planets."

"Thank you, Senator. We benefited from speed and a great deal of good fortune," said Gallant.

“Really?” said the chairman, with a nuance of doubt in his voice. “Let’s now turn to some specifics that are the focus of this inquiry. These address the incompetence and gross negligence of the armed forces to prevent the Titans from threatening first Jupiter and now Mars.” Graham spoke with a distinctive animus.

A pained atmosphere descended throughout the room. Gallant couldn’t determine whom this bombastic rhetoric favored, but he knew it could hardly be more ill-conceived. He felt it could lead to a whole series of strategic and psychological blunders by the UP leadership.

Chairman Graham turned and said, “I yield the floor to Senator Chafee for the initial questioning.”

Senator Chaffee sat on Graham’s right. He was a dogged and fixated man, meticulous in his duties as he leafed through some of the papers in front of him. He too greeted the television cameras with a smile and then began, “This committee has a few questions for the witness. Mr. Gallant, during the Jupiter action did you receive authorization to disengage from battle at any time?”

“No, sir.”

“Did you receive authorization to enter the alien destroyer and engage in hand-to-hand combat?”

“No, sir.”

“Do you understand the difference between taking a risk and being reckless, Mr. Gallant?”

“I feel I took a risk appropriate to the threat we faced, sir,” said Gallant, becoming increasingly uneasy.

“Did Captain Caine give you advanced classified orders to seek out a damaged Titan ship to collect secret information and return it directly to him?” asked Chafee, leaning forward in his chair, ignoring the hush that filled the room.

"Huh? Uh, no sir." Gallant felt that the factual record that he had presented from his ship’s video and AI should have been sufficient to evaluate his actions. So, he was surprised at the sharp questioning and accusations of errors in judgment.

The tension in the room continued to grow. A sense of mistrust had given birth to strident questions. With each inquiry, it became clear that Gallant was being investigated for possible dereliction of duty, disobedience of orders, and overstepping the bounds of his authority. He realized he could face a court martial for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline of the service. Against this array of potent charges by powerful individuals, he had only himself for defense.

“Did you get authorization for the abnormal flight path you took through the asteroid belt?”

“No, sir,” answered Gallant, clenching his teeth.

“Did Captain Caine already know where the secret Titan asteroid base was located because of his multimode radar scans? Did he send you there deliberately?”

"No, sir." Gallant’s cheeks were flushed, and his neck had turned bright red with anger and frustration. He was out of his depth and he knew it. He felt he was being attacked unfairly, but he was helpless to protest. Slowly, it dawned on him that he might not be the target of the attack. They might be going after Captain Caine. Gallant looked suspiciously at the NNR president, Gerald Neumann.

“How did Jupiter Fleet let the enemy slip past them to establish a secret base in the asteroid belt? Tell us, how was that possible?”

Gallant tried to choose his words carefully. “I don’t know, sir, but the solar system is big. And asteroid and planet shadows do provide major radar obstructions. I took advantage of that myself, when I was hiding from the Titans.”Chafee shifted in his seat to listen to one of his staffers pass a message to him from Gerald Neumann. Then he said, “Why was Captain Caine reluctant to provide escorts for convoys?”

Gallant recalled that Caine had discussed this in front of him, but he was reluctant to reveal too much, “Uh… I think Captain Caine made every effort to supply convoy escorts and still defend Jupiter Station.”

“Do you have any reason to doubt Captain Caine’s loyalty? Has he withheld vital information from the proper authorities?”

"No," Gallant responded, tight-lipped, purposely omitting
sir
from his reply. Then he added, white-hot with anger, "Captain Caine is a brilliant and courageous officer. I have the greatest respect for him and all the officers of the Jupiter Fleet."

Senator Chaffee sat quiet for a minute as if deciding on a change of tactics. Then he asked, “Why didn't you immediately transmit a warning to the Mars Fleet that there was a secret Titan armada hiding in the asteroid belt. Wasn’t it your sworn duty to raise the alarm?”

“I thought there was a strategic advantage to be gained, if I could get away stealthily and report directly to Admiral Collingsworth.”

“The standing orders say to immediately report enemy activity of such a magnitude and threat. Who gave you authority to make strategic decisions beyond your rank? Do you regret your actions?”

Gallant said, as forcefully as he could, “If I had a chance to do it all again, I would take the same actions.”

It struck Gallant that he was a mere pawn in a much larger political game. The senators were determined to publically embarrass the military; perhaps, because of the failure to escort convoys; or perhaps, because of the failure to discover the secret asteroid base earlier.

When Chaffee was done, he yielded to other senators who asked Gallant similar questions, all over again. They continued to lambast Gallant. He responded in monosyllables, numbed by the hypocrisy.

They finally seemed satisfied that they had cast doubt on everything that he told them, as well as the data and equipment he'd provided. He didn't understand the source of this negative attitude. In some fashion, they just could not believe that he had accomplished all that he had. Even with the physical evidence of computer equipment and video recordings. It just appeared too good to be true, in their eyes.