Synchronicity War Part 1, The (6 page)

“Very interesting. But wouldn’t the GED staff onsite
eventually report back to their bosses that Space Force personnel had
temporarily hijacked the unit?”

Johansen smiled. “Not if the hijackers disguised themselves
and didn’t wear Space Force uniforms or insignia … Sir.”

“No, I suppose not.” Howard looked thoughtful.  “I think
that scenario deserves more analysis ... to make sure something like that
doesn’t happen. Thank you for your insight, Commander.

“Now that we’ve heard from both of you on the short term
priorities, my colleagues and I would like to go over the reports that both of
you submitted and discuss specific items that we’d like greater clarification
on. Commander Shiloh, I see on page two of your report you talk about …”

The sessions with the Admirals went on until lunch, at which
time the Admirals left the room to eat elsewhere, and food was brought in for
Shiloh and Johansen. After that, the Admirals returned and continued
questioning the two about their reports for another four hours.

When they were finally satisfied that they had examined
every aspect of the reports, Howard closed his folder and leaned back in his
chair.

“Okay. That’s it. I want to thank both of you for your
candor and insights. The Oversight Committee is going to want a briefing in the
next 48 hours from me, and at that time I’m going to brief them on what
happened, what we know with certainty, and what we think we know with a high
degree of probability. They’re then going to ask me what we should do next. I’m
very likely going to tell them that we are looking into the options that you
suggested this morning – most of them that is – to see if they’re practical,
and how long it would take to implement them, not to mention the cost. I may
need to have you nearby as a resource. My staff will let you know when and
where that briefing will take place. Commander Shiloh, I’d like you to
accompany me to my office for a few more minutes before the two of you return
to the hotel.”

Several minutes later, Shiloh found himself standing in
front of Admiral Howard who was sitting behind his desk. Howard seemed in a
good mood. After getting himself more settled in his chair, he spoke.

“I wanted to talk to you privately, Commander First, I want
you to know that I’ve arranged for you to receive a Commendation for your
actions during the battle with the alien vessel. It’s a good thing you launched
those recon drones when you did, Commander. The mission would have ended very
differently if you hadn’t.”

Shiloh felt a shiver go down his spine. Those were the exact
same words he ‘heard’ the Admiral say in his vision. He realized that the
Admiral expected him to say something.

“Thank you, Sir.”

Howard nodded. “You’re welcome. Second is the matter of your
next assignment. Once the 344 is repaired, you’ll be back aboard as her
Commanding Officer. But we’re going to give you more responsibility. We’re
going to make you Squadron Leader.”

Shiloh was stunned. “Shouldn’t Commander Omar move up to that
slot, Sir?”

Howard chuckled. “Yes he should, and he will. You’ll be
getting another Squadron. SFE144 will need a new SL when her present CO,
Commander Delvecio is promoted to Senior Commander and given command of a Task
Force that will include a Support Group and at least one Frigate Squadron.
SFE144 may very well be assigned to that Task Force, so Delvecio may end up
giving orders to his old command again. Any questions?”

“Yes, Sir. Isn’t SFE144 the squadron that had one of their
ships missing?”

“Yes, it is. 344 will replace the missing 233. Delvecio’s
ship will get a new skipper, but you’ll assume the SL slot. The Command ship
that Delvecio will use as his flagship isn’t ready to be commissioned just yet,
and until it is, he will continue as SFE144’s Squadron Leader. When he takes
command of the support group, you’ll officially take over as Squadron Leader.

“Now I also wanted to discuss the Oversight Committee. I’m
pretty certain that the Committee will want a much broader, long term plan
submitted to them in due course. Even if they don’t ask for it, I know I want
to have it. We’re going to need a Strategic Planning Group, which will be ad
hoc initially but may eventually become a permanent section of the HQ staff.
While the 344 is being repaired, which I understand will take at least three
weeks if not longer, I want you to participate in the SPG sessions and give the
group the benefit of your insights.”

“Of course, Sir.”

“Good! Well Commander, I won’t take any more of your time.
Keep yourself available, and my staff will contact you in due course. You’re
dismissed.”

Shiloh saluted and was starting to leave when Howard called
to him, “By the way, Commander, I’m curious. What was it that made you think to
deploy those recon drones in that way?”

Shiloh knew he had to answer quickly, but he didn’t want to
tell the Admiral about his vision. “The thought just seemed to pop into my
head, Sir.”

“Well, it’s a good thing it did.”

“Yes, Sir.”

When Shiloh arrived back at the underground garage to catch
a ride to the hotel, Johansen was waiting for him. On the way back, he told her
what the Admiral had told him. She congratulated him on his pending appointment
as Squadron Leader. After riding in silence for a few minutes, she turned to
Shiloh.

“Do you think we’ll be able to beat these aliens?”

“I think we have a chance, but only if our politicians get
their heads out of these asses and make the tough decisions in a timely manner.
What worries me is that they’ll debate, delay and try to make do with half
measures. We can’t afford that. I’m pretty sure Admiral Howard understands that,
too. Let’s hope he can convince the Oversight Committee, and that they can
convince the rest of the Planetary Assembly.”

Johansen was quiet for a few seconds, then said, “What do we
do if they can’t or won’t?”

Shiloh looked at her with a grim expression on his face. “Then
we do whatever we have to do.”

Johansen nodded her agreement.

Back at the hotel, Shiloh briefed the rest of his officers
before they and Johansen left on their shore leave. After saying their goodbyes
and agreeing to meet again in two weeks, Shiloh found himself as the only guest
of the hotel that night. The next morning, however, the hotel staff informed
him that the Support Group and attached frigates under Cmdr. Omar had arrived
in orbit around the moon as per standard procedure, and that the hotel had been
alerted that the officers of those ships would be checking in later that day.
He also received a message that the Oversight Committee would be meeting with
Admiral Howard the following day at ten a.m., and that Shiloh was ordered to be
at the HQ conference room no later than 0930 hrs. Shiloh didn’t see how that
left enough time for Howard to meet with Omar and his officers before the
meeting with the Oversight Committee. Later, to his surprise, a Space Force
limo flying a flag with three stars pulled up to the hotel entrance, and
Admiral Howard stepped out. Shiloh went to greet him at the hotel lobby.

“Ah, Commander. How nice of you to greet me. Commander Omar
and his people aren’t here yet, I take it?”

“No, Sir. Not yet.”

Howard looked around. “Well then, they’ll be here shortly.
There won’t be time for me to attend their debriefing sessions tomorrow, since
you and I will be in front of the Oversight Committee, so I’m going to set a
precedent and have an informal debriefing with Omar and his senior officers
here as soon as they arrive. This is what I want you to do, Commander. You wait
here in the lobby. I’ll tell the hotel staff what kind of arrangements I want
for this meeting. When Omar and his people get here, you inform him that the
Chief of Operations wants to see him, the other three frigate COs and their XOs,
along with the Support Group Leader, immediately. The hotel staff will take
care of their belongings. The rest of the group can do as they please for the
rest of today. My staff will make sure that everyone knows where they have to
be tomorrow, but you’ll have to make sure that they know what they have to do
tonight. I’m certain they’ll all be tired and hungry. Food will be provided
during the debriefing. As for their fatigue, well, they’ll just have to hang in
there a little longer. Any questions, Commander?”

“No, Sir.”

“Very well. I’ll make sure that you’re told what room we’ll
be using for the debriefing. I’ll leave you to it then.”

With that, the Admiral turned and walked towards the
reception desk, gesturing for the staff’s attention. Shiloh didn’t have long to
wait. A few minutes later several of the ubiquitous Space Force vans pulled up
to the hotel entrance. Approximately thirty officers got out, picked up their
duffel bags, which even after all these centuries were still the easiest way
for military personnel to carry their personal belongings, and wearily climbed
the steps to the hotel entrance. Just as they entered, the hotel manager
appeared at Shiloh’s side and whispered to him.

“Sir. The meeting with the Admiral will take place in the
Gagarin Room down the hall on your left.”

Shiloh thanked him. He recognized most of the officers who
were entering the hotel, and they recognized and greeted him.

Cmdr. Omar walked up to him and said, “Victor. Glad to see
you made it. Congratulations on your battle victory. We got the details at our
refueling stops. That was a neat trick you pulled off with the drones. You’ll
be glad to know that the injured you had to leave behind are going to be okay.
Gaspar’s people did a good job of patching them up.”

Omar held out his hand.

Shiloh took it and said, “That’s good to hear. I’ll thank
him personally when I get the chance. I’m also glad to hear that you and the
rest of the squadron made it out okay. I heard what happened when you went back
there. It’s a damn shame about 301 and 299.”

Omar nodded before saying, “Yeah. It is. But at least they
didn’t get any more of us, and we have you to thank for that. I’m just happy to
be back. We’re all beat as hell. Most of us would normally be in the middle of
our sleep shift now. I guess we’ll get a quick bite and then sack out …”

His words fell away as he saw Shiloh shake his head in the
negative.

“That’s not in the works, I’m afraid. Admiral Howard is here
to personally debrief you, the other frigate COs and their XOs, plus Gaspar,
and he wants to do it right now. Tell those officers to leave their gear here
in the lobby. The hotel staff will make sure it gets to your rooms. The rest of
your people will be able to check into their rooms now, and are free to do
whatever suits them.”

Omar was clearly displeased. “Damn it! Some of us have been
awake for 24 hours, and we have to debrief NOW?”

“I’m afraid so, Tom. The Admiral has a good reason for doing
this now. But at least you’ll get to eat during the debrief.”

Omar ran his fingers through his hair and looked around. “Okay
… well, if the Old Man says jump, then I guess we jump. Where do we go for this
debrief?”

Shiloh smiled sympathetically. “I’ll show you the way. Go
ahead and get your people sorted out and I’ll wait here.”

Omar nodded, turned and gestured for the group to gather
round him. He called out ten names, told them to stay where they were, and then
told the rest to walk over to the reception desk and get their room
assignments. After they left, he told the remaining group that they were going
to meet with the Chief of Operations. The groans were loud enough that Shiloh
was worried the Admiral would hear them. Resigned to their fate, they dropped
their duffel bags right there in the middle of the lobby, and Shiloh showed
them the way to the Gagarin Room. Howard was already waiting for them. He sat
patiently while Omar’s people found seats and got settled in. Finally they were
ready.

“I know that you’re tired and hungry. The hotel staff will
be bringing in finger food shortly. That will have to do for now. I’m taking
the unusual step of informally debriefing you now because I need to get your
first hand impressions before I testify in front of the Oversight Committee
tomorrow morning. I’ll try not to keep you any longer than necessary. Here’s
how we’re going to do this. I’m going to ask Commander Omar to describe the
sequence of events of your return to the battle system. If any of you feel that
you have something useful to bring forward, and by that I don’t mean jokes,
good humored insults or other gratuitous comments, then signal me in a
non-verbal manner, and I’ll make sure that you get the opportunity to express
yourself. If this goes on for more than an hour, we’ll take a short break.

“Now, unless there are any questions, we’ll begin.”

There were no questions. As Omar began to relate the
sequence of events, Shiloh listened with half an ear and used the rest of his
attention to watch the other officers. Gaspar, the Support Group Leader, was
listening intently. The other officers seemed to be less interested, probably because
of the obvious fatigue that Shiloh could see in their faces. When Omar got to
the part where the recon drones started using active scanning to search the
target and the aliens destroyed them, one of the XO’s signaled that he had
something to add. Howard signaled Omar to pause and gave the XO the nod to
speak up.