Read Online Plague Wars 06: Comes the Destroyer by David VanDyke - Free Book Online
Authors: David VanDyke
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with his new masters. While he was no master of politics, he had no doubt that he could identify those of his new service that were, and put them to use.
Absen’s next major meeting the following day included an eclectic mix of military personnel, scientists and engineers, all of mid-grade to senior rank. Despite many clamoring to be involved, the admiral ensured that only new actual EarthFleet personnel would attend. All had already served notice to their home nations that they would be renouncing their respective allegiances, and signed a “Citizen of Earth Declaration” he and Rae and his JAG had hammered out together.
Their number surprised him, and the percentage of those contacted: more than half had said yes right away, increasing every hour. He wasn’t sure exactly how the mix of EarthFleet and national personnel would integrate and function together in their jobs, but he had spent enough time in NATO to know it could work, with strong clear leadership.
Rae watched and listened invisibly from an adjacent room. Absen knew her cooperation would be vital, but did not want to muddy the waters by having her present.
Absen looked around the large meeting room and rapped it to order with a gavel shaped from a piece of Orion ’s damaged armor. “All right, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to my first staff meeting as Commander, EarthFleet.” He looked around the room and let that sink in. “Everyone here is either already head of his or her respective joint division, or is hereby appointed to that position. Non-EarthFleet personnel cannot be a J-head. I know that will be awkward for some of you. My staff has already contacted those above you and offered them their chance to join. If they do, they’ll still be transferred. That’s your reward for your early commitment. By the time you return to your offices, one way or the other they will be gone. Understood?”
Some nodded, some smiled, and some muttered or looked concerned. He let them get used to the idea for a moment before he continued. “We have a number of proposals on the table, from several teams. Let’s get right to it. Bill?”
An odd duck of a civilian stood up, round-headed, scrunch-faced and a bit slovenly. “Yes, uh, Admiral. I’m Bill Marshall, and I guess I’m acting chief of logistics. Guess I’ll have to get a uniform again, I’m a retired Army colonel, Engineer branch. Um…our proposal is a framework to structure our production based on the following factors…”
Absen valiantly strove to pay close attention, because he knew that for the next eight years, EarthFleet would not be doing much fighting. It would be organizing, training and equipping. He was competent enough at the first two, but the long pole in the tent was building the ships and weapons. For that, he needed someone better than he was.
When Marshall wound down, Absen asked, “Who should head this all up? Do you want the job?”
Marshall squinted by habit, as if he wore spectacles, though almost no one had need of such things anymore. “Um, sir, I could, but…”
“Go on.”
“I think we need a flag for this one. You’re effectively a one-star, though I suppose that might change, but if I know service politics – and I do – we need more stars. We need a four-star if we can get one, who can talk to all those officials on Earth on their level.”
“Do you have a suggestion?”
“Well…only one guy I know. Granted, he’d be another American, but…”
“Spit it out.”
“General Travis, sir. He ran Tiny Fortress. He’s got the credibility and the knowhow.”
Absen nodded. “Mister Marshall, we’ll try to find someone with some stars. Until then, you take control of the J4. I want to see production plans, top to bottom, in…shall we say two weeks?”
Marshall gulped, then nodded. “Might be rough, but we’ll shake something out by then.” He sat down.
“All right. Next?”
Chapter 10
Shan seemed troubled when he walked into the
Absen’s next major meeting the following day included an eclectic mix of military personnel, scientists and engineers, all of mid-grade to senior rank. Despite many clamoring to be involved, the admiral ensured that only new actual EarthFleet personnel would attend. All had already served notice to their home nations that they would be renouncing their respective allegiances, and signed a “Citizen of Earth Declaration” he and Rae and his JAG had hammered out together.
Their number surprised him, and the percentage of those contacted: more than half had said yes right away, increasing every hour. He wasn’t sure exactly how the mix of EarthFleet and national personnel would integrate and function together in their jobs, but he had spent enough time in NATO to know it could work, with strong clear leadership.
Rae watched and listened invisibly from an adjacent room. Absen knew her cooperation would be vital, but did not want to muddy the waters by having her present.
Absen looked around the large meeting room and rapped it to order with a gavel shaped from a piece of Orion ’s damaged armor. “All right, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to my first staff meeting as Commander, EarthFleet.” He looked around the room and let that sink in. “Everyone here is either already head of his or her respective joint division, or is hereby appointed to that position. Non-EarthFleet personnel cannot be a J-head. I know that will be awkward for some of you. My staff has already contacted those above you and offered them their chance to join. If they do, they’ll still be transferred. That’s your reward for your early commitment. By the time you return to your offices, one way or the other they will be gone. Understood?”
Some nodded, some smiled, and some muttered or looked concerned. He let them get used to the idea for a moment before he continued. “We have a number of proposals on the table, from several teams. Let’s get right to it. Bill?”
An odd duck of a civilian stood up, round-headed, scrunch-faced and a bit slovenly. “Yes, uh, Admiral. I’m Bill Marshall, and I guess I’m acting chief of logistics. Guess I’ll have to get a uniform again, I’m a retired Army colonel, Engineer branch. Um…our proposal is a framework to structure our production based on the following factors…”
Absen valiantly strove to pay close attention, because he knew that for the next eight years, EarthFleet would not be doing much fighting. It would be organizing, training and equipping. He was competent enough at the first two, but the long pole in the tent was building the ships and weapons. For that, he needed someone better than he was.
When Marshall wound down, Absen asked, “Who should head this all up? Do you want the job?”
Marshall squinted by habit, as if he wore spectacles, though almost no one had need of such things anymore. “Um, sir, I could, but…”
“Go on.”
“I think we need a flag for this one. You’re effectively a one-star, though I suppose that might change, but if I know service politics – and I do – we need more stars. We need a four-star if we can get one, who can talk to all those officials on Earth on their level.”
“Do you have a suggestion?”
“Well…only one guy I know. Granted, he’d be another American, but…”
“Spit it out.”
“General Travis, sir. He ran Tiny Fortress. He’s got the credibility and the knowhow.”
Absen nodded. “Mister Marshall, we’ll try to find someone with some stars. Until then, you take control of the J4. I want to see production plans, top to bottom, in…shall we say two weeks?”
Marshall gulped, then nodded. “Might be rough, but we’ll shake something out by then.” He sat down.
“All right. Next?”
Chapter 10
Shan seemed troubled when he walked into the
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