Chapter TWENTY-THREE
The Sentinels slouched in chairs, or sat onthe floor, backs against the walls of the smallworkroom. Their faces reflected fatigue.
"About fleet capabilities for sustained combat,"Brad said. "I need a 'how goes it' on the status ofyour evaluations. Give me a quick rundown and adocumented report by the end of the day. Myra,you first."
Myra spoke from where she sat on a chair tiltedagainst the wall.
"I had training facilities and systems, emergencymedical support, and general administrative backup.What I saw was guys and gals floundering around,leaning on each other, and making excuses. Thetraining programs are antiquated; many aren't evenremotely tied in with the equipment installed onships of the line. Equipment operators are learningby hit-or-miss, and they miss much too often.Can't blame them for low effectiveness becausethe procedures are hazardous to their health. Ifwe don't improve the situation fast, the crews willdeteriorate to where they won't be worth a damnwhen the going gets even a mite rough."
Myra paused, tipped her chair forward, crossedher arms, and gave Brad a hard look.
"I mean it, Brad. What's more, the medical backupfor combat support is atrocious. If we incurcasualties, the injured won't have much todepend on, and if the troops have no faith in theirmedics, their morale will drop, and I mean fast.There goes your combat capability. For example,medical supplies haven't been checked and updatedfor years, if they were ever checked at all. Theydon't know what they've got or where.
"The system needs a complete overhaul. Ispot-checked the software and links on training,medical, and administrative systems, and found themto be full of gaps and obsolete links and citations.My report, Brad, is that these areas need one hellof a lot of work to get them up to even minimumstandards."
Myra tipped her chair back until her head andshoulders touched the wall and she closed hereyes. Her exhaustion was unmistakable.
"Document your findings, Myra," Brad said. "Iwant specific recommendations to deal with eachdeficiency that you find, the name of the personaccountable, and a list of the supplies, equipmentand skills to clear the problem."
Turning to the others, he added, "That goes foreveryone; there isn't much to work with, so berealistic. If you report a problem, tell me how tofix it. If the shortages can't be filled, we mighthave to take from one ship or facility to fixothers. Clear?"
Silence.
"OK, you're next, Zolan. What's the story oncommunications?"
"The equipment is generally good. It all camefrom the Inner Region, and not very long ago. Partof what we have was taken in the raids on UIPSships; the rest is original equipment installedhere during the Slingshot build-up. Most of thespace-to-space systems are fully operational; thereare some weaknesses in space-to-surface links."
"That part can be handled."
Zolan paused to nod at Myra.
"There's a 'but', though, and here's where I tie inwith Myra's findings on training. We've got a goodsupply of comm spares, but not enough skills to dothe work. The comm folks can operate the equipment,no sweat there. The problem is that althoughmuch of the gear is self-repairing through built-inrobotics, when the robies themselves need fixing,no one knows how. Chain reaction; it won't takelong for subsystems to break down as the pressureof sustained ops builds. Barely enough maintenancerobots on each ship and station to keep theequipment working. The number of out-of-commissionrobots is increasing steadily, and no one seemsto know what to do about it. In time, this couldeasily lead to wide gaps in communicationscapabilities."
"Do you know what to do about it?" Brad asked.
"Yes."
"Lay it out in your report. That's one area wherewe can't afford any screw-ups. Adari, let's hear iton ship's navigation systems and surface nav-aids."
"Well, Brad," Adari grinned, "I had a nice summaryall arranged in my mind, but I won't waste timeby repeating what Zolan and Myra reported. Commmaintenance also applies to nav, as does trainingand data. The equipment is good, but only becauseit's fairly new and is robotically self-maintained.But nav robotics have no backups. Generally, whenmaintenance robies need fixing the work's doneby human specialists or other specialized robies.They're not on board. Eventually, this fleet isgoing to be in a sad predicament: nav equipmentwill go down with no way to get 'em back on line."
"How are you on fixing nav robots, Adari," Bradsmiled.
"I get by."
"Put that in your report, too." Brad turned toKumiko and nodded.
"Guns, power packs, tracking and fire-controlsystems in fair shape. Ordnance controllers andgunners are a breed apart, especially when they'retaking care of their own, and even when workingconditions are tight. They normally do most oftheir own maintenance. The guns are modern, andthere's a good supply of ready-to-install chargers.Ship commanders exercise their gun crews frequently,and many have been on the raids, so they have opsexperience that the UIPS Space Force lacks. Asfar as armaments go, this fleet will be a powerfuladversary in any confrontation."
"Sounds encouraging," Brad said wryly. "Whenyou prepare your report, just tell it like it is. A bitof good news would be welcome." Motioning to Hodak,he added with a tight grin, "Last, but not least,what's the situation on structures, facilities,energy sources, and general logistical support."
Hodak, leaning against the wall, rubbed his baldspot and frowned.
"I ain't happy at all," he said. "As I told you onthe Dragon, maintenance training of ships' crewsis sloppy, and standards are either just not thereor obsolete. We're working on the ops and logisticalsupport checklists but they're still far fromcompatible with facilities and installed systems.These guys operate by the seat-of-their-pants.What's more, ship's structural and power plantrobies are down for maintenance half the timeand spare parts are a mess. That also appliesto surface shops and equipment.
"When ships are taken out of the line for repair,the process is too damn long, mostly because ofthe marginal and nonstandard support equipment.We got a real problem here, Brad. The sooner weget on it the better."
Brad leveled a finger at Hodak.
"I want you to include in your report a way toupdate direct support from surface shops. If we'regoing to do ourselves any good on this rim rockone thing we can't afford is a fleet that can't standup to a confrontation with the Inner Region. I'm notabout to be hauled back to that tin can GuardianStation to face escape charges. I don't think anyof us want that."
Adari and Hodak nodded; the rest sat motionless.All looked somber.
Brad stood. "That's all for now. I'm going to givean oral report to Narval as soon as I can arrangeto see him. He needs to issue a heads up with awhip in his hands. Meanwhile, you all have jobs todo. Be where I can reach you."
##
Narval and Drummer turned away from the view tankin which they had observed Brad and heard his wordsand those of his cohorts.
"Well, what do you think?" Narval bit into afingernail.
"They raise valid issues, President Narval. If weare to challenge the UIPS military we certainlycan't do it with an inferior force. I think weshould listen carefully to what Brad suggests,and then, considering your objectives, adopt thoseideas that will assist you in attaining them."
"I will listen to Brad, Drummer," Narval said."Then, I will tell him to report the details of hisfindings to you. I want you both to do what'snecessary to bring our military fleet to a highlevel of readiness. Prepare instructions to ourcommanders for my signature. We must reachour maximum combat capability in the shortestpossible time."
Narval's eyes gleamed beady-bright.
"The shortest possible time. Did you hear me,Drummer?"
"Yes, Mr. President, I heard you."
"I want to be informed, within the next one hundredhours, when you and Brad expect the fleet willbe ready for sustained operations, and I mean'combat readiness'. The names of ship and facilitycommanders who do not cooperate with you orBrad will be reported to me immediately. Do youunderstand?"
"I do."
"Very well. Now, I have
a special assignment forBrad. As soon as the two of you have the fleetupgrading program under way, I want Brad to conducta joint review with INOR military commanders tofind out what shape they're in for a confrontationwith the UIPS, should it come to that. I've alreadycommunicated with the heads of Outer Regiongovernments, and they've agreed in principle toa preliminary meeting. I've approved a meetingplace off Neptune; Scarf has the schedule and thecoordinates. He will accompany Brad as my Securityrepresentative and sit in on all discussions. TellBrad to use the Dragon for the mission and to chairthe meeting. Let the INOR people tour our ship; wemust give the impression of power. Any questions?"
"Brad may need to reveal what he knows of plansto take the Depot."
"I want him to do just that early on in themeeting. It will give them all a target againstwhich to plan and integrate deployment schedules,vectors, tactics and combined operations.Anything else?"
"No, President Narval."