Chapter THIRTY-FOUR
The air was stale in the alcove adjoining Brad'soffice. Hodak and Kumiko hovered over a console,entering and manipulating data. They comparedcomputations against hard print charts, enterednotes in manuals and drawings spread across aworktable, and mumbled at each other solemnlyacross the space separating them. Adari studieda large-scale celestial navigational chart tackedto the wall, Zolan tapped at a remote keyboard,and Myra scrutinized a spreadsheet. All wereengrossed in their own piece of the action.
Brad, entered and paused to observe them. Myraglanced up, waved absently as her eyes returnedto the spreadsheet.
Weaving along the tight aisle to a chair againstthe far wall, Brad turned the chair about and sat,his arms on the upper crossbar. He drew a deepbreath and exhaled slowly.
"Take five," he said. "Let's talk."
Zolan pressed a key to save his data, Kumiko rolledup her chart, and Hodak put a marker in the manual.Myra and Adari's charts lay where they were as eyesfocused on Brad. The room was cramped, space formoving about was tight.
"We have new orders," Brad said.
Zolan grunted, "Ahh, nuts," and frowned at Brad indisgust. Myra groaned and Hodak spit a sullen blastof profanities. Adari shrugged, and Kumiko gave Bradher sweet so-what-else-is-new smile.
Brad recounted his meeting with Narval and Drummer.So that there would be no misunderstandingsamong them, he repeated Narval's strategy andinstructions, finishing with the new target for theassault. The room was silent.
"Now that we know the construction site is thetarget we'll use it for working out the details forfleet integration, formation and logistics in placeof what we had before," Brad rasped. "Better nowthan after we've launched and met up with ourallies. Not much time, though. We'll be workinground-the-clock until it's done, checked out, andspace and surface Commanders briefed."
He gave orders rapidly.
"Break out the tactical and support plans we workedup for the Combined Fleet's Order of Battle atthe Neptune meeting. Myra, rework your admin andmedical requirements. Install two dozen psychicprobes on the Dragon. We'll need at least that manyto check out the loyalty flip-flops Narval expectswhen we lay the new target on the INOR Commanders,plus accepting Narval as their new SupremeCommander.
"Draft an order to Scarf for Narval's signature totransfer three hundred of his shock troops fromour attack transports to the Dragon, and crankits effects into tactics and logistics. Scrounge upenough certified technicians to operate the probes.That'll still leave about eleven hundred troops tosecure the Terminals after we take them, whichshould be enough. Juggle the tactics for thatchange. If anyone asks, we're using Scarf's troopson the Dragon as flunkies during the victory party.I don't think you need me to draw a picture ofthe real reason. We've got to reshuffle the entirelogistics deck. Your job, Myra. Got it?"
Myra grunted, raised her middle finger, thenquickly realigned it with the rest of her hand andsnapped off a mechanical salute.
"Got it," she said.
"Kumiko, the targets will cover an area much widerand deeper than you planned for in your originalcomputations. Rework the combined fleet's weaponsdisposition, analyze our firepower and orient themto the terminals' weak points. Let's talk afterwe finish here and work up formation options andvectors from rendezvous. Cover surveillance andinterdiction against potential threats from UIPSassets in the Special Zone; compute trackingguidance for each type of weapon installed onPlutonian ships, and update target displays forour launchers and guns should it get to that.I especially want you to analyze the combinedfleet's Order of Battle to identify our potentialvulnerabilities and how an enemy force mightexploit them. Provide me with a detailed documentin a capsule so I can use it on the Dragon."
Brad turned to face Hodak.
"Re-examine emergency maintenance in this newarena. Our ships will be much further from homebase than when the depot was the objective. Wecan't afford any ships dropping out of the line forrepairs.
"Adari, got a big one for you. The other INOR shipswill still rendezvous with the Plutonian fleet atPoint Icarus, halfway between the depot and theSlingshot work site. Work out the nav for our fleetto the rendezvous; design formations, convergenceand other vectors that'll keep the ships out ofeach other's way. Employ Order of Battle options tolay out the nav for each ship of the combined fleetfrom Point Icarus to target. Kumiko and I will beworking on tac-options and we'll get them to you assoon as they're ready.
"This applies to all: compute, coordinate andcommit 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 acommunications interference generator. Camouflageand position it between the Planet Pluto SpecialZone and all sunside comm boosters, both spunneland conventional. Set it up to activate by remote.The screen must have enough spread to block allmessages, incoming and outgoing from Planet Pluto,the combined fleet, plus the depot area and theSlingshot terminals. Exception: Narval wants usto flash him a message as soon as we've taken theobjective and turned the ships' Commanders. Fixthe barricade so that we can shoot a one-timeflash-spunnel message through to him. Clear?"
"Clear. When?"
"Now. I'll go with you to the tunnel where thegenerators are stored to make sure we select thebest of the lot. Hodak, you come with us to give'em a condition check. We can't afford chances withthis equipment."
##
Narval removed the tiny ear piece through whichhe had listened to Brad give his orders, smiled withsatisfaction, and pressed a button along the edgeof his desk.
"Scarf out there?"
"Yes, Mr. President."
"In."
Scarf sidled in and stood deferentially at theentry.
"Don't just stand there, you idiot," Narvalsnapped. "Get up here where I can talk to you."
Scarf hastened forward and halted a couple ofmeters from the desk. He held his helmet in onehand and saluted with the other.
"Here are my orders to you for while I'm gone.Double the guards on Planet Pluto's spunneltransmitter. No Plutonian communications are to bepermitted to destinations outside the Special Zone.One exception: I've given Drummer orders thatwhen he completes the tasks I've assigned him, heis to send a flash message to me at the conferencesite. Assign reliable technicians to open the spunnelcenter for only that one outgoing message."
"Yes, sir."
"Figure out some way to be aboard the Dragonduring the operation. Watch Drummer; I still don'ttrust him. If he tries to undermine my authoritywhile I'm away, shoot him."
"It'll be a pleasure, sir. What about Brad and hisbuddies?"
"If they resist my orders, kill them. If it doesget to that, send me a spunnel flash after you'vedone it. If you do kill Drummer and Brad, assumecontrol of the combined fleet and the Terminals.If that's not possible, blast the terminals out ofthe sky."