battalion.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
If they hadn’t already been standing at attention, Ash had no doubts they would have braced to it.
“Now, understand one thing, ladies and gentlemen. I will not tolerate behavior such as Hotchner and Rhydderch have exhibited today. I will repeat what I told each of you when I assumed command from Lt. Col. Pawlak. If you do not feel you can follow my orders, if you are not willing to give your all – including your lives – to the battalion, to the Corps and to Fuercon, then leave. I will approve your transfer immediately.”
She sat and waited, giving them time to think about what she had said. Then she looked at Adamson and motioned for her to once again call the roll. One by one, those gathered announced their intent to remain with the battalion.
Good.
“Be seated.” She watched as they did as she said. “There have been some changes since our briefing this morning. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no longer any room for doubt that the Callusians are intent on waging an all-out war. They have now sent ships to the Nystrom System. Halstrom’s Landing has been attacked but is, at least so far, holding out. Second Fleet is dispatching units to assist the Nystrom Navy in holding off the invaders until more help can arrive.
“There has also been movement in the Cassius System. The latest word from our picket is that it appears at least some of the Callusian ships have moved out. What that means, we don’t know – yet.”
Ash leaned back and frowned. By the time she’d left the briefing with Okafor and the others, she had been worried about whether or not the Devil Dogs would be able to meet the challenge set for them. Now that worry had blossomed and she was going to have to admit to the brass that at least part of the DDs weren’t up to the challenge – yet.
And that was on her because she hadn’t anticipated the problem before now. That was one mistake she’d never again make.
“The battalion, or at least most of it, will be shipping out just as soon as FleetCom has determined ship assignments for the upcoming mission. It was to have been the full battalion but, after the events of this afternoon, I anticipate we will be at least one company short.” She held up a hand to prevent anyone from interrupting. “If that is the case, a skeleton HQ staff will remain as well. I’ll be meeting with Captain Ortega and the rest of my staff later to discuss how we’ll handle it.
“Alpha and Beta Companies will go into immediate training for the mission. Focus is to be on boarding parties as well as ground combat. You will receive your training assignments within an hour of the end of this briefing. Be aware that orders are going out to all members of the battalion that we will be moving on base tomorrow. That gives you tonight to say your goodbyes. There will be limited comm privileges to all Devil Dogs but we are basically going into a blackout until launch. FleetCom does not want to tip their hand to the enemy.
“Delta and Gamma Companies will continue training as well. However, after today’s events, those companies will have to prove to me that they are battle ready. Lt. Taffer, Lt. Rossi, you need to tell your people just that.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
“Do you know where we’re going, ma’am?” Ortega asked.
“I do, but until we have relocated on base, I’m not at liberty to disclose it. Just know that it will be more than enough to get some of our own back from the enemy and to remind them of just how foolish it is to take us on.
“Now, here is what we know about the current situations in both the Cassius System and the Nystrom System. . . .”
* * *
“Major, they’re here.”
Ashlyn looked up at the sound of her XO’s voice. Then she glanced at the time. Two hours had passed since she’d issued the orders to find and bring Hotchner and Rhydderch to her office. That was longer than she’d hoped but not as long as she’d expected.
“Yes, ma’am!”
If they hadn’t already been standing at attention, Ash had no doubts they would have braced to it.
“Now, understand one thing, ladies and gentlemen. I will not tolerate behavior such as Hotchner and Rhydderch have exhibited today. I will repeat what I told each of you when I assumed command from Lt. Col. Pawlak. If you do not feel you can follow my orders, if you are not willing to give your all – including your lives – to the battalion, to the Corps and to Fuercon, then leave. I will approve your transfer immediately.”
She sat and waited, giving them time to think about what she had said. Then she looked at Adamson and motioned for her to once again call the roll. One by one, those gathered announced their intent to remain with the battalion.
Good.
“Be seated.” She watched as they did as she said. “There have been some changes since our briefing this morning. Ladies and gentlemen, there is no longer any room for doubt that the Callusians are intent on waging an all-out war. They have now sent ships to the Nystrom System. Halstrom’s Landing has been attacked but is, at least so far, holding out. Second Fleet is dispatching units to assist the Nystrom Navy in holding off the invaders until more help can arrive.
“There has also been movement in the Cassius System. The latest word from our picket is that it appears at least some of the Callusian ships have moved out. What that means, we don’t know – yet.”
Ash leaned back and frowned. By the time she’d left the briefing with Okafor and the others, she had been worried about whether or not the Devil Dogs would be able to meet the challenge set for them. Now that worry had blossomed and she was going to have to admit to the brass that at least part of the DDs weren’t up to the challenge – yet.
And that was on her because she hadn’t anticipated the problem before now. That was one mistake she’d never again make.
“The battalion, or at least most of it, will be shipping out just as soon as FleetCom has determined ship assignments for the upcoming mission. It was to have been the full battalion but, after the events of this afternoon, I anticipate we will be at least one company short.” She held up a hand to prevent anyone from interrupting. “If that is the case, a skeleton HQ staff will remain as well. I’ll be meeting with Captain Ortega and the rest of my staff later to discuss how we’ll handle it.
“Alpha and Beta Companies will go into immediate training for the mission. Focus is to be on boarding parties as well as ground combat. You will receive your training assignments within an hour of the end of this briefing. Be aware that orders are going out to all members of the battalion that we will be moving on base tomorrow. That gives you tonight to say your goodbyes. There will be limited comm privileges to all Devil Dogs but we are basically going into a blackout until launch. FleetCom does not want to tip their hand to the enemy.
“Delta and Gamma Companies will continue training as well. However, after today’s events, those companies will have to prove to me that they are battle ready. Lt. Taffer, Lt. Rossi, you need to tell your people just that.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
“Do you know where we’re going, ma’am?” Ortega asked.
“I do, but until we have relocated on base, I’m not at liberty to disclose it. Just know that it will be more than enough to get some of our own back from the enemy and to remind them of just how foolish it is to take us on.
“Now, here is what we know about the current situations in both the Cassius System and the Nystrom System. . . .”
* * *
“Major, they’re here.”
Ashlyn looked up at the sound of her XO’s voice. Then she glanced at the time. Two hours had passed since she’d issued the orders to find and bring Hotchner and Rhydderch to her office. That was longer than she’d hoped but not as long as she’d expected.
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