Kelly Blake 3: Where the Stars Are Few and Far Between by Rodney Smith Page A
Authors: Rodney Smith
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accomplish any task called for. Weapons asked for more live target practice, having done all he could with simulations. Operations asked for live targets for the CIC to work against. He had also done all he could with simulations. Supply asked if it would be possible to have live missile pods available to test the ring and handling equipment. Kelly, Connie, and Chief B would work all this into the drills.
* * * * *
Admirals Haddock-Halloway and Levi sat across the table from each other, Admiral Chang at the head.
Admiral Chang began. “Okay, you two, what do you need that I haven’t provided to you?
Haddock-Halloway said, “I have all the ships I need. I’m still waiting for fill on some of them. I have the battle fleets out running drills on station keeping and gunnery, getting them used to operating cohesively. I’ve given permission for individual ships to run shake down cruises as they reach 90% fill. I just need the remainder of the personnel slots filled.”
Levi said, “What do we have on K’Rang fleet dispositions? I’ve had my Ops/Intel staff working up scenarios, but we need some hard and fast assessments of where we can expect the K’Rang Fleet to defend. My axis of advance has very few nebulae or other features they can hide within, so I don’t expect any ambushes. I’ll be conducting meeting engagements mostly.”
Admiral Chang responded, “I’ll get you the remainder of your personnel fill. The retiree recalls effort is working well. Some of them have gained a bit of weight, it seems, but we’ll work that off them. Fleet Intel will be providing a final laydown of the K’Rang Fleet on Tuesday. It will include all we have on their disposition. From what I’ve seen, you outmatch them four to one on both axes of advance. Each of you has a ring ship – guard it well. I will send my reserve through it for specific operations, but will want my reserve back after. I also may chop forces from one of you if one has less of a threat than the other.”
This got a reaction from both admirals. Levi spoke first, “Damn sir, that could gut us if you don’t do that sparingly.”
Admiral Chang held up his hand. “Don’t worry, I will. If I need more cruisers on one side than the other I will move them, but you’ll have an opportunity to reclama. I want to make sure we use our forces wisely. Your axes of advance aren’t identical. Levi, you have more inhabited worlds. Haddock-Halloway, you have more nebulae along yours. Neither of you have asked for force changes as a result. I reserve the right to move forces as needed. Deal with it.”
* * * * *
Amy Craddock arrived on the midday commercial shuttle from the southern continent to the Antares City Spaceport. Spaceport was a rather grand name for such a measly facility – if it had ever serviced a space going ship, it didn’t show. She left the shuttle, claimed her bags, and waited for Candy to pick her up. Her flight had been early and Candy had called to say she would be right there.
Candy walked in, saw her Mom, and rushed over to give her a big hug. “It’s so good to see you. You look good. Come on, give me one of your bags.”
They walked out to her car and put the luggage in the trunk. Candy drove them west from the spaceport until she cleared the spaceport safety zone, then climbed to 1,000 meters and flew to her home.
She landed, escorted her mom to a guest room to freshen up, then fixed sandwiches for lunch. Amy came down a few minutes later.
“You did a wonderful job on this place. What do you plan to do with it after you’re married?
“I plan to keep it.”
“You might want to think about that. Kelly is the first Commander to captain a new type of Scout Ship. Admiral Minacci may want him to move into quarters on base. How would you hold parties or receptions here? How would your guests get here?”
“Mom, we’ll work those things out. How do single captains hold receptions and social activities? They work
* * * * *
Admirals Haddock-Halloway and Levi sat across the table from each other, Admiral Chang at the head.
Admiral Chang began. “Okay, you two, what do you need that I haven’t provided to you?
Haddock-Halloway said, “I have all the ships I need. I’m still waiting for fill on some of them. I have the battle fleets out running drills on station keeping and gunnery, getting them used to operating cohesively. I’ve given permission for individual ships to run shake down cruises as they reach 90% fill. I just need the remainder of the personnel slots filled.”
Levi said, “What do we have on K’Rang fleet dispositions? I’ve had my Ops/Intel staff working up scenarios, but we need some hard and fast assessments of where we can expect the K’Rang Fleet to defend. My axis of advance has very few nebulae or other features they can hide within, so I don’t expect any ambushes. I’ll be conducting meeting engagements mostly.”
Admiral Chang responded, “I’ll get you the remainder of your personnel fill. The retiree recalls effort is working well. Some of them have gained a bit of weight, it seems, but we’ll work that off them. Fleet Intel will be providing a final laydown of the K’Rang Fleet on Tuesday. It will include all we have on their disposition. From what I’ve seen, you outmatch them four to one on both axes of advance. Each of you has a ring ship – guard it well. I will send my reserve through it for specific operations, but will want my reserve back after. I also may chop forces from one of you if one has less of a threat than the other.”
This got a reaction from both admirals. Levi spoke first, “Damn sir, that could gut us if you don’t do that sparingly.”
Admiral Chang held up his hand. “Don’t worry, I will. If I need more cruisers on one side than the other I will move them, but you’ll have an opportunity to reclama. I want to make sure we use our forces wisely. Your axes of advance aren’t identical. Levi, you have more inhabited worlds. Haddock-Halloway, you have more nebulae along yours. Neither of you have asked for force changes as a result. I reserve the right to move forces as needed. Deal with it.”
* * * * *
Amy Craddock arrived on the midday commercial shuttle from the southern continent to the Antares City Spaceport. Spaceport was a rather grand name for such a measly facility – if it had ever serviced a space going ship, it didn’t show. She left the shuttle, claimed her bags, and waited for Candy to pick her up. Her flight had been early and Candy had called to say she would be right there.
Candy walked in, saw her Mom, and rushed over to give her a big hug. “It’s so good to see you. You look good. Come on, give me one of your bags.”
They walked out to her car and put the luggage in the trunk. Candy drove them west from the spaceport until she cleared the spaceport safety zone, then climbed to 1,000 meters and flew to her home.
She landed, escorted her mom to a guest room to freshen up, then fixed sandwiches for lunch. Amy came down a few minutes later.
“You did a wonderful job on this place. What do you plan to do with it after you’re married?
“I plan to keep it.”
“You might want to think about that. Kelly is the first Commander to captain a new type of Scout Ship. Admiral Minacci may want him to move into quarters on base. How would you hold parties or receptions here? How would your guests get here?”
“Mom, we’ll work those things out. How do single captains hold receptions and social activities? They work
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