action."
We talked about various other subjects until six or so, then decided to head for dinner. The Port Royal would be docked soon and preparations would have to begin. Not much time left to relax before my stress level skyrocketed again. I knew Roger would be beside me on this one, as he was just as good with a sword as I was. He would be leading one team, while I took another. Tony would never be left out either, and I knew two other team leaders in security who were very lethal with a blade as well. That made five team leaders I could trust.
We got our trays and ate in the officer's mess so we could talk. A few other senior members of the crew were also in there, but no one deigned to bother us. We talked about strategy, and supply shortcomings. We chatted about what we would do with our own homes again, starting a full time swordsmanship class, sailing lessons, him writing music again. It was finally about eight, so I decided to go up to the flight deck, see if the Royal was in yet.
I looked out over the bay, and I saw the Royal steaming in. She was about 300 yards out, which meant it would take about 35 to 45 minutes for her to be docked. I went inside to prepare for my meeting with the officers I had arranged for earlier. I stepped in to the bridge and gave orders for my meeting to take place in the conference room, and went to move the projector and computer into there from the map room. I wanted to be able to point out where I was talking about.
Once I got everything moved, I figured I had about an hour before everyone would be gathered. I decided to grab a quick drink from the last of my stash. I walked into my kitchen and poured a small glass of scotch, which was all I had left of it, and took it back to the conference room. I set my notes out, pulled the map up on the projector, and waited for everyone to show. One by one they filtered in. There was Dave, Jack from the Royal, Tony, Jeff, Jackson, Roger, and Dut. Michelle walked in with Jeff, and while I didn't actually invite her to this meeting, I figured she should hear it firsthand too.
"Thank you all for coming. Jack, I know you just got back, and I appreciate you being here. I hope you all brought progress reports like I asked," I asked, looking around the table. After receiving nods and yeses from everyone, I continued, "Ok. The northern venture is underway, and all bridges have been secured or destroyed, thanks to Jack here, and Mike on the Leyte Gulf. Their crew and ground teams did a wonderful job, and no one got hurt. Now comes the serious part. The push to clear out the peninsula of infected so we can move in safely. As you can see from the map here, I have been searching for possible dens, but nothing seems to be jumping out here. I also, along with Roger's help, have sectored off grids to run search and destroy teams systematically, while keeping them to one day time frames. That way no one should be out after dark, without having a safe place to hole up. Stop me at any time if you have questions, need clarification, or see a better way. Ethan's group at the complex has decided to join us, and we have full use of the apartments as a staging point. We will fortify it, and the eastern teams will start from there."
I went on to explain my plan in detail, getting ideas from them, modifying things when a better way was found. I took their recommendations for people to go on this mission, and told them what I wanted, and what was needed. We talked until almost midnight, then I dismissed them.
"Jack, as of 0800, I am giving your crew a 48 hour pass, no duty, just rest and relaxation. They will run point on this, and I want them sharp. I know you keep them rotated well enough, but this is big, and I'm paranoid. The pass applies to you too, so take advantage of it."
We talked about various other subjects until six or so, then decided to head for dinner. The Port Royal would be docked soon and preparations would have to begin. Not much time left to relax before my stress level skyrocketed again. I knew Roger would be beside me on this one, as he was just as good with a sword as I was. He would be leading one team, while I took another. Tony would never be left out either, and I knew two other team leaders in security who were very lethal with a blade as well. That made five team leaders I could trust.
We got our trays and ate in the officer's mess so we could talk. A few other senior members of the crew were also in there, but no one deigned to bother us. We talked about strategy, and supply shortcomings. We chatted about what we would do with our own homes again, starting a full time swordsmanship class, sailing lessons, him writing music again. It was finally about eight, so I decided to go up to the flight deck, see if the Royal was in yet.
I looked out over the bay, and I saw the Royal steaming in. She was about 300 yards out, which meant it would take about 35 to 45 minutes for her to be docked. I went inside to prepare for my meeting with the officers I had arranged for earlier. I stepped in to the bridge and gave orders for my meeting to take place in the conference room, and went to move the projector and computer into there from the map room. I wanted to be able to point out where I was talking about.
Once I got everything moved, I figured I had about an hour before everyone would be gathered. I decided to grab a quick drink from the last of my stash. I walked into my kitchen and poured a small glass of scotch, which was all I had left of it, and took it back to the conference room. I set my notes out, pulled the map up on the projector, and waited for everyone to show. One by one they filtered in. There was Dave, Jack from the Royal, Tony, Jeff, Jackson, Roger, and Dut. Michelle walked in with Jeff, and while I didn't actually invite her to this meeting, I figured she should hear it firsthand too.
"Thank you all for coming. Jack, I know you just got back, and I appreciate you being here. I hope you all brought progress reports like I asked," I asked, looking around the table. After receiving nods and yeses from everyone, I continued, "Ok. The northern venture is underway, and all bridges have been secured or destroyed, thanks to Jack here, and Mike on the Leyte Gulf. Their crew and ground teams did a wonderful job, and no one got hurt. Now comes the serious part. The push to clear out the peninsula of infected so we can move in safely. As you can see from the map here, I have been searching for possible dens, but nothing seems to be jumping out here. I also, along with Roger's help, have sectored off grids to run search and destroy teams systematically, while keeping them to one day time frames. That way no one should be out after dark, without having a safe place to hole up. Stop me at any time if you have questions, need clarification, or see a better way. Ethan's group at the complex has decided to join us, and we have full use of the apartments as a staging point. We will fortify it, and the eastern teams will start from there."
I went on to explain my plan in detail, getting ideas from them, modifying things when a better way was found. I took their recommendations for people to go on this mission, and told them what I wanted, and what was needed. We talked until almost midnight, then I dismissed them.
"Jack, as of 0800, I am giving your crew a 48 hour pass, no duty, just rest and relaxation. They will run point on this, and I want them sharp. I know you keep them rotated well enough, but this is big, and I'm paranoid. The pass applies to you too, so take advantage of it."
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