Fleet At Whelming Tide Box Set: Fleet At Whelming Tide

By Jerry A Young

Now all three books in the series are available in one box set! 
After the defeat of the Amferians, the human fleet is at full strength with more ships under construction. These include a new class of Star-Guardians called the Galaxy-class. There is a lot of pressure to now "stand down" and even mothball some of the older ships as public opinion comes to believe the threat from the stars is over.
But as the Space Fleet command struggles with this public relations challenge, a new threat emerges. Not in the form of a new alien species, but one humans have been dealing with for centuries. The Grey Aliens attack a human pod ship enroute to the colony planet Alpha. 
Supreme Commander Admiral of the Fleet Tallie Talbot decides we've had enough of their meddling, and orders War Plan Grey dusted off and activated. 
As operations are put under way, though, a very large mystery fleet appears in the ruins of the Amfero system, surveying the destruction wrought by the humans there in the last war. Where did this fleet come from, and what is their intention?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jerry A Young
• Release date: Dec 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201342197

Jerry A Young

Jerry A. Young is the author "Unturned Stones, A Jack Barrett Mystery Book 1" and "Uncommon Enemies, A Jack Barrett Mystery Book 2." He is also the author of the Evidence of Space War science fiction series. Book 1, "Natural Enemies, First Contact: 2081" Book 2, "Bonded By Fire: Behind Alien Lines"  Book 3, "Star System Midway: Fleet-Opposed Invasion" Book 4, "Return to Planet Sumer: Operation Shoestring" Book 5, "Constellation of the Devil: Root of Evil" "Unkept Promises" a Jack Barrett Mystery Book 3 was be available August 2019. Currently beginning a new science fiction series. "Fleet At Whelming Tide: The Grey Wars Book One" scheduled to be released late Summer 2019. Jerry may be reached at his email [e-mail] .

Book preview

Chapter One

Four-star, Admiral of the Fleet Tallie Talbot seemed to be idly looking at the command screen on the bridge of the Star-Guardian Mars. It showed that ship in the center, with two other Star-Guardians, the Mercury and Venus, above her. Two more, the Deimos and Phobos, were directly below.

The five-ship task force, designated Task Force 1, cruised in the classic stacked formation. This tactic of aligning the ships had proven time and again to their advantage, maximizing weapons deployment of all five ships while at the same time making it easy to synchronize their movements and to present the smallest possible target to enemy ships.

Although called Task Force 1, there was only one original Star-Guardian among them. The original Mercury and Mars had been lost in separate battles and replaced. The Deimos and Phobos were of the new moon class of Star-Guardians.

So only the Venus was of the older model, but so modified and refitted over the decades as to prove almost indistinguishable in her fighting ability.

Tallie looked away from the screen, catching a couple of members of the bridge crew watching her. She fought off the urge to smile. After all, she was a legend and expected curiosity about her, especially from newer members of the crew.

The thought of being a legend did make her smile.

Admiral?

She blinked and looked to see who had spoken, though she already knew from his voice. It was Commodore Jonathan Dyer, her chief of staff. At least after a year of having the rank, she finally had gotten used to responding to someone calling her admiral. Though it seemed particularly odd still, coming from him, as she had served under him on the old Ambassador.

Yes? she said, though she knew what he wanted already.

It’s almost time for your call from Jerue and Manuel Lopez, he said.

She nodded, I know. She looked again at the screen showing the ships’ formation, then at the plot screen showing their location in space.

Even halfway between Earth and Planet Midway we can’t escape these calls from civilians with some problem or another, she said, but kept her voice lower so only he could hear. It wasn’t good for morale to have her crew hear their fleet commander complaining about anything, especially civilians.

She rose from her chair and followed Dyer through the nearest doorway and into her cabin.

She sat behind her desk and he stood in front of her. Well, this Jerue is hardly just any civilian, he said, chuckling.

She looked up. That’s true. And he now has Lopez on his side, and I do respect that man and his theories. What scares me is the wildest of his ideas seem to come true!

Dyer laughed the laugh only someone who has known someone else for a long time is allowed.

Unfortunately! he agreed.

She gestured for Dyer to sit down, and noticed his grimace as he bent his legs and settled in. She didn’t ask anymore how he was doing. He’d been grievously wounded in one of the battles on planet Sumer. He was a walking miracle, even if he did have more than one hitch in his get-a-long.

Please remind me again, just the high points, before they call. I read everything last night but I want your take on this too in case I missed something important.

Of course. Well, Jerue is a very big deal. His shipping company services all the colonies, and most of our bases. He wasn’t much of anything but solar system bound until after the Amferian devils had been dealt with. But with this new peace he expanded into interstellar logistics. In particular he was first with the innovation of transporting entire home pods, complete living quarters for colonists to purchase, pack, and ride in, to their new homes on Alpha. If permitted he would expand to Sumer and Midway.

She noticed Dyer wasn’t looking at any notes. You must have already been familiar with this guy before this?

Dyer shrugged. I’ve been a fan of his, I guess. I’ve even looked into buying my own home pod someday.

Her eyes widened. She’d never thought of Dyer retiring, but he was certainly of that age if not beyond. Oh? Where would you put it?

He laughed. I don’t know, that’s the problem. I’ve seen too much out here just like you. If some new or old enemy would breach our automated defenses, I know Earth wouldn’t be any safer than Alpha or wherever. But still, it feels safer.

She nodded in agreement.

Nowhere is as safe as on a Star-Guardian, yet you and I both know they aren’t indestructible either! She’d had her first command, the original Mars, shot out from under her.

Anyway, these huge pod-ships can carry hundreds of thousands of civilians in their new homes at a time, and he says they are very vulnerable to attack. Not from any known enemy, but from traitors from our own planet, Dyer said.

She shook her head, not in disagreement with his words, but at the thought of it. Terrorism had always been part of human history. But still, it was revolting and, to her, unfathomable.

She felt him staring at her and looked up from her reports.

What?

You seem surprised at the fact I’ve thought about retirement.

She shrugged. Well, you’ve never mentioned it. But, hey, if Admiral Halsey can retire, anyone can!

And she has a pod, he said.

She does? I can’t imagine Sara Perci letting anyone put a pod on her land!

Oh, it’s very fixed up. What’s the word? Antiqued?

Dyer looked at the time on the situation screen on the far wall of her cabin. I still don’t understand what we are supposed to do for him? For them? We take our orders from Lunar Command. Anyway, they should be calling any minute now.

She leaned forward. Well, I am taking this call as a personal favor to Lopez. I have a feeling they met a brick wall at Lunar Command.

But... Dyer started, only to be interrupted by the beep from the communications department.

Admiral, the call you were expecting is incoming.

Put it on the main screen here, she said.

Instantly the images of Jerue and Lopez appeared on the screen. They were sitting side by side in two very comfortable looking leather armchairs, looking at their own screen, and, at her and Dyer.

She squinted. Those chairs looked very familiar. They weren’t...?

Admiral, hello! Lopez said, his usually beaming face appearing.

Lopez, good to see you, she said.

May I present Jerue, Lopez said.

Nice to meet you Mr. Jerue, she said, "This is Commodore Dyer, my chief of staff.

Dyer just nodded to them.

Jerue, Jerue said. Just Jerue.

She suppressed a chuckle. I see.

She had imagined him being French but couldn’t see it now. Looked more Irish to her.

Thank you for taking our call, Lopez started up again.

What can I help you with that Lunar Command refused to do? she said, getting to the point and hoping they would also.

First, may I say your pictures and the videos I’ve seen do not do you justice, Jerue said.

What? she said, then instantly realized he was flirting with her. It had been awhile, so she hadn’t picked up on it quicker.

You are very beautiful, Jerue said.

Again, what can we help you with? Dyer interjected, seeming perturbed, which wasn’t like him at all. She couldn’t help but glance over at him. Did he not like the disrespect he felt she was receiving, or was he jealous? This was something new to her about him.

Lopez put his hand up. First, a brief background as to why I am even involved in this, if I may?

Of course, she said.

For hundreds, some would say thousands, of years, humans have been interfered with by aliens. Most we know of, some we probably still don’t. Most of this interaction has been benevolent, or at least neutral. But one species in particular has been at the least creating mischief.

Mischief! Ha! They are committing acts of war! Jerue burst out.

Lopez reached over and patted Jerue’s arm, to calm him. Then he turned back to Tallie and Dyer.

I am referring to the Greys, he said, then sat back, waiting for their response.

She and Dyer just started at them.

It’s well documented they have been abducting humans for a long time, some of the same ones over and over again! Lopez said. Now I believe they have, if not created a secret hybrid race which is undetectable except at the genetic level, at least programmed generations of humans to do their bidding when they choose.

This is all fascinating, Dyer said. And perhaps true. But well beyond our abilities to either prove or help you with.

And what exactly do you want help with? Tallie added.

I’ll tell you what, Jerue said. They intend to destroy one or more of my pod transports, in order to scare us and discourage further colonization of Alpha and the other planets.

She instantly wondered how he could know this. And decided she didn’t want to know just as quickly.

They are potentially an even bigger threat than the Amferians were,  Lopez said.

Tallie wasn’t unprepared for this. She’d been doing some research herself.

These ‘greys’ as you call them, and it is a very common term, have been reported less and less as our own technology and defenses, and abilities to detect intrusions into the solar system, have advanced.

This is true, Lopez says. At least we think so. But humans are vulnerable wherever they are, on other planets where the defenses have not always been so robust. And, especially, on civilian ships in deep space.

For some reason Tallie, a student of history, immediately thought of the old War of 1812 on Earth. British ships taking crewmen forcibly off of American ships had led to war.

Acts of war, indeed, she thought.

As to why we are calling you, Admiral Talbot, Jerue said, leaning forward, now intense, all signs of flirtation gone, you are sworn to protect Earth and all its inhabitants. Your commission, I believe, is to seek out any threat and deal with it.

Tallie felt her face tinge red from anger.

Several things popped into her mind to say to him. She suppressed them instead, being an officer and a lady, not because he was rich and had powerful friends.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Lopez, if you have any further background or specific cases please forward to Commodore Dyer. Now, we must sign off to attend to other matters.

She cut the connection before they could even object or say goodbye.

Chapter 2

Franklin Cripes, Ambassador of Earth to Batkas, sat at his very fancy wooden desk and read the top-secret communication with amusement. Then, amusement turned to bewilderment.

How could he ever even ask these questions of the Batkans?

Although it was top secret, it was a rare, hand-written note, meant to be personal.

What have you there and why the troubled look? a voice asked from behind him.

It was Bethany, niece to King Naboth, a high-ranking royal family member of Batkas, and his wife.

So, nothing was secret from her, and he would have sought her counseling anyway.

Hello, he said. It’s a note from Admiral Talbot, a request, really.

Tallie?

He smiled. Yes, to you, Tallie.

Well, a chance to repay her in some small way, I hope? she said.

Tallie Talbot had led the task force which rescued them, and the king, from the Amferians after the Batkan fleet had been wiped out and the king’s own ship left a drifting, shot-up hulk.

Yes, perhaps, he said, his troubled expression reappearing.

May I see this note, she asked.

Of course.

He watched her face closely as she read it. This would be the first indication of an answer to Talbot’s question. He saw no surprise, nor confusion.

Well, her description of these aliens is not unfamiliar to me, or to Batkans in general, she said. Though we don’t call them ‘greys’ it seems an apt description of them.

So, they have been visiting here also?

Oh yes, for a long, long time, she said.

Interesting. You seem very, well, matter-of-fact about it...

How else would I be?

Indeed? Well, on Earth, and even now, many governments deny their existence even.

I see.

Her expression was a question.

I don’t know why.

Well, Tallie must have a reason for asking you to research Batkan history with these aliens.

He nodded. Yes, I’m sure. But she didn’t tell me, as you can see from reading the note yourself.

She suddenly looked very worried. I know you are thinking it is something serious.

She was an empath, and somewhat of a mind reader as were many Batkans, especially the royal family lineage.

Tallie commands a vast fleet. A fleet never equaled in human history. So, yes, for her to take the time and ask this question has me worried.

He’d long ago stopped asking her to not read his mind and feelings. In truth, he found it very attractive about her. And it saved a lot of talking on his part!

Suddenly he had an inspiration. Are there any Batkans who, well, specialize in studying these alien contacts?

Oh, yes. There is quite a large organization, actually.

This would indeed be a shortcut to getting answers to Tallie’s questions.

Let’s arrange a meeting, shall we?

Of course, she said, smiling. I am glad to feel you getting back to your happy self!

Chapter 3

Retired Admiral Claude Hooker was sitting in a very comfortable folding chair on the bank of his small lake.

I’m glad you could get away. Fishing is much more fun when you have someone to take pictures of your catch! he said.

Ha! I was thinking the same thing, only vicey versey! Retired Admiral Willowdean Willie Halsey said from her chair not more than ten feet down the bank.

Hooker laughed. I have to admit, these new chairs you got us are a great improvement over that old log I used to sit on.

She nodded in agreement.

They fished in silence awhile, as old friends can do while speaking volumes to each other just with their presence.

Halsey reeled in her bobber, looked at the empty hook where some bluegill had pilfered the worm meant for a big bass, and laid her rod and reel down on the ground next to her. Hooker saw her lean her head back, pull her big hat down, and prepare for at least a doze.

Alpha’s two suns were both up, though one was getting ready to set.

Well did that Jerue guy leave yet? she asked from under her hat.

Ha! Should be gone by the time I get back!

Good.

Yes, very good. He’s insufferable.

Builds and sells a good product, though. My pod is very efficient and  weather-tight.

Sort of like a Star-Guardian, he said, and they both laughed.

I take it Tallie didn’t go for his and Lopez’s proposal? she asked.

He shrugged, even though she had her eyes closed and couldn’t see it. I don’t believe it even got to that stage in the conversation. She cut them off.

Ha, that’s my girl, I taught her well!

Yes, you did.

Some would have thought it strange these two were friends. Halsey, much like the old American navy admiral of the same name, was the aggressive, go in all particle cannons blazing admiral. In truth, she was no relation to the old admiral at all, though she always let people think she was.

Hooker, on the other hand, was a more cautious planner during his career. And he’d even ended up commanding the Ambassador, a converted Star-Guardian meant for just what its name suggested: negotiate peace first if at all possible.

Yet, they were friends and had grown to respect each other. Hooker was married to Sara Perci, the genius who had invented more things than could be counted, including the gravity drive which had made the very fact they could live on Alpha a reality.

Where is your old Russian general right now? Hooker asked her.

She didn’t look out from under her hat. I don’t know, honestly.

General Arkady Ivanovich Yumashev commanded the Russian Spetsnaz troops attached to the fleet.

Evidently still finding Amferian outposts to exterminate, Hooker said.

Evidently.

Hooker wondered if all was well between Halsey and the general. They’d never actually gotten married, and he was away a lot.

He decided to let it drop.

The sound of a gravity-driven shuttle made them both look over the treetops just in time to see it disappear rapidly into the clouds and into orbit.

There went Jerue, Halsey said.

Darn, I didn’t get to say goodbye, Hooker said, and they both laughed.

Now, let’s go and get a proper lunch and bother the fish again later, what do you say?

She didn’t say anything, just stood up, and started walking down the path.

Wait for me, he said, winding in his line to see his bait had also disappeared without him knowing it. He laid his pole down and hurried after her.

They didn’t bother to take their stuff. No one would dare steal it.

Chapter 4

Captain Stoney Edwards watched the nine, classic saucer-shaped ships buzzing around his own ship. Even at many times the speed of light, they were dipping in and out, near and far, playing with them.

His pod-ship, the Behemoth, was only about a third of the way to planet Alpha from Earth. No fewer than 630,000 humans were occupying the pods he was responsible for. In truth, his wasn’t much of a ship, but a bridge made up of a compartment not much bigger than one of the pods, and the gravity drive at the other end. The pods were the body, bound together for the journey. It was like he was the locomotive and the pods were passenger cars on a train. Only stacked high and wide.

Are the micro-probes getting all this? he asked his pilot.

Yes, sir. All is recording.

He’d gotten used to this harassment to some extent during his two years making this run. But these particular saucers seemed more menacing.

Any fleet units nearby? he asked.

Actually, sir, there is a squadron of Star-Guardians on our same route, only about two days ahead of us, the pilot said.

I see. He walked away from the control screen, trying to contain his anger. He couldn’t believe the way they were left out here, unprotected. Not that they never asked for escorts. They had, many times. In fact, every time.

And been denied every time by Lunar Command.

Stoney was a veteran of the Amferian wars. He knew there were many of those alien devils still out there, in pockets. And from those pockets on those many planets and moons they’d conquered in their heyday, they could still harbor ships. So, for that reason alone they should have escorts.

In their defense, Lunar Command discouraged the mass colonization of Alpha as still being too dangerous. And, so far, had forbidden any colonization at all of Midway and Sumer.

Now these saucers, no doubt containing the grey aliens as they had been dubbed over almost two hundred years earlier, had been appearing more and more. But how could the fleet protect them against something most governments of Earth had denied the existence of even?

Captain, his pilot said, and he turned and walked back to the big screen.

He strained his eyes but couldn’t tell if anything had changed.

There, the pilot said, and the image of the space close to one of the pods magnified many times.

One of the saucers was close to it. Very close.

What the hell? he said.

No sooner had he said it, then the saucer zipped away, followed by the other eight, and very quickly were out of range of the micro-sensors.

Which pod was that? he asked.

Checking, the pilot said.

A bright flash from that pod washed out the screen image for a moment. The magnification adjusted, and they could see it had exploded, taking with it several of the pods attached below, on both ends, and beside it.

Holy hell! Stoney said.

As he watched, a fire appeared and quickly flamed out on more of the pods as their oxygen was depleted. Then it was over, and damage contained not by any effort on their part but due to the vacuum of space.

Get a message to that squadron now! Stoney yelled. Tell them we had been attacked!

Yes, sir!

And transmit the micro-probe data with it!

Chapter 5

Tallie and Dyer sat at the situation table in her cabin, watching the scene as recorded by the micro-probes accompanying the Behemoth. Her Task Force 1 was heading full speed for a rendezvous with that ship.

She looked at the position screen, showing there were still three hours until they met. Was it her imagination, or was the clock ticking down more rapidly now?

"Did the Behemoth speed up again?" she asked.

Pilot automatically answered any question such as this.

Yes, Admiral.

Damn it! She looked over at Dyer.

Already on it, he said. That captain is pretty spooked.

Tallied nodded. I know that captain. He doesn’t spook easily, or at least didn’t when he was in the Space Force.

But the Behemoth was travelling at an unsafe speed, especially considering the integrity of the pods where the attack had been made was very much in question.

Ensign Lisa Bailey, Fleet Intelligence Officer assigned to her staff, came into her cabin.

We just don’t see any signs of a weapon being discharged by that saucer, she said in her very British accent. Sometimes Tallie had trouble understanding her, but not this time.

How many killed? Tallie asked.

The pods in question contained a total of 44 occupants, aged from 90 to, sadly, 7 months, Lisa said.

That is sad, Tallie said, and started to tell her it was just as sad for the 90-year-old who probably had at least a couple decades of life left, but let it go for now.

I told him to slow down again, Dyer interjected. They all looked at the position screen and could see the time to contact had slowed somewhat. Her task force was going at full speed and beyond.

No signs of the saucers following? Tallie asked.

No, Dyer said.

Ensign Bailey, I want a full background check on everyone in every one of those pods, with a priority on the first one which exploded.

Yes, Admiral, we are already working on that.

Dyer looked up from what he was doing, first at Tallie, then at Lisa.

Tallie noticed.

It’s all right, Jonathan. I have already sent a recording of our conversation with Lopez and Jerue to fleet intelligence, so feel free to talk.

Okay, well, you are suspecting someone, a contactee perhaps, was in that pod and received instructions to blow it up?

In case of an attack on any ship, we always look inside and out, you know that.

But, especially in this case, and because of that conversation? he persisted.

Tallie nodded at him impatiently.

Ensign Bailey, get ahold of Manuel Lopez, and he will help in telling you what specifically to look for in their backgrounds.

A civilian? she said.

Yes, you can trust him, Tallie said.

Her mind and heart were racing. The old adrenalin of a pending battle doing its work. It had been years, but all the crews knew what to do. And, more importantly, so did the ships’ auto-combat systems. Multiple battles with the Amferian devils’ ships had greatly added to all their experience.

Ensign Bailey left on her assignment.

Jonathan, Tallie said, and he glanced up from the screens. Then stopped and looked at her, giving her his full attention.

I’ve been reading some of the old war plans, ones we had to learn backward and forward at the academy. In particular, ‘War Plan Grey,’ I assume you’ve heard of it too?

He chuckled. I’m not that old, but in fact, old enough to have helped write it!

No way! she said, and laughed despite of the situation they were soon entering.

Yes. What did you think?

I thought it was pretty far out back then, and I still do, though the years have shown it to an ever more likely scenario, or war, we would fight someday.

He nodded, looking glum. You have to remember, back then we didn’t know who the enemy would be, we hadn’t heard of let alone determined the Amferians were responsible for the devastation in our solar system and planet Alpha.

I know, she said. So, you think we could match them, our weapons would be effective?

He nodded emphatically. Yes, I think it’s why they have become less and less likely to visit Earth or any of our outposts. And, there are some very documented reports of even our old Earth-bound fighters shooting them up, if not even down.

I saw those. It’s like the old saying. A lion is charging you and all you have is a .22 caliber pistol. Everyone would tell you it wouldn’t work. But, you know, you have to try!

Yes, if they truly were responsible for those deaths on the pod ship, I say let’s empty the chamber into them and see what happens! Dyer said.

Admiral, Pilot said. Unknown contacts matching our course.

She sat up straighter. How many?

"Nine. They are very similar, if not the same ships, which attacked the Behemoth."

Tallie glanced up at the situation screen. Already, the task force’s computers were calculating possible paths to intercept the intruders. At least five were presented there for her to consider.

Shall we show them messing with a task force of Star-Guardians won’t be the walk in the park they are used to? Tallie said.

She hadn’t necessarily directed the question at Dyer, but he answered immediately.

Oh yes.

Neither even considered trying to communicate with the intruders. In space, at multiple times the speed of light, one didn’t waste time trying to talk.

Chapter 6

Sara Perci Hooker sat on the porch of her old house on planet Alpha stroking her dog’s head. The house had only been there 30 years, but reconstructed to look like it was over a hundred years. Her original intent was to make it fit in with the landscape better. Recently, though, she wondered if subconsciously it was to be defiant of whomever had snuffed out the original intelligent race who had been native to planet Alpha.

Everyone assumed it was the Amferians. Yet the more research she did, the more doubt about that was creeping in.

There now Willie, Sara said, rubbing her dog’s ears now. He will be back any minute now.

Willie had gotten too old to follow Hooker to the lake, and anyway preferred the comforts of the porch, including her old pillow, blanket, and most of all, shade from the two suns which often were out at the same time.

Suddenly Willie stood up, looking down the path, and sure enough Sara saw her husband coming.

Hello! he called out jovially.

No fish for lunch again I see, Sara said, noting his empty hands except for his tackle box. It was an old joke, he never intended to bring any home, always releasing any he caught.

Ha, you know better. I actually caught every fish in the lake but threw them all back to grow up more, he said.

Right!

She looked down at the old dog, whose tail now was wagging full tilt. Then she began to cry. Softly at first, then sobbing loudly, her hands over her face.

Sara! What’s wrong? Hooker said as he hurried up the steps to the porch. Something wrong with Willie? He looked from her to the dog, bending down to pet her and look her over.

No, she’s fine, just the same, Sara finally got out between sobs. She noted Hooker was shocked at seeing his stoic wife crying so openly and uncontrollably.

It’s Taland, she finally was able to say, then just saying it caused her to break down again.

Taland? Hooker repeated. He’s... Hooker started to say dead, but found he couldn’t say the words either.

No, but he’s gravely ill. I’m going to see him.

Taland was her old Restan counterpart. They’d been inseparable since meeting many years ago when the Ambassador made first contact with the Restan exploratory ship he was assigned to as science advisor.

Hooker went over to the rocker beside hers and sat down, rubbing her back and shoulder.

I’m going too, he said. I’ll contact Tallie about arranging a fast military ship. I’m sure she’ll agree to it.

Chapter 7

I just don’t agree! Tallie was saying, her voice irritable.

But think of what we could learn from them! Ensign Lisa Bailey was insisting.

They attacked a human ship. There will be no attempt at communication.

But we don’t know that for sure. No signs of weapons were...

But they caused it, one way or another, she said.

Bailey started to say something else, but Tallie raised her hand and cut her off.

She eyed the situation board, and the suggested strategy for attacking the intruders. They were darting around as usual, flying erratically. But even erratic patterns can be predictable.

It occurred to her then exactly what she should do.

Before she could tell Dyer, Pilot spoke.

Admiral Talbot, you have an urgent call from Intelligence Director Tiffany Baker.

Tallie shook her head. So, Ensign Bailey had contacted her big boss, thinking she was going over her head. That young ensign had a lot to learn!

We don’t have time for that... Dyer started to tell Pilot, but Tallie interrupted him.

It’s okay, Jonathan. Pilot, leave her hanging for a couple minutes please.

Yes, Admiral.

Dyer took a quick glance at her, then went back to studying the screens on the table where they sat and on the wall.

"As long as they don’t come any closer, let them follow us to the Behemoth," Tallie said.

Now he gave her his full attention. She could see he had been looking forward to pulling the trigger on them as much as she was.

I know! she said, anticipating his objection. His mouth actually opened, then closed again.

Here’s what I’m thinking. Look at those ships, the way they travel. Every second, every minute, we are learning their pattern. It will make it hard to miss them the more we learn.

Good point. That’s why you’re the boss! he said.

This took her aback for a moment. Commodore Jonathan Dyer, renowned strategist, even had a strategy named for him, was complimenting her! She studied his face for signs of sarcasm, but he was looking down again at the screens, his own little computer of a brain now doing calculations of its own.

Pilot, put Baker through, she said.

The big communications screen on her cabin wall lit up and there she was. No longer just the head of fleet intelligence, she now wore civilian clothes.

Tiffany, long time no see.

Baker seemed surprised at the informality. It is true, Admiral, uh, Tallie.

They went way back, and had always had a cordially civil relationship if not exactly friendship. But Tallie had never doubted they shared the same goals of keeping Earth, its possessions, and the allies of humanity safe.

So, why was she calling now?

Why are you calling when I’m sort of in the middle of a, well, pending battle.

The instant communications invented by Sara Perci Hooker were both a blessing and a curse. Now everything that happened, no matter where, was recorded and sent back to Lunar Command and all the ships in space. Anyone who wanted to could watch everything live.

Tallie liked watching the fleet under her command, particularly during war games. But she didn’t like being watched herself.

Of course, she could turn it off if she wanted. But she kept the tradition started by Admiral Halsey going, at least for now.