Tag and Danielle were sitting at a table with the people that made the critical decisions about the survival of the Human race. The Director, the Central Command Staff, and the Special Forces Team had just entered the room and were saying hello while they waited for the Director to call the Meeting to order. Danielle leaned over and said quietly to Tag, “I want some quiet time after this meeting; so don’t get tied up with anything.”
Tag looked at his wife and she could see his love but then he said, “I have to talk with Kosiev after this meeting and because he isn’t going to like what I have to say. I’ll need you there to help me. Then we will take some free time.”
Danielle said, “Ok if you insist.” Then when he looked away and she stuck her tongue out at him.
“Now you know I can sense if someone is looking at me. I saw that,” Tag said laughing.
“I thought you would. I’ll just call Eric and Leila and tell them we can’t make it.”
“Can’t make what, you didn’t tell me you had plans?”
“Yes I did.”
“Let’s hope we don’t get tied up very long.”
“Alright everyone, it’s time to get started,” Director Nicole said. “Take your seats.” Everyone sat down and the room got quiet. “This meeting is only for Humans. Our Cainth brothers will be covered after we discuss our options and decide where we go from here. I think we all know that the next Alliance response will be considerably larger and we should decide how we are going to handle it. Admiral Kosiev, do you have any suggestions.”
Kosiev stood up and said, “I would like to with hold my comments until I hear from Mr. Gardner. He has formulated our strategy to this point and has been remarkably successful if that is ok with you, Madam Director.”
Director Nicole looked at Tag and said, “Mr. Gardner, do you have any ideas?”
Tag stood up and looked around the room and said, “I do but I hope someone has a better suggestion.”
“Go ahead, Mr. Gardner.”
“The time for subterfuge is over but we need to convince the Alliance that we only have the 660 ships that survived the last attack.” Tag looked around the room then said, “And we have to make it look like we’ve lost them attacking the Alliance fleet before it jumps to our system.”
Kosiev stood up and said, “You mean let the Alliance destroy our ships.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
“Why? Those are good crews on those ships. Why do they have to lose their life?”
“I know. The crews won’t be in danger; the ships that jump in to attack the Alliance fleet while they are assembling will be remote controlled by one ship that will have their attack patterns programmed in and will implement them as the situation calls for it.”
Kosiev looked at Tag and said, “Its Ross all over again, isn’t it Tag?”
Tag looked at Kosiev and said, “That’s the second time you called me by my name. Yes. I’ll be the one with those ships.”
Danielle jumped up and said, “Oh no you won’t; I’ll not allow it.” Right behind her the whole room started protesting about his decision. He just stood there and listened until the Director called for order.
Director Nicole said, “Why do you have to do it that way?”
Tag said, “I don’t. If anyone has a better idea that would lure the Alliance fleet to our planet, then I’m all ears. After they destroy those 600 hundred ships then they will chase the remainder to the planet to finish the job. As long as they see more than 600, they won’t come in system.”
“Why is it so important for them to come to the planet?” Danielle asked.
Tag looked at her and said, “Because we are going to use all our ships in this battle and we have to limit their room to maneuver. We have to pin them against the planetary defenses and kill them as they try to escape. With more than 10,000 ships, it’s the only way to win and avoid having our ships rammed.”
Kosiev looked at him and nodded begrudgingly and said, “I hate to admit it but you’re probably right. You should take all six hundred ships to attack their fleet and allow some to escape to make it look more realistic.”
“That’s a good idea, Admiral. I think we will do it that way.”
Danielle looked at Admiral Kosiev and said, “Don’t tell me you’re buying into this ridiculous, cockamamie notion?”
“Like he says, Mrs. Gardner, suggest another way.”
Then Kosiev looked at Tag and said, “You do plan to make it back from this attack, don’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Tag answered.
The Director looked around the room and said, “We will close this meeting until tomorrow morning at 9 AM. I want everyone to think about what Tag has suggested and try to think of another way to get the Alliance to come straight at our planet. Meeting adjourned!”
“Well, it looks like we got some free time,” Tag said to Danielle.
“What do you think you’re doing? Are you that incredibly stupid?”
“Atlas, are you listening in?” Tag asked.
“Yes, I think you made a big impression on the proceedings.”
“Atlas, if Danielle and I were in a ship that was totally destroyed, what would happen to us?”
“Well, if you weren’t on a planetary surface, you would probably just float in space unharmed.”
“Please explain to my lovely wife how much danger I, or for that matter, she, would be in a space battle.”
“Atlas gave a mental sigh and said, “Danielle, you and Tag have personal shields that protect you at all times. If the shield senses that you are in a vacuum, it will provide the necessary atmosphere to keep you alive. All you really need if your ship is totally destroyed is another ship to come pick you up.”
“And if a ship isn’t close, just how would you be able to move?” Danielle asked.
“He would just fire the hand weapon to get propulsion. If he kept firing it over a period of several days, he could approach half the speed of light.”
“Danielle, Atlas and I have discussed it and he will be there to pick me up in the event of my ship being destroyed.”
“So, you’re in to this too you overgrown microwave freezer.”
“Does she always get this way?” Atlas asked Tag.
“”You shouldn’t have said that, Atlas.”
Danielle began calling both of them things she was proud she thought of and she called them some things Tag told Atlas he should write down. Finally she ran down.
“Danielle. You can come with Atlas to make sure I’m ok. This is the best way to save lives; otherwise the Alliance will use their superior numbers to ram our ships. We can avoid a lot of them but at 10,000 plus ships it is going to be too chaotic to keep track of everything. We have to pen them against the planetary defenses and make them come at us from one direction.”
Danielle sat there crying. Atlas thought at Tag and said, “This is where you have to handle it alone. I feel her pain and your resolve. Open your heart to her, Tag.”
Tag sat by Danielle and put his arm around her and just held her. She snuggled into his arms and finally said, “I know you’re right. I’ve lost you once and I don’t ever want to go thru that again; I’d rather die first.”
“Danielle, we didn’t choose our roles in this conflict. I’d still be hiding my talents except for taking Leila’s test. And If I hadn’t taken the test, I would have never met you. There is a role we have to play and we can’t shirk it. If we’re not willing to risk ourselves, then how can we ask all the brave soldiers and naval crews to risk their lives at our instructions?”
“Tag, I’ll not leave your side while this is happening. If it’s safe for you, then it’s safe for me.”
“Daniellllle!”
“That’s the only way I’ll accept it.”
“Atlas, talk to her,” Tag said.
Atlas said, “When the Alliance blows the ship up around you two, make sure you enjoy the moment. It’ll give you an appreciation of what the other ships are going thru.”
Danielle laughed and said, “There, it’s settled.”
“No it’s not.”
Danielle looked at Tag and said, “If I were going to place myself in harm’s way, would you stay away? Answer me honestly that you would and I won’t push it.”
