into the net, remaining in the background.
He observed the three admirals in the midst of an engagement. They had eight squadrons of fast ships against twelve squadrons of Rebels. The Rebels didn’t have fast ships, of course. Four friendly squadrons were heavily engaged against one enemy squadron each. The remaining four friendly squadrons were doing their best to occupy the other eight Rebel squadrons, jumping in and out with hard punches to prevent their joining the main battle. It didn’t look like the battle had been going on for very long.
M’Coda sensed Buskin’s presence and went to him. Both having worked for Chandrajuski, they knew each other fairly well. M’Coda greeted him warmly while keeping his attention on the battle. “I heard you were here,” he said. “How goes your mission?”
“Well enough. I’d like to observe for a while if you don’t mind. What are the parameters they’re fighting under?”
“The Rebel ships are being flown by Chessori. We’ve had to make some assumptions with their performance. Our ships are fast ships, and we have the new, improved shields and weapons, but we’re seriously understaffed. One gunner to each battery is all I’ve given them. It’s all we can muster at present.”
“One gunner for each battery! I wouldn’t have guessed. They’re pretty effective.”
“These guys fight hard, and their flying is improving daily.” As they watched, two enemy squadrons broke away and headed toward one of Trexler’s squadrons that was fully engaged. Trexler broke up two of his harrying squadrons, sending a frigate and six fighters from each to engage the two Chessori squadrons. Buskin sucked in his breath.
“I know,” M’Coda said. “I hate it when he does this.”
“I’ve been working on some tactics of my own,” Buskin said. “I think I’d have pulled the first squadron back.”
“My feelings, exactly. We train to fight as full squadrons, and we always keep them intact.” He spoke to Trexler. “What are you doing, Ray?”
“Let me try this. If I can hold these guys off for just a little while, we’ll improve the numbers.”
“We’ve trained to fight as full squadrons.”
“You have, but my guys are new to this and won’t care. Let’s see what happens.”
The battle rapidly became more complicated. In the space of half an hour, Trexler was forced to divide his two remaining harrying squadrons, leaving eight half-squadrons to hold off eight full Chessori squadrons. His better weapons and shields made a difference, though, and within the next hour the Chessori lost four squadrons. It was now down to squadron against squadron. Trexler had lost six fighters but no capital ships, and it was just a matter of fighting it out now on an equal basis.
M’Coda called a halt to the action. The purpose here today was not to learn to fight squadron against squadron – they already knew how to do that. Today’s purpose had been to focus on fleet tactics.
M’Coda clicked his mandibles when everyone was out of the net, and he began a refreshing preening of his whiskers. “I call that a win, Ray, but I still don’t like it. I’d have sent your eight squadrons up against the twelve Chessori squadrons all at once.”
“I know, but if these had been real ships, and if you surveyed my captains after the battle, I think you’d find they were better focused. Each squadron commander, or half-squadron, had a specific responsibility. They didn’t have to concern themselves with the rest of the battle, only their own assignments, and it let them focus on real tactics rather than just a free for all.”
“Your harrying ships were badly outnumbered.”
“They were already badly outnumbered, but they didn’t have to remain engaged. They hit hard, then danced away, repeatedly. It was only a risk until the first four squadrons were neutralized. Once they were, it was squadron against squadron.”
“We’ll have to repeat this with real squadrons tied into the net. I’m not sure your squadron commanders would have made the necessary adjustments as well as the computer let them. The new program for tying real ships together should be ready soon.”
Trexler nodded. “We can never forget that computers are doing the fighting in these simulators. We won’t really know what we’re up against until it’s the real thing.” He turned to the stranger and stuck his hand out. “I’m Ray Trexler.”
“Oriska Buskin. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“You’re the Admiral Buskin?”
“I am, sir.”
“Well, it’s a pleasure, indeed. I didn’t know you were in the area.”
“Just a quick visit. I have a few ships hiding out elsewhere, and I need to get back to them. I’m waiting to see Chandrajuski.”
“I’ll bet you are. How many ships?”
“Three hundred at last count. I’ve been away for four months. I’m certain we’ve had additions.”
Trexler’s eyebrows rose. “Three hundred! You’ve doubled the Queen’s resources.”
“But they’re all outdated now. None of them is a fast ship.”
Trexler smiled, and a glimmer lit his eyes. “I don’t doubt you’ll get your conversions, Admiral.”
“Seems I’m last on the list, though.” He looked from Trexler to M’Coda, then back to Trexler. “That was some fancy fighting. Can we talk?”
M’Coda led them to the squadron commander’s conference room. As soon as they were seated, Buskin dove in.
“I just learned of your immunity to the scree. I’m in the process of recruiting Great Cats. Until now, they’ve been the only ones to successfully function under the scree. It’s tough on them, but they can do it until we get more of you from Earth to replace them, and it looks like that’s going to take a while.”
Trexler nodded. “It will. We’re trying to keep this quiet on Earth. Things will get real bad there when knowledge of the Empire gets out. We have to be selective, and the numbers are going to be small for a while.”
“Can you spare an admiral or two?”
Trexler frowned. “Why?”
“How well do you know the Great Cats?”
“Not well.”
“They’re incredible fighters, and there’s no one better at Protection, but they’ve never been asked to lead on this scale. Quite frankly, they’re not very good at it. They’re fighters, and they lead well in small skirmishes, but they do not lead major engagements well. In our training, my commanders have had to lead from afar in order to avoid the scree, and I’m sure you can see the limitations of that.”
“I can.” Trexler’s eyes rose to the ceiling as he considered, then he looked sharply at Buskin. “How many?”
“I really need one for each squadron, but I can get started with just a couple. I don’t have that many cats yet. Anything will be an improvement over my present situation.”
“I can spare two, but that’s all. Chandrajuski is planning a major campaign soon. I don’t know if you’ll be part of it or not.”
“I know for a fact that I’ll face a thousand Chessori ships sometime in the future. I can’t say when, but I think I’m alone with my own forces.”
Trexler looked at him in confusion. “How can you possibly know that?”
Buskin stared at him for a time, his thoughts considering implications. “Have you met Lady Krys?” he asked.
“Lady Krys? No, sir. Who’s she?”
Buskin’s lips pursed. “She just arrived a few days ago. You and I need to see the Queen, Admiral. I’m not at liberty to say more, but I’d appreciate it if you’ll call me Oriska.”
Trexler’s eyes went to the emblems on Buskin’s shoulders. “You seriously outrank me, Admiral Buskin. I’m Ray, and we can see the Queen right now as far as I’m concerned.”
Despite the gravity of his need, Buskin smiled. “Rank holds little value against these Chessori, Ray. I’m Oriska to you.” He turned to M’Coda. “You as well, my friend. I see that you, too, got a promotion out of all this.”
