reactivate the automated mining equipment. From the looks of things, Kaliban’s inhabitants never could’ve made a big dent in the supply of metals in the system, and we could really use those metals to fabricate new parts and weapons for the ships of this fleet.”
Geary leaned back, considering the suggestion. “Can you refine whatever ore we get, or would we need to reactivate Syndic metal-handling facilities?”
Titan’s Captain waved a dismissive hand. “Not a problem, sir. I’m certain of it. Some of the mines we’ve spotted are on asteroids. That means veins of pure metal. It won’t need refining or purifying. We’d have to work it into alloys, but we can do that.”
“How long? How long to reactivate the mines, get the metal out, and get it loaded on Titan? And I assume some of the other auxiliaries can use it, too?”
For the first time, Titan’s commanding officer hesitated. “If everything goes perfectly, I can have metals coming aboard in one week. And, yes, there are other ships in the auxiliary force that can use the metals as well. I know there’s a risk involved in hanging around the system, but with that metal we could fabricate a lot of what we need to keep going.”
Geary looked down, thinking. If everything doesn’t go perfectly, and it probably won’t, then it’ll be more than a week. Unfortunately, I have no real idea how long it’ll take the Syndics to realize we went to Kaliban, and how long after that to get a significant combat force here. So it’ll be a gamble. But I was planning to spend some time in this system anyway. And if I don’t take this gamble, who knows when we’ll have another opportunity to resupply the workshops on those auxiliaries?
Speaking of the auxiliaries, who’s in command of that division of ships? Who should’ve been the one calling me with this suggestion? Geary tapped some controls, feeling a surge of satisfaction when he managed to hit the right commands and the right data popped up in front of him. “One last question, I understand the commander of the auxiliaries division is Captain Gundel of the Jinn. Why isn’t he making this proposal on behalf of all the ships that can benefit?”
Geary was certain he caught a very quick flash of guilt in the eyes of Titan’s Captain. “Captain Gundel is very busy, sir. There are many issues demanding his immediate attention.”
“I see.” At least I think I do. “Very well. Start preparations for putting this plan of yours into motion. Let me know before you launch any teams to physically check the mining facilities.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
Geary spent a few moments staring at the space where the image had been while he thought about his options. Then he shrugged and called Captain Gundel directly. The watch on the bridge of the Jinn answered quickly, but there was a long delay before Gundel finally came on, looking cross. He’d plainly served in the fleet a long time, his uniform reflecting an odd mix of obsessiveness in the display of his many decorations and carelessness in the wearing. “Yes? What is it?”
Geary couldn’t help noticing that despite Gundel’s bellicose nature, none of Gundel’s decorations were for heroism in combat. He kept his expression bland but raised one eyebrow. “Captain Gundel, this is Captain Geary, the fleet commander.”
“I know that. What do you want?”
Give me much more talk like that, and I’ll want you strung up by your heels. “I need a recommended course of action regarding reactivating the shut-down Syndic mining facilities in order to get raw materials for the auxiliaries.”
Gundel’s mouth worked irritably. “It’ll need study. Say, one month. I may be able to complete a preliminary survey of those facilities and have a draft recommendation to you by then.”
“I want it today, Captain Gundel.”
“Today? Impossible.”
Geary waited for a moment but Gundel obviously wasn’t going to suggest any alternatives. “What are Jinn’s highest priority needs at this moment?”
Gundel blinked, apparently caught off guard by the question. “I can have that to you within a few days. Perhaps.”
“You’re commanding officer of Jinn. You should know that off the top of your head.”
“I have many responsibilities! You and I obviously do not view the responsibilities of a division commander in the same light!”
You and I obviously don’t view who’s in command of this fleet in the same light. But Geary kept his face calm despite the heat rising inside him. “Thank you, Captain Gundel.”
He broke the connection, knowing the abrupt ending would annoy Gundel no end, then spent some more time staring into space. If Gundel acted this way toward his superiors, it wasn’t too hard to imagine how he treated subordinates. Which could be something you had to accept with a very competent officer, but not with someone who seemed lacking and refused to respond to clear direction. It seemed obvious that Gundel had to go, but relieving a senior officer like him would have to be done in a way that didn’t give people like Captain Numos any excuses to foment more anger against Geary. Up and out would be the most diplomatic and direct way, but how to do that in a fleet that didn’t have positions to promote the old fool into?
What would that old chief of mine have said? Besides “get drunk and see if it’s better in the morning” that is. Wait. Regulations. He said you could always find something in regulations to justify what you wanted to do. That advice always worked for me before.
Geary called up the fleet regulations and started doing keyword searches, skimming the texts for whatever would serve his purpose. To his own surprise, the answer popped up fairly quickly. But do I want to do that? He turned to the personnel files, calling up data on the commanders of the other ships in the auxiliaries division. Titan’s commander was, as Geary had thought, pretty junior for such a position even given the relative youth of fleet officers nowadays. It helped explain his eagerness, and his rashness in going straight to Geary with his proposal on the Syndic mining facilities. On the other hand, Gundel was very senior to be commanding the smaller Jinn. The difference between a competent, ambitious officer who’s eager to get things done and one who just wants to hide in a comfortable burrow.
But then there was Captain Tyrosian of the Witch. Experienced, but not exceptionally so. Highly rated as an engineer, good marks as an officer, senior enough to be qualified for higher command. She looked good on paper, for whatever that was worth.
Geary put in another call. Captain Tyrosian, on her bridge, was immediately available. She gave Geary a respectful look, though Geary thought he could see wariness in her eyes. “Yes, sir?”
Proper etiquette. That gives her points right off. “I’m just checking with auxiliaries commanders personally. How’s Witch doing?”
“As our reports say, sir. We sustained little damage during the battle in the Syndic home system, so most of our work right now is aimed at rebuilding the fleet’s supply of expendable weapons.”
“How are you doing on supplies of raw materials?”
Captain Tyrosian didn’t hesitate. “We need more.”
“How long would it take you to give me a report on options for acquiring more?”
She eyed him with even more wariness. “Sir, I could produce that whenever you ask for it, but such a request should come through my division commander.”
Very good, Captain Tyrosian. You know what’s going on, you’re willing to do what you’re told, and you’re willing to remind me that I need to abide by the chain of command. “Thank you, Captain Tyrosian.”
Geary checked the time. Give it a decent interval. Two hours.
He spent the interval working on his battle-training scenarios, as the fleet proceeded at a relaxed pace deeper into the Kaliban System, then Geary called Jinn once more. “Captain Gundel.”
Gundel seemed even more irritable than he had before. “I have a lot of things I should be doing.”
