but they do agree that the resultant seismic stresses should be enough to tear it apart, particularly a world like Kilrah which is already highly unstable. The upshot, gentlemen, is this. Behemoth can destroy worlds, and properly employed it can knock the Kilrathi Empire out of the war in a few short strokes.'
Some of the others made suitably impressed noises, but Blair remained silent. He was still thinking over his own distinctly mixed reaction to the weapon's capabilities.
'We would have liked another year or two for testing and development,' Tolwyn said. 'Unfortunately circumstances have forced me to order the weapon to be deployed now.' He gave Blair a long, hard stare. 'We are in danger of suffering attacks similar to the biological devastation on Locanda Four, perhaps against more vital targets.'
'Seems a pretty large escalation, Admiral,' Blair said.
'The truth is, Colonel, that even without the biological attack, the Confederation is in trouble.' Tolwyn looked around the room, speaking more softly now. 'This is not for public consumption, of course. It remains classified. But the Kilrathi are winning on just about every front, and if the worst-case scenario were to come true they would be in a position to land troops on Terra herself within another six months. We have to use Behemoth, gentlemen. And we have to use it now.'
Once that information sank in, he used the pointer again. 'Because of the accelerated deployment, the ship's defensive systems are . . . somewhat incomplete. There are a few, shall we say . . . soft spots . . . located here . . . and here . . . where the shields are thin and there's been no time to complete keel mounts or add extra shield generators or defensive laser turrets.
'Those soft spots could spell real trouble, Admiral,' Blair commented. 'Looks like a couple of well-placed shots could take that monster out.'
Tolwyn gave him a stern look. 'That is why your flight wing is being assigned the job of protecting Behemoth, Colonel,' he said. 'I expect you to be especially aware of the vulnerable points. Make sure your people know what must be protected, under any circumstances. Make no mistake, Colonel, gentlemen. This weapon is our last hope. Nothing must be permitted to get through to threaten it.'
'Protecting the weapon will be a large task, Admiral,' Hobbes said slowly. 'It makes a . . . very big target.'
'Hmmph.' Tolwyn looked at Ralgha for a moment, as if trying to decide if he was being sarcastic. 'Colonel full data on the defense of Behemoth will be made available to your people for analysis. Major Tolwyn will also assist you in programming a series of simulations so that they can practice before we begin the actual deployment.'
'Sir, the wings pretty short-handed. What's the chance of getting some new blood to bring us up to strength?'
'We're damned short-handed as it is, Blair,' the admiral told him 'Two carriers just passed through last week and pretty well cleaned out Torgo's replacement pilot pool. However, I did arrange to rotate your bomber squadron off the ship and replace them with a second point-defense squadron. Victory won't be called upon to perform offensive operations this time out, and the additional Hellcats will be used to cover the Behemoth.'
Blair frowned. Something told him that behind Tolwyn's smooth explanation there were other problems he wasn't willing to discuss. The admiral had more than his share of political enemies within the High Command, and it was likely that he'd found it necessary to tread on a lot of toes to get his Behemoth project approved. Not everyone would share his belief that this overgrown cannon could bring the war to an end, and Blair could see stubborn rivals of Tolwyn's digging in their heels and refusing to give him all of the ships and men he wanted. Very likely he snagged Victory because she was widely perceived as the fleet's poor relation.
That raised other questions about the whole affair. Tolwyn was convinced he was on the winning track with Behemoth, but what was the High Command really planning, at this juncture? If they didn't agree with Tolwyn's threat assessments, they might be looking for the admiral to fall on his face.
'Now. . . as to operational planning. Behemoth is undergoing final power-up tests this afternoon. By eighteen hundred hours standard tomorrow evening, we will leave the Torgo Proving Area and proceed in company with the weapons platform to the Blackmane jump point.' He looked at Eisen. 'It's plain from your reports that Ariel is a totally unsuitable test site for the weapon. Luckily, Captain Moran and the Hermes turned up a much more likely target: Loki Six. There is a jump point to the system from Blackmane, so we will pass directly between jump points in the Blackmane System and then transit to Loki.'
Fairfax cleared his throat. 'I've reviewed the data downloaded from HQ on the Hermes survey mission. Loki Six is a fairly minor Kilrathi outpost. Not likely to be heavily defended. In fact, it's only apparent purpose is to serve as a sort of advanced base for raiders passing through the Ariel System.' He looked doubtful. 'I'm not sure what kind of a message we'll send the Kilrathi by destroying the outpost. A larger facility would have been better. The Empire may not take the hint if all they lose is a second-rate base.'
Tolwyn gave him a stern look. 'If Loki doesn't give them the right message, we'll give them something bigger to think about.' He shot Blair a glance. 'We have to take this one step at a time, gentlemen. But one way or another, Behemoth is going to end this war.'
On the map table, the schematics of the weapons platform were replaced by a chart of the Loki System. 'We will proceed from the jump point to here . . . Loki Eight, a gas giant. Behemoth will require fuel, which we can skim from the gas giant's atmosphere. Then we will move to this position, near Loki Six, and begin the firing sequence. Throughout the operation, gentlemen, we will be accompanied by a small escort squadron, three destroyers. They will be used for advanced scouting, and as general support vessels. But Victory and her fighters will have the primary responsibility of providing close support to Behemoth. I want you to be clear on this. The mission stands or falls on this ship's ability to protect that weapon.' Tolwyn's look was challenging. 'Any questions?'
There were none, and Tolwyn turned his intense gaze on Hobbes. 'Colonel Ralgha, I would like you to work with Commander Fairfax and my staff over the next several days. You're the closest thing we have to a genuine expert on the Kilrathi mind. I'd like you to help us develop some likely models of how the Empire will react. To the destruction of Loki Six, and to other measures we may be forced to take if that doesn't bring them to the peace table.'
Hobbes inclined his head. 'As you wish, Admiral,' he rumbled. 'I warn you, though, that I cannot predict the reactions of my . . . former comrades . . . with any degree of certainty. Anything I suggest will necessarily be . . . imperfect at best.'
'It will do, Colonel. It will do.' Tolwyn glanced around the room again, then nodded crisply. 'Very well. That's an overview of the situation. You'll each be receiving detailed orders as needed. In the meantime, you're dismissed.
Blair took a last look at Tolwyn before he left The admiral was studying the map of the Loki system intently, the expression on his face one of anticipation and undisguised eagerness. He wasn't sure he cared for the look in the man s eyes. It promised victory or death with no middle ground, and no room to adapt to circumstances.
'Okay,' Blair said into the microphone. 'That's it. End simulation.'
Kevin Tolwyn looked at him from the adjacent console. 'Not bad. Not bad at all. Your boys and girls are pretty damned good, Colonel.'
'It could've been better,' Blair grumbled. He switched on the mike again. 'Cobra, Vagabond, if that had been the real thing there would have been a fifty-fifty chance of that Vaktoth slipping past you and getting off a shot at the Behemoth. You were lucky the computer called it the way it did, but you're going to have to tighten up next time, okay? The defensive specs are in the tactical database. Study them. We can't afford to leave those weak spots uncovered.'
'You want us to run through it again?' Vagabond asked.
'Not now,' Blair told him. 'We'll run another set tomorrow morning, after the new point-defense squadron
