Starting from Scratch (25 page)

***

The three men were a bit shaken up by the realistic
combat that Bambi had created for them. She announced,
Damn;
that was the easy one I made for you old guys. You started off
doing well, until someone let his anger get the best of
him.

Mike admitted, “It was going so well and so easy.
Then you had that creature smack me. It hurt like hell and I don’t
respond well to that sort of treatment.”

Max said, “We all fell prey to a rookie’s way of
thinking. We assumed the game plan was working and we expected
everything to function exactly the way we had prepared.”

Wayne added, “Yeah. We were stupid. Bambi, how could
we have known about the other Sauran.”

She suggested, “Next time you might want to try using
your infrared vision to look around. Also, if one of you had
remained hidden on the shuttle, you could have provided covering
fire for the others.”

Then she asked, “Should I erase this exercise and
prepare for another one?”

“No,” Max said. “The men will see how foolish we were
and learn from it, although we’ll take some serious kidding about
it. I think we can live with that.”

“As usual, you’re right, Max. Now we each have a lot
to do, so let’s get to it.”

Mike wasted no time in coming Bet.
I would
appreciate it if you would invite Dr Nara and Dr. Frankenberger to
one of our meetings. I hope they’ll have something to tell us about
blocking the alert signal. We need to know if they’re going to be
able to do or not. If not, we might decide to destroy the other
ship, with a surprise blast of some sort. We simply can’t allow it
to get off a warning.

Bet asked,
Mike, why don’t you invite
them?

Because I’m using the chain of command and you’re
their immediate superior. They need to see that and accept it.
Also, you need to begin thinking as a combat leader, in situations
like this. And don’t think I’m doing this as some sort of favor for
you. It’s a real pain in the ass, but you’ve shown a natural talent
for it and I want to hone that ability in you. We need everyone to
realize that they are all warriors now, even if they don’t carry a
weapon.

What if I would like to carry a weapon, you never
know what could happen.

You right. Have Bambi design something that’s deadly
but small for you and any other scientists who have an interest in
being armed.

Bambi commed,
I’m on it, Bet.

Thanks Bambi.

Mike just shook his head; scientists with guns, what
a concept. Of course, it was scientists who designed and built the
atomic bomb. They didn’t wear it on their hip, but in a sense, they
were armed to the teeth and they didn’t need to be especially
accurate with their weapon.

Meetings were held twice a day. He was pleased to see
that no one got side tracked, as they spoke about their respective
areas of responsibility. By staying on target, things progressed
rapidly.

After another round of detailed discussions, Mike
finally sat alone in his quarters. He was still upset by the
training exercise and the sting of being slapped by the Sauran
continued to linger on his cheek.

Mike said, “Bambi, I need to talk. The exercise
didn’t go so well, did it? You deliberately made it more difficult
than it was supposed to be. You’re a real bitch, sometimes.”

“Gee, thanks for noticing. On the other hand, I
created a scenario where you might have achieved success. But you
lost your temper and acted arrogantly. It was that arrogance that
got you and your men killed.

“If you had kept your cool and used your infrared
ability, you might have seen the second Sauran hiding behind an
undamaged shuttle. I know you have the skills to do this, but you
allowed your arrogant anger to affect your actions. That was not
the act of an experienced combat Sergeant.”

Bambi explained, “General, the Saurans always act to
keep a slave subdued, by physically and emotionally abusing him.
When a new slave arrives, he is smacked around every time. It is
their way of establishing their dominance and to remind the slave
of his lowly place in the order of life.”

“It still sucked, Bambi.”

“Yes it did. All of the men going on this assault
must be able to restrain their tempers, if they’re going to win.
With your permission, I’ll warn the men and have them prepare for
the abusive treatment they can expect from the Saurans. Once the
shooting starts, they can unleash hell on the bastards.”

“OK, Bambi. If any of them can’t control their anger,
we’ll have to pull them from the mission.”

“Does that include you, sir?”

Mike avoided rising to her challenge, by remaining
silent.

Four days later, the morning meeting started with
Doctors Nara and Frankenberger.

Mike asked, “Charu, can you give us any hope of
blocking the Sauran alert?”

“We have a few ideas and if they check out, we should
have just enough time to build what is necessary. Bambi has
provided us with guidance as to the operation of the comm, as she
understands it. We think we have extrapolated the basics of its
operation, with regard to how it amends micro-gravity to effect
communication. This would also explain how the ship’s intersolar
engine works and gives us hope that we will be able to make some
accurate guesses about the interstellar drive.”

“Doctor, does this mean that it can be detected by
the alteration of gravity?”

“Not exactly. I hesitate to sound aloof, but it is a
very complicated concept and would take more time than you would
like, for us to explain. Just know that Bambi has also learned,
from our theories and she is as excited as we are. She is
constructing a test receiver, which would give us the proper
micro-gravity frequency ranges to block, when the time comes.”

Dr. Frankenberger added, “We will warn everyone,
before we test it, because if it works when we turn it on, we will
lose the comm system until we turn it off.”

Max asked, “What about the idea of connecting the
ship through hardwiring.”

Frankenberger answered, “Oh, we’ve already tested
that and it works just fine. Bambi has a fabricator producing
thousands of miles of fiber optic cable. There are a number of ways
we can use it. For instance, like a missile guided by wire, we can
maintain comm with a shuttle or a fighter, by attaching a spool on
the back of the craft. It can carry ten thousand miles of very fine
cable and it uncoils as it travels. It would be connected to the
ship and never lose comm with us, that is, until the spool runs
out, or the cable is cut.

“Then there is the problem of plugging into the
system for each of us. I had Bambi put a plug at the base of my
skull. It works fine and it wasn’t a painful process to have it
installed. It only took a med unit two hours to place it. We are
already producing our own version of laptops; only they are far
ahead of anything they have on Earth. They are not nearly as fast
as Bambi, but they give us private comm, without the possibility of
being jammed by an outside source.”

Mike told them, “Doctors, I’m very impressed by your
progress. In fact, I’m amazed.”

Dr. Charu shyly said, “It wasn’t us really, it was
the upgrade that made the difference. We can process information so
quickly and there is always Bambi to watch us and make suggestions
as she sees something new, or when she thinks we are going
astray.”

He disagreed with her. “Regardless of how it was
accomplished, it was still you two who have given us a ray of hope
and we are grateful.”

To his surprise, the shy woman responded, “Well, our
asses are on the line as well as yours.”

The room broke out in laughter, which seemed to
embarrass her at first, and then she laughed with them.

Mike dismissed them to continue with their work and
the meeting got down to serious business.

He announced, “We need to leave for Earth now. It
will take two days and everyone needs to be on the correct shuttle
and ready to be dropped into placed. Al, do you think the men are
ready?”

“Yes sir, they’re ready. It’s just that there are
going to be so many opposing troops down there. I’m not sure we can
stifle them all, before you land.”

Max told him, “We’ve gamed it several times and I
like how your men have responded in the various prep exercises.
Just be damn sure to take out the tanks and motors. I know Bambi
says they’ll be harmless, but I get nervous when I get hit with
artillery.”

They went over the possible use of the space
fighters, but with Wayne captaining one of the shuttles, that left
only commander Doolin to fly one, if they took it at all. And, it
meant he would be flying to Earth, alone in it, for two days.
Doolin assured him there was enough room to be comfortable and that
he would take plenty of food and water. Wayne complained that
Doolin could take the shuttle, but at this late stage, Mike
wouldn’t allow for a change in plans.

Bambi said, “I will keep an eye on you, Cdr. Doolin.
You can practice on the way down and be ready to jump into the
shit, if you’re needed. I do think you should leave first, so you
can do some maneuvering, before making a run for the planet. If we
get out in front of you, it won’t matter, because those fighters
are so fast, you’ll catch us easily.”

Doolin laughed and said, “I’m sorry Bambi, it just
sounds funny to be ordered about by a computer.”

Bambi wouldn’t let him get in the last word. “Get
over it, Commander. It’s time to put on your big boy panties.”

The whole room cracked up, including Doolin.

Mike thought Bambi was developing a real knack for
injecting humor when it was needed the most. The outburst released
a lot of tension for all of them.

As the laughter died down, he asked for last minute
suggestions and reminded them that they would be able to comm all
the way to the Earth. So, if anyone came up with ideas, or
concerns, they should comm their immediate superior. However, no
one had any more to say, so he sent them all to their respective
vehicles for Earth launch in two hours.

Commander Doolin was into outer space in less than
twenty minutes. As his fighter left the hanger, Wayne commed him,
Good luck Danny, you lucky bastard.

Gee thanks. Seriously, You’re the right choice to be
where you are, Wayne. When the General’s shuttle touches down, I
think he’ll feel safer with his son there than some guy he doesn’t
know.

Yeah, I know. Drive carefully and don’t break any
rules.

Fuck that, Wayne. I’m a fighter pilot, just like
you. You should know we don’t break the rules; we make them.

Ninety minutes later, the two smaller shuttles and
the large one pulled out and began to accelerate for Earth.

Mike commed Bambi.
Can you give me an update on
the disposition of the troops we’re facing?

Yes sir. While there are a lot of them, they’re
actually spread out rather thin. The basin is a large area to
cover, although they do have it surrounded. Here’s a graphic
showing their placement.

Mike looked it over and was surprised to see just how
thin their lines were. Of course, it wasn’t as though he and his
men were going to try and capture the base. He did note the
location of artillery batteries and two companies of M1-A1 tanks.
They were positioned to move in rapidly to subdue his men on the
shuttles. Hardesty wasn’t taking any chances and it was obvious
that he had authorized the use of lethal force.

He had Max look it over and he was as surprised as
Mike had been.

Mike, I’d bet a million bucks that Mike Hardesty
stuck his nose into it and told those guys how he wanted them to
deploy. He’s a typical control freak and he probably thinks he’s a
military genius.

Yeah, you’re probably right. But the danger isn’t in
how they’re spread out. It’s in their numbers. If they all come
charging in, it’s going to be a slaughter. I’d hate to have to
explain to the President that we had no choice about killing the
best troops they have.

Max was sympathetic.
I understand, Mike. Just
stick with the plan and have a little faith in Bambi and me. We’ve
taken all of this into consideration. It’s going to work and the
collateral damage will be minimal. I know how much you worry about
that.

Yeah. I hope you’re right.

Chapter
14

For two days, the tiny armada moved toward their
destination at nearly five million miles an hour. Several of the
men commented how unbelievable that was. When Bambi tried to give
them an education on the details of rapid intersolar transportation
and the vastness of space, most of them tuned out. Mike was tempted
to scold them for that, but decided that the men had more important
things on their minds; so he let it drop.

Commander Denniston and Commander Vollmar worked well
together, as they did their own analysis of Max’s plan for the
Nellis operation. They were especially well coordinated on their
planning for the attack on the damaged transport. Mike listened in
on their thoughts and he was impressed by the speed at which they
pursued the different ways they might break into the ship and
nullify any resistance.

Vollmar had the experience, with regard to the
specific details of assaulting a moving vessel, and Denniston had
the quick insights to support Vollmar. Bambi put their plans
through a test program and drilled them on it, relentlessly. The
men were developing a genuine fondness for one another and
Denniston demonstrated a remarkable ability to anticipate Vollmar’s
needs. When Bambi threw them an unforeseen change, such as the
sudden appearance of additional Sauran warriors, the two men’s
minds meshed and dealt with the loss of men, yet still managed to
prevail.