Burke paused, but no one else asked any questions; they were all waiting meekly to see what Stark would say. Disgusted by the cowardice on display in his own Directorate, Number One finally asked what no one else had. “How would you characterize the combat readiness of these ships?”
Burke hesitated, and Stark added, “Speak freely, Number Seven. We need facts, not optimistic prattle.”
“Well, Number One, it has obviously been difficult to find alternate crews for so many vessels. Most of the appropriately trained personnel are in the navy itself, so we have had to use a variety of alternative methods to recruit crews, largely from civilian sources.” He panned quickly around the room then focused back on Stark. “The crews are substantially less proficient than their naval counterparts. They are adequate for blockading planets and bombing surface targets, but they will need substantial numerical superiority if it becomes necessary to engage active naval vessels.”
“Engage naval vessels? Are we really considering attacking our own navy?” Number Ten’s outburst was unexpected, and every head in the room snapped toward her.
At least one of them is brave enough to speak her mind, Stark thought, though I suspect it was more lack of discipline than true courage. “Number Ten, we must keep all of our options open. There are considerable sympathies for the rebellion among our naval officer corps. What would you have us do if, for example, a squadron commander openly supported a planet in revolt?”
It was a highly rhetorical question, one that neither Number Ten nor anyone else present chose to answer. She simply nodded her understanding and remained silent.
“Please continue, Number Seven.” Stark had turned around and was looking out the window as he spoke.
“Thank you, Number One. If it does become necessary to engage our own vessels, it would be highly desirable to do so in conjunction with loyal naval forces. We have successfully infiltrated many active duty ships, and our ongoing recruitment program had been quite successful of late. It is difficult to project with any reliability which ships would be likely to side with us in a schism, however it is reasonable to expect that a meaningful percentage would remain under Alliance Gov control.” He paused briefly. “Of course, I would expect considerable resistance to an order to open fire on other naval vessels, even from loyal units.”
“Before Number Seven continues, I would like to offer an update on related matters myself.” Stark didn’t move; he was staring out over the Washbalt skyline, his back to the table as he spoke. “For approximately the last nine months, we have enjoyed an enhanced level of control over the actions of Admiral Garret.”
A murmur of surprise ran around the table, though no one present would dare interrupt Stark. “The exact means employed to secure this improved level of influence are unimportant…” In other words, you don’t need to know, he thought as he spoke. “…however, it is reasonable to suggest that with the…ah…assistance of Admiral Garret, we will have much greater success in asserting control over naval units…regardless of what we must order them to do.”
There was uncertainty in the room, mixed with tentative understanding as those present began to realize what Stark was truly saying. However it had been achieved, Number One controlled the Naval Director. The implications of that were extraordinary.
“You may continue your report, Number Seven.” Stark was still looking out the window, contemplating his own thoughts as he listened.
“Yes, Number One.” Number Seven looked first toward Stark then out over the table. “As you are all aware, we dispatched a task force from our new Directorate naval force to blockade the planet Arcadia. The fleet commander has been ordered to provide any support General Merrick requires, though to date he has only requested the deployment of several spy satellites.”
“Indeed.” Stark voice betrayed moderate frustration. “General Merrick may be insufficiently ruthless to effectively crush the rebellion on Arcadia.” Everyone around the table was staring at the back of Stark’s head. “He is a gifted officer, which is why I chose him for the assignment. But there is more to breaking the will of the population than effective battle tactics.” The room was silent for a few seconds as he paused. “We may need to replace him with someone amenable to employing more drastic measures.” Stark paused again before turning to face the table. “Please complete your report, Number Seven.”
“Lastly, it appears we have a significant problem at Columbia.” There was a wave of groans and under-the-breath comments. Unlike everything else Number Seven had reported, this was new to them all. And the last thing they needed was a fresh problem.
“As you are aware, Admiral Garret dispatched a regular navy fleet to Columbia to support our anti-insurgency efforts there. Fleet Admiral Compton is in command, and he has orders from Admiral Garret to provide any support requested by the Planetary Governor.” He looked over at Stark.
Stark already knew what he was going to say, of course, but Burke wasn’t aware of that. “Go on, Number Seven.”
“Yes, Number One.” His voice was a little high-pitched, his nerves a bit more on edge. “Several days ago…a week, in fact…we received word that all contact with the Eta Cassiopeiae system through Commnet had been lost. This morning we have had a communication originating on Commnet from the YZ Ceti system. The transmission was sent from Commander Harrigan, who is our highest ranking operative embedded in Admiral Compton’s fleet.”
Burke cleared his throat and continued. “His report states that Admiral Compton has expressly refused the governor’s repeated requests for a nuclear strike against the rebel stronghold on Carlisle Island.” He panned his gaze across the room. “This means that Admiral Compton is in direct violation of a Priority One order.”
The room was quiet, eerily so. Burke remained standing, but said nothing further. Gradually, everyone looked over toward Stark, waiting for him to elaborate. But it wasn’t Stark who finally broke the silence.
“I counsel extreme caution in how we proceed.” Dutton’s voice was weak, so soft it was barely audible despite the fact that he was obviously struggling with the effort. “We clearly must take action, though every option is fraught with peril.”
Everyone looked at the ancient spymaster, and no one, not even Stark, interrupted. Dutton had already been an institution in Washbalt’s intelligence community when most of the people in the room were born. The true scope of his enormous inventory of contacts, information, and secrets could only be guessed at in the most speculative manner.
“It is entirely possible that Governor Cooper will be able to defeat the rebellion on Columbia without assistance from the fleet. He has been reinforced and now has over 50,000 Alliance army troops at his disposal. A direct, unsupported assault against the rebel stronghold on Carlisle Island would no doubt be a costly affair, but I suspect he has a sufficiency of force to prevail.” He paused, taking a long, wheezy breath. “Indeed, we may even be able to utilize heavy casualties to our benefit in terms of propaganda…demonizing the rebels through the Alliance media.” In the cold logic employed at Alliance Intelligence, the fact that an additional 10,000 soldiers could die was immaterial…especially if there were collateral benefits.
Dutton took a white silk cloth from his pocket and wiped his mouth. Stark had a doubtful expression on his face, but most of the others looked relieved, thinking perhaps they could simply ignore Compton for now.