The Ascent

Chapter 47

"Commander Phon, it's good to see you again. I hear you've been trying to contact me," Newman's smug face joyfully disfigured my monitor. "My congratulations for coming out of retirement, or should I offer you my condolences?" He smiled as if enjoying his own barbed humor.

"Newman, what's going on and what's happened to Smith?"

Newman's smile dropped away. "He died. It was his Pelosism."

"I'd like a copy of the autopsy report."

Newman's expression grew defensive. "We didn't do one. There was no need."

"It's standard operating procedures when someone dies in a command position."

"There was no need and we were busy trying to keep the living alive."

I stared at him but aside from turning him over to the troopers, I could think of no way to force the truth out of him. Of course I had no idea what the truth was. Newman's rise to command might have simply been innocent opportunism, but I couldn't help but feel he was guilty of something. "My chief medical director will be in contact with your chief medical director. Please ensure his full cooperation."

For a moment, Newman looked taken aback. Something that might have been guilt or fear of discovery flickered behind his eyes before a greasy smile stole across his face. He leaned forward into the camera pickup with one eyebrow raised. "No offense...." His smile widened. "But who the Hell do you think you are?"

"Ah, one moment please." I blanked the monitor and pinged my communications officer.

"Yes, sir?"

"Please establish a connection with the command AI of the Thales."

A moment later she replied, "Connection established."

I inserted a data crystal into an I/O port. "Please transmit these security certificates to the Thales."

"Transmission complete."

A new interface appeared on my data panel.

COMMANDER KENNETH PHON
SECURITY CERTIFICATE REGISTERED
COMMAND LEVEL ACCESS GRANTED

I switched my com back over to Newman.

"What did you just do? My XO says the command AI was just activated."

I smiled back at him. "Let me present my orders from the Spartan Alliance Command. You'll find Director James Sharkey's authorization included.

"That's not possible! How did you go over my head?"

"Trust me, this wasn't my idea," I said. "Spartan Command insisted I take this assignment. But now that I've accepted the job, I must have your cooperation or I will have your command." Newman glared at me.

I'm calling a meeting of all commanders in half an hour. We only have a few days to save the human race. I don't know if you qualify, but I expect you to be there anyway.

* * *

I gave the commanders all the information Sharkey gave me and directed them to prepare their ships for what might possibly be their final battle. Considering the challenges ahead and the disasters caused by breaking up the fleet, the commanders passed a resolution reforming the United Solarian Fleet and appointed me its commander. I consulted Dr. Pathfinder, one of Shines Like the Sun's former Oracles and this time the results were less dire.

The Spartans, who had snatched up all the useful supplies from the outpost before we had arrived, even suddenly started sharing. In a few days our engineers, who had had plenty of experience with makeshift repairs, had used the space dock to overhaul nearly the entire fleet. Our only problem was, as usual, our food and oxygen supplies. We desperately needed to replenish our yeast and algae stocks and none were available at La Roca.