“What I suggest is irrelevant because you will not like it. And what you propose is unacceptable to those of us who have the safety of the fleet in mind.”
“That is not an answer, General.”
Taylor could see Dupont had to use all his willpower to refrain himself from launching a verbal assault against Bletchley, but somehow he managed it.
“Well?” Bletchley asked.
Dupont took a deep breath and finally spoke.
“Everyone around this table holds a substantial position of power. They did on Earth, and they continue to do so now. We each have concerns over our own little bit of power, whether we like it or not. None of us wants to compromise, and every one of us has some grand idea of how we should proceed. So we are at a crossroads. We need to try something different.”
Nobody said a word and waited to hear the magical solution to their problems.
“There is only one man in this room who can speak without bias or concern over his stake in a parliament or a fleet; one man who will put humanity first, and say and act without any hidden agenda. Colonel Mitch Taylor. A man I grew to hate and then love. I say we ask him to moderate, to decide what we should do. How better to act than ask a man of principle to decide for us?”
Taylor was shocked as discussions broke out through the room.
“Silence!” Huber ordered.
He got it.
“I agree with General Dupont. I have no idea what Colonel Taylor’s opinions are on these matters, but I trust in his judgement. Let’s hear him out. And if we can all agree with his take on this, perhaps there is a chance of getting this sorted yet, agreed?”
There was general agreement to at least hear Taylor out. Huber looked to Taylor to get started, but he didn’t know where to begin. He had not planned a single word for the meeting, nor thought about anything as monumentally important as this. He coughed and cleared his throat, slowly looking around.
“I…I am not of this world, but I will give you my opinion. We are at war, and this a military fleet under wartime conditions. All decisions regarding fleet movements and activity must fall under military authority. However, the military cannot govern civilians. I thought all of this was clear to everyone. The civilians must manage and govern civilian life, while working within the framework of a military operation. These are wartime conditions, and you all have your part to play.”
No one spoke as they waited for him to continue.
“We must have a civilian government for the human race, but that government must respect the knowledge and experiences of those who protect this fleet and have enabled humanity to go on. So form a government. Have military representatives within it to advise but not command the government. But activity regarding fleet management, manoeuvres, and strategy must remain within the hands of capable military leaders.”
Huber looked to Bletchley, who was at least a little appeased by his proposal.
“But you will still have a Naval Admiral holding supreme power among us?” he asked.
“While you remain under the protection of the Navy, yes. When we return to Earth, or establish a colony elsewhere, that can change. But right now, you are refugees under the protection of the Navy and other armed forces. They cannot protect you to the best of their abilities unless they are able to do so in the best manner they know how.”
Bletchley looked around for support, but he wasn’t getting it. Most of the other representatives were happy with what they had heard.
“Finally, some progress,” replied Huber, “It’s as simple as this. I want a vote. A majority agreement with Taylor’s proposals will see it pass, and we will jointly establish the representatives to make it happen. So now, a show of hands, all in favour.”
Fifteen hands went up, and it brought a smile to Huber and a sigh of relief.
“Thank you, Gentlemen. We will resume this meeting at 0800 hours tomorrow.”
Taylor was quickly out of his seat and heading for the door. Huber followed him. As they got to the corridor outside, the Admiral reached for his shoulder and stopped him dead.
“Thank you, Colonel. Thank you for standing with us.”
“I didn’t,” he replied, “I stood for what I believe is best for us all.”
Chapter 4
“First question we have to ask ourselves, and we should have dealt with this much sooner, where are we, and what the hell is the significance of this place?” Huber asked.
Taylor found himself sitting at a different table now, one with just military officials and civilian experts.
“Let me welcome Mr Reiter, who some of you have met, and all are familiar with his technology.”
Reiter stepped into the room with his arm in a brace and a bandage around his forehead.
“Mr Reiter was lucky enough to make it off Earth with only minor injuries.”
Taylor stepped up to Reiter and shook his good arm.
“Glad you made it, Doc. We need you.”
“I know,” he replied modestly.
“Okay, so I want some answers. This system we’re in, what’s here? Are there living inhabitants? What the hell is that gateway, and whom does it belong to? Do the Krys know of our location? What planets do we have here, what resources do they hold, and are any of them habitable to any degree? These are the questions that need answers as quickly as can be done. You have been allocated into research teams to make this happen. Get moving and do your jobs.”
Taylor didn’t even know what he was doing there, as he could do little to help with what they needed, but he kept his mouth shut and waited.
“Sir, I’ve got Admiral Huang on the line. He has requested to talk with you immediately,” said one of his staff nearby.
Huber shook his head.
“All right, I’ll take it in my quarters,” he looked to Taylor, “Come with me.”
Taylor couldn’t help but feel he was being paraded around as a blunt instrument in Huber’s toolbox, but there was nothing he could do about it. He followed the Admiral and took a seat opposite his desk, outside of the view of the transmission about to come through. The Chinese Admiral was displayed for Huber a few seconds later. Taylor had never seen the man before and that surprised him.
Why was he not at the meeting with Bletchley? Taylor asked himself.
“Admiral Huber. I hear you have assumed command of this fleet and are instating a government to rule it. We have not authorised this decision, and we do not accept your self imposed position as our leader.”
Here comes trouble, Taylor thought.
“As the most senior and longest serving officer of this fleet, it is both my right and duty to take the reins and see this thing through,” Huber responded.
“I will not…”
Huber interrupted with a stronger tone.
“Let me make myself clear, Rear Admiral. I have seniority, and I am the leader of this fleet. Should you have a problem with that, you are most welcome to depart this fleet and go your own way. But I cannot advise more strongly against it.”
Huang was speechless.
“So you will shut me and my people out? You consider that acceptable?”
“No, as a leader of your people, I fully welcome your input on all military matters, and advise you to put forward representatives for whatever government may be formed in the coming days.”
“You are going to far with this, Admiral. You have not heard the last on this matter.”
The transmission ended. Huber simply reached for the bottle of whisky on his desk and poured it out into two glasses before passing one to Taylor. He would never have accepted it under normal circumstances in the past, but these were not normal circumstances. He took the glass and sipped it to find it was a smooth oak flavoured vintage that sparked all his senses and brought a lovely warmth.