“Power up weapons, launch fighters,” replied Huber.
He turned to Taylor.
“What have you done?”
"This shitstorm was coming whether we wanted it or not. Let's get it over with now before we really are deep in the shit."
"That was not your decision to make, Colonel."
"You put me in this position, Sir. I never wanted it."
"You see, Sir. Can you see him for the troublemaker he is?"
Taylor looked around to see Cordero standing on the bridge behind him.
"What the hell is he doing here, Admiral?"
"Captain Cordero is here to represent the interests of the Spanish Navy and her South American allies, who make up more than a sizeable amount of this fleet."
Taylor could see the smug look in Cordero's face, but he did not care for it.
"Sir, fighters are ready to launch," said Vega.
"I said launch, not prepare to launch. Get them out there!"
Taylor could see everyone on the bridge was uneasy with their position.
"Sir..." said Lieutenant Capwell.
"What is it?" he replied impatiently.
"Sir, A number of ships are moving out of formation and heading for the Lo Yang."
"What are their intentions?"
"Admiral Huang will not accept your authority," stated Cordero.
Taylor and Huber turned, suddenly realising the Spaniard knew more than he was letting on.
"All right, I'll indulge you. Speak," replied Huber.
"I am here to represent my people, who like Admiral Huang, are concerned about the direction you are taking this fleet in."
"Direction? We haven't even got a direction. We just got here."
"There are many concerned parties that do not believe you are the right man for the job, Admiral. Your track record thus far is far from exemplary."
Taylor knew he referred to their disastrous incursion into enemy territory, but that was not a fair blow to strike. General Dupont strode aboard the bridge in the silence that ensued.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded.
Taylor leaned over to him and responded quietly.
"We've got trouble. Admiral Huang is trying to seize power, and he's got a fair amount of support."
Dupont shook his head. "Huang? He's a crazy fool."
"A fool with a wealth of resources, though."
"Sir, we've got a signal coming in from the Lo Yang," said Vega.
"Put it through."
Huang appeared before them. He was a young Admiral with boyish looks, and although he must be at least thirty, he didn't look it. Huber opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Huang.
"Admiral Huber. You have been unwilling to hear and act upon the concerns of myself and many other Captains in this fleet. We therefore have no choice but to demand you stand down as Admiral of this fleet, a position that was never awarded to you, nor were you entitled to bestow upon yourself. We insist that you step down and accept negotiations as to the structure of this fleet. Or.."
"Or what? You'll fire on us? You'll fire on what remains of the human race? You wouldn't be here if it weren't for us and this ship, and don't you forget it!"
He cut off the transmission and looked to Capwell.
"Open a channel to the fleet."
"Everyone, Sir?"
"Yes, absolutely everyone, including the Lo Yang. I want everyone to hear this."
"Yes, Sir."
Capwell nodded to the Admiral to acknowledge he was now live with the entire fleet.
"This is the Admiral speaking. Admiral Huber of the Washington, flagship of the fleet. The Washington is the most powerful vessel we have, and as the highest ranked senior Naval officer, the responsibility of this fleet falls into my hands. I did not ask for this nor seek it. I don't want to rule as a President nor King. I will continue to serve in the capacity I always have done. But there are others among us who would seek to divide our forces and struggle for power themselves."
He looked to Taylor for support. Taylor nodded in agreement, and he went on.
"The survival of the fleet is dependent on us sticking together and doing what is best for us all. I will not tolerate dissent among the officers. It is a luxury we cannot afford. In time, we will establish a civilian government, and that process is already underway. But I want to assure you all, that I will do everything in my power to protect this fleet. Admiral Huang is taking up arms against us and is therefore threatening our safety. Those who would follow him and recklessly endanger all we have fought to defend, go now. Go, or stay and submit to my command."
He looked to Dupont who stood beside him in support.
"Admiral Huang, you have five minutes to recall your fighters and stand down. You may either end this peacefully so that we may go about our lives, or leave the fleet. The alternative will be your destruction."
Huber ended the transmission and watched the map projected on the table before them. He could see three warships embark for Huang's position, and one came back over to theirs.
"This will not end well."
"No, Colonel Taylor," he replied, "but I didn't pick this fight, and I'll be damned if I am going to back down and be walked over by this son of a bitch. What else could I have done?"
Taylor had no idea how to respond to that.
"I didn't say I had all the answers, but this isn't what we need right now."
"It wasn't of my choosing. If Huang wants to pick a fight, then that's his choice, but we'll be the ones to end it. Order all civilian craft to fall back twenty klicks to this point," said Huber as he pointed to the map.
"Anyone here know Huang? Anyone know what sort of man he is?"
"I do."
They looked around to see it was Cordero who had spoken.
"Will he fire on us? Is he that crazy?"
"He will do whatever is necessary to ensure the best course of action for this fleet."
"If he's as power hungry as he sounds, I have no doubt he will fire," Taylor added.
"Power hungry? That is rather rich coming from you all. You have seized power and have the audacity to call those who question it troublemakers. And you, Taylor, your loyalties turn like the wind. You are not a man to be trusted."
"Sir, I have Admiral Huang for you," said Capwell.
"Put him through!" Huber bawled.
"Admiral, stand down!" Huber pleaded with him.
"I am sorry but I cannot. If I allow you to continue on this path, it sets a dangerous precedent. If the fleet and her leaders agree to accept you as their leader, then I will stand by it, but they have not. You must stand down and bow to the will of your peers."
"I bow to nobody's will."
"Sir, Lo Yang fighters are in range of ours," Capwell interrupted.
"Don't be a fool, Huang. We cannot afford to lose lives over a petty dispute."
"There is nothing petty about this. We are fighting for the good of us all."
As he finished, Cordero quickly drew his sidearm and rushed towards Huber.
"Admiral Huber, I am placing you under arrest!"
Taylor had seen it happen out of the corner of his eye, and as the Spaniard approached the Admiral, he launched forward. With one hand he took hold of Cordero's pistol, and the other struck him full force with a straight punch to the head. Taylor forgot his strength afforded by the Reitech suit, and the impact snapped Cordero's neck. He became limp and collapsed onto the deck of the bridge. Taylor was appalled his own savagery and was speechless. He looked around to see that nobody made a single move, but Huang had seen it all on the video feed.
"Admiral Huber. Can you not see your failings? If this is how you run your ship, what hope is there for the fleet? I must insist you arrest Colonel Taylor immediately and stand down from your command."
Huber looked to Taylor and could see the sadness in his eyes, but he was appreciative, knowing what the Colonel had done for him. He looked back to Huang with disgust.