Richard returned their salute and said, Lead the way.
He walked to the ships bridge that was a hundred yards up ship, entered, and came to attention as he saw Fleet Admiral Kosiev. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Wiseman reporting as ordered, sir, he said. Damn. I just cant get used to saying that, he thought.
At ease, Colonel, Kosiev said. Do you know why youre here?
Im confused, sir. I have been released from prison for crimes that I am guilty of committing. Ive been given a command in the marines and quite frankly, I am not at all sure this is really happening.
Kosiev looked over Richards shoulder and said, Do you want to explain it?
Richard turned around and saw a chair next to the science consoles turn around, and there was Daniel. Daniel! Richard yelled and ran up and hugged the young man. Ive been so worried about you. Is everything okay?
Everything is fine, Richard. Ive had you released and assigned to the marines. It seems someone respects my opinions. Let me tell you why Ive done it. Tag put his arm around his friends shoulder and said softly, You have some spirits that need to be exorcised, and the only way that can happen is for you to balance your debt. We are going to retake Rosss world from the Alliance and were going to drop a battalion of naval marines on the largest city where the Alliance is most heavily armed. I need someone that understands the importance of saving those civilians, about thirty-five thousand of them, and wont hesitate to act. Im giving you a chance to redeem yourself for your past transgressions. There is a good possibility of heavy loss of life-you and your men are being dropped into an extremely dangerous situation-but I need you to rescue those civilians. Will you lead the attack?
Richard stared at Tag for a long moment and said, I expected to be executed for my crimes. I dont believe in throwing lives away, but I would welcome the chance to save them. Im honored that you have that much faith in me. Ive already considered my life over, so this rescue attempt holds no fear for me.
Kosiev said, Then welcome aboard, Colonel. Your officer training starts in three days, after you visit your family. These two marines will be your executive officer and your contact with command staff. Get to know them; youre going to need their expertise. Were counting on you. Dismissed.
Tag, are you going to be alright during this battle? Danielle asked.
Who can say? Ill be on our strongest ship. If we lose, then no one is safe.
I want the wedding moved up to day after tomorrow, Danielle said.
Why?
I want to make the most of the time we have left. I also want to be on board your ship until you complete the fleet training. He started to object, then looked in her eyes and knew he would be wasting his breath. So he took her in his arms and they snuggled until they fell asleep. Just before he dozed off, he heard Danielle mumble under her breath, If Eric is the best man, I hope he behaves himself.
Tag chuckled, knowing there was no way Eric would, simply because he couldnt. Eric had to stir the pot.
Chapter 26
T he wedding, which Tag thought was going to be a small affair, turned out to be one of the largest events in Directorate history. He didnt know how, but the news agencies had learned that he was head of Directorate Special Forces and they planned to broadcast the upcoming wedding. Danielle had planned for the ceremony to take place inside the church, but more than two hundred thousand people showed up and were standing outside to observe the event, so Danielle had the ceremony moved outside. It was also being been viewed by nearly every human on the planet. Everyone knew what had happened on Rosss planet, and they knew that this young man would be heavily involved with Earths response. The wedding was viewed as a symbolic response that there was going to be a tomorrow. Tag and Danielle were overwhelmed with the massive attention, and for their part could not see why there was so much interest, but then the ceremony started and they only had eyes for each other. Eric was best man and Leila was maid of honor. Lilly, Richard Wisemans youngest daughter, was the flower girl, and Maggie was a bridesmaid and was able to walk under her own power holding onto Director Nicoles arm for the ceremony. Maggie had made tremendous strides against her illness. Danielles father walked her down the aisle, and his pride could be seen by all. Danielles mother cried before, during, and after the ceremony.
Richard watched the wedding and marveled at his good fortune in having encountered Tag when he did. It had changed his life completely. Tags parents had arrived the day before, and it was quite an emotional homecoming for them.
Mom, Dad, I thought you were dead. Ive blamed myself for so many years.
Thomas, thats all ancient history. Were so proud of you, his mother said. They had spent the rest of the day catching up and getting back in touch. His father had reminded him that he always thought he would be flying around the galaxy. Tag was the happiest he had been for more than three years.
Even Atlas took part, unknown to everyone else. As Tag kissed his new bride, the sky was suddenly filled with the brightest multicolored lightning flashes they had ever seen. Tag had never seen lightning so bright that was not accompanied by thunder. Oh Tag, how beautiful; how did you do that? Danielle said.
I didnt.
Then he heard it in his mind: Happy wedding day is the correct phrase, right?
Yes it is, thought Tag. Is this your doing?
I thought it would add a spot of color to the festivities.
You were right, my friend. Thank you, Atlas.
Around the Earth, everyone saw that multicolored lightning in a cloudless sky, and for the people of Earth it became a symbol of hope. It united humankind to look forward to the future with a common vision. Soon colorful lightning bolts began showing up on childrens clothing, and even adults had small lightning pins they wore through the day.
Ten days later, Kosiev and Tag sat on the bridge of the Washington and discussed their plans to retake Ross from the Alliance. Its important that we not give away how many ships we have, Tag said. That means that in every initial conflict we are going to have to allow ourselves to be heavily outnumbered.
What do you mean by heavily? Kosiev asked. I dont want to throw away our mens lives.
Two to one and maybe even higher in future conflicts, depending on the class of ships the Alliance sends. We have got to maintain the facade of being weaker. Were going to send one hundred ships against the Cainth fleet surrounding Ross. Prior to our attack were going to send two hundred ships to block any attempt at escape by the Alliance forces.
How do you plan to prevent the Alliance ships from seeing the blocking force with their sensors?
Both our blocking and attacking forces will jump into the system on the other side of the star from Ross. This will prevent them from seeing our star drive entry points. We will then go to full acceleration and use the stars gravity to slingshot us around. All of our ships will have their power turned down to minimal levels during and right after we pass the sun. The blocking force will go to the left of the sun and should be outside the range of their sensors. They will coast to the star drive limit and then spread out. We wont be able to contact them, so were going to give them a twenty-four-hour head start. The attacking force will follow one day later and will slingshot around the right side of the sun on the shortest route to Ross. We will again go to minimal power, and it will take thirty hours to reach the planet at nine hundred miles per second. We know that eventually the Alliance ships will detect us with their mass sensors. When they do, we will then go to full power and acceleration and engage them.
What about the population on the ground? Kosiev asked. If they learn about our attack they could start killing the civilians.