That’s good news, Erik thought. Two more battlegroups would make a huge impact on Third Fleet’s preparedness, even with the recent losses. “I’m very glad to hear that, sir. I’m sure she’s going to need them.”
“Yes, I’m sure she will.” Garret this time, his expression grim. “I wish I could send her more, but we’ve got huge problems on our other borders.”
Cain had heard that the CAC and Caliphate had mobilized, but he didn’t think he should go off on a tangent. Garret would address it, he was sure. “Admiral West’s victory gave us temporary control of the space around Cornwall. Her intervention came just in time to save Colonel Teller’s survivors, and she was able to evacuate them under fire and escape from the system before enemy naval reinforcements could arrive.”
“How bad were 1 st Brigade’s losses, Erik?” Holm asked, but he didn’t sound like he really wanted to know.
Cain knew he should have included the casualty figures in his report without being asked, but he didn’t want to think about it, much less discuss it. “Colonel Teller’s forces suffered 2,695 casualties out of 4,411 engaged…61%.”
The room was silent for a minute, as everyone present considered what Teller’s Marines had been through. All for an unimportant world they had no real hope to hold. But the Corps had to get a measure of the enemy’s ground capabilities, and the job had fallen to Teller and his people. They were Marines; they did what they had to do.
Cain broke the silence, mostly because he wanted to distract himself from thinking of Teller’s casualties. “We were very successful, however, in collecting data on the enemy ground forces…including a considerable amount of debris from destroyed enemy combatants.”
“Yes, we’ve already begun inspecting it all, General. It is fascinating.” Sparks scientific enthusiasm got the better of him. Normally, he’d have never spoken out in a room full of such high-ranking officers.
“Is it fascinating, colonel?” Cain was pissed, and it was obvious from his tone. “Did you have to wipe the blood of our people off it all before it became fascinating?”
“Erik…” It was Holm. He felt the same way Cain did, but he knew Spark’s comment came from dedication to his work, not indifference to the suffering of the Marines in the field. Sparks had spent his entire adult life designing equipment to make Marines safer in battle. “I’m sure Colonel Sparks meant no disrespect to Colonel Teller and his people.”
Sparks looked at Cain, a panic-stricken expression on his face. “General Holm is right, sir. I meant no offense. It’s only that the sooner we can understand this technology the sooner we can get your people the weapons and equipment you need for this fight.” Sparks’ voice was tentative and cracking, but he managed to get it all out.
The anger drained from Cain’s face. “I’m sorry, Tom. I know how much you’ve contributed over the years.” His eyes locked on Sparks’ as he spoke. “We’re all on edge…that’s all.” Cain knew he was more than just on edge, but this wasn’t the time or place to discuss it.
“Thank you, sir. I truly meant no disrespect.” Sparks nodded…then he stayed quiet and sat very still.
Cain looked out at the assembled officers. “That’s about it. We’re doing everything we can to fortify Farpoint. We’ve got a lot to work with there…the base, the orbital facilities. I don’t know if we can hold it or not, but we can give them a hell of a fight.” He paused to see if anyone had questions, but no one said anything. “It is possible the enemy could bypass Farpoint, but extremely unlikely. It’s a long way around, and it would leave the forces at Farpoint in their rear.” He glanced at Holm, then Garret. “Militarily, both Admiral West and I agree that an attack on Farpoint is almost a certainty.”
Garret took a deep breath. “I agree, Erik. Elias, Terrance, and I already discussed it. We’re 100% behind your decisions.” He leaned back in his chair. “Do you have any other observations you want to add before we move on?”
Cain stood silently for a few seconds, thinking. Finally, he looked back at Garret and said, “Yes, admiral.” He paused again, putting his thoughts together. “Admiral West and I had a conversation about the enemy’s pacing.” He hesitated again. “I mean the time between campaigns. It seems slow to us, sir.”
“What do you read into that, Erik?” Garret had been thinking the same thing, but he wanted Cain’s read on it.
“It could be anything, sir. We just don’t have the data to develop an informed theory.” Cain paused. He knew Garret wanted a better answer than that. “But if I had to guess, sir, I’d say they have some kind of logistics issue.” He paused again then added, “If this is one of the other Powers, maybe they have a long route back to their own space.”
“I agree with you, Erik.” Garret had come to the same conclusion. For some reason it was taking the enemy a long time to resupply and move on to the next target. That was the one real piece of good news they had.
Cain moved to sit down, but he stopped and straightened himself. “There is one more thing.” Everyone looked up, waiting for him to finish. “As you know, it appears that the enemy…their ground forces at least…are entirely composed of automated units. Robots.”
“Yes, the evidence from the fighting on Cornwall seems to confirm that.” Holm wasn’t sure where Cain was going. “Beyond the obvious concerns about the technology employed, do you think this is tactically relevant?”
Cain looked uncomfortable. “Sir…” He hesitated, clearly not wanting to finish what he’d started. “Sir, I spoke with a number of officers who were engaged on Cornwall.” He stopped again.
“Yes, Erik?” Holm coaxed him to continue.
“Well, it’s just this…and I mean no disrespect to Teller’s people…my people. But they were shaken up.”
“Of course they were shaken up.” Compton had a confused look on his face. “After what they’d been through? Anyone would be a wreck.”
“Cain looked over at Compton then back at Holm. “Yes, that’s true…but this was something…different. The battle robots are so hard to kill…and they are completely relentless. They just keep coming…they don’t break, they don’t feel fear. My people are just plain scared of these things. I mean beyond the normal fear of combat.” He paused again. He hated suggesting his Marines couldn’t face the Devil himself and laugh in his face, but he felt this was important. “This enemy is getting in my peoples’ heads like nothing I’ve ever seen before.” Another uncomfortable pause. “I’m concerned about the long term morale effects in this war.”
Holm stood up slowly. “Thank you, Erik. I know everyone here appreciates your insight.” He knew how hard it was for Erik to say what he had said. In 20 years, Holm had never known Cain to admit his people might not be able to take on any enemy. “I want to review the overall strategic situation, but first I think Colonel Sparks should update us all on the current status of research into the new technologies we are facing.” He turned to face Sparks. “Colonel, if you would.”
Sparks jumped to his feet. He was the junior man in the room by far, and his faux pas with Cain had only increased his tension. “Yes, General Holm.” He paused for an instant and cleared his throat. “As all of you know, our forces in the field have been fighting against an enemy with significantly more advanced technology than we currently possess. Our operating theory has been that one of the Powers has achieved some sort of broad-based breakthrough, though it is almost certain there is some other factor at work. The technology we have seen appears to be centuries ahead of us based on normal rates of advancement. Whatever Power is behind this, they must have found something…an artifact or something similar…that allowed them to leapfrog us. I’m afraid my people don’t have any more insight in this area.”