Defying the Prophet: A Military Space Opera (The Sentience Trilogy Book 2) Read Free Page B

come see me, ASAP.”
    “Aye, aye, sir, he’s probably down in the strategic combat simulator,” said Melendez. “I’ve had him running scenarios based on what we have, where and what we think we know of what the rebs have, where. I’ve been trying to prime the pump on that sixth-sense of his.”
    “Never mind, I’ll walk down there with you. I need the exercise anyway,” replied Bradley.
    When the two admirals entered the room containing the strategic combat simulator, they found Commander John “Bat” Masterson sitting in the main terminal chair with a virtual-reality helmet masking his features. The scenario he was working on was projected onto a large flat-screen on the wall, so they could easily see what he was doing.
    “Looks like he’s controlling the Confederate side himself,” noted Bradley. “Most people just enter the parameters and let the computer postulate the results.”
    “Bat has his own way of doing things,” replied Melendez. “He thinks he’s smarter than the computer, and from what I’ve seen, he just might be.”
    “I need to talk to him.”
    Melendez nodded and stepped forward to touch Masterson on the shoulder. Bat jumped like he’d been shot — and almost took Melendez’ hand off in the process. Melendez kept forgetting Bat had seen combat and didn’t react well to being startled. Masterson punched his scenario into freeze mode and ripped off the helmet. 
    “Oh… sorry, Admiral.”
    “My fault, Bat, I forgot.”
    Noticing Bradley standing behind Melendez, Bat said, “Afternoon, Admiral Bradley. What did I do this time?”
    Bradley snorted. “What makes you think you’ve done anything wrong, Bat?  Guilty conscience?”
    “No, sir,” responded Masterson. “I’ve just been in the Fleet long enough to know, when two admirals actually walk somewhere in search of a lowly commander, it’s rarely a social call and never to deliver good news. I just figured my mouth had gotten me into some kind of trouble my brain hadn’t caught up with yet.”
    Lowly commander… Yes, Bat has most definitely noticed being passed over for promotion.
    “Actually, I just wanted to ask you something,” said Admiral Bradley.
    “Fire away, Admiral.”
    “First of all, I’m curious as to what you’re discovering with these scenarios you’ve been running?” asked Bradley.
    “I think we’re in very deep shit, Admiral.”
    That answer started both admirals. “Why would you think that, Bat?” asked Admiral Bradley. “Loggins has taken Tensee and Admiral McAllister is almost ready to launch an even bigger Grand Fleet to crush Kalis at Ginia.”
    “Loggins lost most of two complete fleets and is currently so weak, two well-handled task forces could easily drive him out of Tensee, Missip and Arka completely,” replied Bat. 
    “The rebels don’t have two task forces available to them in that part of the country — not with having to defend Ginia from McAllister’s new Grand Fleet . Loggins has sufficient ships to ward off anything they have left in that area, if they were foolish enough to attempt an attack.”
    “McAllister’s fleet won’t be nearly as ‘grand’ by the time she actually launches, so Kalis won’t need all that much to defend Ginia with,” said Bat. “He could easily release one or two task forces from Ginia and send them to the western theater of operations, under a more aggressive commander.”
    “What makes you think McAllister’s Grand Fleet won’t launch at full strength?” asked Melendez.
    “Because Kalis is coming here first.”
    “To Waston?”
    “Among other places… a LOT of other places.”
    * * * *
    CONFEDERATE STELLAR ACCORD
    FLEET MOVEMENT ORDER: CLASSIFICATION TOP SECRET ULTRA
    May 3, 3862
    To: Vice Admiral Benjamin F. Stillman, Commanding Officer, TF-21
    From: Fleet Admiral Roger Kalis, Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate Fleet
    Subject:  Movement/Attack Order Authorization:  7T49KHE7A7K4X
    You are hereby directed to attack Union