Tipping Point in the Alliance War Read Free Page A

front of Captain Niles. 
    ***
    (The minstock are another species who are able to survive in a
human habitat - although, not very comfortably.  Captain Baarg is a minstock of the
‘warrior caste’ and she, therefore, relishes discomfort.  Living in
discomfort is viewed as just another challenge, which will work to improve her
character. 
    The minstock warrior caste is bred for war and their societies
are almost always at war - usually with each other.  Since the war with
the Confederation began, the minstock planets have a
common enemy and they are enjoying being at peace, within their species. 
    The minstock familial relationships are similar to humans, in
that the couple often remains in a family unit for a long time – sometimes, for
the duration.  Captain Baarg doesn’t volunteer
any specifics on her familial relationships, and Captain Niles is careful not
to ask.
     Captain Baarg is massive, as compared to human Marines. 
She is well over 7.5 feet tall, with long arms, short legs, and a large head -
which gives her an appearance somewhat like an earth gorilla - but without
fur. 
    Captain Baarg is also, obviously, very pregnant.  Being
pregnant is of no concern to the minstock warrior.  It is just a little more suffering, which will work to improve
her character.  The pregnancy is, however, making it a very tight fit to
get into her space-armor.)
    ***
    Following
some more pleasantries and personal interaction, primarily centered on Captain Baarg , Captain Niles gets to the purpose for the meeting.
    “I’m
sure that everyone here knows about the loss of the Alliance fleet in the Capernic system.  Our mission is to go to the location
of that battle, in order to assess damages, collect information, and search for
survivors.  There is a possibility that we are entering a hostile
environment, with Confederation ships awaiting our arrival.  The purpose
of this meeting is to plan for that possibility.
    While
we are in warp, the Courageous will go to Alert Level 4, which is just one
level below Battle Stations.  There is no reason to expect hostilities
while in warp-space, but we do know that the Confederation forces can detect
activity in warp-space, and that they can pull ships out of warp.  We need
to be prepared for that scenario.  We need to be combat-ready at all
times.
    Work
quickly to familiarize every Marine with the layout of the ship.  They
need to be able to deploy to any part of the Courageous, on command. 
Also, make it a practice to keep a Ready Team of Marines suited-up, in Space
Armor, for every shift.  I think that 10 member teams will be
sufficient.  I’m not expecting that the ship will be boarded, but it can’t
hurt to be prepared.
    I want
us to consider this relationship to be a mesh of Navy and Marines, rather than
two separate groups living together.  We have 6 more days in transit,
before we reach the edge of the Sol gravity well.  And then we have 17
days of warp-space travel time.  I want to invest that time - as opposed to
merely spending that time - by planning and drilling, so that the Marines and
the crew can work as a single unit. 
    There
are computer simulation stations in crew lounge areas and in the Training
Center.  Appoint officers to select combat simulations, which will improve
teamwork between Marines and the ship’s crew.  Rotate everyone through
those simulations until they are proficient.  The simulators should be
constantly in use.  In addition to the simulations, conduct combat drills
involving the Marines and crew.  Everyone should know their way around the
ship.  Everyone should know how to put out a fire.  Everyone should
know how to kill an enemy attacker.
    For
the officers, I want brainstorming sessions - with Marines officers and ship’s
officers together - to imagine possible scenarios and develop appropriate
contingency plans.
     
We need to be razor sharp when we drop out of warp, and we have about three
weeks to get that way.  When we