Alpha One - Chris Burton [27]
No one stood up in support. It was clear to Neville he had lost and even Admiral Martin was swayed by the new developments. Alpha was, in essence, no longer dependent on ECG funding, and he could no longer justify the argument that ECG should maintain any control over Alpha’s actions. Commercially, Alpha was able to stand on her own, notwithstanding the significant additional costs involved in fighting a targeted and enduring campaign against the Sentinels’ Southern fleet. Having made good use of Alpha’s port and terminal facilities in recent years for commercial activities at Alpha’s home ports and the major star bases, Alpha also leased reserve and decommissioned vessels to other AFP members and provided consultancy expertise and training to anyone who requested it. They were a large commercial organization and all parties would have to come to terms with this.
Admiral Neville sat down and made a few brief notes on his tablet, before rising again and declaring a twenty-minute adjournment to prepare the necessary documentation for a special resolution. He would, he decided, make it his first action after the break to resign his leadership of the bench. This was not his game anymore. He would let the younger Admirals fight it out, and hope that the political ramifications of the vote they were about to take would make the bench see sense and hold off the total divorce of Alpha from ECG. He stood once again and collected his tablet, and left the room without further word.
Admiral Koenig waited patiently for the other members of the bench to leave the chamber before rising. He knew that it was highly likely that, by the end of today, one way or another he would become Alpha’s new Commander in Chief.
The Admirals all returned to the chamber twenty minutes later.
Admiral Neville stood and spoke for what he believed would be the last time at this forum.
“Admirals.” He said shakily. “It is with regret that I feel compelled to resign my post as CIC immediately. I shall also be tendering my resignation from Alpha with immediate effect. I feel certain the motion will go against me and I cannot knowingly be involved in this action. Alpha Fleet was established by Earth Central Government to defend the realm, and it is only by a quirk, no, a mistake in the drafting of the original articles, which allows this resolution to take place at all. Alpha will be a lesser organization without Earth’s influence, and it fills me with a deep sense of despair and anxiety for what the future holds for both the defense of Earth, its colonies, and the region in general. Today, unless I have misjudged the mood in this room, Earth has suddenly become a less stable place to live.”
He sat down, and a few moments passed before Admiral Yohoti stood up and announced himself as interim chairman, pending the establishment of a new CIC, which must be resolved today. No one questioned his actions or passed further comment. Yohoti continued by opening the debate on Alpha’s proposed independence from ECG. The arguments were brief. Those who supported Neville felt disenfranchised. They made their observations, but the stronger and more persuasive arguments came from Koenig and his supporters.
Within thirty minutes, Yohoti stood.
“Gentlemen, Ladies, I propose that we move to vote by a show of hands. All those in favor of the special resolution to amend the Articles to remove the influence of ECG please raise your hands.”
Yohoti counted twelve hands and then raised his own. Only Neville and Martin’s hands remained by their sides.
“The article is amended accordingly. Let the records show that ECG ceases to have any influence over the affairs of Alpha Fleet forthwith.”
He stood again and asked the bench to consider nominations for a new CIC. He