Alpha One - Chris Burton [46]
The Partacians fired on her once again. The plasma cannons tore into the side of her ship and within a microsecond the Rapier was ripped apart. The young life of Lieutenant Joanne Black was extinguished.
* * * *
Shenke waited for his drink to arrive before speaking. He invited Commander Jonathan Hoskins to his state room to discuss the loss of three of Halo 7’s Rapiers in yesterday’s skirmish. On the side of the Partacians, seven ships were lost.
“So your CAG sent rookies into combat and you lost both of them. Did you have any part in the decision to engage rookies?”
“No sir.” Now was not the time to defend one of his own. She broke a simple rule and he had made it clear she would not be given another chance. “I played no part. I should have checked, but this is not normally an executive decision.”
“This is a serious breach, resulting in the unnecessary loss of three good pilots and three Rapiers, including a Rapier 7. I understand seven were lost while assisting the 6’s. Was that not the Sabres’ job?”
“Yes, but this happened prior to their inclusion. I know the loss of three ships arose from the one decision. I should point out we have recovered the Seven and it is salvageable.”
“You still lost three pilots unnecessarily. You have no choice but to replace your CAG.”
“I have already reprimanded Lieutenant Collins, sir. I don’t think she will repeat this.”
“No, we need to send a message to the rest of the fleet. We cannot miss trivial issues like this. If we lose seven ships in nothing more than a combat exercise, then how will we fare against the Sentinels? I am aware this is your decision Commander. I need you to follow my lead on this.”
Hoskins agreed reluctantly, “I will speak to her.”
“Good, Commander. I don’t hold you personally responsible and I trust you will see that this is the correct decision.”
Hoskins left the Admiral’s state room and headed to the hangar. He was angry. Lieutenant Collins was a good CAG, who had made a mistake. He must bust her down, having already disciplined her, which would make him look bad; he then needed to find a suitable replacement. There was only one internal candidate. Obeya was the obvious choice. She had experience in both Rapier and Sabres, and was the only pilot with sufficient deputy CAG experience and who could assume control immediately. First he would speak to Lieutenant Collins.
Eileen Collins took it badly, but demotion was reversible. Hoskins offered her the choice to take a lead Sabre (i.e., to replace Obeya) or to assume a deputy CAG position She opted for the Deputy CAG. She didn’t wish to return to the front line, especially with a Sentinel battle imminent.
Obeya was delighted and accepted the position of CAG immediately. This was a position of responsibility and an excellent career move. Hoskins, too, was pleased because he no longer must make the decision to send Obeya into battle.
Hoskins turned toward the loss of his three pilots. His career losses numbered forty-nine. He always convinced himself that below fifty was not a significant a number. It looked large and inevitably there would soon be more losses.
He turned his attention to Lieutenant Joanna Black. She had no family listed and noted Enson Jake Carter c/o South Downs Alpha Fleet Academy in England as her next of kin. Protocol meant he didn’t have to communicate with Carter directly, as reporting ‘non family’ loss of life within Alpha was usually dealt with by the recipient’s immediate superior; in the case of an Academy, the students tutor. Hoskins put together two appropriate paragraphs praising the pilot, her life and her achievements. He repeated the exercise with the other two pilots and then despatched the messages.
Chapter