Full Circle Snippet

Okay, here we go!

Act I

 

Chapter 1

 

Rear Admiral Horatio Logan finally felt like they were getting somewhere in Bek. More specifically, in getting the navy sorted out. The civilian side was still a mess, one he didn't even want to have to think about.

Fortunately, he didn't have to deal with that part that much. Just the contractors and subcontractors supplying parts to the yards.

Ten months had passed since Admiral Irons had left. They had begun sending ships to B-102c. As he watched the first ship in the latest production line began its journey. He smiled politely as the yard dogs and assembly cheered the welding of the first components. She was a carrier, a full fleet carrier.

They had a right to cheer; it was hard work. Bek was also limited on starships it could produce. At the moment they were allowed to build heavy cruisers, battle cruisers, escort, light, standard, and fleet carriers and that was it. Many of the ships needed final fitting out and even a minor refit in Pyrax.

He stood behind Admiral Zekowitz and listened politely as Vice Admiral Sharp Reflexes waxed a little bit about how the new production line was a further step forward in bringing Bek back to life.

Life had never left Bek. Despite the recession tearing the economy apart the people were still getting fed, they were still figuring things out. It was just not as rosy as it had once been.

But it would get there again, that he was certain of.

He nodded to Rear Admiral Bolt. The small white Neodog had done his part to make sure they had the parts to feed the new production line. He was pushing to use the civilian subcontractors to supply the navy. At the moment they were supplementing the limited production feed from their industry. He was fairly certain they'd draw in parity with the navy's in-house production at some point. The navy's in-house production would keep prices in check though.

As long as the navy didn't bow to pressure to sell out. Which wouldn't happen with Admiral Irons in overall command. Not again, he reminded himself.

He was weary. He knew it. He saw some of the slackness in his face in the mirror each morning. A lot of him had been burned out in prison. But, he'd gotten through it. He'd survived it. It hadn't been easy, but he'd done it.

Occasional visits to the Sema residence or just a day off helped a little. What he really needed was a long liberty to decompress. He was afraid if he didn't have something to do, something to constantly keep his mind busy though he'd be forced to dwell on what he'd been through with adverse effects to his mood.

But, that was a problem for the future he reminded himself as he applauded with the audience as the Vice Admiral wrapped up his speech.

~~(O)~~

“I'm glad that's over with for another day,” Vice Admiral Sharp Reflexes stated. The male T'clock carrier admiral had taken charge of Bek B during the Childress civil war as some historians were already calling it. He'd kept a lid on the hot heads on his side while putting pressure on Omar to fold.

It hadn't worked but it had led to others like Odette Champion and Yukio Yashido to come over to his side and eventually protect Admiral Irons during his timely arrival.

“Yes sir,” Rear Admiral Ben Ross, his head of Operations stated with a nod.

“How are we with things?” the admiral asked. “Are you getting anywhere with carrier ops?”

Ben loosened his collar as he took his customary seat. “So far so good,” he said, glad they'd gotten out of the reception. “Training is an ongoing issue,” he said, looking over to Rear Admiral Aloysius.

The Neoorangutan's large lips made a puttering sound. “You are telling me! The good news is, the sleep teaching is helping a lot. And we've gotten a handle on most of the basic training. We already knew most of it, it's just a matter of getting up to speed on the new hardware and learning the new tactics that go with them.”

The T'clock bobbed his antenna in assent at what he already knew.

“We do have some problems but we're trying to work it out.”

“Try?”

“We will work them out sir,” the ape amended.

“Right,” the T'clock stated firmly, turning his heart shaped head to the head of ONI.

Rear Admiral Yukio Yashido grimaced as he pointed both antennas at her. “Cleaning house is still an ongoing effort. Downsizing is also an issue. We are making some headway by shipping some people to the outer Federation or retiring them.”

Ben nodded slightly.

“The biggest issue I've got is some people think they can now slip back into the business as usual mode. The old method of scratching each other's backs and such,” she said with a grimace.

“Not going to happen,” the T'clock growled. “We need people to settle in but I don't like the idea of them getting that comfortable.”

“We're still working on it sir.”

“Make sure you cover everything,” Ben stated.

“Oh, we are. I'm handing most of it over to NCIS and JAG,” she stated with a nod to General Hirohata.

“We're still dealing with the worst of the Childress civil war. But we're getting there,” the General stated. “We have had issues with new cases coming up.”

“Oh? You mean like what...” Ben paused when the General shook his head. “Then what?”

“We were hit with appeals from previous cases. Since there are issues with some of the cases using tainted methods and many of the former NCIS agents and JAGs involved are now in prison, we've had to go over the cases. Some have been reduced or dismissed. It is an ongoing mess.”

“So I heard from your emails,” Admiral Sharp Reflexes stated dryly. “Do your best.”

“We are sir. The outsiders Admiral Irons has brought has helped. No one can accuse them of being biased or tainted,” he stated.

“Good to know.”

“And the A.I. have helped immensely. They've sifted through the electronic evidence rather quickly. It has cleared up a lot of incongruities for us,” the TJAG stated.

“Good.”

Ben nodded but he could see Rear Admiral Paulette Fournier the Neochimp head of BuPers grimace slightly at the reference. She should know better but he didn't say anything.

“When can we see the next production line set up, Zek?” Paulette asked, turning to Vice Admiral Melvin Zekowitz, the head of BuShips.

“We're working on it. We're still retooling the lines we bought,” he stated.

“Well, I've got a lot of people ready to man those ships when you have them ready,” she stated. “We're shipping some out to the outer Federation but I'd like to see some of them held here,” she stated. “We need a new core to build around.”

“Understood. As I said, we're working on it,” Zek replied neutrally.

“Okay, since that's covered, I understand Admiral Nilsson has a pitch about more training exercises she wants to try. That's why I asked Hilda to be here with us. Hilda? The floor is yours.”

“Thank you, sir,” Hilda stated. “I've been working closely with Ben and Paulette. What I'd like to do is to use the ships recently refitted and run our people through a series of fleet training exercises using the latest doctrine we've gotten from the war-front...”

~~(O)~~