Fiction: The Girassian Debacle Chapter 7: A Great Team

Previous Chapter 6: Time for Most https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2022/11/27/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-6-time-for-most/

Lieutenant Ikram Ahktar-Gatewood had the watch on the bridge of the London with orders to maintain synchronous orbit fifteen kilometers behind the Alpha One Station. As Chief Engineer, he had his team generate the orders for the helm without using Yoshi, their biodroid pilot.  After the near catastrophe with Yoshi at the helm, he felt it prudent to take direct control of the ship’s course. 

Akhtar-Gatewood had been on the bridge with Commander Song in the aftermath of the near collision with Alpha One. It had been ugly as Rankin reprimanded Song for disobeying his order, throwing the book at her for several actions. He dismissed Commander Song from duty and promoted Lieutenant Gray to acting-XO. She was still in the Security Section attending to the retrieval of the six marines who had been killed in the explosion at the Poseidon. He awaited her arrival.

Anxious to leave the bridge, he left as soon as Gray arrived and dismissed him.  He went directly to Engineering where Chief Freihoff awaited him with Yoshi.“We’ve lost our XO,” Ahktar-Gatewood said shaking his head. 

“She is not lost,” Yoshi said. “When I check the ship I find she is in the Security Division.” 

Freihoff and Ahktar-Gatewood looked at Yoshi. “I’m kind of worried about you, Yoshi,” Freihoff  said. “You’re always accurate and Commander Song is not our XO anymore.  That is why Ikram said we ‘lost’ her. You can only have one XO and now it’s Lieutenant Gray per order of Admiral Rankin.”

“Chief Freihoff, you are now the one being inaccurate. Madelaine Gray is acting-XO. She is a lieutenant and fulfilling a provisional assignment.”

“Don’t change the subject on me. How do you explain not being accurate about Song?” 

The BDP squatted on his chair, frowned and closed his eyes. “Yoshi needs to run a full analysis of its decision algorithms. Somehow Yoshi’s decision matrix placed Song as an XO that could not be replaced by a lieutenant.” They could see he quietly worked to solve the question.

“The last thing we need to do right now is misunderstand each other,” Ikram said. “Use of the word ‘lost’ is an idiom of sorts, Gerhard. Yoshi obviously was responding to ‘lost’ as needing to locate Song. Unfortunately, for us all of us, she’s been removed from command. We have ‘lost’ her as XO.” 

Yoshi opened his eyes and brightened. “The explanations have been found. Lieutenant Ahktar-Gatewood is correct. The statement regarding Song being ‘lost’ triggered the search for her location on the ship. No crew member has been lost. All are accounted for. At the time of the Lieutenant’s request, no review of other possible definitions of ‘lost’ was considered.”

Secondly, Commander Song is a promoted, real XO. Lieutenant Gray is not an XO in function. She is only acting as one. Commander Song will always be my XO. My algorithm did not consider the  weight of acting vs confirmed.”

“Yoshi, you’re not being asked to assess the relative attributes of Gray and Song against the skills needed for XO. You must stay precise to the command structure.” Freihoff shook his head.  “Put this in your database if it is not there. As acting -XO, Lieutenant Gray is the voice of Captain Maureau. Unless you are given a change in her status as acting-XO., she is to be obeyed without hesitation or questioning. Do you have that?”

“Yes. Yoshi will obey without questioning.  Chief Freihoff? Is it proper to offer alternatives that might be better than her proposed actions?”

“Run them through me, Yoshi. Or Ikram, if it has to do with navigation. I will filter the ones I believe the commanders will want to be aware of. You are not to act contrary to orders!”

“Calm down, Gerhard, I think we’re all stressed out.” 

“Yoshi is not stressed out,” Yoshi said closing his eyes again.

Freihoff sighed. “No kidding. Let’s work together and find out if we made any mistakes. We may be able to support both Maureau and Song with analysis of what happened and how we fit into it.”

They worked together for more than an hour and half. Yoshi brought up his projections and Akhtar-Gatewood generated data from the actual events of the  collision. The projection of Poseidon’s drift by Yoshi matched exactly what happened. They worked the data over several times, repeatedly confirming Yoshi’s recommendation for Diomedes to break and yaw to starboard would have prevented collision with the Poseidon.  Their biodroid pilot had accurately predicted the accident and the means of avoiding it.

Admiral Rankin’s rebuke of Song for not using the standard navigation channel did not make sense. The Diomedes was his former command and his reprimand of Song seemed an emotional response taking away some blame from Diomedes’ bridge for the collision. . The watch of the Diomedes was trying to deflect attention away from their mistaken decision to accelerate forward by turning Song’s communication back against her.  The warning was not a standard recommendation. It was an “O-day alert,”calling for immediate action by another ship and had been authorized by Captain Maureau.  She did not have time to run her alert through the standard navigation channel and was acting on his orders. Yoshi’s projections clearly showed that every second counted. 

The O-day alert, the officers on the bridge of the Diomedes argued, caused a delay in firing of the impulse rockets as Song’s warning was considered and then rejected. Unfortunately for them, Yoshi’s work demonstrated this to be a specious argument. Modeled data showed that had the Diomedes accelerated earlier, at the moment they received the O-day call, the Diomedes would actually have hit the Poseidon deeper, tearing into it worse than it did. While Diomedes might argue they did not have enough time to consider the alert, they could not fault the bridge of the London, much less her XO, for trying to alert them.

But the analytic work Freihoff, Akhtar-Gatewood, and Yoshi did regarding Song’s decision to race to rescue Maureau worried them. Not only had she ignored a direct order of Admiral Rankin, but she acted on what turned out to be only a fifty-five percent chance that the London would not collide with Alpha One Station. This left a forty-five percent probability the London would have collided with the Station, subjecting it to destructive forces far greater than the rocket blast that ended up buckling the Station’s plastiglass hull.  A near fifty percent chance of a fatal disaster was way to high for a commander of a ship to accept in order to save two star-sailors. Her decision clearly put many people at risk for death. Maureau was expendable compared to the risk. 

Song had not asked what the chances were for failure while Yoshi did not offered the data that could have been considered. Freihoff and Ahktar-Gatewood appreciated Yoshi’s data that revealed all of his analysis and how he needed to reassess things after she gave her order. In the end Yoshi needed to use harder retro-acceleration to break than he had initially calculated. They wondered what this portended for future recommendations from Yoshi.

_________

Only twelve hours after regaining consciousness, Captain Maureau arrived on the Poseidon for a debriefing with the entire command of the Task Force.  If the London felt like a funeral home with the mourning of its lost marines, the Poseidon felt like a morgue. At least on the London there were caring people openly supporting one another. The Poseidon was cold and silent. 

He arrived early with Doctor Gladman and Lieutenant Gray and they sat in the first row of the empty tiered Briefing Hall. The doctor had advised against his attendance, again asserting that  it was too early for him to endure the physical and mental stress which was sure to ensue. Gladman acquiesced to Maureau’s demand that he attend in person by insisting that he be able to accompany Maureau. 

  Maureau knew Gladman believed he could step in and have Maureau dismissed for medical indications if the Doctor judged Maureau required it. Ah my good Doctor, things don’t work that way. I don’t thing you will be able to get a word in if things get to a high level of confrontation. But I appreciate your concern.

Doctor Gladman sat to Maureau’s right, Gray to his left. They waited silently as the room began to fill. Chief Freihoff and Ahktar-Gatewood told him that Yoshi’s analytic capability was more powerful than any of the BDP’s in the Task Force. They had gone over their own analysis of the events of the collision and Maureau was confident the officers of the Diomedes were only trying to save face, offload some of the blame for their collision with the Poseidon. He hoped everyone would see that. But he could not read the response of his fellow officers as they entered the hall. Some ignored him, not meeting his gaze. Others simply nodded. 

Maureau had watched the video of the London’s stop just short of the Station. He marveled at how Yoshi had predicted what would happen. Close, but not perfect. “The view port’s plastiglass will hold for two minutes and fifteen point three seconds,” Yoshi reported. The collapse of the plastiglass occurred in two minutes and thirteen seconds. Yoshi delivered projections with precise numbers that could be relied on. We think him to be near-perfect. And he is. But there are always probability estimates. He does not always report them and they need to be taken into account in decision making. We have to continue refine how he works with us. And continue to work on our command decision analysis when working with him.

Maureau would not argue against Admiral Rankin’s indictment of Song for disobeying his direct order and endangering the Station with its delegation. He could not dismiss the analysis of his own navigation team. The near fifty percent chance that the London would hit the view port of the Station argued against a captain taking the risk she did. But Yoshi assures me that his calculations show me hitting the Station head first, at four hundred fifty kilometers per hour.  While Yoshi is not perfect, I don’t need two decimal points of certainty to trust him I would have been killed. Song saved me! I owe her my life and need to protect her any way I can.  

Doctor Gladman and Gray both turned around and watched people as they arrived. They both seem more concerned over making contact with the Task Force’s senior leadership than in being here for me, their captain. That’s like Gladman. But Gray? I guess she’s excited over being the acting-XO. Approved by Rankin. That’s a big accomplishment for her, something she always wanted. 

Captain Angelique Plotkin sat down next to Gray. She smiled sadly. “Pretty messed up, isn’t it?”

“Many things have gone wrong to get here,” Maureau said.

Gray introduced herself to Plotkin as the acting-XO. “Our ships will need to work closely together.  I will work closely with your bridge,” Gray assured Plotkin, who simply smiled without saying anything.

There was quiet conversation, like at a wake, as they waited for Rankin.  One everyone had arrived the hall became ever more quiet the longer they waited. People could hear others around them breathing. Finally, Rankin stepped into the room with his XO from the Poseidon. Everyone stood and saluted like they were cadets. He looked tired, but retained the angry energy to glare at them, avoiding directly looking at Maureau.

“Be seated.  I will cut to the chase. The Poseidon drifted towards the Diomedes on a collision course. The Diomedes in its response to avoid being hit was unable to power up soon enough and move out of the way. When it did accelerate it was unable to clear the Poseidon and we collided.”

Rankin paused and surveyed the room. Still, he avoided Maureau’s look. “We have had casualties. Deaths. There are several things we are looking into to unravel this catastrophe. This deadly fiasco. The tugs failed to execute. That may be all there is to it. Several pilots are being questioned now regarding their response to their instrument data.

“Secondly, there was a problem with the Diomedes’ BDP integrating with the Action Information Center. The margin for error should never have been an issue during this operation.

“Last. Communication from the London was not through the Navigation channel so it could not be acted upon by Diomedes’ Navigation Section. This confused the response. With a delayed response it was too late to avoid the collision.”

Maureau could not believe his ship was being called out in front of the Task Force captains and their XO’s. He was happy Song was not there to experience this. He waited to be acknowledged by Rankin.  Not everyone here can be so biased they will not consider the facts!  He wants to call out my ship in front of everyone. Well, here goes nothing.

Maureau stood up and before Rankin had time to wave him to silence. “With respect, Sir. The record shows our O-day warning came into Diomedes forty-five seconds before their aft rockets were fired launching it into the Poseidon. We identified our call as an emergency communication, and it should have been considered as such.We repeated it and Diomedes had time to consider it and chose to dismiss it.”

Plotkin looked alarmed looking from Rankin to Maureau. Gray pulled herself up in her seat and looked straight ahead. Dr. Gladman had his worried face on, showing concern over Maureau’s sanity, or at least his emotional judgement.

“Forty-five seconds! Is that all the time you give a cruiser to change its planned course?” Rankin had finally turned his gaze to Maureau and it was dark with rage.

“Our BDP had just completed the analysis. I take responsibility for  our XO broadcasting the information as an O-day warning. I do not take responsibility for the collision. The decision to accelerate was the wrong one.”

There was audible shifting in the room. “Diomedes, you do not have to respond to that! This is not the place where the facts will be reviewed,” Rankin growled. 

“Thank you, Sir. I agree that the facts should not be reviewed here.” Maureau sat down.

Rankin paused, looking out over the room. He seemed to work to let the pressure inside him lower. Then he said, “The London was involved in the explosion that damaged the Poseidon beyond repair for this Task Force mission. Again confusion between its marines and the repair team. And keep seated, Maureau.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Maureau said, choosing to speak from his seat. “Again the voice recordings clearly document a warning that was dismissed. I was there and saw it first hand. Confusion does not dismiss acting before things are straightened out. The London lost six marines while saving seventeen crewmen of the Poseidon.”

“Poseidon also lost more of its crew in that explosion. We did not need your marines repairing our ship.” His fists clenched. “And you did not need to go space side. A captain belongs on the bridge during a crisis,” Rankin retorted.

“My XO was more than qualified to keep the London fixed in its position.”

“Your XO? Your XO directly disobeyed my order to halt in chasing you, putting the Station and the review delegation in mortal danger. It’s only luck that saved the delegation.” Rankin ran his hand through his hair and then pounded the podium.

Maureau did not know what to say to this. He was shocked that Rankin had brought this up at the Task Force debriefing.

“Captain Maureau,” Rankin continued, “Every officer takes a risk of dying, especially when they choose to go space side. I regret to say, saving you was a rash decision.” 

“Had she obeyed you, your anointed XO, Lieutenant Gray, and I would not be here to trouble you with the facts.” Maureau’s voice cracked with emotion.

Rankin glared at Maureau. He ran his hand through his hair a second time, bringing out the apparition of a lion he was known for displaying.  He pounded out on the podium, “No more interruptions. Do not chose to disobey an order from me as your XO did.”

Plotkin looked over at Maureau. She looked alarmed over how out of control both officers had become.. 

It seemed to Maureau that Rankin was being defensive now in front of his command. What am I? Some schoolboy being dismissed from class? You brought this  on yourself. Asked for it. You’re not used to anyone standing up for themself?

Maureau became lightheaded, pale and clammy. Gladman was right. He did need to take it easy. Doctor Gladman grabbed his arm. “Are you all right, Captain?”

“Why shouldn’t I be?” he said under his breath, fighting not to gag as nausea overwhelmed him.

Gladman helped him up and looked at Rankin, nodding at Rankin to indicate he was stepping in as a Medical Officer. Maureau had had enough and let Gladman help him out of the hall. 

Passing Gray he said, loud enough for those around her to hear, “Cover our ship, and me, Lieutenant.” Once in the passageway Gladman said, “Let’s go back to the ship.”  

“No. We wait for Gray. Their officer’s mess will be open to us. Let’s go there.”  They sat for more than half an hour, Maureau completely expecting he would be relieved of his command. Gladman went through the line and brought him some tea. Maureau appreciated the doctor’s care.  

“You know, you should not have gone to this meeting,” Gladman said. “It was too soon. Post-concussion irritability may have affected your responses. Made you prone to reacting emotionally.”

“So what is Rankin’s excuse then? And it wasn’t too soon for Gray?”

“Gray was less affected by the blast than you were,” Gladman said in a soothing tone. “Her injury was not as severe. Her sensorium had cleared before we brought her in from space. Almost immediately.”

“Maybe Rankin will give her a field promotion to captain of the London while I sit here,”  Maureau said.

“Anthony, you know, anything is possible. With a promotion to lieutenant commander, she would be eligible to captain a corvette.  Under supervision, I would expect, it’s not impossible she could captain the London.” 

It stung to have his fears confirmed by Gladman. The doctor could be like that, one moment  being supportive, but then reminding you of your vulnerability. “Doc, I’m still captain. Address me as Captain.” He finished his tea, silently waiting for Gray. Gladman did not say anything more.  

___________

Gray caught up with Maureau in the mess after an hour. In meditation, he had fallen asleep and her call over his ear piece jarred him. She showed up with Captain Plotkin. Plotkin’s appearance with Gray confirmed his fear that he had been relieved of command. Rankin does not even have the decency to deliver the message himself.

“Captain.” Gray stood straight, formal, as if on inspection. Plotkin stood behind her. “I will ask Doctor Gladman to excuse himself so that we may discuss orders in confidence.”

“Let’s sit down,” Plotkin said, sitting opposite Maureau. Gray sat down to his right.

“Admiral Rankin will await the arrival of the ULE Athena to use as his flagship. It will arrive in one day and he is going to give it five days to re-provision.” Gray spoke forcefully, like she was giving orders. “I am to continue as your XO, Captain.”

“Excellent. Have you been given a field promotion, to Lieutenant Commander?”

“Yes, Sir. I have.” Gray looked at Plotkin.

“Congratulations, on being promoted to Lieutenant Commander.”

Plotkin leaned forward. “Captain Maureau, I do not believe you bear responsibility for Poseidon’s collision or for the explosion. I am sure there are others that see it this way and are behind you.”

“Thank you.” He wondered if this was actually true, but it still was nice she said it. The last time they had met, things were unpleasant between her and his crew.  “Captain Plotkin, you must be here for more than consoling me.”

“I am,” Plotkin started and paused.  “I am here in person to inform you that  Rankin has assigned me command of a secondary side-mission the Chicago and London will be given when we are in Girassian space.”

He showed no emotion. “I trust, as a peer in experience, you will be open to recommendations from me. When will we get our orders on this side-mission you are leading?”

““We’ll review the mission together after we get through the Portal into Girassian Space. Of course, Anthony, we both want our mission to go well.” Maureau flinched. He did not like being addressed by his first name while in duty. You did that on purpose, patronizing me. 

“Commander Gray and I have spoken just now, before coming here to meet with you. I know we will have no problems working together.”

That’s great. Am I being paranoid? The two of them met without me, confirming they will have a good working relationship behind my back. Before I even knew of the promotions and the new command structure. Was this initiative by Gray? Or Plotkin worrying about my reliability? Probably both.

“That’s good,” Maureau said. “I’ll want you to be able to work with my XO as I delegate to her.”

“I assure you, Captain Maureau, we will be a great team,” Plotkin said. 

He stood up, bracing himself momentarily on the table. “Captain, thank you for letting me know about all these things in person. I trust we are  done here.”

Maureau, Gladman, and Gray flew back in silence to the London. Maureau’s countenance invited no conversation. Once onboard the London, Maureau headed towards his quarters. “Dr. Gladman, I’m taking you up on getting rest. And not in the Medical Bay.”

As he left them he turned to say to Gray. “Make sure the formal orders for your promotion come in for me to review.”  He stopped and thought for a moment. “Oh, and if they are not already in, get the orders regarding Plotkin’s command over the London too. If you have to go to Rankin, do so.”

“Captain, I need to clear you for duty,” Gladman said.

The look Maureau gave Gladman shrank Gladman. “Sure, Doctor. You go ahead and fill out the administrative work.”

Go to Chapter 8: A History Making Cruise https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2023/01/20/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-8-a-history-changing-cruise/