The Field Marshal was woken after a mere two hours rest. His ADC, Monkton, had a communique. He prepared a cup of coffee while the Marshal read the note. After reading, the Marshal moved to the map table and gratefully took the coffee from Monkton, who said nothing and stood quietly behind the Marshal as he studied the map.
"Monkton get the ship-building, and forward deployment schedules."
With a crisp "Sir" the ADC slipped from the office. The Marshal moved around the table and examined it from a different view point. He'd sipped his coffee twice between musings before the ADC returned and placed the reports on the table.
"Answer me this. How many jump-4 comms-boats are on route to the front right now?"
The ADC flipped open one of the report folders. "One hundred and six sir."
"How many jump-5 and jump-6?"
Without looking the ADC said, "Four."
Marshal Napier used the side of his hand to measure various distances on the star map. "Its not enough Monkton. My information is too out of date. Too few boats." The Marshal retired to his chair before continuing. "We lose too many comms-boats. They jump into systems the Ursidae have invaded and never come back. The boats we still have don't have the legs, they take two or three jumps, two or three weeks to bring me out of date information. There's nothing for it, we, I , need to get nearer the front shorten the distance."
"But sir," the ADC appeared worried, "we are already within jump-5 of Thaoson, and we know they have some strike ships that can reach here."
The Marshal finished his coffee, set the cup down and pondered a few seconds before answering. "As do we Monkton, as do we. Plan an immediate move to the Shula system. From there I'll be nearer to the latest Ursi' push and it wont hurt to be nearer the Naegarn, it'll help with coordination."
"Yes sir right away."
"And Monkton, sweep the highports again. Anything capable of Jump that's not already in service, commandeer it. Don't take any excuses from the nobles this time. If it jumps, it joins the service, we need better comms."
"The king will complain."
The Marshal's eyes hardened. "Start with the king’s yacht, and I'll visit his Majesty first thing. Damnit Monkton! Why'd you give me coffee, I need bloody sleep."
"Monkton get the ship-building, and forward deployment schedules."
With a crisp "Sir" the ADC slipped from the office. The Marshal moved around the table and examined it from a different view point. He'd sipped his coffee twice between musings before the ADC returned and placed the reports on the table.
"Answer me this. How many jump-4 comms-boats are on route to the front right now?"
The ADC flipped open one of the report folders. "One hundred and six sir."
"How many jump-5 and jump-6?"
Without looking the ADC said, "Four."
Marshal Napier used the side of his hand to measure various distances on the star map. "Its not enough Monkton. My information is too out of date. Too few boats." The Marshal retired to his chair before continuing. "We lose too many comms-boats. They jump into systems the Ursidae have invaded and never come back. The boats we still have don't have the legs, they take two or three jumps, two or three weeks to bring me out of date information. There's nothing for it, we, I , need to get nearer the front shorten the distance."
"But sir," the ADC appeared worried, "we are already within jump-5 of Thaoson, and we know they have some strike ships that can reach here."
The Marshal finished his coffee, set the cup down and pondered a few seconds before answering. "As do we Monkton, as do we. Plan an immediate move to the Shula system. From there I'll be nearer to the latest Ursi' push and it wont hurt to be nearer the Naegarn, it'll help with coordination."
"Yes sir right away."
"And Monkton, sweep the highports again. Anything capable of Jump that's not already in service, commandeer it. Don't take any excuses from the nobles this time. If it jumps, it joins the service, we need better comms."
"The king will complain."
The Marshal's eyes hardened. "Start with the king’s yacht, and I'll visit his Majesty first thing. Damnit Monkton! Why'd you give me coffee, I need bloody sleep."
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