The Lost Fleet – Dauntless

Geary called up the fleet regulations and started doing keyword searches, skimming the texts for whatever would serve his purpose. To his own surprise, the answer popped up fairly quickly. But do I want to do that? He turned to the personnel files, calling up data on the commanders of the other ships in the auxiliaries division. Titan’s commander was, as Geary had thought, pretty junior for such a position even given the relative youth of fleet officers nowadays. It helped explain his eagerness, and his rashness in going straight to Geary with his proposal on the Syndic mining facilities. On the other hand, Gundel was very senior to be commanding the smaller Jinn. The difference between a competent, ambitious officer who’s eager to get things done and one who just wants to hide in a comfortable burrow.

But then there was Captain Tyrosian of the Witch. Experienced, but not exceptionally so. Highly rated as an engineer, good marks as an officer, senior enough to be qualified for higher command. She looked good on paper, for whatever that was worth.

Geary put in another call. Captain Tyrosian, on her bridge, was immediately available. She gave Geary a respectful look, though Geary thought he could see wariness in her eyes. “Yes, sir?”

Proper etiquette. That gives her points right off. “I’m just checking with auxiliaries commanders personally. How’s Witch doing?”

“As our reports say, sir. We sustained little damage during the battle in the Syndic home system, so most of our work right now is aimed at rebuilding the fleet’s supply of expendable weapons.”

“How are you doing on supplies of raw materials?”

Captain Tyrosian didn’t hesitate. “We need more.”

“How long would it take you to give me a report on options for acquiring more?”

She eyed him with even more wariness. “Sir, I could produce that whenever you ask for it, but such a request should come through my division commander.”

Very good, Captain Tyrosian. You know what’s going on, you’re willing to do what you’re told, and you’re willing to remind me that I need to abide by the chain of command. “Thank you, Captain Tyrosian.”

Geary checked the time. Give it a decent interval. Two hours.

He spent the interval working on his battle-training scenarios, as the fleet proceeded at a relaxed pace deeper into the Kaliban System, then Geary called Jinn once more. “Captain Gundel.”

Gundel seemed even more irritable than he had before. “I have a lot of things I should be doing.”

“Then you’ll be happy to hear what I have to say, Captain Gundel. I’ve realized I need someone working on identifying the long-range needs of this fleet. Someone with the experience to put together everything that’s needed into a comprehensive product, even if that takes a long time.” Geary smiled at Gundel, who seemed to be trying to look approving of Geary’s attitude in a patronizing sort of way. “But if that officer is constantly distracted by other responsibilities, they won’t be able to focus on what needs to be done. Therefore, I’m appointing you to my staff, Captain Gundel, as chief engineering advisor.” Geary smiled again.

Gundel seemed shocked now.

“Of course,” Geary continued in a slightly apologetic voice, “you realize that fleet regulations prohibit having anyone in charge of a ship or higher level command being also assigned to a staff position. Too much distraction, too many conflicting responsibilities. A professional like you certainly understands. So in order for me to have the exclusive benefit of your advice, you’ll have to relinquish command of Jinn. You’ll need a good working office to produce your report for me, and I know a smaller ship like Jinn doesn’t have much to spare, so you’ll need to transfer to Titan. I’ll make sure you get a good office on board her. And, also of course, since you’ll not be in command of Jinn anymore, that’ll make Captain Tyrosian of Witch the auxiliaries division commander.”

Gundel simply stared back, speechless.

“No questions, then? Excellent. Since we’re under time pressure here, please ensure you turn over command of Jinn to your executive officer prior to midnight. You’ll transfer to Titan tomorrow.”

At last, Gundel found his voice again. “You…you can’t-”