"Draft an order to Scarf for Narval's signature to
transfer three hundred of his shock troops from
our attack transports to the Dragon, and crank
its effects into tactics and logistics. Scrounge up
enough certified technicians to operate the probes.
That'll still leave about eleven hundred troops to
secure the Terminals after we take them, which
should be enough. Juggle the tactics for that
change. If anyone asks, we're using Scarf's troops
on the Dragon as flunkies during the victory party.
I don't think you need me to draw a picture of
the real reason. We've got to reshuffle the entire
logistics deck. Your job, Myra. Got it?"
Myra grunted, raised her middle finger, then
quickly realigned it with the rest of her hand and
snapped off a mechanical salute.
"Got it," she said.
"Kumiko, the targets will cover an area much wider
and deeper than you planned for in your original
computations. Rework the combined fleet's weapons
disposition, analyze our firepower and orient them
to the terminals' weak points. Let's talk after
we finish here and work up formation options and
vectors from rendezvous. Cover surveillance and
interdiction against potential threats from UIPS
assets in the Special Zone; compute tracking
guidance for each type of weapon installed on
Plutonian ships, and update target displays for
our launchers and guns should it get to that.
I especially want you to analyze the combined
fleet's Order of Battle to identify our potential
vulnerabilities and how an enemy force might
exploit them. Provide me with a detailed document
in a capsule so I can use it on the Dragon."
Brad turned to face Hodak.
"Re-examine emergency maintenance in this new
arena. Our ships will be much further from home
base than when the depot was the objective. We
can't afford any ships dropping out of the line for
repairs.
"Adari, got a big one for you. The other INOR ships
will still rendezvous with the Plutonian fleet at
Point Icarus, halfway between the depot and the
Slingshot work site. Work out the nav for our fleet
to the rendezvous; design formations, convergence
and other vectors that'll keep the ships out of
each other's way. Employ Order of Battle options to
lay out the nav for each ship of the combined fleet
from Point Icarus to target. Kumiko and I will be
working on tac-options and we'll get them to you as
soon as they're ready.
"This applies to all: compute, coordinate and
commit resources to implement our new orders. OK.
Get going."
Brad motioned Zolan and Hodak closer.
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