Stand Firm, page 8
Canaan Military Space Station Alpha
Canaan Local Space - Terran Coalition Homeworld
29 September 2533
* * *
“Please welcome First Lieutenant Andrew MacIntosh,” said a gravelly voice belonging to an older male at the front of the room. “As the highest ranking and surviving member of General Irvine’s flag-staff, it is an honor to welcome him to our team.”
At the mention of Irvine, MacIntosh glanced up, staring the four-star general in the eyes. He was the newly appointed fleet commander for the Coalition Defense Force, Victor Suarez. “Thank you, sir,” MacIntosh said quietly in his distinctive Scottish brogue. Why did I survive, and not the rest? Why not her? God knows we need her now.
“This is not an easy time,” Suarez said. “We lost tens of thousands of soldiers yesterday, in the single greatest loss among the space fleet since the last major engagements of the Saurian-Coalition war. Orders hit my desk this morning that I’m going to share with you now. Effective immediately, all nation-state military space assets, including ships, fighters, bombers, and other assets, are folded into the CDF.”
Shocked gasps filtered throughout the room, officers staring at each other with mouths open wide. “That’s how big of a cluster we’re in, ladies and gentlemen. The integration process will be difficult, I promise you that. The people in this room are here to drive it. Failure isn’t an option. Are we clear on that?”
“Yes, sir!” said roughly half the room.
“My advice is to make sure your families understand you will be away for long periods, working long hours with limited ability to communicate. This is total war,” Suarez intoned, pursing his lips together. “The good news is our technology is superior to the enemy’s, and we were able to defeat them at five to one odds.”
“With respect sir, that was a fluke,” MacIntosh suddenly interjected. “Without the sacrifice of the destroyer commander—Major Cohen—the Leaguers would have won.”
“Point taken, Lieutenant,” Suarez said, his eyebrows raised.
“Sir,” said a woman in a CDF uniform, with the insignia of a major at the front of the room. “President Nolan is on the emergency address system.”
“By all means, put it on,” Suarez said.
A few moments later, an unsmiling face appeared on the holoprojector at the front of the room. MacIntosh recognized the man as President Nolan. “My fellow citizens of the Terran Coalition, I come to you today after one of the darkest days in the history of our republic,” Nolan began. “Given the gravity of the situation, I chose to use our emergency broadcast system to ensure as many citizens as possible hear this message. September 28th, 2533 is a horrific day in our history, alongside December 7th, 1941, September 11th, 2001, and August 21st, 2080, the day our ancestors left Earth.”
There were rustlings around the room as those present adjusted themselves in their seats. “This League of Sol, as it calls itself, attacked without provocation, without warning, and without mercy. Only the efforts of many thousands of brave men and women who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect us staved off complete disaster. By now, news reports have speculated on the cause of our victory. I would like to recognize Major Levi Cohen, commanding officer of the CSV Salamis, for his role in our victory. Major Cohen’s decision to ram the League flagship at a critical moment in the battle tilted it forever in our favor. He is survived by a wife and son, and the prayers of our entire nation go out to him and to every last life that was lost yesterday.
“Major Cohen wasn’t the only hero that died far before his time. General Gabrielle Irvine, the architect of our victory, died with most of her senior officers aboard the CSV Victory. Initial reports are that the Victory is dead in space, and unlikely to be salvaged thanks to radiation leakage from its main reactor. I’ve decided that it will stay in a high, safe orbit, to be a monument to the lives lost,” Nolan said, his voice solemn and his face lacking any trace of a smile.
“The path that lies ahead of us is a difficult one. I will not sugarcoat the task we face to defend our republic against an enemy that can send a thousand ships to attack us in secret. Today, we don’t know if that was a majority of their fleet, a fraction of it, or something in between. We must prepare for a long, protracted conflict. One that will cost many lives, take years, not months. But this is a fight we must win. There will be no substitute for victory, and victory may only be achieved by defeating the League. Our objective then will be to raise the flag of freedom—the flag of the Terran Coalition—over Earth itself. Nothing else will do.
“We must also remember that our continued existence, our military victories, and the lives we enjoy come at the behest of Almighty God. He is our fortress, and He has protected our republic once more. I call on all citizens to pray, fast, and otherwise call upon God in whatever form you may choose to serve Him. We will not continue to succeed without His help.”
MacIntosh noted that many around the room had begun to nod their heads in agreement. “In closing, I will remind every one of you that there will be difficult days ahead. There will be victories and bitter defeats. All who serve will give something of themselves, some will give all, and there will be far too many who must give all. I promise you that the government will do everything in our power to win the victory quickly, and with a minimum of causalities. We also work to restore the Canaan Alliance that once brought peace to this arm of the Milky Way. I hope that in time, our allies will join us in this fight. Until they do, we will soldier on and press forward to victory. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless the Terran Coalition!”
Applause broke out as the feed cut, the mood infectious. MacIntosh found his spirit lifted by the words, as much as words could do to salve the soul after the losses endured the previous day. After a good thirty seconds of wild chanting, Suarez cut in. “Alright, I can tell everyone here wants a piece of those Leaguers. You’ll get your chance, ladies and gentlemen. All of us will get our chance before this war’s over. My adjutant has specific orders for each of you. Godspeed, and let’s get to work!”
Most of those present stood and walked out quickly, leaving a smaller group of officers in the conference room. MacIntosh decided to make himself scarce as those remaining were all much higher ranked.
“Lieutenant,” Suarez called before he could get out of the door.
“Yes, sir?”
“I understand you were on the bridge when Irvine talked with Major Cohen.”
“Yes, sir.”
“What was your measure of him?”
“A good man determined to protect his family, sir.”
“Do you know how old his son is?”
“Eight, sir. Today is his birthday. I looked it up… I thought someone should remember.”
“Maybe by the time he’s a man, we’ll have won this war.”
“I hope we have, sir.”
“Carry on, Lieutenant.”
MacIntosh resumed his walk out of the conference room and down a passageway filled with soldiers as far as the eye could see. God help us all if we haven’t won the war in ten years. Regardless, I’m going to do my part.
THE END
BOOK 1: Echoes of War– Fight the Good Fight:
* * *
Corporal David Cohen thought he’d left war behind.
He was wrong.
David must square the tenants of his faith against his responsibility to crew and country. If he fails in his command, billions face enslavement by a ruthless regime. Now it’s an all-out fight for the galaxy’s freedom.
Because a man’s greatest foe lies within.
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Echoes of War
Book 1 - Fight the Good Fight
Book 2 - Strong and Courageous
Book 3 - So Fight I
Book 4 - Gates of Hell
Book 5 - Keep the Faith
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Breach of Faith
(With Gary T. Stevens)
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A Simple Job
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Book 1 - Breach of Peace
Daniel Gibbs, Stand Firm
