WoWS3 Chpt 57

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 57 - ==
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===Philosophy of the Corvette===
SLDF Officer School'''
New Lazarus, Star League in Exile
11th April, 3145
"...Bolan corridor, it's a long-distance run, but it's where they're doing the bulk of their warship production. The link would be, by definition, critical." LT. Anh Lee Cu'ong was taking a break from her training and education regime to brief a group of the SLDF's General Staff.
"We were moving parts for core forges, heavy precision grinders, even a shipment of industrial nanopolisher baths-the things you use to get laser optics that can last more than a few seconds under the kind of energy output a Naval Lasing assembly puts out, they weren't just restoring old facilities, they were upgrading them." Anh explained
"How did you recognize that kind of equipment, Lieutenant?"
"Because when the Realm stripped Sithers-Deen Boojum, they only took the gear that worked, we had broken stuff still in storage on Spider Moon, because we couldn't fix it, and it was too valuable to sell…especially the Alarion salvage Uncle Sandra brought back during a quarantine break in the war."
"You're due for an active tour, Lieutenant Cu'ong, aboard a Corvette." instructor told her.
"Ayeh, Sirrah." she nodded, "I"m hoping to get through this board and frock to the SLS Columbine, I hear they're looking for a Nav officer-or so the monitors in the hall said." Anh told the officer.
"Your scores as a navigator are…impressive, but your course of study shows a definite angle toward a more command-oriented track, Lieutenant. Why are you aiming so…low?" he asked.
"Sirrah, I'm a foreigner who just joined not two years ago, I'm a shake-and-bake officer and not proven my boots, in your position, I would not give me a command until I had proven capable of handling a second shift department at minimum. This isn't the Belts, I can't grub-stake a ship, and a Pathfindah rating in the Guild is not in keeping with the necessary command structure of a military organization." Anh explained
“A reasonable answer. It takes work, a lot of it on the job. There just are things that cannot be taught in a classroom when it comes to command.” Instructor observed.
"Agreed, Sir." she said firmly.
“But you should have also defended the Corvette branch, Lieutenant. Letting me get away with calling them ‘lesser’ shouldn't stand. They may not be big or as awe inspiring as the Destroyers or Cruisers in the fleet but they are important ships, and yes that they are less capable in a fight is true but that's why you have to be honed to an even finer edge. They have to be more elite because we have less tolerance for mistakes or errors.” he explained
"All due respect sir, no command is 'lesser' out in the black, theres' just 'less expensive'." she said craftily, "Which goes right with being 'underestimated'...sir. I would state my preference for assignment to an underestimated ship, because we can pull off tricks the big boys can't." 
“Aye. We’re all a part of a team. Anyone of us needs to be able to know they can count on another. We do our part so they can do theirs. Rivalry is inevitable but it should always be professional and in the spirit of making each other better and thus sometimes it can be good for morale.”
"Sir, If I may elaborate my position. The Corvette's role since the Age of War, has been to be the 'utility ship' for a fleet, the forward scout, the rear-line commerce guard, the messenger and the courier, and the first ships sent to a trouble spot…that's the traditional role, a show of force at times, but not maximum force, as that role belongs to the ships above it in weight-class, armament, and capability. It's the doer of the dirty jobs and the bodyguard for the Destroyer, eyes for the Cruiser, and hole-card for the battleships in the line, it's also the first to die if the commander, or the fleet commander, makes a mistake. That's a ROLE, sir. It means long cruises on long missions with only short breaks for air and gravity leaves, often unsupported or in support of other, larger units." she leaned forward in the examination chair, "in that situation, if you can't be trusted, or you can't trust your shipmates, colleagues, and the ships to either side of you, it's time to hang up the harness and dig a burrow somewhere far away."
“Indeed, and there is a fine art to knowing when to hold your tongue and when to lambast someone for suggesting your posting is a ‘lesser’ posting. Sometimes the answer to when to do that will change.”
"Sir, Classical Literature, twenty first century, the epic from old Japan of 'The Goblin Slayer', do you know it?" Anh asked
“I do not believe I am familiar with that work.” he sked
"The titular character is a warrior in a swords-and-sorcery fantasy world, he is the title character, but he is also the character who is the best fighter, warrior, whatever you want to call them, for new heroes to work with , and study under. Yet, he only takes jobs to defeat the least of the threats, the threats that only ARE a threat to ordinary people, in this epic, there is a dark lord, and everyone else, is worrying about the Dark Lord and his demonic legions. When confronted, the Goblin Slayer explains his rationale very simply; 'There have been many other Dark Lords, all defeated by brave heroes, but there are always Goblins to threaten the commoners. A 'lesser role' but absolutely necessary in that environment. Not seen as being 'glorious', nobody will, in the story, sing the praises of a man whose whole career is spent fighting threats that only threaten villagers, while everyone else, the powerful wizards, the mighty paladins, the cunning rogues, are busy taking down the most recent 'dark lord' and his legions. Do you understand the similarity, and why I don't care if something is seen as 'lesser'?"
“You’ll do fine, Lieutenant. I had a teacher who taught me how important it is to poke at your subordinates to see what kind of fire they have, if their steel is brittle or able to withstand blows. But don’t be surprised if in this navy someone does sing the praises of the Corvette service. Their contributions may not be flashy but the higher up do know their value. And that does trickle down.”
"I will do my best not to let my head get too big for my helmet, sir." Anh stated
“Heh. Like I said, I think you’ll do fine.”
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===Reflecting the out comes of the SLDF examines===
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"How do you think you did, Annie?" Fowler asked after the board.
"I admitted I was taking the board for points toward the open nav position on the Columbine and not the XO slot." she shrugged, "I guess I did okay, I figure Brightman or Sears will get frocked for XO, with the other one getting the captain's billet."
"Them? Really?" Fowler frowned, looking cuter in her eyes, "How do you figure on that?"
"GPA and their board answers were sharp, the Board President didn't even bother with follow-up questions they were so sharp."
“That could also mean they saw somethingthey didn’t like and called it early to save time on bad candidates.”
"I didn't see any eye-rolls or poker tells." Anh said, "So if those two answered any way that the board didn't like it means I really need to not get in a card game with Admiral Foster or his staff."
“I’m pretty sure Foster could stare down a Hell’s Horse while the Dropship they were sharing was spinning out of control, going down in flames, while doing a crossword puzzle and not flinch.”
"Heh, yeah, he's Ferrite that way. I also kinda ****** up my lingua, slipped into Rokkahjakkah forms of address, I know that would count against me and I couldn't stop it." Anh said
“I tried to warn you. But no, you had to tutor me instead. I owe you one.” Fowler told her.
"They gave you second shift engineer on one of the Cruisers, right out of Academy, Fowler, You done good."
“Where I come from the requisite token of thanks is shots at a bar, maybe some dinner.” Fowler told her.
"Dinner." she agreed, "...and shots, and maybe we can find a place to dance." Anh said with smile.
“Deal. Even if I have to block off the entrances to Grennim Park so we have the place to ourselves. If the city’s quiet enough you can hear some of the louder concerts from the nearby theaters.”
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===Captain's Board===
SLDF Officer School'''
New Lazarus, Star League in Exile
12th April, 3145
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Admiral Foster sat at the head of the table with six Captains O-6 or higher.
"Okay…Patterson?" he asked.
"No." Captain McConnel stated, "Patterson needs at least another year in the fleet, and maybe won't be ready even then."
He glanced at McConnel.
"His answers were correct…but it felt…'coached', he also tended to try to evade the questions into personal morality, Hard Pass."
He went around the room, the final vote was two in favor, four against.
"Next is Sears. I have my own view, Stuart?"
“Needs more seasoning I think. Absolutely book smart but I don’t trust that they can actually adapt in the field yet.” Stuart shook her head.
"Ericson? What's your take on Liah Sears?"
"Like Brightman, answers felt 'coached', too pat, arranged to cover too many bases on what should be fairly mundane. Sears has the second highest GPA in the graduating class, and high marks for participation in approved extracurriculars…but…"
"But?"
"Too clean." Ericson said, "No disciplinary notes at all. I'm not sure Sears is aggressive enough for a combat command."
Haida spoke up, "Hard pass from me. Sears should be assigned to a rear line, or supply and support role, not a combat command. When someone lacks any opinions of their own, they're not thinking."
"Vote?" Foster asked.
"Sir, you haven't chimed in."
"I don't have to." Foster said, "Haida and Ericson spotted what I spotted, Sears is not the kind of young officer who's a good fit for a Warship crew."
“We have lots of people but few positions for them. We can accept only the best.” Haida nodded.
"Which brings us to Nigel Brightman. Highest GPA of the class, good academics, good social networking, good proficiencies, and…one of the few trainee officers who didn't spend three days naked on their first cruise."
“I don’t doubt he’d make an excellent XO. He’s got the people skills for it but there’s just that little bit something off about him actually having the big chair.” Haida said.
McConnel was shaking his head. "I disagree, he's ideal. Even the damn marines liked him on that trainex. Cossack wanted to keep him."
“Okay that’s what was bugging me. If Cossack likes him he’s got to be a bit unhinged. No one sane tends to last long with her but he’s probably unhinged in a good way.” Haida nodded.
Foster nodded along. "So…where do we send him, XO on a Cruiser, or Captain on a Corvette?"
“Corvette.” Stuart said.
”Agreed.” McConnel added.
"Alright then, which one?" Foster asked, "We've got openings on Tulip, Orchid, and Columbine this month or the Rose next."
"Rose is the one they're incorporating the comms upgrade on in the yard, right?" McConnel asked, 'Along with the improved Airlocks and Crew Stations?"
"Yes." Foster said, "The Rose is testing systems we've got planned for the follow-on River class Corvettes."
"Have you finalized the design on those already? I thought we were three years out on that series."
"We are." Foster said. "We're agreed that Brightman gets the promotion to Lt. Commander and a command on a corvette?"
Six heads nodded.
"Good. Which one??" he reiterated, "Haida?"
"Tulip's closer to deployable and we need to staff it right now." Haida stated, "I think a bright, young, officer who makes Cossack happy should be put to work as soon as possible, and that means giving him the Tulip."
"Mac?"
McConnel frowned, hesitated, then, "Yah, the Tulip's finished her updates and needs a captain and crew. I agree with Haida's suggested assignment."
Stuart shrugged, "Six of one, half dozen of the other, put him with Tulip and we'll see what happens."
"Okay, that's four down, one left." Foster said. "Elephant in the room time. We've got a candidate with more time in the black than many of our officers far above her…" Foster stated.
"Cu'ong." Stuart said.
"That's the one." Foster said. "Let's get this out of the way-she's rough, Her last XO reported her for suicidal ideation and she's a spacer from the ass end of the Lyran Commonwealth."
“Not medically disqualified, her counseling results are on file." Tabiranth stated, "Some of the Destroyers have worse problems."
Stuart chuckled, "You just like that she used a piece of ancient lit to give an allegory during a board!"
"People don't read as much as they should."
“Heh. I knew Sikh wasn’t the only book lover in the fleet.” Ericson chuckled.
"Sikh is…persuasive in her campaign to improve everyone's literacy. She found me a series I really liked!" Tabiranth insisted.
“There’s no doubting her qualifications as a spacer. And I was impressed by her willingness to earn her spot.” Ericson brought the board back to order.
"You know what impressed me?" Haida asked. "Wait, you'll never guess what I find impressive."
"I don't know, I think I can…" Tabiranth teased.
"Not you. YOU already know." Haida said.
Stuart mused for a moment, then, "She coached Sears and Brightman, didn't she?" 
"Bingo. Winner, Admiral Foster, you mentioned it in her file. Anh Cu'ong's been TA for the Hyperspatial Navigation course and she's good."
“I thought I recognized that. Fowler. She’s been helping him too.” Ericson nodded.
"Did you read the rest of that citation?" Foster asked.
"You mean about how she's suspected of over one hundred eleven violations of Cadet Regulations, but nobody's been able to prove a damned thing?" Stuart asked.
“Sounds like the right mindset for a Corvette Captain to me.” McConnel added.
Admiral Foster chuckled, "No, tha'ts the right mindset for A Combat captain, she knows how, and when, and how to get away with breaking the rules. That's a key for Tactical and Strategic thinking."
"Oh my god, you want to put her on Gremlin!!! As a Cruiser captain??"
"I think she'll mix well with Amanda Roberts." David said, "They're like invisible sisters. If we didn't know where Anh Lee Cu'ong came from, I'd think she was one of Kolossus' envoys. She's the Amanda I knew, without the defects or the brain surgery."
“I want her for Orchid.” McConnel stated.
"Seasoning is the reason?" Haida asked.
“Not just that, but she shows a better knack for the smaller boats. No offense, but she is an unproven quantity for the bigger ships. You don’t have the same sort of luxury for getting away with things on a Cruiser like you can on a Corvette.” McConnel answered.
"Corvettes are also a mite stealthier." Tabiranth agreed, "We're going to need them to be sneaking around in enemy territory ahead of us…and I liked her speech. I second a Corvette command for Cu'ong."
"Haida, throw me a bone here…" Foster plead.
"I can't. I agree with those two-she needs to be put in charge of a corvette, and Orchid's going to be ready to put to space soon. We can wait on the Cruisers until the updates are complete, but we need the Corvettes in the field right now. Give her a tour on a Corvette, and we'll revisit whether we need her at the helm of a cruiser." Tabiranth inclined her head, "I agree she's got the same good traits Amanda had back in the war-and Amanda thrived on that Bonnie of hers."
“Besides it would kill fleet discipline if we bumped a newcomer that far that fast, with all the existing O3s and O4s that have had no billets to go up into until those Cruisers came along.” McConnel added.
"Agreed then." Foster said with a satisfied tone, then he turned to an aide, "post the Board results, and assignments in the morning."
"Aye, sir."
"What are we going to do about Lea Sears? Her mother's a major contractor."
"XO for the Orchid." Foster determined. "It'll be a test to see if she's got the potential she didn't show."
"Harsh." Stuart winced.
“True, but we also must be careful to not show too much favoritism to such families. We’re a professional service, not the Lyrans. This should be a fair compromise.”
"And Patterson?" Stuart asked.
"Second shift engineer on the Gremlin. His scores lined up with that, and it's a good post." Foster suggested, "He'll get the seasoning he needs, I think."
"You know what's nice about this round?" McConnel asked.
"Um…not a dud in the bunch?"
"Not a dud in the bunch." 
Haida looked down at the table.
“Apologies, Haida. I know Thomas is a dear friend and what happened with his grandson is still a sore spot for you. I spoke poorly.” McConnel offered.
“Not your fault. You’re right. He’ll get his second chance but that was a debacle I won’t forget, ever.” Haida looked up at Liam McConnel with a faint smile. “I just need to be a grown up about it. Surprising how hard that can be with how old I am.”
“Some things you never grow out of I suspect.” Foster reassured Haida.
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