FSRB Chpt 158

==The Federated Suns Reborn - Chapter 158==
 Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter
----
June 3070Interlude - Necessity
-----
Imperial Palace
Luthien
Pesht District
Draconis Combine
Fleet Admiral Hidaka Goro strode into the audience chamber and without a word threw himself down upon the floor before the sitting Coordinator. Abasing himself he finally spoke. "I have failed you, My Lord."
"You bring grim news then..." The Coordinator spoke softly as was his habit in these dark days.
"I do, My Lord. Your fleet yards at Midway have been destroyed as has the DCS Galedon Warrior, Divine, Beautiful Wind and DCS Cherry Blossom's Fall." The Admiral kept his face to the floor ashamed beyond bearing at the fact that once again he was here to inform the Coordinator of further losses and disasters. "They destroyed a number of enemy dropships and fighters but all 3 eneMy warships escaped albeit damaged."
"Are the yards repairable?" Theodore asked his prostrate Admiral.
"At great expense and with time, yes My Lord. The jumpship slips are less damaged." Hidako Goro said frankly and then continued. "Combined with the losses of Dieron's yards and Altair's we have been reduced to the yards at Togura to build warships and those yards only have the Yamato slip and 2 slips for New Samarkand carriers. Although a second Yamato slip is under construction. The Kaga slip at Dover is still trying to rectify the problems there. Our remaining naval infrastructure is limited to the dropship yards at Schuyler and Chatham of Galileo Instruments, the LAW Dropship yards here at the capital, Matabushi Incorporated's dropship yard at Avon, Midway Shipyards Scout Jumpship yards at Schuyler, Stellar Trek's large Jmpship yards at Chatham and their Dropship shipyards at Dover and the handful of Tramps produced at Isesaki by your cousins firm Isesaki Shipping."
Theodore Kurita already knew the perilous state of his naval industries but this stark reminder caused small spasms in his chest that he drove back. The medical team that was now never more than 10 seconds away would rush in if the monitors he wore under his robes caused them any great concern, yet now was not the time for weakness. "What you re saying is that we have been reduced to 2 capital slips 1 of which is still trying to produce it's first viable Warship. Then we have 2 small warship slips and a handful of Jumpship and Dropship production sites... Which will cripple us not only militarily, but also economically in short order?"
"Yes, My Lord. Combined with the losses of Jumpships and Dropships which continue to mount... We cannot maintain not only this war, but soon we will be unable to secure the continued existence of the Draconis Combine." The Fleet Admiral almost whispered the last words.
The Coordinator of the Draconis Combine sat quietly for a long time after that, so long that the Fleet Admiral thought the almost heretical thought that perhaps the Coordinator had fallen asleep. Yet finally he spoke. "Rebuilding the yards at Midway. At the highest priority. Inform My cousin, Chandrasekhar, that I expect investments at his yards at Isesaki to increase Tramp production... Similar messages should be sent to the CEO's of all the companies that produce dropships and jumpships. Stellar Trek is to be informed that a new Jumpship yard is to be built at Pesht. We are too vulnerable with only 3 yards producing jumpships and 2 of those minor yards. We must also add Inazuma yards to both Dover and Togura."
The Coordinator's admiral forced himself to speak despite knowing it could mean his death. "The cost My Lord... We cannot afford it..."
"We must. Therefore we can." Theodore spoke softly but with iron in his tone. "We cannot afford not to do this, Admiral. If you feel you cannot fulfill My wishes I will grant you the Honor of Wakizashi...?"
"I live to serve, My Lord. Your will shall be made manifest." The Admiral spoke to the floor.
"Good. Inform the guards outside that I wish to see My cousin Chandrasekhar personally, I require his counsel... And have My nephew Kitsune sent to attend upon me. I require his presence to lift My spirits..." Theodore waved a dismissal.
----
 Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter
0158, Chapter