TBSO10

==Chapter 10 - The Silent Black Ocean==
Planning Area
Tharkad Navy Yard
Tharkad Star System
3165
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"They're coming close to the patrol region 9th Division's been maintaining."  Fleet Admiral Emily Falcone noted, "Your Highness, you will shortly be called on to make a decision.  That zone may be unclaimed, but Lyrans have bled to keep the peace in there and the first organized resistance they're going to hit, are sixty four cutters."
Archon Trillian Steiner-Davion studied the plot in silence for a few more minutes.  "Send Second Fleet." she said, turning to Emily, "That's Vice Admiral MacAulliffe's force, isn't it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"They're the closest force to that region. So send Second Fleet and put Lizzie Mac in charge, then start getting the rest of the navy ready to pick up the pieces when the Clanners blow through."  she turned, "Roddy, tell your generals it's time to stop playing war-games and get ready for the real thing. I want six regimental combat teams with all their support ready to roll in there-or anywhere along that frontage, in twenty four hours.  this isn't like the Dominion, there will be ground actions."
Roderick Steiner looked at Emily, "Did you guys work up a contingency for this?"
"We did. It probably won't work, but we've got at least a dozen scenarios gamed out in G-3 for everything from a single clan, to a full court press."
"Break out the plans, I need something to brief my generals." he said.
"Aye sir."
"Well it's nice to see you two have figured out which service branch has precedence. Get it done." Trillian said, "I have to go argue with the Estates General this morning, and I'm hoping to catch Hogarth's report from the exploration front before Clara and her Aunt have dissected it for me."
"Majesty?"
"Yes?" answered Trillian
"I would recommend pulling Admiral Ngo into this to work up our contingency for when the initial plans fail, Ma'am." Emily said, "I can do it, but she's better."
"Do your best for now, I'll have a...conversation with Sharon."  Trillian said, and swept out of the command center, leaving Roderick and Emily.
"That was cruel." he said.
"It is a matter of pragmatism." Emily stated, "Sharon wants to be a detective or an explorer, but she's a planner and a thinker, and we'll need her in the G3 shop for this, not digging through hobby activities and ancient mysteries...god help us, we might even need her commanding a fleet when this goes pear shaped."
"You didn't say 'if'."
"No, I didn't.  let's get to work, Roddy, we've got a lot of fragmentary orders to cut and a strategy to hammer out for this."
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