Chapter 106: (Vuxten) (2/2)
”Was it regrettable that the lockout could not be disabled? Yes. Did it cost lives? Yes. Is it standard operational procedure to engage lockouts for units not engaged in combat? Yes. My decisions were according to SOP, the TASCMJ, and the best intelligence I had available at the time,” General Altair said, looking suitably somber. ”Using the best intelligence we had to offer we put together the deployment plan to optimize getting the units of V Corps on the ground even if beacon placement failed.”
His own defense lawyer nodded, his face neutral. General Altair made a mental note to ensure that his lawyer ran into difficulties his next promotion board. Altair knew perfectly well that the lawyer was on the edge of allowing his feelings to override his duty.
The prosecuter moved up and with his first question Altair felt his stomach clench.
”Are the planets Telkan-1 and Telkan-2 considered active combat zones across the entire planet, including mandating modified battle dress for all personnel outside of shelters, even if they are within the operational area of logistic bases or not?” The JAG officer asked.
Altair started sweating but he'd prepared for the question.
”It is the opinion of one non-combat officer, who has somehow managed, in over two hundred years, to avoid even the barest hint of combat, that the planets are active combat zones,” Altair said, leaving a slight edge of contempt in his voice even as he kept his face neutral. ”I question his judgement.”
”Objection. Major General Takilikakik's judgement is not on trial here, nor is his decision to label the entire planet a combat zone up for debate,” the JAG officer said. ”I'd like to remind the officers of the court that the operational command of both ground-side theaters is, as per Space Force Command, under Major General Takilikakik's legal authority while Lieutenant General Altair's area of authority is with military intelligence analysis activities within the Telkan-1 ground and near orbital theaters, as per Space Force Command.”
”Sustained,” the Chief Officer of the Court stated, nodding.
Altair's political instincts, honed after decades of infighting, suddenly went off.
”An examination of your sphere of authority does not seem to extend you the authority to countermand theater commanders, nor is there any exemptions toward military intelligence missions. To be precise, any military intelligence ground-side missions are to be relayed to Fifth Platoon, Bravo Company, 75th Regiment for planning and operational deployment. I see no area of your orders that turn over combat commands to your posting,” the lawyer said. ”Is there any evidence you would like to submit that counters that fact?”
Altair just sat there thinking as fast as he could.
”Additionally, sir, and I remind you that you are under oath, you specifically labeled the deployment mission orders as 'routine' and 'non-combat' in order to bypass the legitimate military authorities. Am I correct?” the lawyer asked.
”It was a routine non-combat mission,” Altair tried.
”That specifically and repeatedly made allowances for V Corps units to land under fire?”
”Yes. The lines of battle can shift rapidly.”
”And you made no effort to lockout V Corps weaponry. As a matter of fact, you suggested to V Corps commanders that they come in, and I quote, locked and loaded and ready for action?”
”The situation on the ground can change rapidly.”
”Why not transmit the codes to V Corps to override the lockout if they became engaged in battle?”
”Communication can be spotty in battle, Captain.”
”So you wanted to give V Corps commanders the latitude to adjust to rapidly changing ground conditions and lines of battle in an environment that could restrict communications access?” the lawyer asked.
”Of course.”
”With that claim, can you tell me how many units you were in contact with once the dropship left the operational bases to a distance of ten kilometers?”
”Not off the top of my head, no.”
”Well, General, I have it right here. The number is somewhat easy to fathom. Would you care to guess how many of the eighty units you had deployed you had communication with at the fifteen mile mark?”
”I would hazard a guess of 80%,” Altair said, feeling better. This was the proper way things should go.
”Eight zero percent?”
”Yes.”
”One of those numbers is accurate. The zero,” the JAG Captain said.
There was complete silence.
”Nothing further,” The JAG officer said.
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The members of the board filed into the secondary room, taking their seats and looking at General Nodra'ak, who slowly lit a cigarette.
”This is a bag of snakes,” the Treana'ad said.
Everyone nodded.
”It's all over the lower ranks. Everyone ground-side knows that Altair sent the Marines to their deaths with their weapons locked out. They're furious,” General Trucker said. He spit into the plas bottle in his hand. ”Those Marines have been holding off the bioweapons for over a week. First Telkan, with the exception of a single Marine, was completely unblooded and they took heavy casualties thanks to that jackass.”
General Esheleshee, one of the 8th Infantry Division commanders nodded. ”Which is an additional problem to the major one I foresee.”
Nodra'ak jabbed his cigarette at Esheleshee. ”What's that?”
”The Telkan aren't quite aware of how bad of a cockup this is, but someone's going to explain to them that the Marines were left with locked out weapons while the Army got to come burning in with hot guns. We don't want the Telkans to think we think they're expendable,” Esheleshee said.
Nodra'ak exhaled smoke and nodded.
”General Altair filed this quite innovatively. If it had gone off successfully, since he had planned it, he would have gotten all the credit. Because it went badly, he can attempt to lay the blame on the ground commander, General Takilikakik, leaving everyone to assume that Takilikakik's first combat command had gone badly,” General Ulfreck stated.
”Not to mention he attempted to lay the blame for the debacle at the 3rd Armor landing zone on a Telkan Marine Corporal,” Nodra'ak nodded. ”I watched recreations of that battle and the sheer gall it takes to try to court martial that Marine and attempt to imply Lieutenant Rogers was incompetent rather than making mistakes that troops on their first combat drop can make.”
The entire court went silent.
After a moment General Nodra'ak exhaled smoke and stared at the rest. ”Well, we better get on with it. We'll just take an open vote.”
”Has the court found suitable basis to relieve General Altair of command and remand him to TerraSol for court martial?” Nodra'ak asked. He then asked each board member for their vote.
It passed unanimously.
”What is the board's recommendation for court martial?” Nodra'ak asked.
The vote for a 'Special Court Martial' was carried, again, unanimously.
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TASK FORCE 32 MEMO
V Corps (Mixed Metal) has successfully made planetfall on Telkan-1 and Telkan-2 and has been folded into Space Force TO&E.
General Altair is hereby relieved of command of 303 Military Intelligence and remanded to the custody of the Military Police for transport to TerraSol for court martial.
303 Military Intelligence is ordered to Wellton-638 for reorganization. All officers and enlisted on station for more than 5 years are to be reassigned outside of Corps and Army.
128th Military Intelligence (V CORPS) is hereby assigned to Hyperion-One to take over duties of 303 MI.
System is in control of CONFEDMIL forces. Task Force 32 requests Naval relief due to combat action losses and damage.
ETA for evacuation of Telkan-1 and Telkan-2 is four days.
Enemy strength planetside is overwhelming. The biosphere and ecosystem are lost.
Civilian authorities have requested planet be retaken and terraformed to Pre-Council state.
General Takilikakik is commended in his staunch defense of the planet and its inhabitants.
1st Telkan Marines are commended for the actions.
Corporal Vuxten, 1st Telkan Marines, is hereby pinned brevet Second Lieutenant and recommended for Officer Candidate School.
-------NOTHING FOLLOWS---------
Brentili'ik stared at the memo, then closed her eyes and bowed her head.
Four more days.
All he had to do is survive for four more days.