The Ascent

Chapter 43

The fleet commanders were still wrestling with this when I got a message from Chris. "Ken, I've been asked by the ship and wing commanders to invite you to an urgent meeting. They have a proposal they want to run past you."

"Everyone seems to know what to do, it's just that no one can agree on what it is."

"We've got a pretty broad consensus here."

I continued clicking through my reports. "What? A wing? Maybe two have gotten together and decided where the fleet should go?"

Chris paused, looking upwards as if calculating something in his head. "It's more than eighty percent, less than ninety."

"You've got more than eighty percent of the ship commanders to agree on something?"

"I think you'll want to hear their proposal."

"I've always wanted to see a miracle. When are they meeting?"

"They're in session right now. I've been asked to invite you to join them if you have the time."

"Send me the link."

* * *

The conference was on the moon. Someone had selected a crater on the earth-facing side as a sort of amphitheater for our meeting in virtual space. The Earth hung overhead, a beautiful, bright, blue reminder of our ultimate objective and a not-so-subtle statement rejecting any thought of colonization or pursuing any other destination.

I stepped over the crater's lip, kicking up holographic dust as I walked down into the bowl. Hundreds of commanders sat along the rim and a handful stood in the center moderating the discussion. Chris called them to attention, greeted me and directed Ship Commander Christina Tomberlin to continue the meeting.

"Thank you for coming, commander, especially on such short notice. We've been discussing the challenges ahead and some of the lessons we've learned. We are very concerned about the lack of fleet discipline, especially now with funds running low. We've already seen how, with the wings acting separately, they're more likely to get into trouble and how one bad decision, even by a single commander, can harm the entire fleet."

I stood nodding my head but saying nothing.

"The commanders," she took in the rest of the group with a gesture, "Have agreed that the fleet should proceed with a more military bearing. We can no longer afford to operate as a loose coalition of mercenary fleets. We have largely integrated many of the wings, but we need to integrate the leadership." She paused and gave me an odd look. "It is the opinion of the ships commanders that we need a single commander in charge of the combined fleet." I continued nodding my head as I listened. "If you've invited me to ask my advice, I agree with you entirely and for the reasons you've stated."

Christina looked a little embarrassed. "But we didn't invite you to offer your advice. We've invited you to offer you the position."

I'm afraid I may have gaped at her. I scanned the surrounding faces and saw a mixture of smiles of encouragement and amusement. I turned on Chris. "Did you know about this?"

He shrugged. "They called me in after they made their decision. They thought I would be able to talk you into it."

Suddenly speechless, I cleared my throat. "Well, this is a very great honor. I don't know what to say."

"Hopefully, yes," Christina laughed.

"This is a big decision. Until now I've only ever considered what was best for the fleet. I'm afraid I may need some time to think about it."