“It has been for years, Governor. The difference now? It will be impregnable.”
Barukh spoke up.
“Looks like you narrowed the transit vectors.”
“Only by two degrees. We’ll make sure every spaceport and registered commercial vessel is informed of the change before we activate the web.”
Barukh shook his head and asked the question that also burned a hole through Trevor.
“What happens if a commercial vessel miscalculates and comes out of worm off course?”
Nagano shrugged.
“Barring an act of piloting mastery, it will be vaporized. The drones and turrets will use the UNF’s rotating friend/foe beacon to distinguish our ships from all others.”
“Excuse me?” Trevor said. “All non-UNF vessels will be targeted by the web?”
Nagano nodded as if it were obvious.
“We don’t share UNF authentication protocols with commercial ships. Begging for disaster is not in our best interest.”
Trevor was Governor, but he did not have say over the station’s defense. The Charter granted full authority to the UNF. He deferred to the one person who could overrule the Admiralty.
“Madam President, I object. This plan is too dangerous.”
She nodded, but Trevor knew the difference between a Haas nod of assent and one that said, “Thank you for your input.”
“Governor, I’ve spoken to the Admiralty at length about this proposal. High Admiral Woolsey signed off on it, and I am convinced the UNF will enact sufficient safeguards. The truth is, they need their warships elsewhere. Deploying two less ships here better allocates resources. As Adm. Nagano said, this plan solves two problems.”
Instinct told Trevor to fight back. Haas sounded like the woman who Devonshire warned him about. Nagano, Graygone, and Roe seemed positively conspiratorial with their matching stoic features and hands crossed on the table.
Trevor caught himself and asked the next practical question.
“When?”
“Transports will arrive in twelve standard hours with the drones,” Nagano said. “We will begin deployment tomorrow. The operation will be completed in three days. The Guardian fleet will depart when the web activates, replaced by another ship with a fresh crew. We’ll begin installing the turrets shortly thereafter.”
Trevor held his temper in check.
They’ve been planning this for months.
“Any other items on your agenda, Admiral?” Nagano shook his head. “Madam President. Any items?”
“Nothing on the security front, Governor.”
“Fine. If no one has an objection ...” He waited for his Chiefs to protest, but they knew this change was out of their hands. “I’m going to call this meeting adjourned, but I request to speak with the Admiral and the President in private.”
His men in red and silver complied, along with Shireena, Graygone, and the Chiefs of Staff. However, SI’s representative did not budge.
“I’m sorry, Carson. Did you misunderstand? Please leave.”
She took umbrage but delivered it with a chuckle and muttered under her breath, “It’s your station.”
After she left, Nagano said:
“Keep it short. I’m not interested in your protracted objections.”
Trevor fell back on his old stand-by: Paranoia.
“What’s this all about?” He asked. “You’re hiding behind the attack to justify these changes. What’s actually going on here?”
Nagano deferred to Haas, who replied with a soft tone.
“Trevor, it will be an adjustment, but we’ll get through it. We’re preparing for the dangerous road ahead.”
“Which is what?”
She allowed the Admiral to take over.
“You’re an outstanding Governor. I’m surprised to say it, but there it is. Focus on running this station. President Haas will manage the government. The UNF will do the rest. Between the three of us, I’m sure we can navigate our way through a challenging future. But never assume your influence extends beyond your office. Madam President, I have places to be. If you’ll excuse me.”
Nagano didn’t wait for Trevor’s objection. Haas watched him leave and kept her eyes on the door.
“Do your job, Trevor,” she said without conviction. “The rest will take care of itself.”
“The rest of what?”
She didn’t answer, leaving Trevor alone. He stood there just long enough to reconsider his greatest insecurity.
