With all due respect Admiral Hall, the very notion of ceding part of Dublin to the Corsairs would infuriate the Molly Republic even more against us. And I will not see our borders drawn up to a bunch of flying drunks and raiders that make the Mollies seem like churchmen.
The doors of the chamber had no sooner shut as Admiral Wildcat spoke as she was handed a datapad from her sister and secretary Lt. Commander Wildcat, the elder taking a seat at the table, and gave a nod to her fellow officers. The mood of her face was stone in feeling as she scanned momentarily through several files, sending several copies to her fellow officers.
May I remind you of my failed attempts to work peace in full with the Molly Republic last year? I am sure you all remember how that fiasco went. Please do not think that we will be treated as kindly if we give an inch of our space to the Corsairs. Doing so would send messages to those within the entire Omega region that we are prime to take chunks of piece by piece. But. I am not all doom and gloom today, as I bring news that the work with the Rheinland government has borne fruit. We can expect full and continued operations as well as new and existing agreements we have materialistically to continue for now. Which brings me to you Admiral Hall.
As she spoke, a second datapad was handed to her, which she generously handed towards Admiral Hall, giving a bit of a nod as she looked upon her fellow officers.
When it comes to Omega 3 and our Freeport situation, I see Rheinland making no objections if we were to annex Freeport One into Bretonian control. Doing so would solidify our claim to the system, and remove one of the larger barriers we have in keeping the security of Sprague. I don't wish to remind you of our history with the Zoners of that station but at this time, we have almost no more alternatives within the Omega 3 system. To take the station peacefully will create an alternative berth for the Cambridge and Norfolk Fleets and strengthen our eastern defenses against Corsair and Hessian aggression, as well as cutting of what we believe is a supply route for Coalition forces. If we offer to cover the costs of the resettlement and or transit of those aboard Freeport One, we may avoid bloodshed altogether.
She shot her a gaze. Former Fleet Admiral, and close friend, couldn't mean anything here. This was a highly serious meeting, and one that couldn't afford toes out of line. It wasn't a position Michelle liked, but one she accepted was necessary. She turned back to the table
George, I'm a little disappointed you didn't come to me with these concerns earlier. I thought I could trust the region to your more than capable hands. It appears my inspection is still required. I will arrange a review of the Cambridge sector immediately. Ensure your forces are prepared, and at their most excellent.
I would like it to be clear, we will not be giving the Corsairs anything. They are terrorists and for years have attacked the people we vowed to protect. To allow them anything would be a failure of our duties, and a complete disrespect of our people. I will see what forces we can spare for you Admiral Hall.
Now, Freeport One seems to be a point of discussion, and I have been thinking on this myself. Admiral Hall, I will be sending a message to the Zoners shortly, to inform them of what is happening. As we are all aware, our relationship over the years has been one of mutual trust and respect. Trust that either side would do the right thing, and respect that we allow them to operate in their own way, alongside us. In recent months, this has been cast aside, and it has been proven to us that this is no longer the case. Because of this, we can no longer afford the luxury of giving Freeport One its independence, and we cannot, in good faith, respect the laws of the supposed No Fire Zone. Because of this, I will be ordering a battleship to be permanently stationed within the vicinity of Freeport One for the purpose of Sector Control, and we will deploy Armed Forces units on board the station to assist in staton security, and to apprehend Bretonian Criminals. We will not be taking over the station in its day to day running, but ensuring the safety and protection of innocents until the time that the station administrators seem it reasonable to converse with us. This will get their attention.
O'Brian looked around the table, awaiting any reactions, before moving on to her own fleet updates, as well as her plan for moving forward
Of course, Hall was not happy that his proposal was rejected. But that was not the true cause. What he did not like was that the rejection reduced his reputation. He was glad that it came from someone without much say, though, but the fleet admiral's completely beat his hopes to the ground. However, if someone opposed or everyone was for the decision, it would still allow him to study the amount of support the fleet admiral had. But that was not his main concern.
An inspection.
It was known than the south was not very threatened and that those who threatened it were not the best pilots in Sirius, let alone the most sober ones. Because of that it was the south that received the newest of recruits, and the least disciplined ones. A considerable part of the forces was the Civilian Defense Initiative, a group of patriotic office workers and merchants flying whatever they could afford. It was Hall's job to bring the rabble into order, and although he liked it and thus did it well, by the way of the lash of course, they were not exactly fit for an inspection. He felt a wish to immediately leave the meeting to make them practice aiming and arrange for their uniforms to finally be washed. But before that, he would opt stopping the inspection before it started.
"I propose the Avalon for that. She is a carrier already stationed with the Norfolk, she can house and supply many patrols, and she possesses the space needed for troops, if necessary. I am prepared to move the ship at your command, fleet admiral. Especially with this added, I am aware that you have a lot on your shoulders, so I propose to perform the inspection myself. I command the fleets after all. I will notify you of the results."
Admiral Hall, don't mistake my kind tone for a lacking promise. I will be conducting an inspection not only on a supposedly lacking fleet, but also on its commander, for failing to bring it to my attention.
It wasn't a threat. Not really. Michelle simply required Hall operate at his best. Cambridge was necessary for food throughout the kingdom, and Sprague was going to provide much needed jobs for the refugees, great opportunities for Bretonias economy. Add to that the links with Rheinland, and one could understand the importance of the omega trade lines, and their protection. She paused, looking around the table. Seeing no one moving to add anything, she pulled her report in front of her
Okay. I'd like to move now to my own fleets.
We'll start with the New London Command Fleet. As it stands, the fleet has suffered little in terms of size, and we are completing our duties in the protection of Her Majesty the Queen, and the Royal Family. Fighter wings are currently launching from Wellington Base, and we have Marines training alongside the Army in preparation for Leeds ground assaults. I am also deploying carrier patrols to the Manchester system, to keep an eye on the Gauls stationed there.
The Suffolk has had little changes that are not already available to all of you. We have sent patrols into the nearby fields, and the fleet has continued to protect Southampton Shipyard and its crew.
Speaking of Southampton, I'd like to focus on the York Counter Fleet. We are all aware of the efforts to reinforce the fleet, and prepare it to strike back at the Gauls in Leeds. These efforts are continuing superbly, which is why I'd like to propose a small change to our plans.
She paused, looking round the table, allowing the moment to draw them in
I propose that we create a battlegroup, as a detachment of the York Fleet. We will slowly grow this battlegroup until it is ready to strike at the Leeds system, and retake our homes.
Our duty is to protect the people of Bretonia. Right now, that means we need to free our people on Leeds, and right now I believe this is the best course of action to do so.
I should make it very clear, this will not be a simple task. We are not experiencing an over abundance of materials, so I will be repurposing all Merchant Navy vessels to the supply of parts and materials to Southampton Shipyard until further notice. I am also tasking you all with the protection of Merchant Navy vessels. This is your highest priority, when we are not under attack of course.
I will also be establishing contact with the shipping companies of the houses when I believe the time is right. I'd like the foundations of this to be in place before their involvement is necessary, and I hope I don't need to remind any of you, the details of this operation are strictly confidential. For now, this remains between us. Any questions?
Hall did not want to operate at his best. That required dedication and, even worse, work. Leisure was necessary for his mental well-being, and reinforcements were going to provide much needed jobs for other people, a great opportunity for Hall to lay his feet onto his desk and take a nap. Add to this his request for reinforcements months ago, and he could avoid the inspection of himself altogether, and receive what he had requested. He uttered at once.
"Yes. I did bring the problems to your attention, Fleet Admiral, along with a request for reinforcements, when the Hessians attacked. In June. I suppose that those have been integrated with the battlegroup along their way?"
He got her here, he thought. It was an obvious oversight from her side. Of course, he did not want to be openly invasive, which is why he subordinated his needs beneath those of the counterattack battlegroup, although he did not think his reinforcements ended up there, or anywhere.
What was most important for him here is that, apparently, the Fleet Admiral made a mistake in front of the whole board.
"An order not answered is an order not given". A policy which officers are expected to live by. It is your responsibility to chase these things up, Admiral Hall.
She cast him a glance, perhaps even as far as a glare to some. This was not a slugging match to see who could outwit the other, and none present had time for childish games
If that is all, I'd like to ask you all what you feel you can provide to this effort. I will not ask you to weaken you fleets, so do not offer me capital ships, but do you feel you can spare marines, fighters, could you do without the Merchant Navy vessels assigned to your sector for a limited time? Please, speak openly.
She sat back, clasping her hands on the desk. It was time this got underway
Apparently that was where the limit was. Hall receded, for now. He believed that he could only worsen his position if he continued, especially if he did not contribute. O'Brien was a stronger leader than he had thought. At least the probing was successful. Now he had to make a contribution to her masterplan, but not one too great, as by that he would show that he has bowed to her tyranny.
"Although we are slightly lacking in warships, my fleets do have a few units of marines stationed, for whom there has, fortunately, never been a use so far. They are thus not very experienced, but they can aim a rifle better than most pirates. I could order a general mobilization on Planet Cambridge if they are not enough.
My fleets also contain a number of logistics ships, slightly aged, but rarely used. I could provide you with some, but first have in mind that my fleets will no longer be able to perform any offensive actions if you take more than a quarter. Here are the details."
As he has not revised a lot about the details, he gives a sheet of paper to O'Brien via Commodore McIntire, as Hall is not the closest to the Fleet Admiral. Also because he likes being served, and McIntire would certainly not avoid passing a sheet of paper, as that would be rather impolite.
While he passed the sheet McIntire couldnt prevent a slight smile appearing in his face. The badly hidden hostility between the Fleet Admiral and Hall was too amusing. Everyone knew Hall did not feel comfortable serving under someone younger, that she was a woman did not help it either.
His attemt to show the Fleet Admiral up were not helping the cause though and if Hall would continue playing his games he might actually harm the well beeing of the nation.
McIntire decided to show his support for the Fleet Admiral, not necessarily out of belief in her but more to put a damper on Halls ego.
Halls documents Ma'am
He said while standing up and bringing them to her directly, bowing down a bit while speaking
After sitting down again he takes a sip of his water, then leaning back in the chair and watching Hall, not even hiding he wants to see his reaction.
Michelle read through the document, noting important points, things that could be utilised, mentally. She placed it down in front of her, and looked to the table before her
Might I suggest then, to each of you, that you donate only 10% of the transports and freighters attached to your fleets, to the Merchant Navy itself. You prepare whatever available fighter wings for escort duty through the system you have been tasked to protect, and that we begin training marines to specialise in ship to ship combat. This would be a refresher for many, but I hope they may bring us vessels which may be utilised. If anyone feels they can spare a fighter wing, then we should donate it to Merchant Navy defence wings. I am already contributing a wing of the 1st New London Fleet's Templars to run escort for various trade runs. They should be mobilising as we speak.
Before we continue, would anyone else like to suggest any additions or changes?
![[Image: 396AUfe.png]](https://i.imgur.com/396AUfe.png)
