Ep.#15 - "That Which Other Men Cannot Do" (The Frontiers Saga) by Ryk Brown Page A

takes time to build airframes from the ground up,” Admiral Dumar explained patiently.
    “That’s my point,” Deliza exclaimed. “Maybe we should wait until we’ve flown the prototype before we start setting up for production. What if we have to make a major change in the airframe?”
    “The plant already existed, as did the dies and molds for the Eagle’s hull and control surfaces,” Admiral Dumar told her. “If you are unable to make the Super Eagle concept work, we will just build regular Eagles.”
    “But what if I can make it work, but I need to modify the airframe to do so?” Deliza wondered.
    “It would be better if that were not the case,” Admiral Dumar admitted.
    Deliza’s head went down slightly. “No pressure,” she mumbled to herself.
    “Doctor Sorenson, how are things going with the Cobra project on Tanna?” Admiral Dumar asked next.
    “The first Cobra gunship rolled out yesterday. It’s undergoing a rigorous preflight right now, and will launch on schedule the day after tomorrow. Captain Nash will spend a few days in flight trials, and then it will go into service as a trainer for the Tannan Cobra crews. We should see a new gunship rolling out every five days, and entering service five days later.”
    “You’re producing a new gunship every five days?” Jessica exclaimed in disbelief.
    “Actually, it takes about a month to assemble one. Each ship spends three days in a station, and there are ten stations overall. The Tannans have really dug in hard on this project. The gunships are a symbol of pride for them. They finally feel like they are standing up against the Jung. They work day and night. People who aren’t qualified to work the line help out by providing food for the workers, or by helping take care of their families while they are busy working. It’s an amazing thing to watch.”
    “Then everything is on schedule?” the admiral asked.
    “Yes, sir. The first twelve gunships will be in service, fully crewed, within two months. In addition, the docking facilities on the asteroid base will be ready in another week. They’ll be able to dock at least twenty gunships there by the time the first twelve are ready.”
    “Very well,” Admiral Dumar replied. He took a moment to reflect before continuing. “So, it looks like we’re finally starting to get some significant forces going here. Which begs the next question… What are we going to do with them?”
    “I believe that is why I was asked to attend this meeting,” President Scott said. “Some of you may have seen the news report of Admiral Galiardi’s release from the rehabilitation facility. He was somewhat vocal as to his opposition of the Alliance’s efforts to clear a twenty light year sphere around Sol of Jung forces. He was also opposed to taking on more members into this Alliance.”
    “Then he’s really not going to like what I’m proposing we do next,” Admiral Dumar mused.
    “Which is?” the president wondered.
    “I want to extend that Jung-free zone out to thirty light years.”
    The room went silent, as all eyes turned toward the admiral.
    “It’s not that I am opposed to the idea,” President Scott began. “However, there may be others who are… Others with considerable influence.”
    “Such as Galiardi,” the admiral said.
    “And others… Others who will listen to the admiral.”
    “You’re talking about eleven more worlds,” Jessica said, her eyes coming up from her data pad on the table. “Every one of which has a battle group, and every one of which is already aware of the threat the Alliance represents, at least to some degree. So, they’re all going to be on alert status.”
    “That makes it a bit more of a challenge,” Nathan muttered.
    “Perhaps,” Admiral Dumar admitted, “then again, perhaps not. We do have more ships, and we do have better weapons than before, as well as shields. If we can crank out enough JKKVs, we should be able to clear all eleven of those Jung-held