The Landfall Campaign (The Nameless War) Read Online Free Page A

there quickly enough. But I would remind you that the planet is defended by one orbital fort and missile batteries capable of engaging orbiting starships. ”
    “ At times anyway, ” said the British Prime Minister Michael Layland. “ My own military staff has made the point that unlike Earth ’ s, Landfall ’ s missile batteries do not cover the entire sky. While they would be able to protect the shelters from orbital bombardment, they are not capable of stopping a landing from being made elsewhere on the planet. And by elsewhere I mean within about a hundred kilometres of the shelters. ”
    “ But they do cover the parts of the planet that will be sheltering the population, ” Wingate replied, “ and the ground forces stationed there are in turn capable of defending the launchers from a surface assault ”
    “ There is that point. Certainly I agree Earth is the critical ground the Nameless must take to win and thus must be protected, ” Clifton replied. “ Do you believe the Nameless will assault Landfall? ”
    Wingate and Lewis exchanged looks.
    “ There are a number of scenarios in which we can envision the Nameless attacking Landfall, ” Wingate replied. “ The seizure of the planet could be a primary war aim. Alternatively they could do so to draw us out into a battle of attrition we are in no condition to fight. ”
    “ Is there anything we can do to prevent this? ” asked the Egy ptian President .
    “ For the time being the fleet can stay clear of Landfall, not give the Nameless a reason to go there. In our judgement, Landfall is in itself a strategic irrelevance, ” Wingate said. “ The other course of action open to us is in the hands of yourselves, the national governments. The population of Landfall will be safe inside the shelters. The problem is, those shelters are not especially comfortable. If there is no immediate assault, there will be public pressure for a return to the separate colonies. It is our advice that this be resisted at all costs. With the population in the shelters, Landfall offers no soft targets. If people are allowed to return to the colonies, then they once again become vulnerable to attack. We would like individual governments to order their colony governors to keep their people in the shelters. ”
    “ We will make sure that your advice is passed along to the relevant authorities Admiral, but obviously that is a decision for individual governments, ” Clifton replied. “ But what action does the fleet propose if Landfall does come under assault? ”
    “ Primarily, that the planet defend itself, ” he replied bluntly.
    “ Admiral, there are over three million people on that planet, ” Layland objected. A number of other council members nodded in support.
    “ Respectfully Mister Prime Minister, ” Lewis spoke before Wingate could make any reply, “ there are over nine billion on this one. ”
    That was certainly a good example of the Home Fleet ’ s Commander ’ s famous bluntness, Wingate thought to himself. It might be true but such statements were probably too brutal. Perhaps for once Lewis sensed this himself, for he added: “ blockade runners should be able to get through though. ”
    “ But if they fail, the fleet will find another way to support the planet, ” Callahan added unexpectedly. Both Wingate and Lewis abruptly turned to look at the Secretary.
    “ Do you have anything to add Admiral? ” Clifton asked.
    Wingate was aware that the Council members were watching him intently. Politicians could smell division at a thousand paces. They couldn ’ t afford to show disagreement at the fleet ’ s highest levels. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Lewis ’ s face. His expression had gone professionally blank.
    “ No Madam President. If the Nameless continue to bypass Landfall we will keep our distance, if they mount a sustained attack, we will have to reconsider our options. ”
    “ Very well, Admiral. I see no point in continuing this