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

particular topic since it is very much dependent on future events. So unless anyone objects I ’ d like to move on. Anyone? No? Then moving on to the fleet ’ s plans for the stock hulls …”
     
     
    Wingate let out a heartfelt sigh of relief as the holograms of the Council members went dark. Around him people started to gather up their papers as they discussed the proceedings with their neighbours. The meeting had taken a little over four hours and covered a myriad of topics. The most important one was that the industrialised nations had accepted that their economies were going to have to go on a war footing, although it would be months before the benefit would be felt. The various national and commercial fleets were now mostly under Battle Fleet control, but making sure that their crews didn ’ t disappear dirtside, was now an extra headache.
    “ Can everyone clear the room, ” called out Lewis. He paused before adding in a louder voice: “ now ! ”
    No one needed a second invitation and within a few minutes it was just Wingate, Callahan, Fengzi and Lewis in the big room. Lewis stared impassively at the Secretary while the room was clearing out. As the big double doors closed behind the last officer, Lewis looked around to check no one else was present before speaking.
    “ Could you run past me when exactly Landfall became a major priority? ” he demanded. “ I ask because I was given to believe that we all understood the defence of this planet is the main event. ”
    “ It became a priority about the same time a senior White House official expressed concern about safety of the half million or so citizens they have there, ” Callahan replied as he closed his briefcase with a snap. “ It became more of a priority when I had similar conversations with government officials in New Delhi, Paris, London, Beijing and a half dozen or so other capitals. You may be willing to write Landfall off, but their electorates, and by extension their governments, aren ’ t. It would look like a defeat. ”
    “ So would Earth being bombarded from orbit. And that will be a lot more likely if we have to make a futile attempt to mount a close defence of Landfall, ” Lewis replied, his voice still dangerously calm.
    “ That ’ s certainly an issue Paul but frankly, serious questions are being raised about the competence of the fleet. ”
    Lewis shook his head and muttered something beneath his breath before replying.
    “ From the usual suspects in the Pentagon I would guess. ”
    “ If we could mount some localised offensives, ” Fengzi spoke up for the first time, “ win some small victories, it might do a lot to quieten the armchair admirals. In fact Landfall might provide those very victories. ”
    “ I ’ m listening agog, ” Lewis replied, not bothering now to keep the edge out of his voice.
    “ Running convoys to Landfall would be a clear sign of intent and commitment to the colony, ” Fengzi continued ignoring Lewis ’ s sarcasm. “ It would also have the secondary benefit of drawing out the Nameless; bring them to where we can fight them. ”
    “ Which completely ignores the fact that the Nameless have proven themselves to have long range targeting capabilities. At Alpha Centauri they chose to engage at short range, to hold us in combat, ” Lewis replied. “ There would be no advantage to them doing that again. They would be able to peg at us from ranges we could not match. They ’ d be expending ammunition, we ’ d be expending ships . ”
    “ We could use fighters, ” Fengzi began. “ Akagi and Illustrious …”
    “… are both part of the Home Fleet, ” Lewis cut him off without apology. “ We are not committing our remaining two fighter carriers to a meat grinder. Not to mention what are you convoying in? The shelters are stocked to be able to feed the population for at least twelve months. ”
    “ If the planet is subject to assault then they will definitely need supplies, munitions and