After Action
© 2024 by Walter Reimer

Thumbnail art by  rabbi-tom


Every captain involved in the exercise gathered at one of the base’s conference centers after all the ships had docked. By order of Admiral k’Jan, everyone reported wearing their formal uniforms.

The significance of the type of uniform was not lost on any of the shlani present in the room. An after action inquiry could easily become a court martial if necessary. Two legal specialists were present in the room, observing.

In a Fleet formal uniform of turquoise blue and wearing her two Battle Honors decorations, Varan sat alone facing the inquiry board. Behind her in two rows of six each were the other captains who had been part of the force she had led. Facing her were Admiral k’Jan, the subadmiral in command of j’Shavar Base, and one senior captain.

Vesan k’Daridh, while an admiral and slightly senior to k’Jan, had recused herself on the grounds of her relationship with Varan.

“Captain g’Raf,” k’Jan said after a few prefacing comments setting the date, time and a general summary of the exercise, “please explain why you adopted the tactics used in the exercise.”

“Yes, Admiral. Victory conditions for my force required destroying or severely damaging the base while keeping casualties at under fifty percent. My force was the smaller of the two in the exercise, and the only advantage I had was to adopt unorthodox tactics. I drew upon my own experience of Terran Fleet tactics, as well as the experience of the captains and crews under my overall command.” Her tailspur flicked. “Our advantage was the fact that we also knew Imperial tactics, as well as the limits and weaknesses of the ship in the opposing force.”

“The tactics used were primarily deception and distraction,” the subadmiral pointed out.

“Yes, Sir. In my view, the inferior force could use deception and distraction to its advantage until I could guide Bōank into position to place a warp-capable bendār over the star’s south pole.”

“You would have destroyed the entire system?” the subadmiral asked.

“Yes, Sir,” Varan said smoothly. “The victory conditions allowed it, and as demonstrated at the Wolf System, the Terrans would have destroyed the system without a qualm if it meant destroying an Imperial formation in exchange.”

“Yes, the Terrans,” k’Jan said. “You used an image filter to simulate your wearing a Terran uniform.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Varan said.

“That was impudent of you, and an affront to the Sovereign’s dignity under military regulations,” k’Jan said. “A reprimand will be filed.”

“I understand, Ma’am,” Varan said, gesturing both affirmation and acceptance. “I went too far in the simulation, and it was my error.” She didn’t mention that the captain of Ferocity had had an actual Terran uniform made to his measurements, and she hoped that he’d destroyed it.

The senior captain on the board spoke up. “You labeled one attack pattern as ‘Meredidh-1,’ Captain. Please explain.”

“Yes, Sir. I have a relationship with a Terran freighter captain, who while in command of her ship was attacked by a Terran Confed raider. Using random movements in both hyperspace and real space, she avoided being damaged by the superior ship,” Varan said. “She described the tactics used, and supplied me with a file containing a reconstruction of the maneuvers, along with her distraction tactic.”

“Which was?”

“She knew the captain of the raider and used personal insults to anger him. As a result, he acted incautiously. It was only the arrival of a superior Colonial force that made him disengage and escape without damaging or destroying Captain d’Estcourt’s ship.”

“I understand. May I obtain a copy of that report?”

“Of course, Captain.”

There was a brief interval as the three officers conferred, followed by an additional conversation with the two legal specialists. They returned to their seats as Admiral k’Jan said, “Captain g’Raf and the force under her command are found to have exercised proper discretion in fulfilling the victory conditions for the exercise, as well as showing innovation and original thinking in limiting casualties to her ships and crews.” She paused. “Congratulations, Captain g’Raf.”

“Thank you, Ma’am,” Varan said, using the stress that made the gratitude more respectful.

K’Jan gestured acceptance. “This proceeding is concluded.”