2317 AD. The Marines At War.: Book 1 Walkabout and Watson

2

Chapter 1 – An Unexpected Reconnaissance

September 13th, 2317 1023 hours in the gym at Marine Base Tarawa

Walkabout was working through a progression in the gym when Biggs arrived, did the Marine martial arts stretches, and then started his weight routine next to Walkabout.  "Bad news, Walkabout.  The corvette Hansen is four days overdue here.  Nobody knows what happened to that ship.  The word is that the Navy is doing a reconnaissance in force with some of the big ships, tracing the patrol route of the Hansen, but there is no word yet.  There is some scuttlebutt that there have been attacks on some of the outworlds as well.  No landings, at least yet.  I wonder what they are doing?"

Biggs, whoever they are, they are probably doing what we would do.  They are attempting to understand how we operate, and how we would defend a planet, a base, or a ship.  If they manage to figure that out, they’ll move to the next stage and attempt to implement a takeover somewhere, to test their tactics.

"Walkabout, I am busy prepping Watson for you.  You’ll be going out soon.  I’ll finish loading the packages for you in about three or four days.  No clue about where you are going but I think that they are weighing things based on attacks on corvettes and challenges to planets or bases.  We really need to find these people and put paid to them."

Biggs, how do you get to know about this stuff?

I found a connection.  Big Lips in Building 1.  Big Lips passes me the info, I do a bit of horse trading, and the info I get has pretty much proven to be true.  Just keep it between you and me and no one will get in trouble.

My lips are sealed, buddy, and thanks for the info.

September 14th 2317 1220 hours, an unexpected reconnaissance

Walkabout was in Watson in space checking out some changes in the ship’s operation when the Alpha warship appeared.  It hovered over Tarawa for 120 seconds, and was starting to depart when Walkabout said, "Watson, if you agree with me, attach yourself to that ship.  Let’s see where it goes.  Keep silent.  If this ship doesn’t know we are here, that is good."

September 16th, 2317 2053 hours in Watson

Walkabout, we’ve arrived in a system.  The Alpha has dropped out of jump.

Do you know where we are at?

I’m taking pictures of the sky and feeding them to the mapping program.  No response yet and I’d suspect that we won’t know for several hours.

"Watson, what you are doing now?"

"I am following the ship we rode on as it moves further into the system.  Using passive sensors, I am looking for technological artifacts, and as the system’s layout becomes obvious, I am mapping the system itself.  At this point I can tell you that there is a Kuiper Belt at the edge of the system.  I have identified a planet or a planetoid, the distance is too great for me to know yet.

The ship is continuing to move in-system.  We’ll continue following it at a distance.  The reason for moving more slowly is for us to identify any devices which are intended to identify us.

Now I’ll suggest that you grab some sleep.  If there is anything of importance, I’ll wake you immediately."

September 17th, 2317 1113 hours in Watson

Walkabout, I’m creating a window for you.  Do you want to sit or stand?

"Stand, please.  I’d like a cup of tea.  Watson, what am I looking for?"

Find the red dot on the window.  We are about 0.0054 of an AU, roughly 500,000 miles, from a planet.  This planet is where the Alpha terminated its travel.  By my count, there are several satellites in orbit and there appears to be a base on the planet.  As we close the distance I’ll be able to provide you with better information.

The reconnaissance team settled in for the duration of their stay, and the AI recorded everything her passive sensors could recognize.  This included images and any kind of broadcast from the ship, the satellites, or the planet that arrived at Watson’s position.

October 7th, 2317 1107 hours in Watson

Not quite three weeks had passed when Watson saw the new ship appear and she notified her Marine.  Walkabout, a new ship has entered the solar system.  It is behind you on your left at a slight up angle.  I marked it with a red dot.  It will pass at a range of 0.0033 AU, about 306,900 miles.  We are operating silently, and I’ll monitor any scans directed toward our position in preparation for an emergency jump if necessary.  I have designated this ship Bravo 1.  It is significantly different than Alpha 1. Bravo 1 does not appear to see us, and I am now collecting information about both of the ships.

Walkabout could see outside the ship.  Depending on what the Marine saw, he could include observations and assessments that would be included in the reports, for there are still things that the human mind might recognize or question, for wonder or for a pattern, that aren’t immediately recognized by the best and brightest artificial intelligence.  His utterances would be recorded and included with all the other material, time stamped.  Should further observation be noted or considered by Walkabout, it could be attached to a previous observation or assessment if Walkabout indicated that need.

The Marine made a request of the ship.  "Watson, could you magnify the inbound ship, please?"  A magnified view was provided to the Marine.

Watson was hovering at 0.00434 AU (about 403,000 miles) from the planet under observation.  That ship, designated Alpha 1, was deemed to not be aware of Watson or her Marine.  Other than some solar dust, there was nothing to impede Watson’s recordings.  Passive sensors were examining the ships, the satellites, the planet, its occupants and the space inside this solar system, collecting as much information as passive sensors could collect.

Watson spoke, There has not been much happening on the planet, or with the satellites in orbit around it.  We will see if anything transpires with the new arrival.

Reconnaissance 14 was very near the end of its reconnoitering of the Alpha ship and the planet, which was believed to be occupied by the same forces which had engaged Earth forces in several battles in space, usually in the locale of a human-occupied planet or military base.  Walkabout and Watson had a serendipitous success in piggy-backing on one of those ships to this solar system.  Whatever happened, it would be necessary for them to return to the nearest Marine or Naval Base with the information associated with this planet and its visitors.  Both knew that if Walkabout could not make it, Watson would have to deliver the information without him.

Walkabout, I have managed to identify several sensor arrays, antennas and pods, none of which seem to recognize us.  Additionally, I have identified a forward communications array on Bravo 1 which is transmitting and the satellite which is responding to the transmission.  I do not recognize the language in the transmission, but we are recording it.

By the end of the third week the Marine was psychologically depleted.  He would have done everything that human beings do by themselves, as well as observing whatever he and his ship could observe during the reconnoiter, all the while talking to an artificial intelligence for company.

October 8th, 2317 1100 hours on Watson

Watson had some sets of primary instructions.  First, she was to determine if any items near her were active in their searches, and if so, to try to determine if any of those items could penetrate her stealth to destroy her, her Marine, or the data they had accumulated.  Second, she was to deliver any information she acquired to the appropriate authority; and third, she was to protect the Marine she was assigned to as well as she could, with the recognition that he could issue her orders under specific conditions which would affect the third item.

In making preparation to leave the solar system based on considerations recognizing the limitations of the human person, and the Marine experience derived from too-long-in-space by one’s self, Watson recognized an event happening.  Walkabout, I think that there is a problem.  The in-system ship seems to be targeting Bravo 1. 

Then Watson invisibly winked out of the space it was in and that observation was left unfinished.

October 11th, 2317 0700 hours near Tarawa

Four days after departing the enemy-occupied solar system, Watson winked into space 10 AUs out from Marine Base Tarawa, woke Walkabout, and began searching the surrounding area to determine if the base was operable, and was still under control of the Earth Alliance. 

October 13th, 2317 1030 hours at Tarawa

Thirty-three hours after Walkabout and Watson returned to Tarawa, a meeting was called by the base commander at the request of the intelligence people.  Captain Tradzuski and Reconnaissance 13 and 14 were in attendance. 

Brigadier General Moore entered the room followed by Lieutenant Commander Henry, and Marines stood to attention while the general moved to his chair and took command of the meeting.  At ease.  Please sit.  I am convening this session of the Intelligence Committee.  We are operating under normal UCMJ and federal law considerations for highly-compartmentalized extremely secure data.  All persons in this meeting are subject to both the UCMJ and the federal law.  The general continued.  Corporal Truman, why did you decide to follow the Alpha ship?

"Sir, it seemed to Watson and me that we had an opportunity that had not, to our knowledge, presented itself before.  We had some conversations about what to do if a reconnaissance opportunity presented itself unexpectedly, and we agreed to take advantage of what was occurring.  Please note that we were concerned that any communications from Watson might be recognized, which would identify us and jeopardize our reconnaissance, so we remained silent and rode attached to the Alpha ship just forward of that ship’s exhaust, thinking that the exhaust might provide some interference in identifying us as unexpected passengers.  Then, when we recognized that the Alpha ship left slipstream and that we were in a solar system, Watson released her hold and we fell off the Alpha ship, moving at a slight angle from that ship until Watson stabilized our position.  Watson was recording everything, and we had a specific direction for a return to Tarawa.

As an aside, we both realized something important.  We have specialized probes.  We merely need one that will take a recording, and then deliver it by any means necessary to the nearest Marine or Naval base or Navy ship.  We could have left you a message about our departure.  We might not have a clue of where we were going, and certainly did not this time, but as long as the probe could return along the route we had taken, Marine or Naval commanders would be aware of when and why we left as part of the info we could have provided."

The general said, When we could not find you, we initiated a search.  We were afraid that you’d been killed or captured.  However, the two of you did exactly what you were trained and built to do, providing a reconnaissance which required a display of great initiative and great courage.  Captain Tradzuski, I want a commendation placed in the corporal’s service jacket noting this fact.  Please pass it to me for signature first.  I will also forward the suggestion on the message probe, along with my recommendation in favor.  Intelligence, what can you tell us?

Navy Lieutenant Commander Henry responded, "Sir, Recon 14 rode the enemy ship, designated Alpha 1 by Watson, to the point that stellar cartography has identified as Golf - Romeo Sector 21, with the team stabilizing in an orbit approximately 0.00434 AU from a rocky planet now identified as GRS21-3, which is in the habitable zone for temperature, although the planet does not have an external atmosphere."

The commander queued a screen and pictures began to display information gathered by Watson.  He continued speaking.  "The team took an orbit above Alpha 1 which kept the orbiting ship and the visible satellites in view, and they maintained that position throughout the reconnaissance.  Watson’s sensors were in continuous operation from that fixed position and observed the following:

In order around the visible parts of the planet were four satellites in fixed orbital positions.  We had not previously seen this type of satellite.  Watson did not see those satellites maneuver or display any offensive or defensive capabilities.  The ship designated Alpha 1 by Recon 14 went into an orbit above GRS21-3.  Based on sensor data, we believe that ship identified itself or was queried by the satellites and found acceptable.

The ship itself is identical in appearance to the descriptions of other such ships we have acquired.  Where items are in some type of operation, we are assuming the same capabilities, however other than some radar-like recognition sensors, weapons, and what seems to be a communications array, we have zero recognition of what most of the blisters and external functions do.

The planet is occupied and has both buildings and, what appear to be mine entrances.  Some beings would occasionally be seen arriving at or departing from both the buildings and the mines.  We were not able to identify individuals appearing on the entries and exits so we do not know how many individuals were involved.  Barring some sort of entry into the buildings and mines we cannot identify their purposes.

Given the extreme distance, identification of the beings as individuals was impossible.  Those beings occupying the planet appear to be man-like with a single head and arms and legs, two of each per individual specimen.  We don’t know if other appendages are hidden under the spacesuits they were wearing."

The commander queued up the next picture and continued.  "The late arriving ship, designated Bravo 1 by Watson, was much different and significantly larger than the ship initially tracked by the team.  Other than some guesswork based on Watson’s observations, we have virtually no understanding of that ship, including its ability to observe us, although it betrayed no recognition of Watson, which was 0.0033 AU from Bravo 1’s glide path.  Of note, as is commonplace for our reconnaissance teams, Watson was largely powered down and was observing and recording using passive sensors.

Pertinent to this was that Recon 14 had not been prepared for this opportunity by being provided with a load of the sensor probes which could be sent out to ascertain facts.  Watson was being prepared for another mission when this opportunity presented itself; and Walkabout and Watson went to an immediate recon mode and took point in this effort.  However, we lack information and the points of view that other sensor probes might have provided. 

We do have the recordings done by Watson, but until we gather something to compare them with and get some perspective, we won’t know what information was transmitted, or its purpose. 

Lastly, as Recon 14 was winking out of the GRS21-3 space, an action seemed to be occurring between the newcomer, Bravo 1, and the ship the team was originally tracking, Alpha 1.  We have no idea of the outcome of that action."

Commander, do you have any recommendations? asked the general.

"Yes, sir.  We’d like a reconnaissance team to return to GRS21-3 to ascertain any changes that might have occurred.  We’d like the insertion to be significantly different than the departure location for the Truman-Watson team.  There is information that might affect our understanding which would be more easily recognized from a different location.

If the ship can travel unseen, which certainly appears to be true given that Watson was attached to that Alpha ship and remained unspotted, we’d like the Marine to go dirtside and place detection devices as well as check measurements, such as the sizes of the doors and mine entrances, and to collect any artifacts that are available.

In this case, we believe that the original Alpha vessel which Watson rode through slipstream could not recognize Watson, but we have no idea of what happened with the new ship.  While Watson was not identified by Bravo 1 when it was inbound, it may be that Watson’s point of departure was identified, which is a second reason for requesting a new insertion point."

Commander, you are aware that Reconnaissance 13 is about to depart due to a very specific Naval request, and when that happens we will have only one available reconnaissance team at Tarawa?

Yes, sir.

You are aware that Corporal Truman has been back at Tarawa for all of 34 hours?

Yes, sir. 

That being so, you are aware that it takes some time for the Marine to recuperate from the extended reconnaissance?

"Yes, sir; however, we now have a location, some experience there, some new sets of information which we need to develop, and a limitation: Recon 14 is the only recon team available to us currently.  I would suggest that Corporal Truman be put to sleep by Watson for whatever time Watson needs to get to station and establish herself.  Once that occurs, the corporal can be awakened."

Corporal? said the general, looking directly at Walkabout. 

Sir? 

Marine, can you take it if we ship you back much earlier than past experiences have prepared you for? 

Yes, sir. 

"Commander, I want the following:

Prepare a reconnaissance for the items you know that you need.  Prepare a second set of objectives, including the ability of Walkabout and Watson to decide to pursue information that happenstance provides, even as they did with this initial recon. That preparation will not be available for another 48 hours, commander. 

Corporal, I want you to exercise, eat, drink, sleep and shoot the breeze with your peers.  Then I want Medical to check you over and compare you with your norms, both physical and psychological.  I understand the need for good intelligence and I understand that human beings need some downtime.

Accordingly, we’ll precede on my time table.

Corporal, you are dismissed.  Commander, captain and Watson, please remain."

After Truman’s departure, the general spoke: "Commander, prepare a complete copy of the collected information and get it to Naval Technical Headquarters, along with copies to the next closest Marine and Naval bases, including a request for them to duplicate it and move it out to other Marine and Naval bases as well.  We have information that seems to be unique to us, and I want to ensure that it arrives at places that can address it as quickly as possible.  Include any observations, surmises and questions which have been made here by Truman, by Watson, and by your staff.  Include your recommendations to Recon 14 for the return reconnaissance so that others know what we are attempting to learn.

Captain, I want a separate header for the Naval Technical Headquarters, based on the recommendation for a probe designed to inform the Marines or the Navy about an unexpected Marine reconnaissance, with the probe to be supported by a Marine reconnaissance ship, so size is a factor.  Include the need to inform that Reconnaissance Team’s command structure which does include the local Intelligence operation.  Bring it to me for signature.

Watson, how comfortable are you with the idea that neither Alpha or Bravo can see you?"

"Sir, we rode to GRS21 attached to the skin of the Alpha vessel.  We arrived and remained on-station unobserved.  When the Bravo ship passed by us, we were not observed by that ship.  The stealth I have works.  I was ready to jump in fractions of a second, but never had to leave until concerns about Walkabout’s wellbeing took priority.

Unless I am told otherwise, I’ll put Walkabout to sleep for the duration of the return to GRS21, waking him when I reach the edge of that system and review his responses against his norms.  If I have any reason to be concerned about Walkabout’s well-being, I’ll abort the mission and bring him back here.  For this, I’ll require your concurrence."

The general responded, "Watson, we have a real need for the information that you’ve provided.  We have a real need for the information that might be coming your way.  When we limited reconnaissance to three weeks plus travel time back and forth, it was based on experience.  If we get our Marines back within a month and have time to air them out, we are able keep them sane.  It was too much being alone that caused them to become detached and divorced from normal human considerations.  However, we are now on a war footing with a largely unknown enemy.  Things are changing.  I know that you’ll do your best to protect your Marine.  What the two of you are doing is protecting the people who need the protection both of you provide.  Those people carry a need for protection that sometimes costs us Marines and sailors.  Bring him back if you can, but if you cannot, you cannot.  It is a cost we all share."

Chapter 2 – A Return to Golf Romeo Sector 21

One hour after dismissal from the Intelligence brief, Walkabout was in the gymnasium, working a rotation through the exercise devices, attempting a two-hour routine to rebuild his strength and endurance.  His friend Biggs, a reconnaissance ship technician and Watson’s crew chief, was present and they began to converse, largely involving the local scuttlebutt. 

Biggs noted, "Walkabout, the Navy never found the Hansen.  They did find some wreckage, lifeboat wreckage if we understand it correctly, but no living sailors, no bodily remains, and no corvette. The rumor has it that the Navy wants an opportunity to find out how the Alphas will handle the big gun naval ships.  A fight with a cruiser or a battleship.

The other rumor is that we now have two recon teams going out.  Since the only two recon teams here are 13 and 14, does that mean that you are going out?  You just got back, and I don’t remember having a recon team do that fast of a turnaround."

"Biggs, I volunteered.  We found something on the last recon and there was no closure on it.  If we get back on a quick turnaround we might find something usable.  I will assume my loadout includes the remotes.  I think that they will come in real handy. Also, I had met some of the sailors on the Hansen when they made a short port call here.  Nice guys.  If I can help the Navy to avoid another Hansen, I’ll welcome that opportunity.

It’s all personal, isn’t it?  There is that old Marine Corps – Navy thing, but really, those are our people.  If someone needs to die, maybe we can get the Alphas to volunteer for that duty."

Four hours later, having exercised and eaten, Walkabout was responding to his digital correspondence.  His mother was very good about writing him regularly, keeping him involved with the goings-on of the family and some of the family’s close friends.  He needed the love of his mother, and he remembered the phrase about ‘all boys being mom’s boys.’  She was still the closest person to him emotionally. He knew that his mother expected him to respond, so he responded to her, and then she kept the family informed about those items he could tell her about his life. 

His mother reiterated a previous question about Watson, and he responded that while he still occasionally worked with her, he had not seen her, and importantly, that there was a fraternization issue involved which precluded him seeing Watson away from work. 

There were a few other letters and notes, and Walkabout responded to them, glad to be remembered and knowing that if he did not write back he’d be largely forgotten. 

October 15th, 2317 at Tarawa

Forty-four hours later Intelligence provided Recon 14 with an updated list of primary and secondary objectives, along with the ability to override both primary and secondary objectives if Walkabout and Watson agreed. 

October 19th through October 28th, 2317 at GRS21

They arrived four AUs (about 372 million miles) out from GRS21-3 and Watson’s sensors were sweeping the solar system for information.  Moment by moment Watson would search for astronomical and technical information.  Some satellites had been placed at the edge of the solar system.  These were different than the previous satellites near the planet.  They were smaller and were scanning on a different frequency.  After two days, Watson micro-jumped to a location at a 90-degree angle from the plain of the ecliptic, one planet out from GRS21-3, arriving on stealth mode.

No recognition was made of her arrival.  She launched a series of tiny sensor probes to various points in relation to GRS21-3 and micro-jumped.  If an enemy was able to track the sensor probes back to a point-of-origin, Watson would not be there.

The sensor probes arrived at various locations within the solar system and began scanning using varying frequencies, collecting information, and using a point-to-point transmission of its information on a regular schedule to ensure that as much information was forwarded as possible should the probe be compromised. 

Should the probe be discovered, it would go silent and evade, attempting to avoid capture.  In the event of capture, it would destruct, imploding and turning its technical equipment into something resembling metallic ash.

Forty-eight hours later it was established that no space ships, satellites, or any debris was found within one AU of GRS21-3. On the third day in orbit around GRS21-3, Watson landed, Walkabout suited up and went looking for the inhabitants that had previously been seen. 

November 4th, 2317 1330 hours in a conference room at Tarawa

The general reconvened the Intelligence Committee, including the captain and Recon 14. At ease.  Please be seated.  I am convening this session of the Intelligence Committee.  We are operating under normal UCMJ and federal law considerations for highly-compartmentalized extremely secure data.  All persons in this meeting are subject to both the UCMJ and the federal law. Commander, what do you have for me? asked the general.

"Sir, the following has occurred: First, some satellites were at the edge of the solar system which were not previously noted, and Watson was quite precise in her original examination of the solar system.  These satellites were different in size from those noted on the original reconnaissance of GRS21-3, and they were broadcasting back and forth.  We have records of those broadcasts, which were intermittent, but nothing to compare them against.

Of note, the broadcast language does not appear to be related to the language used by the satellites and ships entering the orbit of GRS21-3 on the original visit.    We don’t know if these satellites are from Alpha, Bravo, or a third, unknown party.

Second, the area around GRS21-3 was devoid of equipment of any kind.  There was no sign of the Alpha ship or the satellites which were in orbit above GRS21-3 at Watson’s departure, or of the Bravo ship. 

The sensor packages dispensed by Watson found no debris of any kind within an AU’s distance from the planet.  No metals, no plastics, no organic matter, no signs of motive emissions, literally nothing.  Things had been cleaned up.  This does not apply to the planet, however, which is the third item.

The corporal landed and did a physical tour of the area, taking measurements, capturing information and placing devices around the buildings and the mine entrances.  Note that there were no signs of habitation on this visit. 

Fourth, Walkabout did an examination of the buildings and mines.  Everything was recorded, and we are still going over the film pixel by pixel.  Corporal Truman returned with numerous samples of the technology he found, along with a couple of cadavers.  We are running multiple tests on the bones, muscles, tendons, flesh and the brain matter.  We don’t know how much their chemistry or biology is affected by death, noting that the corporal brought several samples of an atmosphere contained in the mines as part of his retrieval effort.  We do have two specific atmospheric samples from the room where the bodies and a couple of space suits were retrieved, and those are being compared with the decomposition of the bodies as well as with other atmospheric samples recovered from other parts of the mines. 

What we don’t know is if the wearers of those suits were part of the original company, although by appearance based on the suits, these were the beings Watson had visually recorded on their first visit.  In this case, we haven’t seen any beings identified with the Bravo ship, so we don’t have a comparison to use."

The commander continued.  "The technology samples are being reverse-engineered as we are trying to understand what is involved and how they work.  Walkabout brought us a sizable number of duplicates where he was able, and every duplicate item was dispatched to the Naval Technical Headquarters for independent testing.  That site knows where the equipment came from, but we did not want to muddy the waters with our hypotheses.  We did send them one cadaver, one spacesuit, and some atmosphere containers as well.

We don’t know whether the technology shaped for an Alpha’s hand are weapons, or if they serve other purposes.  We are also trying to discern if those beings use specialized triggers able to recognize use by individual users which make the equipment unusable by others.  It is improbable but possible.  It may also be that the gloves enable the individual to use a specific weapon or tool.

The cadaver and its flesh samples might aid in causing the technology to work, if it requires a user identification. 

A lot more testing will occur before we can provide you a more definitive response, sir."

The commander made a request.  "General, there is something we would like you to consider.  Recon 14 did a good job of identifying the second spacecraft, Bravo 1.  We have a pinpoint location where Bravo 1 entered GRS21, including the angle of entry. 

We’ve run that angle of entry backwards.  There seem to be three possible solar systems from which Bravo 1 might have come.  We’d like your authorization to send out reconnaissance probes to those locations, including the miniaturized sensor packages to be spread throughout those systems searching for any indication of technology, construction or civilization within those systems.  We would also like to station some semi-permanent shrouded satellites near the edges of these systems to gather whatever sensor information they are capable of gathering."

Commander Henry, how long before those reconnaissance probes and satellites are ready?

"Sir, within 24 hours of your authorization we can have those packages on the way.  We have different timeframes for responses given the locations we plan to visit, and the software applications include an override on the operating system if specific benchmarks are achieved or specialized types of inquiries prove to be desirable.

We also expect to have some corvettes able to jump within broadcast range of those systems to interrogate the reconnaissance satellites and the sensor probes.  We want to keep the corvettes distant enough to avoid any detection if possible, and to avoid any engagements.  The corvettes simply aren’t weaponized to fight against the type of ship that Watson rode to GRS21-3, and we know that because of the Hansen.  We were able to identify some bits of life boats, and one had most of an identification number which traced back to that ship.

We have no idea of what would happen to a corvette if it faced the larger ship, designated Bravo 1, which arrived at GRS21-3 shortly before Watson left.

Each corvette is tasked to go to the nearest Marine or Naval installation and deliver any information it acquires from the reconnaissance probes as a priority.  If there is no information, the corvette continues its patrol pattern as dictated by the Naval authority which dispatched that ship.  Once its patrol is finished, the fact that the reconnaissance uncovered no new information will be part of the dispatch and, per our request, will be delivered to you personally and to Naval Intelligence here."

Commander, you have my verbal authorization and when the transcript of this meeting arrives at your desk, you’ll have the digital authorization.  Get us whatever information you can, delivered to whichever Marine or Naval base is closest to the probe.  Even no news is news. Is there anything else, Commander Henry?

No sir.

Very good.  Get to it, commander.

Aye, sir.

November 31st, 2317 0837 hours at Tarawa

The corvette EAS Ripley arrived at Marine Base Tarawa after deviating from its normal patrol pattern.  It performed a data dump after visiting two of the three solar systems being examined by the sensor probes and cloaked satellites.

December 3rd, 2317 1030 hours at Tarawa

Participants, including all available reconnaissance teams were directed to be present at the Intelligence briefing.  The general opened the briefing.  "The Intelligence Committee is now in session.  We are operating under normal UCMJ and federal law considerations for highly-compartmentalized extremely secure data.  All persons in this meeting are subject to both the