[Galaxy] 31 Aug, Fleet Operations log, Garroway

[Robert]

[ Starfleet Headquarters, Earth ]

"Six ships, destroyed," Stirling said.” Another six out of commission 
for extensive repairs.”

Garroway looked at the wall screen in the 'War Room' and shook his head. 
   He let out a heavy sigh as he considered the situation.” We've given 
as good as we've got, though.”

"By sheer luck," Stirling retorted.” Those Klingon battleships are 
cutting us down and the Naussicans are getting much bolder in their 
tactics.  The only way we've managed to stay in this fight is the 
experience and tenacity of our crews.”

"And the fact that the Romulans still haven't really gotten involved, 
militarily," Garroway added.” Most of our captains cut their teeth at 
Eridani, the rest took their licks in Mercy and now they're pushing the 
limits of everything they've learned.”

Stirling nodded.  He wished there was something more than sheer 
determination going for them, but at the moment he'd take what he could 
get.  But the fact remained that every loss removed a portion of that 
combined knowledge and experience, and eroded the tenacity of those 
still out there.  How long could they keep it up?

Garroway turned from the screen to view the display on one of several 
situation tables at key locations in the chamber.  The last time he'd 
been in this room he was watching helplessly as eleven ships were 
destroyed and one soul shy of four hundred people were declared 'KIA'. 
With that fresh in his mind, he was relieved when Suzy allowed him use 
of a starship to coordinate operations alongside the men and women he 
was sending into harm's way.  Speaking of which...” How's the refit of 
Endeavor going?"

"Six more weeks," Stirling replied.  ”But we may not have that long, so 
I'll have her ready in three.”

"That's a nice gesture," Garroway said slowly, "but not very reassuring. 
   I'd hate to need use of, say, torpedoes only to find out that they 
won't be installed until Tuesday.”

"Oh, she'll be squared away, Commodore," Stirling smiled, "don't you 
worry.  I've put everything on fast forward.  Military contracts have 
gone out to a variety of private contractors and the war effort has 
effectively doubled.”

"They say war is good for the economy," Garroway said absently.  If that 
were true, it was the _only_ thing war was good for.” Military 
contracts," he repeated, and shook his head.  He'd warned about it 
before, but the day was coming when 'Starfleet' and 'military' would be 
synonymous.  ”And the other Freedom-class warships?"

"The 'Constitution' and the 'Sovereign' already have their keel laid, 
but the supply problems are already starting.  They may be on fast 
forward, but they'll still be behind schedule.”

"Then we need to re-evaluate a few things," Garroway said, "starting 
with Freedom and Republic.”

"Oh?"

"I don't like having our strongest ships being held back.  We've got to 
let them loose or we'll be feeding more ships to the grinder.”

"The Admiral won't like that idea," Stirling said, looking at Garroway 
out of the corners of his eyes.

"The Admiral gave me this job," Garroway said as he busied himself with 
new information on the situation table, "and I'm going to do it.  We'll 
send Republic along the Coalition-Romulan border, and get Freedom on a 
circuit of the colonies.  Standing orders are to backup any incoming 
distress call, but not to go looking for trouble on their own.  We need 
some cavalry out there to intervene in the nick of time, or else time 
will quickly become something we won't have.”

Stirling paused to choose his next words carefully.” You're pulling 
Freedom off of Forrest, and sending her to the colonies.  May I ask your 
logic?"

Garroway cut a look to Stirling.  Everyone knew Suzy had a soft spot for 
Forrest, and that Garroway had strong ties to Terra Proxy and New 
Darwin.  He caught the implication that he was only doing it to prove a 
point.” The colonies are easy prey," he explained patiently.” I can only 
guess how the Romulans feel about civilian targets, but I know the 
Naussicans and Klingons aren't likely to pass them up.  We need to get 
some kind of protection in place before any one of them becomes a 
massacre.  And while Forrest is working on a shipyards, they're a point 
of resupply and likely to have some form of starship support at any 
given time.  Plus the fact that they're by no means helpless in their 
own right.”  He looked at Stirling again.” Is that logic sound?"

While Stirling wasn't entirely comfortable with the reassignments, the 
lack of ships Starfleet had to field meant he was already uncomfortable. 
   At least there was nothing biased in Garroway's reasoning, if that 
was, in fact, why he was doing it.  ”I see no serious flaw in your 
logic, but I'm sure there are other redeployments to consider.”

"Oh, I've thought of dozens," Garroway sighed.” And I thought of half a 
dozen more just standing here, but none of them are perfect.  We're just 
spread too thin.”

Stirling scratched his chin, took a moment to consider a few other 
options, and shook his head.” Eh, you're Fleet Ops now, Thomas.  And 
frankly I'm glad it's not me anymore.”

"And likewise, Duncan, I'm glad the burden of starship production 
doesn't rest on _my_ shoulders.”

Stirling shrugged.” While we on the subject," he said, back to business, 
"I've worked out how to rollout the Neptunes a little faster...”

  -----
Commo Garroway, Thomas R.
Fleet Operations Commander
Starfleet (The First Era)
"Whatever is necessary -- for Starfleet, for Earth.”