ROUTINE04-12-2308-1623 TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
REQUEST PERMISSION ADVANCE DEFENSE LINE TO SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J
ROUTINE04-13-2308-0715TCT
STAFF
OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL TO COMGEN IV
PERMISSION ADVANCE DEFENSE LINE TO SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J REFUSED RPT REFUSED
URGENT04-14-2308-150TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
STINKO IT IS VITALLY NECESSARY THAT I TAKE OVER R3J RPT R3J BEFORE THE OUTS GET HERE STP YOU KNOW THE SIZE OF MY FLEET STP LOVE TO TANYA AND KIDS MART MARTIN M GLICK COMGEN IV
ROUTINE04-15-2308-0730 TCT
PERSONAL
OPCHIEF GS CAPITAL TO COMGEN IV
SORRY MART I CANT LET YOU DO IT STP R3J RPT R3J IS TOUGH NUT TO CRACK AND NOT ENOUGH TIME TO CRACK IT STP ONLY QUADRITE IN SYSTEM IS ON FIFTH PLANET STP TWO PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO TAKE FIFTH PLANET ABORTED STP SYSTEM AS A WHOLE IS NO GOOD WITHOUT QUADRITE AND WE COULD NOT SUPPLY YOU FROM HERE YOU KNOW THAT STP CANNOT HAVE YOUR FORCES IN STATE OF DISORDER WITH MINOR CONFLICT GOING ON WHEN OUTS ARRIVE STP I KNOW YOUR POSITION BUT R3J RPT R3J IS NO SOLUTION STP CAN ONLY HOPE THEY WILL ATTACK ELSEWHERE STP JACKIE IS FINE STP YOUNG MART HAS GROWN STP GOOD LUCK STP STINKO J J RYSTENKO OPCHIEF GS
VITAL04-16-2308-1632 TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO ALL STATIONS
U EXPLOSION D308L564V013
U EXPLOSION D308L562V013
U EXPLOSION D308L560V013
U EXPLOSION D308L562V015
U EXPLOSION D308L562V011
EXPLOSIONS SIMULTANEOUS TIME OF OBSERVATION 04-16-2308-1624TCT
VITAL TRANSMIT TRIPLE AT TEN-MINUTE INTERVALS
URGENT04-16-2308-1640TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
STINKO THEY ARE NOT GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY ARE COMING HERE STP IF THEY GET BY ME THERE IS NOTHING FROM HERE TO CAP BUT THE GR AND THAT WILL NEVER HOLD THEM STP THEIR TIMING PERFECT STP MAXIMUM CONFUSION STP IF THEY CAME ANY SOONER THEY COULD HAVE VOTED IN THE ELECTION STP IN CIRCUMSTANCES DESPERATELY NECESSARY TO TAKE R3J RPT R3J STP SEND PERMISSION BEFORE WE WASTE MORE TIME STP MART MARTIN M GLICK COMGEN IV
(Reply requested today.)
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Dear General Rystenko:
As a member of the new President's cabinet, responsible for the overall direction of the defense effort, I am determined to acquire, as soon as possible, some appreciation of the overall strategic picture.
So long as I do not understand the meaning of certain technical terms, this will be impossible. These terms are regarded as secret, and no civilian has any sure idea of their meaning until he is thrust into an office where his ignorance may be fatal. Looking at the dispatch copies which come to my office, I find the following terms I would like defined: a) quadrite; b) GR; c) CAP; d) U explosion; e) Henkel sphere; f) SB; g) abort.
I also want a brief summary, on no more than two sheets of paper, of the overall defense strategy, a similar summary of known enemy capabilities; and a brief point-by-point comparison of our important weapons, considering not only quality but amounts, and present and projected rates of production.
You need not handle this yourself; but if you do not, I want you to check the papers before they come to me. You will be held personally responsible for their accuracy.
Sincerely,
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
4-17-2308
Office of the Chief of Operation
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Quadrite is a crystalline substance used as fuel in the non-radioactive, or N-drive. A small safe quantity of radioactive material starts the reaction, which may be stopped by removal of this material. The mass radioactive, or R-drive, is useless against the present enemy because he possesses a means of exploding it before our ships come into ordinary firing range. Thus we use quadrite on warships.
GR means General Reserve. CAP means Capitol. A U-explosion is a large explosion of uranium or other radioactive material by the enemy's device, or, occasionally by us. Henkel sphere is a large self-contained unit carrying impulse torpedoes and magnetic-inductive direction finders. SB means solar beam; a concentration of the rays of a sun for offensive or defensive purposes. "Abort," as we use it, merely means "fail."
The overall defense strategy is simple. Our forces are located around the surface of a flattened spheroidal defensive border. At the outer edge is a triple layer of warning devices, the U markers, which explode on approach of the enemy. Next comes several layers of Henkel spheres, stretching from one sun system to the next. Each sun system is equipped with solar beams, so far as possible, so that these sun systems constitute strong points in the defense perimeter, or, if they are cut off, may function for some time as isolated fortresses in the enemy's rear. Behind this outer line of defense lie the fleets, which help service the Henkel spheres, fight to repair small breaches in the defensive perimeter, and in the event of large breaches, fall back in an orderly manner and assist in forming the next defensive line.
As for the known enemy capabilities, and the comparison of their important weapons with ours, the first item to consider is their manner of attack. They come in huge masses of ships, moving at a tremendous velocity, and often making two nearly simultaneous attacks at far separated parts of our defense lines. A series of U-explosions signals their penetration through successive lines of our U-markers, and then they hurtle through the lines of Henkel spheres. The spheres automatically discharge their impulse torpedoes on precalculated courses, and at the same time, our fleet on the spot sows a series of new layers of spheres along the estimated course of the enemy attack. There is no such thing as a general engagement between the two fleets, because ours is always too weak at the point of attack. It is guarding a vast area which the enemy can, if he chooses, attack at any chosen point with his full force.
Usually, however, just as the situation becomes desperate, and we feel compelled to rush the general reserve to the spot, a second and even stronger attack strikes us at some widely separated point from the first. At this stage, all resemblance to plan and order ceases, and we are forced to resort to expediency. Fleets are rushed from all around the perimeter to the estimated position of the future enemy penetration. Solar beams are concentrated in a webwork across the line of enemy attack. It is impossible to generalize beyond this point. We do what we can. Usually we are forced to commit the fleet to battle at a heavy loss, which weakens us for the next attack. The enemy cuts a swath through the whole system, burns out a number of vitally important planetary centers en route, and erupts outward through some place which has already been stripped for defense elsewhere. After the enemy has gone, we draw together the bits and pieces, reapportion the weakened forces, and wait for the next blow.
We know very little of enemy weapons, save that they are similar to ours and used in overwhelming concentrations. As for the enemy personnel, only one individual has been captured following a fluke individual dogfight in which Colonel A. C. Nielson was killed and the enemy ship ruined. This enemy individual showed a) human form, very compact and muscular, with peculiar eyes; b) fantastic recuperative power, with healing of very severe wounds, such as killed Colonel Nielson, taking place spontaneously and practically visibly; c) fanatic hostility, shown as soon as the individual recovered consciousness; and which was followed apparently by the use of some poison, as the enemy's body then at once decomposed, too fast to permit further examination on the spot.
As for our present rate of production, it is suitable to replace approximately forty per cent of the losses suffered during enemy attack. This refers to warship production. Production of the cheaper Henkel spheres would be quite respectable if it weren't for the fact that it takes ships to put the spheres in position. Projected production of ships was cut further in the last budget.
As for recruitment of personnel, it is barely adequate to man the continually decreasing strength we are able to maintain. Training facilities are inadequate, but the need for men is so drastic we have no time for adequate training. The quality of recruits is poor, since the population does not believe the situation serious, and thus has little respect for the services.
I hope this answers your questions satisfactorily. I shall be glad to help you in any way I can.
Respectfully,
J. J. Rystenko
Chief of Operations
4-17-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Bart:
I am enclosing an answer from General Rystenko, the Chief of Operations, to some questions of mine. I hope you will read it now and let me know what you think. Unless Rystenko is exaggerating for some reason, this is worse than we ever imagined.
Jim Cordovan
4-17-2308
Office of the President
Jim:
This is horrible. Let me know immediately if you find out anything more about this.
Bart
(Immediate action)4-17-2308
Office of the President
General Rystenko:
Report to my office immediately unless you are occupied with matters of vital importance.
Barton Baruch
4-17-2308
Office of the President
Jim:
Rystenko is all right. But our predecessors have gutted the defense establishment to balance the budget. Cabinet meeting tonight at 8:30.
Bart
URGENT04-16-2308-2210TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
STINKO MY POSITION HOPELESS HERE IN PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES STP ONLY JUSTIFICATION FOR INACTION WAS TO AVOID INVOLVEMENT IN MINOR WAR AND THUS INABILITY TO REINFORCE IF ATTACK CAME ELSEWHERE STP ATTACK IS COMING HERE STP IF I STAY WHERE I AM I AM LIKE A MOUSE IN AN UNBLOCKED HOLE WITH THE WEASEL COMING ON THE RUN STP I CANT HOLD THEM HERE STP THIS TIME THEY WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO CAP STP STINKO I HOPE YOUR PERMISSION IS ON WAY AS I AM GOING TO TAKE R3J RPT R3J OR DIE TRYING STP LOVE TO TANYA AND THE KIDS STP GOOD LUCK IF THEY GET THROUGH STINKO STP MART MARTIN M GLICK CONGEN IV
ROUTINE04-17-2308-1100TCT
STAFF
OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL TO COMGEN IV
IN ABSENCE OF GENERAL RYSTENKO MY DUTY TO INFORM LIEUTENANT GENERAL GLICK NO PERMISSION TO ADVANCE TO R3J RPT R3J WAS SENT OR CONTEMPLATED STP IN EVENT YOU ADVANCE CONTRARY TO REITERATED COMMANDS TO CONTRARY MY DUTY TO INFORM YOU YOU ARE HEREBY RELIEVED OF COMMAND AND HEREBY ORDERED TO TURN OVER COMMAND TO DEPUTY COMGEN IV AS PRESCRIBED RGC 6-143J SECTION 14 STP Q L GORLEY COLONEL FOR GENERAL J J RYSTENKO OPCHIEF GS
ROUTINE04-18-2308-1625TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
ALL RECEIVING APPARATUS OUT OF ORDER STP POSSIBLY BY ENEMY ACTION STP ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF FLEET IV APPROACHING SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J
VITAL04-18-2308-1640TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO ALL STATIONS
U EXPLOSION D288L564V103
U EXPLOSION D288L562V103
U EXPLOSION D288L560V103
U EXPLOSION D288L562V105
U EXPLOSION D288L562V099
EXPLOSIONS SIMULTANEOUS TIME OF OBSERVATION 04-18-2308-1635TCT
VITAL TRANSMIT TRIPLE AT TEN-MINUTE INTERVALS
(Reply requested immediately)
4-18-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
General Rystenko:
As you know, OPCHIEF dispatches move through my office as a routine so I will know what your office is doing. Now I want to know why this General Glick is being kept on a short leash. I have gone over a set of star charts, and if I can make anything out of them this System R3J is a vital link in your defense system. Who is this Q. L. Gorley, colonel, who sent the order removing General Glick? Why did he send the order? Are you dodging the responsibility for it? Unless you are occupied in vital matters I want the answers to these questions by tube within fifteen minutes.
J. Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
4-18-2308
Office of the Chief of Operations
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I had no knowledge of Gorley's action till you called it to my attention. I am reinstating Glick immediately.
Rystenko
VITAL04-18-2308-1125TCT
STAFF
OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL TO COMGEN IV
BY ORDER GENERAL J J RYSTENKO OPCHIEF GS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL MARTIN M GLICK IS RPT IS IN FULL COMMAND SECTOR IV STP BY ORDER GENERAL J J RYSTENKO OPCHIEF GS FULL DISCRETION RPT FULL DISCRETION GRANTED RPT GRANTED LIEUTENANT-GENERAL MARTIN M GLICK COMGEN IV INCLUDING RPT INCLUDING ANY ACTIONS REGARDING SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J TIME OF ORIGINAL ORDER 02-18-2308-1125TCT VITAL TRANSMIT TRIPLE AT THIRTY-MINUTE INTERVALS
URGENT02-18-2308-1128TCT
PERSONAL
OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL TO COMGEN IV
MY GOD MART I AM SORRY STP YOUR REASONING REGARDING R3J RPT R3J IS PERFECTLY CORRECT STP GORLEY ACTED WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE STP WE ARE IN MIDST OF CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION HERE STP SOME CONFUSION STP YOU HAVE FULL AUTHORITY STP DO WHAT YOU WANT STP BEST OF LUCK AND GOD BE WITH YOU STP STINKO J J RYSTENKO OPCHIEF GS
4-18-2308
Office of the Chief of Operations
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I have sent orders reinstating General Glick and giving him full authority to take System R3J. Two previous attempts to take the only planet in the system that possesses quadrite have failed, with no survivors returning; but it is worth trying.
Rystenko
(Reply requested immediately)
4-18-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
General Rystenko:
That is fine. What about my questions concerning Colonel Gorley?
J. Cordovan
4-18-2308
Office of the Chief of Operations
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Colonel Gorley was sent here by the former President. He acted in an advisory and liaison capacity between this office and that of the former President. I know his action in this instance has proved to be unfortunate, but he was entirely justified by regulations covering the situation. I was with the President at the moment, and immediate action was necessary to maintain the balance of the situation.
Respectfully,
J. J. Rystenko
Chief of Operations
(Reply requested immediately)
4-18-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
General Rystenko:
Do you mean that Gorley advised the former President on matters of defense?
J. Cordovan
4-18-2308
Office of the Chief of Operations
Mr. Secretary:
That is what I mean. Yes.
J.J. Rystenko
Chief of Operations
4-18-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Bart:
I am enclosing some correspondence between myself and Rystenko, regarding a Colonel Q. L. Gorley who has just taken a step I regard as well calculated to throw our defense arrangements off balance at the decisive moment. I am enclosing the dispatch referred to. You will note that Rystenko takes a progressively stiffer tone in protecting Gorley. Personally, I think if Gorley was defense advisor to the previous Administration, he must be no good.
Jim
(Reply requested today)
4-18-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Comptroller of the Records:
I would like a digest of all pertinent data in the service record of Colonel Q. L. Gorley, now attached to the office of the Chief of Operations.
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
4-18-2308
Office of the President
Jim:
I have been in office three days and it feels like three years, all thanks to the miserable defense picture. If you think Gorley is no good, select some distant and unimportant asteroid and put him in charge of it. Don't bother me with this trivia.
Bart
P. S. The time on this dispatch from Gorley to Glick is 1100. Rystenko was not with me then.
4-19-2308
Comptroller of the Records
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I have been able to ascertain that there is a Colonel Q. L. Gorley attached to the Chief of Operations office, but the Master Recorder merely remains blank when I try to obtain his service record. No Colonel Q. L. Gorley is listed in the Officers' Registry. There is a Q. S. Gorley, Captain, now serving with the Tenth Fleet, and a Brigadier General Mason Gorley, Ret'd. Upon code-checking the rolls of the National Space Academy at Bristol Bay, I find no mention of any Q. L. Gorley within the last hundred years.
It is possible to bar access to the service record of any individual if the President or Secretary for Defense approves the action. But this is not the case here. There simply is no record. Do you wish me to cross-check the coded Administration records of the past few years to see if any mention is made of this man in these records?
Respectfully,
Ogden Mannenberg
Comptroller of the Records
(Reply requested today)
4-19-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Comptroller of the Records:
Yes, by all means cross-check the administrative records back to the time Gorley was first mentioned.
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
(Immediate Action)
4-19-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
Get down to the Chief of Operations' office and play the part of the Undersecretary getting acquainted with the team. Find out all you can about a Colonel Q. L. Gorley, who is now attached to the Opchief's office. Gorley appears to have no service record and I am a little curious about him.
Jim
ROUTINE04-19-2308-2300 TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS
CAPITOL FLEET IV NOW BASED ON SECOND RPT SECOND PLANET OF SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J STP SB BEING PLACED NOW STP ADVANCE HENKEL SPHERE-PERIMETER BEING HEAVILY REINFORCED STP BULK OF FLEET IV NOW MOVING TO OCCUPY FIFTH RPT FIFTH PLANET OF SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J
ROUTINE04-19-2308-2314TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
STINKO I HAVE OCCUPIED THE SECOND PLANET OF R3J RPT R3J AND FIND POPULACE AND GOVERNMENT FRIENDLY AND EAGER TO HELP STP THEY HAD CIVILIZATION BASED ON FISSION FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO BUT THE OUTS WENT THROUGH HERE AND KNOCKED THEM INTO A QUOTE PILE OF DUNG END QUOTE STP THEY HAD SPACE TRAVEL BUT KEPT AWAY FROM FIFTH PLANET AS HAD NO NEED FOR QUADRITE WHICH IS ONLY ATTRACTION STP ALL THEY CAN TELL ME IS THAT ONE OF THEIR RELIGIOUS LEADERS PREDICTED MY ARRIVAL AND SAID OF THE FIFTH PLANET QUOTE HE WHO WILL FEED ON IT SHALL LIVE OF IT STP END QUOTE SOUNDS GOOD STP AM ON ROUTE NOW STP MART MARTIN M GLICK COMGEN IV
4-19-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
I have covered the situation for you down at the Opchief's office, and I am sure you must be mistaken about Colonel Gorley. He seems straightforward and solid, and explained the defense setup to me in such a way that for the first time it made sense to me. I can think of no one we might pick who would make a better advisor to the President on military matters. As for Colonel Gorley having no service record, the idea is fantastic. Several of the officers present spoke familiarly to Gorley of events which happened while he and they were at Bristol Bay together in their Academy days. It could hardly be a case of mistaken identity. Colonel Gorley is a very striking man, very compact and muscular—a very powerful, magnetic, dynamic type. He has peculiarly keen intelligent eyes, and an incisive, clear positive manner of speaking. Personally, I think that instead of investigating Gorley, we should raise him to high rank and get a little decision into the war effort.
Birdie
P. S. The only thing resembling criticism I have heard of Gorley was a joking reference that he has a ferocious appetite and has to diet constantly to keep his weight down. Surely you won't hold this against him.
ROUTINE04-20-2308-0756TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
ADVANCE ELEMENTS FLEET IV HAVE LANDED ON PLANET FIVE RPT FIVE OF SYSTEM CODE R3J RPT R3J NO OPPOSITION STP ONLY INHABITANTS APPEAR TO BE GRAZING ANIMALS OF INTERMEDIATE SIZE
4-20-2308
Comptroller of the Records
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I list below in chronological order the portions of past Administrative records apparently referring to Colonel Q. L. Gorley:
4-25-2304... Thank you so much for sending me Colonel Gorley. The defense position is more clear to me
President to Opchief.
5-4-2304... I approve the new plan of dynamic containment. I was a bit uncertain as to the effect this would have should the enemy renew offensive action, but Colonel Gorley has assured me it will be possible to concentrate reserves quickly. On this basis, I approve the plan. Certainly it seems much less risky.
President to Opchief
2-23-2305... I do not understand your difficulties in repelling the latest enemy attack. What exactly has happened here? Why were you not able to concentrate your reserves quickly enough to prevent the enemy from traversing the whole length and breadth of the system and leaving a trail of ruin behind him such as we have not seen in twenty years of warfare? Who ordered these cuts in production? What do you mean you cannot replace the losses? I have no memory of these Executive Orders you speak of, or of any Colonel Gorley. Send this man to me immediately, or better yet, come yourself.
President to Opchief
2-24-2305... Colonel Gorley has explained the matter to me satisfactorily. Of course it is unfortunate that these things happen.
President to Opchief
6-1-2305... Colonel Gorley will explain to you the recommended new cuts in the defense budget. The improved foreign situation makes these cuts possible.
Opchief to President
4-2-2306... Rystenko, these losses are horrible. Why has this thing happened twice? The purpose of censorship is not to hold the people in ignorance and hide the festering wounds from view. The point of censorship is to keep information from the enemy and to prevent over-violent public reaction to unimportant temporary reversals. But these disasters are not unimportant! They are terrible defeats! I find your reaction grossly inadequate. Who is this Gorley you are sending to me, as if this would correct the situation?
President to Opchief
4-4-2306... Colonel Gorley has explained the matter to me satisfactorily. I see now clearly it was bound to happen in this phase of our defensive effort.
President to Opchief
6-2-2306... I approve the new defense budget, as explained to me by Colonel Gorley. I am, of course, pleased though surprised that you can now give us more defensive power at lower cost. Please check this and be sure that the situation has stabilized to this extent.
President to Opchief
6-6-2306... That Colonel Gorley be attached to my office until these complex arrangements are completed...
President to Opchief
6-7-2306... We will miss Gorley, but are sure he will prove as helpful to you as to us.
Opchief to President
9-15-2306... The food must be much better here than in your mess. Poor Gorley has to go on another diet.
President to Opchief
10-23-2306... I am very sorry to have to bother you with these petty trivialities, Mr. President, but they may prove vital. I can't send men to Cyros with such inadequate equipment as this budget allows for. This one trivial substitution of separate interliners and thin semi-detached boots may cost a delay of up to ten minutes when the men go into action. This equipment has already proved itself worthless. I will gladly consider Colonel Gorley's suggestions, but this matter was disposed of years ago. I have also discovered several other aspects of our present arrangements which make me extremely uneasy...
Opchief to President
10-25-2306... I have talked with Colonel Gorley and can see that these plans are perfectly suited to the situation. Perhaps he could remain with our office for some time till these other matters are ironed out.
Opchief to President
4-15-2307... Poor Gorley is on a diet again.
Opchief to President
4-16-2307... Who? Gorley? Am I acquainted with the man?
President to Opchief
4-29-2307... Terribly shaken by this hideous disaster. Why has this happened to us when our arrangements were supposed to be invulnerable? The enemy has torn your battle line like tissue paper. Why are we so weak everywhere? Your talk of "elastic counter-defensive" makes no sense to me whatever. If these fleets were held concentrated at one central point instead of strewn all over the universe, we could return the blow. What do you mean by offering to send "Colonel Gorley" to me? If any personal explaining is to be done, you will come yourself, not send a stooge. Make out immediately a list of all requirements needed to correct this hideous situation.
President to Opchief
Note: These are all the direct references made to Colonel Q. L. Gorley in the Administration records. Would you like me to cross-check the Departmental records?
Respectfully,
Ogden Mannenberg
Comptroller of the Records
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Comptroller of the Records:
Thank you. These references are amply sufficient for the present.
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
4-20-2308
Office of the President
Jim:
I have now absorbed the substance of the report Rystenko sent you concerning our defenses, and which you forwarded to me. I have slept on it, and thought of it when I was not otherwise occupied. It seems to me: 1) This policy of locating the main bulk of our fleet in a thin shell around the periphery offers us about as much defense as an eggshell does to an egg. 2) Since in the present arrangement the fleet does not engage, it is worth no more than so many civilian ships. 3) Therefore, let us draw all the fleet to the center (with the possible exception of Glick's IVth, which is actively occupied), and replace it around the periphery with civilian ships and crews to service the layers of Henkel spheres. Enough men could be left behind to train these crews, but no more.
My final observation is that everything I have said so far is fairly obvious, therefore why hasn't Rystenko carried it out on his own? He impressed me very favorably in our interview, but further consideration leads me to think he may be one of these men who expend their sense on the package instead of the contents. I am going to talk to him again, and would like your view of the subject.
Bart
4-20-2308
Office of the President
General Rystenko:
I want to see you within the next hour regarding the overall strategy of the war effort, and regarding the present recruitment and material replacement situation, and regarding the present arrangements for advancement of high officers.
Barton Baruch
4-20-2308
Office of the Chief of Operations
Dear Mr. President:
I shall be at your office at 3:00 p.m. if this is agreeable to you. As it happens, my aide, Colonel Q. L. Gorley, left my office a short while ago to bring you some important data sheets. I am sure you will find him most helpful also on these other matters if you choose to consult him.
Respectfully,
J. J. Rystenko
Chief of Operations
4-20-2308
Office of the President
Jim:
I have just had a very illuminating talk with General Rystenko's aide, Colonel Gorley, and he has very clearly explained the logic of the present defense setup to me. I am sending him along to brief you. He is a most capable man, and I am sure you will profit by contact with him.
Bart
VITAL04-20-2308-1654TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO ALL STATIONS
U EXPLOSION D280L564V193
U EXPLOSION D280L562V193
U EXPLOSION D280L560V193
U EXPLOSION D280L562V195
U EXPLOSION D280L562V191
EXPLOSIONS SIMULTANEOUS TIME OF OBSERVATION 04-20-2308-1646TCT
VITAL TRANSMIT TRIPLE AT TEN-MINUTE INTERVALS
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
Colonel Gorley is out here cooling his heels in the anteroom. He is here at the President's personal order, and yet when the receptionist tries to let him in, your door is locked. Have you turned childish?
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
Who is Gorley? Is he the one who made the fuss removing a general yesterday or the day before? If he has anything from the President, he can leave it outside. If he wants to see me, he can make an appointment for tomorrow. I am working my way through a pile of business as high as your head, and I do not want to be disturbed till I am finished. Say, while he is out there, pump him discreetly about Rystenko. See if you can find out whether the Opchief used Gorley for a cat's paw in trying to get rid of that general... what's his name? ... Glick.
Jim
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Chief Dispatcher:
Send the following:
VITAL04-20-2308-1621TCT
PERSONAL
DEFSEC CAPITOL TO COMGEN GR CAPITOL
REPLY IMMEDIATELY YOUR OPINION WILL PRESENT DEFENSES REPEL ENEMY ATTACK OF MAGNITUDE SIMILAR TO THAT EXPERIENCED LAST THREE YEARS STP REPLY IMMEDIATELY CATEGORY VITAL TO DEFSEC CAPITOL THROUGH CHIEF DISPATCHER STP THIS INQUIRY AND REPLY CONFIDENTIAL STP JAMES CORDOVAN DEFSEC CAPITOL
(reply requested immediately)
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Comptroller of the Records:
Find out for me what happened to the body of the enemy captured after a dogfight in which Colonel A. C. Nielson was killed.
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
VITAL04-20-2308-1642TCT
PERSONAL COMGEN GR CAP TO DEFSEC CAP THRU CHIEF DISPATCHER CONFIDENTIAL
MY OPINION PRESENT DEFENSES WILL COLLAPSE IF ENEMY ATTACKS WITH SAME STRENGTH AS FORMERLY STP OR WITH ANYTHING LIKE SAME STRENGTH AS FORMERLY STP VERNON L HAUSER COMGEN GR CAPITOL
4-20-2308
Comptroller of the Records
Dear Mr. Secretary:
The body of the captured enemy was brought here under refrigeration, to be examined by physicians and chemists. It arrived at night and was placed, still in its box, in a small room off the autopsy room. The intern on duty ordered the lid of the box pried up, examined the remains, and noted that the object within appeared to be in a state of advanced decomposition, with, however, very little odor. The room was refrigerated, and next day the surgeons entered to carry out a preliminary examination, and upon raising the lid found nothing within but a quantity of water, some of which had seeped out through the sides of the box.
The above summary is condensed from voluminous reports on the occurrence, and equally voluminous reports attempt to explain the matter, but the substance of these latter reports is that the authorities do not know what happened.
Respectfully,
Ogden Mannenberg
Comptroller of the Records
(Reply requested immediately)
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Comptroller of the Records:
Send me a summary of the physical characteristics of the captured enemy during life.
James Cordovan
Secretary for Defense
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
Colonel Gorley was ordered by the President to see you now, today. Why try to put him off till tomorrow? You can get back to your work after he has a few minutes to deliver his message.
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
I am snowed under. Tomorrow.
Jim
4-20-2308
Comptroller of the Records
Dear Mr. Secretary:
The captured enemy is described as having during life the following physical characteristics: a) human form; b) extremely compact and muscular physique; c) peculiarly keen sharp eyes; d) very great recuperative power.
Respectfully,
Ogden Mannenberg
Comptroller of the Records
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Chief Dispatcher:
Send the following:
VITAL 4-20-2308-1708TCT
PERSONAL
DEFSEC CAP TO COMGEN GR CAP CONFIDENTIAL
REPLY IMMEDIATELY THROUGH CHIEF DISPATCHER YOUR OPINION ON OUTCOME OF COMING ENEMY ATTACK IF ALL OUR FORCES NOW CONCENTRATED AT CENTRAL POINT LEAVING SMALL TRAINING CADRES AND CIVILIANS TO MAINTAIN HENKEL SPHERE DEFENSES STP REPLY CONFIDENTIAL CATEGORY VITAL STP JAMES CORDOVAN DEFSEC CAPITOL
VITAL04-20-2308-1714TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN GR CAP TO DEFSEC CAP THRU CHIEF DISPATCHER CONFIDENTIAL
MY OPINION OUR CHANCES GOOD STP THIS IS FIRST SENSIBLE PLAN TO COME OUT OF CAP IN FOUR YEARS STP BUT YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BY RYSTENKO OR HIS CREATURE GORLEY STP SEE GORLEY DOES NOT GET TO PRESIDENT STP GORLEY IS CLEVER MAN WITH THE BUTTER KNIFE OR WHATEVER HE USES STP MR SECRETARY ONLY CHANCE YOUR PLAN GETTING ACROSS IS TO SEE PRESIDENT REMOVE RYSTENKO APPOINT ANYONE WITH ALL HIS FACULTIES STP ANY SANE MAN CAN SEE PLAN NOW IN USE IS SUICIDE STP VERNON L HAUSER COMGEN GR CAP
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
Colonel Gorley was ordered to see you by the President and he was ordered to do it today. The colonel is a very powerful and determined man when his duty is at stake, Jim, and I think it would be wise not to get in his or the President's way. I say this as a friend, Jim. Gorley is going to see you today.
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
Why didn't you tell me Gorley was here at the direct order of the President to see me today? He can see me when I am through, probably about an hour-and-a-half from now, or, as he would put it, about 1854 hours. Birdie, would you repeat what you said about Colonel Gorley's appearance? I think he reminds me of someone I knew as a kid.
Jim
04-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Chief Dispatcher:
Send the following:
VITAL04-20-2308-1722TCT
PERSONAL
DEFSEC CAP TO COMGEN GR CAP CONFIDENTIAL
REPLY IMMEDIATELY THROUGH CHIEF DISPATCHER STP SITUATION HERE HIGHLY PRECARIOUS STP GORLEY HAS ALREADY GOTTEN TO PRESIDENT AND USED WHATEVER HE USES STP PRESIDENT NOW CONVERTED STP GORLEY AWAITING ME IN MY OUTER OFFICE STP EAGER TO USE WHATEVER HE USES STP MY THOUGHT THAT ONLY SOLUTION IS THROW AWAY PRESENT SITUATION AND START ALL OVER STP INCIDENTALLY WHY CAN I NOT PERSONALLY ORDER REGROUPING OF FORCES STP IS THERE ANOTHER CAPITOL AS I HAVE HEARD RUMORED ALL SET UP WITH SKELETON CREWS AND READY TO TAKE OVER IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO PRESENT ONE STP WILL YOU CONSENT TO ACT AS OPCHIEF IF SO DIRECTED BY ME STP I PROPOSE GIVE YOU DIRECT ORDER TO PERFORM VERY HAZARDOUS THANKLESS MISSION OF VITAL IMPORTANCE STP WILL YOU OBEY IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT QUESTION STP REPLY IMMEDIATELY THROUGH CHIEF DISPATCHER STP REPLY CONFIDENTIAL CATEGORY VITAL STP JAMES CORDOVAN DEFSEC CAPITOL
VITAL04-20-2308-1730TCT
PERSONAL
COMGEN GR CAP TO DEFSEC CAP THRU CHIEF DISPATCHER CONFIDENTIAL
HOW DOES GORLEY DO IT STP YES YOU CAN ORDER FORCES DIRECT BUT WHAT GOOD IF PRESIDENT COUNTERMANDS STP YES AUXILIARY CAP EXISTS READY TO TAKE OVER STP BUT IF WE LOSE THE PRESENT CAP THRU ENEMY ACTION IT WILL BE BECAUSE OF GREAT WEAKNESS AND THERE WILL BE LITTLE FOR AUX CAP TO DO BUT SIGN SURRENDER STP YES I WILL BE OPCHIEF IF YOU SO ORDER STP I WILL FOLLOW ORDERS REGARDLESS HAZARD OR THANKLESSNESS STP I WILL ACT IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT QUESTION STP BUT I CAN FOLLOW YOUR ORDERS ONLY IF NOT COUNTERMANDED BY HIGHER AUTHORITY THAT IS THE PRESIDENT STP VERNON L. HAUSER COMGEN GR CAP
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
Come off it, fellow. You can't expect a man like Colonel Gorley to wait around in your outer office when he is on a mission direct from the President. As for Colonel Gorley's appearance, as I said before, the colonel is a splendid figure of a man, very compact and muscular, with peculiarly keen sharp eyes. Eyes indicative, I might add, of great force of character, and you are standing in this man's way and the President's. Colonel Gorley says he thinks it is "unlikely" you knew him as a child. He came from a place where as a child he didn't ever have enough to eat, which explains his periodic little indulgences in food. He is angry with you, Jim, and he is close to the President. I don't think he will wait much longer, Jim, when it is his duty to see you. Wake up, Jim.
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Chief Dispatcher:
Send the following:
VITAL04-20-2308-1734TCT
PERSONAL
DEFSEC CAP TO COMGENS ALL SECTORS
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY GENERAL J J RYSTENKO IS REMOVED RPT REMOVED FROM POST AS OPCHIEF GS STP EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY LIEUTENANT-GENERAL VERNON L HAUSER COMGEN GR IS APPOINTED RPT APPOINTED OPCHIEF GS STP I HAVE FULL AND COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN GENERAL HAUSER STP ANY DELAY IN CARRYING OUT GENERAL HAUSER'S ORDERS IN THE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES ABOUT TO OCCUR WILL BE A DIRECT THREAT TO THE SECURITY OF THE RACE STP IN THESE TIMES STEADINESS AND INSTANT OBEDIENCE TO ORDERS ARE THE VITAL QUALITIES STP GOD BE WITH YOU AND HOLD YOU STEADY AGAINST THE FOE STP JAMES CORDOVAN DEFSEC CAPITOL
VITAL04-20-2308-1735TCT
STAFF
DEFSEC CAPITOL TO ALL STATIONS
FOR YOUR INFORMATION EXPERIENCE WITH ENEMY CAPTIVE HERE SUGGESTS OUTS POSSESS GREAT HYPNOTIC POWERS AT CLOSE RANGE STP ADVISABLE TAKE NO PRISONERS
VITAL04-20-2308-1736TCT
PERSONAL
DEFSEC CAPITOL TO COMGEN GR CAPITOL
DIRECT ORDER YOU DESTROY RPT DESTROY CAPITOL RPT CAPITOL AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT CONSISTENT WITH SAFETY OF FORCES UNDER YOUR COMMAND STP THEN CONCENTRATE MAIN FORCES AS YOU THINK ADVISABLE STP JAMES CORDOVAN DEFSEC CAP
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary of Defense
Jim:
You have gone a little too far in defying Colonel Gorley and the President, and Colonel Gorley has decided to wait no longer in performing his duty. He is coming in to see you now, Jim, door or no door.
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
Tell Colonel Gorley I have a service revolver in my hand and am only too eager to test Gorley's fantastic recuperative powers against this and one other weapon. Go after him and tell him this.
Jim
ROUTINE04-20-2308-1700TCT
STAFF
COMGEN IV TO OPCHIEF GS CAPITOL
OCCUPATION OF PLANET FIVE RPT FIVE COMPLETE STP NO RPT NO OPPOSITION STP NO RPT NO INDICATION OF PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO TAKE PLANET STP HUGE RESERVES OF QUADRITE STP MINING NOW UNDERWAY
4-20-2308
Office of the Undersecretary for Defense
Jim:
What do you mean? What is going on here? May I go home, Jim? I feel strange.
Birdie
4-20-2308
Office of the Secretary for Defense
Birdie:
Thank you for sending Colonel Gorley in to me. He has explained our defense setup to me most clearly.
Jim
VITAL04-20-2308-1750TCT
STAFF
COMGEN GR CAP TO ALL STATIONS
U EXPLOSION CAPITOL
U EXPLOSION CAPITOL
U EXPLOSION CAPITOL
U EXPLOSION CAPITOL
U EXPLOSION CAPITOL
EXPLOSIONS RAPID SUCCESSIVE NOT BY ENEMY ACTION
TIME OF OBSERVATION 04-20-2308-1746TCT
VITAL TRANSMIT TRIPLE AT TEN-MINUTE INTERVALS