The Landfall Campaign (The Nameless War) Read Online Free PDF

theirs. ”
    “ True but those in Congress who shout loudest for an American space fleet, tend to be the most reluctant to actually pay for it. ”  
    “ Yes, but things might be changing Cody. Those who believe that America should have a significant military presence are gaining adherents. ”
    “ But the Chinese …”
    “ They ’ re talking to the Chinese and while Beijing isn ’ t saying yes, it isn ’ t saying no either. The Europeans are happy enough with the status quo, but it is the Americans and the Chinese that really matter. ”
    “ I see, ” Wingate replied as he stared into the middle distance.
    “ At the moment it ’ s just talk. But if the half million Americans on Landfall are lost through the ineptitude of what many in the States regard as a foreign military, then we will face a tipping point. The American Government will start to build their own ships. They may even withdraw from Battle Fleet completely. Either way, without the complete support of their economy, it will be the beginning of the end for Battle Fleet. ”
    “ I see, ” Wingate replied in a more dismayed voice. “ While we ’ re at it is there any more bad news? ”
    “ Questions are also being asked about the attitude of Admiral Lewis. ”
    Wingate put his cup down so sharply that coffee slopped over the side.
    “ Are we talking about the Paul Lewis who just managed to turn aside a direct assault on Earth? ”
    “ It ’ s not quite that simple Cody. ”
    “ It never is. For God ’ s sake, do these …” He trailed off and rubbed his eyes tiredly. “ Lay it on me Daniel. ”
    “ We both know that Lewis has never been the most diplomatic officer, or upbeat and frankly he rubs a lot of Americans - present company accepted - up the wrong way. ”
    Wingate acknowledged the point with a grimace.
    “ He doesn ’ t sugar-coat things either and believe me if you think he is negative about Washington, you haven ’ t heard him get started about the government in London. ”
    “ Granted. ” Callahan continued, “ Before Alpha Centauri he told the Council to be ready to write off entire cities. Now he ’ s pretty much told them he ’ s prepared to sit in Earth orbit and let Landfall burn. ”
    “ That ’ s a very simplified version of events. ”
    “ Perhaps, but there is also his open admission that Alpha Centauri nearly went catastrophically wrong. ”
    “ Nearly being the operative word, Daniel. Decisions made in the field, particularly ones based on incomplete or faulty intelligence, are hardly likely to be perfect. Paul wanted the late Rear Admiral Brian to receive the credit she was due. But it was his decision to attempt to force contact before they got to Earth. ”
    “ It was risky. ”
    “ No one ever disputed that fact, but at the time our options seemed to be pretty limited. Yet, even with the befit of hindsight, if the Home Fleet had stayed in orbit, it would probably still have been beaten. We lucked out Daniel, that ’ s the unsavoury truth. So realistically Paul Lewis ’ s reluctance to charge on out there is a pretty rational response. ”
    Callahan leaned back his chair and took a sip of coffee before replying.
    “ I ’ m not arguing with you on any particular point Cody. I ’ m just asking if he could perhaps be given another posting, ” he suggested. “ Something less in the political eye. ”
    “ Unless you ’ re suggesting giving him my job, there is no position we can put him in that isn ’ t going to look exactly like the demotion it is. Paul is never going to win any popularity contests but he is respected. It will be a body blow to the Home Fleet ’ s morale if a commander that led them successfully, is removed for reasons that are blatantly political. ”
    The waiter returned with their orders and both men went silent until he ’ d gone again.
    “ I would never suggest that we should be anything other than beholden to the civilian authorities, Daniel, but we can ’ t fight a war