It had been eight days since the Jem'Hadar had surrendered. Three days ago the G'Kar launched an attack on a Mulluran shipyard cutting their production down to 34 ships every five weeks. The news was good to Wallace; he wanted to end the conflict all together, but Command had not yet allowed a major offensive since the Mulluran Military hasn't made a move in over four weeks.
Richard looked over the day's work schedule. Three new crewmembers. Two were medical and one was Tactical and Security. Wallace read over the new officer's record. He pressed his comm badge. "Ensign Razek. Please tell Ensign K'Tag I'd like him to report to my office."
[Yes sir.]
K'Tag had arrived late last night; the time now was only 0745 hours. Mostly, new officers reported at 0900 hours. However Wallace believed strongly that if he was up so should everyone else.
After about fifteen minutes passed his door chimed. Wallace put down a PADD containing the report of a G'Kar cruiser engaged with the Mullurans and looked to the glass doors. He saw a Klingon wearing a gold uniform.
"Enter," Wallace said.
The Klingon walked in and placed a PADD on the Captain's desk. "Sir, Ensign K'Tag reporting as ordered, Sir!!"
"At ease, Ensign. I'm Captain Richard Wallace. Welcome to Supply Base 901," Wallace said picking up the Ensign's orders and reading them.
"Says you're to be my new tactical officer. Well, I need a man that can handle both security and tactical. Are you capable of handling that?" Wallace said setting the PADD down.
"Yes Captain. I can handle whatever task that is expected of me." K'Tag was at ease but looked like he was at attention still. Wallace then stood up, and walked over to the replicator.
"Coffee, extra hot and strong. Ensign you've been in Starfleet almost eight and a half years. You've been passed over twice for promotion. Why, I don't know. I never met a Klingon that couldn't do his duty. However in those eight years not many actions came about.
"Well here I think you'll make up for lost time. I am going to make you the Arizona's Chief Tactical officer and the Station's Chief of Security and Tactical officer.
"You know, almost a year ago I wore gold too. Sometimes I miss it." Wallace stopped to sip his coffee.
"Sir, may I leave to man my posts?" K'Tag asked.
"Sure, go ahead, and good luck."
Three hours passed with nothing really important going on -- just a few duty changes and repairs. Then Razek came on the comm channel. [Sir, Admiral McCaffee on the comm channel.]
"Very well, route it in here," Wallace said, turning his computer screen on and seeing the Admiral's face.
[Captain. The Council and Command has given the go ahead for a new offensive. You're to plan it and report back to us and then execute it. You have three days to plan the attack.]
Richard leaned back and gave a breath of relief. "Thanks. I'll do it ASAP."
[Good. McCaffee out.] The screen went blank. The door to Wallace's office chimed again. He looked and it was the young David McAllister. The man that had saved his ship and crew a little over two week's ago.
"Enter."
He walked in not knowing what to expect. Wallace pulled out a black box, and stood up at attention.
"Lieutenant Junior Grade David McAllister. For your valor and gallantry and by order of Fleet Admiral William Ross, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant Commander." Wallace pulled the single black pip off his collar, and replaced it with a gold one followed by a black pip. David smiled as Wallace shook his hand.
"Sorry though. You've been reassigned to Starfleet Flight Range and you're to make a few public appearances."Wallace handed the orders over to the new Commander. He read them. "Hey, don't worry. I have party planned in your honor tonight at 2100 hours."
"Thanks. I have to have some time alone to sort all this out. Being promoted was not my intention." David was a little uneasy.
"Don't worry. I didn't want a Captaincy, and look at me. I'm all right."
After David left Wallace began to study all the intelligence he could find on the Mullurans. He was already getting a good idea of where to attack them, but he would need firsthand knowledge, though most of what he found was enough to get a general idea of what to plan.
"Colonel Tarik, come in. This is Captain Wallace." It was quiet for few seconds then the response came.
["Yes Captain? Tarik here."]
"Colonel, would you be able to invade and hold a planet for any period of time held in Mulluran Space?"
[Depends. I am down to 65 Marines, not including Major Boyle's five-man squadron and his thirteen-man ground crew.]
The news was disappointing and depressing to Wallace who knew that only two months ago the Station had a compliment of 165 Marines. Now it was down to only 65. Wallace thought for a few minutes, and then responded to Tarik's response. "Colonel, meet me in my office right now."
[Yes sir.]
Tarik quickly made his way to Wallace's office. To his surprise, Major Boyle was there too. He was hoping that Wallace had good news. He walked in and made his presence known. "Yes Captain?"
"Good, you're here. I have a plan that will be approved by Command. They have given me the green light. As you know, the Mullran Fleet is a shambles but it's Army is relatively intact. I have an idea that would bring them to the peace table." Wallace walked over to the view screen that was about double the size of the one on his computer. He tap a button and a planet came up.
"This planet contains the making of weapons for the Mulluran army. It's small -- only 34,000 civilian population. It has even less for Military defense. A battalion of 234 infantry and what appears to be armor of sorts." Wallace touched the screen and the screen showed a bird's-eye view of the main city. Wallace began to outline certain parts outside the city. "This is a basic trench line defense, mostly around the western side of the city. The east is their Quarter Master General's HQ. Protected by thirty-two soldiers.
"The main defense force rest about three kilometers outside the city. My plan is this: Boyle comes in and hits the Mullruan barracks, then turns around and takes out the communications center next to the manufacturing where weapons are built. Then comes around and makes a pass over the west side.
"You drop your Marines one-half kilometer from the northeast side of the town. If my figures are right, Boyle will inflict around 78% casualties." Wallace looked at Tarik and saw him thinking hard on this bold plan.
"I have an idea for replacements, Colonel," Wallace said with a smile.
"How?"
"We have currently eighteen science personnel -- who better to lead them than Lieutenant Deveraux." Wallace tried to hide his enjoyment of the suggestion.
"Sir, Deveraux will not like this; neither will his science people. Well, they have thirty-two hours to become soldiers. Get Hartman on them and they'll be life takers and heart breakers," Tarik said with a little hint of joy at the thought of science being in combat.
"Boyle, your team will stick with Tarik, and you'll be their cover. If one plane is downed that man is a rifleman with Tarik regardless of rank. Is that clear?"
Boyle nodded his head and didn't say anything at the Captain. Boyle was a quiet man when not around his squadron. Wallace understood that and didn't push it.
"Now my job is take three Starships to keep reinforcements from landing on that planet."
"Who will be in command of the station?" Tarik asked.
"Commander Mallory. She isn't too bad in tough situations. She'll do 'til we get back. I'm going to send Banshee to recon the planet make sure no surprises await us. Dismissed." Wallace cleared the screen and walked over to his desk and turned the view screen on and their was Commander Carter.
[What's up, Captain?]
"I need you to scout a star system and planet. You're not to engage the enemy at any cost. You're to leave at 0430 tomorrow. I am transmitting the data now. Wallace out."
The screen went blank and Richard tried to finish the letter to Sovick's family, and transmit it to Vulcan where they lived.
"Computer begin recording message to Lieutenant Sovick's family address it to Sorlia.
"Dear Sorlia I am sorry to inform you that your husband, Lieutenant Junior Grade Sovick was killed in the line of duty while engaged in combat with the New Dominion Forces. His presence and expertise are missed. I hereby send you my deepest wishes. If there is anything that I can do for your children or you let me know. Sincerely, Captain Richard Wallace, Commander SB901.
"Computer end message and send to above recipient."
< Doing so now. Message sent. >
Richard leaned back in his chair and looked over at the table that contained a couple of model ships. One was almost done and another was complete. He walked over and continued to work on the model.