CHAPTER 25
SENATORIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The next day, Midshipman Gallant was ordered to report to Mars Fleet Command in New Annapolis to give a briefing to senior government officials. He noticed a conspicuous calm among the population, even though the news of the Titan threat had spread. It reflected a sense of uncertainty, rather than alarm.
When he arrived at Mars Fleet Command, Gallant presented his comm pin to the security officer and was instructed to proceed to a large conference room on the fifth floor. The conference room turned out to be closer to the size of an auditorium. He was taken aback by the austere gathering of powerful people. He had been under the impression that this briefing was merely a formality to present his collected intelligence to a few senior politicians.
The focal point of the room was a single chair next to a small table. Several larger tables and many rows of audience seats were in front of this table. The first large table contained seating for nine senators with their name plates before them. Senator Graham was the committee chairman presiding over what appeared to be a senatorial investigation. Behind each senator were several staffers and behind them were two rows of important civilians, including NNR president, Gerald Neumann. Behind this group were several rows of reporters and other media personalities. At the very back of the packed room was a line of military officers, including some that Gallant recognized from his debriefing two days before. Admiral Collingsworth stood in the center of the officers.
Gallant remained at attention, shifting his weight uneasily.
"Please take your seat and make yourself comfortable, Mr. Gallant," said the committee chairman, Senator Graham, smiling broadly for the television cameras that were strategically placed throughout the room.
What have I walked into? thought Gallant, as he sat down in the single chair before him. On the table in front of him were the memory chips containing his data and ship’s log. In addition, Gallant recognized his own report and deposition next to them.
Everyone turned their laser-like attention on him.
“We’re so glad you were available to give testimony before this committee,” said Senator Graham, turning his head to the back of the room and nodding at Admiral Collingsworth to acknowledge his cooperation.
“Let me describe how the Armed Services Oversight Committee will exercise its responsibilities.” He paused dramatically, as if daring someone to challenge him. Once more, he made a quick glance over his shoulder toward Admiral Collingsworth.
Then he continued, “This is an informal fact-finding inquiry into the recent military actions at Jupiter and in the asteroid belt. We will be evaluating the current conduct of the Titans war. This hearing will be recorded and an unclassified edited version of these proceedings may be released to the public at this committee’s discretion.
“To begin the hearing, I will read my formal opening statement for the record. Each senator will also provide a written copy of their statement to be included in the transcript.” As Chairman Graham read his statement out loud, the audience grew restless. His statement was a brief summary of the military and related political events since the Titan force was first spotted approaching Jupiter.
Graham banged his gavel several times in an attempt to restore quiet and order. Then he said, "Let’s begin by reviewing some of the factual information about the activities and data you collected, Mr. Gallant." Step-by-step, Graham took Gallant through his report. The court members and the audience listened attentively as a summarized account was read of each action. First, they heard how Gallant entered the Titan destroyer and collected the AI equipment; they heard about Gallant being ordered into the asteroid field, where he found the alien fleet hiding. Finally, there was a brief account of his fighting his way free and traveling to Mars.
"This report is a credit to you and Midshipman Mitchel," said the chairman. “It appears that you've discovered vital information for the United Planets."
"Thank you, Senator. We benefited from speed and a great deal of good fortune," said Gallant.
“Really?” said the chairman, with a nuance of doubt in his voice. “Let’s now turn to some specifics that are the focus of this inquiry. These address the incompetence and gross negligence of the armed forces to prevent the Titans from threatening first Jupiter and now Mars.” Graham spoke with a distinctive animus.
A pained atmosphere descended throughout the room. Gallant couldn’t determine whom this bombastic rhetoric favored, but he knew it could hardly be more ill-conceived. He felt it could lead to a whole series of strategic and psychological blunders by the UP leadership.
Chairman Graham turned and said, “I yield the floor to Senator Chaffee for the initial questioning.”
Senator Chaffee sat on Graham’s right. He was a dogged and fixated man, meticulous in his duties as he leafed through some of the papers in front of him. He too greeted the television cameras with a smile and then began, “This committee has a few questions for the witness. Mr. Gallant, during the Jupiter action did you receive authorization to disengage from battle at any time?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you receive authorization to enter the alien destroyer and engage in hand-to-hand combat?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you understand the difference between taking a risk and being reckless, Mr. Gallant?”
“I feel I took a risk appropriate to the threat we faced, sir,” said Gallant, becoming increasingly uneasy.
“Did Captain Caine give you advanced classified orders to seek out a damaged Titan ship to collect secret information and return it directly to him?” asked Chaffee, leaning forward in his chair, ignoring the hush that filled the room.
"Huh? Uh, no sir." Gallant felt that the factual record that he had presented from his ship’s video and AI should have been sufficient to evaluate his actions. So, he was surprised at the sharp questioning and accusations of errors in judgment.
The tension in the room continued to grow. A sense of mistrust had given birth to strident questions. With each inquiry, it became clear that Gallant was being investigated for possible dereliction of duty, disobedience of orders, and overstepping the bounds of his authority. He realized he could face a court martial for conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline of the service. Against this array of potent charges by powerful individuals, he had only himself for defense.
“Did you get authorization for the abnormal flight path you took through the asteroid belt?”
“No, sir,” answered Gallant, clenching his teeth.
“Did Captain Caine already know where the secret Titan asteroid base was located because of his multimode radar scans? Did he send you there deliberately?”
"No, sir." Gallant’s cheeks were flushed, and his neck had turned bright red with anger and frustration. He was out of his depth and he knew it. He felt he was being attacked unfairly, but he was helpless to protest. Slowly, it dawned on him that he might not be the target of the attack. They might be going after Captain Caine. Gallant looked suspiciously at the NNR president, Gerald Neumann.
“How did Jupiter Fleet let the enemy slip past them to establish a secret base in the asteroid belt? Tell us, how was that possible?”
Gallant tried to choose his words carefully. “I don’t know, sir, but the solar system is big. And asteroid and planet shadows do provide major radar obstructions. I took advantage of that myself, when I was hiding from the Titans.” Chaffee shifted in his seat to listen to one of his staffers pass a message to him from Gerald Neumann. Then he said, “Why was Captain Caine reluctant to provide escorts for convoys?”
Gallant recalled that Caine had discussed this in front of him, but he was loath to reveal too much, “Uh...I think Captain Caine made every effort to supply convoy escorts and still defend Jupiter Station.”
“Do you have any reason to doubt Captain Caine’s loyalty? Has he withheld vital information from the proper authorities?”
"No," Gallant responded, tight-lipped, purposely omitting s
ir from his reply. Then he added, white-hot with anger, "Captain Caine is a brilliant and courageous officer. I have the greatest respect for him and all the officers of the Jupiter Fleet."
Senator Chaffee sat quiet for a minute as if deciding on a change of tactics. Then he asked, “Why didn't you immediately transmit a warning to the Mars Fleet that there was a secret Titan armada hiding in the asteroid belt. Wasn’t it your sworn duty to raise the alarm?”
“I thought there was a strategic advantage to be gained, if I could get away stealthily and report directly to Admiral Collingsworth.”
“The standing orders say to immediately report enemy activity of such a magnitude and threat. Who gave you authority to make strategic decisions beyond your rank? Do you regret your actions?”
Gallant said, as forcefully as he could, “If I had a chance to do it all again, I would take the same actions.”
It struck Gallant that he was a mere pawn in a much larger political game. The senators were determined to publically embarrass the military; perhaps, because of the failure to escort convoys; or perhaps, because of the failure to discover the secret asteroid base earlier.
When Chaffee was done, he yielded to other senators who asked Gallant similar questions, all over again. They continued to lambast Gallant. He responded in monosyllables, numbed by the hypocrisy.
They finally seemed satisfied that they had cast doubt on everything that he told them, as well as the data and equipment he’d provided. He didn't understand the source of this negative attitude. In some fashion, they just could not believe that he had accomplished all that he had. Even with the physical evidence of computer equipment and video recordings. It just appeared too good to be true, in their eyes.
Gallant concluded that these cunning politicians were using the current crisis to aggrandize themselves while diminishing their opposition.