"Although there are still isolated pockets of rebel troops on the planet, I think we can safely count New Britain once again as one of our planets," said Admiral Charles. "Parliament has resumed session, the police are reinstated, and the defence and security systems are back online. We're keeping the attack fleet stationed in the Rigel system for now, though, just in case of rebel retaliation. However, since there's no longer any urgency, Admiral Rollins and his battlegroup have stopped at Landfall for a refit. I understand he's having the tractor beam installed on the remaining Osprey-class vessels so that they're all at the same level of technology."
"Splendid, splendid," replied the Minster for Defence. "I think this operation has gone quite well, don't you? Is there anything else I should know before I make my report to the Senate?"
"There is one other thing," said Admiral Innes. "There were a number of Rebel starships parked at the principal military spaceport undergoing a refit after the battle when the Rebellion captured New Britain. Our engineers are already deconstructing them and going over all the new technology. This is the first incident in some time when we've been able to capture an undamaged Rebel cruiser, and they've added various technologies since the last time. The most interesting thing of all, however, is this." She produced a small black device and set it on the table. "This is a Rebel cloaking device. We've known for some time that the Rebels were ahead of us in cloaking technology, but this is even more than we expected. It looks like the Rebellion has fully functional cloaking technology installed on many of their capital ships."
"But if they have this technology," asked the Minister, "why aren't they using it? Surely this cloaking device would give them an enormous tactical and strategic advantage, allowing them to pass unseen under our very noses. Rather like the submarine warfare of the past, before reliable sensor technology was developed."
"This cloaking device does have one major weakness, Minister," explained Admiral Charles. "Before going into cloak, a rebel vessel must first lower its shields, making it vulnerable to any attack, either intentional or accidental, while it is invisible, and making it all but useless for battle when it becomes visible again."
"However," interjected Admiral Innes, "it appears that by combining the Rebel technology with our own research into cloaking and light physics by the MOD scientists, we may soon be able to overcome even this limitation."
"Minister, I think it would be wise, however, for you not to mention the cloaking device to the Senate at this time," warned Admiral Charles. "Such a powerful technology must remain a military secret until it is ready to be used, or the rebellion may attempt to strike and prevent us from ever developing it."
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David Arthur
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