Free Slaves of Hyperion (Star Crusades Uprising, Book 6) by Michael G. Thomas Page B

weekend warriors? You understand this will reduce the overall quality of our armed forces, as well as increase the time it will take for us to be ready for major combat operations?”
    Defence Secretary Howalt Sones stood up to address the question. In the room sat a panel of almost a hundred other personnel. Most there were senior military officers, but there were a small number of representatives from each of the heavily depleted branches of the armed forces. The Navy, Marines and Army were all there as well as senior commanders of the planets’ own militia forces plus those from the civilian branches of the military.
    “Yes, we must make cuts, Marshal, but not quite in the way you imply. It is not our intention to slash and burn the military, nor do we intend on leaving our current forces as they are.”
    The Army commander tried to keep speaking, but the Defence Secretary remained standing.
    “Because of the incredible sacrifices taken by our armed forces, we have many units that are now unable to function.”
    He paused for a moment while checking some number before continuing.
    “Army units in Proxima Centauri are operating at less than thirty percent. Marine forces have been amalgamated to provide just two functioning expeditionary forces. Don’t even get me started on the Naval losses that are, quite frankly, astounding. In our current state, we are now incapable of maintaining any kind of major operation without a complete mobilisation of able-bodied citizens. Of course that is without looking at the asset stripping of Alpha Centauri by the Union during the occupation. It is not just the Army that needs reform,” he explained as he lifted up a thin book and waved to the rest of the assembled men and women.
    “Our military has become fractured and competitive. The Army vies for control of the colonies, while the Marines carry the mobility provided by the fleet but lack the heavy equipment and armour for sustained operations. While the Army retains the loyalty of its home planet, it suffers when stationed off world. The opposite is true of the Marines, who can be relied upon by the central command, but do not carry the same authority as the Army on many worlds.”
    He paused and took a sip of water before continuing.
    “Now, these proposed changes to the military will create a new force that is flexible, more capable and loyal to the Alliance, not individual colonies or planets. I think you’ll agree that the old idea of territorial forces has created a split that created more problems than it solved. At the same time, we have to reconcile the budget with the money now needed to rebuild following this war.”
    He sat down, and simultaneously half the members in the Chamber stood to argue. The discussion had been ongoing for hours now, and as far as Spartan could tell, this new paper was in its seventh revision; still they argued as if they had never seen it before. The Council Magistrate struck her hammer for the room to be silenced. Although she carried no actual power, it was her role to manage all meetings in the Chamber, and respect of her and her position was considered paramount.
    “Perhaps we might hear the opinions of some of those further from the top? Maybe those that lack the weight of responsibilities carried by each of the honourable commanders?” she said in a stern but polite tone.
    All but the Marshal returned to their seating, and it took a long, uncomfortable silence for the old army commander to finally be seated.
    “Good,” she said and then looked towards Spartan and the handful of junior officers.
    “Would one of you like to speak of what you have seen and read so far?”
    Spartan glanced to the men and women from the other services, but each appeared to be reluctant to speak their minds. Spartan could hardly blame them. They had each been sent to represent their respective branches of the military and would be expected to promote them at the expense of the others.
    Well, if somebody