move the enemy could make. We will be outnumbered
four to one when we reach our objective. The only hope we have is that
we move fast and precisely eliminate any resistance before us, destroy
our objective and retreat before the enemy can muster against us enough
force to destroy us. We will be fighting the best they've got,
gentlemen."
16 The screen behind North lit up. "Because this is where we're going
....The Imperial Shipyards orbiting the five major moons of The
Imperial Capitol! We're going in, gentlemen, and when we leave there'll
he nothing....NOTHING left!"
17 All the Officers were on their feet applauding and cheering, the
Reds coming forward to congratulate the Blues. North turned and looked
at the screen behind him. He could barely see anything. Was he making a
mistake insisting on leading this mission? Should he insist on going
himself against all objection, or entrust the mission to someone else?
18 Morale was important, as was equipment. His men had absolute faith
in him, even blind. If they had to trust someone else, would their
reaction be just that much slower? Would their response to orders be
hesitant? No. They were trained too well for that. But North had one
skill his other Officers didn't have; an ability to predict his
opponent’s movements with uncanny accuracy. This would give
his men more of a chance for survival than anything
else.
19 Even at the risk of the loss of his sight North HAD to go, even
though there was only two week's grace period between the completion of
the mission and his scheduled
operation. No …he HAD to go, no matter what, he HAD to go! So while
their ships were being prepared, they made the
flight again and again in the simulators.
20 North had positioned The Home Fleet in the worst possible position
they could be in their arrival, and the