Extracts from David Hale's notebook

[Jihadjoe]

// This story idea is a bit of an experiment for me. The idea is to allow me to explore the mindset and thinking of David Hale in greater depth. More of a writing excersize than anything else. The premise is as follows:

In 880 AS, some time after David Hale's death, notebooks were discovered by his family in his house. These were subsequently edited, commented on and published by Johan Markson. A friend of the Hale family and modern historian. Note, this is not set during the 'present day' sirius timeframe, but 60 years into Sirius' future.//

Introduction by Johan Markson

David Hale's time as Fleet Admiral of the Liberty Navy was long and illustrious. The war of the late 810's against Rheinland and Liberty's campaign in the borderworlds was largely masterminded by Hale and his high command. Their doctrine and strategic thinking was at the forefront of military thinking of it's era, and the Liberty navy became a far more streamlined and effective force during these years. Emphasising personal ability tempered with strong teamwork, Hale's command style was often regarded as being too informal by critics. However the results were deemed effective. His time as top-dog within the navy wasn't flawless however. Several highly controvertial policies and decisions often saw him facing the wrath of the LSF and the general public alike. Leniency in certain areas and an iron fist in others left some with the opinion that he acted in an arbitrary and somewhat random manner.

This volume, found after his death by David Hale's daughter Alice, gives a new insight into the workings of this influential man's mind. These highly personal writings were found, hand writen and stored in the attic space of his Los Angeles house, in a box of what were presumably treasured memories from his time in the navy's high command structure.

I have not presented these peices of writing in chronological order, however I have endeavored to contruct this book so as to allow the reader to understand Hale's thinking, starting with his reasoning for writing his thoughts down. Hale's thoughts, as with anyone else's move abruptly from subject to subject. One week one particular issue is important, and the next it is an entirely unrelated subject matter which was occupying his mind. I have also added some of my own commentary in places, partly to promote discussion and partly to outline events occuring in Hale's life at the time, which may have been contributing factors in his writing.

Some of Hale's writings have been removed prior to publication by the LSF on grounds of file classification. As a result I have been placed under a non disclosure agreement by the government with regards to certain details. I intend to respect this agreement entirely. Not through fear of legal retribution, but as an ex-naval officer myself, I am aware of the need for secrecy.

The hidden nature of elements of Hale's career is also reflected in his thoughts and mindset. He rarely spoke openly, and his opinion, be it political, social, economic, or personal wasn't something he shared with others easily. Few but his closest friends, many of whom I have spoken with during the course of my background research, are aware these writings existed prior to their publication, and fewer would have the slightest clue as to what is contained within.

David Hale's personal life, although speculated about in the press (much to his annoyance), was more often than not hidden from the public eye. While these writings don't often go into detail regarding his social life, they do show how he regarded the men and women under his command, and other friends and aquaintances he met during that time.

"I don't want to be remembered for what I did, but for who I was.
Each and every one of you, although fighting for a cause greater
than yourself, shouldn't lose what sight of that which makes you
who you are."

~ David Hale addressing the class of 818 AS - West Point Military Academy.

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