Ollie lifted his head, coming to a position of attention on the edge of his bunk as best he could, knowing there was no way he could get to his feet.
“Aye, milady,” he said as crisply as possible.
Bonnie turned and moved to the door, pausing just before she exited. She turned and looked back at the forlorn man sitting on the bunk. Ollie was already staring at the photoframe again, oblivious to her departure. She sighed and went out, closing the door gently behind her.
Chapter Four
City of Mosalia
Ashkelon System
Next day, still slightly hung-over, Ollie stood several paces behind Bonnie as the shuttle from Asiana settled to the ground, a slight vapor of dissipating gas coming from the rear.
With a slight pop, the ramp on the side of the shuttle cracked open and started down. As it touched the ground, Admiral Dewa Shigeto’s junior aides stepped out, turned, and formed an honor guard on both sides of the ramp.
Right behind them came Luke, who also stepped into place as part of the honor guard.
At the sight of her husband, Bonnie’s heart leaped.
Luke. My love. God, I’m glad you’re here!
The more senior members of Shigeto’s staff stepped off the shuttle next and took their place in the honor guard formation.
Finally, Admiral Dewa Shigeto stepped off the shuttle. He immediately saw Bonnie with her own honor guard, waiting twenty yards in front of him. He gave her a huge smile and walked directly toward her.
They had agreed in advance there was no point in delaying the changeover. They would conduct it at the spaceport, right now.
Shigeto marched to her, stopping two yards in front of her, and saluted. Bonnie brought up her own salute and they stood, facing each other.
“Admiral Page, I relieve you,” said Shigeto.
“Admiral Shigeto, I stand relieved,” replied Bonnie in the age-old formality.
With smiles, they dropped their salutes and shook hands. Then the two of them turned and headed for their staff cars. Bonnie managed one more loving glance at her husband Luke, and a quick wink, as she slid into her car beside Shigeto. As Bonnie’s personal bodyguard, Ollie slid into the front seat beside the driver. The rest of the aides - and Luke - found places in other vehicles. With a lurch, the procession started off toward the Human embassy in Mosalia - an embassy in existence for only two months.
In front and back were troop carriers, full of heavily armed Special Forces. Overhead, two squadrons of Merlin fighters loitered at 40,000 feet, ready for action. Every intersection was blocked off by another troop carrier full of Special Forces.
“I thought we had a peace treaty in place,” mused Shigeto.
Bonnie laughed. “We do. But the Ashkelon hadn’t lost a war in 700 years, you know. Then the upstart Humans come along. Next thing you know, they’ve lost the Battle of Dekanna and been forced to surrender. They’re not too happy about that.”
“Well, I didn’t think they would be. But is there such danger to require this kind of protection?”
“Admiral, trust me - there is. There’s a significant part of the Ashkelon population that would like nothing better than to cut our throats. You’d be wise to take the same precautions I do. Especially since I think they will likely test you as soon as I’m gone.”
Shigeto smiled at her. “You’re saying, they may not fear a peacetime admiral as much as the one that kicked their ass at Dekanna.”
Bonnie shrugged. “I’m just sayin’, Dewa. Take it any way you want. But if I were you, I’d keep my guard up.”
Shigeto nodded. “OK. I got it. I’ll follow your advice.”
“Now,” added Bonnie. “About agenda. You’ll find a detail handover document in your office. But I can summarize what you need to know in thirty seconds. First of all, the Ashkelon want a decision about rebuilding their fleet. They’re saying that since we now have a peace treaty, they should at least be allowed to repair their damaged ships. I’ve not made a decision on this; I left it for you. But you’ll need to give them an answer pretty soon. They’re about to pop a cork over it.”
“Ah. And what is your advice on that?”
“I’d let them - within reason. I think they could build back to a moderate-sized Home Fleet, to protect their planet. But I’d limit them to that. Keep their total fleet size significantly less than they had at Dekanna. That way, we’ll know we can always kick their ass if they come at us again.”
“And they’ll know it, too,” smiled Shigeto.
“Too right.”
“What else?”
“I put a stop to those head-chopping mass executions they do in the arena. They’re really pissed about that. They claim it’s their right as a sovereign nation to kill criminals and war prisoners any way they please. I told them you’d take the suspension under consideration.”
“I might be OK with criminals, but prisoners of war? No way.”
“Exactly. If you can convince them to limit it to criminals, duly convicted of a capital offense in a fair trial, then I guess maybe - just maybe - we could defer to their ancient customs. But for POWs? Absolutely not. We can’t tolerate that, and I’ve already told Asagi that.”
“Tell me about Asagi. How’s he to work with?”
“He’s OK. As their highest-ranking survivor of Dekanna, he sort of fell into the role, you know. He’s still trying to get used to the fact he’s the new Grand Admiral. And trying to form a civilian government. They had civilian government before, you know. Up to about a thousand years ago. But for the last millennium, the civilian government’s been just a figurehead, a puppet of the military. Now Asagi is trying to shift power back to a true civilian government, and it’s not easy. He’s not only fighting his own people in the military, but even the civilian population is afraid of it.”
“Are they going to make it?”
“Yes, I think so. But you’re going to have your work cut out for you, Admiral Shigeto.”
“I never expected otherwise, Admiral Page.”
“So…we’ll have meetings for the rest of this week, ensuring a good handover. Then I’m off to vacation.”
“Ah, yes. That’s what Luke said. And you’re planning to go to the Stalingrad system?”
“Yes. A whole gaggle of us will be going. Jim’s sister Gillian and her husband Mark, taking Jim and Rita’s child Imogen. Luke and I of course. Also Luke’s daughter Tatiana, her husband Misha, and their new baby Marta. And I’m bringing my flag aide Rachel Gibson and my Security Officer Ollie Coston. We’re all going to drop in on Jim and Rita and see how they’re doing. Sort of a reunion.”
“Excellent. I wish I could give you the Asiana for your trip, but I need to keep her here.”
“No problem. I’ve made arrangements to take a corvette.”
“The infamous Armidale?”
“Exactly. The corvette that rescued a couple hundred shot-up pilots at Dekanna.”
“Well, enjoy your vacation. It’s well deserved, Admiral. You’ll go down in the history books.”
Bonnie grimaced. “You know that’s not what it’s about, Dewa.”
Shigeto nodded slowly. “I know. It’s about doing it.”
“Yes. Because someone has to.”
Stalingrad System
Dyson Ring
“I miss my body,” complained Rita.
Jim looked at her across the apartment. He didn’t quite know what to say.
“Well…you have your pick of bodies, I thought.”
Rita shook her head, shaking off Jim’s suggestion. “Yeah, but…I miss my old body. I liked it.”
Jim had to smile at that. “I liked it too.”
Rita gave him a wry frown. “Yeah, I noticed.”
She turned and looked down at her current body - an android body that was close to her original Human form, copied from it by her Goblin mentor, Tika. She had the same slightly coppery skin, the same short black hair, the same flashing brown eyes.
“This one feels just a
bit heavier,” she said. “It just doesn’t feel the same.”
“Can’t you have Tika make one a little closer to your liking?”
“Yeah, I asked her about it. But she said for me to try this one for a while longer. She said I’d grow into it.”
Jim shook his head. “I just can’t imagine, babe. I’m sorry.”
“It’s OK. I know this hasn’t been easy for you, either.”
“It’s nothing for me, compared to what you’re going through.”
Rita turned and looked at herself in the mirror. For a change, she was wearing clothes. Since she had been at Stalingrad, she had adopted the Goblin habit of avoiding clothing unless absolutely necessary. But today they were meeting the corvette Armidale, arriving from Ashkelon with their daughter Imogen and all their friends from the Ashkelon War.
So today, Rita was dressed, wearing a striped dress shirt with a brown jacket and slacks. Jim had suggested she wear her Admiral’s uniform, but Rita had demurred.
“We’re in the Reserves now, babe. Not gonna wear that monkey suit unless I have to.”
A chime sounded in their comm implants, letting them know Armidale was arriving at the dock in twenty minutes.
“We’d better go. I want to be there when they arrive,” said Rita.
“Yep.”
Together, the two of them departed their apartment and walked to the dock. There, Rita’s Goblin mentor Tika was waiting for them.
As always, Tika was naked. No amount of coaxing would convince her to put on clothes for this meeting.
Jim had finally given up and accepted it. He had sent a short message to Armidale to prepare Bonnie and the rest of their visitors for the quirks of the Goblins.
In the large flatscreen mounted on the side of the dock, Jim could see Armidale on final approach, coming up to the bump on the side of the Dyson Ring. The bump extended a docking tube, and the corvette inched up to the tube. With a slight clunk it latched on and was secured. After a few minutes of checks and confirmations, the inner hatch opened.
Jim’s sister Gillian stepped out first, holding Imogen in her arms. Her husband Mark was right behind her. The two of them looked at Tika’s nakedness in some shock; but they managed to suppress it, trying to accept the ways of their hosts.
Imogen looked around curiously at the strange environment. She was now a bit over two years old; not a baby anymore. She waved a hand at Tika with a smile. Tika waved back at her, and Imogen giggled.
Behind Gillian and Mark, Bonnie and Luke came through the hatch, followed closely by Luke’s daughter Tatiana and her husband Misha, who was holding their baby Marta. Finally came Rachel Gibson, Ollie Coston, and the captain of the Armidale, Duncan Stewart.
“Welcome to Stalingrad!” called Jim, waving.
Battlecruiser Victory - Earth Orbit
Sol System
The alarm sounding in Captain Joshua Westerly’s comm implant was loud and harsh. It was meant to be that way; there was a need for attention when Battle Stations was sounded.
After so many years in the military, Westerly snapped awake instantly. He rolled out of bed and into his warsuit in seconds, stamping his feet into his boots. Grabbing his pressure helmet, he ran to the circular stairwell leading from his bedroom up to his day cabin. Reaching the top, he sped through the small cabin and out the door onto the bridge.
His XO, Commander Fabian Becker, had beaten him to the bridge and was leaning over the Tactical Officer, studying his screen.
“What is it?” Westerly called out.
Becker turned and looked at Westerly grimly.
“A fleet entry at the mass limit. It’s an attack, I think.”
“Who is it?”
“No idea. Not anyone we recognize.”
Westerly stared at the holo. He could see the oncoming fleet now, a huge flock of specks on the holo, so many that they merged together into a single large mass of red.
“How many?”
Becker straightened, lifting his gaze to Westerly’s with the face of a dead man.
“Three hundred ships.”
Chapter Five
Stalingrad System
Dyson Ring
Bonnie was laughing and she couldn’t seem to stop. She twisted in her chair, cackling until tears ran down her cheeks.
“…and then…and then…Jim said, ‘But Rita - you have two sets of memories - mine and Bonnie’s. You’re the only person in history who has experienced being both a man and a woman. So which is better? Being a man? Or being a woman?”
“And?” asked Gillian eagerly, leaning forward.
“And I said to Jim, ‘you don’t need to ask that question - I already know the answer! And it ain’t being a man!’ And then…Rita looked at me and winked!”
Rita, Gillian, Bonnie, Tatiana, and Rachel cracked up laughing. Across from them Jim, Mark, Luke, Misha, Ollie, and Captain Stewart looked at each other with various expressions of dismay.
“I think we’re outgunned here,” said Ollie.
“Agreed,” said Jim. “Discretion being the better part of valor, shall we retire to the drinking room?”
Rachel gave a look to Ollie, then switched her gaze to Jim.
“There’s a drinking room?” she asked.
“There will be after we get there,” said Jim.
“Ah. Well, I’m going with you,” said Rachel. “I could use some serious drinking about now.”
The group rose from the dining table, Jim raising his hands above his head to stretch.
“That was some meal, Tika,” he said to the android seated at the head of the table.
There was a silence. Tika did not respond. She seemed to be gazing off into the distance.
Suddenly she snapped to her feet.
“Earth is under attack,” said Tika.
***
The group stood, stunned. Then everybody began talking at once, asking questions.
Tika raised her hands. Everybody fell silent.
“We have received an ansible message from Ashkelon. Two hours ago, Earth reported they were under attack by a large fleet of unknown origin. Then all communications fell silent. All attempts to re-establish communications have failed.”
“Attack?” asked Jim. “Who would attack Earth at this point? We have a peace treaty with everyone.”
“We thought we had more time,” Tika spoke, almost to herself. “We thought they would wait…”
“What are you talking about?” Jim asked. “Do you know who attacked us? Who?”
Without a word, Tika turned and strode to the door of the apartment. She opened the door and paused, turning briefly back to the astounded group standing by the table.
“The Stree. We thought they would give us more time.”
Then Tika stepped through the door and was gone.
Rita and the rest looked at each other in amazement. Everybody was in shock. Rita finally managed to say what all of them were thinking.
“We have to get to Earth.”
San Diego, California
Sol System
Zoe DeLong was no dummy. She had come up the hard way on the streets of Chicago, losing her mother at the age of ten and thereafter surviving in the midst of hunger, loneliness, drugs, and the omnipresent gang warfare of the streets. As soon as she graduated from high school, she escaped to the Marine Corps. She spent her first tour as an enlisted grunt, fighting in the African Wars, coming out with the Silver Star for gallantry under fire.
War had changed Zoe. She had always been driven, determined to escape the mean streets. But after fighting as a grunt, she was a different person. She set her sights higher. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill and student loans, she completed her engineering degree at Purdue in only three years. Then, against the advice of her friends and family, she joined the Navy as a pilot candidate. Two and a half years later, Zoe DeLong was a Marine F/A-48 pilot stationed off the coast of Africa, on the aging supercarrier USS Doris Miller, continuing the fight against the ever-growing threat of
piracy and terrorism enveloping that continent.
Ironically, she was only one day from the end of her second tour on the Doris when the Stree nuked Earth. If it had occurred one day later, she would have been in San Diego - and would not have survived the attack that left a crater 340 yards deep where that city had been. And if she had not been in the air when the attack struck, she would have gone down with the Doris, as it returned to its home port of San Diego, and was caught in the backside of the blast that destroyed that city.
But Zoe had been Squadron Maintenance Officer for VMFA-323. A recalcitrant F/A-48 had been late coming out of an engine replacement. As the Doris approached her home port, all the other pilots of the carrier Wing departed, flying off the ship’s aircraft to Naval land bases in southern California. But Zoe had elected to stay behind and fly off the last jet when it finished maintenance.
When the plane was finally ready, Zoe had taken off from the Doris to check it out and fly it back to shore. Needing to perform a supersonic dash to fully test the engines, she had turned out to sea for the test flight, instead of boring straight in toward San Diego.
She had flown for ten minutes, checking out the engine and the other systems of the aircraft, when the world seemed to come to an end. Something flashed sun-bright behind her, and before she could even turn to see what was happening, the plane slammed forward, nearly knocking her unconscious as her helmet slammed into the back of the ejection seat.
In a daze, she realized the plane was spinning down to the ocean below her. Fighting the controls, she got the crippled jet back to some semblance of normal flight. One engine was out, and the other was not happy. Working to save the plane, she was too busy to look behind her for many minutes. When at last she had secured the bad engine, gotten the plane back to an even keel and turned back toward San Diego, the mushroom cloud in front of her left no doubt in her mind what had happened.
She could see the Doris was gone - even from this distance, she could see the two upturned halves of the ship. It had been fifty miles closer to the blast than she - it was broken in two. She knew in her gut there could be no survivors.
Remnants: Broken Galaxy Book Five Page 3
