by Neely Dobbs
CHAPTER 30: Alliance
The door chime roused Jazon from a deep sleep. Once recognition codes were exchanged, Kyell sauntered in.
“Before you ask, Admiral, there is no new crisis.”
“Great news, Kyell. So let's drop the protocol and get some breakfast.”
“You're too late, Jace. Your wife and I already had breakfast…two hours ago. But I'd be proud to have a cup’a brew with you, but I just met with the Commander and he’s anxious to talk with you.”
“Agriel? Is that the first time he's called in?”
“He didn't call. He's here at Mathlen, in the Command Center. He's just arrived.”
“But the Wasp isn't due for…”
Kyell laughed. “Jace, you're not really awake yet. I know how he got here, but he says he can't tell the whole story to anyone but you. I hate to rush you, so while you get dressed I'll tell Agriel he can explain everything after you've eaten.”
“As hungry as I am, Kyell, breakfast has to wait. Give me five minutes to freshen up and then send him in here. While I'm dressing, I'll catch up on what you've already learned. Then we'll be along shortly to continue with you and Sabanda.”
“OK, but once you've eaten, I need to tell you about something… a theory I came up with after reviewing all the SD visuals last night.”
“Fine, Kyell, but don't say anything to anyone about your theory 'til Vick and Sam and I can hear it together.”
"You've got it, Jace." He turned toward the door, then turned back. "Can I ask a personal question?"
"Sure thing, Trandic. Of course, I can't promise I'll answer it." He laughed. "So what's on your mind?"
"It's silly, really... just curious. I've noticed that, since we've returned from Earth, you sometimes use the nickname 'Sam" for Sabanda. It sure fit when we all thought her name was Samantha... but how in kretch do you get Sam now?"
"That's an easy one to answer," Jazon chuckled. "She got her nickname from Earth, and we had some really special times there. She may not be from Earth anymore, but she'll always be Sam to me."
"Good answer," Kyell said as he exited.
Jazon headed for the fresher. He showered quickly and had just finished shaving when he heard Commander Agriel's signal requesting entry. Quickly slipping into his pants, he signaled Vick to enter.
“Admiral, I appreciate your seeing me immediately, but if you haven't eaten yet, our meeting can be delayed a bit longer.”
Jazon threw Vick a wave of negation. “Thank you, Commander…but if you could delay your sleep until your crew had rested, my breakfast can wait. As you insisted then— commendably— 'rank hath its privileges'… and, I might add, its responsibilities. Alright with you if I finish dressing while we talk?”
“Certainly, Admiral. And, Sir,” Agriel glanced at the floor, then resumed eye contact. “I want to apologize for losing my head during the encounter with the Colossus. It wasn't the…”
Jazon interrupted compassionately, “Unnecessary, Commander. Considering the amount of stress you were all under for so long, it's a testament to your strength as a leader that none of your crew lost their sanity. Especially when the Colossus appeared.”
“Sir, I appreciate your generosity. But I'm not so sure some of us…especially me…didn't go a little crazy for a while.” Seeing that Jazon was about to correct him again, Vick held up his long six-fingered hand and hurried on. “Admiral, I'll follow your lead and try to gracefully accept your confidence, with gratitude.”
Jazon nodded and smiled. “Have a seat, Commander. Then tell me: What brings you to the neighborhood? And how did you get here so quickly?”
Vick smiled. “Since our helpful meddler not only corrected our path but stopped our spin, our compartment doors opened like magic.” He looked around, self-consciously. “Admiral, I had an unauthorized racer aboard the Wasp. It's a small, two-man, specially boosted craft with... uh... experimental propulsion add-ons that make it wicked fast. It's sort of hobby of mine….” He shrugged contritely. “Anyway, I pushed it to the max as soon as I could leave, and here I am.”
Jazon wagged his finger at Vick, then chuckled. "Consider yourself chastised, Vick. After what you've been through, I don't think a formal record of it is appropriate."
"Thank you, Sir." Vick smiled in relief. "That is very kind of you."
"Not entirely." Jazon continued sternly, "The wavier is conditional."
"Sir?"
"We'll pass on any formal review of the subject of your unauthorized equipment on one condition."
Vick nodded cautiously "And what is that condition, Sir?"
"This is the condition," casting a theatrically exaggerated furtive look to each side, Jazon finished, "that when this crisis is over, I have your solemn promise..."
Vick leaned forward, teetering on the edge of his seat. "Yes, Sir?"
" Your solemn secret promise," Jazon said excitedly, "that you and I will go out for a long spin in that hopped-up racer of yours!" He burst into laughter, no longer able to hold it back.
Vick laughed just as hard, then responded conspiratorially, "It will be our secret, Sir... and my pleasure!"
“OK. Now that we have that little issue well buried, Vick, what's behind your sudden change of plans? What was the hurry, and why the secrecy? Why did you insist on speaking only to me?”
Vick looked pensive. “When the Colossus was doing its number, we were monitoring a wide range of the spectrum, including ultra-high frequencies. That intermittent signal it sent? I've gone over and over the recording of it. I'm not sure, but it sort of sounds like some code... like it might be a message. I meant no disrespect to Commodore Trandic, but…well, with the possible implications, I wasn't sure if I should tell anyone but you.”
“Acknowledged and appreciated, Commander. However, in the future, feel free to tell the Commodore— or the Vice-Admiral— anything you would tell me. I'd trust either of them with the family jewels.”
Vick snickered, but simply said, “Yes, Sir.”
“In fact, Commander, hold the rest of your story. Now that I'm presentable, let's join them.”
As they walked toward that meeting, ADIZ approached and placed a previously requested printout into Jazon's hands. It gave full details on all eleven systems that had vanished. “Join us,” he told ADIZ. “We may need your help.”
They resumed walking, Jazon again considering the SDs. The figures did not include Chad. It wasn't a “normal” disappearance— but could any of them be called normal? Chad had vanished, but its sun remained. Why had all of the others vanished with their primaries? A faint suspicion nagged at him. He couldn't raise it to the level of consciousness, but it wouldn’t go away.
Promising, yet annoying.
