“Ha! You have to be a pilot or mechanic! I restricted them,” replied Minh, I noticed right away that all the pilots in hearing distance had quieted down and were listening in.
“Well, I happen to know the Captain, I'm sure he can do something about that.”
“Sorry Commander, if my top flight officer says they're flight deck only uniforms, you'll have to live with it or apply for his department.”
“Well, I'll have to come up with something for bridge officers then. Maybe we'll all wear long coats like the Captain here,” Oz said smugly, gesturing at my engineer's trench coat.
“Sure, just don't make us look like we're in our pyjamas.”
“Now why would I do that?”
“It could happen. I never know with you Oz.”
“Well, I hope that that's the new engineering uniform,” Minh uttered as he gestured across the Observation deck. I turned around to trace his line of sight and I swear my heart stopped.
Ayan had arrived with a few of the engineers. She was in a long white dress with a scooped neckline. Her red hair was curled tightly into ringlets and hung down to the middle of her neck where she wore a white choker. The necklace was decorated with a circular blue jewel with a sword struck through it, the emblem of Freeground. Around her shoulders she wore a long shimmering white shawl that reached down past her knees.
She smiled at me and walked to the bar with Laura, who was dressed similarly in black and looked nearly as stunning. The both of them walked with such grace and confidence that they seemed altogether separate from everyone else.
I crossed the room to the bar and smiled at her. I'm glad she spoke first, because I don't know what I would have said.
“Good evening Captain.”
“How are you Commander?”
“Great, I'm celebrating.”
“Oh? Is there an occasion other than Minh showing off his crew?”
“We finally have everything just the way we want it in engineering. Where's Commander Buu by the way? I want to thank him for putting all this together.”
“Oh, he's right over there,” I pointed.
“Thank you. I'll see you later, Captain.” She walked off, flashing me a smile. Her light British accent and graceful manner had me absolutely dumbstruck. I could do no more than watch her glide away.
The bartender, an ensign from general maintenance, grinned and handed me something blue and frothy in a tall mug. “That might take the edge off sir.” She said with a grin that almost touched her ears.
“Thank you,” I said before taking a sip. To my surprise it was very good. I took a seat on a barstool and put my mug down. Unlike the mornings when I visited Ayan in engineering when it seemed there was always something to talk about and never enough time, now I was completely tongue tied. I found myself watching her and tried to look away casually. She was Ayan, but in that dress she also seemed to be someone altogether different.
The doctor came over and leaned against the bar beside me, looking at my drink. “Noganto ale. A little bitter with a sweet after taste. Haven't had it in years.”
“Ah, that's what this is called.”
He gestured for another. “One of my favourites. No alcohol, but there is a blend of other natural substances that will make you feel relaxed and a little euphoric. Just don't overdo it or you'll be in medical thinking you're a cloud.”
“Thanks for the warning.”
The doctor and I peeled away from the bar and continued our mingling, I managed to meet and talk to everyone I wanted to see that night. I was even introduced to most of the new crew members. They were mostly experienced crewmen, and none were displeased with their predicament. At least not so displeased that they'd take that occasion to make me aware of it.
Always, my eyes drifted back to Ayan. I couldn't help it. She caught me more than once and would flash a smile or pretend she didn't notice. Once she raised her glass while looking back at me from across the room. I had to return the gesture and everyone I was speaking with at the time looked over their shoulders to see who I was regarding. When they turned back to face me there were great big smiles all around.
The night wore on, and when things started to quiet down I saw her walk through a side door that led to a smaller section of the observation deck with more subdued lighting. I didn't think, I just excused myself and gave silent chase.
The room was quiet, dark and unfurnished. The only light to see by was the faint blue and white coming through the transparent wall. The din of music and conversation in the main room behind had disappeared, dispersed by a noise barrier. Ayan stood looking out the window, the gentle illumination of hyperspace danced across her features. Visible solar winds and the flow of energy, radiant stars and nebulae in distant space all drifted by, ethereal and unreal, like it was some luminescent dream.
I crossed the room and put my arm around her waist. It felt like the most natural thing to do. She relaxed and leaned against me. “Not in my wildest dreams did I think you were this beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “You're not too bad yourself. I love the coat.”
“It was my father's. He gave it to me when I entered the service as an engineer.”
“Tell me about him.”
I was surprised at the request, and as she put her arm around my waist and made herself more comfortable, I went on. “He grew up on Osiris, and trained as an engineer. He left the system and travelled as a journeyman for a few years.”
“How did he meet your mother?”
“Well, she was born on Osiris as well, and the way he used to tell it, he was a little down on his luck until he met her on a transport heading back home. He pursued her for weeks after they met. She would pretend he wasn't even there, until she finally gave him a chance.
“She used to tell me that he was relentless, but charming, and she didn't understand that his motives were pure. Well, fairly pure. He took her to the Giardini Dell'acqua, and showed her how the water gardens worked from the mechanical side before taking her outside in time to see a gold and blue sunset.”
“I would have liked to meet your parents.”
“I didn't think about them much for a while, but lately my mind has been wandering back. I remember when I last saw my father. He walked me up to the boarding ramp as I was embarking for All-Con Prime. He wasn't a man of many words, but just when I was about to say goodbye, he shook my hand and said, ‘I'm proud of you.’ Those were his last words to me.”
“So this is the Jonas no one sees.” She whispered, looking up to me. “I think I like him.”
We stood together quietly for a long time, looking out at the stars as they came closer very slowly.
“I'm finally okay,” she said after a while. “Thank you for letting me rename the ship.”
“First Light is perfect. I'd have it no other way.”
“I read all the orders through. We're really on our own out here. They want us to make our own rules and find our own way. When we're finished they'll probably debrief us for a year.”
“I know, I try to think about how things might be different after a few years out here, what it might be like to return home after being gone so long, and I just can't wrap my head around it.”
“Some people are already decorating. I think it's starting to sink in that this will be our home for a while. Laura's quarters are starting to look more like an apartment. She even put up a picture of Sergeant Everin.”
“Jason's picture? Lucky him, I'll have to mention it next time I see him on the bridge.”
“Don't you dare, they've only been on one date.”
“People are dating now?”
“He found a quiet corner and set up a table and chairs. She said he was a complete gentleman. I think they're supposed to meet after his shift tomorrow.”
“I forgot mercenary ships allowed fraternization until Oz mentioned it the day we departed. That's something the simulation didn't prepare any of us for.” We stood quietly for a while longer, jus
t enjoying the view and the quiet moment.
“I'm sorry I was so cold while we were in the simulation,” she said quietly.
“Officers in the Fleet aren't allowed to fraternize while aboard.”
“Yes, but they're still allowed to behave like friends. I brushed you off and avoided you. My training told me to forget everything but the fact that you were my commanding officer, anything else was a distraction. And I tried,” she looked up to me and I could see the tears in her eyes. “There was nothing I wanted more than to get to know this man I had met in the simulations better in person. When I met you and wasn't disappointed, it was so hard to not let that get in the way of what we had to do. I couldn't stand the idea of getting close to you and having my mother criticize me for it. There were too many reasons for me to keep you at a distance, but I never wanted to. After that first morning, how you helped me, I couldn't forget and when the bridge was destroyed I thought it might have been my crew that didn't react in time. I had just lost so much Jonas, and I thought I had lost you before I could know you.”
I stopped her and softly caressed a tear away. “I'm here,” I said as I drew her fully into my arms. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around my neck. I lowered my lips to hers. Our kiss was a touching that was so soft. We moved slowly, savouring every second and lingering on the feeling.
For those long moments there were no other sensations outside of the feeling of her in my arms, our long kiss, and the sound of her breath. It ended as gently as it had begun.
She rested her head on my chest and sighed.
“I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not letting you go,” I whispered.
“I think I'll like being a mercenary,” she replied.
The night went on, and few people left the party after midnight. It seemed like every crewmember wanted to make the most of every moment. When Ayan and I emerged quietly from that side chamber hand in hand whispers and smiles were everywhere. We couldn't help but be all smiles ourselves as we ordered champagne from the bar. “What do we do?” I asked in a whisper.
“I have no idea, I've never had a relationship with the entire crew watching before,” she replied, trying not to move her lips.
“You keep smiling,” Doc said from behind us. “And beware drunken toasts given by pilot hosts,” he advised, pointing to Minh-Chu who was shakily climbing on top of a table. One of his pilots helped him with his balance while another held the table steady.
“Thank you for coming everyone!” Minh said loudly while very carefully taking a glass of champagne from a tall mechanic.
“How much has he had?” I asked.
“I have no idea, I'm off duty,” replied Doctor Anderson.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as Commander of First Squadron I pledge that my pilots and I will keep you all safe. As you take care of us as we go between the stars, we will be you, I mean, take care of you when we make stops! So to you, and to our promise to you.” Minh raised his glass high on shaky legs and I raised my own.
“That wasn't so bad,” I whispered under my breath.
“And to our Captain and his lovely wife!” Minh's eyes went wide a second after the words were out of his mouth and he quickly tried to recover. “Engineer! I mean engineer!” The room was filled with laughter until Minh lost his balance entirely. Fortunately, the pair of pilots mostly caught him. He took to his feet and drank the drop or two left in the bottom of his glass. We drank to his toast, more than a few even applauded.
The little that remained of the night was more of the same, with Oz asking every bridge officer present their advice on what the new command uniforms should look like, Minh being led off shortly after he slurred a couple apologies to Ayan and myself, and people generally having a great time.
The following two days in hyperspace weren't uneventful, and everyone found themselves with more than they expected on their plates. Ayan and I were just barely able to make time to have lunch and dinner together, as we both had to put in long hours.
The crew was proving themselves, and as the end of our hyperspace voyage drew near, the ship was finely tuned.
We felt like we were ready for anything.
Epilogue
Arrival
At ten to six on the third day we prepared to emerge from hyperspace near the outer-most settled world in the Gai-Ian system. As Oz had promised. the bridge crew had their new uniforms. They were decidedly tilted towards utility. Based on a black vacsuit, he had the new uniforms outfitted with a pocket on the left mid thigh, a low, quick draw sidearm holster on the right, and we were all given long grey jackets with built-in survival gear, general purpose power cells, an extra air exchanger, and ammunition for the small pulse sidearm that came with the uniform. All the safety features the engineering staff had were included as well.
Our ranks were marked on our wrists, counting backwards, so I had seven bars going around my wrists, while the Ensign had nineteen. As it was certainly untraditional, it was also ingenious from a tactical point of view, even though the thought of being captured by some unknown enemy wasn't exactly something I liked dwelling on. Having our captors under the impression that the lowest ranked among us was the highest for a while was a great idea.
I looked to Oz as I sat in the Captain's chair. “I like the new uniforms. They'll need some refining I'm sure, but it's a good start.”
“Thank you sir.”
I brought the forward view up on the main holodisplay and leaned forward. “How long until we're out of hyperspace?”
“Looks like we'll have to come out early sir, there's a gravity field coming up in thirty eight seconds.”
I brought up my command display and braced myself. “Bring us out now, lieutenant.”
“What is it sir?” Oz asked.
“That's not on the charts, if it's an artificial gravity generator, I want to be on the edge of it so we have options.” We came out of hyperspace and my tactical display lit up with armed ships all around us. “Condition red! Bridge and refractive shielding up, signal neutrality to all nearby ships and try to open communications with the main docking ring in orbit.”
“Gai-Ian Nine Station is on the communicator sir.”
“Put it on secondary display.”
The holographic form of an officer on the station appeared above the main display in the middle of the bridge. “This is Gai-Ian Nine command. We don't recognize your profile and your transponder is unregistered.”
“I'm Captain Valent of the First Light. Here to trade with the free worlds in this system.”
“Well, Captain, we're still a free world but who knows for how long. The Vindyne Corporation has made an expansionist's claim on this world.”
“Expansionist's claim?” I asked.
“It's a legal term that entitles them to poorly utilized resources if their population and needs are growing faster than the occupants of the property,” answered Sergeant Everin. “I scored high in galactic law while I was in the Academy,” he said with a shrug.
The entire ship shuddered then and I looked at my command display. One of our rail cannon turrets had just detonated an approaching torpedo. I tracked it back to it's source, a Vindyne corvette class ship. “Give me a few seconds, will you?” I asked the Gai-Ian IX Officer before putting him on mute.
Oz leaned forward and whispered in my ear. “We're trapped sir, it'll take us at least twenty minutes at our best speed to clear the artificial gravity field and enter hyperspace.”
I nodded. “Have you been listening Ayan? Minh?” I asked through the communicator.
“Listening and watching. I think it's time we tested these new fighters. I hate unwelcome guests, even when it's not my house,” came Minh's reply through the comm.
“This sounds a lot like the trouble back home. It's not what we're here for but I wouldn't feel right leaving them,” Ayan replied.
I looked at Oz for a moment, and we nodded at the same time. “I think it's time to start making some friends out here.”
I
stood up and looked around the bridge, everyone was on the edge of their seat waiting for the order. “Open all rail cannon hatches and expose the turrets. Even numbered cannons target incoming, odd numbered cannons fire at Vindyne targets of opportunity. Launch all fighters with instructions to stay close. Ready torpedoes, start angling refractive shielding to redirect any beam fire straight back at the aggressor. Let's join the line.”
I turned the mute on the communicator off and the officer turned in his chair towards me, surprised at what I assumed were the visible changes in our ship on his tactical display. "Yes, Captain?” he asked.
“The First Light is ready to assist with a flight of twenty one heavy interceptors at your disposal. Where do you want us?”
Book 2
LIMBO
Randolph Lalonde
Prologue
Overlord
Just as intelligence had predicted, the engagement in the Gai-Ian system was a slow, easy push. Looking at the status holograms and the primary projection with the scale rendering of the planet and defensive fleet, I felt almost invincible. I looked from the dais of the command chair across the thirty-eight bridge crewmen who were all busy performing their numerous duties; running ship systems, commanding their sections and making sure that my carrier held together for her thirty-fifth engagement.
Combat and managing this battle, if it could be called such, was the least of the Overlord Two's functions. While the command deck took care of the engagement outside, other sections managed manpower acquisition, personnel storage, sorting, colony component manufacturing, holographic media production, product branding, research, development and there were even a few Marauder Corvettes undergoing a refit.
I looked down to the flight command pit built into the floor beneath, where my fleet command and control did their part to keep me apprised of the status of the other two carriers and the rest of the assault force. “Status, Major?”
Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins Page 12
