The battle was over that quickly as we took the three remaining Ape-oids prisoner. The handcuffs we brought along, in case we found survivors to take prisoner, were used to secure them. Then we marched them back to our ship. A few of my volunteers remained behind while Doc was sent to the wreck to see if there were anymore survivors who might be saved and to take care of two wounded personnel of ours. I felt lucky that we didn’t have any of our personnel killed. Had the Ape-oids had a few more weapons, the battle might have been more costly to us.
* * *
Once back at the ship, each of the Ape-oids was locked in a different room to keep them from communicating with each other. Each had a guard the entire time to keep them under constant observation. I thought about trying my hand at interrogation, but decided that I didn’t know enough about how to do it right. So, I didn’t attempt to interrogate them, let alone learn their language or teach them ours. For the time being, a few simple instructions would have to suffice. We would turn them over to Headquarters when we got back to port.
* * *
Frank came over to me a little later. “Dave, I’ve taken a look at the other ship. We can use some of their framing materials to repair ours and then put a skin back on. There might not be anything underneath the skin, but at least we won’t look as damaged as we are. Could make a difference if we’re spotted.”
I said, “Okay. Take what you need from the alien ship. Also, I want you and whoever you take with you to be alert to anything that might be of value to intelligence. Documents, logbooks, textdisks, and so forth. Be careful of booby traps. They had enough time to rig up some and we haven’t combed through anything yet. So far, all we have are prisoners. There might be some more of them alive over there. Do not take chances and do not take the other pilots with you.”
He replied, “Thanks, Dave.” Frank left to get some assistance and go over to the alien ship.
I went back outside to look at the Thurman again and see if I had any new ideas of how to raise part of the ship without causing more damage so that we could repair the broken beam. As I walked outside, my mind was thinking of a fulcrum. It was one of the easiest ways to move a large weight, but it also depended on us having a long enough log and counter weight to lift that much. We could also take rope and try to pull the ship back the other way, but what I could see was that we might have to try each method and then combine them if each one wasn’t successful by itself.
* * *
It turned out that I didn’t have to solve the problem. Kyle solved it. His solution was even easier than I thought it would be. His proposal was to take a log which just barely fit between the remaining space and then drive a wedge between it and the bulkhead to force the bulkhead back up. Drive a second wedge to force it up a little more. Then substitute a slightly longer log next to it and keep working at the problem with the wedges until the gap between bulkheads was back at the proper spacing. Instead of requiring almost all of us to do the task, his method would only require a few people at a time.
Frank found enough material at the alien ship to replace the now broken beam and brought it back with his volunteers. They also found enough metal sheeting to replace what was lost from our outer hull. It might not look pretty when finished, but it would give us back more aerodynamics and that could be important to our success.
It took almost a week to get the spacing between the bulkheads back to the proper amount. Then the broken beam was removed and the new material was used in its place. When it was welded into place, the logs were removed from the other damaged beam and it was reinforced using the pieces left over from the broken beam. Once the beams were replaced and repaired, the logs were removed completely. We waited a day to see if they were going to hold. The next day, the crew started replacing the missing outer hull with the metal sheeting. That also took a day to do, but when it was finished, the Thurman looked like a whole ship again. Some more of the sheeting was used to cover over where the Mark II single had been destroyed.
We spent two more days putting water into the tanks to be sure we had enough to last until we reached port. Finally, the scaffolding was removed while everything was picked up and stowed away as we prepared to leave.
Chapter 12
Frank was the designated pilot, not so much because I thought he was the best, but because the other pilots thought he was the best. The nuclear isotope engines were powered up. We listened to them for unusual vibrations for a few minutes before Frank nodded that he was satisfied while saying, “We’re as ready as we’re going to be.”
“Okay, Frank, launch,” I replied.
Frank put the engines to turning out full power. We lifted off with a kick that snapped us back into our seats as the Thurman reclaimed its rightful position in the heavens. The ship went into orbit where we held our first battle stations drill in quite a while. It lasted almost two hours before all the officers were satisfied. I was satisfied with the drills after only an hour.
* * *
A day later, we came upon an enemy scout. We blasted him to bits just as he began to broadcast his message.
“Communications, why aren’t we giving the score? Our Navy needs its morale lifted. Mason, good shooting back there!” I said.
I listened as Shirley broadcasted the score again, even though it gave away our position. Meanwhile, we were moving towards our port at top speed. I hoped that the message had an impact on both sides of the war.
“Captain! I’ve got a message from Headquarters!” Shirley said.
“What’s their message this time? Am I still under arrest?” I asked.
She said, “Yes sir, but they also said welcome back.”
I replied, “Give them my thanks. We’re glad to be back.”
That time, Shirley didn’t give them a raspberry. She quickly brought them up to date on what happened.
* * *
A day later, we blasted one more scout. Evidently, he didn’t believe that we were still alive when he saw us and started broadcasting instead of taking evasive action. Then we entered into familiar space and arrived at our port a day later.
* * *
I had expected the Ape-oids to really mount an effort to stop us after Shirley told Headquarters that we had three prisoners. For some reason, only the two scouts were in our way. We had to make a side landing with the Thurman because we didn’t want to damage the ship or lose the prisoners if the repairs didn’t hold up. For that, Frank was again the designated pilot.
When we made the landing, I quickly understood why the other pilots let Frank have the task. It was the first time I was in a ship that made such a landing. It was quite a scary sensation to see the terrain flash by so quickly. When the ship lost its momentum, we were practically at the exact point where Frank intended for us to be. The ship was almost directly beside the river vessel that quickly dispatched divers to attach floatation and lift devices to the hull. Then the Thurman was towed a short distance to shore where a crane was used to lift the ship onto land.
A lot of crew members and officers shook Frank’s hand that day as we left the Thurman for a repair crew to take care of. A truckload of Shore Patrol came rolling up to where we were. I thought at first that they came there for me, but they took charge of our prisoners instead.
A little bit later, a Shore Patrol officer showed up and walked over to me. “Captain Oden?”
I said, “Yes sir, I’m he.”
He said, “Sir, you are restricted to base during the time you’re under arrest. Because we’re at war, you’ll be allowed to keep your weapons, especially since you’ve been quite good at using them on the enemy. You’re to report to Headquarters immediately. I believe your trial will start tomorrow. Good luck. I hope you win. If you like, I can give you a lift over to Headquarters now.”
“Thanks. I accept your offer of a ride,” I said as I followed him to his vehicle.
* * *
I walked into Headquarters where the Fleet Admiral was trying to look at me as if he was impartia
l. To me, he looked like he was caught in a dilemma. He was obviously caught between having to discipline me and congratulate me. I tried not to make his job any harder. “Captain Oden reporting, sir,” I said as I saluted.
He returned my salute and then said, “Sit down. Smoke if you want. I suppose you know the dilemma you’re in?”
“Yes sir,” I replied although I knew it was he who was really caught in the dilemma.
He said, “You’ll have your choice of legal representation. The trial will be tomorrow unless that’s not enough time. I can grant you an additional forty-eight hours if you need the time. I must say, although you produced results, you’re not sitting in a very good situation. Had the other two ships already been destroyed, this proceeding wouldn’t be happening. I’d be congratulating you for extraordinary initiative. However, your squadron commander was still in charge. What you did can be construed by others as leading to his death and the death of the men and women aboard those other two ships.”
I replied, “Yes sir. I understand that. I’m just grateful that I’m the only one being charged. It was on my order alone that my ship left the formation. No one else knew about it ahead of time.”
“I believe you. I’ve done some research on you with people who know you. If nothing else, they tell me that you’re honest. Did you have this in mind before you left port?” he asked.
I replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t answer that type of question until I speak with my legal representative.”
He said, “You are the sharp one. I hope we don’t convict you. I’d like to have another dozen officers like you out there.”
I said, “Well, sir, there’s six more on my ship now. They weren’t much to speak of before, but they are now.”
He replied, “Really? Superb! You won’t mind then if I spread them among some other select ships?”
I answered, “No sir. I just hope that being associated with me doesn’t hurt their careers. By the way, Lieutenant Remm is actually ready to command a ship. I recommend just that. If I’m not convicted, I’ll put it in writing since it won’t hurt her chances then.”
“I’ll remember that. But, we’re getting away from you, son. Do you have anyone in mind whom you would like to represent you at trial?” he said.
I replied, “No sir. I’ll take my punishment if it’s due. I’m not going to wiggle out, even if some of the charges are bogus.”
He said, “If I weren’t the Fleet Admiral, I’d represent you myself, but then everyone else would be accusing me of influencing the trial judges.”
“I appreciate your feelings, sir, and your confidence,” I responded.
He said, “Okay, then let’s at least grant you the forty-eight hours continuance. I want you to think it over some more. See if you can get some legal representation. I’d rather have you out there instead of in a stockade. If nothing else, go get yourself laid and relax. You earned it. I’ll feel a little better if you are convicted in knowing that you received some minor consideration. As of now, the trial will commence at 0900 three days from now. Dismissed.”
I got up and saluted sharply, receiving a salute just as sharp from the old man. Then I turned around and left his office. I really didn’t expect that anyone could get me off the charges, whatever the final tally of charges turned out to be. The only things I could claim were that I kept alive most of my crew, brought in three prisoners which I found out shortly afterwards that no one else had done yet, and destroyed more ships than any other warship in our Navy had. That was hardly the kind of evidence to enter against the charges they were sure to bring up. As I walked out of the Headquarters building, the officers and crew of the Thurman were waiting outside for me.
Majel came up and asked, “Well, what’s going to happen?”
I answered, “I’m to appear before a court-martial in three days at 0900. Until then, I’m free to roam about the base and keep my weapons in case of an attack. No one else is going to be charged since it was on my orders that the ship left the squadron formation.”
“That’s not fair!” she said. “I ought to go inside there and give them back my commission if they’re going to railroad you.”
“No!” I said firmly. “You are needed by the Navy. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found yourself in command of a ship real soon. I think the rest of the officers are going to find themselves in demand soon as well. You’re among the best in the Navy now and they need you while this war is on. I’d hate to think that I put all that effort into helping you achieve that only to have you throw it away. I’d be real disappointed if you did.”
“Who’s representing you?” asked Mason.
I answered, “No one.”
“Now, who’s throwing away a career?” he asked.
I felt shocked for a moment, but his words rang true. I was giving up instead of fighting, even though I knew I was guilty. I had premeditatedly planned to leave the squadron. I couldn’t admit that even if I didn’t intend on doing it when I did. I had planned on doing it a little later, but the circumstances forced me to do it then or see us all probably die. “Do you have a suggestion, Mason, about someone to represent me?” I asked.
“Yes sir. I will,” Mason replied.
“You know what this can do to your career if they find me guilty anyway?” I asked.
He said, “I know what will happen to both of us if I lose. But, I haven’t lost any trials yet.”
“How many have you handled?” I asked.
He answered, “None, so my record is riding on you.”
I had to laugh along with the others who picked up on his joke.
* * *
Mason, Frank, and I, along with others who wrote out their sworn affidavits, in case they had to ship out before the trial, began putting my case together. If nothing else, we had lots of bridge and combat recordings to present as evidence on my behalf. Because they used Tamp-a-pruf video tape, they were fully admissible as evidence.
Majel came to me and made her offer once more. “Dave, now that we’re back and you’ve got some free time, you want to take me up on that offer I keep making?”
I surprised her. “Yes, right now I’d very much like to accept your offer. Who knows? In a few more days, I may be behind bars for a ten-year sentence.”
“It’s only five,” she answered.
“Ten in wartime,” I reminded her.
Majel asked, “When do you want me? We could go to your quarters now, if you’d like.”
“Sure. That sounds good to me,” I said as I accepted her hand in mine while we walked to my quarters.
We arrived at my quarters a few minutes later and started taking off our equipment and clothing. As I looked down at her shoulder pack, which seemed new, I noticed a hidden holster with an automatic pistol in it.
“I see that you’ve been shopping,” I remarked as I pointed at the shoulder pack.
She said, “Yes, he was such a nice man. He thought some sergeant had sent me to him. I explained to him that you had one and it saved your life against an electrical animal. You were right. He made me test fire it, take it apart, clean it, and then reassemble it before I could leave the store. He even traded me shoulder packs even up. This is a much better model than what I had, so I gave him a kiss for being so nice. He said it was the first kiss he had in years and wished me good luck and long life. When I walked out, Kyle was walking in. I guess I know what he went after, too.”
“I guess so.”
She asked, “Who’s the sergeant? The old man said that you were sent to him by a sergeant.”
I answered, “Sergeant Clark at the Academy.”
Majel exclaimed, “Oh! I remember him! So, he sent you. By the way, where did you get the marker and notepad? Shirley told me how you used one.”
“You didn’t get those while you were in the surplus store?” I asked.
She said, “You mean the same old man? Great! I’ll go by again and get those. I’ll even give him another kiss.”
Then Maje
l was kissing me as we fell onto the bed as a prelude to making passionate love to each other.
* * *
We were lying in bed, smoking a cigarette after some of the greatest sex I’d had in a long time, when we heard a knock at the door. Before I could get up and put something on, Majel said loudly, “Come on in!”
Kyle opened the door to see us both naked on the bed. He turned to leave and close the door, but Majel called him back. She exclaimed, “Oh, get your ass back in here! You’ve seen me and Dave naked before. Besides, we’re not doing anything now!
He said, “Well, I didn’t want to intrude. Anyway, I was going to look for you next anyway. I found out that you didn’t get a marker and notepad, so I picked up one of each for you when I got mine.”
She said, “Oh poo! I was going to go back and give the old man another kiss for being so nice.”
He said, “Yeah, well, the old man told me that Sergeant Clark at the Academy was the one who sent Dave there and I really came to see Dave. Sergeant Clark wants to appear as a witness or as your legal representation if you don’t have any yet. Since Dave has a representative already, I thought he’d like to know that the sergeant and some other folks from the Academy are going to appear as witnesses for him.”
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