Chapter 16. Resolute at Tumos 1700, 2 June
Dave received the message from the Admiral and smiled. He hailed Dr Govinda and asked for his help. Mani was pleased to assist and by 1740 Dave made the ship wide announcement that all crew should be in the Facilities main theatre by 1930.
At 1915 a light shuttle touched down on the runway and Dave was there to meet it. Phil got out and with a smile on his face returned Dave’s salute. He patted his top pocket as he talked with Dave briefly before they both walked across the apron to the facility entrance, where a line of personnel were already making their way into the theatre.
At 1930 Dave introduced the Admiral and Phil began. “Crew of the Resolute there is no greater pleasure for me than to be able to reward those under my command for the courage and heroism they have displayed in the performance of their duty. Tonight it is my honour to present the Fleet Medal to 2nd Lts Ivan Kiralenko and Chase Hanlon and the Distinguished Service Medal to Sgt Buster Williams.”
He asked Ivan to step forward. Ivan felt nervous and definitely out of his comfort zone, made worse after he turned to face the crowd.
“Mr Kiralenko” announced Phil “on the morning of the 26 May last year led the second wave of an assault force tasked with clearing the tunnels of Pulton 1 mine complex and thus relieve the forces trapped there by the enemy. The first wave had largely been decimated by the withering enemy fire. Yet he summoned the courage to press home the assault which led to the defeat of the enemy and the securing of Klaster. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present you with the Fleet medal.”
Ivan turned to face the Admiral who pinned on his medal. The crew applauded and Phil then returned to the podium. Ivan began to walk off the stage when Phil said “Not so quick Mr Kiralenko. It is also my pleasure to announce your promotion to 1st Lt.” Phil stepped over to Ivan and handed him his new rank badges. Ivan saluted and dared not move. Phil smiled and with a flick of his head indicated he could now sit down. Ivan was grateful for the excuse to get out of the limelight.
“Mr Hanlon” said Phil and with his hand gestured for Chase to step forward, which he did. Unlike Ivan Chase was revelling in this moment. He was beaming and focussed on Kat sitting in the second row.
“Mr Hanlon on the 5th of February this year over Fulmar led the boarding of the Imperial Rogan Ship, the Drakush. The enemy had already contained the initial boarding attempt with great loss of life inflicted on the marines of the FFS Chicago. With captured enemy shuttles Mr Hanlon planned and led the second attempt. It was a long hard and deadly engagement. The enemy made an attempt to relieve the Drakush with fresh troops who arrived on a shuttle that seized the hangar. Mr Hanlon with no regard for his own safety led a charge into the hangar and routed the enemy and secured the enemy shuttle. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present you with the Fleet medal and I am also pleased to announce your promotion to 1st Lt.”
Phil pinned on the medal and handed Chase his new badges of rank. Chase saluted and revelled in the applause. Phil had to wave him off the stage.
“Our third recipient, Sgt Williams cannot be with us tonight. He is still on Beta Phi recovering from his wounds suffered in an action which is itself worthy of distinction.”
“Sgt Williams on the morning of the 26 May last year led Bravo team in the first assault wave on the Pulton 1 tunnels. He repeatedly led his team in assault after assault engaging the enemy at close quarters. When casualties forced the amalgamation of Alpha and Bravo teams he stepped up and led this force to the point of exhaustion. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present Sgt Williams with the Distinguished Service Medal.”
“As I said Sgt Williams is recovering from his wounds. I am sure he would appreciate our prayers for his speedy recovery.”
Phil paused for a moment. “I would like to also say that these three individuals singled out for the awards today are a poor attempt at the recognition that you all deserve. I am so proud to serve as your commanding officer.”
As Phil walked off the stage, Dave could see that Phil was quite touched by the ceremony. The crew started filing out through the main entrance. Dave made his way over the side of the stage. By the time he got there the Admiral had recovered his composure. “So how did I do?” asked Phil.
“Very nice Sir.”
“Good. Can you hold onto these for Sgt Williams?”
“Of course Sir.”
Chapter 17. Resolute at Tumos 1000, 3 June
It had been a close run thing but somehow, through all the administrative and logistic chaos they had made it. Rihan surveyed her charges as they milled around the huge foyer just inside the facility entrance. It was already getting warm. The sun was blazing over the desert and baking the mountain rock. The smell of hot dry clay met anyone out on the apron. But the ground staff out there, waiting for the imminent touchdown of the heavy shuttle, probably didn’t notice.
Val appeared at the far end of the foyer and gave Rihan the thumbs up. The last of the gear scans had been completed. ‘Not before time’ thought Rihan. Val looked drained as she approached Rihan. “Well done Val. Tracy has your gear over there.” Her partner, Cpl Tracy Gordon, gave Val a wave and Val smiled at her.
“Oh thanks Maam. I don’t want to do that again. There’s got to be a better way.”
“Well you have at least a week to think of it.”
Val looked over to Tracy and then back to Rihan. “Nah! I’ve forgotten about it already.”
Rihan laughed but her noise was drowned out by the thrusters of the heavy shuttle as it descended on the apron behind the Resolute. It created a sudden wind storm swirling dirt and dust about. The heavy shuttle was a big craft, almost as long as the Resolute but not as high. Rihan craned a look out through the entrance and saw it settle.
A minute later she got a hail from Tumos control telling her to marshal her crew for boarding. Rihan stood on one of the chairs near the entrance and in a big voice yelled out. “OK everyone can you please line up in your designated serials, with serial 1 up front. Make your way out and follow the direction of the ground staff. You will hand over your gear to the load masters and then board the shuttle. The crew will direct you to your allocated seats.”
Dave and Rihan were the last to board and took their seat at the front of A deck. Rihan looked down the line of seats, saw that everyone was seated, most were smiling or engaged in animated conversation. ‘Aagh, it’s over’ she said to herself and sat down next to Dave.
He placed his hand on her knee and whispered in her ear “Well done. Thanks honey.”
Rihan finally relaxed her body and leant her head on Dave’s shoulder. The ship’s chief steward stepped toward Rihan and was obviously a bit embarrassed at her familiarity with a senior officer and that he would have to interrupt her. “Excuse me Maam but are you and you crew all done. Our tally indicates we have everyone.” Rihan nodded and then leant her head back on Dave’s shoulder and closed her eyes. The steward smiled and made his way forward to the cockpit.
“Don’t worry honey” said Dave “tonight we dine at Renata’s and tomorrow we will be up at Terra Fuaga with our feet dangling in the tropical waters.”
“Can’t wait” said Rihan as the flight safety video began playing. She tuned out having seen it a million times already. By the time it finished the shuttle’s engines revved up and they began ascending before the huge aft thrusters propelled them headlong over the runway.
Chapter 18. Nova Vista 1400, 3 June
It was a weary Rihan that pulled her suitcase through the door of their apartment on the 41st Floor of Nelson Towers. She twitched her nose on encountering the slightly stale air and flicked the control to kick off the air conditioning while Dave held the door open. He pulled in his suitcase and let the door close behind him. He went straight over to the windows and opened them. The warm air rushed in and he breathed deeply.
“I’ve just turned the air conditioning on” complained Rihan.
“It’s OK honey we can close these once the old air is flushed out.”
He wheeled the cases into their bedroom and smiled as memories of pleasure flooded back to him. He was still smiling as he came back out into the open plan living area to find Rihan collapsed in one of the big lounge chairs. She was vaguely looking out through the windows to the spaceport beyond but her mind was not focussing. She had let her hair down and the soft auburn curls fell about her reclining head.
Dave came over behind her and massaged her head. “Mmm” she sighed. He intensified the pressure on her scalp and she rolled her head back a little further. She closed her eyes and murmured “More!” He moved his fingers to her shoulders and he could feel her muscles relaxing. He gazed out the window as the curtain on the left billowed with the fresh warm breeze. He could see the spaceport and then remembered.
“Oh I promised to call in and see Art” he said.
“What now?”
“Soonish. He’s in North Shore hospital.”
“Dammed inconvenient.”
“Why don’t you give Sue a ring?”
“Why don’t you Mr Energy?” she mumbled.
“All right, I’ll do it.”
“Don’t stop” she commanded.
“I’m afraid I’m not that good at multitasking.”
“Just a minute more.”
A minute later he stopped and hailed Sue.
“Sue, it’s Dave” he said giving her the signal that he was calling as a friend not her boss. “We want to call in on Art this afternoon.”
“I’m at the hospital now Dave. Art’s in good spirits. Come on over. Do you know where to go?”
“North Shore 14C Room 2?”
“Yep that’s it.”
“Does he need anything?”
“Actually I forgot his portable console. He’s up for reading now. Can you pick one up? I can reimburse you.”
“Of course. See you in about an hour.”
Turning to Rihan he said “I’m just ducking downstairs. I’ll be back in twenty. Can you be ready then?”
“If I must!” she replied.
“Come on grumpy. It’ll do you good.”
“I’d throw this pillow at you if I had the energy.”
“Better you use it for a cat nap. Twenty minutes right. See you.”
Rihan took his advice and was soon snoozing on the lounge. She was still snoozing when Dave returned with a shopping bag. He couldn’t resist saying “I’m home honey. Time to go!”
Rihan mumbled something about him being cruel but Dave ignored it. He offered her his outstretched hand and she reluctantly took it. He pulled her to her feet and then wrapped his arms around her. She slumped. He grabbed her behind with both hands pulling her back upright. When her face was close he kissed her on the forehead and then on her closed eyelids. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He kissed her on the lips gently.
“More please” she demanded.
He gave her a stronger kiss on the lips only this time she ambushed him with her tongue. He pushed back with his and began regretting his commitment to go and see Art now. She raised her knee gently into his groin. He was getting excited but then he withdrew holding her shoulders now at arms’ length. “We have to go, now!” he said seriously.
“Oh” she moaned “you and your duty.”
“He’s our friend Rihan.”
Rihan shrugged her shoulders. “I know. Come on.”
The taxi dropped them off forty minutes later. They made their way up to the fourteenth floor and found Art sitting up in bed talking to Sue, who was sitting in a chair. “Hi Dave, Rihan” said Art joyfully. “Pull up a pew.”
Dave raised his shopping bag and pulled out a brand new portable console. “I heard you could use one of these. I’ve got your account details somewhere here too.” He fumbled in the bag and came up with a memory stick. “Here it is.”
Sue took the gift from him and placed it beside her on the floor.
“Oh thanks Dave. I really appreciate that.”
“I did it for the nurses. I know what a terrible patient you are. They need you distracted” said Dave with a grin.
“I think you are mistaken. If I recall correctly it was you who was the terrible patient. Remember Sonia!”
“Sonia who?” asked Dave.
“Yes Sonia who?” asked Rihan.
“Go on darling” encouraged Sue “you can’t leave it there.”
Ten minutes later a nurse poked her head into the room to see what all the laughter was about. She nodded her approval and left.
“Was she really fifty and fat?” asked Rihan. “I reckon you guys change the details to protect each other. Am I right?”
Art looked incredulous and turning to Dave and said “We would never do that, would we?”
“Certainly not” said Dave but undermined his statement with a belly laugh.
“So how’s the arm coming along” asked Rihan.
“I get out of this hard cast in a few days” said Art. “Then they put me in a robo cast for a week. And after that, it’s physio and therapy for four weeks.” He shrugged his shoulders in a resigned manner. “Sorry Dave.”
“Don’t be sorry Art. It’s me who’s sorry for putting you through this.”
“Occupational hazard. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Yeah that may be but it’s hard looking at my friends and colleagues and knowing that it was my orders that brought on their suffering.”
“It’s the war Dave” said Art a little more forcefully. “And that bloody Bane character. I am so glad Akos plugged him.”
The others all nodded as they reflected on what they had all gone through. It brought the mood down. Rihan was the first to react.
“So can you get a leave pass from here and join us for dinner?” she asked.
“Not sure. I doubt it.”
“We’re booked into Renata’s” added Dave.
“Tempting isn’t it” said Art.
“I’ll ask” said Sue and she stood and left to see the nurse. She came back five minutes later. “We’re on!” she proclaimed with a big smile “but only for a few hours and you have to wear a sling and be extremely careful.”
“I’m always careful” protested Art. But he got a light clip on his skull from Sue.
“Not careful enough” she added scolding him. “Look we can meet you there. What time?”
“We’re booked for 1800.”
Chapter 19. Nova Vista 1700, 3 June
The taxi turned into Plough St in the upmarket suburb of Picton. It pulled up outside the two storey house that Chase always called the mansion. He was nervous but not as nervous as Kat. He held her hand as they walked up the path to the double front door, trailing their suitcases behind them.
Mary Anne Hanlon heard the cases rumble towards the house. She had been waiting for that sound this past hour. She rushed to the door and opened it - her fair complexion in stark contrast with the deep burgundy of the door. She had a warm smile on her round face and her hazel eyes held back a touch of moisture as her heart pounded with joy.
“Chase” she called out.
“Mum!” said Chase . He let go of Kat’s hand and his bag and bounded up the two stone steps to the front porch and took his mother in his arms. The scent of roses from the garden mixed with a scent he would never forget – his mother’s. He pulled his head back to get a look at her. She had aged these last two years. He regretted not seeing her on his last leave.
“Mum this is Kat Holbrook” said Chase.
Mary Anne held out her hand and shook Kat’s. “You are most welcome Kat. Please come in out of this sun.” As she led them inside she mentioned “Your father will be home soon.”
Kat took in the new surroundings. She had never been in such a well to do home. The classic style furniture, the rich fabrics and everything was ‘just so’. She noticed that Chase took it all for granted. He entered back into a time and place totally familiar while she entered something foreig
n. She admired the lovely painting of the tropical fish on the hallway wall. The reddish light penetrating through the tinted glass window played with its green and blue hues. The big coral coloured fish seemed to stare at her.
“Oh leave your bags there” said Mary Anne. “We can move them later. Come, let’s have some iced tea. I want to hear everything.” She led them out onto the back veranda. ‘It’s huge’ thought Kat. The whole veranda was five metres deep and stretched the width of the house. It was under the main roofline and well protected from the sun. It looked out onto green lawn shaded by several large trees. A central garden bed still had plenty of shrubs flowering.
Kat and Chase sat together in the two seater and Mary Anne sat in one of the cane lounge chairs. Kat crossed her legs and endeavoured to strike a ‘classic’ pose. Mary Anne smiled warmly at her. “So Kat how did you meet Chase?”
“The first time we really got to know each other was in the mess.”
“Mess?”
“Yes the officers mess on board ship.”
“Oh I see you are a Fleet officer too.”
“Mum she’s not just an officer” said Chase with his hand on Kat’s knee - a gesture that did not go unnoticed by Mary Anne – “She’s a pilot.”
“Oh really” said Mary Anne “and so you fly those shuttles do you?”
“Actually I’m a fighter pilot Maam.”
“Mary Anne please. I’m certainly not an officer.”
Kat laughed. “Sorry …Mary Anne.”
“And so Kat do you…fight?”
“Yes I have.”
Mary Anne pondered that for a moment, taking a sip of her iced tea from the tall high ball glass. The sounds of a car could be heard pulling into the driveway behind them. “Oh that will be Glen” said Mary Anne and with a smile to Kat she added “Chase’s dad. I’ll let him in. You two just stay here.”
As soon as Mary Anne had left Kat turned to Chase looking worried.
“You’re doing just fine” said Chase.
Glen Hanlon came straight through after entering and hearing that they were already here. He was a well-built man who had started to put on a bit of weight. His hair was all grey now, even a little white near the temples. His dark eyes searched out for his son.
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