“You’ll be leaving me to go back to duty and I’ll be here on my own. What am I going to do?”
“Stop whining Art” said Sue with enough seriousness to register. “It doesn’t become my hero.” She pecked him on the cheek and then sunk back into his shoulder.
“Some hero” said Art melancholically.
Sue pulled herself out from under his arm and turned and looked at Art directly. “Look Art you need to snap out of it. Enough of this ‘poor me’ nonsense. If you don’t I will be out this door. That’s not a maybe, that’s a real threat. Do you understand?”
“OK…sorry darling” said Art.
Chapter 2. Nova Vista 1620, 17 June
“OK I think that will do for now” said Phil. “We’ve got three contingency plans based on the relative force ratios and several variants on each of these. We’ll need to wargame these out over the coming days. So be back here tomorrow morning at 0900.”
“Oh Rudi” continued Phil, “While I remember make sure your staff do not include any details about the new reinforcements in the daily updates to the COP.”
“Already being done” replied Rudi “The rogan won’t know about the arrival of the Ark Royal, nor of our redeployments within the system.”
“Excellent. I also want you Rudi to be upstairs commanding the battle. I’ll stay down here and keep an eye on Shen and the big picture.” Shen gave a wry smile.
“Are you sure Sir” asked Rudi. “I appreciate the honour.”
“I am sure Rudi. You will do a fine job. Give me a crushing victory.”
Rudi glanced around at the others before replying with a smile on his face “One crushing victory coming up then.”
Dave sat there taking it all in. The thing that struck him was how Phil had given Rudi the honour of commanding the battle. He could have so easily retained this for himself. But when Dave reflected on his own recent experiences he saw that Phil had consistently given him the opportunity to shine and that was what he was doing here for Rudi. Dave looked at how Rudi’s spirit had just been elevated. The gesture was already paying dividends. ‘That’s just one more reason why Phil’s such a good commander’ thought Dave.
“Dave can I have a word?” asked Phil.
The others began leaving. Rihan was still finishing up on her workstation. “I’m going to be sending your husband away for tonight, if that’s all right with you Rihan” said Phil.
Rihan cut a quick look to her side and smiled at Phil “Do I have veto rights now?”
“Afraid not” said Phil.
“Oh well, you can have him then” said Rihan with feigned indifference and she returned her focus back to the workstation.
“Up on a pedestal one day, forgotten the next” said Dave with feigned hurt.
“That’s what I like about you two, complete understanding and regard for each other” said Phil with a smile. “Now Dave I want you to get back to Tumos and Butros Alia. Use my shuttle. Ask Aubrey to go along with you. She might appreciate the ride.” Phil gave a Dave a wink.
“I heard that” stated Rihan with a disapproving tone.
“What were you saying about complete understanding?” asked Dave.
Phil laughed. “Anyway go down tonight and get back here by tomorrow evening. What I want you to do is make sure their defences are set and ensure your ship is going to be ready on the 20th. Also chase up with that brother of yours. He promised me to increase droid production.” Phil swiped his console. “I’ve just transferred the details to you. Let me know if there are any problems.”
“Fine Sir. Will do. Will that be all?”
“That should do it, though I’m not sure if my Ops Officer is ready to go home and help you pack.”
“Help him pack, huh!” said Rihan. She hit save and logged off. Then she got up and wrapped her arm around Dave. “But I am ready!” she said looking like a minx.
Chapter 3. Butros Alia 1900, 17 June
Dave decided it would be best to go to Butros Alia first and spend the night there. Aubrey never complained. She did however complain about being held back in reserve for the battle but eventually, albeit reluctantly, agreed to it.
Dave left Aubrey and Brennon in the dining room and decided to walk outside the facility and check on how the construction was going for the new missile battery that would provide point defence for the site. The work was going nonstop around the clock. They had huge flood lights lighting up the area like it was day. A flock of bats, that had obviously been disturbed, were flying overhead in chaotic patterns.
Dave introduced himself to the project supervisor and confirmed that they should be done in four days’ time. He also explained how the whole battery would be housed into the hill and effectively invisible. It was a fully automated battery with a mix of light and heavy launchers. Initial capability testing would be on the 22nd followed by another round of testing on the 23rd that would be synced into the planet wide missile network.
Dave made a note to follow up on manual override. He wanted to make sure they had a human controller stationed here that could take control if need be. Dave had experienced rogan short range jamming before and he didn’t want to have the defences fall foul of any jamming.
By the time he got back to the dining room, around 2000, there was no sign of Brennon or Aubrey. That brought a smile to Dave’s face. He grabbed himself a cup of coffee and headed back outside. He walked for a couple of minutes to get away from the flood lights. There was a freshening breeze. It even smelt like it might rain – a rare treat out here. Dave sat down on the edge of the apron and hailed Rihan.
“Hi honey what you doing?” he asked.
“Just having a cuppa. What about you?”
“Same, though I’m outside. Believe it or not but I think it might rain out here.”
“Well don’t you get wet without me.”
“No wouldn’t dream of it.”
“How’s Aubrey?”
“Otherwise engaged.”
“I see” said Rihan “You know she and I had a chat at lunch while you were with the Admiral.”
“Yeah, what about.”
“She was surprised that I opted for a staff job. She said I should have stuck at it and that if I had I probably would have got the Phantom over her.”
“What did you say?”
“We’ve shared so much, Aubrey and me, over the last few years but somehow I just didn’t think she’d understand. You know about wanting to have kids, creating a family.”
“We might be on the same train but we don’t all stop at the same stations.”
“Nor arrive at them at the same time.”
“Exactly” said Dave. “You’re not having second thoughts are you?”
“No…not really. It would have been nice to have my own command though. She really loves it. But no, I am doing what I want to be doing Dave….except you’re not here to help with you know what.”
“Is that right?”
“You don’t know what you’re missing mister.”
“Oh yes I do and I am missing it. I love you honey.”
“Ditto.”
Chapter 4. Tumos 0915, 18 June
Despite having helped draw up the plans for the defences at Deathly Hollows, Dave was unprepared for the scale of construction and the sheer scope of activity. On their approach Dave could see out the window of his shuttle that heavy machinery was constructing not only an automated missile battery but also a fortified bunker on either side of the entrance and one opposite on the far side of the runway.
Referring to the one on the far side, Dave said to Aubrey “Look at that. What are they thinking?”
Aubrey shook her head. “They’ll have no chance of surviving.”
Dave began searching his notes on his console. He confirmed that all he had said was fortified positions covering the entrance. “Well I certainly didn’t specify that.”
After touching down Dave and Aubrey went over to the workers around the bunker on the far side. They just asked him
to speak with the supervisor who was on the facility side. It ended taking over an hour to get the supervisor to stop the construction on the far side.
Mani invited them both up to his office for morning tea. “You look annoyed Captain” said Mani. Dave explained his frustration. “Sometimes it’s meant to be Captain. We can’t be everywhere at once.”
“Perhaps but mistakes like that cost lives” said Dave.
“Try one of these” said Mani offering Dave a tray with some cakes on it. He was quite keen to brighten Dave’s mood, especially with the bad news he was about to impart.
But Dave declined. “No thanks. What I would like from you is confirmation that the Resolute will be ready on the 20th.”
“Yes well that was what I wanted to speak to you about too.”
“Yes?” said Dave, fearing the worst.
“Well I’m afraid Charles’ tests highlighted a problem with our solution for the life support systems.” Dave looked like he was suffering. Mani continued “But the good news is we have a fix, but it’s not going to be here till tomorrow.” Dave’s gaze was now boring into Mani’s eyes and Mani felt the pressure. “That will push back sign off till the 22nd I’m afraid.” Dave gave a light shake of his head and for a moment closed his eyes. “But this will allow us to complete the engine upgrade” said Mani gesturing with his hands like he was actually building the craft before Dave’s eyes. “Of course we’ll need you to test that as a priority on the 23rd and 24th.”
“Gee Mani you know how to pile on the pressure. We’re expecting the enemy to warp in here on the 25th and I’ll be doing trials the day before. Have you considered the fact that we may have to deploy within the system?”
“Not a problem Captain” said Mani, feeling that he was now on firmer ground, “with this new drive you will be able to warp and buster anywhere within the system in three hours. Just ask the good Commander here.” He finished with a perfectly innocent smile, which proved infectious.
Aubrey began smiling and added “it’s true, we did it the other day.”
“All right Mani but mark my word I will be here on the 22nd and it had better be ready. You don’t want to see me angry.”
Aubrey was shaking her head, “No you don’t.”
Mani believed them. Keen to change the topic he suggested “Would you like to see where we are going to house your marines?”
Chapter 5. Nova Vista 1820, 18 June
It was a tired Dave Warner that entered his apartment in Nelson’s Tower. He was hoping to find solace in the arms of his wife but Rihan was still at HQ working on the mods to the scenarios after the first day of wargaming.
He took a beer from the fridge and put his feet up on the poof in front of his favourite lounge chair. He took a good sip and eased back in the chair. His eyes may have been looking out into the twilight – it would soon be dark – but his focus was not on the almost constant take-offs and landings at the spaceport. No he was recalling how happy Brennon seemed.
A smile came over Dave’s face. He rubbed his hand against the stubble that was now growing on his chin. The physical friction of that act reminded him of how much friction there had been in his brother’s life since that dreadful accident when he lost his child. His wife had been a bastard. It was one thing to have blamed Brennon for the death and even to leave him. But to move to Earth and take his only surviving child was nothing but a bastard act. Brennon had been miserable ever since.
But now he was happy again. Zest had returned and so too had passion in the form of Aubrey. Dave smiled as he recalled how Brennon had grinned at him as he hugged Aubrey goodbye.
“Hi honey” announced Rihan as she entered.
Dave turned his head to the side to look at her as she came in. “Welcome home darling” he replied.
“What a day! I’m famished. Where’s dinner?”
“Exactly” replied Dave with a worn out smile. “Do you want to go out?”
“No too tired. I’m going to have a shower. Can you order a home delivery?”
“Sure, Thai?”
“Sounds good. River Kwai Duck thanks!” and that was the last Dave saw of Rihan till he drained his beer and wandered into the bathroom to find Rihan asleep in the bath. She had a face washer over her face. Dave touched it ever so lightly and confirmed it was cold. But he didn’t remove it. Instead he sat on the short stool that was kept in the corner and was content to admire her beautiful form.
He was overcome with gratitude for having found this beautiful partner. He reflected on how richer his life now was because he was sharing it with Rihan. Her recent spiritual awakening had only increased his joy. He was so glad for her. Her accounts of her meditation experiences reminded him of similar exchanges with Amy, his previous wife.
‘When you share physically and emotionally that’s wonderful’ he thought “but when you share spiritually as well it is sublime.” As he thought he smiled contentedly.
“Enjoying yourself?” asked Rihan. She had peeled away the cold face washer.
“Yes actually” and Dave cast a focussed eye from her toes, which protruded up out of the water, all the way up to her eyes.
“You are the perv!”
“How could I resist?”
“Well actually, I think you’ve resisted long enough” said Rihan with a smile. “Why don’t you hop in? We’ve got time before dinner arrives, don’t we?”
“You’re a wicked woman Rihan” said Dave as he started undressing. The doorbell rang. “Alas, it would appear we don’t have the time.”
“Blast.”
“At least it wasn’t coitus interuptus.”
“Oh I don’t know” said Rihan as she stood up and gestured for Dave to pass over her towel. “Right now, any type of coitus would be fine by me.”
“Is that so?” said Dave as he ran out to answer the bell.
A few minutes later Rihan was dried and in her gown sitting down to her River Kwai Duck. Dave had started on the Mussamun curry. He was chewing on a tender piece of lamb when Rihan said “You know I’m lactating now.” Dave nearly choked on his mouthful. Rihan had to pat him on his back to help him swallow.
“Oh poor Dave” she said half soothing, half mocking. “I just meant that if we’re serious about me getting pregnant then we need to maximise our chances and right now I’m at my peak.” She plonked a piece of red capsicum from her stir fry into her mouth.
“Is that right?”
Rihan looked at him with her big green eyes and stabbed a mini corn spear with her fork. She raised the fork to her mouth and sucked the corn spear off the fork in a provocative manner she knew Dave would find sensuous. She swallowed and licked her lips. “Yes that’s right.”
“We’re not going to finish this meal are we?”
Rihan tugged on a piece of duck, chewed it and then swallowed. “Well I intend to have my fill Dave” and once again she licked her lips. Her eyes were smiling and she raised her foot, probing towards Dave’s thigh.
“Right that’s it” said Dave. He stood up and came around to her side of the table and knelt down at the side of her chair. She turned her chair to face him and opened her legs. He dove straight in.
Chapter 6. Nova Vista 1230, 19 June
The officers were streaming out of the wargaming labs, heading for lunch. Dave had been an observer and was following the crowd out when he received a hail from Rihan, who was currently in the control room. “Are you ready?” she asked.
“For what?”
“Remember, I’m at my peak.”
“What now?”
“We need to strike while the iron is hot Dave.”
“You mean my iron don’t you?”
“Well yes if you put it that way.”
“We just did it last night.”
“I know. Wasn’t it wonderful?”
“Well yes it was but…”
“No butts mister. This is your duty. I know you’re big on duty. You never shirk it. It would not be wise to start now.”
“Oh really” said Dave chuckling.
“Really! I’ll be out in a minute” and she hung up.
“Dave you want to join me up on the knoll” asked Phil out in the corridor.
“Afraid not, Sir. Duty calls.” At which moment Rihan appeared and wrapped her arm around Dave leading him away. She waved at Phil and Phil smiled as he saw them heading out.
Chapter 7. Phantom to Polaris 1630, 19 June
Manuel slammed the door of his cabin behind him. “Bitch” he exclaimed. He couldn’t believe that Alice had turned down his invite to dinner. He went in to the bathroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He raised his hands in an exasperated manner. ‘I asked her nicely. I was as charming as ever. What is her problem?’
He slammed the ensuite door behind him and sat down on the chair and leaned forward, elbows on the desk in front and felt his stubble with his open palms.
‘How long has it been?’ he asked himself. He struggled to recall the last time he had been knocked back. ‘Oh yes, Casandra Adams. She was a bitch too.’
But then a smile, a sinister smile, appeared on Manuel’s face. ‘She got her comeuppance, didn’t she?’ He sat there on his bed brooding. ‘And so will you Alice. So will you.’
Chapter 8. Phantom to Sibu 1015, 20 June
Aubrey was pressing her crew hard now. Yesterday they had rehearsed a move to the third planet, Mentos. Today they were warping to Sibu, where they would practice a stealth approach on the Argonaut. The objective was to get within beam range without detection. The only viable means of detection would be by ladar. Ladar detection relied on a laser illuminating the target and analysing the reflected light. As such it required a direct line of sight. The Argonaut had positioned itself above Sibu, relative to the solar plane. From there it would have the maximum chance of detecting the attacker.
Aubrey had tasked Tola to come up with the plan. She had reviewed it and was very pleased with her solution. It called for a route that would see them approach Sibu from below the solar plane. They would not come into effective ladar range until they were masked by the big gas giant’s orb. From there they would orbit back around Sibu and only enter the detection arc of Argonaut when they had the Polaris sun behind them. There was still a chance of detection but it was minimised by this approach.
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