After the meeting with the Polaris Defence Minister, Dave cornered Alex over the assignment of an XO to both the Resolute and the Phantom. He also asked for a new ops officer to replace Aubrey on the Resolute.
Alex was at his wits end obtaining suitably qualified officers. There was a real shortage. He was under Phil’s instructions to give priority to the Resolute and Phantom but that didn’t mean much when it came to finding Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders.
“Well it doesn’t help when Aubrey loses the one I just provided” said Alex.
“That’s not fair Alex and you know it” said Dave.
“Yeah I know but look at this” said Alex pointing to the list on the screen. “See that. That’s how many Commanders and Lieutenant Commanders we’re short. Yes thirty six. No make that 37 now that Aubrey’s scratched Rodriguez. Dave, the only way I’m going to get you an XO is to strip someone away from an active command or staff position. Same goes for Aubrey. Look at us here, just Rihan and me when we should have at least seven others. I’m sorry Dave. The best I can do is give you some green one pippers – straight out of the academy with only 90 days practical.”
“You’re not seriously going to put them into battle” asked Dave.
“Deadly serious Dave. I know it’s not right but we’re scraping the barrel.”
“All right then” said Dave and paused before adding “They won’t have a specialty will they?”
“No, you’ll have to give them some on the job training.”
“Shit… OK Give me two and Aubrey one. I want them available at Hangar 1 by 1500, kitted out and ready to go.”
“Is that all?” asked Alex raising his eyebrows .
“No I’d like a maid and a manservant too” said Dave with a hint of frustration.
Alex smiled. “I can probably rustle them up for you.”
“Yeah that would be right. You can probably press gang them here can’t you?”
“Maybe” said Alex. “Are we done?”
“Yeah we’re done. 1500 remember.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Dave took over one of the vacant staff offices and began calling his subordinate commanders ensuring arrangements were in hand for them to be at Hangar 1 by 1500. The shuttle was due in at 1530 and he wanted to be at Tumos in time for dinner. It was going to be a long night.
At 1230 Rihan poked her head in the door. Dave looked up like a man on a mission annoyed at the distraction. “Lunch?” she asked tentatively.
“Oh is it time?” Rihan nodded. Dave relaxed a little. He knew he needed a break. “You know I thought for a moment there you were going to say you were lactating again.”
Rihan laughed. “That only happens once a month. But if you like, I’m up for it” she said with a cheeky grin. “Not likely to get another opportunity before D Day.”
“No, probably not.” Dave pondered that for a moment. “What, a condemned man’s last shag hey?”
“And a condemned woman’s.”
“We better hurry then” said Dave with a big grin.
Chapter 14. Nova Vista 1330, 21 June
Sue was packing her gear on the bedroom floor of her apartment prior to moving out to Hangar 1. “Here you’ll need these” said Art as he used his left arm to pick up her webbing. She smiled at him impressed by his new agility. The physio had also been impressed and had told Art he could ditch the robo cast two days ago. That more than anything had done wonders to lift his spirits.
“I’ve been thinking” said Art.
“That’s dangerous!” interjected Sue.
Art frowned at her. “As I was saying, I’m going to see if the Admiral can use me on his staff. Without you here I’ll go out of my mind unless I have something real to do.”
“Good idea. But you can’t neglect your recovery exercises.”
“Yes Dr Chalker” said Art.
She leaned up with her right hand and gave him a gentle slap on his chin as he bent over her. He just grinned back. So she added “well at least you know who’s boss.”
With that he lifted her up into his arms. She gave herself willingly. “Show off!” she said looking at his left arm.
He kissed her on the lips. She responded and grabbed his bum with both her hands. He did likewise. “Ooh another trick” she said.
He squeezed and responded “I’ve got a few more.”
“We better hurry then.”
Chapter 15. Nova Vista 1500, 21 June
Hangar 1 was chock full again. Dave debussed with fifty or so of his crew. He saw Ivan and Chase and beckoned them both to come to him. He led them into the theatre where a few weeks earlier he had briefed them all on their mission to Beta Phi. He closed the door and they sat down.
“I couldn’t get a new XO or a new Ops Officer” explained Dave, “just two brand new, and I mean brand new, one pippers. There’s such a shortage at the moment. So until such time as we get a new XO I want you Ivan to act in the job and you chase to act up in the Ops Officer role. Are you good with that?”
Ivan looked a bit tentative and he looked at Chase, seeking his approval. Chase nodded. Ivan nodded. “Thanks Sir” said Ivan. So does this mean that Jasmin acts up as the Comms officer?”
“Yep and one of the new one pippers will be her deputy and the other will be yours Chase.”
“What quals do they have?” asked Chase.
Dave shook his head. “None. Straight out of the Academy. Ninety day wonders.”
“You’re not serious are you Sir” asked Chase.
“Afraid so. They should be here now and you will have to give them some on the job training pronto. Oh and by the way, effective as of now you both are acting Lieutenant Commanders. Better get your badges of rank sorted asap. It may only be temporary.”
“Wow” said Chase “I only just got the second pip added.”
“OK go and find those greenhorns and get them sorted. I’ll let you decide on which goes where Ivan. Has anyone seen Jim Bucknell or Li Nahn?”
Dave eventually found both Jim and Li and he explained to them how he had just appointed Ivan to be the new XO. “I appreciate that both of you have seniority but neither of you have a watch certificate or any real experience at commanding a ship. Besides I really need your expertise where it is. I hope you’ll understand.”
“No problems from me” said Jim. “To be honest Sir I’m not ever likely to get my watch certificate. I’m quite happy being a grunt.”
“I’m OK with your decision as well Sir” said Li “though at some stage I wouldn’t mind the opportunity.”
“OK Li I’ll see what we can do once this battle’s over.”
“Thank you Sir. I appreciate that.”
Jim and Li left the theatre and Dave got onto his console and sent a signal via Fleet HQ to Aubrey, explaining the bad news about a replacement for her XO. He also told her that he would be bringing her new one pipper to Tumos and she could collect them when she lands there later this evening.
‘Right tick that one as done’ said Dave to himself. ‘Now, to get everyone here moving.’
He ventured out into the main hangar space, looked around to find Emilio, but to no avail. “Emilio where are you?” he hailed.
“Over here Sir” replied Emilio “I’m the joker with his hand up waving.”
“Ah I see. Stay there.”
Dave made his way through the lines of marines and their kit.
“Ah Chief” said Dave once he got next to Emilio “the shuttle should be here any minute. Make sure you get everyone on as soon as you can. I want to be airborne by 1600, no later.”
“You got it. I’ll have them on board faster than a rat up a drain pipe. Leave it to me.”
“Sue” hailed Dave.
“Right behind you” said Sue out loud.
Dave turned around surprised and Sue laughed. “Oh good Sue. Look the job I have for you is not aboard ship. I need you to take charge of the droids down at Tumos. Emilio will assist you. You’ll have the Droid Bn minus one company. Are you
OK with that?”
“I better not do such a good job this time” she said.
“No, you better do a good job.”
Sue grabbed his forearm “Just joking Dave” and she smiled broadly. “I should get you to make this official. I could do with a Bn Commander’s wage.” She again smiled warmly.
“Fat chance at the moment Sue. The establishment doesn’t call for a human commander.”
“But you and I both know” said Sue in all seriousness “that you need a human to get the best out of those droids, especially if they are working alongside marines.”
Emilio was now barking orders to marshal everyone onto the shuttle. Dave had to raise his voice. “Yeah I know we’ll look into this after the battle. Are we good?”
Sue just nodded, rather than try and compete over Emilio.
“How’s Art?”
Sue leaned over and spoke into Dave’s ear “He’s fine.”
True to his word, Emilio was able to report with some satisfaction at 1550 that everyone was on board the big shuttle. “Thanks Chief. Well done. That must be a record.”
“Yeah I think it might be” said Emilio with a grin.
Dave looked out of the shuttle window as it took off and wondered if Nova Vista would look the same in a week’s time. A pang of worry gripped his stomach and he said a prayer that Rihan, Art, Sue, Phil and Alex would be kept safe. It wasn’t a feeling of foreboding. No, but he was concerned about the people he had come to cherish. There was attachment there and Dave knew it. He also knew that where there is attachment there is the potential for pain.
He lay back in his seat, closed his eyes, took a deep breath and repeated his mantra. He felt the muscles in his stomach, throat and forehead relax. It was a lovely moment of peace in amongst a schedule of activity.
Chapter 16. Tumos 1930, 21 June
Between Emilio, Val and Ivan the logistics of getting his crew into their new temporary digs at Tumos was complete. Dave was pleased. It was a late meal by Fleet standards but as he looked at the tables in the dining hall and heard the chatter he was pleased that their spirits were high.
Mani spotted Dave at his table and came over. “All’s well Captain?” he asked.
“With my crew, yes thanks Mani. How about my ship?”
A worried expression came over Mani’s face but then just as he detected Dave’s reaction he changed it to a grin. “All is good. The shift supervisor has just told me they are packing up their tools now. The cleaners will go in and you should have your ship ready in a couple of hours.”
Dave gripped Mani’s arm lightly above the elbow. “Thank you Mani.”
“My pleasure Captain. I’ve scheduled the trials to begin tomorrow at 0800. Is that OK with you?” Dave nodded. “Excellent. I’ll see you then.” Mani was about to walk away when he turned back to Dave. “Nearly forgot. The Phantom is on its final approach. Should be down in a few minutes.”
Fifteen minutes later the Phantom crew started entering the dining hall. Dave waved at Aubrey and she came over with a plate a few minutes later. “I got your message Sir. Where’s this new officer of mine?” Dave pointed to the dark haired lad at the end of the adjacent table. “Sit down Aubrey. I’ll introduce you later.”
Aubrey did so and immediately tucked into her food. Dave had already finished his. “You are hungry?” he said.
“Famished” uttered Aubrey while still chewing. She swallowed and smiled. “Not very lady like am I?”
Dave smiled. “You’ll always be a lady in my books Aubrey.”
“Why thank you. I can see that Rihan’s efforts are paying off.”
“Oh you put this down to her do you?”
“Of course” said Aubrey before inserting another forkful into her mouth. She stopped chewing and, with her mouth still full, managed to say “I thought we established that last night.” Even with her mouth full she was grinning.
Dave just shook his head while smiling. As Aubrey ate, he had to admit that he loved seeing Rihan and Aubrey together. They were very similar but still enjoyed each other’s company immensely. Aubrey was probably the tougher of the two. From his own experience Dave knew that she had more of the killer instinct - not that Rihan couldn’t pack a mean punch.
Dave recalled the time when they were over Alpha Phi in the Hermes and he was about to lead the assault. Rihan was overcome with emotion and it was Aubrey who stepped in to fight the battle up top and she did so with clinical precision. There was a hard edge to her when she was in battle.
“So tomorrow Aubrey I’ll be taking the Resolute up for trials. Mani says these will take two days. I want you to use this time to train your crew as you see fit. I know you will push them hard.” Aubrey, still chewing, nodded. Dave continued. “The Admiral wants us cloaked and in geo above Tumos by 0800 on the 24th. You are under my command and we are in reserve. I have no latitude to initiate action other than on the Admirals orders and neither do you other than on my orders.”
Aubrey swallowed. “What, not even if we see the enemy attacking Tumos or Butros Alia. I thought they were supposed to be our prime objectives.”
“No. In such case we report and await instructions.”
“But it may be too late then.”
“Understood but there is a reason for this. It’s a very good reason and I’ll tell you and you alone once we can get some privacy.”
“All right but it better be good.”
Dave knew he was going to have a hard sell. He waited till Aubrey had finished and they went outside onto the apron. The night sky sparkled and some critter he could not see chirped. Dave took a deep breath in. “Here’s the deal Aubrey” and he told her about Phil’s intentions to use them to pursue to Chelora.
Aubrey wasn’t impressed, which came as no surprise to Dave. “So on the basis of a possible, future ‘maybe’ we are going to ignore a definite, current ‘should do’? That’s not very sound in my opinion.”
Dave realised that Aubrey was keeping her words measured and for that he was grateful. “Think of it this way. If he commits us and we sustain damage then he no longer will have that future option. We are the only craft that could pull it off.”
“All right I concede that but he’s basically saying he is prepared to lose these facilities and all the future capability they can provide just for that option. If these go, where are we going to go to get refitted? No other facility has the tech yet. With all due respect I don’t think the Admiral has thought this through.”
“I think he has and he’s making the call. We have to respect his right to do that.”
“Well that’s easier for you to do than it is for me” said Aubrey, showing a little more feeling.
“He’s my brother and I love him too.”
“So how can you be so cool, calm and collected? I just don’t understand you at times like this. And don’t give me that duty bullshit. How can you put your duty to the Fleet ahead of your duty to your loved ones?”
Dave tried to choose his words carefully. He’d been down this path with Aubrey before and he didn’t want it to end the same. She had made this personal and so he would respond personally.
“When I don this uniform and accept this commission I get an awesome power and the authority to use it. But there are caveats to the use of that power. I have to accept lawful direction from my superiors just as I demand the same from my subordinates. You know how important that is in battle…”
“But...”
“No, let me finish” said Dave. “Now with that also comes an awesome responsibility and that extends not just to those I hold close and dear but to every one of our citizens, our fellow man. They all look to us for protection. They are all precious to someone else and they have people they cherish and they are looking to us to protect them. That’s our remit. That is what we do. If you can’t accept that then you can’t really command. A wise person once told me ‘Only he who follows can truly command.’ I believe in those words and that responsibility. Do you?”
Aubrey swallowed. While she recognised there was some truth in what Dave had said she would never agree to put everyone on an even keel. ‘No, loved ones will always come first’ she thought.’ “What if it was Rihan in harm’s way?” she asked.
“She is in harm’s way and so is everyone else on this planet and they all have to take their chances.” Dave’s gaze was strong and boring into Aubrey.
She realised she didn’t have the energy for any more argument. She was dog tired. “OK you win” she said.
Dave knew that that was not an unequivocal answer to his question but he too was dog tired and so he was prepared to leave it as is.
“Come on” said Dave. “I’ll introduce you to your new one pipper.”
Chapter 17. Nova Vista 0830, 22 June
Art accompanied Rihan to Fleet HQ and was warmly welcomed by Alex who asked him to go straight in to see the Admiral.
“Glad to have you on board Art” said Phil from behind his desk. “How’s the arm?”
“Good Sir. Glad to be out of the cast” replied Art.
“I hear from someone who must be obeyed that you have to adhere to a recovery regime.”
Art shook his head. “She shouldn’t have bothered you Sir.”
“Yes she should have. I can definitely use you but you do need to stick at those exercises.”
“I will Sir.”
“Good. What I really need right now is a liaison officer with the staff of Polaris HQ. I’m spending far too much time chasing them up. Can you be my gofer?”
“Glad to help Sir, anything that gets me out of that apartment.”
Chapter 18. Nova Vista 1000, 22 June
The first of the reinforcements warped in – FFS Harlow, a Chicago class cruiser and two Hermes class frigates. Rudi immediately ordered the commander of the Harlow, Captain Jan Mathieson, to go into geo above Polaris and report to Polaris HQ by shuttle.
It wasn’t until 1130 that Mathieson stepped into the briefing room, where he was warmly welcomed by Phil, Rudi and their staff. He was quizzed extensively on the true state of play on Earth, what he knew about the political situation. He explained that his knowledge was not as it should be as he was in the Rigel system when he received orders to warp here. Jan was keen to get an update on the exact nature of the rogan interference with comms and the estimated strength of the anticipated rogan attack.
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