To Sail a Darkling Sea

by John Ringo

  “The first is the Sea Savior Badge. That is primarily for small boats who do at-sea rescues. The badge is in three levels of award, Basic, Senior and Master Savior. The levels are based upon how many people came across the transom of a small boat crewed or captained by an individual from another boat. Persons picked up from land do not in most cases count. There is a silver civilian award and a gold military award. Prior civilian experience accrues so if you’re a member of the military who did at-sea rescue prior to joining the military, your ‘points’ accrue to your military badge. The badge design is a cross surrounded by a life-saving ring. Senior has a star on top. Master is a star and wreath.

  “The second new skills badge—I keep wanting to say ‘merit badge’—is the Boarding and Clearance Badge . . .”

  “Oorah!” the Marines shouted, more or less as one.

  “And, yes, the Marines are going to tend to get these,” Isham said. “This skills badge is based upon deck area cleared in large vessels with significant belowdecks spaces including but not limited to, freighters, liners and military vessels. I’m reading this from the notes, people. That’s what it says. As with the Sea Savior Badge, the Boarding and Clearance Badge counts prior civilian experience. There was apparently some debate on the design but the JCS finalized on a gold crossed Halligan tool and grapnel with a fouled rope representing its connection to the United States Marine Corps.”

  “Away boarders!” Gunny Sands boomed.

  “Oorah!” the Marine contingent replied.

  “Again, Senior has a star surmounting it, Master has a star and wreath. And, Gunnery Sergeant, here’s one for the books. You don’t get a Master Boarder badge. Badge is to be worn on daily undress uniforms.

  “The Hole took all our records and ran them through a computer algorithm to come up with these badges. Before we begin, let me warn the Marines that most of you are not going to get even a senior level clearance badge. The ‘points’ on both are based on how many feet of deck were cleared or people pulled over a transom divided by how many people were involved and their time involved. We’re going to take this in the order I’ve worked out. Each individual is going to come up and get pinned with all their awards and badges at once. Persons getting the least in terms of level of award and number are going to go first.

  “Last item before we begin. A general ‘I was there’ award has been struck for clearance operations in and around the Canary Islands as well as actions in the North Atlantic prior to the Canaries. The North Atlantic Campaign Medal has a civilian counterpart that civilian crews who have operated in the area can wear at their choice. We’re having a hard time producing all of them but we’ll get it done. Those are going to be handed out through the chain of command later.

  “Captain Smith, if you could take the stage to give the awards.”

  Sophia had recommended Olga for a Silver Star, the only award she knew. She’d been gently informed by the flotilla commander that that was over the top. They’d settled on a Navy Commendation Medal with V device for Valor. She’d been told that it had been approved but the award would be at a later date in the flotilla. She wasn’t even sure what a NavCom was.

  The first award that caught her attention was:

  “Sergeant Joshua Hocieniec,” Isham said. “United States Marine Corps. Six awards, one badge. First Award: Silver Star Medal for clearance operations on the liner Voyage Under Stars. Within hours after being rescued subsequent to being stranded at sea for two months, then Lance Corporal Hocieniec volunteered to join a small team on clearance of the massive ocean liner, Voyage Under Stars, to effect rescue of remaining crew and passengers. For three weeks, with little rest and no breaks, the lance corporal drove on with the mission, clearing two million feet of deck area and terminating, with the rest of the team, an estimated two thousand infected personnel, participating in the expenditure of over twenty thousand rounds of ammunition when he was not engaging in hand-to-hand combat with infected. During the course of the operation, one hundred and forty-two persons were rescued.

  “That’s the last time I’m going to read the full text,” Isham said. “We’ve just got too many to go through.

  “Second award: Bronze Star Medal with Valor. For clearance operations on the USS Iwo Jima . . .”

  “New award: Wolf Squadron Formation Medal. For operations as part of Wolf Squadron prior to clearance operations on the USS Iwo Jima. Mostly civilians are going to get this award. Hell, I think I get one . . .

  “New Award: North Atlantic Campaign Medal . . .”

  Sophia was glad to see that Hooch was getting the recognition he deserved. She remembered how bad the Voyage was. The whole team would come back to the boats every night just dead with a look of absolute horror in their eyes.

  “Last award:” Isham said. “Skill badge. Senior Boarder Badge.”

  “Oorah!” the Marines boomed. “Away Boarders!”

  Listening to the litany was a time-capsule of the last few months and it was starting to wear on Sophia’s nerves. She really didn’t want to be reminded of the Voyage, the Iwo Jima, the thousands of empty lifeboats and yachts and freighters that she had found. She found herself shrinking into her chair, wishing it would just end.

  “McGarity, Cody, Specialist, United States Army,” Isham said. “Bronze Star with V Device. Posthumous. For actions in clearance in the Canary Islands operating area. Accepting the award, Ensign Sophia Smith . . .”

  “Hold onto this, honey,” Steve said, when Sophia accepted the award. “It’s possible that some family survived. If not . . . Keep it.”

  “I will, Da,” Sophia said, clutching the award to her chest. “Thank you. I didn’t even think about it . . .”

  “That’s what senior officers are for,” Steve said. “Grab your seat again. But don’t get comfortable.

  “Fontana, Thomas, J., Lieutenant, United States Army Reserve, six awards, one badge . . .

  “Silver Star, for clearance operations before and on the liner Voyage Under Stars . . .

  “Senior Boarder’s badge . . .

  “Smith, Faith, Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps, six awards, one badge. Three civilian awards, five military . . .”

  “Six?” Sophia muttered. “Six? Seriously? For Faith?”

  “From what I hear, she deserves them,” Back said.

  “But six?” Sophia said.

  “Navy Cross. Leading combat teams in close-quarters clearance of ships in the North Atlantic. This award reflects civilian experience in clearance of vessels prior to the lieutenant being commissioned. Basically, she really got it for the Voyage and the Iwo . . .

  “Bronze Star with V device. Leading clearance teams on littoral clearance missions in the Canary Islands operating area . . .

  “Navy Commendation Medal . . .

  “Bronze Star, Second Award . . .

  “Wolf Formation Medal . . .

  “North Atlantic Campaign Medal . . .

  “Last Award: Skill Badge. Master Boarder Award. First one awarded. Over the course of her civilian and Marine career, Lieutenant Smith has cleared or led forces in clearance of over nine million square feet of enclosed space combat at sea.”

  “OORAH!”

  “Smith, Sophia, Ensign, United States Navy,” Isham said. “Six awards, one skill badge . . .”

  “Oh,” she said.

  “Time to go get covered in glory,” Back said, grinning.

  “Defense Distinguished Service Medal, clearance and rescue operations as master of a Navy auxiliary vessel, from formation of Wolf Squadron. This award reflects prior civilian experience . . .

  “Bronze Star, with V device, for commanding Navy security and clearance teams in the Canary Islands operational area . . .

  “Navy Commendation medal, with V device . . .

  “Last Award: Skill Badge: Master Sea Savior. First one awarded. Over the course of her civilian and military career, as both a crewman and master of small boats, Ensign Smith has contributed to the rescue of over one t
housand persons from small craft at sea, including many of the people in this room . . .”

  “Oorah!” the Marines boomed. They generally felt that Sophia showed there was a good side to the Navy.

  “Whenever you get to thinking about all those empty boats,” Steve said to her, pinning the award on his daughter to a round of enthusiastic applause. “Just rub this badge and know how many you have saved.”

  “Yes, Da,” Sophia said, her face working to hold back the tears.

  “We’ve got a long road ahead of us,” Steve said. “If these little bits of cloth keep the wheels turning, that’s worth it. And I think we’re finally done. Except for a couple of surprises.”

  “Surprises?” Sophia said.

  “I’ll take the mike, now, Jack,” Steve said.

  “Oh, really?” Isham said.

  “Really,” Steve said. “As some of you may know, Lieutenant Commander Isham and I did not start out well . . .”

  “Got that right!” Faith said loudly.

  “I outrank you, now,” Isham said, pointing a finger at the lieutenant.

  “But this whole lash-up wouldn’t work without Lieutenant Commander Isham putting in long hours of skull sweat,” Steve said. He took an award out from under the podium. “Lieutenant Commander Jack Isham, Front and Center.”

  “I don’t need a medal, Captain,” Isham said.

  “You’re getting one anyway,” Steve said. “Just one, though. By direction of the acting Joint Chiefs of Staff with the approval of the National Constitutional Continuity Coordinator, Lieutenant Commander Jack Isham is hereby awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal for operations in the Atlantic Ocean Area. Congratulations, Jack.”

  “I’m not even sure what a Superior Service Medal is,” Jack said. “Wait, I read the matrix . . .”

  “Just take it, Jack,” Steve said, pinning the medal on the lieutenant commander’s uniform. “If we ever get dress uniforms, you can start building up fruit salad. And I think we’re done.”

  “Oh, no,” Isham said. “You have your surprises and I have mine, Captain.” He snapped his fingers and Stacey came out of the wings with a stack of award boxes. “Captain John Steven Smith, front and center.”

  “Crap,” Steve muttered.

  “By the authority of the National Constitutional Continuity Coordinator and the Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Jack said. “Captain Steven John Smith is hereby awarded the following awards or badges.

  “Silver Star, for establishment of Wolf Squadron and clearance of vessels at sea. This award reflects both military service and prior civilian actions.

  “Defense Superior Service medal . . .

  “Navy Medal . . .

  “Bronze star . . .

  “Senior Boarder’s badge, primarily reflecting prior civilian service . . .

  “Senior Savior’s Badge, primarily reflecting prior civilian service . . .

  “And we’re done,” Isham said, grinning.

  “Thanks,” Steve said. “Now I feel like a generalissimo.”

  * * *

  “It’s well deserved, honey,” Steve said. “Seriously. You’ve been doing a wonderful job.”

  Steve had taken the opportunity to have a family dinner. With the way they were planning on doing the crossing, it might be the last for a while.

  “I think most of the people think it’s nepotism,” Sophia said.

  “It was almost the opposite,” Steve said. “We’d discussed across the board promotions due to the increase in the size of the squadron. When Jack sent the list up for the NCCC’s approval, it came back with both your names penned in and a note asking why we were failing to promote good officers.”

  “How does the Nick know we’re good officers?” Faith asked. “It’s not like he’s here.”

  “There’s a good bit of back channel going on through the subs,” Steve said. “I don’t mind it; the pros want to know that I’m not going hog wild. And we’re about the only entertainment the subs and the Hole have these days. So, yes, the Nick knows who you are and the officers in the Hole can make some rational judgments as to whether you’re doing your jobs and are worthy of promotion. Under Secretary Galloway says that your reports are getting much better, Faith. I’m putting Lieutenant Buford in charge of ensuring that improvement continues. And that you continue your schooling.”

  “Ugh,” Faith said. “And I was looking forward to this float.”

  “Sophia, your new deck crewman was an ESL teacher,” Steve said. “From the test scores, he has to be a fairly smart fellow. So I’m going to put him in charge of continuing your education as well. If that doesn’t work out, we’ll figure out something.”

  “And running a division and a boat,” Sophia said. “Da, this is getting worse than that walk in the rain.”

  “Don’t remind me of that,” Faith said.

  “There will be universities again someday,” Steve said. “Somewhere. And when there are, you’re both going. You have to be prepared, however. Now . . . we all have duties. Stay safe, please.”

  “We will, Da,” Faith said. “As long as the fricking toy you put me on doesn’t sink.”

  * * *

  “We have a cook?” Sophia asked, stepping into the Zodiac and sitting down quickly. “Get us gone from this mob, Tom.”

  The new crew member had picked up some threads on his expedition. He now was wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts that appeared a size too large for him. On the other hand, there was a bag in the dinghy that had a blue jumpsuit in it.

  “We are out of here,” Tom said, puttering through the crowd of boats. Fortunately, they were all inflatables and while he occasionally bumped other boats, they were, well, inflatables. The sponsons just bounced off each other.

  “Batari Dian Eko, Ensign Sophia Smith.”

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Eko,” Sophia said.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Acting Ensign,” Batari said carefully.

  The cook was, if anything, more round than Celementina. This was going to be interesting.

  “My mistake, hang on,” Tom said. He chattered at the cook for a moment.

  “I apologize,” Batari said. “I am not good with the rank. Congratulations on your promotion, Ensign.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia said. “It was a complete surprise. So was the promotion to division commander.”

  “My automatic reaction based on my previous service is to flinch,” Tom said. “You’re not ready to command thirty-two thousand men. Then I remembered with the Navy that’s a three- or four-element unit. Three boats?”

  “Yes,” Sophia said. “And you’re going to be getting some personal orders to assist in my continuing education.”

  “I’m not surprised your father is interested in that,” Tom said. “Being a teacher as he was. I can handle pretty much anything you need taught.”

  “I was taking Chemistry,” Sophia said.

  “Analytical or experimental?” Walker said. “And I don’t know where we’re going to find a lab but I can probably gin up some doozy experiments with explosives.”

  “Not on my boat,” Sophia said, laughing. “Where did you learn explosives?”

  “I’ve been around the block a few times,” Tom said. “Let’s say that while a zombie apocalypse is my first apocalypse, disasters I’ve seen a few. ESL teacher is a somethingth career. I can and have taught a good number of classes. It will be an honor continuing your education, Ensign.”

  “And we have a group photo op the day of the float,” Sophia said. “And I need to get ahold of my two new division boat captains and actually meet them. They were somewhere in the crowd but there was no way to find them.”

  “Which boats?” Tom asked.

  “Negocio Arriesgado and Finally Friday,” Sophia said. “I don’t know either of the skippers. Rainey and McCarthy. Both civilians.”

  “Should we just call it the Risky Business?” Tom asked.

  “Probably,” Sophia said. “I’ll get
up with them when we get back to the boat.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Once upon a night we’ll wake to the carnival of life

  The beauty of this ride ahead such an incredible height

  It’s hard to light a candle, easy to curse the dark instead

  This moment the dawn of humanity

  Last ride of the day

  “Last Ride of the Day”

  Nightwish

  “Well, I can guess what people are going to call this division,” Lillie Rainey of the Negocio Arriesgado said, taking a sushi roll from the tray. The skipper was above average height for most women, although shorter than Sophia’s towering sister, “well endowed” and with fiery red hair that must be natural. The one real oddity was a tattoo planted squarely in her cleavage. So squarely most of it was invisible. All that was really visible were two wings. Sophia was mildly curious what the whole tattoo looked like but not so much as to ask her to, ahem, “spread.”

  LeEllen McCartney of the Finally Friday was slightly shorter than Rainey, still taller than their “boss” with dark black hair shot with gray, dark hazel eyes and a figure that hinted she’d been at the least athletic before the Fall and possibly a female weight lifter.

  Both were pregnant.

  “The Pussy Patrol?” Olga said. “The Pregnancy Patrol? The Bun Brigade?”

  “Ease, SA,” Sophia said. “Olga is my clearance specialist. And nearly entirely incorrigible.”

  “Then we’ll get along,” Rainey said, grinning. “Trade?”

  “Not on your life,” Sophia said. “She’s one of the few people I trust around me with guns.”

  “Seriously, trade?” Rainey said. “I’ve got a security guy but I’m not sure I’d trust him to fight his way out of a paper bag. Don Knotts seemed more competent.”

  “Which brings me to a point I need to make,” Sophia said. “Few points. The first is security of the boat. The security people are, technically, along for light clearance. Light means up to about a hundred-foot yacht. If it’s a ship or a megayacht, that’s heavy clearance. Let Marines handle it.