Mission Origin View (Final Days Trilogy)
Page 39
“Captain Bowser, you will continue to Phobos. President Clayton has spoken to Secretary Russo and explained what happened aboard the ship and how its AI transmitted the creation data without authorization. The secretary has agreed that the ship and crew should secretly return to Phobos as planned. As of this moment, the SRS Stephen Hawking is recommissioned as the UNPS Stephen Hawking, and all navy crew members have been transferred to the UNP Navy, and marines have been transferred to the UNP Marine Corps. Official orders are being transmitted to you now,” Admiral Frank said.
“What about the scientists aboard who are not from Earth?” Dr. Qasim asked.
“They will be allowed to return to their home worlds after the debriefing,” Senator Rimms answered. He paused for a few seconds, waiting for more questions, and then said, “We will communicate again in two days.”
The QMAC connection was terminated, and Mary asked that Commander Steward and Lieutenant Klaxton join her in the Triple C at 1500.
Combat Control Center, UNPS Stephen Hawking
1500—April 1, 2372
“As I suspected, Admiral Frank sent updated encrypted orders,” Mary said. She used a console and displayed the orders on the main display.
To: Captain Bowser,
Captain, USS Paul Revere
From: Admiral Frank, United States Navy
Subject: Operation Whitehorse
UNP Secretary Russo has upheld the order that your ship be destroyed at Phobos. I am in contact with several key United States military commanders, and we are in the process of planning and executing an operation to reinstate the United States of America. Future reference of said Operation will be Whitehorse.
Your orders are as follows:
1. You ship is recommissioned as the USS Paul Revere.
2. Precede best possible speed to Planet Corot, Bungay City, and contact Steve Sky. (Contact frequency and authentication codes attached and stored in your AI.)
3. Captain Bowser will command any and all United States Navy vessels that arrive at Corot per my orders. Captain Bowser will organize these ships and prepare them for battle. These ships will be designated as the United States Navy Quick Reaction Fleet.
4. Lieutenant Klaxton will use all available resources on Corot and any United States vessels that arrive to create, train, and command the United States First Marine Deep Space Special Forces. The unit will consist of six special operations units.
5. Suspend communications with Mount Mitchell immediately. You will be contacted at your new base of operations on Corot when required.
6. Good luck and God’s speed.
“It seems we are still in the United States Navy,” Commander Steward commented.
“That we are, Commander,” Mary said with a smile.
“When do we share our orders with the crew, Captain” Gideon asked.
“Right now,” Mary answered and then said, “Anna, have everyone onboard report to the hangar for a briefing.”
“Yes, sir,” Anna said.
Shuttle Hangar, USS Paul Revere
1530—April 1, 2372
The ship’s crew and marines stood in formation, while the scientists stood behind them. Gunny Xia ordered the formation to attention when Mary entered the hangar, followed by Commander Steward and Gideon. A cargo container had been placed in front of the formation for Mary to speak from.
“At ease!” Mary ordered as she walked toward the cargo container. A small step stool was beside the container, and she used it to climb onto the container. She stood there for a few seconds, looking at her crew and noting the formation lacked several of her crew and three marines who had either been killed during the mission or raptured. She took a deep breath and began the briefing.
Mary told the crew, marines, and scientists everything: the current UNP orders to destroy their ship, the encrypted orders from Admiral Frank, and their new orders in support of Operation Whitehorse. All in all the crew took the news well, considering what they had been through since the beginning of the mission.
Mary finished her briefing by saying, “Mission Origin View was a success, and don’t believe anything that anyone, or any government, reports to the contrary. I believe the success of our mission goes far beyond our current understanding. Be proud you were part of the mission, and if anyone ever asks you about what you witnessed, tell them exactly what you experienced and saw.
“We have been presented with new ideas about our origin, the existence of God, and eternal life if you have faith in God. I expect some here have accepted these ideas and believe, and some haven’t. I for one do believe, but what you accept and believe is, of course, your personal decision, which is guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America, the same Constitution we have all taken an oath to defend from foreign and domestic enemies.
“Beginning today, this oath will be tested, and I believe it will continue to be tested in the years to come. We will be part of, and be witnesses to, the most horrific and terrifying man-made and natural disasters in the history of man. Through it all, we must take heart that our cause is just, and our sacrifices will not be in vain. May God be with us all!”
Before Mary could dismiss the formation, Commander Steward stepped forward and recalled, as best he could, something he had heard Joseph read from the Bible during one of the evening Bible study meetings he had attended. He began speaking. “‘The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He…He…He’”
As Commander Steward struggled to remember the rest, Gideon recalled the scripture from memory and continued. “‘He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.’”
By now Commander Steward, Mary, and most of the crew had asked their Anna to help them with the scripture. With the exception of some of the crew and the scientists, the rest of the formation recited the rest of the scripture together:
“‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil and my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Marine Armory, Lieutenant Klaxton’s Office, USS Paul Revere
0800—April 3, 2372
Gideon sat at his desk, working on his plans to create the Deep Space Special Forces unit upon his arrival at Corot. Three loud bangs on his door interrupted him.
“Enter!” Gideon barked.
Gunny Xia entered the office and stood at attention in front of Gideon’s desk.
“At ease, Gunny. What’s on your mind?” Gideon asked.
Xia unzipped one of his jumpsuit pockets, reached in, and removed a military patch. He placed it on Gideon’s desk. “I designed and made a Deep Space Special Forces unit patch last night and would like your approval, sir.”
Gideon picked up the patch and grinned. The patch was rectangular and displayed a white crucifix on a black background.
“Explain, Gunny,” Gideon said, surprised Xia would use the emblem on the patch.
“Sir, I want to make it clear to you that I’m not a believer, and I don’t know if I’ll ever believe in God or even if I want to.” Xia paused and continued. “During my career I’ve done things that were right, wrong, and questionable. But no matter what I did, I truly believed I did it in the best interest of the United States Marine Corps. That being said, sir, I’ve done some research, and I believe this unit emblem will instill fear into our enemies and represent hope for those we will fight to protect and defend as we fight to restore the United States of America.”
“The unit emblem is approved, Gunny,” Gideon replied, then ripped his Mission Origin View marine unit patch off his green jumpsuit and replaced it with the new Deep Space Special Forces patch.
Epilogue
Sorell, Tasmania, Planet Earth
0952—May 20, 2372
A continuous communications link chime awoke Wrangler. He rolled over, waiting for it to stop, but the chime continued. Frustrated, he flung his blanket aside, got out of bed and walked to the kitchen. The chime continued as he fixed a cup of coffee and walked into the living room. He sat at his desk and opened the communications link. Instead of a person, Wrangler saw a holographic display showing a series of alphanumeric characters he hadn’t seen in twenty-four years.
Using a keypad, he entered a series of alphanumeric characters and answered the call. The connection opened for a microsecond and then closed. A few moments later he received another communications link chime. Wrangler answered the link and this time, a holographic image appeared.
“Wrangler, it’s been a long time. Good to see you,” the image said.
“Captain Taylor…looks like you’ve moved up in the world since the UNP took over.”
“You could say that, but I’d rather be commanding a sub than shuffling papers and finding people with special talents for unusual missions. And as it turns out, I have a job for you if you’re interested.”
“I’m retired Captain. I’ve decided to take it easy till the world destroys itself. Seems like all the missions, and men and women I lost, were for nothing.” Wrangler said, took a sip of coffee and continued, “Anyway, if I were to work, it wouldn’t be for the UNP.”
“How about the United States?”
“Last I heard Captain, there ain’t no United States.”
“That’s where you come in. Some of my colleagues and I want to change that, and we need you to take the first step.”
Wrangler smiled, “What’s the job?”
“Assassination.”
“The target?”
“Not until you agree to take the job.”
“What’s in it for me?”
“I’d offer you money, but I know you were never in this business for that.”
“So what do you have that I’d be interested in, Captain?”
“I know where your son is, Wrangler. This job would help us and protect him.”
Wrangler looked surprised, took a long sip of coffee, and said. “I’ll take the job, Captain.”
“Since our covert days in Scandinavia, my name and rank has changed. I’m now Admiral Frank.”
The End