"I'm not sure," said John. "You think she might be another hidden relative?"
"That's possible," said Noel. "None of us knew he was even married until the story broke. I only found out the other day that Admiral of the Navy Reason is his father-in-law."
"Yeah, I read your article on that. That was good reporting, Noel," said John.
"Thanks. I liked your article on his qualifications. It hurt him a little on Beulah, but that only made him more available to Edun, which I happen to be rooting for," Noel replied.
"I can understand that," said John. "Still, those two women didn't appear to know each other at first. Did you catch that when you were watching them?"
"I'm not sure what I just saw. Anyway, the admiral's playing with the kids as usual, so it looks fairly innocent to me. She must be another hidden relative," Noel said.
"You're probably right. Things are fairly normal, otherwise," John agreed.
***
"Kids, your father and I have discussed this. I'm the one who wants this to happen, not your father," Annie said.
"What, Mom?" asked Will.
"I've asked your father to marry a second wife. I have my reasons for wanting him to have another wife. I hope that you'll welcome Lucille into our family with as much enthusiasm as I have for her. She's a wonderful person and will make your father very happy. I can't travel with your father when he ships out on training missions to keep him happy. Lucille can, because she's in the Academy now and will soon be in the Navy as an officer. She's going to apply for a position with the Space Academy so that she'll be with him when he goes out."
"Dad's getting married again!" Angelica exclaimed. "Does that mean we'll be flower girls or maids of honor?"
"That's up to Lucille. We're going to have the ceremony real soon, probably tomorrow and not later than the day after that. She's making most of the arrangements for her wedding as she ought to. She's being very gracious in permitting me to participate in putting together the guest list and handling a few other things since I know so much about your father. Also, we're all going to give them a chance to get to know each other better when they come home each afternoon after they get married. Things will settle down fairly soon and we'll be a slightly larger happy family," Annie said.
Heather asked, "Is this a secret?"
Lucille answered, "No, it won't be a secret. It'll be out in the open."
"Then I can tell my friends about this tomorrow," Heather said.
Dave said, "I don't see why not. We're sure going to keep the press busy is all I know. There's sure going to be a lot of admirals in attendance at this wedding. Some Congress people too, I imagine."
"Don't forget the Supreme Court or the Navy Department, Dave," said Annie.
"I'm not. Make sure you remember to notify George and Penny so they can let as many of our friends there attend," Dave said.
"I'm not forgetting," said Annie. "Lucille, you'll be overwhelmed by everything initially, but it'll all fall into place fairly quickly."
***
Admiral Oden heard the sudden commotion outside his office and concluded that the press now knew of the impending marriage. Most likely, they had someone stationed at the kids' school to pick up whatever they could from his children. It wouldn't have taken very long for Angelica or Heather to tell their friends about being maids of honor soon. Then it only remained for the reporter to catch one of his daughters between classes and verify the rumor.
Sergeant Pettibone came into Dave's office with a stunned look on her face. "Sir, almost the entire press corps wants to interview you on your impending marriage. Is it true? Are you getting married, sir?"
"Yes, Sergeant, I am. I'll see some of the press inside my office as soon as they select some representatives. I can't possibly handle all of them in here. Advise them of that. Then go ahead and set up the interview for an hour from now. Thank you, Sergeant."
Sergeant Pettibone left with a tear falling down her cheek. She went back, as she dabbed it away, to meet with the press and do as she was instructed.
***
"Was the woman who climbed into your hover yesterday your intended?"
Dave answered, "Yes, Cadet Ensign Lucille Wrigley is the woman who entered my hover yesterday and the woman to whom I proposed. She has accepted and is making the arrangements."
"She's a nudist, isn't she?" John Christiansen asked.
"Yes, she's a very practicing nudist. I find nothing wrong with her choice of lifestyle," Dave answered.
"Didn't mean to imply there is. Please accept my apology, sir," John said.
Dave replied, "No offense taken, John."
"Do you know how your marriage will affect your chances as a write-in nomination?" asked Noel.
"Actually, I hadn't given that any thought," said Dave.
Noel said, "Indications are that you suffered a five percent drop in popularity on Edun. It would have been worse if she wasn't a nudist."
"I haven't been structuring my life to gain popularity in order to gain a write-in nomination," Dave responded.
"Are you marrying her because she's pregnant with your child?"
Dave looked at the questioner and said, "We haven't been to bed with each other yet, not that it's any of your business. I have no idea whether she's pregnant at this time or not. You'll have to ask her sometime later when she meets me to go home for the evening."
"How is this going to affect her career? Will she be promoted quicker because she's marrying into a family full of admirals?"
Dave glared at the questioner and calmly replied, "Sir, you are treading on extremely dangerous ground with your question. Be very careful of what you print concerning that or I will see you in court. The answer to your question is that she will not receive any special favors as a result of marriage to me. Her career in the Navy will be judged solely upon her performance at work and not in bed. Be sure you quote that accurately or we will meet again with lawyers as our weapons."
"When's the wedding? Will the press be permitted to attend?"
Dave easily answered, "Speak to Cadet Ensign Wrigley on that matter. She's settling the arrangements."
***
"I liked your article the other day, John," said Dave as he waited for Lucille to finish with the reporters who stood gathered all around her.
"Thanks. That wasn't meant as an attack on you, but rather as a serious piece on your qualifications," said John.
"I took it as a serious piece and agreed with your evaluation entirely. Regardless of my agreement with you, it was still good writing. Keep it up. If you need more information, let Sergeant Pettibone know. I happen to believe that the qualifications of public officials are very important in an election. She can fill you in on any background you might need to expand that article," Dave said.
"Thanks, Admiral. I appreciate the compliment. I'll check with Sergeant Pettibone as you suggested," John replied.
***
The wedding took place later than originally planned. Time was needed for some of the guests to arrive. Rather than slight some of Dave's friends, Lucille moved the date back two extra days after the first rescheduling, making it one of the most covered weddings in over a decade as even more reporters and journalists showed up to cover it.
The wedding was held on the Space Academy grounds. Lucille wore a simple white veil in addition to her military awards and belt. Fleet Admiral Oden wore his dress uniform complete with all his awards. With the completion of the ceremony, Dave and Lucille walked between an escort composed solely of admirals before heading to the Dining Hall that he and Lucille were paying to hold the reception. Eventually, the couple later retired to his quarters on the Space Academy grounds for the evening. It was one of the few times that Dave ever slept in his Academy quarters. Annie and their children were escorted back home.
During the time that the wedding was approaching, Dave's popularity on Edun finally weakened significantly. However, even the morning after the wedding, his popularity remained strong
enough to still carry him over in a election that was only days away. It was John's next article that did the damage Dave was hoping for. Dave had observed that John's first article was enough to put him out of serious contention on Beulah. If nothing else, the wedding completely quashed the thought on Beulah so that he was no longer thought of as a write-in for nomination on Beulah at all. Only Edun loomed as a prospect.
***
Dave scanned the news article written by John Christiansen. It made sense, lots of sense to him, as he read it. In fact, for once John's logic was almost impeccable. He was simply warning all his subscribers that the Union faced the prospect of being dragged into another war even though that was something it always tried to avoid. If the Union was involved in another war, who would fight it if it was against two adversaries and Edun took away one of the Union's most brilliant planners and leaders to be a Congressional paper hanger? Though he fully understood the real meaning, Dave still chuckled upon imagining the sight of himself hanging paper with the other men and women of Congress.
Of course, there were other comments, some flattering and some that simply pointed out Dave's weaknesses for the impending Congressional election. Regardless, in the end John summarized it simply with an appeal to keep the entire Union safe by maintaining the right people in the right jobs. One of them, he pointed out, was Fleet Admiral Dave Oden who made sure that the Navy had plenty of trained men and women, even if he did marry one, and stood ready himself should war come.
The day after that article, Dave noticed his popularity approach the point at which he wouldn't receive the nomination. Combined with a reported pirate attack that afternoon, in which the news made references about Admiral Oden's previous success against them, Dave's popularity finally sagged low enough by that evening to shove him firmly out of the race.
***
"Are you glad that you didn't get nominated?" Annie asked as she entered their living room where Dave sat watching the news.
"Very glad," Dave replied as he gave Annie his full attention.
"Then I'm happy. Well, I presume that Lucille will be staying with us for a few days before she reports to her first assignment. Will she be close enough to live here with us?" Annie asked.
"No, I promised that I wouldn't pull any favors on her behalf. She'll be assigned to a carrier-destroyer in the Vampire Squadron. They're going to be assigned to the trade routes between the Union, the Federation of Planets, and the Galan Council of Planets. She'll be there at least a year, possibly two, before she can request assignment elsewhere," said Dave.
"Why two years?" asked Annie.
Dave answered, "It depends on whether the situation there heats up or not. If it does, not many personnel will be permitted to transfer at all. Them's the rules."
"Yeah, I know. Them's the rules and you just follow them. Well, I know it's no use suggesting you pull any strings for her. You can promise me one thing. At least, get her a few days absence in order to attend my funeral when I die. I do like her. Also, I think you made a great choice," Annie said.
"I'll do what I can. I can't promise you that she'll attend. That's still up to her and the political climate that exists at the time," said Dave.
"I know, but if she wants to, please do what you can for her. Okay?"
"Okay, Annie. I'll do what I can," Dave replied.
***
Fleet Admiral Oden stood in front of the graduating class. Off to the side, Annie and his children attended their first Space Academy ceremony ever to watch him proudly preside over the graduation. Just as William, Angelica, and Heather were Dave's kids, so, too, were the cadets, all two hundred of them. He was the stand-in father for every cadet whose parents couldn't attend their graduation and commissioning for whatever reason happened to prevail. He had an even greater reason to be proud since one of the cadets was now his second wife. "Well, we finally made it to this day without having to clean our uniforms again. That's something that some of you have an advantage over most of us with. Some of you seem to always be in your dress uniform," said Dave letting the cadets and audience enjoy a short laugh as he initiated the ceremony.
"I always try to keep these things short, not because they're unimportant, but because everyone is in such a hurry to find out how well they did and where they're going. If I talked for very long, I'd probably put some people to sleep. Then they'd get injured in the subsequent stampede. Anyway, not one of you men or women have disappointed me in the four years you've attended the Space Academy. The Navy is eagerly waiting for you to join them, especially since you all saw fit to get in some real experience ahead of time. In fact, some might say the Navy is joining you just to get in on the action."
Dave paused as the cadets laughed over the reference to their event filled training voyage.
"Nonetheless, it's been a long haul filled with promises. Now it's time for you to live those promises. Therefore, I salute you, one and all, as proud new ensigns in the Union of Planets Navy!" Dave said as he snapped to attention and saluted the cadets.
The cadets suddenly realized that it was over. Quickly, they stood to return his salute before tossing their headgear into the air in a frenzied display of excitement moments after the mutual salutes ended.
Lucille ran up to the front instead of heading for the main hall where the grades were posted. "That was wonderful, Dave!"
"I think so, too, Lucille," Annie said. "I'm glad that I'm now known so that I could attend one of these functions finally. You have any idea where you're going, Lucille?"
"Yes, I know that I'm being posted to a carrier-destroyer in the Vampire Squadron. I've got a few days of leave before I report in during which Dave and I will have a honeymoon as we all planned. That much is still certain. After that, I'll do my job and visit when I can obtain leave," Lucille said.
Chapter 12
"Captain Palmer, Ensign Lucille Wrigley reporting, sir. I'm using my maiden name in hopes that most people will forget that I'm married to Admiral Oden, sir."
"Fine, Ensign. Welcome aboard. I've heard that you've been right busy over at personnel and maintenance. I hope everything went well there," he said.
"I didn't have any problems. A few people tried to figure out why I looked familiar, but without the veil, they had some difficulty," she said with a laugh.
"Okay, that's good to hear. Well, get settled in and meet with the crew. We'll be leaving soon on patrol," he replied.
***
The alarm sounded over the naval base. Ensign Wrigley ran as quickly as she could from the maintenance building to her warship, the Barker. She was in excellent shape and made the distance easily without winding herself. She scrambled on board and made her way to her station on the bridge as the communications officer. She took her seat, belted herself in, and placed her headset into position.
"Captain, we have clearance to take off," she said moments later.
"Good! Let me know as soon as the hatch is secure. Helm? Course plotted in?"
"Yes sir!"
Lucille listened to and picked up the call from the last person in. "Hatch secured, sir!" she said loudly.
"Launch!" Captain Palmer ordered.
The carrier-destroyer raced upwards from the field, leaving the rest of the squadron behind. Within a minute, it was in space and taking a defensive position to guarantee that the rest of the squadron would have a chance to attain space had there been armed opposition. As soon as the flagship of the squadron entered space, the Barker took up a position in the formation and prepared to practice gunnery.
"Well done, everyone! I like being first!" Captain Palmer said approvingly.
"Captain! Message for you from the Commodore!" Lucille said as she received a call. She switched it to his headset and took care of making sure that everything was recording properly.
***
"Annie! Are you all right?" Dave said as he barely caught her from falling to the floor. He felt of her pulse. It was weaker than he dared admit. "Will!" he shouted as he picked Annie
up in his arms and started for the door.
"Yes, Dad?"
Dave hollered, "Get outside to the hover. Tell the driver to bring it to the door now! Your mother's ill and needs to go to the hospital!"
"Yes, Dad!"
***
A few minutes later, Captain Palmer said, "Okay, as soon as we finish practice, we're heading out on patrol. The Commodore was equally pleased with our performance and decided we're the right team to do the job. I like that! Navigation! Coordinate with the flagship. Obtain our course headings and pass those on to the helm as soon as possible. Helm, get us to the practice area. We're first, compliments of the Commodore!"
There were several acknowledgements from individuals on the bridge as they went about their tasks.
***
Dave paced outside in the waiting room. Nearby, William, Angelica, and Heather sat anxiously for word on their mother's condition. After days of waiting for test results, Dave knew what the answer would soon be. Despite that, he was afraid for one of the few times in his life. Annie told him that it might be as much as two years before she died. It was more like two months, he could see now. Had Annie deliberately lied to him again? Even though he knew she had, he dismissed the thought as unimportant in light of the good she achieved.
The Doctor came out of the room and said, "You can go in now. She's fading fast, so you won't have much time. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do for her."
Dave turned to the children, "Kids, your mother can see us now. Hurry now. It's not going to be easy or good news."
"What do you mean, Dad?" asked Will.
"Will, she's dying," Dave said with tears in his eyes.
"She can't be! She's not even old yet!" Will exclaimed.
Heather said, "Mommy's dying? Are you sure?"
Angelica ran into her mother's room.
***
"Captain! My sensors are picking up ships behind that asteroid field. I think there's a trap ahead," the First Officer said.
Captain Palmer moved across the bridge to a better position. For a few brief moments, he studied closely the hologram imaging display. "You're right. Those are warships illegally inside the trade route. Man battle stations. Have everyone suit up. We're outnumbered. I don't see us lucky enough to avoid taking a hit. I want our casualties as low as possible. Helm, be ready to take us into action as soon as all stations report in ready."
Paravoid (Rust Bucket Universe) Page 22
