by Terry Mixon
Shadow was going to be scrapped. He wondered where the other officer would end up or if he was even capable of serving anymore. Brandon had never heard of anyone with that kind of physical and mental injury making it back onto active duty.
He sighed and decided to answer her overly direct question. “Honestly, I don’t know how I feel. I should be supporting the captain to the hilt, but part of me feels like I’ve been shafted. I have to find a way past that.”
Vitter nodded. “She’s young. You feel as though they skipped over you. That’s perfectly understandable. I’d probably feel the same way.
“What you’re not seeing is the experience she has with the new ships and systems. Once you’ve made the jump, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see you moved to command a ship of your own. Fleet is going to grow like you’ve never imagined.”
Brandon pinched the bridge of his nose. “I hate being so petty. Honestly, I’m sure I’ll adjust. I just have to get myself into a new headspace. A little mental distance from the change will make things better.”
They had half an hour until they docked, so he might as well make the best of the time. “Tell me about fighter operations. What are your people like?”
She smiled. “They’ll give you grey hair, but I couldn’t ask for more aggressive, hard-fighting people. They’ll make you want to brig them, and then they’ll make you proud. Often in the same day.”
They two of them settled into a deep discussion of how the small craft worked, and he immediately felt more comfortable. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
* * * * *
Annette waited until they exited the cutter to spring her next surprise. She cut Commander Levy off as he was excusing himself.
“Actually, if you have a few minutes, I’d like to give you a tour of the flight deck. It’s what this ship is formed around, and you need to know what’s down here.”
Levy smiled a little. “Now why do I feel as though you sat by me on the cutter just to lure me into this tour?”
“That’s not the only reason, but it was one. No offense, but your arrival might have cemented certain preconceived notions about fighter pilots. I’d rather have you see us in our element and form a better idea of the kind of people we are.”
“Sure.”
The landing bay was adjacent to the launch bay so that ships could quickly rearm and get back into the fight, so it was a quick walk to the area where the fighters were arrayed, ready for battle.
“These are Raptors. Mark fives, to be precise. The most advanced fighters the Old Empire had. They’re incredibly fast and can be configured for anti-ship or anti-fighter roles. That basically means that it carries different missiles to suit the occasion.
“To take out a ship, it needs powerful strikes. It can carry two ship killers, one under each wing. Those can swap out for twelve anti-fighter missiles on need. They also have high capacity flechette guns for really close work, and taking out missiles fired at them.”
He looked at the closest fighter with a quizzical expression. “Wings? Don’t grav drives make those obsolete? Not to mention a space fighter doesn’t run into air.”
“Part is aesthetic design, more is tradition, but in the end, these ships can fight in atmosphere and drives do fail. Do they need wings? Probably not, but they look more ferocious with them.”
Levy squatted to look at the missiles. “Only one under the wing, so this must be a ship killer. It’s chancy enough getting through with ship-launched missiles. How can these little things hope to compete?”
She smiled. “Because we get in close. The drives on these are short range, but very powerful for their size. Think of a sprinter. The charges are shaped to help get through battle screens and armor. One won’t kill a ship, but enough stings will take the target down.”
“That sounds pretty dangerous for the pilots.”
“It is. In an actual combat scenario, we’ll lose pilots. A lot more than any of us like. We all know that. That might explain some of the personality types that seem to be attracted to the profession.”
He leaned back against the fighter and considered her. “What kind of personality are we talking about?”
“Someone cocky, who pushes the limits. Risk takers and daredevils. And let’s not forget the egos. They’re the best, they know it, and are always trying to prove it. We’re a breed apart.
“I’m not saying that as a way of trying to earn them any slack. Only so that you’ll have an idea what you’re getting into as the executive officer on a carrier. Especially the first carrier.”
“Alright. I’ll keep that in mind, though I won’t promise I’ll be go any easier on them. At least I’ve been warned what I’m in for.”
She stepped away from the fighters. “Let’s go into the ready room. We always have some fighters in a state of readiness. They can launch on a moment’s notice, and keep an unexpected enemy busy while the rest of us get into flight suits. It’s a rotating duty we all pull.”
The pilots in the ready room were all awake, though that wasn’t a firm requirement, so long as they were suited up. About half of them were playing cards, while the rest were watching a vid.
“Heads up,” she called out. “Keep your seats and listen to me. This is Commander Levy. He’s our new executive officer.”
Their expressions were professionally guarded.
“I’ve heard a lot of good things about you,” Levy said. “I won’t pretend to understand what you do yet, but I’m going to learn. That will undoubtedly mean I make mistakes and miss things. When that happens, I’m going to rely on you and your comrades to set me straight.”
He smiled a bit wryly. “On the flip side, I’m going to be the guy you get hauled in to see when you get up to any shenanigans, so don’t push me too hard. If we can find a balance, we’ll get along fine.”
She stood back and watched as the new officer mingled with the pilots and start learning who they were. That was promising. Hopefully, he’d figure out the right balance as they went forward.
Once the crap hit the fan, it would be too late.
* * * * *
Jared sat down beside Talbot. The emperor had other things to do and had excused himself. Elise, Kelsey, and his mother were locked into a deep discussion about flowers. While his mother wasn’t going to be involved in any of the wedding planning after they went to Pentagar, she could have some input.
He was damned glad he only had to show up and get married. They were giving this more attention than he’d marshalled when they attacked the AI at Harrison’s World.
“This is crazy,” Talbot said. “I had no idea what I was getting myself in for. Hell, even this morning I thought I had more time to get used to it.”
That made Jared smile. “I only knew the hammer was coming down this morning. About the wedding. I had one whole night to think about these titles. Man, they are going to complicate my life.”
“Tell me about it,” the marine grumbled. “I’m as far away from being a noble as possible. What the devil was he thinking?”
“I’d imagine that a lot of the first nobles were people like us,” Jared said philosophically. “The men and women who got things done. The foppish sort only came in later.”
Talbot sighed. “Maybe. I still feel maneuvered. The emperor used the LT to make me feel like I had to accept the title.”
“It worked, didn’t it? Frankly, that was a masterstroke. I’d have bet money you’d have run for the door before they corralled you into this.”
The other man laughed softly. “Wouldn’t that have caused a scene? Then there’s the wedding. Kelsey and I talked around the subject, but she’s just like her father. She saw an opportunity and waded in swinging.”
Jared looked over at the women. “Is it the wrong decision? If so, now might be the time to say something.”
“No, no. Nothing like that. I just envisioned this as something that would happen a little more sedately. A year ago, I couldn’t even spell officer. Now
I are one.”
The last two sentences were said in a stilted voice, and it was a joke Jared had heard before.
“Very funny. You still haven’t caught up, though. Once you marry Kelsey, you become the prince consort. Your Highness.”
“Shit,” Talbot said. “I never even considered that.”
Jared laughed. “Did you consider the fact that your bride-to-be is now a colonel in the marines? Major.”
“Dammit. This just keeps getting better. Think about who I’ll have as a mother-in-law.”
“Ouch. Point to you. Your life is going to be filled with plusses and minuses.”
They sat in silence for a minute before Talbot spoke again.
“I suppose she’s worth it.”
Jared laughed again. “Remember she has super hearing.”
“She’d have already skewered me if she’d heard me,” the marine said with a grin. “Have you considered that we’ll be brothers-in-law?”
Jared hadn’t thought of that wrinkle, but it was definitely an upside. “I like that. You’re a good man to have at my back when trouble comes knocking, and I like to think I have my uses.”
“Such as when Justine Bandar comes calling?”
“Let’s not get carried away. Bravery only goes so far.”
Kelsey came out of the other room and glared at them. “You know I can hear you, right? I’m trying to plan two weddings. Especially when we’re not even on the same planet as the ceremony yet.”
She waved her hand at them. “With only a few days before we leave, you’re a distraction. Out.”
Jared wasted no time in pulling Talbot to safety. The Imperial Guards assigned to him formed up around them as he headed for the landing pad. “Let’s get out of the building before they find something for us to do.”
“An excellent idea,” the marine said. “We should make the most of the evening. Where do muckity-mucks go to have a real drink?”
“To the nearest marine bar.”
Talbot grinned. “I know just the place. We should celebrate our freedom while we can.”
“Speak for yourself, marine. I welcome our feminine overlords.”
Chapter Nine
Zia woke, glad that the medical nanites had made hangovers a thing of the past. She showered, dressed, and made it to the bridge right on time. Danny Leonidas smiled at her and rose from the command seat. “I expected you to sleep in, Captain. You were up late.”
“You mean that I made the mistake of letting the fighter pilots get me well and truly hammered. Thanks for covering for me.”
“It was no problem. I’m going to miss being here.”
Zia took her seat and shook her head. “You’re going to revel in commanding your own ship. Admit it.”
“It’s intimidating,” he said. “But, yes, I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Once Commander Levy has completed the implant procedure, I want you to get him up to speed on basic implant operations and run down everything he needs to know before he becomes the XO.”
Danny nodded. “Aye, ma’am. That’s a tall order, but I’ll get the process started. I’m sure he’ll catch on fast.”
She really hoped so. Even more, she wanted Levy to get the chip off his shoulder. She might need his unstinting support very soon now.
Lieutenant Ester Frasier turned toward them. “Excuse me, Captain, but we just received orders addressed to you.”
“Send it to my implants.”
A small window popped up in her mental view. It was Admiral Yeats. “Captain Anderson, these are preliminary movement orders for Audacious. That of course means the rest of Admiral Mertz’s fleet, too.
“You’ll all for Erorsi in forty-eight hours. I don’t want to chance the freighter arriving before you do. I have no idea what Admiral Mertz’s plan of engagement will be, but I’m sure your people will play a big role in it. Be ready to depart on schedule. Good luck.”
The message ended and she shook her head at her soon-to-be former executive officer. “We have preliminary orders. You’ll arrive on your new ship just in time to head out with us. We leave in two days.”
The other officer winced. “That’s not a lot of time to get settled in. As in no time at all.”
“Such is the life of an Imperial officer. Get things moving on our end. I don’t want any unpleasant surprises.”
He nodded. “I’ll send out recall orders for everyone that hasn’t returned to the ship. We’re good on supplies and I see no reason Audacious can’t leave on time.”
“Pass Levy on to Annette and let her get him up to speed. Time just became too precious for you to focus on your replacement. He’ll have to learn as he goes.”
“Aye, ma’am. Should we cancel the going away party?”
Zia shook her head. “No way. We’ll make time to send you off in style. Unfortunately, we’ll have to stuff you in a cutter and send you on your way as soon as we finish. Get some people to help you pack. I’m going to miss you, Danny.”
“I’ll miss all of you, too, though I won’t be so far away. If you’ll excuse me, I need to start moving Heaven and Earth.”
Zia spent the next hour going over everything for herself. She knew Danny would handle the details, but the responsibility of being fully ready was hers. She also called for Annette to come to the bridge.
Once she arrived, Zia led her into her office. “Time is short, so I’ll get right to the point. We have movement orders. We’ll be under way in two days.”
The other woman nodded. “Danny told me. We’ll be ready.”
“What he probably didn’t tell you was that he’s going to be too damned busy to get Commander Levy up to speed. I’m passing that task onto you. Have Jake get Black Jack Squadron ready. The other two squadron commanders can handle their own birds. Get our exec to where he needs to be.”
Annette nodded again. “Will do. He and I spoke on the way up from the ceremony. I think he’ll fit in just fine, once he adjusts to the new circumstances.”
Zia raised her eyebrow. “That seems awfully optimistic. I’m not sure that he’s going to fully accept me as his commanding officer. There’s a pretty big gap of experience and, in his shoes, I’d be pissed.”
“I told him the same thing. I think he’ll manage things and I’m willing to help push him along.
“He’s representative of the rest of Fleet, you know. All us new kids have a serious leg up on them, and they’re going to have to scramble to catch up. Some otherwise fine officers won’t make the jump.”
Zia grimaced. “We’ll just have to win that fight one person at a time. Levy’s implant procedure should wrap up shortly. We really need him as a full part of the team. Go do me proud.”
The pilot saluted. “Aye, ma’am. One hard-charging executive officer coming up.”
* * * * *
Brandon swung his legs over the side of the table. The operation had been less overwhelming than he’d expected, considering they were putting things in his head.
The ship’s doctor, Commander Zac Zoboroski, checked the readout one last time. “Everything looks good, Commander. Someone will need to show you the ropes, and you’re on light duty for the rest of the day. If anything happens that concerns you, come immediately back here and let me have a look.”
“Such as what?” he asked. “Frothing at the mouth? My wall screen going on and off by itself?”
The other man smiled. “Nothing like that. Headaches, mostly. Something off with your vision. I don’t expect that to happen, but the literature says to watch out for it. Even that only means we need to adjust the settings a little. This is very safe technology. Now that the AIs can’t reprogram it, of course.”
“How many of these have you seen installed?”
“Hundreds. I was responsible for all the new folks that transferred aboard after Audacious arrived in Avalon space. Doctor Stone trained me in it once I had my own set of implants.”
He considered the other man. “Do they really make that much of a
difference?”
“It’s night and day. The things I can do now were unthinkable a year ago, and I’m discovering new possibilities in the library every day.
“None of us is using this new technology at anything like full potential. For that, we’ll have to wait for the kids who get implants to grow up. They’ll manage things that we’d never imagine because they don’t know their fool ideas are impossible.”
Brandon shook his head. “It feels like this is impossible, so I suppose that makes sense.”
The hatch opened and Annette Vitter walked in. “I see I’m just in time.”
“I’ll leave you to it, Commander,” Zoboroski said as he headed for his office. “Take it easy today.”
He stood and was pleased to see he had no dizziness. “What are you just in time for?”
“I’m the lucky soul that gets to show you how to use those new implants of yours. I’ll also give you a walking tour of the ship. Commander Leonidas is busier than a one-armed paperhanger. Trust me, I should know.”
“I can’t believe you’re so cavalier about it,” he said, stepping up beside her as she walked toward the hatch. “That’s got to be a serious mental trauma.”
Vitter nodded. “I make light of it because I don’t believe in letting something like that dominate my life. I’m damned lucky that they were able to fix me so well.
“The first thing you need to know is that there is an instruction manual. I realize as a man that you’re genetically disinclined to read the instructions before haring off into unknown territory, but I suggest you give it a look first.”
He snorted. “That is so sexist. How did you know I wouldn’t flip out about you saying it?”
“I didn’t,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “Now I know you have a sense of humor under that dour expression.”
“I’m not dour,” he said primly. “I’m just a little reserved around people I don’t know.”
