by Sam Schall
“You’re on your way to being all right,” Elizabeth corrected. Then she reached for Ash’s hands and looked her daughter in the eye. “Ashlyn, I know how much Lucinda meant to you. She was more than your friend and fellow Marine. She was your sister in all but blood. In some ways, you were closer to her than you are to Kate. Let yourself mourn, but don’t let it paralyze you.”
“I won’t.” As long as there was justice for Lucinda and soon. If not, well, she’d damn well see to it herself.
“Get some rest. I’ll check on Jake on my way to bed.”
Ashlyn smiled and lightly kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Hopefully, it would be a better day than the last month or so had been.
At precisely five ‘til nine the next morning, Ashlyn followed one of Okafor’s aides into a conference room down the corridor from the commandant’s office. Connery followed close behind. As they entered, the aide told them to help themselves to coffee and then find seats. The commandant would be with them shortly. Ashlyn thanked the young woman and then made her way to the table, carefully choosing her seat so her back was to the wall and she had a clear view of the rest of the room.
When the door slid open a few moments later, Ash instantly climbed to her feet as Admirals Tremayne and O’Malley, leaning heavily on a cane, entered. Tremayne looked as serious as Ash felt. O’Malley looked as if he should still in bed which, considering the severity of his injuries, he probably should have been. Before Ashlyn could move around the table, Connery was on her feet and hurrying to help O’Malley to a chair. Once he was seated, she poured him a mug of coffee before offering one to Tremayne.
Colonel Rico Santiago, FleetCom’s intel chief, arrived next. He greeted everyone. Then he moved around the table to where Ashlyn sat. For a moment, he simply looked at her, as if judging how she was. Then he smiled slightly and gave a nod. Whatever he’d seen, it apparently satisfied him.
“You okay?” he asked softly as he took the seat to her left.
“Better.” That much was true, as long as he didn’t ask how much better.
Before he could say anything else, the door once again slid open. Connery instantly popped to her feet and called everyone to attention. General Okafor entered the room, followed closely by Elizabeth. Okafor put them at their ease and then took her seat at the head of the table. Elizabeth sat to her right and leaned forward to pour each of them a mug of coffee.
Ashlyn frowned slightly as the women settled back. All the players were present save one. Well, two, but Adamson was joining them via ‘link, assuming the doctors permitted it. So where was Hale?
“Brigadier General Hale will be joining us shortly.” Okafor took a sip of coffee before continuing. “I wanted the chance to discuss what I hope to accomplish this morning before his arrival. I also wanted to let you know what FleetCom has decided about Admiral Wu. But, before we get started, Corporal Connery, will you contact the Medical Center and set up the ‘link with Master Sergeant Adamson?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Connery replied. The young woman got to her feet and moved to the main comms board at the rear of the room and went to work.
“Let’s begin with the Navy end. Admiral O’Malley?”
Ash turned her attention to O’Malley. As she did, her anger of the debacle that had led to the mission’s failure returned. Even though the admiral had been in the Medical Center until a few days earlier, his injuries were still easy to see. The brace on his left leg spoke volumes about how badly broken the leg had been. The way his left arm was strapped across his abdomen was much the same. This was a man who had come close to losing his life and, judging from the look in his eyes, that was the least of the demons haunting him just then.
“FleetCom has reviewed each of my requests for reinforcements, as well as those sent by Colonel Ortega. I’ve been assured Admiral Wu will be disciplined for her failure to act. While her reasons for not sending the reinforcements were understandable, at least on the surface, the fact she didn’t take my requests and accompanying reports to FleetCom or SecNav are enough to cause them to look closer into her motivation as well as her actions as fleet CO over the last few years.”
“I actually have the latest information,” Tremayne said. “I met with SecNav and senior members of FleetCom this morning before breakfast. Admiral Wu is being reassigned. She will be taking over command of the system defense for the Daedalus System. They aren’t dropping her in rank, but this reassignment makes it clear to her and to anyone else with an ounce of sense that her career is over. My guess is that she will choose to retire instead of accepting the transfer. It’s not the punishment she deserves or the satisfaction your dead and injured deserve, but it is the best that can be done under the regs since she didn’t violate the rule of law, only the spirit of it.” She gave everyone a moment to digest what she said. “I don’t know who will be taking her place yet. However, unless you object, Admiral, you and your ships will be transferring to First Fleet.”
For a moment, O’Malley simply looked at her. Then a smile, the first Ashlyn had seen from him since they’d been forced to withdraw from the Tenasic System, touched his lips. “I would be honored.”
The redhead smiled and shook his hand. Then everyone turned their attention back to Okafor. Before she could say anything, Connery cleared her throat.
“I have the Master Sergeant, Ma’am.”
Okafor activated the virtual keyboard in front of her and input a quick command sequence. A moment later, the holo screen over the conference table came to life. The image showed M. J. Anderson sitting up in bed. Pain etched deep lines in the blonde’s face. Someone had settled a black patch over her injured left eye, covering the bandage that protected the eye as its nerves regenerated. Ash knew that beneath the sheet, her right leg was missing below the knee. At least the regen treatments were working. Her injured right arm, much like O’Malley’s injured arm, was strapped across her abdomen. It would be months before they knew for sure if Adamson could return to duty, but Ashlyn’s money was on her friend. In the meantime, Ash meant to do all she could to keep her friend occupied so she didn’t brood too much about what happened.
“Master Sergeant, I hope you’re feeling better,” Okafor said.
“I am, ma’am, thank you.”
“Your doctors have made it clear we aren’t to keep you long today and I have no intention of disobeying them. Because of that, I have an order for you. If you start to tire, you are to let me know and we will recess until you feel able to continue. Will you promise to be honest and do that for me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“One last question, Master Sergeant. Are you up to making your report in front of Brigadier General Hale?”
For a moment, the blonde didn’t reply. A flash of anger crossed her expression followed by a look that sent a cold chill down Ashlyn’s spine. Her friend might not be physically able to confront Hale, but she looked forward to doing it via the holo-link. Not that Ash blamed her. Hale had a great deal to answer for.
“I am, General.”
“Good.” Okafor smiled at her in encouragement and approval. “Hale will be here in a few minutes. We’ll let you rest until he is.” She turned to Connery and instructed her to switch the holo image over to her personal wallpaper. Connery did as ordered and Okafor signaled her aide to escort Hale in as soon as he arrived.
The next ten minutes seemed to crawl by. Ash listened with half an ear as the others talked. No one mentioned the reason they’d been called together. No one spoke Hale’s name. Frustrated, insulted because the man kept them waiting, Ash fought the urge to stand and pace. Instead, she pulled out her datapad and checked her email. At least the morning reports from Talbot and Laboe gave her something to concentrate on.
When Okafor’s aide finally signaled Hale’s arrival, Okafor rapped her knuckles against the tabletop. Everyone fell silent. Most sat a bit straighter in their chairs as they waited. As they did, Connery softly told Adamson
to stand by. Ashlyn blew out a breath and waited, reminding herself she couldn’t physically attack Hale for being an incompetent ass., no matter how tempting it might be.
“Brigadier General Hale, Commandant,” the lieutenant announced a few moments later as she escorted Hale into the conference room.
“That will be all, Lt. Ulloa.”
Ulloa slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her. As she did, Hale glanced around the table, as if looking for a place to sit. Then, without much more than a passing nod at Okafor, he made his way to the empty chair next to Tremayne. Even though she was the most junior officer present, Ashlyn railed internally at the slight. Hale’s resentment at being called before Okafor seemed to radiate from him. Ash glanced at the commandant. Seeing Okafor’s slight frown, she had no doubt the commandant would soon disabuse him of that idea.
At least she hoped so.
Okafor waited, watching as Hale pulled out his chair. Then, as he began to sit, she arched one eyebrow. Without a word, she glanced at Ashlyn and gave a single nod. Mouth twitching in amusement, Ashlyn climbed to her feet. As she did, she called the room to attention. Even as Hale dropped onto his chair, the others stood and did as ordered. Even O’Malley, who needed help from Tremayne to stand, braced to attention. Ashlyn waited, watching as Hale sat there for a moment before complying. It would be interesting indeed to see how Okafor handled his insubordination.
“Thank you, Colonel Shaw,” Okafor said as she climbed to her feet. “Please get those present ready for inspection.”
“At once, ma’am.” She glanced around the table and then the room. “You heard the commandant, ma’ams, sirs. Fall in at the far end of the room. You have thirty seconds.”
Instantly, everyone hurried to do as she instructed, even O’Malley who leaned heavily on his cane as Tremayne helped him to where Ashlyn indicated. Everyone except Hale. Resentment burned in his eyes and his jaw worked. The others had fallen in at the far end of the room before he managed to step away from the table. Ashlyn glanced at Okafor and the general nodded once more. Taking entirely too much pleasure from what she was about to do, Ashlyn moved to where the man slowly walked toward the others.
Doing her best to channel Adamson on the parade ground, she fought back her smile and barked, “Sir, when the commandant says we are to fall in, that means we fall in NOW!” She leaned forward, her mouth not far from his ear as she all but yelled the last word. “I respectfully suggest you get your ass in gear and do as instructed, sir.”
“Back off, Shaw!” He turned shoved her back.
He opened his mouth to say something else but, before he could, Okafor spoke. “Brigadier General Hale, you will never again place your hands on another officer under my command, do you hear me?”
Ashlyn swallowed hard at the cold anger in the woman’s voice. Instead of answering, Hale simply stared at Okafor, disbelief reflected on his expression.
“I suggest you do as Colonel Shaw instructed and you will do it NOW!” The commandant’s voice rang with both command and condemnation. “Colonel, take your place,” she added.
“Yes, ma’am.” Ash hurried to her place between Santiago and Connery. Once there, she braced to attention.
At the same time, Okafor moved purposefully around the table, her eyes never leaving Hale as he finally followed orders. Resentment once again hovered around him like a dark cloud as he took his place next to Elizabeth. Ashlyn wished she dared turn her head to look but this wasn’t the time. She had no doubt Okafor was about to make a point, one of many the woman had planned for the day.
“Corporal Connery, you’ll assist me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Connery hurried to stand behind and to the left of Okafor, her datapad out and ready to take notes.
Okafor began her inspection with Ashlyn. At her command, Ash took two steps forward and once again braced to attention. She remained there, motionless, her expression never changing, as the general checked every aspect of her appearance. After what seemed like an eternity, Okafor motioned for her to step back.
“Excellent, Colonel Shaw, not that I expected anything less from you.” She glanced at Connery and said, “Nothing to note,” before moving to Santiago.
A few minutes later, she stopped in front of Hale. As with Ashlyn and Santiago, she ordered him to take two steps forward. She moved slowly around him, pointing out fault after fault with his MARPATs, everything from dangling threads to ill-fit to wearing the wrong boots. Connery listed each issue, reading them back as she did.
When Okafor finally stepped back, Ash wondered if Hale felt like he’d just gone through his first inspection back in boot camp. Then, to her surprise, Okafor kept Hale where he was and asked Connery to step forward.
“Corporal, do you see anything I missed?”
Ashlyn fought her smile when she heard Connery swallow hard. The corporal didn’t disappoint her, however. Where some junior non-coms would have stuttered or instantly answered in the negative, Connery didn’t. Instead, she glanced at her notes and then looked up.
“Begging the general’s pardon, ma’am, but I do see several things.”
Okafor smiled slightly and nodded for her to continue.
Only someone who knew Connery well would have caught the hint of uncertainty about her as she listed an additional half dozen things Okafor “missed”. Ashlyn had no doubt the woman had seen them but had left them as a test for Connery, one the young woman passed with flying colors. Not that Hale seemed to appreciate it. Even though Ashlyn couldn’t see his face, the way he held himself combined with the audible grinding of his teeth spoke volumes.
“Very good, Corporal.” Okafor reached for Connery’s datapad. “Let’s start the inspection over and this time you take the lead.”
Fifteen minutes later, Okafor put everyone at their ease. She paced up and then down the line. As she did, Ashlyn fought the urge to fidget. Memories of when she served under Okafor early in her own career returned. With them came the realization the general was anything but happy. Whether it was simply because of Hale and his actions, or lack of action, or something else, she didn’t know. She wasn’t sure she wanted to.
“I want to congratulate most of you for how well you presented for inspection,” she began. “As senior officers, it is all too easy to forget that we are supposed to set the example for those who serve under us. Unfortunately, it is also clear one of you made that mistake. That stops now. Starting today, every officer, no matter what their rank, will be subject to inspections on a regular basis, including myself. Is that understood?”
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am!” they answered, even those who weren’t Marines.
“Find your seats and let’s get started. Corporal, re-establish the link with Master Sergeant Adamson please.”
12
Kevin Talbot paused at the doorway and glanced around. He’d promised the medic on duty that he wouldn’t disturb his patient if she happened to be sleeping. But that didn’t keep him from hoping Anderson was awake. He needed to talk with her, find out what happened to Taskforce Liberator. His normal channels of information had dried up. It was as if the powers-that-be had locked down all information about Liberator’s mission. That reminded him too much about what happened after Colonel Shaw’s ill-fated mission on Arterus. If history was about to repeat itself, he wanted to be ready because the fallout this time would be worse, much worse.
Fortunately, Adamson lay propped up in bed. Talbot schooled his features not to react as he studied her. He knew she’d been badly injured but this. . . this was more than he expected. A black patch covered her left eye, white bandages visible beneath it. Her right arm was strapped across her abdomen, immobilizing it. That leg. . .. He swallowed hard, finally accepting the fact she had lost her right leg below the knee. Then, as she glanced at him, the worry he’d felt eased. Anger and determination reflected in her good eye and she lifted her left arm, motioning him inside.
“Damn it, MJ.” He grasped her hand and closed his eyes, once again
striving for calm. “What can I do for you?” Nothing else mattered just then. He would find another way to get the information he wanted. The last thing he wanted was to add to her pain, emotional or physical.
She didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead, she shifted painfully on bed. He waited, watching as the bed automatically adjusted to her new position. Part of him wanted to help her but another part, the part that recognized she needed to do it on her own, waited. They knew one another well enough she’d ask for help if she needed it. At least he hoped she would.
“It’s not as bad as it could have been.” She spoke softly, slowly. Worried, he waited, giving her the chance to say more if she wanted. “What do you know?”
“About the mission?”
Adamson nodded.
His mouth firmed and anger flared. He didn’t know much but it was enough to tell him someone had royally fucked up. No, they had fucked those with the taskforce, costing too many good men and women their lives.
“Not much.” He didn’t try to hide his frustration, knowing she would understand. “Angel has said little more than she’s needed to. Connery has been as closed-mouthed as we trained her to be. There have been several closed-door meetings with General Shaw and the commandant. Other than hearing both Admiral O’Malley and Sorceress requested reinforcements more than once, that’s about it.”
Adamson’s good eye darkened and she nodded. “That is pretty much it, Kevin.” For a moment, she fell silent. He waited. If she needed time to decide how much to tell him, he’d give it to her. “It was a clusterfuck and not because of anything Lucinda or the admiral did. I can’t tell you anything else, not yet.”
He looked at her, his eyes narrowed. That one statement said a great deal. Unless he was mistaken, that was exactly what she wanted. Still, he needed at least one more question answered.
