by Sam Schall
Elizabeth chuckled. “Of course, he does. A party means more presents. Shall I take care of setting it up?”
For a moment, Ashlyn didn’t answer. Anger flared as did resentment. Then she shook her head. Getting upset with her mother did not good. Elizabeth wasn’t trying to take her place in Jake’s life. Quite the opposite, in fact. Her mother was giving her the chance to do something she needed to in order to close a very bad chapter in her life. Besides, she didn’t know Jake’s friends and her mother did.
“Please, Mom. Set up something fun for him. I don’t care how much it costs. All I want is for this to be the best birthday he’s ever had.”
“Don’t worry about that. All he really wants is for you to be here.”
“Believe me, I’ll be here, even if I have to hijack the Magellan to get home in time.”
“I still don’t like the idea of you going back to that hellhole, Ashlyn.” Her father’s concern was clear.
“I know, Dad, but I have to do this. I have to see for myself that my people are not only freed but that they are all right.” She took another sip of her beer and then leaned over to grasp his hand. “They are there because of me, because they chose to follow me and to voice the same objections to the mission I did.”
“And when you return?”
“I have no idea beyond knowing I’ve been ordered to report back to the doctors. I need to have my implants updated and, while they do that, they’ll deal with the rest of my scars. They’ll also run me through all the psych evals. From what I’ve been told, those of us sent to Tarsus are being treated like former POWs where that’s concerned.” She still didn’t like the idea of having to put herself in the hands of the shrinks but she knew it was necessary, at least if she wanted to return to active duty. “General Okafor has already told me that, between the time I’ll be spending with the medics and the time I’ll need to bring my training back up to where it needs to be, I’ll be planetside for several months at least. After that’s done, we’ll see what FleetCom wants to do with me.”
An uneasy silence fell over the room. Too many ghosts and too many fears haunted them. Ashlyn knew her parents relived the last time they sat here before she left on a mission. That had been before the fiasco on Arterus. She also knew until those responsible for what happened were brought to justice, none of her family would rest easy.
But that was only one of her concerns. Before her court-martial, she had always known she might not return from a mission. That fear had been an abstract one, however. In the back of her mind, she’d always thought she’d come home. She wouldn’t leave her son without his mother. The foolishness of that belief had been driven home with her court-martial and her time in the penal colony on Tarsus. Because of that, she had taken certain precautions and, like it or not, she needed to discuss them with her parents.
“I, uh, stopped by the lawyer’s on my way home today.” She tipped up her beer and drained it.
“Ash, has something else happened?” Concern sharpened Elizabeth’s voice.
“No, Mom. I swear it.” She cursed herself for not anticipating her parents’ reaction. Both Abe and Elizabeth looked at her in concern, in fear. Damn it, after all that had happened, of course they thought the visit had something to do with what happened on Arterus.
“Then what?” her father asked.
“Let’s just say the last couple of years have taught me not to take anything for granted.” She leaned over and set her beer on the low coffee table in front of the sofa. “Being brought up on charges and convicted was bad enough but knowing my bastard of an ex took Jake from you was worse. I knew he didn’t love Jake but was doing it to get back at me and at the two of you for not taking his side in the divorce. Nothing made me happier after learning you were all safe was learning you’d gotten Jake back. As soon as I could, I contacted the attorney and made sure everything was in place to prevent his father from ever having any legal claim on him again. I know you had his rights terminated but I took it a step further. I had the paperwork filed on Midlothian as well. That covers all our legal bases, at least I hope so.
“I also updated my will and associated documents.” She shook her head before either of her parents could interrupt. “I know you would always look after Jake. Mom, Dad, I’m trusting you to do that. All I did was make it legal. If anything happens to me on this mission, you become his legal guardians. My estate will be put into a trust for him, to help pay for his education and anything else you think he needs. Dad, you’re the trustee because, let’s face it, you’re the best person I know when it comes to understanding and growing investments. I named Katie as a substitute guardian in case anything happens to the three of us.
“I’ve also left small bequests to the two of you, as well as the brothers and Katie. My death benefits will go into the trust for Jake. Dad, I named Miranda as backup trustee for the money. Mom, you’re executor of the estate with Dad as your backup. Miranda comes next, just in case.”
She leaned back, waiting. A moment later, Elizabeth knelt in front of her. “Ashlyn, nothing is going to happen.” Her hand shook slightly as she reached out to lightly touch her daughter’s cheek.
“We can’t know that for sure, Mom.”
“This time, I do.” A slight smile touched Elizabeth’s lips but it didn’t reach her eyes. They remained somber. “But I – we – understand why you did this. I know I speak for your father as well when I say we will never let you down where Jake is concerned. You have my oath on that.”
“I know.” She kissed her mother’s cheek before leaning over to do the same to Abe. “Let’s say I’m not quite as cocky and confident as I was before.” And that was putting it mildly.
“You were never cocky, not when it came to the Corps or the Devil Dogs,” Elizabeth corrected. She squeezed Ashlyn’s hands once in reassurance and then stood. “Is there anything more you can tell us about the mission?”
Ash shook her head. “Not really. If things go as planned, it will be fairly straight-forward. We’ll land, get our people and make a few arrests as well as securing certain records. Then we’ll return home. It shouldn’t be any more difficult than that.”
“But you don’t think so,” Abe commented.
“No, I’m afraid I don’t.” Not when she considered everything she’d gone through there. “That’s why I wanted to be prepared for the worst, just in case.”
“You just come home safely to us, Ashlyn. That’s all. Just come home.”
“I will.”
At least she planned to, God willing.
« Chapter 11 »
“They’re ready, Mr. President.”
President Derek Harper thanked the assistant press secretary and glanced around his office. Waiting with him were Secretary of Defense Klingsbury, Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Helen Okafor, Admiral Tremayne and, looking more than a little discomfited, Brigadier General Elizabeth Shaw. With the exception of Klingsbury who wore a dark suit, the others were in dress uniform. They would stand with the president as he briefed the media on certain events that had, until then, been kept close to the proverbial vest.
A few minutes later, Harper stood behind a podium in the garden outside his office. Reporters filled much of the garden. Their curiosity and concern about the purpose of the press conference filled the air. Shortly after being sworn in, Harper proved to be a much different president than his predecessor when it came to the press. He didn’t call a news conference every time he did something. In fact, he rarely spoke directly to the media, focusing instead on doing what he’d been elected to do – clean up the mess and the corruption left behind by the previous administration.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the media.” The moment Harper spoke, the garden fell silent. All eyes on the president, they waited, cameras and recorders transmitting into homes and offices around Fuercon. “Less than two weeks ago, our capital came under attack. We were fortunate. First Fleet responded quickly, putting fighters in the air to protect our people and to
prevent further incursions by the enemy. The Fuerconese Marine Corps activated its units groundside. They moved in to secure not only the security complex but also the presidential palace. The Devil Dogs, under the command of Major Paul Pawlak, rescued the residents of the Oteri Residential Complex that had also come under enemy attack.
“Military Intelligence, as well as other security agencies, are still working on identifying who these invaders were. We have our suspicions but, without proof, we will not jump to conclusions. In the meantime, rest assured that system defenses have been increased. First Fleet is on-station. There will be no repeat. That is my pledge to you.
“Along that line, the Devil Dogs were an integral part of Fuercon’s defense during the last war. One reason why was the leadership of Major Paul Pawlak. Assisting him was his executive officer, Captain Ashlyn Shaw. Together, they kept the Devil Dogs on mission, pressing the enemy and keeping Fuercon and our allies safe.
“Unfortunately, we all know what happened toward the end of the war. Captain Shaw and the survivors of her team on Arterus were charged and court-martialed in what can best be described as questionable circumstances. I made it one of my campaign promises to look into the charges against them, promising to clear their names if the evidence warranted it.
“Some of you have already guessed where this is heading based on a few rumors that came out after the attack on the capital. Less than a week before the attack, Captain Shaw was transported back here to answer questions about what happened. Investigators from the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Military Intelligence as well as special investigators appointed by not only Secretary of Defense Klingsbury but by myself as well, looked into the charges against those brave Marines and determined there was more than enough reason to question not only the evidence presented against them but also the manner in which their courts-martial was handled.
“It would have been easy for Captain Shaw to slip away and disappear into the chaos of the attack. Instead, she risked her life to protect Admiral Miranda Tremayne. It did not matter to Captain Shaw that she had been stripped of her rank and discharged from the Marines. All that mattered was the capital was under attack and a member of the government was in danger. She acted as I expect any Marine would, proving yet again that she would never betray Fuercon or its allies.
“It is my pleasure to confirm on the record that Captain Ashlyn Shaw and those convicted with her,” and he went on to name each of them, “have been pardoned of all charges. Further, I have recommended and the JAG Corps has agreed that all mention of the charges against them be expunged from their records. They are hereby reinstated to the Marine Corps at their former ranks, with back pay and time-in-grade adjusted.
“As we speak, Major Pawlak, Captain Shaw and other members of the Devil Dogs are on their way to the Tarsus penal colony to free those convicted with Captain Shaw. Captain Shaw has returned to limited duty and has accepted her reassignment to the Devil Dogs. It is my hope her fellow Marines on Tarsus will as well. We need them, and all those like them, helping protect our system and our allies now and in the future.
“I am instructing Secretary Klingsbury, as well as the JAG Corps and other agencies, to initiate an investigation into what has clearly been a terrible miscarriage of justice. If the evidence should show anyone orchestrated what happened, they will be charged and tried. However, at this time, we have no evidence that is what happened. For now, I am simply glad to have this sad chapter over with.”
With that, he stepped back and turned, leaving the media to stare at him in surprise. Before any could recover enough to shout a question, he stepped inside his office, Klingsbury and the others on his heels.
“You are an evil man, sir,” Klingsbury said with a grin as he moved to pour them each a cup of coffee from the serving tray that had been brought in a few moments earlier. “You’ve planted seeds of doubt in the minds of those we know responsible for what happened to Captain Shaw and the others. Doubt about whether you know of their actions and doubts about whether any of their co-conspirators have been talking. It won’t be long before turn on one another.”
“We should be so lucky.” Harper accepted a cup from his Secretary of Defense and motioned for everyone to be seated. “I want to keep the lid on the investigation. The last thing we need is for those responsible to flee the system before we’re ready to make arrests. Miranda, I’m afraid I threw you under the bus. The media is going to be climbing all over you and your staff, trying to get an interview.”
“Then it’s very fortunate, for me at least, that I planned an inspection tour of some of the ships assigned to First Fleet, isn’t it?” She grinned and leaned back in one of the chairs before his desk.
“Can I go with you?” Elizabeth asked almost ruefully. “Abe and I were ready to start shooting reporters during Ashlyn’s court-martial. I don’t want to think about what it will be like this time.”
“I’ll make sure there’s a squad of Devil Dogs guarding your place until things calm down,” Okafor promised. “I doubt the media will try, at least not more than once, to get by them.”
“I won’t say no.”
“Good.” Okafor gave a decisive nod, spoiled only slightly by a wide smile. Then she turned her attention back to the president. “What else, sir?”
“I want to know exactly what the Callusians are up to and how deep their ties here on Fuercon run.”
“I’ll speak to Rico Santiago about it as soon as I leave here,” Tremayne promised.
“Good. Tell him to report to the three of you unless he feels something needs to come directly to me.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Helen, I want the Devil Dogs to remain in-system until Ashlyn is released to active duty status. Even then, unless something breaks we aren’t anticipating just yet, I want to hold them close. The attack on the capital might be making me paranoid, but let’s not run any risks.”
“I understand, sir. I’ll see that it happens.”
“Ladies and gentleman, I believe we have our work cut out for us. I want to know the bastards who set up Ashlyn Shaw and her people. I want to know the why of it and I want to know who else might have been involved. Most of all, I do not want Fuercon open to attack again. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, sir!”
He nodded and dismissed them. As the door closed behind them, he leaned back. Would they find the real enemy before it was too late?
« Chapter 12 »
“Ms. Moreau, I’m sorry to disturb you but there’s a gentleman here who insists on seeing you.”
Evan Moreau quickly typed in a command and watched as the vid-feed from the reception area of her office was activated. A frown touched her lips followed almost instantly by a mix of fear and anger. Why was he here? He’d never come to her office before. They had agreed at the beginning of their working relationship that the less direct contact they had, the better. She’d overlooked the way he’d appeared unannounced at her apartment. But this, this was pushing it because there were too many potential witnesses to his being there.
“All right, Keisha. Give me five minutes and then show him in.”
Almost before she ended the comm, Moreau was on her feet. She moved quickly to the safe hidden behind one of the several paintings adorning her office walls. The biometric and genetic sensors released the lock and the safe door swung open. It didn’t take long to claim the weapons inside.
Next, she input the proper commands into her terminal to block any recording of what might be said, both from inside the room as well as from outside. Then, just moments before the five minutes was up, she returned to her desk, making sure nothing about her or her surroundings betrayed her concern.
“Mr. Kannedy,” her secretary said before leaving the office, closing the door behind her.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Moreau said and motioned for him to have a seat in one of the two chairs before her desk.
As he did, she nodded slightly in satisfaction. He’d jus
t confirmed her suspicions. He wasn’t nearly as versed in how to control a room as he wanted her to think. If he were, he never would have sat where she’d indicated. He’d have chosen one of the chairs to the side of the office, one that wouldn’t have him looking into the light from the window lining the wall behind her. Instead, he’d put himself at a disadvantage. She could see his expression and how he reacted to anything said while the bright light behind her obscured his view of her face.
Fool.
“You screwed up, Moreau.” He leaned forward, jabbing a finger in her direction.
She bit down the anger that bubbled up at his accusation. She’d been expecting it. She just hadn’t expected him to be foolish enough to come here. God, what if he’d let himself be followed?
“I’m not sure what you mean.” She leaned back, doing her best to look relaxed and just a bit concerned.
“You were supposed to take care of Shaw.”
“No, I was supposed to make sure no attention was levelled at you or your partners and I’ve done that.”
“You’ve done everything but that!” he countered.
His hands tightened on the arms of his chair. As they did, Moreau let her right hand drop to her waist where one of her knives rested. If he made a move, he was a dead man.
“Sit still and keep your voice down.” She didn’t raise her voice. Quite the contrary. She lowered it, speaking softer so he had to lean forward some to hear her. As he did, she noted the way he paled and knew he recognized the warning in her words. Good.
“The only one to put any of us in danger right now is you. First by going to my apartment without giving me a chance to take certain precautions and now by showing up here unannounced. Think about that for a moment and then tell me why you think I screwed up.”
She waited, giving him a moment to process what she said.
“You assured me you would take care of everything when we learned Shaw was back in the capital. Instead of having someone slit her throat, you sat back and watched as she was been cleared of all charges and sent off to retrieve the rest of her people from Tarsus.”
