Resilience (Warner's World Book 6)

by Dave O'Connor

  They stayed in each other’s arms neither wanting to break the spell or end the moment. Eventually a gust of colder air motivated Jasmin to say “Come let’s get under the covers.”

  They crawled into their tent. Ivan being a tall man was spatially challenged by the interiors but he didn’t mind. It gave him an excuse to cuddle up to his lover.

  They took their time making love. It was slow and tender without a word save for a gasp from Jasmin as she came followed by a heavy out-breath from Ivan as he too climaxed.

  It was still relatively early and neither fell asleep. “You may as well move in with me” said Ivan in a soft measured voice.

  “It is a nice cabin” replied Jasmin in a soft measured voice.

  “You know, we still have a day left.”

  “We do.”

  “We could get married tomorrow.”

  “We could” said Jasmin in her soft unexcited voice. “There’s only one problem with that” she added.

  “What’s that?”

  “My mum won’t be able to come.”

  “I thought you weren’t on speaking terms.”

  “We aren’t, but she is still my mother and she deserves to be there…and my dad of course.”

  “Ah, so you won’t marry me right now after all” said Ivan a little louder and with a measure of excitement.

  Jasmin sat up, the covers falling down off her breasts. She leaned over Ivan, her breasts touching him. “Now listen here Ivan” she said with plenty of authority. “I stand by what I said. If you can get my parents out here tomorrow, I’m up for it.”

  A big smile came over Ivan’s face, partly because of the dander he was now witnessing in Jasmin and partly because her breasts were rubbing over his chest.

  “Up for it?” he asked loudly. “You make it sound like a challenge.”

  Jasmin shifted her position so she was now on top and straddling him. She let her breasts rub from side to side over his face. “Well being married to you will be a challenge” she said quite loudly. She felt him getting excited and reached down grabbing his member. “See!”

  With that he pushed on her shoulder and rolled her over in one motion. She rolled over again to escape his attempt to pin her down. But in doing so ran out of room. She scrambled onto her knees but was quickly reeled in when he grabbed her hips.

  “Oh no you don’t” she exclaimed as she felt him thrust towards her buttocks. But he held her tight and entered her. “You brute” she shouted. But then she began to laugh. Ivan too started laughing until she said loudly “Don’t stop! Faster!”

  Ivan wasn’t sure he could last much longer, but then she let out at the top of her voice “Oh yeah!” They both collapsed back onto their covers. The tent collapsed in on them and they both laughed at the top of their voices.

  Chapter 38. Neeblo 1200, 4 October

  Meelanda watched the broadcast from Slidwon for the first time. She couldn’t believe it. “How could they?” she exclaimed. A few minutes later she was on a call to Felis.

  “You did send that signal, didn’t you” she quizzed Felis.

  “Yes I did. It should have arrived yesterday morning well before this. Let’s not assume anything” Felis told her. “This has only just arrived in. I am sure we’ll get some analysis from Angina directly.”

  “What a disaster?” she exclaimed.

  “Well at least Quazor’s gone.”

  “Yes but we have a new imperialist to deal with now.”

  An hour later another news report came in, this time reporting on the coup by Nestor. Felis received it first and hailed Meelanda. “We have another Quazor back in power.” He went on to explain and ended with “There will be no easy take over now.”

  An hour later it was Meelanda’s turn to report that the councillors had defected to the Resistance and would lend their moral support to the cause.

  “But that counts for little these days” replied Felis.

  “On the contrary” countered Meelanda “It speaks volumes. If we destroy this Nestor Quazor then we and we alone will get to shape the future.”

  “That all depends on us winning over Istridium. There will be no back door here. It will be a stand up fight, winner take all.”

  “Which is why I must be there” said Meelanda.

  “No, that’s not a good idea. I counsel against that strongly.”

  “Don’t you see Felis. I do not pretend to think that I could contribute anything physical or mental to the outcome.” She deliberately paused. “But like the councillors you so easily dismiss I can contribute something morally. What is it that Pious so often quotes? Aah yes, ‘morale is to physical as ten is to one.’ I like that saying a lot.”

  “Sometimes I wish the good commodore would keep his sayings to himself” replied Felis.

  “Tell Veego I will be ready to accompany him when the Ark Royal Group arrives.”

  “If you insist Maam.”

  “I do.”

  Chapter 39. Resolute over Q2 2100, 4 October

  Dave entered his cabin after having a quick word with Ivan at the conclusion of dinner. His ‘quick’ word ended up taking him an hour. By the time he got back to his cabin he found the wall on his side of the bed packed with bags. Rihan was at the small desk on her console. She had a serious demeanour.

  “Boy you’ve been busy” said Dave.

  “Yep” she said without diverting her focus from the console’s screen.

  Dave took a quick look at the screen. Rihan was going through various procedures for her new ship. He knew what it would be like for her tomorrow as she tried to stand up a brand new ship. He was glad, in a way, to have passed that baton on.

  He opted to undress and take a shower. As the water flowed over him he reflected on the last few days and his current state. He recognised that he definitely felt better than before the leave. Since his breakthrough two days ago he only had one ‘bad’ dream and that was of Ginty coming out of Mintoslum. It wasn’t as intense as previously. He was getting better.

  ‘Back to work tomorrow’ he said to himself. ‘Yes I can do it’ he admitted to himself.

  He dried and dressed in his shorts and tee. After cleaning his teeth he looked at his face in the mirror. The dark rings under his eyes had gone. He rubbed his hand over his face, feeling the pull of the stubble and then a smile came over his face. “But tomorrow’s not here yet” he said.

  He exited the ensuite and stood behind Rihan. She ignored him, her fingers swiping to access some more information. Dave began to gently massage her scalp. She normally enjoyed that sensation but this time she tilted her head to frown at Dave before facing back to her screen.

  But Dave was not to be deterred. With his arms around the back of her chair he began massaging her shoulders and neck. She gave her head a little shake as the tension released. She was wearing her silk gown. Dave found its slippery surface difficult to gain purchase and apply the pressure he needed to. So he slid his fingers under the top of her robe to get a better grip on her flesh at the back of her shoulders.

  He could see a smile creeping onto Rihan’s face as he worked on the spine. She rolled her head back allowing more room to move his hands further down. He took advantage and went wide as well causing the gown to loosen a little more. Her eyes darted down to her cleavage which was now in full view. She looked up to see that Dave’s eyes were focussed there too.

  “So that’s your motive” she said softly. She hit the release on the back of the chair and lent right back. Dave had to quickly pull his hands out from her gown. He began massaging the front of her shoulders. But soon the temptation was too great and he extended his fingers down over her breasts, rubbing over her nipples gently before cupping her breasts and drawing his fingers under the outside and coming back up to the top.

  She let him repeat the movement, letting out an audible sigh of appreciation. She pecked Dave’s cheek as he leant over her for the third pass. He kissed her back lightly but she brought her left hand up behind his head and pu
lled him to her. Her tongue parted his lips and they both felt a surge of passion.

  Dave pulled out of the kiss, dropped to his knees and swivelled the chair so she was facing him. As he did so, Rihan raised her leg over his torso. Dave parted the robe and dived in.

  Chapter 40. Kiev over Q2 0720, 5 October

  Phil was eating his breakfast in the mess when he was hailed by the watch officer. For a big man he moved quickly to the elevator and entered the command centre a minute later. “So whose are they then?” he asked.

  “Likta Corporation. Do you want to speak with their commander…a Captain Enshider”

  “Put him on.”

  A few minutes later Phil terminated the call. “Well I’ll be” he said with a big smile on his face. He looked at the holo and shook his head in amazement at the 221 transports that had just warped in. These were all fast rogan transports.

  “So Sir what did he mean by our share” asked the watch officer.

  Phil’s communicator chimed. He checked the message just in. It was from his benefactor. Phil nodded to the watch officer “From Mr Likta” he advised. He read the message. “OK, we can use one third for our military purposes. The remainder must be devoted to the evacuation of Q2. Ooh we can expect more transports to arrive over the coming weeks. Shit! By month’s end we should have 1500. Bloody hell. That’s made my day!”

  Phil was still sitting in his chair in the command centre pondering all he could do using these transports when he heard the watch officer startled upon hearing the hail from the Audacity. “Sorry Sir. Still can’t get used to these stealth ships” said the watch officer.

  Phil chuckled. He was content to let the watch officer handle things. He leant back in his chair, looking as happy as a pig in mud. He had a big grin on his face. He caught the watch officer looking at him and Phil said “Christmas has come early.”

  Phil looked down at the holo and could see a stream of shuttles beginning to ply their trade between the ships of his combined fleet. Phil knew all too well that this would be one of the busiest days for the personnel under his command. Ships were being disbanded, crews dispersed, transferred and assigned all over the place. Many would be struggling to come to terms with the new technologies they were being asked to manage. Many would be daunted, but like him, many would be delighted.

  There was a sense of fulfilment steadily filling up every corner of Phil’s being. For so long now he had strived to bring about the martialling of this expeditionary fleet. Now it was all coming together. He knew that shortly he would be harassed by one thing or another. ‘There are always teething problems’ he said to himself. But right now he was going to savour this moment.

  He leaned back and closed his eyes. There was a content smile on his face. It was so content that when Alex came in he swore he looked serene. “Excuse me Sir” said Alex.

  “I’m not here” muttered Phil without opening his eyes. “Whatever it is, it can wait.”

  Alex about-turned and walked out. A smile came over his face too. This was the happiest he had seen Phil in a long, long time.

  Chapter 41. Whiskey 1 over Q2 0830, 5 October

  There was a real buzz inside Whiskey 1 as it approached the Audacity. “Wow” said Parinya as they got close enough to see the new carrier. Both Dave and Rihan stepped up to move forward and take a peek. But Dave knew there was not enough room for both of them. So he sat back down and let Rihan enjoy the moment. It was her ship after all.

  He could see a big smile appear on Rihan’s face as she craned over Parinya’s shoulder. “It’s huge, absolutely massive.”

  A minute later they were lined up for the run in. Rihan was back in her seat. Dave gave her a pat on the top of her knee as though it would prevent her enthusiasm from bubbling out.

  “Mine is definitely bigger than yours now Dave” she said with an ‘I told you so’ expression on her face.

  “Point of order” said Dave as the shuttle entered the Audacity’s port inbound runway “I think you will find that all ships under an Admiral’s command are his ships. It’s been that way for millennia and I don’t see it changing any time soon.” He finished off with a smug smile on his face.

  “Oh I think you will find that we have had female Admirals for centuries now. But the old misogynists, not mentioning any names around here, still insist on using the male pronoun.”

  “Touché!” said Dave as the retros fired and they touched own on the deck.

  They were greeted by a Captain Bill Praxton who gave them both a snappy salute. “Welcome to the audacity Sir, Maam” said Bill in his deeply timbered voice. “I am your new XO Maam” he added as he shook hands with Rihan and Dave.

  Dave was struck immediately by the warmth of Bill’s smile. He had an easy manner with a deep cultivated voice that he knew would be a calming influence. He liked that. He was a tall man, taller than Dave. His short hair was going grey at the temples. It betrayed his otherwise youngish looks. Seeing his dark complexion next to Rihan’s fair complexion, made him think of the ebony and ivory keys of a piano.

  “Let me show you to your quarters” said Bill. “We’ve got a bit of a hike I’m afraid. Oh and by the way” said Bill, taking out his communicator. “Your communicator should have a message waiting for you. Just OK it. It will install the ShipNav app.”

  “Neat” said Rihan. “So this is where we are now?”

  “That’s right and if you set your objective to your quarters…just say ‘Destination my quarters’… and there you go you’ve got your route all mapped out.”

  “It says it’s going to take me ten minutes” said Rihan a little worried.

  “That’s right Maam, by foot it will. Here” he said pointing to a control on her screen “set it to use the walkways and yes, there you now see it will take just five minutes. Shall we get going? Oh, your luggage will follow shortly.”

  They hopped onto the walkway that whisked them along and out of the landing bays and to an elevator bay. “These flight decks are 400m long. We’ve got two sets of elevators bays” advised Bill “one midway forward, the other midway aft. That way you should never be more than 100m from an elevator.” They took an elevator up several levels and turned right on exiting the elevator to take another walkway over the bridge from the port hull to the centre hull. This came out on C deck. They then had to take another elevator up to B deck where their quarters were.

  Finally they arrived at the Admiral’s suite. “Now Sir, Maam I have done my homework but I could be taking a liberty here. I have assumed you will be sharing this suite.”

  “That’s right” said Rihan straight away. “Thank you.”

  Bill seemed a little relieved that that was out of the way. “I have yet to assign the flag officer’s cabin. Perhaps you could let me know how you want to handle that.”

  “Of course” said Rihan “We’ll let you know soon. Commodore Larsen’s on C deck and Commodore Gilbert’s on D deck, correct?”

  “Yes that’s right Maam. Do you want me to show you around this deck or are you right for now. I do need to head back soon. We have a cast of hundreds arriving this morning. Oh and I have taken the liberty of drafting a schedule of activities for today and tomorrow, subject to your approval of course.” Bill tapped his communicator. “There you should have it now.”

  Rihan took a quick look. She was pleasantly surprised. She flicked her finger and refreshed her memory on the list that she had prepared last night. It was very similar. The morning was devoted to ‘march-in’ just as she had on hers. “Well done” said Rihan. “I’m impressed.”

  “I’m glad” said Bill with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

  They entered the Admiral’s suite as Bill was being whisked away on the walkway. It was about twice the size of their spacious cabin on the Resolute. “It’s a cavern” said Dave “What are we going to do with all this space.”

  Rihan shook her head. “Leave it to me. I want another desk in here for a start.” She scanned the space further. “I li
ke the lounge area. We can have a meditation area just there.” She went straight to the bathroom and came out with a big smile. “It’ll do” she pronounced. She looked at the bed and asked “swap sides this time?”

  Dave shook his head. “Nah, it’ll muck up all my moves.”

  “Wouldn’t want that now” she replied. “Come on, let’s have a look around. Can’t do anything in here till our luggage arrives anyway.”

  Outside in the main corridor Dave was looking at his ShipNav app trying to work out where the mess is. “Where’s the mess?” he asked.

  “Which one?”

  “We have more than one?”

  “We have 384 officers on three decks. So we have three dining areas, three lounge areas, three café areas for light snacks, three bars plus three cinemas.”

  “You’re not kidding are you?”

  “No” said Rihan shaking her head. “Follow me darling. I won’t lead you astray.”

  Dave was content to let Rihan be the navigator. Eventually he knew he would have to get a handle on the layout but right now it was a tad daunting. They found the café on their deck and an eager steward offered to make them a coffee.

  While they waited Rihan asked “So what should we do with my cabin? Offer it to Art and Sue again?”

  “Yeah, that may ruffle a few feathers.”

  Rihan knew that Dave was alluding to their rank. Neither Art nor Sue were captains and on a ship with quite a few captains they ran the risk that one of those might take umbrage. “You could promote Art” she proffered.

  “Mmm, I could, couldn’t I?”

  “Glad we got that sorted” said Rihan as the steward placed down their coffees.

  A few sips later and Art and Sue appeared. “So this is where you are hiding” said Art. There was an awkward moment of silence as Art was trying to formulate the words he wanted to say.

  Sue grew impatient and started to say “We were just wondering…”