by Sam Schall
Ashlyn braced to attention and, after Okafor’s nod, executed a perfect about face and left the office. So far, the day had most definitely not started out the way she’d expected.
* * *
He was in Hell, his own private Hell in the middle of the capital. It was bad enough that he had to act as escort to a bunch of spoiled brats who had never heard the word “no” before. But did they have to scream and run around like a bunch of wild animals? The history museum had been bad enough. Usually he could simply turn brats like these lose and tell them to be back at a certain time. But not this time. His orders had been very clear. He was to keep each and every one of them within his field of vision at all times, no matter what.
Now, as they prepared to tour the Capitol Building, he prayed for something, anything to interrupt them. At least at the museum the brats were interested in the exhibits and there were docents to explain everything to them. But now it all fell to him.
He couldn’t take much more of this. If he wasn’t reassigned soon, he’d resign his commission. He didn’t deserve this sort of treatment.
“Another tour, Major?”
O’Brien glanced at the young private stationed near the doors to the building and fought back a frown. Every day for the last month, the private had asked the same thing with the same oh-so-polite tone of voice. But he wasn’t fooled. This snot nosed private, barely out of Basic found his current assignment just as funny as everyone else. Well, the day would come when the tables would turn and he’d be back to the sort of assignments he deserved. Then he’d show them all. He had a very long memory.
Before he could dwell too much on how sweet it would be to get back at all his detractors, O’Brien paused. There was something different about the Capital that day. A sense of excitement, almost electric, seemed to fill the air and he wondered what caused it. Congress wasn’t in session for the rest of the week. From what he’d seen of the schedule, most of the so-called Honorable Members were away from the capital. That had been another reason why he’d dreaded his current escort assignment. There would be no one in chambers to pawn the little brats off on, not even long enough for him to grab a cup of coffee somewhere.
“What’s going on?” he asked. As he did, he reached out and grabbed one of the kids in his group by the arm before he could wander off. “Everyone seems excited about something.”
Before the private could respond, three people came into view. For one long moment, O’Brien’s world seemed to stop. He didn’t breathe. His heart may have even stopped. It wouldn’t have surprised him if it had. Then a fury unlike any he’d ever felt before washed over him. He wasn’t aware of it, or of how his grip on his pre-teen charge’s arm tightened until the boy cried out. That broke the spell and he quickly released his hold. But his eyes never left the three moving across the lobby in his direction.
Suddenly they were before him. One of them braced to attention, just as she had many times before. The others waited and he knew they were waiting to see what he would do. Well to hell with them and to hell with the captain standing there waiting for him to acknowledge her.
“Major O’Brien, you seem to have forgotten how to salute a senior officer,” Miranda Tremayne drawled, her blue eyes flashing dangerously.
“I don’t see a senior officer here.” He all but spat it out. How dare they come near him, much less speak to him!
“Then I suggest you report to Medical and have your eyes checked,” the senator said. “Because I can see Lt. Colonel Santiago’s rank and, unless things have changed, a lieutenant colonel outranks a major.”
His lips pulled back in a sneer before he forced all expression from his face. Then he braced to attention, resenting every moment he stood there. But what choice did he have? That bastard Santiago would put him on report and, if he didn’t, Tremayne would certainly pull strings to get him into trouble.
No, into more trouble.
But none of that bothered him nearly as much as the sight of Shaw standing there, waiting to be put at her ease.
“Stand easy, everyone,” Santiago said, humor dancing in his eyes. “I’m sure you’d like to welcome Captain Shaw home, Major. I know she was an invaluable member of your last command.”
Damn him! Now that bastard was mocking him. If they weren’t standing in the middle of the Capital lobby with witnesses hanging on their every word . . . .
“Shaw.”
“Major.”
“I’m sure you are also as relieved as we are that Captain Shaw and her people have been cleared of all the charges leveled against them, their convictions expunged from their records and have been returned to active duty.” Tremayne this time.
“So I heard.”
Did she really expect him to say he was glad that bitch was back?
“Begging your pardon, Lt. Colonel, but we do have a briefing to get to,” Shaw said.
O’Brien’s blood boiled as she looked at him. No, looked through him. There was no emotion, nothing on her expression. He’d always known she was a cold-hearted bitch. But how could she stand there, knowing that he had a hand in what happened, and not feel something?
Or maybe she hadn’t realized what he’d done. That would explain why no one from JAG or CID had come for him yet. Maybe his luck hadn’t turned. God, could that be it?
“Good to see you back, Shaw.” The words were bitter in his mouth but they had to be said. If he could convince them he meant it . . . .
“You’re right, of course, Captain. Senator, shall we?” Santiago motioned toward the door and the aircar that had just pulled up to the curb.
O’Brien watched at the three moved past him. As he did, he felt the sweat trickling down his spine. He had a feeling if he looked down, he’d see his hands shaking. Then the anger returned and, with it, his ability to think. That bitch Shaw might think she’d won but he’d show her. She’d pay, and so would everyone else, for how they’d ruined his career.
“Major?”
The private’s voice broke into his thoughts. O’Brien looked around just in time to see the kid he’d grabbed earlier, starting toward the elevators at the back of the lobby. “Go get him, Private. I have a call I have to make.”
Not waiting to see if the young man did as he’d ordered, O’Brien turned and left the building. His charges could all go play in traffic for all he cared. He needed to let Sorkowski know what had happened. Let the old man figure out what their next move should be.
***
Four hours later, Ashlyn leaned back in her chair and blew out a breath. After leaving General Okafor’s office, she’d made her way to her parents’ estate outside of the capital. On the way, she’d sent messages to first Talbot and then to Lucinda Ortega and MJ Adamson, asking them to meet with her that afternoon. Then she’d sat back and replayed the meeting in the general’s office.
Once home, she’d reviewed the data Rico Santiago had prepared on Sorkowski, O’Brien and the others involved in setting her and her people up. She had no doubts they were guilty. Greed might have been the driving force for most of them – although she also realized jealousy played into it where O’Brien was concerned. As a member of the Devil Dogs, she’d already accomplished more than he ever would and it was obvious he knew it and hated it. – not that it excused what they’d done. People had died because of their actions and they had to pay for it. Now, for the first time since being brought up on charges, she was satisfied with letting others mete out justice.
A soft ping sounded, alerting her to a new message. She frowned slightly to see it had come from General Okafor’s office. The general had already authorized her full access to all files and information pertinent to the Devil Dogs. Past mission reports, personnel files, requests to join the unit, all that and more had been sent to her. So what could the general have sent now?
Assuming it had something to do with the meeting scheduled for the next morning, Ashlyn opened the message. She quickly skimmed it, her eyes going wide. Then she read it again, slower this time, su
re she’d misread it the first time.
Swallowing hard, she reached for her communicator. For a moment, she considered contacting her father. He’d know if her mother was still in the capital. Then she changed her mind. That was only putting off the inevitable. Whether Elizabeth was home or not, she was who Ashlyn needed to speak to.
“Shaw,” her mother’s voice said over the comm unit a moment later.
“It’s me,” Ashlyn said simply.
“I assume by the tone of your voice that you received the general’s message,” Elizabeth said and Ash heard the amusement in her mother’s voice.
“Did you know?”
“Not until a few minutes ago. But, before you say anything, I agree with it. Hang on.” There was the sound of her mother speaking softly to someone else. Then Elizabeth was back. “Ash, I have to go. I promise we’ll discuss it when I get home. In the meantime, you’ll find a package waiting for you in your room. I suggest you take a look at it before you do anything else. And, Ash, that’s an order.”
Shaking her head as Elizabeth ended the call, Ashlyn sat back and sighed. She really was getting tired of all the surprises people kept springing on her. Not that this last one surprised her, not if she really thought about what General Okafor had said in their meeting. Still, couldn’t they let her have just a few weeks without springing anything else on her?
A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts and she called out for the newcomer to enter. The door to her mother’s study opened and Marie LeClerc stepped inside. Ashlyn smiled at the woman, a mainstay of her life growing up. Marie insisted on calling herself the family’s housekeeper but she was so much more. Many times Ash had heard her mother say that Marie was the heart of the family and she was right. Marie had been the one to always been there when Elizabeth or Abe had to be away from home. She’d been surrogate mother to Ashlyn and her siblings and now, for Jake, she was surrogate grandmother. In truth, she was family in every way that counted.
“Captain Ortega, MJ Adamson and Gunnery Sergeant Talbot are here,” Maria said as she moved further into the room. She cast a quick look around and Ashlyn knew she was making sure everything was in its place before showing anyone else in.
Ashlyn chuckled. Her friends hadn’t let her down. Even though she’d asked to see them at different times, she’d made a bet with herself that they’d show up together. No doubt they’d been trying to figure out not only why she’d been called to meet with General Okafor but also why she’d asked to see the three of them.
“All right. Show them in.” She climbed to her feet and moved around the desk. Then, remembering what her mother had said, she changed her mind. “Give me ten minutes and then show them in. Apparently there’s something in my room I’m supposed to see first.”
The faintest hint of a smile touched Marie’s lips and Ash fought the urge to sigh. Whatever her mother had planned, Marie was in on it and approved.
“Shall I bring in coffee and snacks?” Marie asked
“Please, Marie.” She had no doubts the woman would do so whether she agreed or not. Marie would see it as part of simply being a good host.
Exactly ten minutes later, there was another knock at the door. Before Ashlyn could call out, it opened. For a moment, there was a bit of hesitation, almost confusion, as the three newcomers stood there. Ash fought the urge to laugh as she watched them. Normally, Talbot, as junior to the two women, would be the first to enter the room. But with Adamson technically a civilian, at least until she was formally returned to active duty, protocol was a bit confused, to say the least.
“Don’t just stand there. Come in and have a seat,” Ash said with a light laugh.
For a moment, the three just stood there, looking at her. Then, in a move that didn’t surprise Ash, MJ Adamson gave a decisive nod and did as she’d said. The small blonde moved across the study and took one of the seats before the desk. Following a bit more slowly was Ortega. Ash’s former roommate took the middle chair. Then she gave a rueful grin and motioned for Talbot to take the third chair.
“I see the three of you have a problem with following orders,” Ash said, fighting back her smile.
“What?”
“Ma’am?”
“I don’t think you can order a civilian around.” Only Adamson seemed nonplussed by Ashlyn’s comment.
Ash didn’t say anything. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and lifted her booted feet onto the edge of the desk. She still wore her daily uniform, most of it at least. But, after seeing what her mother had left for her upstairs, she’d stripped off her “coat”, opting for the tank top she wore under it. By doing so, she avoided questions she wasn’t ready to answer. Besides, it gave her some time to decide what she planned to do about the general’s latest surprise.
“But I don’t believe you are a civilian, Sergeant Major, not anymore,” Ashlyn said. “Unless you’ve decided to change your mind and withdraw your request to return to duty.”
Adamson’s expression spoke volumes. Then she was digging into her pocket for her datapad. Ash watched, barely daring to breathe, as her friend discovered the transmittal from the Office of the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
“I—” Adamson cleared her throat and tried again. “I have a feeling there’s a lot you have to tell us, ma’am.”
“MJ?” Ortega turned in her chair to look at the blonde.
Instead of answering, Adamson simply handed over her datapad. Ortega scanned the display before returning it to the blonde. The look in her green eyes as she turned her attention to Ashlyn was full of speculation.
“MJ has been returned to full active duty status,” Ash explained for Talbot’s benefit. “And she will be rejoining the Devil Dogs, assuming she wants to.” Now she looked at the blonde, her heart beating a little faster as she waited for Adamson’s answer.
That answer was quick in coming. Adamson popped out of her chair and braced to attention. “Master Sergeant Adamson reporting for duty, ma’am!”
“Sit down, MJ,” Ashlyn laughed, relieved.
“Welcome back, Master Sergeant,” Talbot said. “Let me know when you want a rundown on the unit.”
“That won’t be necessary, Kevin,” Ash said and her smile was, if anything, even wider. “I suggest you check your inbox. In fact, both you and Lucinda should have messages from General Okafor’s office.”
While Ortega and Talbot quickly reached for their own datapads to check their messages, Marie returned, a tray in her hands. Ashlyn got to her feet and hurried to take the tray, thanking Marie as she did. Then, to give the others a bit more time, she poured coffee for everyone and passed around the mugs.
“Would you care to explain why they look like they’ve been hit – or worse, transferred to the Navy?” Adamson asked as Ashlyn returned to her seat behind the desk.
“Before I do, there are a few things you each need to know.” She waited until Ortega and Talbot set their datapads to one side. “I suspect you each know that I met this morning with General Okafor.”
They nodded.
“What you probably don’t know is that the meeting included Rico Santiago, Hammer and FirstDiv’s new CO. What I’m about to tell you doesn’t go beyond this room until further notice. Understood.” She waited until they each nodded again.
“Let’s start with what, to me, is the most important news. The JAG will be filing a number of charges against Dante Coreal, Gavin Haritos and others from Tarsus, not only for what they did to me and our people but for what has turned out to be a long history of corruption. Between the severity of the charges and the number of them, Coreal and Garitos will never see the light of a free day again. In fact, they will be lucky to avoid the death penalty.”
Ortega sat up, her expression hard. “What about Sarkowski and that bastard O’Brien?” Her voice was harsh, cold.
“That’s a bit more complicated. I’m still going through the information Santiago and his people have pulled together. As soon as I’ve finished, I’ll forward it to y
ou. However, General Okafor has assured me they will be charged just as soon as the JAG is sure they have an airtight case.” She held up a hand when she saw Adamson about to speak. “After hearing what Rico and Okafor had to say today, I agree. We’re talking about something that goes beyond what happened to me and the others. We’re talking possible treason, collusion with the enemy and more. They have to be careful not to tip their hand in case there are others involved.”
“I always knew Sorkowski was a bastard,” Adamson growled.
“Agreed.” Ash inclined her head. “If it makes you feel any better, the president is aware of what is going on and wants to know how deep this cancer runs. And, when charges are finally brought, if we are still on planet, I’m going to request that the Devil Dogs escort the JAG officers as they make the arrests.”
“I want in on it, Cap,” Talbot said.
“You’ll have to stand behind me, Gunny,” Ortega told him.
“If my request is approved, I have a feeling General Okafor and FirstDiv’s CO will select the personnel. I’ll let them know of your requests when the time comes,” Ash promised. “Moving on, as I said, FirstDiv does have a new CO. She is Brigadier General Elizabeth Shaw.” Now she smiled proudly.
“Good!” Adamson gave decisive nod. “Your mother is too damned fine of a Marine to be beached.”
“I happen to agree with you, MJ, but she will be a hard taskmaster and she’s already let me know that she is only going to accept the very best from the Devil Dogs. Not that we’ve ever given anything but that.”
“Wait a moment.” Ortega looked at Ash, her expression thoughtful. “Why did she tell you? That’s the sort of thing she’d be telling the unit CO.”
“That’s the next piece of news. Hammer is now Lieutenant Colonel Pawlak and he’s being transferred to SecondDiv to assume command of the Warlords. As for the Devil Dogs, well, I’ve been asked to take over as CO. Our senior non-com will be Master Guns Talbot here.” She nodded to where the man sat, shaking his head in disbelief. “I expect he’ll bring you up to speed very quickly, MJ. Then I want to meet with the two of you. We are at war and I want to make sure our people are ready.”
