The Queen led the reform in hair length by having her hair cut so that it only fell midway down her back. She would have liked to have cut it shorter but she was afraid that women still clinging to the old ways would have their locks shorn too high, so as not to offend the Queen by having hair nearly as long or longer.
The military immediately changed the uniforms worn by women. They weren't quite ready for trousers yet, but the skirts were shortened to knee-length, and styled fuller so as to allow a full step without restriction. The Queen privately promised Jenetta that within a year, she would make sure that trousers were part of the women's accepted uniform standards. The high-heeled boots remained standard women's footwear, however; at least for the time being. But the heel became much more stout so that they offered better stability, and therefore placed less strain on the ankles and arches.
Asked to make a good will tour, Jenetta visited a number of bases in her new uniforms, with her hair shortened to shoulder length. The Queen hoped that Jenetta's example would encourage quicker acceptance of the newly revised regulations. It seemed to work, and the more comfortable skirts and shorter hair were adopted immediately by the women of the service. Jenetta was happy to be rid of the long hair, but before it was cut, she, Christa, and Eliza had a number of pictures taken that could be sent to Mom. They posed together in the former ultra-tight gowns with their almost floor length tresses clearly visible, and the cats at either end.
A few days after completing her tours of the bases, a message arrived from Space Command for Jenetta. As it was from Admiral Holt, she played the encrypted message in the privacy of her rooms after decoding it using the encryption codes on her personal log ring.
"Commander Carver, the battleship Bellona will be arriving at Nordakia within 24 hours with orders to return you to Higgins. I request that Christa and Eliza return with you so that they might officially be granted their Terran citizenship, if they wish it. Space Command also wishes to officially recognize their participation in the actions at Dakistee, should they return with you. I'll see you in two months, Commander.
"Brian Holt, Rear Admiral, Upper Half, Higgins Space Command Base, message complete."
Neither Christa nor Eliza were required to go to Higgins since they weren't Space Command officers, but they did want to get their Terran citizenship recorded. The trip would be considerably quicker on the return trip than it had been on the Nordakian cruiser coming to the planet.
* * *
Chapter Twenty-Five
~ August 3rd, 2272 ~
Two days later the three women bid goodbye to the King and Queen, and thanked them for everything, especially for saving Christa. After saying goodbye to the handmaidens as they vacated their rooms, they walked to the shuttle waiting on the pad. Jenetta had already changed into her Space Command uniform, now permitted in the palace, although they had requested that Jenetta wear her Nordakian uniform or a gown for all except her last day.
The captain of the Bellona, Edward Hyden, greeted them personally at the flight bay, although he approached them slowly when he noticed the cats eyeing him warily. He had gotten to know Jenetta quite well while the Bellona was stationed at Dixon, and he was anxious to meet her sisters.
During the trip to Higgins, the three women were frequent guests in Captain Hyden's dining room for evening meals. Many of the conversations concerned tactics employed in the Battle of Vuazlee, the Battle for Higgins SCB, and the Battle for the Dixon SCB. There were also extensive discussions about the defense of Mawcett/Dakistee.
Quarters at the BOQ had already been arranged for the three women when they arrived at Higgins, and their instructions were to report to Admiral Holt's office at 0900 the following morning. Appropriate dress would be an officer's dress uniform without insignia for Christa and Eliza, while Jenetta would wear her full dress uniform. The citizenship pledge was considered a formal ceremony.
The three women caused quite a stir as they walked to the headquarters section the following morning. They'd had their hair cut in the same shoulder-length style on Nordakia, and, except for the rank, collar insignia, and medals that Jenetta wore, they appeared identical as they walked side by side.
They were only kept waiting for a few minutes before being sent into Admiral Holt's office. The room was already crowded with captains and a few commanders. Jenetta knew most of them from her time on Higgins and Dixon, but she walked directly to Admiral Holt's desk and came to attention, with Eliza and Christa on either side.
"Stand easy. Welcome back ladies. It's wonderful to see you all safe and together again. I hope that you've forgiven me my little surprise. I felt that it would be acceptable since it was such a nice surprise that Christa was alive and well."
"Of course, Admiral," Jenetta said, smiling. "It was a wonderful surprise to find Christa on Nordakia."
"Good." Admiral Holt stood up and came out from behind his desk. "The room will come to order. Commander, you may join the other officers."
Admiral Holt administered the citizenship pledge and then shook hands with Eliza and Christa. "Ladies, I've been instructed by Supreme HQ to ask if either, or both, of you would like to enter the service?"
Christa and Eliza looked at one another and then turned to the Admiral.
"Would we have to attend the Academy again?" Christa asked.
"Again?"
"Yes sir," Eliza said. "We have all of Jenetta's memories so it's as if we were there. We have a complete knowledge of everything that she learned, so it would be pointless to spend four years there."
"That's not a problem. Space Command agrees and has decided there would be little use in having you attend the Academy. You would be credited with Commander Carver's education credentials including graduation from NHSA, and immediately enter the service as Ensigns. Because you are both, technically, only two years old, Space Command can't credit you with any of Commander Carver's prior years of service, even though you have her memories of it."
Christa and Eliza looked at one another. They didn't say a word, but didn't have to. They turned back to the Admiral and said simultaneously, "Joining Space Command is our greatest desire."
The admiral was taken aback by the unrehearsed statement, spoken with such synchronization that only one voice could be discerned. He smiled and said, "Wonderful. The room will come to attention."
Christa and Eliza came immediately to rigid attention, as did all the officers in the room.
"By special order of Space Command Headquarters, I'm pleased to announce that Christa Marie Carver and Eliza Kathleen Carver, having satisfied the educational requirements of Space Command's Northern Hemisphere Space Academy, are officially graduated from that fine institution, and inducted into the Galactic Space Command with the rank of Ensign." The Admiral administered the Space Command oath of loyalty, and then said, "Congratulations, Ladies."
The Admiral saluted Eliza and Christa and they returned the salute.
"Remain at attention, please," Admiral Holt said.
"Christa Marie Carver, for conspicuous service to the Galactic Alliance, by selflessly endangering your life while acting as a decoy so shuttles carrying confiscated equipment would not fall into the hands of the Raiders, you are immediately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on this 3rd day of October, 2272."
The admiral took a Lieutenant (jg)'s insignia from a box and pinned it on the right epaulet on Christa's uniform, handing her a second. Then he saluted her and she returned his salute.
The Admiral next moved over to Eliza.
"Eliza Kathleen Carver, for conspicuous service to the Galactic Alliance, by selflessly endangering your life while acting as a shuttle pilot to escape from Raiders with confiscated equipment, you are immediately promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade on this 3rd day of October, 2272."
The admiral took a Lieutenant(jg)'s insignia from another box and likewise pinned it on Eliza's uniform, handing her the second. Then he saluted her and she returned his salute.
"The room shall be at rest," the Admiral said. "The ceremony is complete."
Eliza and Christa turned to Jenetta and all three had tears in their eyes. They hugged without regard for what anyone thought. Then the other officers moved in and congratulated the two women.
With the ceremony over, the other officers began to leave after offering their congratulations. Jenetta turned to the Admiral to see if they were dismissed.
"Stand by, Commander, until the room is clear."
As the last officer left and the doors closed, leaving only Jenetta, Eliza, Christa, and Captain Kanes with the Admiral, the Admiral said to Eliza and Christa, "Ladies, Captain Kanes has requested that one of you be assigned to his section. Knowing that Commander Carver has several times stated her preference for a shipboard position, and knowing her competence in that regard, I told him that I would ask you before making any assignments. Do either of you wish to work in the Intelligence Section?"
"Thank you, sir," Christa said, "but I'd prefer a position aboard a ship. I thank the Captain for his offer though."
"I feel the same way, sir," Eliza said.
"I expected as much. Very well." Handing each woman a data ring attached to a card with her name, Holt said, "Lt. Christa Carver, you will report to the captain aboard the GSC battleship Chiron for bridge duty when it arrives in port in one month's time. Until then you'll report to Captain Kanes for temporary duty in Intelligence. He feels that if you have a chance to work there you might have a change of heart." The admiral paused and looked at Eliza. "Lt. Eliza Carver, you'll report to the captain aboard the GSC battleship Bellona, currently in port, for bridge duty assignment. You two ladies are dismissed and may wait in the outer office for Commander Carver."
The two new lieutenants came to attention, then turned and left the office. Jenetta stood there, unsure of what was about to come.
"Commander," the admiral said, "have you had enough of lounging around?"
"Very definitely, sir."
"Good. Captain Kanes has a little trip in mind and he'd like to discuss it with you."
"Yes sir. Am I being assigned to the Intelligence Section?"
"Just temporarily. Captain Kanes feels that your contact with freighter officers while on Dixon might be useful in drawing up a plan of action. Then he'll travel with you on the Prometheus when it leaves. It's due to dock here in about four to six weeks."
"With me, sir?"
"Yes, the Prometheus will spearhead the project."
"Am I being re-assigned to the Prometheus, sir?"
"Oh, did I leave that out?" Admiral Holt said innocently, with the hint of a smile. "Yes, you're being re-assigned to the Prometheus. I'm sure that doesn't upset you, eh?"
"No sir. Absolutely not. Is Commander Eaton being assigned elsewhere?
"No, he'll remain on as second officer."
"Then what will I be doing, sir?"
"You're replacing Commander Tighe, who's been promoted to the rank of captain and given his own ship, the Austin, a new destroyer being launched in about six months. He's been filling your position on the Prometheus during the past year and a half, so as to get some experience in battleship operations, while waiting for his ship to be completed at Mars."
"My position?"
"Yes, the position that Captain Gavin promised to hold for you."
"I don't understand. I thought that Commander Eaton was permanently assigned to my old position?"
"That's right. Commander Eaton was placed in your old position. Commander Tighe was placed in your new position. Immediately after being promoted to Commander, and following Commander LaSalle's unfortunate accident, you were named as First Officer of the Prometheus to replace her, but since you were temporarily assigned to Dixon, Tighe was assigned to fill in for you. He joined the ship when it reached the Mars shipyard."
Jenetta was stunned. "I'm to be the First Officer on the Prometheus?"
"You already are the First Officer. You were listed as being on temporary assignment to Dixon, and you've been listed as being temporarily assigned to Higgins since completing your tour there. I'm glad we're finally able to complete these assignments. Captain Gavin keeps asking me when he's getting you back."
"Yes sir. Thank you, Admiral."
"Report to Captain Kanes tomorrow at SCI. He'll free you up when the Prometheus arrives and Tighe leaves the ship. That's all, Commander."
"Yes sir," Jenetta said smiling, then added in a soft voice, "Thank you, sir."
The admiral smiled.
"Sir, what about my two cats?"
"Space Command permits all officers to keep one pet as long as that pet is kept in the officer's quarters, and the pet doesn't become a nuisance."
"Yes sir, but I have two. I can't split them up. They provide company for each other when I'm not in my quarters. I fear that one may rip things up if left alone for too long."
The Admiral snorted slightly. He couldn't dictate such policy exemptions aboard a ship commanded by another officer. "I'll speak to Captain Gavin and tell him that it's all right with me if, and only if, he concurs."
Jenetta smiled and said, "Thank you, sir." She came to attention, then turned and left the office. She now understood why Commander Eaton had been promoted into her old position aboard the Prometheus before it even left Dixon, and the hurt that she had felt disappeared in the blink of an eye. She chastised herself for the small feeling of resentment that she'd secretly harbored since learning about it during the dinner with the officers of the GSC destroyer San Francisco.
Eliza and Christa were waiting near the corridor door in the Admiral's outer office. They'd helped one another put the insignia of rank on their other shoulder while waiting, and added the line officer insignia to their collars that they'd found in the same small box.
"Well, Lieutenants," Jenetta said peremptorily, "are you going to open the door for your Commander, or just stand there with silly grins on your faces."
Both women came to attention, and then Christa waved her hand at the door sensor, opening the door to the corridor. As Jenetta walked between them, one of them suddenly swatted her on her backside as she passed. She paused only briefly and then ignored it and kept walking. Eliza and Christa caught up with her and fell in on her left side since she was the senior officer.
It was still too early for lunch, so the three women returned to Jenetta's quarters in the BOQ. With so much good news, they had to tell somebody, so they sat together in front of the com terminal and sent a message to Mom and Dad, filling them in on all that had happened in the Admiral's office."
As the message was dispatched, a signal indicated that an incoming message was waiting. Jenetta hit play and the screen lit up with the image of a smiling Mikel Arneu.
"Hello, Angel. Belated congratulations on your promotion. I thought we had you when that Tsgardi captain sent word that he'd captured you near Mawcett. Imagine my surprise when I learned that he only had a copy. And that stupid Tsgardi couldn't even hang onto a duplicate, despite being ordered to chain her to a wall with real chains. Then one of my subordinates came up with that failed plan to draw you away from Dixon so that we could capture you. You must tell me some day how you saw through that. I'll be sure to ask you before we wipe your mind. Sorry about the assassination attempt, by the way. The people responsible went against orders in an effort to curry favor with an Upper Council member. You won't have to worry about any of them ever bothering you again. Oh, I'm reserving three places at the resort now. I'll be seeing you."
Jenetta slapped the screen down on the com unit. "We'll meet again, Arneu. But next time, you'll be the one chained to the wall."
~ finis ~
*** Jenetta's exciting adventures continue in: ***
Trader Vyx
(sneak peek)
* * *
A Message To My Readers
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* * *
Appendix
This chart is offered to assist readers who may be unfamiliar with military rank and the reporting structure. Newly commissioned officers begin at either ensign or second lieutenant rank.
Space Command Officer Hierarchy:
Admiral of the Fleet (5 Star)
Admiral (4 Star)
Vice-Admiral (3 Star)
Rear Admiral – Upper (2 Star)
Rear Admiral – Lower (1 Star)
Captain
Commander
Lt. Commander
Lieutenant
Lieutenant(jg) "Junior Grade"
Ensign
Space Marine Officer Hierarchy:
General (4 Star)
Lt. General (3 Star)
Major General (2 Star)
Brigadier General (1 Star)
Colonel
Lt. Colonel
Major
Captain
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
The commanding officer on a ship is always referred to as Captain, regardless of his or her official military rank. Even an Ensign could be a Captain of the Ship, although that would only occur as the result of an unusual situation or emergency where no senior officers survive.
On Space Command ships and bases, time is measured according to a twenty-four clock, normally referred to as military time. For example, 8:42 PM would be referred to as 2042 hours. Chronometers are set to always agree with the date and time at Space Command Supreme Headquarters on Earth. This is known as GST, or Galactic System Time.
The Clones of Mawcett Page 42
