This was duplicated dozens of times, with my part being automatic. I used my left hand to hold me upright, and my right for shaking and saluting.
By two thirty, the knuckles on my left hand were white, and I now bitterly regretted not getting an early pain shot. But there was nothing for it, I had to stand there and function as if nothing was wrong.
Susan Bentley marched forwards on the quiet chime of three, to receive her Distinguished Service Order. By this time I was needing my right hand to hold me up, and removing it was becoming increasingly difficult. I was glad this was the last award and I’d be able to sit down soon. Susan bowed to the Queen, shook and saluted with Bigglesworth, and moved to stand in front of me. Her eyes narrowed in alarm as she took in my condition and she shot a rapid glance at Bigglesworth to see if he’d noticed. Apparently he hadn’t, for which I was glad. We shook rapidly, and her body in front of mine hid how desperately my right hand returned to holding me up, after our salute.
She marched away, and I waited to be dismissed.
Instead, John Slice was called. He startled where he sat in the middle of my team, rose, and marched forwards. He braced as all the others before him had. The aide passed the Queen another citation.
“Wing Commander Slice,” she said, “volunteered to defend Avon, was called back to service, and seconded to the Sci-Fi Space Force, where he distinguished himself at the battle of Avon, and went on to play key roles as the fighter force commander for the multi-sector fleet. Wing Commander, you are promoted to the rank of Group Captain, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and retired once again from the British Fleet, with our gratitude and thanks.”
They shared a few words as his medal and new rank insignia were passed over. He bowed, and was about to step back when General Price spoke.
“Group Captain,” he said. Slice turned to face him. “The Sci-Fi sector thanks you for your service, and awards you our Distinguished Flying Cross as well.”
He was passed another medal, they shook, and saluted, which he repeated with Bigglesworth and myself, before returning to his seat.
The Queen’ aide called Eric Neilson next. A look of shock on his face as he stood, dressed in Hunter Dress, was replaced with passive calm by the time he braced before the Queen.
“Lieutenant Commander,” she said, “it’s our understanding that you neither volunteered to fight at any time during the recent war, nor were asked to serve, drafted to serve, or in any way required to serve. You simply fought. When Marshall Bigglesworth became aware of your presence and contributions at Avon, you were recalled to official service. We understand you have been accepted into Hunter Security, and promoted. Your promotion to Lieutenant Commander is officially recognized now by the British Fleet, and at the end of this ceremony you will be replaced on the inactive list. You are awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.”
She passed him his British insignia and medal, they shared a few words, and he bowed and prepared to return to his seat.
“Lieutenant Commander,” said General Price. “The Sci-Fi sector also awards you the Distinguished Flying Cross.”
Eric repeated the whole process Slice had just done before him, and returned to his seat.
I was in serious trouble by now. My entire left side was aflame. I’d almost missed getting my right hand back on the scooter in time to keep me from falling off. I hung on like grim death, hoping no one was noticing.
266 Squadron were called next. They were also informed they had been recalled to active service with the British Fleet when they arrived at the Midnight Cobol jump point to form the blockade there. Their promotions within Hunter Security were officially recognized, and they were each also awarded the DFC. Lacey was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his leadership and successful defense of the Australian sector.
This time it was General Harriman who stopped them leaving, duplicating their British awards with the Australian equivalents.
Lacey was the last to shake my hand, and he was visibly shocked by how I looked. He saluted me first instead of after the handshake, making it as quick as he could. Our handshake lasted longer than normal as his strength guided my hand back to the scooter. He returned to his seat, and I stood there waiting for the final dismissal.
The next name I heard was Brigadier General Smith. I startled, not expecting any of my team to be called, lost my grip on the scooter, and blacked out.
Twenty Six
I woke up on a bed, with Jane and Jeeves standing over me. Marshall Bigglesworth was behind them, with the Queen standing next to him. I was relatively pain free, so I assumed Jeeves had given me the long overdue pain shot.
“How long?” I asked.
“Only a few minutes,” said Jane.
“You blacked out,” said Bigglesworth, “but Colonel Jane caught you before you reached the floor. Why didn’t you say something to me, or ping me you needed a break? We could have interrupted things after Susan Bentley.”
I looked at him. It hadn’t occurred to me.
“I’m sorry,” said the Queen. I must have looked shocked at the whole concept of a Queen saying sorry, as she smiled. “We should’ve taken your condition into account, and built in a break in the proceedings to allow you to sit for a while. The ceremony has been paused, and we’ll resume when you’re able. Your official presence is no longer required, so you can sit out the remainder comfortably.”
“Why do we need to resume at all?” I asked. “I thought we were finished. I guess I didn’t say anything because I was expecting to be dismissed at any second.”
“Not finished just yet, Admiral,” said Bigglesworth with a grin.
Jane left the room, and returned with a grav chair very similar to my own. She looked a question at me, and I nodded. She plucked me from the bed and sat me down on the chair, without giving my leg as much as a twinge. Thanks be to pain meds.
The Queen and Bigglesworth left, and Jane pushed me back into the Ceremony room, through the general entrance. A lot of anxious faces smiled as I was pushed in, obviously looking better.
Bigglesworth entered and recalled the room for the Queen’s entrance. She came in, and returned to where she’d been before.
The whole team were called as a group, in order of rank beginning with Brigadier General Smith. They were all surprised to be called, and as a group, formed a line according to rank across the room, in front of the Queen.
She thanked them for their service, and stepped back to allow General Price to continue the proceedings.
“Smith’s Alpha-team,” he began, “were in the wrong place, at the wrong time, when they literally dropped into the beginning of the Midgard war. They were merely going home, after helping to end the Pompeii civil war. At first, they had no choice being there, and simply fought to survive. But as I understand it, when choice was offered, the response was, ‘We go in at the shit end’!”
There was general light laughter across the room. The Queen even smiled. I wondered how he’d found that out.
“And so they did. It’s a rarity to find a Mercenary Unit more professional than sector Marines, but Smith’s Alpha-team is just that. They formed the core of a fighting force which successfully defended a station from boarding, and retook key stations from the enemy during the advance back to Midgard. Each member of the team is awarded the Meritorious Service Cross. Brigadier General Smith, you are further awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Congratulations.”
He passed out the medals in rank order from lowest to highest. They saluted him as a group, bowed to the Queen, and forming up facing me, saluted me as well. I saluted them in return, and shared the pride they all showed. They filed back to their seats.
Annette Bronson was the next to be called. The Queen also thanked her for her service, as did General Price, before she was passed to General Harriman, who awarded her the DFC.
George was next. He was thanked by the Queen, and awarded the DFC by General Price.
I sighed in relief. That was everyo
ne. I could get some sleep now.
Jane was called, by the rank of Colonel, which her insignia showed her to be if you didn’t know her actual rank.
The Queen thanked her for her service, and passed her on to General Price.
“Colonel Jane is a special case. Without her, the defense of Avon would have failed. Without her, our offensive would have fallen at the first hurdle. Without her, Sci-Fi, American, and Australian sectors, would have fallen to the Midgard forces.”
The room was silent, and looking puzzled.
“Colonel Jane was the key to solving a technical issue, which I’m informed, literally pushed the balance of the war in our favour. Admiral Hunter made the intuitive leap which enabled us to perfect a true anti-missile missile system. But it’s Colonel Jane who makes it work.”
He smiled around the room, enjoying the confused looks he was seeing. I grinned at him.
“Your Majesty, Ladies and Gentlemen, Colonel Jane is an Artificial Intelligence, perhaps uniquely the first to, we believe, achieve sentience, and the lynchpin in the defense of all our sectors.”
The bombshell dropped into a shocked audience.
“Hunter Security has recognized her with rank. The Americans rewarded her with a Unit Citation, but the Sci-Fi sector awards her the Distinguished Service Order in her own right.”
I clapped this announcement loudly with a huge grin on my face, and a few seconds later, my team followed my lead enthusiastically. After a brief hesitation, the Americans joined in, and soon the whole room was clapping her.
General Price handed her the medal, they shook and saluted, and she returned to stand behind my chair.
Now I can get some sleep, I thought.
The Queen’s aide called my name.
Jane pushed a shaken me before her, and left me there. The Queen smiled at me again, obviously seeing confusion on my face.
“Admiral Hunter. We’re aware that the American Space Force promoted you to full Admiral before retiring you. Were you a British citizen, and in the British Fleet, we would also be promoting you. Alas, you aren’t. However, we respect this rank and regardless of any other rank you hold, any future role you hold where British Forces are within your command, will have those forces acknowledge you as a full Admiral.”
She paused and looked first at me, then the room as a whole.
“While the British sector no longer has close ties with the Australian sector, the ties once forged when Australia, back on old Earth, was part of the British Commonwealth, have never been abrogated. Consequently, I am able to award a member of the Australian sector military forces with British gallantry awards. Admiral Hunter, you are awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for combat achievements unheard of before. You are further awarded the Distinguished Service Order for outstanding leadership and bravery under fire.”
She paused again, and her grin widened, obviously reacting to my look of complete non-comprehension. Her aide handed her another citation. I looked at it stupidly, wondering what else was even possible.
“Admiral Hunter, for your actions at the second battle for Avon, where you evacuated all personnel from your station, and flew it into battle solo; ensuring that British Forces also present were kept away from the primary danger; and for your total disregard of your own safety in what has been described as an insane act of courage in preventing the enemy from reaching Avon; you are awarded the first Victoria Cross in over one hundred years. Congratulations Admiral.”
The room went crazy as she held out her hand for me to shake it. I was having trouble breathing she could see, such was my complete and total shock.
As she passed me the three medals, she leaned over towards me, and said quietly, “Hold it together for just a little longer, and then you can sleep until dinner time.”
I bowed my head as low as I could, seated as I was. She returned to standing where she’d been, while Marshal Bigglesworth regained control of the room.
General Price stepped forward, and Jane appeared behind me and eased my chair around to face him. She remained standing behind me now, as an aide normally would.
“Vice Admiral Hunter, you are promoted to the rank of Admiral and placed on the inactive list, effective immediately. You are awarded the Sci-Fi sector Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Meritorious Service Cross. Congratulations.”
He held out his hand and I shook it.
“Admiral, Sci-Fi sector consider the single decisive factor in winning the Midgard war, was your leadership of the campaign, where you put your own safety below the safety of those under your command. The Avon system is in your debt. We believe the promotions and medals you have received are insufficient recognition for your actions and achievements. To this end, with the agreement of the Australian sector, ownership of the Midnight system is transferred to you, without sector obligations. Congratulations.”
My jaw fell open in total shock. The room went crazy behind me again. It took Bigglesworth several minutes to regain control.
General Price stepped back, after handing me the medals and the ownership plaque, and once again shaking hands.
General Harriman stepped forward, and Jane moved my chair slightly.
“Vice Admiral Hunter, you are promoted to the rank of Admiral, and retired from the Australian Militia, effective immediately.”
He grinned at me, knowing I’d never been comfortable with him drafting me in the first place.
“Since you weren’t present at the Midgard blockade, and were not formally active with the Australian Militia during the war, the Australian sector is unable to duplicate the medals you have just received. However, since the forces which were at the core of the defense of the Australian sector in the Midnight system were yours, freely offered without being asked, and being your personal assets put at risk for the safety of the sector, the Australian sector has been looking for a suitable reward for your selfless acts. With the agreement of the Sci-Fi sector, ownership of the Bad Wolf system is transferred to you, without sector obligations. Ownership of the Nexus 618 system is also transferred to you without sector obligations, with three conditions, which require your agreement before the transfer can be finalized. Congratulations.”
The room was dead silent now, everyone as stunned as I was. Harriman handed me two ownership plaques and shook my hand. The room burst into applause.
When the room settled down again, the Queen had the last word.
“All hail the hero of the Midgard war.”
There were three loud cheers, the last of which threatened to tear the ceiling loose. Or so it seemed to me. The walls did seem to bulge outward as well. But maybe I wasn’t seeing very well.
Bigglesworth dismissed the gathering, and I was mobbed by my team and Miriam.
Walter accompanied Jane and I back to my suite, where the rest of the team were politely turned away.
“Well Jon,” he said when we were settled in lounge chairs, “it wasn’t easy, but I got you what you wanted.”
I shook my head, not believing what I’d just been through.
“What are the conditions for Nexus?” I asked.
“Australian sector retains ownership of the third asteroid ring, which is currently being mined for the sector. We rely on a lot of the specific minerals found there, which aren’t available in such quantity elsewhere. You agree to unrestricted access to the third ring by Australian sector ships, both government and private.” I nodded. “You also agree to unrestricted and untaxed access to all Australian sector jump points for ships of all kinds, subject to the third condition.”
“Untaxed?”
“Yes Jon. With the exception of activity in the third ring, you can impose what taxes you wish in your space. Without sector obligations means you owe no tax to the Australian or Sci-Fi sectors of any kind. Nor are you bound by either sector’s laws within your own space. Effectively, you now own your own mini sector. It doesn’t contain a habitable planet, but you’ll have two large stations in it, and the be
ginning of your own industry with your shipyard. You’ll need to organize a sector like structure for your space, including its own laws. Do you want to be King?” He laughed as I sat there stunned. “You agree you won’t tax access to the jump points, nor impose any restrictions on access to the Australian systems. You also need to agree to provide adequate security for your space, given Australian sector security is at stake if you fail to.”
“I can agree to all of that.”
“Good. When we return to Sydney, there’ll be an official ceremony where the agreement for Nexus is signed. I’ll inform them of your agreement to the conditions, so everything will be ready when we get there. You should also think about things like non-aggression pacts and sector alliances. You’ll be returning with a fleet which is capable of destroying the whole sector, and a lot of people will want you bound with treaties to ensure you remain a good friend of the Australian sector.”
“I can’t see any problem there. Beyond having a place for a base, I had no other ambitions.”
“One other thing, and I’ll let you have a nap before dinner. I still want to move my HQ to your new station, once it’s ready for habitation. Will that still be possible?”
“No problems at all. Talk to Jane after she moves me to my bed. We’ve done preliminary plans for the new station, and allocated the Australian Militia part of the main docking ring, and a whole space scraper. Jane will give you the plans. You can buy the space or rent it, and fit it out however you wish. It will adjoin Hunter military space which will also have its own space scraper. If you send the plans off to your people now, work can commence as soon as the station gets there, and the base upgrade is complete. It’s an old station, and is going to need a major upgrade to bring it up to modern standards. I have the credits to do the work, it’ll just take several months to do.”
“Great. I’ll leave you to your nap then. See you at dinner. And don’t worry about being on time, we’ll wait for you.”
Hunter Legacy 5 Hail the Hero Page 16
