Chapter 48. Nova Vista 1230, 25 July
The two accused and their partners were in an Italian restaurant called Renata’s in downtown Nova Vista. It was an old haunt of Dave’s. He knew the owner Tony Sparetti from the days when he was Lt at junior staff college. Tony was a lot older now but claimed he couldn’t afford to retire. When Dave walked in Tony recognised him straight away. He gave them the quietest table, though with the lunch time trade that didn’t mean much.
After the pasta came, the conversation turned to the plea bargain deal. Sue and Rihan knew the outline but it was the implications that they were all concerned about.
“So let me get this right” said Rihan “you both get demoted and assigned to the Orion sector for two years.”
“Yep that’s it in a nut shell” said Art.
“Well I can live with your demotion” said Rihan to Dave. And with a smile she added “it puts me on an equal footing.”
Dave just gave back a weak smile.
“Yeah no big deal from me either” said Sue. “But what’s so wrong about the Orion assignment.”
“You’re kidding” said Art. “The Orion sector is the most deadly boring sector. Nothing ever happens there and we’ll be escorting transports ad nauseam for two whole years. We only get four weeks break and it will take a month to warp to Klaster. So we won’t get back to see you for two whole years.”
“Oh really” said Sue “that’s not fair.”
“Well I don’t want to go back to Klaster” said Rihan. “I don’t want to be separated again … certainly not for two years.”
That struck like a clanger and no one spoke for a while.
“Look we can meet half way and have a week together during our leave period” said Dave. “It’ll be tough but we don’t have much choice here.”
“No that’s not good enough Dave” said Rihan. “I’m going to signal Pious and see if he can help me get a posting in the Orion sector.”
“Me too” said Sue.
Dave looked to gauge Art’s reactions but Art was still digesting what had been said. Finally Dave spoke “OK then but we have to give our answer this afternoon and you won’t get a reply back from Pious for at least two days let alone any word about an alternative posting.”
Rihan knew that would be the case. She was mulling things over in her mind. She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again. “OK, take the plea and I’ll have to take my chances on the alternate posting.”
Sue looked to Art and said “Same here. What do you reckon darling?”
Art looked at each of them in turn ending with Sue. “I’m worried about your health Sue. Perhaps you should try and stay here. The Orion sector’s full of pretty bleak places. Great for mining but not much else and most of that is on pretty inhospitable planets.”
“You’re sweet” she said with a smile as she stroked her palm over his right cheek. “But I’d rather be on some inhospitable planet with you than back here all by myself.”
“Oh alright then it’s settled” said Art. Sue gently stroked Art’s cheek with her hand and blew him a kiss. Art smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“Where will you be based?” asked Rihan.
“Not sure” said Dave. “We haven’t been told. But the home base for that sector is Raleigh in the Rigel system.”
“You ever been there?” asked Sue.
Dave looked to Art and they both grinned. “Yeah we were both there on a training exercise for special ops.”
“And…?”
“Nothing.” said Dave.
“Come on tell us” asked Sue.
“He doesn’t want to tell you” interrupted Art. “He’s a bit embarrassed.”
“Really!” said Rihan. “I’m all ears honey.”
“I’ll let Art tell you” said Dave. Then he raised his voice and called out “Tony more wine!”
Art rubbed his hand together and smiled gleefully. “Well once upon a time there was a stupid marine….”
Half an hour later, Rihan poured the last drop into Art’s glass as he concluded “and so poor ol’ Dave had to leave town real quick.”
Sue was cacking herself laughing. Rihan was all smiles too. Dave just opened his palms out with an expression that said ‘well what could I do’. Art gave him a wack on the back for good measure and then took a little bow for his performance.
There was a pause while everyone gathered their thoughts. Then Dave announced “I’d better ring Lauder and let him know our decision before we get too drunk.” The others nodded and Dave got up to go outside and make the call where it was a little quieter.
“Lauder” said Jimmy.
“It’s your soon to be Commander Warner here Jimmy” said Dave.
“I take it you’re accepting the plea deal?”
“Yep. But I need you to find out where we will be based within the Orion sector. Can you do that for me?”
“I’ll ask but I may not be told. Why is it important?” asked Jimmy but then he answered his own question “Oh you want to get your partners assigned to the Orion sector.”
“Correct.”
“Best I be discreet then. There is an Alliance rep on the board. We don’t want them making life too difficult for you.”
“Thanks Jimmy. When do you think you can find out?”
“I’ll try and find out this afternoon and get back to you.”
Chapter 49. Nova Vista 1615, 25 July
“Captain I mean Commander Warner” hailed Jimmy Lauder.
“It’s official then?” asked Dave.
“As of five minutes ago. The Hermes will get its new orders to return to Polaris tomorrow. They’ll be here in two weeks. They’re going to take the opportunity to give her a minor refit in the ensuing two weeks. Then you’ll be shipping out for Raleigh. That’s where you’ll be based. You’ll get your formal orders tomorrow when you front the board. Make sure you are in full uniform with your new badges of rank at 1000. My assistant will collect you.”
“The formal dressing down?”
“Something like that. Our Alliance rep needs to see that justice has been served.”
“Has Art been told?”
“Not yet.”
“I’ll do it.”
“OK I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Thanks Jimmy.”
Dave hung up and Rihan asked “Well?”
“We’re heading for Raleigh in four weeks.”
“OK then. After I get this signal off to Pious we are going to have the best holiday we’ve ever had.”
“Well that won’t be hard it will be our first holiday together.”
“That’s not the right spirit my darling” chastised Rihan and Dave gave her a big smile.
Part 3
Penance
The wrong is done and the price must be paid
You can regret all you like but don’t look dismayed
The thing is now to accept your karma
Put in the time and do your dharma
Yes it’s deadly dull and nothing’s happening
Tedium abounds and the incompetence is maddening
But play it cool and play it straight
Make space for grace to clean the slate
Chapter 1. Nova Vista 1520, 27 July
Dave finished his coffee, lay back in the lounge chair of their apartment and gazed out at the spaceport in the distance. “Honey I’ve been meaning to ask you something but I don’t want to upset you.”
“Is this about us having kids?” said Rihan.
“Well yes. How did you know that?”
“I know you pretty well now” and she placed her left hand on his right and stroked it. “The doctors say there’s nothing untoward. I can still have kids.”
Dave refrained from interjecting with ‘But?’ and instead looked into her eyes.
“But I’m just not sure about getting pregnant again straight away.” She scrutinised Dave’s expression to see if he was disappointed. Dave did his level best to avoid lookin
g disappointed. He had thought about this for a while now and while he really would like to start a new family he valued his relationship with Rihan more.
“That’s OK Honey. I understand.”
“Thank you Dave. Just give me some time” and she kissed his cheek.
Chapter 2. Nova Vista 1400, 9 August
Commander Warner waited at Bay 35 for his XO to come through the terminal doors. The Hermes had been on the deck now for over 20 minutes. There she was. Aubrey saw Dave and he waved. He went over to join her. He wasn’t sure about the reception he would get.
She saluted him. “How are you Sir?” she asked.
He saluted back. “I’m fine Aubrey. More importantly, how are you?”
“Not too bad Sir. Pretty uneventful trip. Looking forward to a bit of leave. That hasn’t been cancelled has it Sir?”
“Not at all.”
She glanced at his badge of rank. “I see you’ve been formally busted.”
“Yes. Karma for my transgressions. I disobeyed an order and it cost the life of two good people.”
She noted his frank admission. She was impressed. Many others would have dodged and weaved. She had already made her objections to him at the time of his decision so she decided to leave it there. “So what’s this new assignment?”
“They didn’t tell you?”
“No” she said a little wary.
“Let’s go get a coffee” and they made their way to the nearest coffee stop in the terminal.
A few minutes later they had ordered their brew and Aubrey was trying to read Dave’s expression. “It’s bad isn’t it Sir?”
“Not so much bad as dull. We’ve been reassigned to the Orion sector.”
Aubrey’s initial reaction was disappointment. Dave noted the weak scowl that formed involuntarily but saw it quickly disappear. She thought for a moment before asking “escort duty?”
Dave nodded.
“Oh well we could do with an easy time. How long for?”
“Two years” Dave said hesitantly.
The scowl came back big time and she rolled her head back in obvious disappointment. “So the whole crew is being punished?”
“Yes that’s how I read it too. I tried to get it changed but there was no way.”
She took a deep breath in. “We don’t deserve this.”
“I realise that but there is nothing I can do about it.”
The coffee came and they drank it in silence.
“The crew aren’t going to like this” Aubrey said with real concern on her face. “One minute their heroes and now they are being banished to the backwaters for two years.”
Dave couldn’t add anything so he just nodded in reply. He could see Aubrey’s concentration. Then he noted a look of resolve on her face. “A lot can happen in two years” she said. “I think I can live with it. But I’m not married or have any kids. It’s going to be real tough on those that are.”
“Give me a list of those and I’ll see if we can arrange for transfers.”
“Better ask them first Sir. Some might like the idea” and she gave a half smile.
“Thanks Aubrey I will do so. Best if we do this now. What do you reckon?”
She nodded and added “rather you than me.”
They headed back to Bay 35 and the crew Dave must face.
Chapter 3. Hermes 1500, 9 August
The entire crew, all 70 of them were crammed into the briefing room. It was a very tight fit. They listened quietly as Dave explained the new assignment. As with Aubrey there were no audible comments when they heard the destination. But there was a collective sigh when told that it would be for 2 years. Private conversations started breaking out.
“Please let me say this” said Dave in a louder voice “I am truly sorry. This assignment is because of my decisions. I am to blame.”
“Well that’s all well and good Sir you taking the blame but my wife won’t stand for this Sir” called out Cpl Jason Firth. “We’ve been apart for the last six months and now you say it’s going to be another two years.”
“Same here Sir” said Pte Alison Jolo. “It’s hard enough at the best of times keeping a relationship together. My Pete’s not going to become a monk. I know him too well.”
“We will try and get the Personnel Department” said Dave “to arrange transfers for those of you in established relationships. Please see the XO after this meeting. I can’t guarantee anything but we will try.”
Dave looked to Aubrey and she called out “OK all those who want to apply for a transfer over here. The rest of you are dismissed. Oh and one more thing leave starts at 1600 for everyone other than the assigned skeleton crew.”
The last statement about leave refocussed most people’s attention onto something positive. Dave watched as most left the briefing room. There was only seven in the line in front of Aubrey. Dave breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. He knew he had around 20 crew members who were registered in relationships. He had thought most of these would have wanted a transfer.
He saw Val at the end of the queue exiting and he called her over.
“Yes Sir?”
“I thought you would have been applying for a transfer Val.”
“Not much point really Sir. Cheryl left me some time ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that Val.”
“Me too. This is one brutal career.”
Dave nodded. He felt bad that he hadn’t known about their split up. “Yes it can be Val. So why did you choose your career over your relationship?”
“It wasn’t so much a conscious decision. I’d been in the service well before I met Cheryl. It was what I did. She wanted me to resign but I couldn’t face being a land lubber. It was good for two years but the last year since the war began. That was tough, too tough for her to wait anymore. There are a lot of good looking women in this city Sir” and Val gave Dave a smile.
“Too right” said Dave “and one of them is mine.”
“How is Rihan Sir?”
“Wonderful.”
“You two are made for each other. My advice is do whatever it takes to keep her satisfied.”
“That’s a tall order” and Dave smiled.
By this time Aubrey had taken down the details of those wanting a transfer. “How did it go?” asked Dave.
“Five definite and two who want to stay but they want to see if we can help get their partners posted into the Orion sector.”
“OK can you pass these onto Personnel and ask them to hurry as we only have a few weeks.”
“Sure.”
“Who’s the officer remaining with the skeleton crew?”
“Who do you think?”
“No that’s not right Aubrey. You’ve been in command now for weeks. You need a break.” He then hailed for all officers to come back to the briefing room. When they arrived he said “Look we’re here for just fourteen days and there are seven of us officers. We need to draw up a roster for the duty officer. Each of you has to pull two days duty. I’ll do the first two days starting tomorrow. If you can’t agree on dates then the XO decides. Is that understood?”
They didn’t like it but none thought it unfair. After five minutes of bartering Aubrey had the list finished and the others departed.
“Thanks Sir” said Aubrey. “I appreciate that.”
“My pleasure Aubrey. So what are you going to do with your time off.”
“What all single girls do” she said with wry smile.
“Right” said Dave “Good luck then.”
Chapter 4. Nova Vista 1000, 12 August
Dave opened the door to their apartment carrying his overnight pack. He threw it on the floor next to the couch and looked for Rihan. But she wasn’t anywhere in the apartment. He hailed her “Where are you?”
“Oh hi honey. I’ve just picked up my new posting instructions and am waiting for my briefing. How’s my duty officer?”
“Tired. But my duty’s done and I want my woman.”
“I’m sorry but
you’re going to have to wait. I could be here for hours. There must be a dozen other officers here waiting for their briefing.”
“So what did you get?”
“They offered me two choices – XO aboard the Chicago or Ops Officer at Raleigh HQ.”
“Nice postings both of them. That Pious has come up trumps.”
“Sure has. So guess which one I chose.”
“I’ll get into trouble here. Just tell me honey.”
“I chose the Ops Officer because it’s shore based and will maximise our time together.”
“You are truly a generous soul Rihan. I love you.”
“Ditto darling. Oh and Sue’s going to Raleigh HQ too. She’s going to be working in the Intel staff. She says she can’t work out why they thought she would be suitable for intel work after Tindel. But I explained to her that she’ll be more an analyst than an operative. So she went along with it. She’s finished her briefing already but keeping me company while I wait.”
“That’s wonderful. Art will be pleased.”
Chapter 5. Nova Vista 2000, 23 August
“It’s been wonderful” said Rihan. She stretched out from her lounge chair and gave Dave’s bum a gentle nudge with her toe. He was on his knees leaning over trying to stuff one more item into his trunk. He remained focused and finally was able to close the trunk.
He turned around triumphant and sat upright with his back to the trunk. “Yes it has. But all good things come to an end.”
“What time are you leaving in the morning?”
“I get the shuttle to the space port at 0815. It’s a real pity that you couldn’t come with us. Stupid really but who am I to question the wisdom of Fleet logistics.”
“Don’t worry honey, I’ll be right behind you.”
“Yeah, but it’s another five weeks apart.”
“Are you done packing?”
“Yeah why?”
She stood and held her hand out to him. “Come on I want my five weeks’ worth in advance.”
“Oh boy, looks like we’re going to be up all night then.”
Redemption: Book 2 of Warner's World Page 15
