In the Blink of an Eye
In the Blink of an Eye
Mark Dutkiewicz
Mark Dutkiewicz
2017
Copyright © 2017 by Mark Dutkiewicz
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.
First Printing: 2017
To Mom and Dad,
I only wish you could be here to read these words
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE: DESPERATION
CHAPTER 1: GROWING UP
CHAPTER 2: SAYING GOODBYE
CHAPTER 3: LEAVING EARTH
CHAPTER 4: TRAINING
CHAPTER 5: SECRETS
INTERLUDE: A LETTER TO HOME
CHAPTER 6: SORTIE
CHAPTER 7: TAKING YOUR LUMPS
CHAPTER 8: EARNING YOUR CHOPS
CHAPTER 9: REUNION
CHAPTER 10: MEETING THE CREW
CHAPTER 11: BLITZKRIEG
CHAPTER 12: REFLECTIONS
CHAPTER 13: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
CHAPTER 14: DISTRESS CALL
CHAPTER 15: RESCUE MISSION
CHAPTER 16: INTO THE ABYSS
CHAPTER 17: AMBUSH
CHAPTER 18: PINNED DOWN
CHAPTER 19: STRANDED
CHAPTER 20: NEXT STEPS
CHAPTER 21: MAKING THE BEST OF IT
CHAPTER 22: ON THE PRECIPICE OF DESPAIR
CHAPTER 23: ALONE IN THE DARK
CHAPTER 24: HOMECOMING
CHAPTER 25: CHALLENGES
CHAPTER 26: REVELATIONS
CHAPTER 27: A NEW WEAPON
CHAPTER 28: GETTING A CLOSER LOOK
CHAPTER 29: FRAYING EDGES
INTERLUDE: A MESSAGE FOR LAURA
CHAPTER 30: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR
CHAPTER 31: BEST LAID PLANS
CHAPTER 32: CATASTROPHE
CHAPTER 33: A BATTLE LOST
CHAPTER 34: THE LINE IS DRAWN
CHAPTER 35: BACK TO EARTH
CHAPTER 36: THE GATHERING MIGHT
CHAPTER 37: PRELUDE TO BATTLE
CHAPTER 38: AT ALL COSTS
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
“Forward, the Light Brigade!
“Charge for the guns!” he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson
PROLOGUE:
DESPERATION
The wind blew gently across the warm grassy field. High above, the puffy fat shapes of clouds lazily sailed, casting brief shadows on the peaceful prairie. A bird song sweetly trilled from a tree branch, mingling with the excited laughter of playing children, oblivious of the lightning illuminating the distant horizon. Youthful innocence frolicked, enjoying a day of carefree delight. The lightning grew brighter. It was the most perfect place in the world, filled with the excitement of life. The lightning grew brighter. The laughter turned into running, yelling, screaming. The lightning grew brighter. Screaming…
“Knight!” a static filled voice rang through the man’s ears. “We’ve got three toads bearing zero three point zero two.”
Snapping out of his trance in time to witness in a blink the expanding fireball that was once his wingman, the vision of battle filled Knight’s eyes as the radio belched a cacophony of excited chatter and agonizing screams. Eyes darting about, lapping up the information scrolling across his helmets visor, Knight answered, “Thanks. Didn’t think they’d break through this fast.”
Rolling his sleek fighter, Knight quickly aligned a nearby target. Opening up the ships powerful guns, he threw a volley of glowing slugs which silently tore the alien craft to pieces. Just another notch on his already stacked score card. A small victory added to humanities desperate stand upon Earth’s doorstep. Slowly, but surely, the enemy advanced. It seemed they relished in the cruel slaughter, taking their time to meet out destruction on a personal level. Despite the awesome might of the hulking space cruisers, throwing volley after volley of missiles, cannon fire and blindingly brilliant lances of powerful energy beams, little seemed to deter the enemies’ advancement. Beyond all rationale, Knight couldn’t help but feel as if the destruction of each putrid ship merely spawned two or more of the vile craft. The losses the enemy absorbed were staggering. Hundreds of their war ships had already been destroyed. Tens of hundreds of their star fighters. The violent gesture amounted to no more than a scratch to the massive battle force bearing down on this last line of defense. Intent on cruel slaughter, the armada pressed forward raining destruction on the quickly thinning blockade desperately trying to maintain a tenuous foothold high above the blue white marble known as Earth.
“Okay boys,” Knight barked over the radio, “break into phoenix pattern. Get in close with your guns and give those blood sucking bastards everything you’ve got.”
“Knight, phoenix pattern will leave us open on the flank.”
“If you’ve got a better idea Gunsmoke, now’s the time.” Finessing his craft to lead a charge into the throng of alien star fighters a rapid series of blasts ballooned to the right of his ship. Desperately spinning the plane, turning certain death into a near miss again and again, time seamed to freeze as he blinked.
CHAPTER 1:
GROWING UP
High above the naval academy campus in Annapolis Maryland, the stately flag of the United Earth Commonwealth fluttered in the spring breeze. The shimmering silver laurel encompassing the pristine blue-green globe of Earth on its rippling white surface was very much reminiscent of the now ancient United Nations emblem of days long past. Far below, the main auditorium was packed with onlookers as the year’s commencement ceremonies began winding to a close. Applause and cheers filled the air of the fairgrounds as the speaker waved his arms downward attempting to quiet, or at the very least subdue, the revelry of the excited midshipmen. Clearing his throat, he projected in a strong voice, “Class of twenty-two seventy-three, I don’t think I need to ask you to rise.” An excited roar answered him as the mass of white clad men and women sounded their enthusiasm with laughter, cheers, and whistles. “I propose,” the man continued, “three cheers for our brothers and sisters we leave behind on this day.” Leading the class in a triumphant chant shouting, “Hip-hip hurrah,” thunderous applause followed hats flung high into the air in the centuries-old tradition.
The jovial atmosphere crest as the exuberant graduates passed boastful congratulations about with abandon. Amongst the celebratory crowd, young Jeffery Grant stood a little taller this day, his face beaming with the shared pride of his peers as a newly commissioned ensign in the United Earth Commonwealth Navy. Straightening the pristinely white dress jacket on his lean and powerful frame he wove through the excited mass, occasionally pausing for a hug or handshake. The air was electric as was the smile he flashed at friends while making his way from the auditorium. Yet underneath his elated exterior the slight twinge of disappointment that his father couldn’t attend the ceremony burned.
Jeff wanted to believe it wasn’t his fault. Nobody could choose when they’d be deployed. But his father had tried to talk him out of enlisting. It was the usual spiel of no glory in war which Jeff blithely dismissed. The odds of being involved in combat had all but disappeared seven years ago when the people of Earth decisively drove back their alien harassers. The navy now focused its attention on exploration. Any military activity was comparable to being a glorified police force. But, whether by choice or duty, Jeff wished he could have shared i
n this day. Lost in the daydream and meandering through the crowd he gagged a sour grunt when a large arm pulled him into a powerful bear hug.
“And you said I’d never make it,” a boastful laughing voice chortled into his ear.
“Curtis,” Jeff said pushing himself from the embrace. “I’m surprised they let you in here after what you did to the Commandant.”
The formidable man glared down at him folding his arms across his massive chest. “I’d like to remind you that was your idea,” Curtis accused.
“Yeah,” Jeff drew out the word flashing a sarcastic grin, “but I didn’t get caught.” Turning he added in a laughing sing-song cadence, “and I never will,” before stuffing his hands innocently into his pockets. Adopting a childlike look of self-gratification, he began to stroll away.
A smile as wide as he was tall split Curtis’ face. With a few quick steps the large man caught up delivering a hefty slap to Jeff’s back. The powerful nudge threw Jeff off balance and Curtis chuckled in amusement. Not to be outdone, Jeff delivered a swift elbow to the large man’s ribs in reply producing a satisfying grunt.
“Well Ensign Grant,” Curtis said rubbing his side, “why don’t we go and get us some drinks to celebrate. Laura was saying just this morning, though I can’t imagine why, how nice it would be to get together.”
“She’s just upset that she married you before meeting me,” Jeff teased, “but I can’t. My Mom came out for the ceremony and she wants to grab the first transport back home.” Jeff sighed adding, “Washington is a long way from Annapolis. And the country life settles into you after a while. I think she gets a little nervous in crowds now. Too used to the quiet life I guess.
“That or she misses Dad. He’s been deployed near the outer rim for almost two months now. She doesn’t like missing messages from him.” Smiling he continued, “As if she can actually talk with him,” mock exasperation tinging his voice, “he’s over ten light years from here. It’ll take at least five hours before she’d get a response. And that’s if he has the time to do it right when he gets it.”
“All right, all right, but you need to promise me we get those drinks before we ship out. Laura really does want to see you.” Looking about as if afraid to be overheard Curtis added quietly, “and scuttle says they’re only giving us two weeks leave.”
“Two weeks!” The news stopped Jeff in shock. Outrage caressed his voice as he spread his arms in confusion, “It’s always been a month! Even back when they were graduating anyone who wouldn’t shoot himself in the foot it was a month…” Trailing off Jeff narrowed his eyes throwing a knowing glare at his friend. “You almost had me there,” he laughed. “There’s no way they’d rush us out that fast.”
A sober look painted Curtis’ face. “I’m serious, overheard the Commandant talking to one of his aides while cooling my heels outside his office. No thanks to you for that.”
Crossing his arms Jeff ignored the accusation saying, “You are serious.” Licking his lips, he tilted his head back musing, “Wonder why they want to fast track us out to the fleet?”
“Anxious to beat up on the new guy’s maybe? Ah, I can’t imagine any reason they’d do it. It’s gotta be good whatever it is. Just promise me we get together before then, okay?”
Stuffing his hands back in his pockets, Jeff feigned a sulky pout saying, “Okay, okay, I promise.” Looking up at his friend’s broad face Jeff smiled. “But you’re hosting and Laura’s cooking. If I have to spend an evening looking at your mug I expect to be well fed.”
Curtis exploded with a loud guffaw. “You always drive such a hard bargain?”
“What can I say,” Jeff said. “Your wife can cook.”
“It’s a deal then,” Curtis said happily. Thrusting his hand out his dark paw crushed Jeff’s in a handshake as if sealing a bet.
“Jeff, oh Jeff, over here,” a lilting voice called from across the crowd.
Jeff threw a look over his shoulder a touch of a blush tinging his cheeks. “And there’s Mom.” Turning his attention back to Curtis he said, “I’ll get in touch with you in a couple days.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Around a smile that now seemed permanently affixed to his face Jeff said, “
Good day to you Mister Johnson.”
“And to you Mister Grant.”
Not wanting to keep his mother waiting any longer, Jeff turned trotting the short distance his smile only growing wider at the sight of her. Standing with hands folded wearing an airy pastel dress; Linda Grant was slender and vibrant in appearance. A touch of grey showing in her auburn hair was the only hint of her middle years. The grin gracing her face outdid Jeff’s radiating a youthful vigor. She gazed lovingly on her son as he trotted the final meters before wrapping his arms around her in a tender hug.
“My, aren’t you just the most handsome boy I ever did know,” she said pushing him back to arm’s length, her nose wrinkling a bit as if in distaste. Fussing with his jacket’s high collar she said, “All spit and polish and ready to grab life by the horns. You remind me of your father.”
Jeff blushed at her adulations and pulled her back into a hug. “You look pretty great yourself Mom.”
“Oh, I missed you Jeff,” her voice sounded breathy as he squeezed her. “Your brothers do too. Though the way Alex talks you wouldn’t know it. You know how he is about the military. But I did notice he had the video feed queued before we left. He tries so hard to hide it, but no matter what, I know he loves you and is begrudgingly proud of you too.”
“Alex just needs to grow up.”
“Speak for yourself mister,” she politely admonished. “You’re no saint, and I can still see that little gleam in your eye.” A sweet laugh caressed him as she once more pushed from the embrace. “My little prankster. Always up to something. I don’t think you’re ever going to grow up either.”
“I never could hide anything from you,” Jeff laughed.
“Well, we can’t stand here all day.” Taking his arm, she steered him towards the visitors parking at a leisurely pace. “RJ already has your things. He’ll probably be wondering what’s taking us. Everyone’s excited you’re coming home. Just the other day RJ was telling me Stacy Lopez was practically shaking with excitement to see you.”
“Still has a crush on me huh?” Jeff said fondly. “Little Stacy Lopez. When did RJ see her?”
“She works at the store now. She was so worked up over it she got the whole town buzzing as if you’re some sort of hero. I’m sure everyone’s going to want to say hi.”
“Well, they better make it quick. I’m shipping out in two weeks.”
“Two weeks!” Astonishment covered Linda’s face as she suddenly stopped. “It’s always been a month!”
“That’s what Curtis said.”
The sound of her tongue clicking spoke what she thought of that. “Curtis is pulling your leg; you should know that! Another mischief maker who acts remarkably like you. And I never thought they’d make a copy.”
“He’s serious Mom. I didn’t believe him at first either, but…the look on his face sold it. Said he overheard the Commandant talking about it. And I don’t think I’ve ever heard him joke around about leave. He’s always anxious to see Laura. I don’t know how she does it.”
“Well,” disappointment tinged her voice, “I guess we’ll just have to make do.” Looking up at him with another smile, she wrapped an arm around his waist as they continued walking.
“So how’s Dad, I haven’t heard from him in a while?”
“You know your father; he’s been grouchy ever since he got called back. You should have heard him when he left. ‘Stupid effing Styles dragging me on some wild goose chase to the ass end of eternity,’ grumble, grumble, grumble,” her sweet voice attempted to imitate his father Russell. “ ‘Haven’t heard a peep out of the Drac for seven effing years.’ ” Linda sighed resting her head on Jeff’s shoulder. “I still think he should have retired, though he’d be impossible to live with if he had
nothing to do all day. I can’t recall how many times I told him he could be a civilian pilot. Or be a consultant. But, he’s a career navy man. I can’t change that, and shouldn’t have tried. It just wasn’t fair of me. I get him most of the time now anyway so what’s a three-month cruise.” Giggling quietly, she added, “This time I’m not so upset about it. He hasn’t seemed to be happy lately unless he’s bitching about something.”
Jeff laughed at that. “Are you feeling okay? Dad’s always bitching about something.”
“Oh, he’s not that bad. Not normally anyway. He was pretty irate last night though. Complained that they should have been well on their way home by now and saying, ‘the boy graduates and I get to sit on my hands staring at grids and reports.’ He’s proud of you baby,” she said squeezing his arm sympathetically. “I’ll bet he’s jumping in his chair with excitement waiting for the video feed to come through.”
A quick guffaw escaped Jeff’s lips. “If there’s one thing I can’t see Dad doing,” he said shaking his head, “it’s jumping in his chair. He was always pretty stern and serious. Not to mention he didn’t seem too keen on my joining the service to begin with.”
“You’d be surprised what you don’t know about your father,” a sweet playful giggle caressed Linda’s throat politely correcting him.
The remainder of the walk was spent in relative silence the two of them choosing instead to simply enjoy each other’s company. As they approached the parking lot, a noticeable sound of laughter began drifting across the air. The source wasn’t difficult the find. In fact, it was coming from his older brother RJ who was leaning on the cars fender involved in a spirited conversation with the limo driver. No doubt, Jeff thought, he was feeding the man stories about Jeff’s childhood. He was the first to admit he’d gotten into some interesting predicaments. Some of the pranks he’d pulled had become legendary in the small town where he’d grown up. The fat driver must have enjoyed whatever RJ was saying. The man was howling.
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