In the Blink of an Eye

by Mark Dutkiewicz

  “Tell me about it.” Taking a sip of his coffee James closed his eyes leaning back with a groan. Looking up at her he smiled. “The worst part is I remember the piss poor paperwork he’d drop on my desk. I am not looking forward to wading through that again.”

  Joanne laughed, “Maybe you can ask him to decipher it.”

  James almost spit out his coffee. “That might be even worse.” Leaning forward on the table he added, “Thanks Apple. You always did know how to cheer me up.”

  “Not always.” She smiled reaching out to place her hand on his.

  Losing himself in her eyes, James moved to entwine his fingers with hers. He wasn’t sure how long they stared at one another before noticing the din of conversation in the room had subsided. The sound of the rooms hatch hissing closed pulled his attention and he chuckled, “Would you get a look at that.”

  Turning to follow his gaze Joanne suppressed a guffaw. “He looks like my cousin after his wedding night!”

  Hair in disarray, wearing a rumpled untucked shirt, Jeff carried probably the most haggard appearance James had ever seen. He hadn't not bothered to tie his boots or don his duty jacket and his eyes were so blood shot they practically glowed. Rubbing his temple, he stifled a yawn while gingerly crossing the room. Nearly every head in the crowd followed his dirge like procession towards the coffee stand as whispered conversation erupted at every table. Slowly and methodically, Jeff secured a cup and was soon shuffling towards the two of them. Collapsing, more than sitting in a chair, he leaned forward groaning, “What the hell happened last night?” Dropping his head into his palms he blew out a ragged breath. “The last thing I remember is…a shuttle…maybe. Care to fill me in?”

  “Well—” James drew out, “do you want the nice version? Or the Truth?”

  “Nice version,” Jeff whispered sipping his coffee.

  “In that case,” Joanne quipped, “You got shitfaced and Commander Thomas tucked you in.”

  James made a hissing sound at her while slicing at his throat trying to shut her up. Jeff didn’t seem to notice and only chuckled, “Good one App's. What really happened?”

  Joanne began to open her mouth but James cut in before she could say a word. “As soon as you pulled about to go…” he hesitated, not wanting to bring Curtis up, settling on, “to go back, Styles immediately launched a search and rescue shuttle. From what I understand, he was furious about the delay. Anyway, I was sweating through my flight suit trying to keep you covered. And thankfully Mako had already landed. I don't want to think what kind of cluster fuck we'd have been in if she were still out there. It was pretty hairy, but thankfully Apple and Gunsmoke showed up just as the auto eject was throwing you clear of the fur ball. Gave us one shot at swooping in to draw off the toads. After that it was a race to get back to Victoria before she jumped. It was dumb luck the Drac pulled enough support back to guard the cannon ship allowing us to get out clean. Well, mostly clean. The fleet took a pounding.

  “Once we got back you were pissed and there was no talking to you. A couple of the guys were holding you back from getting into another razor when Sparkplug tried to pull his hard ass routine and put you in your place. That's when Mako got there and gave you a hand breaking free.” James hesitated a moment before continuing, “You knocked the old guy out. After that the only person who could get near you was Mako, and thankfully she seemed more interested in getting hammered, by you and a bottle. You reluctantly agreed after some more heated words and stormed off with her.”

  Jeff groaned as James gave him an abbreviated version of the rest of the night, his shoulders slumping as each sordid detail emerged. James cut the story off where he’d left Jeff literally. Sitting across the table from Commander Thomas, a half empty bottle a whisky between the two of them and what James himself thought was going to be an interesting tale surrounding the remainder of that evening.

  “You, left me there? With her?”

  “Mako needed tending to,” James defended. And in the commander’s defense, she was surprisingly pleasant and understanding.”

  Jeff coughed a raspy laugh. “I’m surprised I didn’t wake up in the brig.” Groaning he added, “I can’t wait for this conversation.” As if Jeff merely mentioning the coming act was a summons the XO herself arrived. Noticeably cleaned up, and unsurprisingly accompanied by Emily, she stood inside the hatch scanning the compartment. Jeff seemed to catch James’ stare and stole a quick glance himself. Grabbing his coffee, he began to get up. “I should really call my family. More importantly, I should really call Laura.”

  “Too late Knight,” Joanne laughed when she also caught sight of Kami, “she’s got you in her sights.”

  ***

  Dejectedly, Jeff slumped back into his seat. His head was killing him and a conversation with Kami fucking Thomas was the last thing he wanted to have. Bending his head, he starred down at the coffee before him. Like a school boy that had forgotten his homework, he made himself as small as he could, attempting to hide in hopes that Kami would just walk past. No such luck. He caught sight of his table mates stirring at the edge of his vision. Kami’s voice waved them down and her footsteps stopped right behind him.

  “Commander Grant,” she said quietly, “we need to talk.”

  Squeezing his eyes shut he groaned quietly. He thought he heard a soft giggle from Emily. There goes whatever advantage he had with the XO. Taking a deep breath in preparation for the oncoming attack, he slowly he turned his body, lifting his head to face his fire haired enemy. Surprisingly, the all too familiar scowl she seemed to save particularly for him wasn’t present. And neither was Emily. Taking a quick guarded glance about, he found her across the room at the coffee bar.

  “Is there a problem Commander?” Kami asked in an uncommonly pleasant tone.

  “No, just really don’t know what to say to you,” he said with an edge to his voice while turning back to stare at his coffee.

  Crossing her arms under her breasts, Kami stared down at him. A momentary flash of heat crossed her eyes, but other than that, no outward sign of irritation showed. Closing her eyes, she shook her head saying, “I know you’ve been through a lot, so…take some time to get your head straight.”

  “No fight in you today Commander?” he rasped cutting a sour glance at her from the corner of his eye. “Or is there a sliver of humanity in your heart and you feel some sort of guilt for throwing us in that meat grinder?”

  “You don’t remember last night do you?” Kami’s voice sounded almost sympathetic.

  “Only that my best friend is dead and you pushed the plan that put him there.”

  There was a generous stretch of silence before Kami answered him. “You’re right Commander,” there was no mistaking her tone this time, “You’re absolutely right.”

  Surprised by her sincerity, Jeff looked back at her in shock. A hint of what he could only call a smile caressed her lips. Opening his mouth, whatever words he was going to use became stuck in his throat. His mind was doing backflips attempting to process exactly what was happening. Before he could settle on anything to say Emily walked over handing Kami a cup of coffee. Adding to his confusion, the small woman flashed him her usual smile and winked at him.

  Leaning over she tenderly placed a hand on his shoulder. “Get some rest Jeff.” She truly was smiling at him now. Straightening, she thanked Emily for the coffee and turned to leave the room.

  Dumbfounded by Kami’s uncharacteristic display of sympathy he watched her stroll down the aisle of tables. Her step carried a hitch that, to him at least, looked as if she were slightly rolling her hips in some kind of sultry tease while covering it with her typical conservative stride. Slowly turning to stare at his friends as she disappeared through the hatch he said, “What was that…” before trailing off.

  With eyes closed, James was smiling and shaking his head. Shooting a look over at Emily, she quietly laughed behind a hand saying, “You’re going to have to ask her.”

  Joanne wasn’t any help eith
er. “I don’t know anything,” she defended raising her hands. The mischievous glint in her eye told him the lie that it was.

  Grunting in frustration Jeff excused himself. His headache abruptly took a back seat to the mystery of Kami’s odd behavior. The woman frustrated him, and though speaking with her was far from high on his list of priorities, something burned in him begging for an answer. Jumping to his feet, he all but raced from the wardroom in an effort to catch up with her. Bursting into the passage, he quickly scanned the length finding no trace of the XO. Grabbing two fistfuls of hair on the back of his head he groaned sourly. Where could she be? The bridge? A quick glance at wall panel told him no. Rounds then, inspections, section chiefs. Bitch could be anywhere.

  “You look lost Commander,” a young yeoman startled him.

  Turning quickly to face the diminutive assailant of his nerves Jeff quickly asked, “Have you seen Commander Thomas?” A knowing grin began to form on the young woman’s face. That was becoming increasingly irritating. Did everyone on the ship know something he didn’t? Before the yeoman could answer the PA rang out summoning Kami to the captain’s office. Two decks up, he could make it. Jeff blurted out, “Thanks,” quickly before launching into a sprint towards the nearest lift.

  Jabbing the button by the elevator door, Jeff danced there a moment impatiently waiting. Too long, where’s the nearest ladderwell? Off to the races again he stumbled on an errant shoelace. He really should have laced up his boots. Taking the steps in bounds Jeff soon found himself on the executive deck. Darting down the hall he almost slipped rounding the last corner and stumbled into a forward leaning gate. Kami was just approaching Styles’ office hatch, and he was dangerously close to making a face plant into the deck. Awkwardly regaining his balance, he had just enough time to skid to a halt at the threshold.

  “Jeff,” Kami squeaked taking a step back.

  “What’s, ah…what’s going on Commander?” Jeff asked, attempting a nonchalant pose by leaning against the bulkhead. “You said we needed to talk.”

  “Now’s not a good time Jeff,” she said while pressing the call button.

  “What do you mean now’s not a good time? You’ve never had a problem screaming at me in front of everyone be…you just called me Jeff.”

  “That is your name isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but—” Jeff was cut short as Styles voice calling, “Enter,” rang through the intercom.

  “Later flyboy.” Kami smiled before opening the hatch. Jeff followed closely on her heels as she stepped into the room.

  “Grant,” Styles said in surprise, “I thought you'd be sleeping off your hangover. Just as well, you need hear this too. We're being called back to Earth.”

  “I, don’t…understand Sir. How's going home urgent news? Considering I'm grounded it sounds more like a relief. Not to say that Skid isn't capable of handling the duty.”

  “You’re not grounded Commander,” Styles grunted earnestly, “not anymore anyway. I understand what you’re going through, but we don’t have time for any hand holding.”

  “Captain,” Kami protested, “if we're being recalled to Earth, then I don't see why the commander can't be given time to grieve. This was a tragic loss he suffered. Not only for him, but the entire flight wing. I believe it would be wise to give him the time.”

  “Ideally I would agree, but seeing as we just summarily got our asses kicked we don’t have the luxury. I’ve just received a report that a Drac scout ship was intercepted and destroyed by the Orbital Defense Network. Apparently some weak kneed captain panicked during yesterday’s operation. Instead of jumping to the rendezvous point, the ship proceeded directly to Earth.”

  “Are you certain?” Kami questioned. “I mean, is the report confirmed? I can’t imagine something this important being transmitted over open channels.”

  Apparently anticipating the question, Styles held up the report folder showing the unmistakable torn seal of the Intelligence Department. Dropping the package back to the desk he continued, “It’s possible the bastards blindly stumbled upon the coordinates. There was a lot of confusion during the battle. But Command isn’t willing to chance it, and President Mintz has ordered a full planetary evacuation”

  “I’m still at a loss Sir,” Kami protested again. “If we’re being called back to provide cover for an evacuation, one more pilot isn’t going to make much difference. There are more than enough ships in the fleet to make short work of ferrying everyone off Earth.”

  “Admiral Caloway has sequestered nearly three quarters of the fleet and is going to mount a direct assault on the Drac Armada leaving us with what remains of our battle group. This pittance we’re left with, and whatever tired pigs still in orbit back home, are all we have to maintain a defensive front. I’m going to need every stick I can get.”

  “Captain.” Kami was growing agitated. “A force that size should buy us ample breathing room to establish our position. Surely Jeff won’t be missed for a day or—”

  “Dammit Kami we don’t have a day or two!” Styles shouted rising from the chair; his hand producing a sharp crack as he slapped the desktop. The gaunt man stared her down like a child, his nostrils flaring in anger. “It appears there’s some truth to the scuttle,” he continued testily. “And apparently what happened has addled your mind. You are my XO, not some flighty scatterbrained girl. Your personal feelings have no place here!” Drawing back, the captain moderated his tone, if seething as opposed to shouting could be called moderate. “I blame myself,” his voice rasped harshly. “I should have transferred one of you jack holes as soon as I realized what was going on. Now I'm stuck with you two, and instead of arguing with each other you're drooling on each other. At least when you were at each other’s throats you had enough sense to do your Goddamned jobs! I'm disgusted by your display, and embarrassed that this crap happened on my ship.”

  Defensively, Jeff threw fists to his hips and in a cross tone admonished, “Captain, I haven’t the slightest clue about what happened last night. And I can assure you I’m not drooling over Thomas. But you’re the one who demanded we work our shit out, and now that the iceberg the bitch calls a heart starts to thaw you call her out on it?”

  “You're out of line Mister!” Styles grated turning his icy stare upon Jeff. “And I can’t believe your head is shoved so far up your ass you can’t see things for what they are.”

  “Sir—”

  “Shut it!” Styles barked signaling he was quite finished with the conversation. Jeff thought better than to press the matter and quietly ground his teeth. Returning his gaze to Kami Styles ordered, “Get your ass to the bridge and relieve Mister Flores. I want this fleet mobilized within the hour. As for you Grant, I expect the squadrons to be ready for combat in that time. Deployment details should already be waiting for you on your desk. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Captain,” Kami attempted in an uncommonly meek tone. Styles didn’t allow her to finish forcefully repeating, “Do-I-make-my-self-clear?”

  Jeff muttered, “Yes Sir,” echoed by Kami. The captain snorted once before dismissing them, and after paying respects, Jeff was shuffling from the room on Kami's heals. The XO immediately set a determined pace for the bridge. Jeff hesitated a moment, torn between duty and personal questions. Curiosity winning out, he beat a healthy pace to catch up asking what was going on.

  “Now’s not the time Commander,” Kami said sternly.

  “Fuck that,” he argued. “Something fucking happened last night and I want to know what.”

  “Some things are better left unsaid until you’ve had time to collect yourself,” the woman seethed while rounding a corner. She must have been directing the look of an oncoming warhead as any deck hand in the hall immediately dove for cover on her approach.

  “Bullshit Kami! Let’s hear it!”

  “I suggest you go someplace and calm down. You have a squadron to ready for action and I have a fleet to wrangle. Much more pressing needs than answering the questions of an alco
holic CAG.”

  “Now we’re getting somewhere,” Jeff announced almost triumphantly, “but you’re still dodging. So, out with it Thomas. You’ve never hesitated to give me the rough side of your tongue for far less than getting hammered. And I can’t believe you’re just being nice to me because of Curtis.” Kami missed a step after that, he was getting close. “Ah-ha! I saw that. Something else did happen.”

  “You were a drunk fool last night,” Kami threw back with a bite.

  “That all you got TAT? Petty insults?”

  “I’d rather not talk about it out here Commander.”

  Jeff growled a frustrated scream, “The whole night is a blur! I can’t believe it was as simple as that. Practically the whole crew’s been giving me shit eating grins. And the captain. ‘Addled your mind,’ he said. What the fuck is it?” Kami continued her rapid pace, Jeff staying a few strides behind to avoid the jab his instincts told him was coming. Fed up with trying to goad the information out he surrendered to her stubbornness. “Fine Thomas. Keep your damn secrets. And to think I was actually beginning to like you. Seems the only thing you care about is this ship and your precious rule book. No wonder you’re so miserable. I don’t think there’s room in that black heart of yours for anybody but—” He was cut short, and skidded to a halt, when Kami came to an abrupt stop.

  The XO stood there a moment, her shoulders shaking and fists reflexively clenching, the knuckles turning white as if they were vice grips. Rounding on him, her eyes appeared to be rimmed with tears. The glare she threw attempted to bore a hole through his skull, and carried the look of someone desperately hanging onto that final thread of sanity. “You want to know what happened last night?” she seethed. “Well, maybe this will jog your memory.” Without warning, her hands shot out. Gripping his collar, she pulled his head down with surprising strength. Pulled it down into a passionate kiss before gruffly pushing him off. Just as quickly, her hand swung with the speed of lighting delivering the most powerful slap he’d ever received in his life.