The Gathering Storm (The New Federation Book 4)

by Chris Hechtl

  He shook his head in resignation. “I like my job here just fine,” he said as he caught a handhold and ushered her within. “Shall we look at the books or take a tour?”

  “I've seen the books. What's new and what do you have a problem with, and where can I help fix it?” she asked.

  “Ah. Glad you are in one of those moods,” he said with a grin as he waved. “Grand block six. I'll lead the way,” he said as he passed her. She snorted and then followed.

  Chapter 21

  Antigua

  Admiral Irons wasn't thrilled about taking on some of the more domestic and diplomatic duties of his administration, but after some time in office he was more or less resigned to it. One of the latest ones to be saddled on him was a renewal of an old tradition; one resurrected for what he knew was a good cause. Liobat had agreed to the first correspondence dinner.

  The correspondence dinner was hosted by the press corps and his press secretary. It was a pay-per-plate event with all the money going to a charity that had been set up to give worthy students journalism scholarships. Most of the people at the event were reporters, editors, producers, and such, though there were some high-ranking government people as well. There were also a few famous people, though the Randalls had been forced to bow out since one of the girls had come down sick.

  John regretted their absence. There would be a dance afterward as well with another form of charity, paying to dance with various people. His dance card was quite full. He was going to sorely regret allowing Liobat to sign him up for that too he knew.

  He smiled as he waited backstage with Sprite. April had arrived but not in her gown. She'd come in with it in a garment bag and had been ushered into the residence to change. From the smirk she had shot him, he knew she'd smuggled in a change of clothes too. Most likely she'd picked up something lacy for later. He wasn't certain there would be a later, but hopefully.

  “I'm still surprised you are going along with this, Admiral,” Sprite said.

  “I'm learning to play the game.”

  “Besides, Miss O'Neill twisted your arm to get you to do it,” Sprite teased maliciously.

  “Yeah, and that,” the admiral replied with a chuckle and shake of his head. Just then motion caught his attention. He turned to see Major Burrows touch his ear and then turn to the door as the handle turned. In walked a vision of loveliness. “Speak of the devil,” John murmured as April swirled in with a radiant smile wearing a stunning glimmering gown of green that matched her eyes and that showed off plenty of her freckled skin in all the right places. He could tell from her vital signs and glimmer in her eyes that she knew he appreciated the view.

  She had a clutch purse under one arm. She nodded to Sprite as the A.I.'s avatar nodded back.

  For her part April silently cheered her score as she came over and played with his uniform, brushing a hand over his medals and fruit salad, then squeezing his left bicep. She always liked to play with his flesh and blood she thought. It was a subtle reminder that there was a still a man in the cybernetic body. She knew he appreciated it. She tucked her arm through his.

  “Ready, ladies?” he asked as he turned to the major.

  “They are filing in now. If you'd like to be in the reception line, sir …?” the major asked.

  John turned to April who ducked slightly, then nodded subtly. “Okay,” he said with a nod of his own.

  “She's got you trained,” Sprite murmured from his other side as they walked to the red carpet.

  :::{)(}:::

  When it was his turn to take the podium, John did his best to get over his nervousness. He had learned how to handle public speaking. This was supposed to be a relaxed affair, but it was on camera and being broadcast across the star system live. Canned recordings would go out on news couriers to be views in clips by the public elsewhere.

  The relaxed atmosphere was a good way to get rid of tension through jokes and humor. Usually the humor was a bit self-depreciating, but sometimes it was at the expense of another party. The needling of various parties or individuals was in good taste for the most part. No one wanted to be booed after all.

  The tradition for the sitting president was to be roasted a bit by the reporters and others in the room. So, when it was his turn he got a bit of his own back and then shook his head. “I'm glad I've had so many people warm this sort of crowd up. I've seen Liobat's briefings. You lot can get downright brutal,” he said.

  There was a soft chuckle as he scored on that. “The rest of you are lucky; you get to attend in a civilian monkey suit. No offense,” he said, turning with a slight bow to a Neochimp reporter. That earned a small chuckle. “You ladies get to attend in gowns, though I'm told you spend a fortune on your hair and nails along with the cost of the dress. And heaven forbid you reuse the thing ever again,” he said with a shake of his head. There was a fresh chuckle as that salle sunk home.

  “I don't know if I should look at the bill after tonight or just close my eyes and hit enter when it comes due.” That earned a fresh chuckle.

  “For some of us, we have to attend in our own way, though I suppose I could have attended in civilian attire since I am the president,” he said, looking down at his formal white uniform. “It would have simplified my dry-cleaning bill. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep this thing clean?” he demanded. That earned a fresh soft chuckle.

  “It's not that I don't mind the uniform, but I'll tell you an open secret. Just about every Terran is envious of some of our alien allies who don't go in for the full uniform. I'm not sure though that I'd want to go in just a vest or scarf though. I'm under an air conditioning vent. Brr,” he said with a shiver.

  That earned a fresh chuckle.

  “I have to admit, this wasn't my idea. My idea of a party involves beer and working until you drop on a ship or other engineering project.” There were some smiles as many in the audience remembered the admiral's attempts at playing hooky, along with his two-day blitz on capital ships not so long ago. “I think my fellow engineers will appreciate the momentary distraction for me.” He shrugged. “But, like I said, this wasn't my idea.” He indicated Liobat and then April. Heads turned from one female to the other. Liobat flicked her ears. “I will just say some arm twisting was involved. And other … persuasion methods.”

  That earned a soft chuckle and a gurgle of protest from April.

  “Anyone who is in a relationship knows who really rules the nest,” he teased. She blushed slightly as he glanced her way and then back to the crowd. “Believe me folks, just leave the toilet seat up for just once and trust me you'll find out. Or forget to take the garbage out …” He grinned at the laughter from the group.

  “I don't know if you're laughing about the image or because a couple of you probably did catch images of me actually hauling the garbage out with a certain person critiquing my performance.” That earned another smattering of laughter. April shot a dirty look his way. He made a kissing face at her. “Well, from her expression I'm sleeping on the couch again,” he said with a suffering sigh. She nodded, finally playing along. That earned another laugh.

  “That's okay, the couch isn't so bad. A little lumpy … oh, by the way, honey, I found that long lost remote you were looking for. And these somewhere between the cushions,” he pulled something delicate out of his pocket and then put it back as the room rocked with laughter. “Um, sorry, thought that was my handkerchief, never mind,” he muttered as April turned wine red and hid her face. She shook her head, looking down.

  “The fun thing about working so closely with the media is that we have a general understanding. That doesn't mean professionalism isn't abandoned, and some of you are getting good at bending the rules and getting information faster than expected.” He shrugged. “Of course, some get scoops through vicious and underhanded means. She tickles,” he said wickedly.

  That earned another laugh. He turned to a reporter on his right. “Don't get any ideas,” he mock growled. The reporter threw her hands up in the air in
surrender earning even louder laughter. “You either,” he said, turning to Liobat.

  “Wouldn't dream of it,” she murmured sotto voice. “Besides, I don't tickle, I use my claws,” she said, making a show of her own.

  He mock shivered, earning a fresh chuckle. He turned to April. “Well, I see a certain young lady's freckled face is almost a perfect match for her hair, so I better change the subject.”

  April's green eyes met his and she nodded, earning another chuckle from the audience. “Definitely,” she said darkly, earning another chuckle.

  “And I bet there isn't a single person who wouldn't want to be in that room as a fly on the wall tonight when she gets me home,” he said with a fresh wicked smile to her. That earned more laughter. “Sorry folks, the lady has dibs,” he said. April glowered at him and then shook a fist at him. He could see her dimpling a little though. From her heat signature, she was more annoyed than amused with him but was doing a good job of hiding it.

  “I think I'm in the dog house for a good month or so,” John said with a wicked grin. April nodded again. Irma and a couple of KNOX news reporters nudged her. “But, hey, it's all in fun. You've got to pay for your pleasures. There is a saying in all of the branches of the military, if you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined. It's right up there with never volunteer, and a few others I can think of.”

  :::{)(}:::

  Moira Sema pursed her lips thoughtfully as she went through the motions of the gathering smoothly. She was more or less on autopilot; she'd been to many similar functions in Bek. She was putting on the professional air to set the example; she could see some people were still learning about what to do. Some were more or less making it up as they went along. She knew the press secretary might be eager for such an event but the woman was a bit out of her depth. She was doing her best though. She made some notes on her implants to slip to Liobat later. If she worded it right, the Neocat would see it as her passing on a favor and help save face rather than a mean-spirited attack on her and her staff's efforts.

  Her mental critique of the event skittered to a halt as she turned her attention to other matters. She was not thrilled with Irons trotting out his relationship to the media trollop so publicly, but more or less resigned to it. She was amused that he was poking fun at her. That wasn't nice, nor a good sign of a well-balanced relationship. He would pay for it later.

  She ran a hand over her shimmering white gown, and then checked a mirror. The small twinkling LEDs in her hair made it shimmer and change color ever so slightly. She felt relaxed, most likely from the two glasses of wine she had.

  She'd sampled the local's version of wine but had in the end put on one of her favorite perfumes from Bek. Just a little touch of home and a bit more sophistication than the group was used to, she thought.

  After the dinner, the cameras were shut off and some of the audience departed. But, some of the party animals remained as the staff and robots quickly cleared the ballroom and set it up for the dancing. She smiled. She had managed to get a dance in with the president. It had cost her, but that was fine. She was taking a long game with him since she still wasn't certain of how things would play out.

  :::{)(}:::

  April was a roil of emotions. On the one hand, she wanted to pummel him for embarrassing her within a centimeter of her life. On the other, she was well aware she couldn't vent and throw a well-deserved tantrum in public. Not without jeopardizing her position with him. “You are so going to pay for that,” she muttered darkly to John as they slow danced. He held her close and squeezed her hand as he twirled her. When they were back together, he smiled down at her.

  “Worth it. I got you all hot and bothered and you're downright cute when you're mad,” he teased. She punched him in his left arm. He oofed with a chuckle as her lips puckered. He knew she was fighting between scowling and smiling at him.

  “I'm just paying you back for scooping the Ramichov thing,” he said as he dipped her.

  “You waited this long for that?” she demanded. He merely smiled. “All right, we're even. Next time it's my turn,” she growled.

  “I await thine ire with trepidation,” he teased, smile widening into a grin.

  “The other line you were looking for is that military personnel are terrified of annoying their spouses. Or getting caught by them,” she said softly to him as they danced. She was well aware there were eyes on them.

  “Oh yeah,” he drawled as she stepped on his foot. He winced internally. Yeah, she was going to make him pay for his pleasures.

  :::{)(}:::

  To Admiral Irons' surprise, Moira Sema joined him in a dance as April left to powder her nose. She was very good; clearly, she had plenty of practice in Bek he privately thought.

  “You seem a bit rusty,” she murmured, one hand on his bicep.

  “It's like riding a bicycle. Just don't ask me to do anything fancy,” he said. “Protector would have to load the dance steps on my HUD, and there is no guarantee I won't step on toes.”

  “I think you already did with Miss O'Neill,” the woman murmured.

  “Yeah, I told her I'd get her back for that Ramichov leak,” he said.

  “If you didn't want her to leak it, you shouldn't have told her in the first place, Admiral,” she scolded.

  He merely smiled at her. She was a vision of loveliness in a white shimmering gown, coiffed dark hair with little LEDs in it, and artfully applied makeup. From her scent, he could tell she was wearing some expensive perfume too.

  “All's fair in love and war,” he murmured as he turned away from the hall leading to the restrooms as April came down it.

  :::{)(}:::

  April saw John dancing with another woman and fought not to bristle. It wasn't easy. When she realized it was with the secretary of state, she felt a brief sense of relief. That spurt ended when the secretary rubbed John's bicep and even rested her head gently on his shoulder. Alarm rang through her. Perhaps she'd have to forgive him earlier than planned, she mused. She'd decided to not let him get any for a bit as retaliation, but now that too was out of the window as jealousy rushed through her.

  :::{)(}:::

  To John's surprise Captain Sprite took a turn on the dance floor with him next. A few people were looking at them wonderingly, after all, she was a hologram and an A.I. John reached out with a hand and took the robot's hand that was embedded in the hologram and they were off.

  “I didn't think you were interested in this sort of thing. You usually play wallflower and talk with people,” the admiral murmured.

  “I'm just full of surprises,” she replied with a brief smile. She caught April's hesitant and confused look, smiled at the woman, then kept going.

  :::{)(}:::

  Moira blinked when she surreptitiously looked over to see if Miss O'Neill's temper finally got the best of her and she blew. But, instead of seeing the duo dancing and fighting quietly, she was greeted with the sight of the admiral dancing with a glowing female, Captain Sprite of all people. It was surprising enough of a sight for her to break through her professional decorum and make her eyes widen ever so briefly. From the looks around her, she wasn't the only one reacting with consternation at the sight. She did her best to shrug it off.

  :::{)(}:::

  John was kept on the dance floor as several female journalists and an editor each took a turn with him before he begged off. April seemed a little nonplussed at not getting another dance with him, but she gripped his arm and stuck to him like glue after that.

  “I still can't believe you did that,” April muttered as he escorted her into the residence wing after they had seen their guests off.

  “It's all in fun. I had other material in mind. Liobat tried to give me some safe material, but I went off the cuff. I was told by a comedian that sometimes a natural reaction is the best one, but it is also the scariest since you don't know the reaction the audience will take. I admit; that is true. Very true.”

  “I saw that,” she drawled as she put her purse
down. “I am so going to kick your ass,” she growled as she turned to him. “This time I won't use pillows either,” she said.

  “Sure you don't want to get past the passionate anger and into making up?” he asked, taking her into his arms as the doors closed behind them. Her lips pursed in a barely suppressed smile as he kissed the corners of her mouth and then the side of her neck and collar as she turned her head away to deny him her lips.

  “Stop trying to kiss your way out of trouble, sailor,” she mock growled as his hands did wonderful things to her.

  “Well, I supposed if I've got to kiss my way out I can do that. Turn around and bend over,” he said as he started to kneel. Her eyes flew open and she stared at his impish face. She grabbed his ears and twisted painfully, then squealed as he suddenly pushed her off balance. The squeal turned into a muffled laugh as they started to wrestle and horseplay.

  Chapter 22

  Antigua

  Vestri Sindri shook his head as he looked on to the latest reports. It was nearly lunchtime and he was getting hungry. He was also forcing himself to remain at his desk until the priority problems were handled. That was a frustrating exercise for him, he was a hands-on sort of man, but getting out into the yard was now his reward. It was something John had taught him.

  They were about to bring a couple more part assemblers online. That was good. Two of them were navy; six others were civilian. One was a new startup tied to Antigua Prime. He had more faith in them than two of the others groundside. Three of the groundside ones were from Eternia. The golden city was becoming quite the industrial hub. Those he had no problem with. Unfortunately, he couldn't play favorites; everything had to be by the book and treat them equally.

  A part assembler was a sub factory that produced finished sub equipment to feed into the yard or into other factories that eventually fed into the yard. Admiral Irons had opened the support up to civilian contracts in order to get more production going and to jumpstart the economy.