“First Sergeant DuMonde, is everything ready for our guests?” Mason asked her.
“Certainmont, Mon Capitans Hanson and Mason. We are ready.” She looked great in her First Sergeant’s mess dress. Mason gave her the thumbs-up, and walked Captain Hanson to the bar.
Admirals Worthington and Wilson were in a heated discussion when they saw Captain Hanson walk in with Mason. They complimented her profusely, as she gracefully sat and ordered Woodford Reserve. They began to chat, while Mason strolled out into the lobby.
His wrist comm link beeped from Admiral Mason, and he ran to the valet. He escorted his Admiral through the crowded lobby to the bar. All heads turned again to admire her, as they did for Captain Hanson; but there was no mistaking those Admiral’s braids and starred shoulder boards. She also wore many medals, including the Bronze Star. She was a beautiful woman of rank and power, and she wore it very well, as the saying goes. Mason brought her into the bar to join the others. Admirals Worthington and Wilson complimented her, and offered her a cocktail.
Commandant Richardson came in to join them, admired and complimented the ladies. The men noticed Mason’s magnificent sword and scabbard. They had chosen not to wear their swords, or else never brought them on this trip.
Precisely at 6:55p.m., the High Council members were escorted in by their Prime Marines. “Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun, High Councilman Adams, and High Councilman Arepas; may I present Admiral Worthington, Admiral Wilson, General Ling, Commandant Richardson, Admiral Mason, and Captain Hanson. I am Captain Mason, and it is my honor to welcome you.” Got it out perfectly, Mason congratulated himself quietly. They declined any cocktails, and the entire group went into the private dining room. Mason had Captain Hanson on his left arm and Admiral Mason on his right arm, both women smiling at him, as he proudly walked them inside the dining room.
The guests were seated with the High Council members in the center. Their Prime Marines stood guard inside the doorway. Another seven course meal began, with each course better than the last. Each wine was perfectly matched to its food course, and the service excellent. Mason even included a champagne sorbet, served directly before the entrée to clear their palates, and they were impressed. The main entrée was wagyu beef tenderloin in shitake mushroom sauce. The Chief High Councilwoman was very impressed with her main entrée.
Dessert was a flourless white chocolate cake, drizzled with macadamia nut and coconut sauce. Coffee and Armagnac were served afterwards. Many compliments were paid to Captain Hanson, and she deferred them all to Captain Mason, as she did the previous night’s dinner.
The High Councilmen wore black suits, very rich fabric and finely tailored, with heavy black paneled robes. No jewelry, save for wedding rings and the Chief High Councilwoman’s earrings. After their coffee and drinks, High Councilman Adams announced: “We have questions of you, Captain Mason.”
Mason was immediately put in the spotlight, and he tried to not be defensive. They asked how he correctly identified the gift from the Yellow Man as a translator; he responded the same as he did when Admiral Wilson posed the question to him yesterday.
“We were aware of the Yellow Man’s contact with the mining freighter Hesperia, but assumed all contact was made with Ship Captain Baines. How did you come to speak to the Yellow Man?” High Councilman Adams asked.
Mason told them Captain Baines gave him permission to speak. He correctly identified the Yellow Man as Dr. James, from the asteroid colony GK-356; Dr. James was impressed with his powers of deduction. Since Mason was the Prime Marine for Captain Baines, it was his duty to stand guard next to him when the Yellow Man appeared, and he was allowed to pose questions to Dr. James and converse with him while Captain Baines listened, and evaluated his responses.
“We viewed the recording of the Yellow Man when he spoke to you in your home. He offered you and Admiral Mason unimaginable wealth and power, and advanced knowledge to join them. How can we know you have not made an arrangement with him?” High Councilman Arepas asked Mason.
Mason looked the High Councilman directly in the eyes. “The Yellow Man—Dr. James—is my sworn enemy. As a warrior, it is my duty to study my enemy, get to know him, respect him, and find ways to defeat him. The Yellow Man and his agents attacked my ship, my Captain and his bride. They killed my first wife. They have recruited hundreds of good officers and crewmen to become mutineers and traitors, the most hated of men.”
Mason’s eyes narrowed. “His agents captured me, beat me for months, tortured and abused me. They altered my DNA without my knowledge, and without my permission. I myself, and another innocent officer at this table, still bear the scars of the torture and forced transformation,” he said passionately.
He continued, “The High Council can know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is no wealth, power, or knowledge the Yellow Man can offer me or my wife to turn traitor against my own kind—my own species. I hunt down, capture and kill traitors and mutineers. I loathe them. I would see them crushed, defeated, and brought to justice. I will not rest until the Yellow Man and the ONE are driven out of our solar system, once and for all.” Mason sat back in his chair.
Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun spoke for the first time the entire evening, and asked, “Captain Mason, may I see your sword?”
Mason stood and detached his sword, walked up to her and held it with both hands. He bowed his head and held it slightly aloft, presenting it to her. She stood and took the sword, and admired the carved scabbard in detail. She removed the sword from its scabbard, read the inscription, and held it on one finger by the hilt to check its balance. She tossed her napkin in the air, and sliced it into shreds with several movements of the very sharp sword, and smiled. She thrust the sword into its scabbard, bowed, and handed it back to Mason with both her hands.
“A gift from your wife?” She asked him softly.
“Yes, Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun,” Mason answered, at attention.
Li Yun looked at her fellow High Council members. “Admiral Worthington and Commandant Richardson, I congratulate you on your recommendation of this Prime Marine to Officer Candidate School, and for your selection of him as your Special Liaison to the Joint Chiefs.” She turned to Captain Hanson slowly, and said, “Captain Hanson, it is the opinion of this High Council you have performed admirably under many unpleasant and adverse conditions. You have brought this base and the Great Vault Project back on schedule and on track. You are hereby recommended for promotion to Rear Admiral, effective immediately.”
Li Yun continued: “Captain Mason. Your selfless dedication to the performance of your sworn duty as Prime Marine for two Captains in your previous assignment on the Hesperia, and your phenomenal performance for the Joint Chiefs, have resulted in your being the recipient of our two highest awards, the Silver Star for bravery at the Battle of Titan One, and first and foremost, the URE Medal of Honor. Your modesty is inscrutable.” She bowed her head.
“It is the recommendation of this High Council, upon completion of your current Mars X duty assignment, you are to become the Special Liaison to the High Council. You will be the sword that strikes at the heart of this invasion; the scourge of our current rebellion. You are to be Chief Prime Marine to the High Council, Major John Mason, your promotion effective immediately.” Li Yun folded her arms.
“Thank you, Chief High Councilwoman,” both Mason and Admiral Hanson responded.
The High Council members stood, exchanged thanks for the excellent dinner, and set a 7a.m. time for pickup at the hotel, for their shuttle ride to tour the Great Vault Project. They quietly left with their Prime Marine guards.
“Well, that was a surprise, and a welcome one, too,” Admiral Worthington announced. “It’s about time this invasion was formally recognized.”
Congratulations were expressed to Admiral Hanson and Major Mason, and they all called it a night. Mason attached his sword to his belt, and escorted both the women Admirals through the crowded lobby. He smiled as every head turned to see two of the
most powerful and beautiful women in the URE Space Forces on his arms.
“Major Mason, your shuttle keys, please,” Admiral Hanson requested. He happily handed them to her, and she flew to the base alone.
Major Mason and his Admiral returned to their apartment. She asked, “What does the Chief Prime Marine and Special Liaison to the High Council do? Where will you be stationed, John?” They walked out onto the terrace.
“I honestly have no idea, Rachel.” He held her tightly in silence, both of them looking out over the terrace, wondering about the future.
When the artificial nighttime was at its fullest, and the planned light of dawn was farthest away, Mason awoke and reached for Rachel. He very gently stroked and kissed her, until she took him in her arms. They made love slowly in the in-between time, when the world was at its most quiet. His kisses tasted the sweetest, her caresses felt electrified, and they shared a powerful orgasm. Rachel went to sleep, and Mason enjoyed the afterglow on the terrace, watching Colony III shimmer in the artificial moonlight. They were tied to each other in bonds of love and devotion, and Mason was happy and fulfilled.
He never expected to advance in the officers’ ranks this quickly, astonished by his progress. Mason realized his success was directly correlated to the ONE’s invasion. His assignments would only get more specialized and strategic, and dangerous. Li Yun wanted him to be their sword, striking at the heart of the invasion, and the scourge of the rebellion. The metaphor was highly charged and almost romantic; but what would his assignments entail, in reality? The Yellow Man would know of his promotion and future assignments. Sukesh would hate him even more after this promotion, and attempt to thwart him at every turn. Sukesh was the wild card.
Mason was still assigned on Mars X, and it was his primary concern. The Great Vault Project was now going to receive more protection, and he knew it would be needed. If he were Sukesh, he’d attack sooner rather than later. Sukesh would know additional Space Marines and Space Forces personnel would soon be arriving to defend the Great Vault. Why not attack when they first got there, and were unfamiliar with their new assignments and the base itself? It’s what he would do; catch them with their pants down.
Mason spent the rest of the night developing a plan of attack on the Great Vault, and Mars X. He hoped his plan would never come to fruition, because it would inflict massive destruction and death on the base personnel in a very short time. It would be easy to acquire the fighters from Mars Colony II, as there were always a few dozen fighters sitting on the tarmacs there, awaiting maintenance. Colony III base also contained a maintenance area for fighters, and he had seen many dozens of the war birds there, fully armed, unguarded, and sitting in queue for periodic repairs and refueling. He knew Earth Command would someday pay for their neglect and arrogance.
How many fighters would it take to disable the Mars X base? If the strike was fast and sudden, he could accomplish the feat with only three or four fighters, and a transport loaded with a squad of trained men to raid the Great Vault chambers during the melee, and take the crystals. First take out the tower and the laser cannon emplacements, of which there were only four, and then land the transport. Piece of cake. Mars X, even with the extra men, was ripe for an attack. Mason saved his attack plan to show to Admiral Hanson. She was experienced with battle and tactical maneuvers. Perhaps now that she was an Admiral, the Joint Chiefs would give more credence to her requests. They had been in the ivory towers too long.
XXIV
The swirling clouds of red dust outside the Mars X dome were growing in size, viscosity, and thickness at a very rapid pace. Without the protection of the dome cover, any small craft would be sandblasted down to its base metals, before becoming twisted wreckage. In less than one hour the storm would hit Mars X; in a quarter hour more it would envelope Mars Colony III.
“Major Mason to Admiral Mason, emergency.” Mason was already rounding the corner to her office, at a run.
The Admiral was meeting with her team leaders. He motioned for her to step aside, and speak with him privately. “Begging the Admiral’s pardon. We have just identified a sudden and very powerful sandstorm less than one hour away from Mars X, and one hour and ten minutes from Mars Colony III. This is a massive storm, Admiral Mason. Earth Command advises you to depart immediately for Colony III, or be prepared to remain here on Mars X for several days. My recommendation is to immediately depart for Colony III, where you and our children will be safe.”
“I will leave immediately, thank you, Major Mason.” She cancelled the meeting, took her bag, and went with him. They jogged quickly through the maze of corridors to the launch site. Her shuttle was already outside the hangar checked and ready, and the foul-weather pilot was waiting for her arrival. Mason helped her inside, and the shuttle lifted off quickly.
The general announcement to evacuate or stay was coming over the base-wide comm links as he trotted to Admiral Hanson’s command office. “Admiral Mason’s shuttle has lifted off. Thank you, Admiral Hanson,” Mason said.
“I wouldn’t want to be separated from my child and baby during a long sandstorm, Mason. I’m happy to assist her,” Admiral Hanson said. “Actually, this storm may give us a chance to catch up with several action items I’d like to address with you. See to it the Great Vault staff members who wish to evacuate are able to do so, and then report to me. For us, this storm may be a blessing in disguise,” she admitted.
Mason hustled as many of her Senior Research Officers as he could to the shuttles, and got them out in time. Anyone who hesitated was destined to stay. “I’m sorry, Lieutenant Commander, but the last shuttle just lifted off. I will personally see to it your accommodations are ready for you by sixteen hundred.” You snooze, you lose, pal. This storm doesn’t give a damn what insignia’s on your shoulder boards.
“The last three shuttles are underway, Admiral Hanson. I’ve got a couple of pissed-off Lieutenant Commanders on their way to your office. Ready to commence base lock down on your orders, Admiral,” Mason said. All above-ground personnel were ordered underground.
Several minutes later, Mason’s wrist comm link beeped. “Major Mason, I’m here on Colony III now,” Admiral Mason announced.
Thank you, God, Mason prayed silently. “Acknowledged, Admiral. Communications may go out for the duration of the storm. Please stay there until you get clearance, Admiral Mason. This storm’s looking to be a real doozy.”
“We’ll hunker down in our apartment, or at Sarah’s. You stay safe, Major Mason,” she added, with a concerned voice.
He agreed, “Will do, Admiral. All my love to you.”
“All my love to you, John.” She clicked off.
Base lock down began. This would be Mother Nature’s test of the new dome, and whether or not its seals would hold. The swirling winds of the massive storm blew over 220 kilometers per hour, with some gusts over 260 kilometers per hour. They would be vacuuming red dust for weeks on all Mars bases. Only the Penal Colony escaped this storm, being on the far side of the planet. The storm began to die down in four days, and dissipated completely by the sixth day. The north side of the new Mars X dome was no longer clear; the sandstorm blasted it to an opaque, hazy dullness. But it held fast, and sustained very minor damage. The outside landscape was littered with pieces of metal fragments from what used to be the original Mars Colony. The storm obliterated those old buildings and equipment.
Admiral Hanson and Mason used the time well. He completed his interviews of the Great Vault Project team members who stayed on Mars X, and wrote their evaluations. All passed, as expected. The underground building projects continued, and the additional help from the top-side construction crews forced to come inside brought their results well ahead of schedule. The communications array became able to receive and send voice and data communications, and thousands of messages bombarded Mars X.
“Mason, take one whole day and plow through those communiqués with First Sergeant DuMonde. I only want to see the ones marked from the Joint Chiefs. Fun
nel everything to the team and crew leaders,” Admiral Hanson ordered.
Mason took First Sergeant DuMonde into his office and they routed thousands of base and Great Vault messages. He had not heard from Admiral Mason yet, and was growing concerned about his family. He tried to reach her once more, without any success. Then he tried Victor’s comm link, and got an immediate response.
“We are well, John Mason. Mommy will call you tonight.” His attitude improved a great deal. He sent a thank-you reply to Victor. Hooray for the private comm link service.
Nine hours later, a bleary-eyed Mason invited Admiral Hanson to the lounge for a drink. “There’s the matter of your graduation we need to discuss,” she began. “Your graduation is the first week of June. The Joint Chiefs have approved you to take your family with you, Mason. I’d like to go as your co-pilot, if I may.” She ordered another round of Jack Daniels.
“What graduation, Admiral?” Mason asked curiously.
“You are to receive your PhD at the University of Texas, Houston. Did you forget about it?” She started to laugh at him. “Have I been running your ass off that much?”
“I never thought about a graduation, Admiral. I’ve received two bachelors and a master’s degree, and never attended any ceremonies. They just mailed my diplomas to me,” he admitted.
“Well, the Joint Chiefs’ communiqué told me about it. Receiving a PhD is a big deal, Mason. You’re their poster boy at this graduation, and they want you to accept the degree and make a speech.” She watched his face change, and began to laugh at him. “Now, I see fear in your eyes, Mason! You can fight, shoot, bully, or fuck your way through any crisis, staring Death right in his face. But—public speaking; there’s the rub!” She was having a ball giving him a hard time.
Vengeance of Sukesh: John Mason (Legend of John Mason) Page 31
