“Thank you, Admiral Hanson.” Admiral Mason was standing behind her husband, smiling at him, knowing he did not hear her approach him.
“I think I’ve been the victim of a stealth attack, Admiral Hanson,” Mason said, jokingly. “Admiral Hanson asked if she could hitch a ride back with us,” he said to his wife.
“I’d like that. I’d like having the best war bird pilot take us to Mars,” she said.
“Thank you, Admiral Mason. Let me know your estimated time of departure, Mason, and what hangar. I’ll be there for the pre-flight checks. Hanson out.”
Rachel sat on her husband’s lap, and gave him a little kiss. “What was your meeting about? Anything you can tell me, John?” She leaned against his shoulder.
“Not really. Perhaps Admiral Hanson can fill in more details, but not me.” He held Rachel close, stroking her back.
“Are we on the brink of war with the ONE, John? I had a terrible dream,” she said. He listened closely. “We were at war on Mars with the ONE. Everything was destroyed, all the wonderful architecture, and thousands of people died. It was a horrible dream, John—a nightmare. Then they attacked our Earth Command Centers on Earth,” she said softly, her voice quavering.
“It’s all right, Rachel. Perhaps we may be at war someday, but not here, not today. I don’t discount your dream, but you must realize you’ve been through a traumatic experience recently; a violent, deadly attack with your Great Vault chambers the center of sabotage, thievery, and violence. You handled the violent experience very well, as a true leader. You instilled confidence and calm in your team of young scientists, all of you as non-combatants. But it takes a while to work trauma out of your system, and more than just a few days. Be easy on yourself, and try to relax. At least we have this time together now.” He spoke softly to her as he held her on his lap, nestled in close to him. “Want me to take my jacket off? Here, it’ll be more comfortable for you.” He took off his jacket, with its many rows of medals. She snuggled against him again, and he continued to gently stroke her back. They sat together for some time, enjoying the early evening beginning to cool.
She smiled and gave him a little kiss. “You’ve made this a special trip home for all of us. I loved your speech, by the way. You’ve grown so much, John. So much more sophisticated, too,” she said. He was still so attractive and confident, but now more mature.
“I’m just grateful we got our second chance,” Mason said, and kissed her hand. “There was never any doubt I loved and wanted you. It just wasn’t our time, until now. That’s why I always want to celebrate with you, and be as good to you as I can be, Rachel,” he explained.
“You are good to me, John. You spoil me. And I love it! Don’t ever stop!” She whispered into his ear, “Momma’s gonna get you tonight, Marine!” He loved hearing her say that. He knew another special night of lovemaking was ahead for them. He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed it, looking into her eyes.
Mason and Rachel slept little that night. There was much love to be made, kisses to be savored, and bodies to be aroused and satisfied.
XXVIII
The morning came far too quickly. The preparation of their home for the trip to Mars took much less time than before, with Caitlin and David helping to cover everything in clean sheets with them. The speedster was locked in its shed, and Rachel’s shuttle locked down. They stacked all their bags by the front door, and two taxi shuttles took them to the base hangar.
Mason and a first class crewman helped load everything into the fighter, and he helped Admiral Mason and the baby go on board. Mason came back for a squeamish Caitlin; she was afraid of the fighter, looking at its bombs and missiles loaded.
“It’s all right, Grandma. We’re with John Mason. I’ll help you,” little Victor said, and he took her other hand and walked her up the aft hatch. Mason ordered a case of lemon-lime and ginger ale sodas for them, and the crewman got them on board right away. He gave Caitlin a ginger ale, along with an injection pen containing a mild tranquilizer. She didn’t even swab; she stabbed her thigh and shot herself immediately. Mason donned his flight suit.
“Permission to come aboard, Major Mason,” Admiral Hanson called out to him.
“Come ahead, Admiral Hanson. We’ve got a couple of first-timers here, and I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you at the helm, Admiral,” Mason answered. She quickly walked up the aft hatch, shook hands with David, Caitlin and Victor. She squatted down next to Rachel and tickled a smiling John David, and went to her co-pilot seat.
“Commencing pre-flight status checks,” she announced.
“Close the aft hatch,” Mason ordered, and took his seat next to her. They completed their pre-flight checks, and he notified the control tower they were ready to launch. “All seats on lock down, we’re ready to roll,” he said. He rolled the heavy bird down to the launch site.
“Lift off on 3-2-1, lifting off,” he said calmly. The fighter rose straight up, up, higher and higher. “Launching now,” Mason said, as they moved forward slowly, for the sake of his in-laws. He sped up and headed for the stratosphere. The short 3 ½ hour flight to Moon Base was smooth and easy. Everyone got out and stretched their legs, while Mason ran for a bit. Then they all re-boarded in one hour for the longer flight to Mars.
They launched again, with Caitlin doing better, taking several deep breaths to calm down. Admiral Hanson came to her, and said,” Our pilot invites you to come forward.” After some encouragement from David and her daughter, she agreed, and Admiral Hanson took her to the co-pilot’s seat, and buckled her in.
“It’s awe-inspiring, John. Terrifying, but inspiring,” she admitted. He sat her next to him until her shoulders relaxed, talking with her about everyday things like school for Victor, shopping centers on Mars Colony III, and so on. The technique worked; she finally calmed. When David tapped her on the shoulder and said, “My turn,” she was actually smiling.
David chatted with Mason about his impressive fighter, and the flight. He also discussed the upcoming intelligence test for Victor at the Colony III University. “It will be interesting to discover his natural aptitude for science. Of course, Amanda and I would like him to favor the life sciences, as would his Mother and Caitlin. But his Grandpa Baines has really peaked his interest in the physical sciences, as have you, John. All he talks about is being a space pilot.”
“I know. He has moved on from a mere shuttle pilot,” Mason said with a chuckle. “He spends most of his free time either being tutored by Rachel, or learning with his science robo-tutor. I don’t have a leaning one way or the other, David. I just want to provide Victor with the best education and opportunity I can, same as I do for John David,” he concluded.
His Admiral sat in the jump seat, while Caitlin held the sleeping baby. Mason loved it when Admiral Mason sat near him like that, talking and flirting with him, her arm across the back of his seat. She was so beautiful, so engaging, and such a great conversationalist. He loved her so much, and let it show when she was so close to him.
When it was time for Mason’s break and Admiral Hanson came back to her seat, Admiral Mason buckled into Mason’s seat, and they discussed the Great Vault Project, and the reconstruction plans for the Mars X base.
The three day flight was blessedly uneventful. Admiral Hanson let Victor sit in her lap, and he got to co-pilot for the entire last hour of hyper-space flight. He was elated. They landed smoothly, with the Cohens amazed at the opening of the Mars Colony III dome for their arrival. They disembarked quickly, and their bags were unloaded for them onto a waiting shuttle.
“Thank you for coming with us, Admiral Hanson. I felt much better with you flying with us,” Caitlin admitted. “I could tell you’ve done this more than a few times.”
“You’re very welcome. Admiral Mason was kind enough to let me hitch a ride with you. Have a fun vacation!” Admiral Hanson said.
Mason got them all out, and his family loaded onto a base shuttle. “I’ll see you all in a few days,” he said, as he climbed
into Admiral Hanson’s shuttle, and they lifted off.
“He’s not coming with us?” David asked.
“No, Daddy. He is the Executive Officer for the base, and Admiral Hanson’s Prime Marine, her personal guard. He lives on the base, and we see him once or twice a week. Another reason I’m so happy you’re staying with us!” Admiral Mason explained to her parents. Her parents were very impressed with their living quarters and its terraces. They spent a very nice week’s visit with their daughter and grandsons.
Mason and Admiral Hanson, however, experienced a very different next few days. The repairs were behind schedule; too many construction supervisors bickering, and not enough workers. Topside was still being cleared away, and installation of the additional laser cannon emplacements were also behind schedule. Mason quickly stepped into his “hammer” role, and brought all schedules on track.
Mason only got to come home once during the Cohen’s visit, and he did good to get one night off. The Cohens traveled to Earth on a transport, a much longer trip; two full weeks just to Moon Base. But Mason got them first class accommodations with a sleeper, so they would be more comfortable. After tearful good-byes, they boarded the big transport and left Mars Colony III.
He followed Rachel’s shuttle to Mars X the next day, and she was happy to see most of the destruction and devastation cleaned up and hauled away. Most of her team returned to work last week, and the crystals were placed properly in their slots, as the cataloging and rudimentary analysis continued. Two yellow crystals were damaged. She was relieved more damage was not done to the ancient crystals.
Victor’s test results came in two days later, and Rachel was ecstatic. He scored in the top 3% for life sciences and physical sciences. He scored in the top 5% for the overall test, a phenomenal achievement for a 5 year old boy. The test was for all levels of school children, K-12. He was now a certified genius, and would be sent to an advanced learning school in September.
Students tested every year to determine their qualifications for the level of schooling they deserved. All high school students graduating with their proficiency scores in the top 30% were guaranteed entrance into a URE university, with subsidized tuition. Those scoring in the top 5% were invited to enroll in the highest rated universities available, with partial or full scholarships. Those who scored between 30%-50% were sent to tuition-free trade schools for one of the ten unions. Unfortunate students who scored below 50% proficiency were sent into labor positions. But everyone was given the opportunity to take additional courses and free tutoring to re-test the next year, if they so desired. Another option for anyone was to be self-employed.
After completing another very long day with the construction supervisors, Mason headed for the officers’ lounge for his meeting with Lieutenant Chan Lo, the lead technician with whom he’d developed a friendship during the past few months. Mason sat down to wait on Lieutenant Lo, staring at his hand-held scanner. He’d also brought along a medical scanner with him, borrowed from the Head Nurse in sick bay, with no promised date to return it. The medical scanner was set for human tissue scanning and analysis, and was an invaluable tool for diagnosis, infection screening, etc. Lieutenant Lo arrived, sat down at Mason’s table, and ordered a drink.
“Lieutenant Lo, you’re the best man on this base with tech, electronics and gizmos. I’m trying to modify a hand-held scanner to not only tell me how many life forms are present in a given area, but also identifies non-human, or less than 100% human life forms. This medical scanner is programmed for human tissue analysis. Seems to me you and I could work together to build or modify a scanner to identify altered or transformed humans. What do you think?”
Lieutenant Lo looked at Mason, and picked up both scanners. “I’m surprised Earth Command doesn’t have one already. It should be fairly simple to make, if we can get a sample of the alien DNA, Major Mason. I repair these, you know. I also repair and maintain the big overhead scanners in the sick bay.”
“I know you do. I figured you’d be the best man to help me with this project. Would you be interested in helping me build an alien scanner?” Mason asked, smiling. “Here’s what I’ve done so far.” Mason showed him the schematic he’d developed.
“I’ve worked on so many projects here at Mars X, Major Mason, and have not received a rice kernel’s worth of credit for it. If you’ll promise to give me at least half of the credit, I’ll be glad to help you,” Lieutenant Lo offered.
Mason smiled again. “I’ll do better than that, Lieutenant Lo, and right now.” Mason tapped his comm link and asked Admiral Hanson to join him for a drink to discuss a new, top secret project. She entered in less than ten minutes, and the three of them moved to the farthest table in the back where they could talk privately. Mason explained what he’d been working on, and how he’d asked for Lieutenant Lo to help.
“Do you think it would be possible to build a hand-held scanner to detect altered or partially-transformed humans? Can it be done, Lieutenant Lo?” Admiral Hanson asked.
“Yes, Admiral Hanson. I told Major Mason I’m surprised we don’t have the technology already in our bio-scanners. I believe if I can use some of the components in this medical scanner, I could build such a device. Major Mason has already put a considerable amount of work into the device’s design, see?” He showed her Mason’s schematic.
“But that’s as far as I can get, Admiral Hanson, and so I asked Lieutenant Lo to help. Would you give us permission to continue working on the development of this device, and make sure Lieutenant Lo gets the credit for its design and development?” Mason asked his CO.
She studied Lieutenant Lo. “I assume you are one of the many who create, design, and toil in silence, while your commander takes the credit. Is that a correct assumption, Lieutenant Lo?” She asked bluntly.
“There are many who work in such circumstances here on Mars X, Admiral Hanson, including our senior commanding officers,” he tactfully answered, trying to circumvent a reprimand from her. “I merely asked Major Mason for half the design and development credit; for such a device, if it is actually built reliably, may become an invaluable tool in our defense against the ONE and their agents. Everyone will want one, Admiral Hanson.”
“Well, I want one already, and you haven’t even built the damned thing yet. I especially like the idea of incorporating the technology into our bio-scanners, to keep the reptilian hybrids from setting foot on the bridge of another Space Forces ship or space station. How long do you estimate it would take you to design and build a hand-held scanner?” She queried.
“If I can get DNA samples of the alien genome; probably 200-300 hours, Admiral Hanson. Major Mason’s already done the basic schematic modifications. But where could we get alien DNA?” Lo asked.
Both Admiral Hanson and Mason burst out laughing. “Plenty of that around, Lieutenant Lo. I’m sure we could have a sample here by tomorrow, isn’t that correct, Major Mason?” Her steel blue eyes lit up.
“Tomorrow at the latest, Admiral Hanson,” Mason confirmed.
“You are now my alien DNA scanner designer, Lieutenant Lo. You are 100% assigned to this project. Your XO, Major Mason, will have your secure lab assignment to you tomorrow by 0-seven hundred hours, and an alien DNA sample to give you by the end of the day tomorrow. This is now a TS 3 project, and none of its details are to be shared with anyone, other than the XO or myself. Is that clear, Lieutenant Lo?” Admiral Hanson ordered.
“Yes, Admiral. Thank you for your confidence. I’ll do my best, Admiral,” Lo said.
“I expect nothing less from you, Lieutenant Lo. When your device is tested and is functioning properly, you will accompany me to demonstrate it before the Joint Chiefs. You will receive the proper credit for its design and development, and we all will have an invaluable tool to help us fight these bastards!” She dismissed Lieutenant Lo, and sat with Mason.
“Do you really think it can be built, Mason?” She asked.
“I’ve been tinkering with this extra scanner for months,
and, yes, I think so, Admiral Hanson. Lo is the tech who repairs, maintains, and even rebuilds all the medical and hand-held scanners. If anyone here can do it, he can,” Mason answered.
“But it was your idea, Mason. Another great idea from my XO and Prime Marine,” she said, smiling. “When the hell do you sleep?”
Mason laughed. “I sleep three to four hours every night. Can’t sleep much more than that, unless there are special circumstances, Admiral Hanson,” he answered. He lowered his head, suddenly remembering their time in the escape pod. He was blushing, and could not look at her.
She picked up his inference. “Yes, well, there are no ‘special circumstances’ here, Mason. Better get some shut-eye, XO,” she said, and left. She walked very briskly to her quarters, went inside and slammed her door. “Special circumstances,” she said aloud. She had been a “Special circumstance” to him in that pod, where they spent several days having a highly charged affair, thinking those were the last days of their lives. She reminded herself she was more than ten years older than Mason, and his Commanding Officer. And she let him go.
She let him go; and he went straight to Captain Rachel Baines, now Admiral Rachel Mason. “Dammit!” She yelled, and kicked an innocent trash can clear across the room into a wall. She poured a large drink and spent the next hours logically evaluating her personal life, or lack thereof. She somehow must completely let John Mason go, emotionally and romantically, for good. She reminded herself about the promise she gave Admiral Mason, that she had no design on Mason now. They could be good friends and work together, but that’s all. Whatever it took, however long it took, she had to let him go, and get on with her life.
Admiral Hanson received a top secret message from the Joint Chiefs early the next day, and called Mason in for an emergency meeting. “Mason, I’m giving you the remainder of today off. I was informed just now the Inspector General’s team has become ‘incommunicado.’ The team’s two fighters have docked on SS4. They were supposed to have hovered above the station until the Inspectors completed their work. You may as well go home; you’ll be gone quite a while if this turns out bad. Go—now, before I change my mind,” she ordered.
Vengeance of Sukesh: John Mason (Legend of John Mason) Page 36
