“Everything else OK?”
“Yes…I reckon she’ll be out of here by week’s end. She’ll still need further regular physio for some time. Probably won’t be up to combat standard. In most other cases I would have said ‘light duties only’. But I wouldn’t want to be the one to tell her that.”
“No, nor would I.”
Sue had done another circuit and stopped near the dismount rack. She unfastened the harnesses on her legs, grabbed the overhead bar and swung herself out of the machine and onto the adjacent seat. She was sweating profusely. The effects of the ordeal were obvious. But she looked very pleased with herself – determined and pleased. Her face was saying ‘yes I’m back and nothing’s stopping me’.
She wiped her face with a towel and waved at Warner. He came over to her and she said “Not bad, hey Sir?”
“Better than ‘not bad’. I’m amazed.”
“Chalkers aren’t chokers. That’s what my dad always said.”
Warner smiled. He liked the catchy alliteration of her family’s motto. Then wondered what his would be if they had one. “Certainly beats ‘Warners are wingers’”
Sue laughed. “Thanks for coming Sir”
“My pleasure Sgt.”
Then Sue tentatively asked “has anything been decided yet about Manger?”
Mary looked intently at Sue, concerned that this would spark another reaction like the previous one. Warner too wanted to avoid that. He was choosing his words carefully.
“No not yet. It has to go to Fleet HQ and it will take some time.”
“I just hope the bastard gets what’s coming to him” Sue blurted out. There was real venom in her voice. Warner recognised the signs, the signs of hate.
“I understand your anger and resentment but you don’t want to let that eat you up.”
“How would you know?” she came back strongly.
In a measured voice, designed to calm her down but still forceful enough Warner said “Because I’ve been there. You’re not the first trooper to be shot in combat and you won’t be the last.”
Some of the anger dissipated from Sue’s face but it was clear she was still unsatisfied. She was breathing heavily and Mary moved to intervene. But Sue brushed her aside. “Traitors need to be dealt with Sir.”
“Agreed. But everyone is entitled to due process and that is what is being done.”
“As long as it is Sir” she replied.
Mary then interjected “I think we best leave it there. Don’t you, Sir?”
Warner nodded and walked out the gym leaving Mary with her charge. ‘Geez I didn’t handle that well.’ He admonished himself.
Chapter 14. Hermes 1130, 25 April.
Rihan and Warner met Chief Rapperberg in the central crumple compartment. He was showing them a small device he had obviously crafted himself. It looked pretty crude but the Chief assured them it could detect any communicator capable of interfacing with the ships comms server.
“OK Chief I believe you” said Warner. “Can you undertake the sweep of the ship?”
Rihan piped up “He shouldn’t be doing this on his own. I can assist.”
Warner nodded. “OK when?”
Rapperberg said “I have a few other things to attend to. Give me half an hour?”
Warner looked to Rihan, who nodded. “OK but I need the XO for a briefing ashore at 1400”
“Shouldn’t take that long, Sir”
“Good. Let’s do it.”
“Excuse me then Sir?”
“Of course and thanks”
“No problems.”
Chapter 15. Hermes 1230, 25 April.
“Sir you had better come and see this” Warner heard Rihan say on the communicator. By her formal address he realised she must still be with Rapperberg.
“Where?”
“The gym on crew deck”
“I’m on my way”
A minute later Warner was met outside the front of the gym on crew deck. This was located between the officers’ and senior NCOs’ quarters.
“Found something?” Warner said in a low serious voice.
Rihan nodded. Rapperberg was looking pleased.
“Anyone in there now?” asked Warner.
“No, not at the moment” said Rihan.
“OK. Show me.”
Rapperberg entered and pulled over a chair under the vent. He stood on the chair and inserted a screw driver under the bottom of the cover and pulled it outwards, holding it up with his other hand. He titled his head towards the inside of the duct. He then eased the cover back and let Warner take a look.
There it was about half a metre in, just lying there. “I see” said Warner “Anyone could have left that here. Doesn’t really help our cause directly, does it?”
Rihan responded “No Sir. We’re going to need to literally catch him in the act.”
“Chief, refasten that. Leave it as you found it and rig up a camera to keep it under surveillance.”
Rapperberg jumped back on the chair. When he was finished he moved the chair back to its original location. They walked together in silence back to the elevator and their usual meeting place in the central crumple compartment. Only when the bulkhead door closed did Warner speak.
“Not a word to anyone else. Understood?”
They both nodded.
“We’ll have to time this just right. We must coordinate this with the next mission.” Turning to Rihan he continued “Come on we had better get to that briefing. Chief, you did well. Thanks.”
“My pleasure Sir. I’m quite enjoying this.”
“Be careful what you wish for. But above all just be careful.”
“Will do Sir.”
The bulkhead doors at either end clanged almost in unison.
Chapter 16. Shangri La 1405, 25 April.
“Sorry for being late” apologised Warner. “Chase what have you got?”
“First off, I’d like to say that our intel is not that up to date. As you may recall we lost our last probe over Alpha Phi a few days ago. According to the Base quartermaster it’ll be the next shuttle before he has any more. I really don’t like the idea of going in blind.”
Warner could see the concern on Chase’s face. He looked at Pug. He had his poker face on but he suspected that he had reservations about this op too.
“Pug what’s your view on this?”
“Chase is right Sir. For all we know they could have deployed new batteries, fighters…who knows. They’re just as likely to be building up their base as we are here.”
“Why don’t we do a recce first with Hermes?” suggested Chase “just an in and out run. We then come back and hit them two days later.”
“That would mean delaying the actual attack. No, we go in tomorrow.”
Chase looked across at Pug who gave a light shrug of his shoulders. He decided not to pursue his opposition any longer. “OK then here’s what we have come up with.”
After reviewing the options Warner sat quietly for a while. Rihan knew that his mind was working overtime analysing the different courses of action. To her it seemed the best option was to hit the radar station. It was more isolated, had less defences and would seriously reduce their early warning capabilities thereby making a follow up raid easier.
Chase was looking at Warner eager for a response. Pug was also looking at Dave but deep in thought. He looked tired. It had been a long meeting. The weak sunlight was fading fast.
Finally Rihan decided to prompt Warner. “What do you think, Sir?”
Warner looked at each of his co-planners, ending up at Rihan. “Option three, the radar station.”
Chase looked pleased as did Rihan. Pug had turned to face Warner but he was clearly still deep in thought. Finally he said “we’re going to have to commit 90% of our marines to the attack Sir. Are you prepared for the consequences if things go wrong?”
“I realise that Pug. The responsibility is mine. We go tomorrow.”
“OK Sir” said Pug “I need to use the comms
room and convey these plans to the ship. Then I better head back and get my marines ready.”
Warner was deep in thought. He looked up at Pug and nodded.
Chase turned to Rihan and said “where’s that pool?”
“Down the corridor and on your right” she responded.
Chase smiled gleefully and headed for the door.
“Chase” called out Warner “make sure there is a complete comms lockdown on Hermes effectively immediately”.
Chase understood the need for it. “Will do, Sir.” He then left the room.
Rihan was trying to gauge Warner’s mood. She decided to leave him and clear the table. With the silver tray in her arms, stacked with the mugs and glasses, she called out to Warner across the room “You selected the right option.”
That jolted Warner out of his ponderings. “What, the radar station or committing to an attack tomorrow.”
“We don’t have a choice. We need to act tomorrow.”
“There’s always a choice. I’m risking the lives of 20 people to trap one. Doesn’t sound like a fair exchange, does it?”
“No, but it has to be a ground attack and it has to be credible. Otherwise Archangel will do nothing. He’s not going to invite his own destruction by having the Hermes destroyed. We should count our blessings for that.”
“Good point.”
Chapter 17. Shangri La 2100, 25 April.
Warner had been physically present but not really focussed throughout dinner. They were now relaxing in the main downstairs lounge. Chase and Rihan were ranking old movies. Warner was reviewing tomorrow’s plan again on his console. Rihan kept looking over at him. She knew he was agonising over the mission. Enough was enough she thought and moved beside him at the table.
“Come on lover” she said “It’s time you took me to bed.” She looked over to Chase who was trying to be non-plussed about what he had just heard and she gave him a smile.
Warner didn’t seem concerned. He finished what he was doing and closed the console. He then looked across at Chase, smiled and said “Duty calls!”
“The buggy departs 0540, Chase” advised Rihan.
“Good night. I’ll be ready” replied Chase and gave them a wave as they climbed the stairs hand in hand.
Twenty minutes later, Warner was setting his alarm for 0430. That would give him enough time to meditate, shave and grab a bite to eat before they headed off. His gear was packed ready for the early start. His lover was beside him in the bed. She said “do we really have to set the alarm for 0430. You know a good looking gal like me needs her beauty sleep.”
He searched for a clever response but his mind wasn’t really there. He leaned over, gave her a peck on the cheek, then turned the light out.
“What, no cuddle?” she queried. She grabbed his hand and pulled it over her, allowing him to cup her breast. He lay there cuddling into her back, enjoying the soft touch of her breast.
“You know yesterday you thanked me for this time together” said Warner. “It’s really me who needs to thank you. You are so lovely.” He kissed the back of her neck. She rolled backwards and he kissed her ear lobe. She really liked that and started rubbing her feet over his leg. She felt him being aroused, rolled around and embraced him. They kissed tenderly and made love.
He was deep asleep now and she lay there reflecting on the past few days. ‘What a blessing’ she thought. And then she found herself doing something she had not done for many years. She prayed. ‘Lord keep us safe.’
Chapter 18. Hermes 0555, 25 April.
“Welcome aboard Sir” said 2nd Lt Val Gomez, quartermaster and current officer of the watch. Val was the shortest officer on board but she was never self-conscious about her diminutive stature. She worked out and had a well-toned body. Her dark hair was cut short. Her dark brown eyes were nearly always smiling. She had a round face and clear complexion. It was her natural bon ami that everyone loved. She seemed to be cheerful all the time and this was no exception.
“All hands are on board” she said “and subject to Engineering completing their warm up, we will be ready to launch at 0600.”
“Excellent Ms Gomez” said Warner. He was now all focus on the mission. “As soon as Engineering give the go ahead, you are clear to launch and warp to our objective.”
“Roger, Sir”.
He headed to the command centre. It was a beehive of last minute activity. Chase was settling in, talking to 2nd Lt Aubrey Bellard about target priorities on coming out of warp. In many ways Aubrey was similar to Rihan though she was just a year younger, just a bit shorter and a little thinner. Her dark blond hair was also in a ponytail. Her classic English fair complexion was just a bit fairer than Rihan’s. Her pale blue eyes glanced between Chase and the display. Dave had seen those keen eyes darting from one piece of data or icon to another many time before. Her sharp mind was even quicker. She was a very competent battle systems officer and few people bested her in an argument.
When Rihan had joined the crew six months earlier Dave feared that Aubrey and Rihan might be too competitive but in fact they soon became best friends and were often seen talking and laughing together.
Aubrey glanced across now at Rihan and smiled. Rihan smiled back but quickly returned her focus onto the crew rosters.
Sgt Rao was almost running back to the pilot’s seat, probably from a last minute pit stop. He was a short wiry fellow in an obvious hurry. Known for his ‘need for speed’ he was also a bit of a joker. Dark hair and a geek’s smile were often the only thing the rest of the command centre staff got to see as he turned his head around from the pilot’s seat in the cockpit, which was position forward and below.
Sgt Shriver came in briefly, spoke with Chase and left.
Warner went to the captain’s chair, his chair, and sat down. In doing so he performed another of his rituals. He silently chanted the mantra three times as he sat. He closed his eyes and prayed to his Guru that everything he did and said would be in her service, in her honour and that it would bear great fruit.
Rihan had seen him do this before. She made a note to ask him what it was. She guessed it was something spiritual. At first she had been surprised to see him take this spiritual stuff seriously. But after witnessing him meditating these last few days and now with him sitting there so serene, she understood that he would not be who he was were it not for his spirituality. She resolved to respect that in him.
Likewise the others in the command centre saw their commanding officer in that state. Somehow they had all stopped too. They were all looking at him. It wasn’t as though he was drawing attention to himself or was doing anything overt. Yet in that brief moment he had by some means stilled the entire atmosphere of the command centre. And that was no small feat thought Rihan.
He opened his eyes. They took in all around him. He smiled, content and ready, said nothing more and within a few seconds the buzz of activity and conversation recommenced.
Val Gomez came in from the bridge and looked to her commander “Launch in one minute Sir.”
“Excellent. Carry on”. Warner scanned the room again. The noise had again dropped. The crew were strapping in. Warner did likewise.
“Launch in 30 seconds. All crew to their seats.” Val announced over the intercom.
Without further ado, the engines revved up and the Hermes taxied out onto the runway. Sgt Rao was all concentration down in the cockpit. He was going through the handshake with Flight Control, while the engines were straining for the release.
The vertical thrusters were engaged and the frigate rose to about a 100m above ground level. The main thrusters fired and the frigate began moving forward. Rao gunned the engines and lifted her nose steeply. With a gravity well much smaller than a planet the size of Earth its hold on the spaceship was much weaker. Then it came, the big kick in, as the engines’ boosters were engaged and the craft hurtled upwards at a prodigious velocity. Two minutes later they were at escape velocity and still accelerating. It was all done in ten minutes. The
Hermes was in space and Rao banked her around. Klaster was a speck below.
Gomez announced it was safe to move about and within seconds there was plenty of movement. The last recheck of the warp coordinates was made and confirmed. Gomez announced warp in one minute. Crystal Wong was locking in the automated weapon system engagement protocols. Rihan departed to check on some administrative matters. It seemed that everyone was doing something except the ship’s captain. But that would have been a mistaken assessment.
He was content to see his officers undertake their duties without any need of supervision from himself. He was now resolved to the course of action ahead. But something was troubling him. Something deep in his subconscious was struggling to gain his attention. He did not have clarity on what it was at the moment but he knew it to be important. There was something missing. Something that he had seen that was significant. Now what was it?
He closed his eyes and tried to clear his mind, but the noise from within the centre was too great. He rose and informed Gomez that he would be in his cabin.
In his cabin he turned out the lights and sat down on his asana, crossing his legs in an easy posture. He wrapped his shawl around his shoulders, closed his eyes and posed the question ‘what am I missing’. He repeated it several times and then focussed on his breath. Finally as his mind stilled he asked the question one more time. Then he let it be.
His inner eye was focussed on the void and he felt the heaviness and the pull within. Then, nothing. It was like being suspended, weightless, free to move but unattached to anything. He was the witness. How he loved this state. One moment the void and then in the next he was skiing down a gigantic waterfall, somehow remaining on top of the water. The exhilaration was wonderful. In the snap of a synapse he was back in the void. After, he did not know how long, he realised he was witnessing the briefing they had this afternoon. There he was pouring over the plans with Chase and Pug. He could see the faces of Rihan, Chase and Pug looking back at him waiting for his decision.
So what? His mind cut it. In that moment he was pulled out of the state. He resolved to continue. He posed the question again and again the deep breathing and finally stillness. Then he saw Kiralenko in the command centre taking them out of warp. So what? His conscious mind called out. This time he gave up. It was useless. He was annoyed at himself. He chastised himself for his inability to remain in the state. But now his active mind was racing and he knew it was useless to persist.
The Awakening: Book 1 of Warner's World Page 12
