The Awakening: Book 1 of Warner's World

by Dave O'Connor

  She stopped. She controlled herself, supressing the rising anger, and looked into Warner’s eyes. “Yeh, I’ve seen enough killing.”

  Chapter 31. Hermes 2330, 25 April.

  They loaded up the warthog with Brian Riley’s body and those of the fallen Charlie team and shifted them back 10 clicks to the RV. The walking wounded went next while the able bodied headed south west to the RV. Parinya picked them up too, twenty minutes later. The enemy column was detected deploying around the burning shell of the destroyed launchers and radar station. Warner left nothing of use behind.

  The warthog then went about the process of ferrying the force back to the Hermes. The first lift with the bodies made a sombre arrival back on board. Rihan was there and she found it hard to hold it together. Dakota couldn’t be separated from Brian’s body. So Emilio went with her on that first lift.

  Warner was the last to climb aboard for the return flight of the third lift. When he climbed through the hatch into the Hermes loading dock Rihan was waiting for him along with a goodly portion of the ship’s crew. It was very late and everyone was dog tired but they all felt they had achieved something this day and they wanted to acknowledge the man who had made it possible.

  As he walked out, those around him started clapping. Then everyone joined in. A few started to cheer but Warner held up his hand to quieten them. When the noise abated he lowered down his pack and rifle onto the platform next to the shuttle and addressed them.

  “Thank you. Each of you has contributed to what we did today. I think we did something special but it has not come without a price.” He pointed to the body bags. “These are the bitter pill we must swallow each and every time we recall this operation. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice and I am proud to call them my colleagues.”

  “All of you should be proud. Not for the daring-do, nor for the glory, though there has been no shortage of that today. Neither for the skill at arms you displayed because that’s your duty. What you can all be proud of is the courage you have displayed. Always remember that courage is the greatest of virtues. Without it we are nothing and with it we are everything.”

  He paused for a moment and then added “Now if you don’t mind I think I might take a shower.”

  Some in the dock started to clap and someone cheered but Dave put a stop to it with a wave of his hand. He grabbed his kit and made his way out. He entered his cabin, dumped his gear and took a shower.

  Rihan too headed back to her cabin and took a shower. With her hair still wet she donned her robe, grabbed the pass key to Warner’s cabin that he had given her and entered his room.

  He was sitting up in bed with the lights out. He saw the frame of her body as the door opened and the light from the corridor penetrated the darkness in the room. He moved closer to the side and patted the bed beside him. She closed the door and sat down alongside him and he put his arm around her. She leaned her head onto his shoulder. He didn’t mind the wet hair. That was the least of his concerns.

  They sat there in the dark for a while.

  “You were magnificent” said Rihan softly.

  Dave took a moment before he replied. He turned to face the dark shape that he knew was her face and he brushed back the now almost dry strands of her hair. He took her face in his hands and kissed her lightly on the forehead. “No I did my duty. I am no more magnificent than those we brought back in the bags.”

  Rihan started sobbing and he pulled her head into his shoulder and patted her back softly.

  Part 3

  Union

  In common pursuit and purpose

  We walk this path as one

  Our lives no longer separate

  Like the energy and the sun.

  We no longer see the difference

  Nor care to explore

  Our beings are united

  And love does soar.

  Chapter 1. Shangri La 0900, 9 May.

  “You know you two should make it legit” joshed Art. He was sitting in one of the big leather lounges in the living space downstairs. Opposite in another lounge were Dave and Rihan, decked out in their Fleet whites, sitting close, side by side and arm in arm. She was actually playing her finger over the top of his hand. Art thought they looked so at ease with each other. He envied them but wished them the best.

  Neither Dave nor Rihan looked at the other, both waiting for the other to respond. Art remained silent. He was playing with them and enjoying the moment. Finally, he couldn’t wait any longer. “You gotta admit you’d make a handsome couple. This place could do with a big service wedding.” He had a big grin on his face like a Cheshire cat.

  Dave had had enough. He untwined his arm from Rihan’s and said “If I recall correctly we’re supposed to be here to receive Commodore Pious.”

  “Ah there is that” confessed Art “Bet you it’s not as interesting”.

  “That might be” said Dave “but I still think we’re on the Government’s payroll.”

  “And a paltry one it is too. I say bring back the practices of prizing and privateering.”

  “Enough. Here he comes.”

  Chase Hanlon, largely recovered from his wounds, was escorting a tall fleet officer, the Commodore, who carried himself upright almost to the point of being rigid. He was a trim figure with the look of an educated man. His hazel eyes, quick wit and biting tongue were his weapons of choice.

  Warner and Rihan stood and walked forward to the entrance. They stood to attention and saluted as Commodore Pious entered. The Commodore couldn’t believe his eyes and he left the pair of them in their salute while he gawked at the establishment. He was still transfixed a minute later. Rihan was trying to observe Warner out of the corner of her eye to see if he had lowered his arm. He hadn’t. Pious was scanning from left to right. When he came to Warner he noted their salute and returned it in a fairly casual manner and continued to scan the room. “Amazing” is all he said.

  “Yes Sir it is” said Warner.

  Pious finally brought his attention to Warner and extended his hand. “Commander Warner I presume.”

  “Yes Sir” and they shook hands. “Welcome to Klaster. May I introduce my XO, Lt Rihan Kabel.”

  Pious tilted his head slightly and extended his hand toward Rihan. “Pleased to meet you.”

  Rihan didn’t like the way he was staring at her. She felt as though he was boring into her, scrutinising her very being. But she knew the formalities required and replied “Thank you Sir.”

  Art Simons had moved alongside Rihan and Warner introduced him as well.

  “Would you like to freshen up first, Sir” asked Warner.

  “I think not. If you can bear it I think we shall get right down to business.”

  “Of course Sir. Follow me.”

  Warner led the way to the conference room. When they were seated the Commodore took charge like a man accustomed to doing so. “First off, I want to convey the Fleet Board’s congratulations for securing this intel, Mr Simons. They appreciate the risks you undertook and commend you for your judgement.”

  “Thank you Commodore.”

  Looking at Warner, Pious continued “and you and your crew have not gone unnoticed Commander but we’ll talk of that later. For now I want to focus on the -intel.”

  “Certainly Sir” replied Warner.

  “I take it that everyone here has been briefed about this intel?”

  “Yes Sir” replied Warner.

  “Right. Then you should all appreciate its significance.” Warner, Rihan, Chase and Art all nodded. They each sensed that here was a man who had prepared a speech for the occasion and it was best to let him run with it. And so he did.

  “We have scrutinised the intel. We think it genuine. It raises the alarming prospect that the human systems are being readied for the slaughter by some as yet to be determined foe. It is the Federated Council’s view that it would be best for all humans to face this threat united.”

  There were nods allround the table.

  Looking sat
isfied Pious continued. “So we must secure a rapprochement with the Alliance and then find and defeat this common threat.” Again there was no dissent. Pious looked around the table. Warner thought that perhaps Pious had expected some.

  “Excellent.” Pious added. “I have been tasked to effect the rapprochement with the Alliance government. For that I need you Mr Simons to make contact with the Alliance and set up a meeting with their representatives.” Pious was looking intently at Art. It was his turn to be scrutinised by those piercing eyes.

  Art was not looking forward to having to go back. But he was expecting this. And he wasn’t yet prepared to resign from the spy game. So he thought he might as well make the best of it. “Of course, Commodore. I presume time is of the essence?”

  “Yes it most certainly is.”

  “Then I recommend I make contact with my source in Niku. He has connections to the Alliance leadership there. From there we should be able to arrange a meeting with the Alliance central government.”

  “Excellent” and turning to Warner “Commander I will need you to convey Mr Simons and myself to Beta Phi.”

  “Yes Sir. But surely you are not considering going with Mr Simons on the initial insertion?”

  “No. But I want to be at hand so that the earliest possible meeting can be setup. I appreciate that until a rapprochement is affected your ship will be at risk but I assess that as modest, given your recent victory.”

  “Yes Sir.” That made sense, thought Warner and it was good that Pious viewed their recent battle as a victory. His mind was already going through the appreciation process and a basic plan had already crystallised. When Warner finally brought his attention back to the room Pious was staring at him with those penetrating eyes of his.

  Pious could see the wheels turning inside Warner’s brain. He recalled the note in Warners’ personnel file about his quick mind. He would soon be placing his own personal safety in the charge of that mind. He hoped it would be up to the challenge.

  “I will leave the detailed planning to you Warner but I want to review it. How long will you need for that and what is the earliest time we could depart?”

  Warner knew this question would be coming. He had some of his own but thought it best to proffer a response and then qualify it later. “We can have a draft plan ready for review by this time tomorrow morning and be ready to depart tomorrow evening but I have some issues.”

  “What issues?”

  “My marine detachment is woefully undermanned, given our recent losses. And…”

  Pious cut in quickly. “We have anticipated that and ten replacements accompanied me on the shuttle, along with a stock of missiles and other stores that should meet all your logistic requirements.”

  Warner was taken aback, pleasantly. He had not expected this. The Base Commander had advised him that it would be weeks before he could meet all his requirements. “Why thank you Sir.”

  Pious delighted in delivering this news. He loved the way it took the wind out of his subordinate’s sails. But he had one more item to deliver that he hoped, would confirm in Warner eyes that he was not only competent but had enough pull to shift resourcing priorities. “And I also have another warthog and crew to bring your ship up to its full establishment”. Pious said that with a little flourish at the end.

  Rihan looked delighted and turned to see Warner’s reaction. He was pleased too but she noted that his eyes were now boring into Pious, trying to figure him out no doubt. So she responded on his behalf “That’s welcome news, Sir. Thank you.”

  “Yes thank you Sir. A second warthog will enhance our capabilities, especially for this type of op.”

  “I’m glad you appreciate it” said Pious “I’m not exactly Mr Popular in the Enterprise Group at the moment.”

  His subordinates smiled politely but they saw this statement for what it was worth, an attempt to impress. But what the heck thought Warner, an extra warthog would give them a lot more options and for that he was thankful.

  “If that is all Sir” started Warner “we need to get cracking on the planning.”

  “I do want to speak with you privately Commander but that can wait till this afternoon if you like, say 1400?”

  “1400 would be fine sir. Chase, can you please show the Commodore to his accommodation upstairs?”

  Chase rose and escorted the Commodore back out. Warner watched them leave the room. When he turned back to the table Art chimed in “There is no greater sacrifice than that a man” and turning to Rihan “and a woman should give up their boudoir for the Commodore”.

  Rihan smiled shaking her head and then with a shrug of her shoulders said “at least it won’t be for a long time”.

  Warner was all serious. “Enough of that banter we’ve an operation to plan.”

  Chapter 2. Shangri La 1330, 9 May.

  After a three-hour planning session Warner was mentally fatigued. He grabbed a bite to eat with Rihan. The Commodore had gone back over to the main facility to see the Base Commander for lunch.

  Rihan asked “What do you think he wants to speak to you about ‘privately’?” with added emphasis on the last word.

  “Not sure, but probably about the battle on Alpha Phi and Archangel. He might want to ask my opinion on some promotions he wants to award. That’s not uncommon after a ‘victory,’” he replied, again with added emphasis on the last word.

  “Yes well at least it’s nice to know that Fleet views it that way” said Rihan.

  “Yeh it is. Now that I think about it he may want to speak to me about who should be the new Marine Detachment Commander. He didn’t mention anything this morning about the ranks of the replacements.”

  Rihan thought about this for a moment. “I think if he does you should advocate for Shavez. Emilio did an outstanding job and he’s well-liked by the marines.”

  “Yeh but being well liked is one thing. He has to command respect as well. Don’t get me wrong I think Emilio is a good choice but we’ll have to see what the Commodore has in mind.”

  Rihan nodded. “Anything else you can think of?”

  “Not off the top of my head.” And then teasingly Warner added “Maybe he wants me to line him up with a good looking sort like you.”

  Rihan looked across disapprovingly “Well you can tell him that this gal’s already spoken for. Right?”

  “I’m not sure I have that information on file” he teased further.

  “You’re a rogue Dave Warner” and she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek just as the Commodore came striding through.

  “Commander we might have that chat now, if you please” demanded Pious.

  “Certainly Sir” said Warmer, cursing to himself the timing of the Commodore’s early return. He stood and followed the Commodore down to the conference room.

  “Can you please shut the door behind you Commander”.

  Warner did so and all of a sudden he was dreading the moment.

  “Please take a seat” and Warner sat down facing Pious across the rounded corner of the table.

  “I think what I have just witnessed out there confirms the reports that I have received about inappropriate behaviour between yourself and your XO.”

  Warner said and did nothing, so Pious continued. “What you do in private is you own affair but what you do on the Hermes and while in uniform is very much the Fleet’s concern.” Again he looked for a response, an acknowledgement, from Warner but got none.

  “Do you agree Commander?”

  “Yes Sir.” There was a measure of reluctance in Warner’s voice and it was noted by Pious.

  “We cannot tolerate the Fleet being brought into disrepute. It won’t do to have the Fleet’s senior officer in this sector shacking up with his deputy on board a warship or on this base for that matter. These shenanigans will stop immediately. Is that understood?”

  “Understood Sir.” Warner knew his position was indefensible in the eyes of the Fleet. Case proved, awaiting sentence. And Pious was just the man to deliver
it.

  “If you want to, marry the girl, make an honest woman out of her. Otherwise break off this affair. If you choose to marry her you will be aware of Fleet policy that prevents married couples from serving together in the same command.”

  A defeated Warner nodded.

  “So what’s it to be Commander?”

  Warner was not expecting to have to decide right there and then. He had to discuss this with Rihan first. “I need some time to consider that Sir.”

  “You have 24 hours to make up your mind. That should be more than enough for a man of decision like you.”

  Warner was lost for words. This Commodore had just walked up to him and hit him with a sledgehammer. He was all but out for the count.

  Sensing this Pious decided to leave him to his thoughts. “I’ll await your decision at 1400 tomorrow.” And Pious walked out leaving Warner to slump back in his chair.

  A few minutes later Rihan came in. She couldn’t wait any longer to find out what happened. She saw Warner slumped in his chair and knew something was wrong.

  “What happened? Have you been relieved?”

  Warner was deep in thought. Finally he acknowledged her and said “No something worse”.

  “Well what?”

  “It looks like our little antics on board and here have been drawn to the attention of Fleet HQ.”

  Rihan knew this to be bad. She went and sat in the same chair Pious had been in opposite Warner. But unlike Pious she moved the chair closer so she could place her hand on his knee. With her upturned hand she lifted his jaw up so she could see his eyes. He had a troubled brow. In fact he looked like a condemned man. What could have the Commodore said that reduced her hero to this pathetic state and in such a short time?

  “So what?” she demanded.

  “So he’s given me till 1400 tomorrow to decide whether to make an honest woman out of you or to ditch you.”

  This was like a red rag to the bull. “Who does he think he is?”