by Ted Mayes
“Where are you, Jordan?” she heard First saying.
“Taking care of the last two, Sir,” she replied, firing two more pellets and seeing the last two fall.
“Okay, get back down here, Wonder Woman.” Then she heard First giving orders for praetorians to watch over the bodies until police came, and then reporting on the police channel that the intruders were neutralized and waiting for the police.
By the time Beth was downstairs, she could hear sirens in the distance going silent. First motioned her into the office, telling her quietly to turn back into her ‘mild-mannered alter ego.’ She slipped into the office, noticing thankfully that everyone was still out of sight, except for Dr. Andrews, who helped her get out of her gear and stow it away in her tool bag. Then he had her sit down and, as the adrenaline slowly left her bloodstream, she began shivering. Dr. Andrews left the office and Beth closed her eyes, trying to relax.
Soon she became aware of someone else in the room, and looked up to see a praetorian optio standing by the doorway. “Good shooting, decurion,” he said with a smile.
She recognized the voice and the face then. “Thank you, Optio High Eagle. Did you and the First just happen to be in the neighborhood?”
“No, Ma’am, but First said that we were coming here, and I learned a long time ago not to argue with the centurion.”
“Always a wise choice,” Beth murmured quietly and closed her eyes again. A few minutes later, the PA system announced that the situation was over and that classes could resume. Shortly after that, she opened her eyes to see First enter the office and she sprang to her feet.
“At ease, decurion,” he said before she could finish coming to attention. He examined her closely before asking, “How do you feel, Miss Jordan?”
“Fine, Sir. I felt a little shaky coming down off the adrenaline high, but I’m feeling normal now.”
“Now, do you want to stay here or go back to Ostia? I’m sure the school would let you go.”
“No, Sir, thank you, but I’d rather stay busy today. I’ll finish the school day, if it’s alright with you.”
“It’s your decision, decurion. The police are starting to cart the attackers off, so everything should get back to normal, soon. Do you want some Marine guards left here?”
“I wouldn’t think there was any need for them, Sir. The security system seems to have worked perfectly, and a second attack would seem unlikely, wouldn’t it, Sir?”
First looked carefully at her for a moment. “You’re probably right, Miss. I guess all we need to do, then, is get you back to class.” He led the way out of the principal’s office and into the hallway where Dr. Andrews and some of the office staff were watching the attackers being taken away. First went up to him and said, “I’m glad, sir, that Miss Jordan was here to assist you, but you really didn’t need to call her down to the office to help you control the security system.”
Beth was sure she saw a ghost of a smile drift across Dr. Andrews’ face. “Well, it turned out much easier to operate than I had thought, so I doubt that I will need Beth’s help again, if such an occasion ever happens again.”
Beth thought she heard First murmur something about checking the other hallway where two of the other attackers had been, and First and Dr. Andrews moved away. Meanwhile, the principal had told her to return to her class, and the other Marines were leaving the building. So she went back to physics and reported the story that First had started – that attackers had entered the building, Dr. Andrews had wanted help with the security system and that the police were cleaning up everything. She wasn’t sure that Mr. Simpson bought the whole story, but everyone else seemed to.
Needless to say, the whole incident was the topic of conversation for the rest of the day. The attack itself. The number of attackers. A rumor that some of the attackers had tried to fire into classrooms, but the bullets had simply fallen to the floor, unable to penetrate the door. If it wasn’t the attack, some students had seen the Marines arrive, and leave, by floater, and a number of people wanted more information about them from Beth. She managed to get by with saying ‘someone’ had told her the ‘floaters’ were used on the Moon, but she had no idea how they worked.
With everyone asking questions, it seemed like a very long day and Beth was happy to get in her car and leave for Ostia. With everything that had been going on, she called Sigrid and told her she wouldn’t be in this evening. When she got to Ostia, she quickly got a cup of coffee and said ‘hi’ to her Dad. She left her bags there at Jordan’s and went quickly down the Via Emporia to the Fleet Harbor. Then she paced up and down the balcony overlooking the hangar. Time seemed to have stopped because the clocks never seemed to approach 1600.
Finally a scout transport noiselessly floated into the hangar, pivoted and backed up to the passageway from the balcony. She was vaguely aware of the PA asking those waiting for passengers to stay back, just as she was only vaguely aware that there were others waiting, many of them female. She supposed it was like any ship docking after a long voyage with people waiting for the passengers and crew to leave – it felt like it took hours.
Then she spotted Jon, the first one to leave the ship, and as soon as he reached the balcony area, she took off running. He dropped the duffel bag he was carrying and caught her as she threw herself on him. Not caring who was looking, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss – pouring all her longing for the last four months into it. It must have lasted for quite a while, but Beth was too dazed to notice much of anything.
When they finally stopped to breathe, all Jon could say was “Wow.”
Still holding him, Beth smiled and said, “I missed you.” And in saying it, she realized how true it was. Not only had she missed him terribly, but being held by him, she felt safer than she had in months. She knew that was silly, because Ostia was safe, but it felt safer to be there with Jon.
When they were finally willing to let each other go a bit, they saw that most of the people had left the balcony, and those that were left all had smiles on their faces. Beth didn’t care a bit, because Jon was back. “What would you like to do next?” she asked.
“It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re here with me,” was the reply.
Jon picked up his duffel and, hand in hand, they slowly strolled out of the Portus Classis and down the Via Emporia. They agreed to see her parents first, then his. Then they just talked. It was just small talk at first, how the trip had gone, what Jon’s next duty station was. Then she mentioned the incident at school that morning and Jon’s attitude changed immediately. Somehow he was sharper, more focused, more ‘dangerous’, if that were possible she thought, and he wanted to hear about everything in detail. She finally convinced him that everything was okay.
“I’ll check with First and see if there’s any other news,” was Jon’s final comment on the subject. They strolled into Jordan’s and got a warm welcome from Beth’s parents. While her parents were talking with Jon, Beth quickly sent a message to Sigrid to remain at the office until she could get there. They strolled over to her office so Beth could pick up the paperwork that had come in that day. She introduced Jon to Sigrid and was faintly amused to see how impressed Sigrid was with him. They wandered down to the Harrison house and were surrounded by his family, who were thrilled to see him.
During the few moments they were there, Ruth had dragged Beth to one side to ask her, “Are you going to marry my brother?”
Beth smiled and said quietly, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m thinking about it. I just haven’t talked with Jon about it yet. What do you think?”
“I think you should do it. He loves you and I want you to be my sister,” had been the reply.
The two of them begged off an invitation to supper and finally made it down to their apartments. They dropped their bags off and went down the road to one of ‘their’ favorite restaurants, a family-run Chinese restaurant that catered to university students. Over Mongolian Beef and Cashew Chicken, they sat close, touch
ing, and talked about nothing very important.
After they were done they walked back to the apartment complex and sat outside at a table. Beth worked at the papers she’d brought from the office and Jon was reading in his law textbook. They sat there in quiet contentment, working, but sitting very close together. It seemed as if every so often one of them would make contact with the other, as if for reassurance that the other was actually there.
When Beth was done with her paperwork, she grabbed Jon’s left arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. When he glanced over at her, she smiled at him and said, “You know, I have been thinking ...”
Jon just smiled back at her. “About things more ‘permanent’.”
He set his portfolio down on the table. “And have you decided anything?”
“Well, after these last months, I’ve decided that I’d rather not have so much distance between us. I can survive it, if I have to, but I’d rather not have to do it.”
“I agree with you on that. And … ?”
“I’m still not too sure I’m ready to make permanent decisions, but I’m ready to think about them and talk about them.”
He picked her hand and kissed it. “I’m going to try real hard not to push things, but I’m pretty sure that I’ve fallen for you.” Beth felt warm and tingly all over, from his words as well as from the touch of his lips on her hand. “I spent enough time the last few months listening to guys talk – and, incidentally, remind me to suggest to … our mutual friend … that the next flotilla to Mars include some women, wives and volunteers – that I am beginning to think very strongly that I’ve found the one for me.”
“Well, what are your suggestions for how we proceed from here?” Beth asked.
“Well, I’d like to suggest that we continue doing things together – by the way, are those dance classes still going on? As I recall, we didn’t get much practice in. Then, we continue talking about anything and everything, and I think, I hope, that we’ll agree on a plan in the not-too-distant future.”
Beth smiled at him. “I agree with your suggestions, and, incidentally, the dance classes are still going on, and we can join at any time.”
“Great, and one of these days, I’d like to introduce you to my grandparents. When I was young, Gramps used to tease me that I had to bring my girl over to see him and get his approval.”
“That sounds wonderful. I’d like to meet the rest of your family, and you should meet mine. Where are your grandparents?”
“Dad’s found them places at Capitol and they seem to be happy up there. How about yours?”
“Mom’s parents live in eastern Oklahoma and Dad’s in Colorado.” She thought for a moment. “You know, I never would have thought of having grandparents on the Moon.”
“Dad said something about he was high enough in the empire that it was possible, though unlikely, that the grandparents could be targeted.” There was a moment of silence before Jon continued. “Would you like to go for a walk?”
“Why?” She pulled a little away from him to look into his face.
“Beth, I’ve been away for almost four months. You’re an almost irresistible temptation.”
Her face was beaming. “Almost irresistible? Is that right? Well, I have a better idea. Molly, George, stop us in five minutes.” Beth jumped up and onto his lap, put her arms around his neck, and proceeded to indulge in some serious kissing.
* * * * *
Michael sipped on his second cup of morning coffee and decided that things were going better than he had expected. Amanda had just left. She seemed to be developing a new habit of stopping in to see him at breakfast, before she got involved in whatever filled her day. Not only that, but some of the hesitation that he had sensed she had seemed to be dissipating as well. Things were going well enough that, while he was sure the empress was still keeping her eye on their relationship, Tommy had been dropped from the loop and was no longer setting him up for surprises.
Today would mark the first day of the cursus, the track for those who were expected to rise to high office in the empire. At the emperor's suggestion, both Ari and Jon were given a week’s break without any duties other than classes. Michael had a good guess why that was ‘needed’ by Jon, but he’d been surprised that Ari was apparently becoming interested in a young lady, as well. It seemed to fit in with a brief note from the hospital that said there was a suggestion of an increase in the birthrate since Capitol had been opened to immigration. The emperor had asked for more information, mentioning to Michael that it would be interesting if the opening of a new ‘frontier’ were already having a demonstrable effect.
At 0800, Ari and Jon entered the atrium and came to attention in front of Michael’s desk, saluting. “At ease, gentlemen,” Michael said, looking at them closely. “Welcome back, Master Harrison, and congratulations on your new ring, Master Levi.” Ari responded with a small smile and an unconscious wiggle of the little finger with the new dating ring on it. Jon just smiled.
“The two of you are going to be our guinea pigs for the new cursus. You two have been selected because it is expected that you will rise to the higher, perhaps the highest, ranks in the empire. The emperor has decided that you, and others like you, will be rotated through three month assignments with different parts of the imperial government, so that you will have a thorough understanding of what is involved in governing the empire.”
“You will be starting here as my aides so that you can get a general view before taking a look at all the details. Your next assignment will be to take a decury through basic. Then you will spend three months at the Imperial Hospital, then the Imperial Bank. Other assignments, and how many assignments you will have, have not been determined yet. Any questions yet?”
A duet of “No, Sir” was the response to his question.
“I don’t think you are aware of the current situation, gentlemen. Some months, a minor imam in the Middle East issued a fatwah calling for jihad against the empire. It was something we ignored, as we ignored the decision of Al-Quaeda’s judicial committee that adopted said fatwah as binding on all the ‘faithful.’ However in the last two weeks there have been a number of attempted bombings against imperial buildings, and last week’s attempted attack on Miss Jordan’s high school might be related.”
“Sir, do we know that that there is a connection, yet?” Jon interrupted.
“Not yet – the individuals involved in that attack have not been taken into imperial custody, but you may soon be hearing more information on that. The two of you will represent me at a meeting, 0900, top floor, fleet building. Various people will meet there to recommend policy to the emperor on what to do in this situation. You two, being the lowest ranked people there will get to make your recommendations first.” Michael could see the shock his words caused in the absolute stillness of the two young men in front of him.
After waiting to see if either would say anything, Michael continued, “After the meeting is over, you will return back here to me, report, and then start wading through all this paper. Understood?”
“Yes, Sir,” they both responded.
“Then you have till 0900 to think about what you’re going to say, gentlemen. Dismissed.” Jon and Ari saluted and moved toward the door, still a little shaken by what they had been told. Michael grinned to himself, It was going to be interesting to see how these two reacted to all the pressure that was going to be coming their way.
Michael turned to his reports, looking at Fleet’s first. They were waiting for approval to kick Mar’s magnetosphere up a notch in power. The reports on how the magnetosphere was shielding the atmosphere were very positive and there was enough information on the (slow) growth of the native atmosphere to make some calculations. The new governor was cautiously in favor of building up the atmosphere in the Mars Valley as a (relatively) open area for Mars in the future. Very rough estimates were made for providing an atmosphere at Terran sea-level pressure, as well as Denver pressure.
Operation Puzzle was still
in the planning stages, but there were estimates being made as to how much computer power was necessary to track and survey the asteroids, let alone to ‘fit them together’ to see if there was one original source. Hermes was doing well on the small scale alloted to it – a survey had been started and the variety of deposits was causing some surprise even in imperial circles. As far as Aphrodite, everything was still in early planning stages, but there had been a slight but noticeable shift in atmospheric pressure. More importantly, though there had been a possible breakthrough in what had caused its retrograde revolution and theoretical possibilities for increasing or correcting the revolution and tilt.
The bank reported brisk sales of coin sets, although their rule of selling only one to a customer had greatly frustrated some individuals who had wanted to buy them wholesale and sell them retail. It was also reported that there was an increase in the number of people collecting ‘bits,’ the plastic ‘coins’ that made change for the uncia, or ‘nickel.’ Agriculture and Natural Science had submitted a plan to construct colonies for potential refugees in Mare Imbrium, north of Capitol. They also reported, backed up by a second report from Foreign, that a consortium of private individuals and organizations, mostly from the US and Europe had signed an agreement to immediately begin the construction of a independent, private, colony on the moon, and they had requested the location of Kepler Crater, west of Capitol. The consortium was already getting the first group of colonists together.
Major expansions of the various departments were being planned for Capitol, and there was an interesting note from Praetor Roslin, the new head of the University. The praetor suggested that it might be necessary to separate the Imperial Library off from the University. His reasoning was that with the expected knowledge explosion, especially with all the new astrophysical data that the empire was collecting, the collection and storage of information would be a major task in and of itself, apart from serving the needs of the university and its scholars. Michael leaned back in his chair and thought about that suggestion for a moment. A smile came to his face and he decided that this was something that he was going to dump on Dr. Harrison – at least the initial planning of it.
