by Saxon Andrew
McArdle leaned forward, “You are not being sent to start hostilities; you are being sent to find situations to trial our new missiles and cutters. Do not get your wing involved in a battle, clear!?”
“Yes Sir!”
McArdle leaned back and raised his chin, “One other thing, Wing Commander.”
“Yes Sir?”
“The crews selected for this mission are the best in fleet. At the conclusion of this mission, they will all be promoted to wing commanders to lead our warships in the coming war. You will maintain your current rank of Wing Commander during this mission, but you’ve secretly been promoted to Admiral. That is something you’ll need to keep quiet until after the mission.”
“Why, Sir?”
“You’re going to jump a number of senior admirals in rank and we need them focused on getting ready instead of complaining about your promotion. The fifty crews under your command will be a part of your war fleet when you return. We decided to promote you now in the event a senior officer tries to tell you what to do while you’re preparing your wing for the mission. If that happens, then shut them down. I’ll handle the backwash.”
RJ nodded, and McArdle turned to Angel, “You have also been promoted to Junior Admiral and that will also be kept secret.”
“Yes Sir.” Angel replied.
“Sir, who suggested that we be promoted?”
McArdle turned back to RJ, “Supreme Fleet Commander Henricks ordered it, and after the success of your first mission, the Senior Staff agrees with his decision. You are currently the resident expert on the Britannia Aliens, and I suspect after this mission you’re about to embark on, you’ll know even more about how to confront and attack their warships. Use this time to learn all you can about them, Admiral.” RJ nodded, and McArdle ordered, “You’re dismissed.”
RJ and Angel stood up, saluted, did an about face, and exited his office. They walked toward the elevators and RJ said quietly to Angel, “You don’t seem surprised by this.” Angel shrugged. RJ stopped walking and said with more emotion, “What do you know that you’re not saying?”
“Wait until we get out of the building, RJ.” RJ nodded and started walking toward the elevators again. They arrived outside and Angel went over to a shuttle and asked the pilot, “Are you free to take us to our ship?”
“Yes Sir.”
They boarded the shuttle and twenty minutes later arrived in the landing bay. They waited until the shuttle left the ship and RJ turned to Angel, “What’s going on?”
“After we arrived on our ship and I saw the bridge was radically different from a normal Hare Warship, I contacted a very close friend of mine that is currently working on the ships being constructed. He’s one of the lead engineers and I thought he might know some things about our new ship that would help us.”
RJ’s eyes narrowed, “Close friend?”
Angel’s lips pursed, and she replied, “We were an item at the academy. That ended after graduation, but we’re still close. Anyway, I asked him about our ship and he told me that there wasn’t much he could tell me. He said that our ship was designed for a Fleet Commander, or Admiral, to keep control of their forces. He said our ship is currently the only one of its kind, although others are being constructed for the senior officers in fleet.” RJ stared at her as he thought about her revelation. “I wondered why fleet would be assigning you an admiral’s ship instead of a ship designed for a wing commander. I guess learning that you’ve been promoted to Admiral made sense. You’re going to have to teach the other Admirals how to use their new warships when we get back and they won’t listen to a lowly wing commander.” Angel hesitated and added, “My friend told me that our crew was directly involved in the ships construction and know more about the ships capabilities than most of the engineers. We need to look at them differently, RJ. They are not just a simple pilot, weapons officer, and scanning Officer. I suspect they can teach us a lot more than we’ve suspected.”
“Why haven’t they told us about this?”
“I suspect they were ordered not to tell us until we find out we’re flying an admiral’s ship,” Angel replied with a shrug. “I’ve been wondering why they aren’t taking part in the training and now it makes sense.”
“Why is that, Angel?”
“They probably know more about the ship’s technology than anything an instructor could teach them. If our crews are the best in fleet, then we can count on our crew being the best of the best.”
RJ nodded and stared at Angel. After a moment he said, “I should have seen this, but I’ve allowed myself to be tied up by my emotions; that stops now.”
Angel gave him a fist tap to his shoulder and smiled, “That’s great news. It’s time you got back into the world.”
“In the future, don’t keep things hidden from me.”
“You do the same, Sir.”
“What do you think about being promoted to Junior Admiral, Angel?”
“Hey, I’m just riding on the turtles back. I’m promoted because of you, not because of anything I’ve done. A full Admiral’s second-in-command is always a Junior Admiral.”
RJ shrugged, “I told you you’d be promoted if you came on board with me.”
“I never envisioned being an Admiral anywhere near this quickly, RJ. Now we have to make sure Fleet knows they made a good decision.”
RJ nodded and turned toward the bridge, “Let’s go introduce ourselves to our crew again. I suspect they’ve been keeping some things from us.” Angel smiled and followed him out of the landing bay.
• • •
Candy arrived at home and saw her father and mother sitting at the dinner table. Taffy waved her over and she sat down as she heard her father said loudly, “TELL THE TRAINING STAFF I NEED ADMIRAL DUNHAN’S WING READY TO LEAVE NOW!! GET IT DONE!!” Grady closed his communicator and shook his head forcefully to Taffy, “We’re wasting time!”
Candy’s eyes narrowed as Taffy replied, “Grady, they’ve got to get up to speed on the new technology before we send them out.”
Grady sighed, “I know, it’s just frustrating not knowing what’s going on.”
Candy said in a neutral tone, “Did I hear you say, Admiral Dunhan?”
Grady and Taffy looked at Candy and Grady blew out a hard breath, looked up, and rolled his eyes. Taffy quickly said, “That is a Fleet Red Secret, Candy. You cannot tell anyone about it.”
“Are you saying that RJ has been promoted to Admiral?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He’s taking his fifty warships back to alien space and start trialing our newest weapon technology. He’s going to scout them and keep Fleet informed about what’s going on there,” Grady replied.
Candy stared at Grady and then asked, “Why are you sending him back without me?”
Grady quickly responded, “Because you chose to leave his ship and take command of your own, Candy. And before you start saying you’re just as qualified, you need to think about what happened during the first mission. The Senior Staff was highly impressed with RJ and agreed with my assessment that he would be our expert on the Britannia Aliens and how our new weapons stack up against them when he returns.”
“I could still take my ship with him.”
Grady and Taffy were silent for a moment and Taffy finally broke the silence by saying, “We decided that sending you with his wing wasn’t something we should do.”
“Why not?!”
Taffy sighed, “Candy, RJ’s heart was broken when you turned him down. Surely you could see it.” Candy was silent, and Taffy continued, “RJ needs some time away from you to recover and sending you would have only been a distraction for him.”
Grady asked softly, “Did he ask you to stay on his ship, Candy?” Candy lowered her head and nodded.
“Why didn’t you?” Taffy asked.
Candy sighed and looked up at her mother, “It was all too sudden, Mom. I had no idea he felt that way for me and I was given command of a warship; somethin
g I’ve always dreamed of having. I see him as a younger brother and I was startled and bothered by what he told me. I couldn’t get around those feelings.” Candy saw Taffy’s expression and said, “You think I made a mistake, don’t you?”
“Just answer me honestly, Candy. Have you ever known anyone as brave, honest, and intelligent as RJ? How many times has he come to defend you and always been there in your moments of need. He’s not your brother!! He told Abby he’s loved you since the first moment he saw you looking into his play crib at him with a huge smile. He’s hurting, Candy. And sending you with him would have only extended his pain.”
“He’s found someone to replace me pretty quickly.”
Taffy shook her head, “He chose her because they worked together at the academy. He never gave her a moments notice then and only picked her because there was no one else he could think of.”
“She told me I was incredibly stupid to reject him.”
“What?” Grady asked.
“I tried to contact RJ after our debriefing to thank him for coming to my defense and he had left to visit his parents. She told me I was really stupid and requested I stay away from him and give him some time to get over it.”
“Well, you’re probably not going to like this, but she has been promoted to Junior Admiral as his second-in-command,” Grady interjected.
Candy’s anger was immediate, and Taffy said sternly, “You have no one to blame for that but yourself! You could have stayed on board the Endeavor and at least given him a chance to convince you. You would have been promoted to Senior Captain and taken command of a warship if it didn’t work out.”
Candy’ anger faded, and she lowered her head, “I was being selfish.”
“Yes, you were.”
Candy looked up, “Why didn’t he ever tell me how he felt?”
“Candy, you’re three years older and he knew he had to wait until that difference wasn’t so pronounced.” Taffy shrugged, “I’m sure he thought if he told you too soon, you’d reject him out of hand.”
Candy sighed, “I’m so sorry I hurt him.”
“Do you understand why you can’t go on this mission with him?” Grady asked.
Candy nodded, “I guess that’s been the story of my life; so many missed opportunities because of being selfish. I’ve been so focused on me that I’ve missed all I could have become.”
Taffy reached across the table and took Candy’s hands, “Having someone truly love you is a rare thing, darling.”
“Do you think…?”
“He’ll never take you back, Candy,” Grady interrupted. “He can never trust you after you’ve turned your back on him. He’ll believe you’re using him to further your career and not because you really love him.”
Candy nodded, and her tears started falling. Taffy squeezed her hands and said, “Try to learn from this and not make the same mistakes in the future.” Candy nodded and excused herself from the table.
Grady watched her disappear into her room and said softly, “I think our little girl has seen herself for the first time.” Taffy nodded and shook her head in sorrow at the price of the lesson.
• • •
Later that night, Candy emerged from her room and fixed a sandwich. She took it with a drink to the living room and sat down on the couch beside her parents. “Are you ok, honey?” Candy looked at Taffy and nodded. Taffy turned back to the huge video screen and watched the news broadcast.
After a few minutes passed, Candy sighed, took the remote, and turned off the video. Grady and Taffy turned to her and Candy raised her hands, “I’ve been struggling with something and I’m reluctant to discuss it with you because I’m worried you’ll question my motives.”
Grady’s brow furrowed, and he said, “Go on.”
“The Britannia Aliens are not the only ones we should be worried about.”
“Are you referring to Earth?”
“No, Dad. I’ve been in my room thinking about how I’ve been so self-centered that I’ve not really thought about anyone else. So I tried to think of others that have it worse than I do.”
“And?” Taffy asked.
“Pretty much everyone has it worse than I do. I have the greatest family in the world and you’ve given me a wonderful life. I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you’ve done and, Mom, I know you’ve tried to get me to focus on things other than myself for years. I’m sorry I haven’t listened.” Taffy put her arms around Candy and hugged her. Taffy released her, and Candy took a deep breath before speaking. “However, there are others that need us to save them.”
Grady glanced at Taffy and then asked, “What are you talking about?”
“Dad, I want your promise that you will allow me to try and make the effort.”
“That’s not something I can promise, Candy.”
Candy stared into Grady’s eyes for a moment and then said, “That’s fair. But hear me out and then decide, alright?” Grady nodded. “When the Britannia Aliens came to the Fagan civilization to discuss the issue of white ships, do you remember what the High Leader of the Fagan told him?”
Grady glanced at Taffy and said, “I believe I do.”
“The High Leader told the Alien War Leader that someone had taken all the inhabitants from one of his slave planets. Dad, how many slave planets do the Fagan have under their rule and what is going to happen to them if the Britannia Aliens attack their civilization?”
Taffy put her hand to her neck, “Oh my God; she’s right!”
Grady stared at her and Candy rushed ahead, “Dad, we have to try and save those poor planets.”
Grady was shaking his head, “There’s no possible way to make that happen, Candy?”
Candy tilted her head, “I believe there is, and I want the opportunity to make it happen.” Grady sat back on the couch and nodded for Candy to continue. She told him her plan and after she finished, he looked at Taffy and saw her shrug.
“I’m calling a meeting in the morning of the Senior Staff and I want you to present your plan to them.” Candy smiled, and Grady held up a hand, “I’m not saying they’ll agree to this and they still might not allow you to do it. But you’re right, this is something that we need to discuss.”
Taffy looked at Candy, “I’m so proud of you honey.”
Chapter Nine
RJ and Angel were sitting on a bench in front of the Fleet Operations Building enjoying the fresh air during a break. RJ stared at the landing port in front of the building and numerous shuttles were landing. Senior Fleet Officers were emerging from the shuttles and RJ said, “It appears something is going on.” Angel nodded and saw the sky was full of shuttles. One landed and they saw Supreme Fleet Commander Henricks emerge with his wife and Candy. Angel blew out a breath and rolled her eyes. The Henricks walked toward the entrance and they saw Candy stop and say something to her parents. They looked at RJ and then nodded. Candy walked over in front of RJ and Angel and saluted. RJ stood up and returned her salute. Angel remained seated and rolled her eyes. Candy stood at attention and said, Permission to speak freely, Sir.”
“Go ahead.” RJ replied.
Candy looked at Angel and said, “I saw you roll your eyes and I really don’t blame you. I have been the consummate idiot you called me, and I deserve your contempt.” She turned back to RJ, “I’m here to make a presentation to the Senior Staff and I didn’t know I’d see you here. But I want you to know that everything hit me too suddenly for me to get a grip on what was happening. I’m sorry if I hurt you and I want you to know that you are the best man I have ever known in my life. Thank you for coming to my defense so many times and I hope that you won’t have to ever do that again. I know you can never trust me again, but I will always keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you and Admiral Coronado a successful mission and make sure you come back safely, RJ!” Candy stepped forward and hugged RJ tightly, then turned, and walked away. She rejoined her parents and they walked through the front entrance.
RJ sat
down slowly, and Angel nudged him with her elbow, “Are you alright?” RJ nodded. “Did I hear her correctly that she’s making a presentation to the Senior Officers.”
“That’s what she said,” RJ replied.
“I wonder what that’s about?”
RJ turned to Angel, “Admiral, you need to focus on our mission. That meeting has nothing to do with us.”
Angel smiled, “Just checking.” Angel paused and said, “That twit has more than I thought.” RJ chuckled. “Are you going to try and get back together?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I think all I really needed was for her to tell me that she knew I was worthy of her. I’m ok now.” He looked at Angel, “My entire focus is carrying out our mission and getting my crews back safely. I’ll worry about Candy some other time.” RJ stood up and extended his hand to Angel, “We need to get back to class.” Angel took his hand and he pulled her to her feet. They headed toward the front entrance as shuttles continued to land.
• • •
The auditorium was full of Senior Fleet Officers and Grady went to the podium. The room grew silent and he looked around the huge room before saying, “I’ve called this meeting to discuss an issue that has just been brought to my attention. I’m sure all of you know that we are pushing you to get your units prepared for all out war with our enemies. That is not far in our future and what we expect to happen is that if the Britannia Aliens defeat the Stealth Civilization, the odds are that they will take their warships from that front and launch an all-out attack on Earth and the Fagan civilizations. Intelligence believes they will go after the Fagan first and then go after Earth once the Fagan are eliminated. We are not going to intervene in their attack on the Fagan and the jury is still out on going after them when they attack Earth. However, my daughter pointed out something to me last night and it prompted me to call this meeting. I will not be involved in the discussion and I’m leaving it up to the Senior Staff to decide if her plan will be followed.” Grady turned to Candy and nodded.
The room started murmuring as Candy approached the podium but grew deadly silent when she arrived behind the podium. She looked out at the huge assembly and felt her nerves start to get the best of her, but she shook it off and knew this wasn’t about her. She opened a folder and took a remote off the podium. She turned it to the huge monitor over the stage and pressed a button. The speakers activated and the room heard a conversation;
