Krag, still ready to jump Weiskoff, saw Keiko redirecting the Vice-Admiral from focusing on the current source of his anger to future thoughts on his position of power. Krag stayed quiet, working to calm down, letting Keiko do what she did.
“That crew had better step up.”
“Preceptor Igaklay, when is the jump drive for the Mortek cruiser due to arrive?”
“At ten forty-seven, tomorrow morning, Ambassador.”
“How long will it take to get everything installed?”
“The temporary installation will take no more than the afternoon, Ambassador.”
“Then, by morning, two days from now, Vice-Admiral Weiskoff and his crew will be ready to jump the Mortek cruiser to Ballison for refit?”
“That is correct, Ambassador.”
“Vice-Admiral, is that acceptable? A day and a half from now, you command the Mortek cruiser and jump it to Ballison for a refit and upgrades?”
“As long as you get me my crew.”
“We will work on that tomorrow. We’ll jump back to Tolimar and you can give your speech.”
“Federacy corps personnel do not need a speech. They will do what they are told.”
Krag and Keiko passed knowing looks as they saw the gleam in Weiskoff’s eyes as the Vice-Admiral envisioned his getting back in command.
“That’s enough for today. Sue, Mack, are Princess Analyn’s things packed up?”
“Ya, Cap. The executive suite is al prim and proper for the Vice-Admiral.”
“Lieutenant Clarke, Captain Brewer, we’re short on space. So, I’m afraid that, for the night, you will need to share the maid’s quarters.”
“That won’t be a problem, Ambassador.”
“Let’s meet at oh nine hundred and prepare for our jump back to Tolimar,” Krag offered. I will contact Major Wilson and have him assemble Odin’s crew.”
Tolimar
Mid-morning, the next day, Keiko brought Griffin down to the landing pad next to Trotzig. Mack opened the cargo doors. Everyone, except for Weiskoff, Clarke and Brewer exited.
“Mack, Sue, Gopai, you are free for the day. Go play.”
“Will do, Cap.”
“We’re not partying at Shar’s”
“Aw, Love, just one of her good steak dinners. And some cold beers.”
“I want to explore first.”
“Your wish is my command, Love.” Mack stated this with a formal bow.
“You’re such a clown.”
“I bet you wish Maid Folita was hanging on your arm, ay, Guppy.”
“That I do, Wrenchy.”
“We’ll be back on Ballison, soon, Gopai.”
“I am looking forward to that, Ambassador.”
“Captain, if you do not mind, I would like to accompany them.”
“That’s fine, Igaklay.”
“Boy are we going to get some looks.”
“With an Elonian and Igaklay, you four are going to be the center of attention.”
“As we should be, Wee-One. We’re the Saviors of Tolimar. Maybe they‘ll throw flowers at our feet.”
“You’re pushing it, Dear.”
“I know, maybe they’ll give us free stuff, you know, homage.”
“Over the top, Mack. Over top. Enough. Get lost. I’m tired of looking at you four.”
“Aye, aye, Oh Captain, My Captain.”
“Igaklay, you’re getting as bad as Buster.”
“Thank you. I try.”
“Speaking of which, would you link me to Buster?”
“Captain?” Krag heard.
“Buster, how is it going on the shipyard?”
“We hit some opposition, Captain. But, so far, everything is under control. Sergeant Nelson is pushing around the outer ring. He is about a half of the way around. Tribune Ambakai and the Leopards are protecting the landing zone. Sergeant Boulos has captured and restrained the Mortek Commander.”
“Good to hear. Casualties?”
“Seven Marines are down. One is wounded. Two Defenders have been killed. And one Guardsman.”
“Oh, no. Be sure to bring them home.”
“Always, Captain.”
“Anything else?”
“I have sustained some damage. Nothing critical.”
“What’s not critical, Buster?”
“I lost my right leg during a skirmish.”
“You lost a leg and it’s not critical?”
“No, Captain. I have not lost any capabilities. I am utilizing my gravity pack for mobility.”
“Well, when you get your metal butt back here, Mack will put you back together.”
“But, Captain!”
“What, Igaklay?”
“I have Buster’s new body ready! It is much better than his current one! Now would be a good time to transfer him over.”
“Buster, are you good with that?”
“Yes. From Igaklay’s and my designs, I think it will be an exceptionally good shell.”
“We planned on jumping straight to Ballison. Instead, we’ll make a side trip to Cencore. I’ll let you know when we’re jumping.”
Krag and Keiko wandered over to the parade grounds as their four crewmates hurried to town. Reaching the raised platform, the two climbed the steps, approaching Feldmarshal Rosser and Major Wilson.
“Welcome back, Commander, Ambassador.”
The four looked out, over the gathered Odin.
“I thought Weiskoff was going to give a speech.”
“He’s coming, Corry. He, Clarke and Brewer are in Griffin’s galley, fighting off their headaches. Maybe you want to start the ceremonies?”
“Weiskoff’s not going to like it, Krag. A lot of his folks have settled down. More don’t want to serve with his Royal Highness.”
“They aren’t wrong. I didn’t want to serve with him. Well, go ahead and soften them up.”
“You’re a real friend, Hawk.”
“That’s why I let you beat me at cards.”
“Yeah, right.”
Feldmarshal Rosser stepped up to the podium. The milling crowd, seeing this, settled down.
“Crew of Odin.”
“Ex-crew,” someone shouted. Many in the crowd laughed.
“Yes, well, about that. You will be glad to know that Commander Marston has procured a Mortek cruiser and, out of the goodness of his heart, is giving it to Vice-Admiral Weiskoff.”
“So that’s why you called us here.”
“You are?”
Ex-Lieutenant Carter. Emphasis on the ‘Ex’.”
“Yes, Mr. Carter. Vice-Admiral Weiskoff and Captain Brewer are going to need a crew to sail the cruiser. Before the sales job, how many of you want to get back into space?”
Almost everyone raised their hands.
“How many of you are willing to get back into space onboard the Mortek cruiser?”
About one third raised their hands.
You, with your hands raised, please move to my right. Form a separate group. The rest hang loose. Vice-Admiral Weiskoff will be here shortly.”
The four people on the podium saw the crowd split into two groups. As this occurred, they saw Weiskoff, Clarke and Brewer come down Griffin’s ramp. Upon the three Odin officers coming onto the stage a willing Feldmarshal Rosser vacated his space, relinquishing it to the scowling Weiskoff.
Feldmarshal Rosser and Major Wilson came to attention and delivered crisp salutes. Weiskoff flipped a casual one back. Krag and Keiko stood straight, showing their own respect.
“Vice-Admiral, that group has voiced its acceptance in returning to space on the Mortek cruiser.”
Rosser waved his arm over the group to his right. Waving his hand over the larger group, he continued, “Although desiring to return to space, this group has expressed its doubts.”
So saying, Feldmarshal Rosser stepped back from the podium, making way for the Vice-Admiral. Weiskoff stepped up and glared at the larger group.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. You are all members of the Federacy Sp
ace Force. You enlisted to protect the Federacy in both times of peace and times of war. This is a time of war.”
“The Federacy is gone, Weiskoff!”
“Who said that? Step forward!”
No one stepped forward.
“The Federacy is not gone. As long as I am here, the Federacy is here. It is your duty to fight the Mortek. It is your duty to return to the fight.”
“We’re all willing to fight the Mortek, Sir.”
“I know you. You’re the hacker that cracked the Mortek derelict.”
“That is correct, Sir. What I was about to say, is that, we’ve been fighting the Mortek. We all fought with you as our fleets were destroyed. You did a magnificent job whittling down those Mortek ships. But, we were still losing. Our ships were outweighed, out-armored and out-gunned. It wasn’t until Captain Marston arrived with Griffin’s alien tech, that we turned the battle and kicked those bugs out of Tolimar.”
“Yes, well,” Weiskoff began.
“Then he and Gazelle’s Stingers kicked them out of Arium.”
“And now, we will kick them out of the rest of Federacy space!”
“Not without Captain Marston’s leadership or all that alien tech, Vice-Admiral.”
“Weiskoff prepared to explode. Keiko quickly rushed forward and put her hand on his arm.
“Vice-Admiral, if I may?”
Too angry to speak, Weiskoff stepped back.”
“Mr. Carter, is that right? Mr. Carter?”
“Yes, Ambassador.”
“You are saying that you are willing to get back into the war. Just not on Vice-Admiral Weiskoff’s cruiser. Is that what you are saying?”
“I’m speaking for myself, Ambassador. And, yes, that is what I’m saying.”
“Keiko, I’ve got this.”
“By all means, Krag.”
“Crew of Odin. It sounds like you’ve heard of me.”
That received laughter.
“Well, as a lot of you know, for a time, I commanded the fighter squad on Odin, under the command of Vice-Admiral Weiskoff. That is all that I am. I am a fighter squad commander. I am not a fleet commander. I do not have the skill set for commanding a fleet.”
“You did pretty good, kicking those Mortek bug butts, Hawk.”
“And it felt good. But, we need a frontline fleet admiral. There’s not just one Mortek cruiser. There are five more cruisers which we are commandeering. Along with twelve destroyers and forty-one frigates. That is the fleet that Vice-Admiral Weiskoff needs to command. And, he needs crew.”
“Well, then, there’s your answer, Captain. I’ll sail on one of those other cruisers. I’ll bet that I’m speaking for a lot of us.”
Shouts of approval rose.
“Just a moment. Vice-Admiral, could we have a sidebar?”
Still fuming, Weiskoff briskly nodded.
The seven on stage moved to the back.
“Here’s what I’m thinking. You already have enough crew to man your flagship.”
“That’s what, a third of the crew we had on Odin?”
“That’s all you need, Admiral. Think about it. With the jump drives, there are no more long legs of dead time. Whenever you need downtime, you just jump to the big dark, rest up and jump back. You only need a third of the crew that you needed on Odin.”
“Maybe so. What about emergencies? Damage?”
“Just jump out. No matter where you are, Preceptor Igaklay can get supplies and material to you in less than two days.”
“That might be serviceable. But, those others, they’re mutinying. They’re defying the authority of the Federacy, Marston.”
“Vice-Admiral, if I may interrupt?” Keiko stepped in.
“What?”
“Those people have been through hell, Vice-Admiral.”
“We all have. I lost my ship. That doesn’t change the fact that they are defying Federacy authority.”
“No one is defying Federacy authority. They are tired. They are afraid. They want some control back in their lives. None of them have refused to return to the war. Those that didn’t immediately step forward will step forward. If you step forward.”
“Vice-Admiral, you have a problem. Work the solution.”
“Don’t give me orders, Marston. I damn sure don’t need you telling me how to do my job. Either of you.”
Weiskoff marched back and seized the podium. The others turned and watched. Krag and Keiko passed a glance, both hoping that Weiskoff wouldn’t make the situation worse.
“You,” Weiskoff pointed to the third of the group standing to the side.
“Report to Captain Brewer. Captain Brewer, get your crew ready for transport. Report to Griffin.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
Captain Brewer almost sprinted, escaping the stage and the tension. Reaching his crew, he motioned them to follow him, leading them away from the rest of the gathering.
Weiskoff looked over the remainders.
“All remaining bridge personnel, step to your right.” Weiskoff pointed to a spot on the parade grounds.
A small group followed his order. Weiskoff counted. Exactly eighteen. Two crews.
“You are all second and third shifts? Separate by shift.”
They split up.
“Marston points out that a Mortek cruiser, with added jump drives, does not need a full crew. I agree. You will each control a bridge of a cruiser. Under my command. Anyone not agreeing with this, step forward.”
Not one member of the two bridge crews stepped forward.
“The rest of you, split into your shifts. If you are second or third shift, join your bridge crews.”
The remaining members of Odin’s crew moved around and filled out the two groups. Except for the two software specialists and the platform operator.
Both Weiskoff and Krag saw the man who had challenged the Vice-Admiral. Krag stepped up.
“Vice-Admiral, it would be better for the war effort if the software specialists worked closely with Igaklay. They will have unlimited resources if you do.”
“Fine. I don’t want to even look at that, that agitator.”
Krag cocked his head towards Griffin. The final three people practically sprinted towards her stern.
“Get me two more ships, Marston. Cruisers.”
“As soon as we finish taking the shipyard, Vice-Admiral.”
“Good. I will be in my suite.”
Krag, Keiko, Rosser and Wilson watched Weiskoff march off with his Adjunct in tow. Once they reached the ground, Weiskoff said something to Lieutenant Clarke and waved a hand at the two groups of crewmembers. Clarke sprinted over and began organizing.
“That bastard has never changed. You would think that getting his ship shot out from under him would have taken some of the stick out of his butt.”
“Don’t count on it, Major. That stick is there to stay. You need to get your marines together and split them up into the three groups for their new assignments.”
“Copy that, Hawk.”
“And, I’m sad to say, you are probably back in space.”
“No ‘probably’ there, Hawk. Well, Feldmarshal, it looks like you are going to need a new second.”
“It’s been fun.”
“A barrel of laughs.”
Krag, Keiko and Corry watched Major Wilson return to his life as a Federacy Marine.
“Corry, shortly, we’re going to take back Cencore. Could you get your people ready?”
“We need a lot more gravity packs, Hawk.”
“I’ll get with Igaklay.”
“And gravity guns. And gravity rocket launchers.”
‘Now you’re just getting greedy.”
“Never let a good crisis go to waste, Hawk.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Chapter 22
Aboard Griffin – Cencore
“I am getting really tired of these headaches, Marston.”
“Once we get to Ballison and Preceptor Igaklay injects his nanites, they all go away. Se
rgeant Boulos, how is the Odin crew?”
“Cranky, like a two-day binge, Commander.”
“Get them going. Sue, what have you got?”
“No change, Captain. The Mortek fleet is still drifting. Limpet is still attached to Cencore’s main shipyard.”
“No threats?”
“None that I can see.”
“What about our wayward frigate?”
“She’s nowhere to be found. She must be in the grey, heading to Bridgelen.”
“Igaklay, would you contact Jewel of the Stars?”
“Captain Overman, here. What can I do for your, Commander?”
“How are you liking your new ship?”
“Bored out of my skull, Commander. Sitting here for two days and watching all the action in Cencore doesn’t float my boat.”
“Well, that’s about to change. How many people can you pack into Jewel?”
“Depends on for how long.”
“Two days. A jump to Ballison.”
“Fifteen, twenty thousand? If we hot bunk.”
“That’s a good start. Get over to Tolimar. Contact Feldmarshal Rosser, Major Wilson and Lieutenant Clarke. You’ll be loading up the Federacy Marines and a ground force.”
“What’s the plan, Commander?”
“First, we get the Federacy Marines on those cruisers. Once we clear Cencore space and take back our shipyards, we plan on dropping the Tolimar Defense Force on Olympia and kicking some Mortek butt.”
“I can go for that. We’re ready, now, Commander.”
“Do it, Captain. Marines first so that they can take back a couple of cruisers. Give me a sit-rep after you finish your first jump.”
“Copy that, Captain. Out.”
Vice-Admiral Weiskoff sat in Mack’s chair, wearing an angry scowl as he watched Marston perform his duties, work at saving the remainder of Humanity. Keiko sat quietly and watched Weiskoff.
“Igaklay, please contact Heimdallr.”
“Heimdallr?”
“Yes, Vice-Admiral.”
“She is definitely under my command.”
“Once you are back in charge of your fleet, Vice-Admiral, I most definitely agree, Sir. For now, Heimdallr is performing a very important mission. She is locating and tagging the fifty-one hulls which your father left behind.”
“Hey, Hawk. How’s it hanging?”
Victory in the Stars (Marston Chronicles Book 6) Page 23
