by Saxon Andrew
“Ka, the newer officers coming out have far more training than you and I ever received. The lives of thousands of sailors depend on having the best leading them and I won’t be offended if we can no longer carry the load.” Ka shrugged. “Besides, we have a beach calling our name. I secretly purchased a house on Pass-A-Grille beach where we will spend our time after this is over…sooner or later.”
Ka smiled, and Tal saw Chris was no longer on her mind. She looked at him and asked, “You won’t leave before you…”
Tal interrupted her, “No! That will be the last thing I do. But first we have to find an answer to the Cyrens. We don’t have thousands of suicide ships to use against them.” Ka nodded and took a bite of her dinner.
• • •
Indie called a meeting of his four commodores and they met over their evening meal. Indi turned to Tee and Lori and introduced them to Nicole, Jack, and Mila. Indie smiled, “Commodore Brisbane is ranked number one in the command class and I’m really happy to have him under my command. Congratulations, Tee.”
“Sir, I’ve been working on the simulations for months longer than anyone else. I came in with a decided advantage.”
“Call me Indie, Tee. I just want all of you to know that it’s been suggested that I split up my forces to attack different Brotherhood Planets.”
“But Indie,” Mila began.
Indie held up his hand stopping her, “Mila, if we attack a single brotherhood planet, they’ll send in thousands of warships to take us on. If we attack five different planets close to each other, they’ll be forced to keep their ships at the planet’s they’re defending. I intend to keep a force out of the attacks to come and support the attacking fleets if they get into hot water. That force will be a Wing from each of your units. Please let me know which Wing you want to use for the support unit.”
“Indie, would it be possible to use the support group in one of our attacks?” Tee asked.
“Why do you ask?”
“I can think of several attack profiles where they could come in really handy,” Tee replied.
“I’m not saying no, Tee. But I want to know what you’re planning before I agree.”
Tee nodded, “That’s fair.”
“Tee, Nicole, Jack, and Mila have all worked with serving under Admiral Tal and they know me. Tal’s unit was the best one in our fleet and I expect the same thing from my attack fleets.”
“I expect it from myself, Sir. You don’t have to worry about my fitting in and working with the rest of you. I think we need to take some time to run a few exercises together if given the time,” Tee replied.
Indie nodded, “I intend to do that on the way out to Andromeda. I’m open to anything you might suggest.”
“Thank you, Indie. I appreciate it.”
Indie turned to Mila, “Are you ok?”
“Sir, I’m as nervous as a cat in front of a Pitbull.”
Tee quickly spoke up, “That comes from uncertainty, Mila. Do you have time to look at a few simulations with me?”
“Do you think it will help?”
“I do.”
“I’ll get with you after dinner,” Mila responded.
Indie looked at Tee and was impressed. And after he met with Mila, she was changed. Something happened and when he asked Mila what it was, she answered, “He’s gotten me to see my units as specialized weapons, Indie. It has made all the difference in the world.” A week later, Indie and the other Commodores looked over Tee’s shoulder as he taught them how he viewed space combat. Indie knew this man was something special. After the meeting, Indie stopped Tee and said, “If you can come up with a plan using the support force, I want you to implement it.” Tee smiled and nodded.
• • •
Training was nearing completion and the last six simulations were sent to every sailor and their commanding officers. Tee pulled up the first simulation and saw his panel was disconnected from it. He watched a wing of Ste warships moving in at high-speed toward a Brotherhood fleet and thousands of berserkers were turning in their direction. Suddenly, thousands of small specks leapt out from the Wing and berserkers began exploding in front of the Ste’s. The Ste’s flew through the berserkers and launched a savage missile and pulse cannon barrage at the Brotherhood warships and they began exploding in high numbers. The Ste’s flew out from the burning derelicts and launched another cloud of small specks ahead and behind them. The berserkers were blowing up in massive numbers and the Wing of ten Ste warships flew through their ranks and disappeared. Everyone in the class turned to Tal smiling in front of the room.
Tal looked at Tee as he said, “The first-simulation is a recording of a new weapon platform that has been added to your ships. The next five will teach you various situations on when and how to use it.” Tal stood up and announced, “This new small missile has been named the Killer Tees. I think it’s an appropriate name.” Tal started applauding and the rest of the class stood and joined him. Tee sat at his console with a red face and Lori was so proud of him. Tal shouted, “Thank you, Commodore Brisbane; this new missile is going to save thousands of lives!”
Tee finally stood and bowed. The class returned to their seats and he immediately started the second simulation. Lori shook her head; he was consistent in his quest for knowledge on his fleet’s capabilities.
She remembered her frustration at not being able to go to night classes on the new Ste’s operation because of being overwhelmed in the command training and Tee had reassured her, “You don’t need it, Lori.”
“I don’t know anything about these new ships, Tee!”
“Lori, the controls haven’t changed much at all. You’ll pick those changes up in no time. All you need to learn is the new ranges of the scanners, pulse cannons, and missiles. They’re controlled by systems very much like the ones you used on Jee’s flagship.”
“Then why are you going if it’s that simple?”
“Lori, I didn’t fly on one of the Sha’s. I have to catch up,” Tee answered.
Lori found out later that he was right. The change to the new warship wasn’t difficult but she was amazed at how Tee refused to leave anything to chance. He worked sixteen-hour days and managed to stay at the top of the command class. He had something to prove to someone; she wondered who it was, himself or someone else.
Tal said, “If any of you have started the second simulation, please pause it. Tal was staring at Tee and he rolled his eyes as he stopped the simulation. Tal looked around the room and turned to Rachael, “Your fleet will be leaving soon to go back to the colonies for a break. Thank you and your officers for adding so much to this class.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” Rachael replied.
“I’ve not gone into detail about the organization of your units because they’ve just been finalized. Each of our fleets will have a total of 450 warships. Jan, Lalani, Jee, and Indie will have two-hundred warships in their commands. Those warships will be divided into four attack fleets of fifty ships commanded by a commodore. The fifty additional warships will be assigned to another command. The attack fleets will be organized into five wings of ten ships in each. Most of you have been operating simulations with that structure built in, however, each of the major fleets’ fifty additional warships have been given a different task. Every officer with the rank of Commodore or above will have two-warships assigned to defend their flagships. That’s nineteen senior officers that will be assigned two wingmen. Thirty-eight of the hundred will be assigned as wingmen and the remaining sixty-two warships will be assigned to defend the freighters sent out to provision our fleets. We had two freighters in Andromeda for fifteen warships and to keep these two new fleets supplied is going to take sixty freighters. These freighters are also a new design and are quite capable of defending themselves, however, we aren’t going to risk them without warship support. I’ve discussed this with Admiral Meadows and we agree that Senior Captain Lori Barber is more than qualified to be promoted to Commodore and take command of those sixty-six defe
nders. Congratulations Commodore Barber.”
Lori glanced at Tee and saw him close his eyes. She stood up and raised her hand, “Admiral, I must refuse this promotion!” Silence slammed down on the room. Tal’s brow furrowed, and Lori quickly added, “Sir, I’ve not commanded a single warship much less more than fifty. The assignment you gave me to work with Commodore Brisbane will prepare me to command a fleet. However, I know I’m not ready to do it, yet. This class has proven it to me, Sir.”
Tal glanced at Jee and saw him tilt his head and shrug. He turned back to Lori and she continued, “I’ve not focused on tactics in this class as much as moving warships to where they need to go. It would be a disservice to the defenders to give them a commander who isn’t ready.”
Tal turned to Rachael, “Do you have someone for the position?”
“I do.”
Tal glanced at Lori as he said to Rachael, “Make the promotion, Admiral and let me know who you select.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Tal smiled and looked at the class, “You may start the second simulation.”
Lori sat down and saw Tee staring at her. He leaned over and whispered, “You just set your career back.”
Lori smiled, “No, I didn’t. If we do as well as I think we are, then I’ll be the first one he’ll come to and ask if I’m ready. Turning it down now proves to him that I won’t make a bad decision.”
“But you wanted a command of your own, Lori.”
“That was then, this is now. I’m where I want to be, Tee.” Tee kept his eyes on her and she smiled, “Unless you no longer want me?”
Tee shook his head, “No! That’s not the case! I do need you.”
Lori smiled, “Then shut up and get started on the second simulation. I need you to hold up your end of this.” Tee smiled and turned to his console. After a few minutes, Lori leaned over and whispered, “Here is a list of the unassigned warships. I’ve circled the ones that will make the best wingmen for our ship. You might want to get your request in early.”
Tee looked at the list, stood up, and walked to Tal’s console. He spoke with him and Tal started laughing as he turned and glanced at Lori, who kept her head down to her console. Tal nodded and entered something in his computer. Tee arrived back at his console and Lori whispered, “Who did we get?”
“Captains Lena Matthews and John Delham.”
“Lena was on the Lincoln and she’s a rising star. John served under Jee and he’s a good commander. He runs a tight ship. You got the best ones on the list.”
Tee smiled, “This is one of the reasons I need you, Lori.”
“What are the others?”
Tee chuckled, “You know what they are!” Tee turned to his console and Lori wondered, “No, I don’t.” But he was back in a simulation. He got Lena and John in their fleet, that was a great prize for them.
• • •
Tal watched them and knew which of his attack fleets was going to be the hammer needed in critical situations. It wasn’t fair, but that’s how life worked. The best was always carrying more than their share of the load. Training finally ended, and the crews were given ten-days off before departure to the Andromeda Galaxy.
• • •
Jab turned to Ryshana, “Is there anywhere you want to go?”
“I’d like to see your home, Jab.”
Jab smiled, “Good. There’s something we need to do when we get there.”
“What is that?”
“I’m going to give you more birthdays.” Ryshana’s eyes narrowed. “I have a life expectancy of about three-hundred years. We’re going to increase yours to the same.”
Ryshana’s expression showed her amazement, “You’re going to live to be three hundred?”
“Barring an accident, yes. I want you there to celebrate it with me.”
“That just gives me more time to love you, Jab.” Jab hugged her, and she said coyly, “I did a good job as a weapon’s operator, didn’t I?”
“You were first in your class.”
“Are you still worried about defending Tal’s flagship?”
“No, Ryshana, I’m not. You’ve made me proud.”
“And you’re quite the pilot, as well.”
Jab laughed and went to Tal to request borrowing a shuttle to take them to Americas. Two-hours later, they were leaving Earth and headed to the magical colonies. Ryshana ended up not being impressed. The way people manipulated their genetics to look outrageous didn’t impress her. On the way back, Ryshana suggested, “Perhaps you might want to consider living on Earth.”
Jab smiled, put a finger to his lips, and said, “Just don’t tell anyone you’ve had your life extended; Earth frowns on that.”
Ryshana giggled, “Who’s going to be around in a hundred years to call us out on it?” she asked.
Jab chuckled, “You make a good point. But keep it to yourself anyway.” Ryshana giggled and put her index finger over her lips.
Chapter Seven
Tee sat down on the side of his bed and blew out a big breath. War games would begin after his time off and he worried about how his fleet would do. The communicator buzzed, and he pressed the receive button and the display illuminated, it was Mer. “Tee, I’ve been trying to reach you for weeks!”
Tee knew he should have looked to see who was calling him, but it was too late now, “I’ve not accepted your calls, Mer. You and I have nothing more to say.”
“Tee, please forgive me! I made a stupid mistake and I just can’t make it without you. Can’t you find it in your heart to give me one more chance?”
“I’ve already done that Mer and you’ve proven I can’t trust you. You had your head turned by the parasites feeding off you and found that I was not needed in your life.”
“I was stupid, Tee! But I see things clearly now and know that you and I belong together.”
Tee shook his head slightly, “When you fought in the pipes with me, I saw a courageous woman who did what was necessary to survive and still managed to keep her heart. You were insightful, decisive, and unafraid of facing off with those trying to kill us. That woman no longer exists. The first thing you lost was your courage and right behind it you lost your heart. You listened to the sycophants telling you how beautiful, brilliant, and wonderful you were, and you bought into their lines. They were after your wealth and would tell you anything to get a piece of it. When I tried to tell you what was going on, you took it as criticism and turned your back on me.”
“I KNOW!” Mer paused and continued in a softer tone, “I know. Tee all of us make mistakes, can’t you forgive me for this one?”
Tee shook his head and lowered his eyes, “Even if I could, I wouldn’t.”
“WHY NOT!?”
“Because I would always be expecting you to walk away again, Mer. I no longer trust you at your word and I’ve seen promises just don’t really carry any weight with you,” Tee replied. “You hurt me twice, Mer! Both times were almost more than I could take. You demolished my self-esteem and I’m still trying to recover from the damage you’ve done.”
“How am I going to survive, Tee. I need you to show me the way. I don’t know how to handle this much wealth.”
Tee looked at her on the communicator’s screen, “I’m going to offer you some advice. I don’t think you’ll take it, but it will be the last thing I say to you. Have each of the parasites meet with you one-on-one and offer them a million credits to walk away.”
“WHAT?”
“If they really care about you, they won’t leave. Personally, I offered the parasites around me two-million and all of them took the offer except one. She stuck around hoping for a larger offer. You’ll discover the same thing if you do it. Once they’re gone, get away from that Ivory Tower of a mansion you live in and disappear into normal society. That way, if anyone is interested in you, it will be because of you and not what you have.”
“I don’t know if I can fit in normal society, Tee,” Mer responded.
Tee shook his head
, “Then you’re lost, Mer. Do not try to contact me again!” Tee hit the disconnect button and sat on the side of the bed shaking his head.
After an hour, he looked up and dialed a number on the communicator. A man appeared and instantly smiled, “Tee! It’s been a long time!”
“Sorry about that, Beanie.”
The man laughed, “You haven’t called me that since high school.”
Tee chuckled, “Do you remember when I first called you that?”
“Third-grade, playground, two-bullies roughing me up!” Beanie instantly answered. “You stepped in and sent them packing. You turned to me and told me they wouldn’t be punching me on the bean anymore. You were amazing, T-man.”
Tee laughed, “Talk about ancient names!”
“You were T-man then and you always will be.”
Tee smiled and blew out a breath before saying, “I need you to carry out some instructions. You have my Legal Power of Signature and I’m hoping you can do what I want.”
“What do you want done?” Beanie asked with a frown. Tee told him, and Beanie was shaking his head. Tee saw him and asked, “Can you do it?”
“As your Magistrate, I can do anything you want, but are you sure you want this done?”
“I am, Beanie.”
Beanie hesitated and then said carefully, “You know how I feel about what you’re doing. I think putting yourself in danger like this is not something you should do. But you wouldn’t let me talk you out of it, so, I’m not beating a dead cat. However, you need a beneficiary to make this happen.”
Tee raised a shoulder and gave him a name. Beanie wrote it down and looked at him with lowered eyebrows. “Yes, I’m sure about this. I also want you to take a hundred-million-credits as your fee for making this happen.”
Beanie’s expression turned angry, “Tee, I don’t need you to pay me to do this. I’ll do it for free!”
Tee smiled softly, “Beanie, you are my only true friend. I want you to take the money and enjoy your life; you would do the same for me. I also want you to sell the house I was living in and keep the proceeds.”
“TEE!”