Seven decks meant only one empty 'insulation' deck at the top and bottom of the ship, and her narrower beam meant only one empty three-meter segment along her sides as well. That should be enough, they said, and with Cobra's extra external stealth treatment, Evans seemed to agree.
The last interior spaces of every fleet ship were unused, filled with a spun-stone foam that provided both insulation from the cold of space and an extra measure of protection from attack. The meter-deep black foam stealth coating on the outside of the ship completed that shield, and when completely closed up in 'Minimum EMR' mode, Fleet ships moved about almost undetectable by infra-red or any other electromagnetic radiation.
Cobra had other surprising new features.
A large fifty-meter dish antenna was mounted on her starboard side, covered in a thick but flexible fabric which effectively concealed it but didn't interfere with its operation. With that antenna, they'd be able to hear radio transmissions over a wide range of frequencies from a long distance. But, only from the right. David didn't see that as much of an obstacle. If you wanted to look left, all you had to do was flip the ship on its long axis, just as he had done with Sigma.
There was a twenty-meter-square, flat, phased-array radar on top of the ship, similar but more powerful than that on regular frigates. David doubted that would ever be deployed. Turning on the radar was generally the wrong thing for a stealthy spy ship to do. But it might be useful in limited circumstances.
There were three enhanced visual spectrum telescopes where the rotary launchers and magazine would otherwise be. These were the latest available: large, sensitive, and on gimbals that allowed fast repositioning and smooth tracking of targets.
Evans laughed as he pointed out the lack of armaments. "Just remember, everyone, we can't so much as throw a stone at the bastards, so be ready to run like hell if necessary."
She'd also received more sensitive IR detectors, six in all, providing complete coverage all around the ship.
Cobra had the latest iteration of the SLIP scanner, able to copy all enemy and Fleet traffic, including Sentinels. Her SLIP communications system employed the latest channel-hopping technology, meant to make Fleet SLIP transmissions harder to detect.
Cobra would run with the least crew possible. To do that, several officer roles were combined. LCDR Elaine DeLeon would double as XO and Communications, with SLT Myra Rodgers the backup. The Navigator, SLT Lena Rice, would handle the Admin role as well. There would be long shifts for the Intel types, with two officers, four warrants, and eight techs. But, with no weapons division, they were still well under the normal complement for an ISC Fleet frigate. A smaller crew meant she could support much longer missions, a fact not lost on her officers. Cobra could probably go six months without a port call.
David did not consider that a positive feature of the assignment.
"This ship is the best surveillance platform we know how to build," Evans said as he finished his description of the new ship's features. Setting down his tablet, he looked around the table at his new collection of officers.
"I asked for this ship, this command, and I asked for each of you, individually. We are not the tip of the spear. We are the eyes that will tell the spear where to strike. Thanks for coming along."
Evans smiled as he turned to his Navigator, Lena Rice. "Enemy Station, Lieutenant Rice, and let's stretch our legs a bit, shall we?"
"Stretching is good, sir, will do."
Within an hour, the black ghost accelerated away from its home, racing away to the south at 1.3 light-years per day.
Intrepid
Earth Orbit
Saturday, January 7, 2079, 0830 UTC
For Natalie Hayden, the end of this trip could not come soon enough. She'd been on the Conn when Intrepid slipped out of FTL a few million kilometers from Earth. The little blue ball grew rapidly over the next day as they made their final orbital adjustments. By the time they were set in their assigned geostationary orbit, the planet was bright and beautiful below them, nearly filling a Bridge window from where she sat, by chance once again at the Conn.
When not on duty, Natalie had spent much of the trip in her quarters, or in the gym, grappling with the changes that had come her way since she had last seen her home planet. A man she had unexpectedly fallen in love with had proposed to her. She'd accepted. She'd visited an alien planet and spoke to the race that lived there. She had run like a scared bunny from the enemy, then engaged them in an old-fashioned firefight at the side of the Marines. They had won the day, but her love had died on the field. And now, she was again alone.
She was not weak-willed, that much she was sure of about herself. She met her responsibilities all the way home. She could not disappoint Ben by avoiding her duties. She still loved him, loved the memory of who he was: his humor, his work ethic, his essential goodness, were all still with her.
A Fleet shuttle arrived two hours after they were established in orbit. It carried CINC Connor Davenport, Fiona Collins, Joe Bowles, and a few Intel techs. It also carried five caskets, so those who had given their lives could leave Intrepid with some level of dignity. The body bags would be an awful sight. And, they'd gather frost, since the remains had been frozen since their return to the ship. That grotesque sight, at least, was spared those who cared about them.
Joe and his two techs moved quickly to the aft frozen storage area. They made a momentary inspection of the three enemy bodies, shared a grim congratulations with each other, moved the bags into insulated containers and then quickly into the cargo hold of the shuttle. All this was done from the rear of the shuttle, out of the view of the crew except those detailed to help.
As Natalie entered the hangar bay, Joanne Henderson was already there, locked in a long embrace with Collins. They had all been together for years in Plans, Natalie knew, and their pain could not be much less than her own. CINC stood by, looking sad. He approached Natalie, extending his hand.
"Lieutenant Hayden, I am very sorry for your loss." She took his hand, which was surprisingly warm and soft — not at all what she expected. He took her hand in both of his and held it gently.
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir. I'm still not sure what to think of it all."
"I can understand that. If there is anything I as CINC can do for you, or for Ben, do please call on me."
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir." She repeated herself without humor or notice.
There was the sound of a funereal cadence, at which CINC let go of her hand, turned, and came to attention. Six Marines appeared from the aft passageway, carrying a casket draped in the Stars and Crosses of Australia. Behind that came two more caskets under the Stars and Stripes of the United States, then the German tri-color of black, red, and gold. Finally, two more under the Stars and Stripes. Ben, most senior, came last.
The Marines moved in their impossibly slow, respectful cadence to place the caskets on the platforms already set up in the shuttle. Captain Andrew Martin was last into the bay. After the remains had been placed and properly secured, he came out and embraced Natalie. She held on very tight for several seconds, then released him and looked to Joanne.
"Time to go," Joanne said quietly.
They took their seats for the trip down to the HQ Shuttle pad. Marine Lieutenant Liwanu Harry, accompanying his comrades to the surface, sat forward. Joanne left the seat next to Ben empty for Natalie, who sat with her hand on his casket the whole trip down, saying nothing.
As they stepped off the shuttle at Ft. Eustis, the morning was cold and gripped in a misty rain, a gray curtain hanging low over their return. It fit their mood.
A different set of Marines repeated the sad ceremony as they carried each of the fallen to a waiting transport vehicle. Gunther and Joanie were taken to another shuttle to go back to their home countries.
Liwanu, Joanne, Natalie, and Fiona headed for Price's parents' home up in Frederick, Maryland. They traveled by autonomous surface vehicle, a ride of ninety minutes. The car sloshed noisily through the rain and
came to a stop in front of a well-kept row house on a narrow street off North Market.
Natalie had been here twice for dinner; generous home-cooked meals on fine china with real sterling silver flatware. The Prices were elegant in their own self-deprecating way, and she felt comfortable and welcome in their home.
The officers carefully climbed the three wrought-iron steps to the small front porch. As Joanne reached for the door knocker, the door opened to a small, older woman, eyes bright blue but rimmed with tears. Behind her stood a taller man with thinning gray hair, combed back from his forehead, dark brown eyes looking out beneath fading eyebrows.
"Hello, Captain," the small voice invited her, "please do come in. I am Mila, and this is Ben's father, Logan."
"Thank you, Mrs. Price."
There was a dark maple hall tree just inside the door which easily absorbed their raincoats. The diminutive Mila embraced Natalie for a long time, slowly rocking side to side. "My dear, my dear..." Mila said quietly. As they stepped inside the house proper, the others introduced themselves. Mila pulled back, eyes now full, and moved to the little sitting area just off the entrance, facing the front window. She sat between Natalie and Joanne, holding their hands tightly. Logan moved sadly to a seat across from his wife, his grief plain on his face.
Joanne began to speak, "Mr. Price, Mrs. Price, I —"
"No, Captain, please," Logan interrupted her. "Mila and I, we have something to say first."
"Yes," his wife agreed, "we do."
They looked at each other for a moment, like old married couples sometimes do, and then Mila spoke.
"Thank you all for coming to see us. I know Ben would be honored that you would do this for him. But, more than that, thank you for caring about our son."
"You all," Logan Price said, "each in your unique way, you all were family to him." He looked directly at Fiona. "Captain Collins, he admired you so much. He would talk about you, your easy leadership, the way you cared for your people, every time we saw him."
Fiona managed to nod as she pulled a tissue from her pocket.
Mila took her turn again, "And you, Captain Henderson, he so loved his best pal Joanne. He would go on about your times together. He loved you, and he knew you loved him, too. For Ben, it was like he'd found a sister he never knew he had."
Joanne smiled. "Yes, that's a good way to describe it. I never had a brother until Ben."
Mila moved to hold Natalie's hand with both of hers.
"And my dear, dear Natalie. I don't think I ever saw him so gob-struck smitten as he was about you."
Natalie laughed a little through her tears.
"Well, it was mutual, ma'am."
The old man turned his intense brown eyes to Liwanu Harry. "And you, Lieutenant Harry, I am told you were with my son at the end?"
"Yes, sir, I was."
"And it was to you then, that he entrusted his last words, his last messages to those he loved?"
"Yes, sir."
Logan reached out, touching the young officer on the shoulder.
"Thank you, son, for listening to him and delivering his words. I expect you had plenty of other things on your mind."
Liwanu smiled shyly. "Yes, sir, it was a, uh, busy moment in all our lives."
Joanne shifted in her chair, stress plain on her face. "I was his commanding officer. I gave the orders. I just want to say how sorry I am —"
"There's no need here for apologies, Joanne," Mila said quickly. "Ben knew what he was doing. This enemy, whoever or whatever they are, are to blame. Not you."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Mila gripped Joanne's hand. "Please, Joanne, do not give that another thought. We all know what he meant to you, to all of you."
Ben's younger brother Isaac came in from the kitchen in the back of the house, carrying cookies, tea, and coffee. He sat with them as they talked about Ben's youth, his education at the University of Maryland, and his eventual choice to join the Fleet. His first marriage was dismissed in a few sentences punctuated with words like 'superficial' and 'distant.' None of the officers had met Olivia Price, so they took the family at their word. They seemed more disappointed than angry, sadder for Ben than vindictive towards his ex-wife. Still, they were clearly glad the marriage ended.
They talked for more than an hour, Isaac and Logan bringing out pictures of young Ben in soccer clothes, on the baseball field, in his cap and gown at Maryland. Natalie gave them a picture of Ben with her that Ann Cooper had taken on Big Blue after their escape. They were sitting with his arm casually around her shoulders, both of them smiling into the sunshine. Mila hugged it tightly to her chest.
Someday, Natalie thought, I can give her a picture of Ben with Eaagher, but that will have to wait until this is all over.
"I have something for you, too, Natalie." She climbed the stairs, nimbly for a woman of her age, and returned shortly with a small box. "I was going to give you this necklace on your wedding day."
Natalie looked at her with surprise. "But, Mrs. Price, he didn't ask me until we were almost to Beta Hydri!"
Mila smiled and touched Natalie's arm. "Oh, dear, I knew he was going to ask you before you all left. He had that look in his eye. So, I was ready."
The gold chain held a fine golden cross, a beautifully simple design.
"This is yours now. Think of him when you wear it."
Natalie took the small box from the old woman carefully, knowing what it meant for her to give it.
"I will."
"But, Natalie, I want to tell you something. I know you loved Ben and you're hurting right now. But you have so much life yet to live for, and Ben would never want your life to stop because his did. Remember him, honor him, but you must go on. We want what Ben would want, and that's for you to be happy."
"Yes, ma'am."
There was more talk of Ben, and finally, of the Price's plans for his remains. They would return in three days for the funeral service and internment. More family would be there, more people anxious to meet them.
They left the warm and welcoming 250-year-old row house with its beautiful hardwood floors, classic wainscoting, and delicate plaster crown moldings, and stepped back into the modern world, where it was still cold and raining. It felt like a nasty slap in the face as they descended the iron steps and dropped into the ASV for the trip back to Fleet HQ.
Marine Second Lieutenant Liwanu Harry, just twenty-two and a former summa cum laude economics major from Heart Butte, Montana, sat in uncomfortable silence as three senior officers grappled with their feelings about a lost friend. They shared a few stories about Ben and commented on the grace and kindness of his family. Harry had little to offer that conversation, but he studied their reactions, their tone, their feelings of responsibility for what had happened on Big Blue. He felt he was watching a Master Class in leadership and emotional control, unknowingly presented for his education. He'd remember how this all went down, and he would use what he observed to inform his own decisions, his own reactions to painful events.
He would not be at the funeral in three days. He'd be in Australia seeing to the final rest of Joanie McCarthy in a national cemetery.
Sugarloaf Mountain
Dickerson, MD
Monday, January 9, 2078, 1415 EDT
The ASV parked itself neatly in the second row, having groaned noticeably in the climb up the little mountain to the parking lot. Natalie Hayden got out of the car, pulled her coat tightly around herself, and walked to the trail. She stopped at the stone steps, remembering her first ascent here with Ben, so many months ago. This was a place so very important to him, even from his school days, and they had hiked several of the trails during their October leave. This was the place he first told her he loved her, as they sat on boulders looking out towards the Potomac River on a warm and breezy fall afternoon. They teased each other that they were too old to act like teenagers at a drive-in, but the truth was, they really didn't give a damn.
Today there was snow lying about, here and t
here, and the wind was definitively cold. She had just left Ben's wake, a well-catered and pleasant event that followed his burial in the Price family plot, in a cemetery on a gentle, tree-scattered knoll. In spring, she knew, it would be a green and beautiful place, and if she lived that long, she'd be back to see it for herself. At the wake she'd met more of his family, more people she would have come to know well as part of her own family had he lived. Now, they would forever be strangers to her, and she just a footnote in the family history.
She stood there for a full minute, replaying their times here and in the restaurant just down the road. It was a quaint, beautiful, expensive little place to get a club sandwich and a salad. But Ben loved it, and really, so did she. They had so much time on board ship, spending almost nothing, that small luxuries like the occasional pricey lunch on their home planet were completely worth the money.
Finally, she forced herself to put one foot before the other and slowly climbed the easy trail. She was surprised to find a few others there at the overlook, mostly solitary, either seated on rocks or standing, looking out at the spectacular view. The snow was as spotty in the fields below as it was on the mountain, and she was reminded of an old painting of a Guernsey cow. Splotchy was perhaps a better word for what she saw. She walked forward and found that the rock where they had confessed to each other was vacant, so she carefully climbed up, wary of ice and slick snow, and sat, again pulling her coat in tight and adjusting her knit cap and tugging her gloves. She thought only of Ben, wondering what they might have been together, how their lives could have evolved side-by-side. She cried just once, as she recalled him lying still in the coarse grass on Big Blue.
She would never forget the smoke, or the smell.
The snap of a branch startled her, but before she could turn, she heard Jim Kirkland's quiet voice.
"Henderson told me you'd be here."
Natalie didn't answer at first.
"I thought maybe you shouldn't be alone."
Natalie looked hard at Kirkland as she pulled her knees up into her chest, wrapping her arms around them for warmth.
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