by Dennis Young
“Wasn’t much of that on the planet we were dirtside on, was there?”
Melinkov was quiet for a moment. “I will tidy up Sickbay and the laboratory, Captain. Once we have docked and debarked, I should like to see you in my on-base office.”
Murphy nodded slowly. “Sure. Just let me know when.”
“Twenty-four hours after docking should be sufficient time for us to settle in, do you think?”
“I’ll put it on my comm.”
Melinkov turned and left. Murphy watched her disappear through the doors. What the hell was that all about?
“Captain.” Ch’rehrin stepped from his Science station and approached. “I have researched the topic of our previous conversation.” He lowered his voice and leaned toward Murphy. “Under your command, I cannot represent you legally. However, once released from this mission, it may be possible, should you still be… concerned.”
Murphy smiled. “It’s okay, Mr. Ch’rehrin. Whatever is going to happen will happen. But thank you. I’ll keep it in mind.”
Ch’rehrin nodded, and returned to his station.
“Coming up on the defense perimeter, Captain.”
“Take us out of hyperlight, Helm. One quarter sublight.”
O’Brien hit the controls. A shudder went through the ship. He looked nervously over his shoulder at Murphy. “Out of hyperlight, one quarter sublight, aye.”
Murphy pressed the intercom switch. “Engineering, Bridge. Taylor, what was that?”
“Wear and tear on the phase coils, Captain. Pheidippides needs an overhaul. Maybe a full refit.”
She let out a nervous breath. “Just get us home in one piece. Please.”
“One piece, aye.” Thomas chuckled before he broke the link.
Murphy’s wrist comm beeped with an incoming fleettext.
report to the commanding admiral’s office on arrival. no detours. burke.
Murphy sat back, exhaling in a huff. Cripes, that tears it. And the Doc’s little visit figures into this too, I’ll bet.
* * *
Commanding Admiral Tobias Burke was old enough to be Murphy’s grandfather. In fact, he was her grandfather, on her maternal side. Tall and built like a barrel, with a crown of white hair and beard to match, he was as imposing as anyone Murphy had ever met. And she’d known him all her life.
She hadn’t known he was the commandant of Fleet Base Twenty-three when Pheidippides was assigned to the sector, and had not seen her grandfather for two years before that. But on her first arrival, they’d shared dinner, and agreed to speak of it to no one else on the station or aboard her ship.
Therefore, Doc’s little visit to the Bridge was to let me know she knew, and wanted to “chat” about it afterward.
Murphy’s boots clicked on the immaculate hallway surface as she entered the Admiralty section. She stopped at the scanner, inserted her Earthfleet ID, put her finger in the DNA analyzer, and stared into the retinal scanner. Then stuck her tongue out at the screen as it displayed a cheery “Welcome to the Admiralty” message. The doors parted, and she entered.
She’d never been in an admiral’s office before. There were two security guards at a far desk, two more aside, and a large screen on the wall opposite them. She knew behind the screen were likely more guards, and some pretty heavy stun equipment. Maybe even real weapons.
“ID, please”. She handed her ID to the sergeant, who scanned it again, then offered a visitor’s badge. “We’ll hold this until you’re done, Commander.”
Murphy nodded.
The second guard rose. “This way, please.”
The door into the office proper was built like the access to a safe. Murphy entered, and the door closed behind her.
Admiral Burke sat behind a desk not quite as large as Pheidippides’s entire Bridge. He motioned to a chair before it, and Murphy sat.
“What’s this, Commander?” Burke held a memory crystal in his hand.
Great. No “glad you made it back safely” no “well done”, no “how’s my favorite granddaughter”, nothing. Murphy swallowed. “I have no idea, sir. I might guess it’s the message Pheidippides sent after the… encounter with the derelict ship and EAS Lawrence.”
“Don’t forget the Qoearc scout you destroyed.”
“…I haven’t, sir.”
“Now, as I said, what is this?”
Murphy made a leap of faith. “The same question I’ve been asking. I had hoped to get some answers when we got back. That’s why I sent the message, sir.”
“And you sent a copy to Earth Main, correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
“… Insurance.”
Burke nodded, but didn’t smile. “Very well. I can accept that. I won’t accuse you of going over my head, under the circumstances.”
“I had no intention of that, sir.”
Burke shuffled papers, then held up a sheet. “Do you know what this is?”
“Sir, with all respect, can we just cut to the chase? I know I’m going to be hauled up on all sorts of charges, but I did what I thought was right. If you’ve reviewed my report, I’m sure you understand my concerns.”
“Earthfleet is not in the business of concerns, Commander.”
“Begging the admiral’s pardon, sir, but we are. There are frozen embryos of Earth Alliance citizens in cryogenic deep-freeze on board that ship, citizens from hundreds of years ago. They have rights.”
“Not as the Earth Alliance law is written currently, Commander.”
Murphy fumed. “Screw the law! Those are people! Sir.”
Burke studied her for a long moment. “Do you know anything about Captain Adams?”
Murphy blinked. “No, sir. Nothing other than what I gleaned from our conversations during the… event.”
“He’s a second cousin.”
Murphy shook her head, not understanding.
“He’s family.”
Murphy opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. She had no words.
“I sent you and him out there because I needed people I could trust.”
“… Sir?”
“To do the right thing.”
Murphy held her breath for a long time. “May I ask, exactly what you mean? Sir?”
“You may ask,” replied Burke, with a half-smile.
Murphy’s hands were trembling, and she clutched them together tightly. “So… it’s going to be alright?” She cast a surreptitious glance around the cavernous office, knowing every utterance and gesture was likely being recorded.
Burke nodded slightly. “You know there will be an official board of inquiry regarding everything that happened. But the situation can be reviewed, and sometimes laws from the past invoked. The term is “Grandfathering”, if you’re not familiar with it.”
Burke chuckled, as Murphy sat wide-eyed and silent. “A little joke, but I see you’re in no mood for it. Therefore, yes, Commander. To answer your question, everything is going to be alright. It will take time, but we’re moving in the right direction.”
He tossed the memory crystal to her. “Keep that. As a reminder of who you are.” His voice dropped to nearly a whisper. “Your mother would have been proud.” He stood, as did Murphy. “Dismissed, Commander.”
She left the Admiralty in a daze, tears of joy stinging in her eyes.
* * *
Murphy had wandered the Base gardens for hours when Doctor Melinkov approached from a side path.
“Good morning, Commander. You are up very early.”
Murphy nodded listlessly. “Not much sleep last night. None, in fact. I’ve been up since we got in yesterday.”
“Perhaps we may have tea.” Melinkov motioned to a small tea house off the flowered walkway.
They sat and were served. Murphy drank quietly, lost in thought.
“You have worries again, yes?”
Murphy shrugged. “Actually, no, Doc. For the first time in a while, I don’t think I do.”
“What has brought this c
hange of heart, if I may ask?”
“I really don’t…” Murphy paused. “Let’s just say a guardian angel might have given me a break.”
Melinkov sipped tea before speaking. “Excellent. If this is truly the case, you will give thanks in time, I’m certain. And now?”
“We have thirty days leave. After that, I’m not sure. I haven’t checked the mail.” She tapped her wrist comm. “No beeps, so I don’t have new orders yet.”
“What would be your desire, if I may ask?”
Murphy shrugged again. “Doc, you’re laying it on too thick. I’m exhausted, spent, and right now, all I want to do is find a bed.”
Melinkov nodded. “In that case, I do have a bit of news for you that should lift your spirits. Martin and Jia-Lan are talking.”
Murphy’s face brightened. “That’s great. I hope they can work it out. They’re great kids.”
The doctor smiled. “Not so much younger than yourself, Commander, to call them children.”
They laughed together.
“I will postpone our office visit until tomorrow, Commander. But I expect to see you then. I will send the time to your comm.” Melinkov rose. “Good day, and have a pleasant rest.”
“Thanks, Doc. See you tomorrow.”
Murphy watched as Melinkov walked away, her mind adrift. He trusted me to do the right thing, because I know his thinking on the subject. And Mom’s. I know the choice she made, and the one I made, too. And I damn near messed it all up anyway. So close…
She rose at last, headed back to Officer Country, and a room that wasn’t the same she’d slept in for eight months straight.
After years of living with the fear of a wrong decision once again, and trepidation running rampant through her soul, she knew it really was going to be alright.
Just like Grandad said.
About the Author
Dennis Young’s writing experience began somewhere around the third grade and has continued since. Once through the grueling trials of school (grade, high, and college level, surviving all with a flourish) he found an outlet for his imagination in the world of fanzines and fan literature. Writing for friends, family, and once in a while actual publication, his appetite was only whetted.
Working in the International Construction industry, he found opportunity to direct his writing talents to presentations, articles, and project management.
In the early 2000’s he began assembling The Ardwellian Chronicles, an Epic Fantasy Saga of six novels and three compendiums totaling more than 1.3 million words.
With the Chronicles published between 2007 and 2018, he then turned to the genre of Military Science Fiction and The Mercenary Trilogy, detailing the adventures of Talice Wyloh.
His next foray was into SF adventure and The Earthfleet Saga Volumes One and Two, with further books in the works.
Never one to say no to a challenge, more genres lay in the future for his exploration.
Stay tuned…
Website – Ardwel.com
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Facebook – Working on the Ardwellian Chronicles and Hope I Live Long Enough to Finish
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Blog – theardwellianchronicles.blogspot.com