“Sorry,” Johnny said, reversing the weapon and handing it back to Bill. “I don’t want this to get out of hand or draw attention to us.” He met Bill’s steady gaze with his own.
“Tango Royal Alpha Victor India Sierra.” The words were barely audible, but Johnny knew Bill heard them. The sidearm disappeared and Johnny saw the tiny nod.
It was a few moments before they made their way individually to the far end of the bar. Another couple of steps and they were out of sight of everyone except Cherokee and the other bartender on duty, who was too busy to notice anything except mixing drinks.
Cherokee took note but thought nothing of it. It was not unusual for The Guy to buy drinks for servicemen and women. He was a little surprised that it was Telstar, but then, even he had taken a drink in Smokey’s before, though never more than one.
“Explain the Travis code,” Captain Butler said as soon as he made sure no one was close, or anyone else was paying any attention.
“I’m lending a hand to Naval Intelligence,” Johnny said. “What is going on out here is not being totally ignored. Your official reports have been watered down, as I am sure you know. Word through your friends got to those who needed to know.”
Bill frowned. “I don’t like the idea that some of my friends could be in trouble because of my exasperation…”
“They are not, I assure you,” Johnny said. “This is neither the time, nor the place for a discussion.” He gave a set of coordinates, knowing Captain Butler would have them locked in his memory immediately. “Your next patrol, make sure your flight is well on the way to base, and then find a reason to tail off. I’ll be there.”
Bill was not quite sure why he agreed. There was just something about the man. It was not just the Travis code word. The set of coordinates were in a sensor dead zone amongst a deadly grouping of asteroids loaded with magnetic and radiation signatures that even the best of modern sensors could not penetrate.
He made his way quickly back to the table, not wanting any attention drawn to what had taken place by being gone too long. Bill had to smile at the group at the table as he rejoined them. Lieutenant Chambers was in heaven. Lieutenant Halpern likewise. Janet and Rebecca were looking on, mostly with amusement, as Marilyn was handling the two men with aplomb.
“Captain Butler,” Janet said, “I’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn, this is Captain Butler. I think I mentioned him…” Her words faded away and she hoped her slight blush was not obvious. She had waxed rather eloquently about him, she remembered. Hopefully Marilyn would not say anything to embarrass her.
Marilyn nodded slightly and held out her hand. “Captain, I’ve heard a lot about you since I’ve been here. You are something of a legend in these parts. It is a pleasure to meet Telstar, Protector of the Sector.”
Janet’s eyes widened.
“Lord,” Bill said, taking the woman’s hand in a quick handshake. He was impressed with the strength in the slender hand. “Not that again,” he continued, as their hands parted after the quick, firm handshake. “Do not believe everything you hear. I’m just a sailor doing his job.”
Willi grinned. “Sounds like a Johnny Oneshot-ism to me.”
“See, what did I tell you, Bill?” Charlie said. “People are comparing you to him now on a regular basis.”
“The man is a hero. Saved thousands of lives, several times. I’m just doing my job.” Bill shrugged and sat down, wanting to change the subject. “Definitely can’t compare his exploits with mine. My main claim to fame will undoubtedly be whatever faux pa I am bound to commit at that inaugural ball in a few days.”
The other officers laughed.
“The Governor’s Inaugural?” Willi asked. “I’ve heard about that. Supposed to be the party of the century.”
“I’m surprised some dignitary hasn’t snapped you up as their date,” Charlie said.
Willi laughed. “Oh, I think they have better companions than I to accompany them to that.” She did not mention that she had been asked, by several different men that had to go, to accompany them. She had already made the decision to leave that day. Not to mention, she would not have gone with any of them, anyway.
“You are going to do just fine, Bill,” Janet said. She looked over at Willi. “He claims he can’t dance and expects the Governor to make him get out on the dance floor with her.”
With a smile, Willi asked, “You are a handsome man, Captain, but surely you have little to worry about. With all the other elegant men in politics that will be there, and her purported dislike of the military, is it really likely she’ll ask you?”
When the others laughed and Captain Butler’s face took on a sour look, Willi looked at them inquisitively. “I’m missing something, I take it,” she said.
“Oh, yes,” Janet said with a grin. “Captain Butler is her official escort.”
“Oh,” Willi said. “I see.” Suddenly she smiled broadly. “So, he does need to get some practice. My next set will definitely have a couple of suitable numbers for you to give him a refresher lesson.”
“Oh, no,” Janet said quickly, “I don’t think…”
“I’d be glad to,” Lieutenant Sorenson quickly offered.
Reluctant as he was to have Janet in his arms for a dance, for reasons that had nothing to do with his abilities in that activity, it being more that he actually wanted to but did not consider it a good idea, since he did want to, the idea of dancing with Rebecca, who it was obvious would absolutely love the idea, Bill decided on the safer option.
“I think perhaps Captain Echart would be a bit more appropriate instructor. She is much closer to my age and…”
Seeing the rather shocked look on Janet’s face and hearing the sudden laughter from the others, including Willi, Bill felt himself color slightly and he hurriedly added, “I did not mean…”
“It’s a lost cause, Captain,” Janet said. “Your foot is in it, intentionally or not. Pretty much the only way to not further embarrass yourself… or me… is to dance once with me, and then we can leave. How’s that?”
Bill sighed. “If I survive it.”
“That’s not really helping the situation,” Janet said, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Don’t worry,” Willi said with a grin. “I’ll make it a really slow one so you can hold on to her really tightly to support yourself.”
“Oh, lord!” Bill looked shocked.
“For someone with skills in so many areas, your social skills really are a bit rusty, aren’t they?” Janet said, almost archly.
“I didn’t mean…”
Janet smiled. “I know. Don’t worry about it. I’m actually not that good of a dancer, myself. I don’t know if I’ll be helping or hurting.”
“You can’t be that bad. You move like a cat in null gravity. You’ve got all the moves a good dancer does.”
“Maybe he’s not that rusty after all,” Charlie said with a grin.
“Wait a minute! I didn’t mean…” He fell silent as they all laughed again.
Willi excused herself and headed back toward the bar to get ready for her next set. A quick drink of water, and a few minutes in the dressing room, to get away from the crowd, and she was ready. It was with a broad smile on her face that she went onto the stage.
“A special dance song request, ladies and gentlemen,” she announced, with a look toward the table where Captain Butler and Captain Echart both had somewhat apprehensive looks on their faces. It took rather strong pushes to get the two up. They really only did it to avoid any further attention being drawn to them.
“I really wasn’t trying…” Bill started saying, taking Janet in his arms.
“I know. It just sort of got out of hand. That Marilyn is something. She’s really good at this stuff.”
“She is.” Bill suddenly realized that, while by no means a bad dancer, he had never really considered himself a good dancer, the movements seemed to come rather easily with Janet as his partner. Held closely. Really closely. An
d she did not seem to object.
Willi had to admit to herself, as she entered the dressing room after her last set, that she had had one of the best times of her life that night. The audience had seemed to really enjoy her performances, and it had been delightful to see Janet’s reaction to dancing with Captain Butler.
Her comments about him aboard the liner had seemed filled with a bit of longing. Willi smiled again at the memory of seeing Captain Butler holding Janet as they danced. He had looked quite comfortable with the situation, after the first few moments. They had danced three times together. Suddenly Willi sighed. “It must be nice,” she said aloud. “To dance with someone like that.”
“I hear it can be, especially to a live performer, with her heart in the music. Marilyn.”
Willi whirled around. “Johnny! I mean…What are you doing here? Get out of my dressing room!” Her voice had gone from pleased recognition to surprise to questioning to anger, as had her expression.
“Of course. My apologies.” He was not actually in the room, standing just outside the open doorway.
“Wait! Wait! Get in here!” Willi stepped over and grabbed his arm, pulling him inside the dressing room, her eyes darting down the hall to make sure no one saw them.
She turned toward him when the door was securely closed and locked. Willi had not really noted his appearance at first. Taking a moment to look him over now her jaw dropped and her eyes widened. “You! You’re The Guy! What… what…”
Suddenly she sat down in the chair before the makeup mirror, her back to the vanity. She stared at him for a moment more, several different expressions crossing her face in the short time frame. “Are you okay? You just left the shuttle and… I came out here looking for you… I just…”
“I’m fine. Just how did you actually find me?” Johnny asked. "I actually somewhat pride myself on not being able to be found when I don’t want to be.”
“I thought as much, but after all, where else would you be going with Dom…” She stopped herself, though Johnny had not given any indication she should not mention them. “Anyway,” she continued, “it just seemed obvious you’d be around here somewhere. I now realize that you’ve been here the entire time.”
Johnny noted that her expression was beginning to edge over into annoyance at that realization. She stood up then and with a rather insistent tone, asked, “Why didn’t you say something before this? You obviously knew me. And why haven’t you told anyone who I really am?”
Johnny shrugged. “I needed to figure out what you were doing here, and why you were doing whatever it was you were doing. I was pretty sure you didn’t come out here to take an entertainer’s job.”
When Johnny stopped speaking, Willi waited a few moments, expecting him to continue. He had only partially answered her question. A very small partially. “Well?” she asked then.
When the sardonic grin appeared, and he asked, “Well what?” Willi managed to maintain control, difficult as it was.
“You did not give me a real answer.” Her eyes narrowed, and she was almost glad she was already upset, for her color was already a bit red, so thinking about part of the reason she had come looking for him and coloring slightly because of it she was sure went unnoticed. “Just what do you think it is I am doing?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure I know what you are doing now, and why, but I’m still not quite clear on what got you here initially.”
“I… wait a minute. You did it again. Tell me what you think I’m doing… uh… at least now.”
Johnny looked at her evenly. “You’ve started wondering about what is going on in this sector and are trying to find out. What you are doing is very dangerous, Miss McKindrick. Very dangerous. For reasons you probably already suspect, but for some I really doubt you have an inkling.”
“I’m not so sure about that, but… yes... I have realized that my subtle inquiries might stir up some trouble if they become too obvious. I was already planning on leaving, but not because of that.”
Johnny turned to leave. “Good. It has been good to see you again. You really are a very good entertainer.”
Hurriedly Willi added, “But I’ve decided to stay for a while longer.” She was not aware that she looked a bit apprehensive, waiting for some response from him. It was a bit slow in coming.
He paused at the door, then did finally turn to face her again. Willi was almost relieved to see that usually annoying sardonic grin on his face again. “I’m not that surprised,” he said quietly. “It’s obvious that you’ve learned much of what I have. I really would rather you leave.”
Will just shook her head, watching him.
“I could make it happen.”
Willi realized she was sure that he could probably accomplish it, and she was suddenly just as sure he would not. “I don’t doubt it. But you won’t.”
Still just watching her face for a moment he finally said, “No. I won’t. Sit down. Please. I need to fill you in on some things. Mostly for your safety, so you won’t say or do the wrong thing to the wrong person or at the wrong time.”
When she did, Johnny pulled up the only other chair in the room, a simple straight back one, and sat down straddling the seat, his arms resting on the back. Willi found herself entranced at Johnny’s concise description of the situation in the sector, and how it could, and would, affect the future of the Confederation.
“You’ve heard all the rumors by now, I’m sure,” he said. “You’re sharp, so I’m also fairly certain you’ve weeded out the patently erroneous ones.”
Willi expected him to ask her what she knew, or at least believed she knew, but he did not. He simply continued. “The official word is that the pirates are well organized and equipped, and that they alone are doing everything that has been happening.
“They are well organized and well equipped and are doing much of what is happening. The rumors that the Ecronians are behind it are also true, to a degree. There are Ecronians involved. A few as part of the pirate band, and a group with their own interests being used as a front.
“The Ecronian government is not actively sponsoring the incursions and other activity. They certainly are not doing anything to limit or stop it. They want what is happing to continue and to ultimately succeed.
“If it does, they will step in and take control of the sector. Those who are fomenting this situation have no real idea of what they are unleashing on the sector, or themselves.”
Johnny looked away for a moment and sighed. “Despite the fact that there are many in the Confederation who do believe there is something amiss here, and have a fair understanding of what it is, they are totally resistant to the idea of the actual situation.
“The transition is going very well in most places. The Triumvirate forces have, for the most part, cooperated since the surrender.
“The idea of more warfare is simply so repugnant at the moment after the recent events, that there are some that, though they should know better, refuse to acknowledge the danger the Ecronians are to the Confederation.
“When the Triumvirate was in power, the military, as a matter of course, was powerful. Their defeat of the Ecronian forces everywhere in the galaxy they were encountered has turned the Ecronian government into a cautious body. The moment they see that an opportunity exists, however, they will take action. If things are allowed to continue here as they are, that time will be soon.
“Fortunately, there are enough people in the military in positions to do at least a few things to get things ready. But they have to work behind the scenes, often at risk to their careers.
“Even those humans whose machinations are behind this have no idea what the outcome will be if the Ecronians become entrenched in this sector. They think they will have power and wealth… will control this sector. They will die, if they are lucky. The rumors of what the Ecronians do with humans don’t even begin to…”
Johnny shook his head. “You’re better off not knowing,” he said after moment. “What the pirates do is nothi
ng compared to what happens to humans at the hands of the Ecronians, when they believe there is no chance of retaliation.”
Willi knew she paled slightly. “What Sydney said when we were attacked… you did leave me… us, I mean… there…”
“I was sure no harm would come to you… of that nature,” Johnny said slowly, looking at her. “So, when you offered…”
“I did suggest you leave, didn’t I?” Willi asked, watching his face carefully. She had already discovered he had almost absolute control of his features. But there was something in his eyes…
Quickly she looked away for a moment, then back. “So, what do we do?” she asked. “And,” she continued, boldly “is it true that the Governor is part of it?” Those rumors existed, but tenuously. It was just, for some reason, they just seemed true to her.
“Yes,” Johnny said quietly. “And knowing this puts you in grave danger. Reconsider going back to your regular life.”
A shake of her head was the only reply he received.
“Didn’t think so. Okay.” He looked at her again, for a long time, before he continued. “I am very good at what I do… am doing here. I could accomplish more, more quickly, with a bit of help in a couple of matters.”
“I’ll help,” Willi said immediately.
The sardonic smile was back. “Yeah. I figured. It’s going to be even more dangerous than what’ve you’ve done up to this point.”
Willi grinned, almost impishly. “Oh yeah? Ever tried being a pretty girl in a tight dress in the middle of a crowded room of sailors a long way from home?”
“Point taken,” Johnny said with a real smile this time. It faded after a moment, and he added, “I just want you to be aware and careful at all times.”
She looked around the room, a worried look crossing her face. “Perhaps we should have picked a different place to talk… this room isn’t what you’d call soundproof.”
Willi did not see where he pulled it from, but Johnny held up his comm device. “It is with this. Don’t ever say anything about any of this to anyone that I haven’t indicated is safe. And then, only where you know there is no chance of being heard, verbally or electronically.
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