“I’m glad you finally figured out what is important, Jack.” Jock stepped back grinning, and turned to Kesa. “I am so glad to meet you. Jack has told us so much about you. You must come with us tonight.”
“I am honored at your request, Captain, but is it my place in such a personal remembrance of yours?”
“This night has also become a tradition for graduates, and to Jack that means he wants to remember you.”
Jack looked at his father with widened eyes. How does he know this? Can he see my mind like Mom sees his?
Jock turned to his son with a raised eyebrow, “Have you?”
“Not yet.”
“When?”
“Chapel.”
“Understood. Kesa, I insist you come with us. When we reach the chapel, please allow me a few moments alone inside. When I come out, you and Jack may go inside.”
“Yes, Captain. I am honored to be included in your family traditions. Fortiter, Sir!”
Jock’s head moved back and his eyes widened with his smile.
“Come, it’s time to go.”
The three walked out of the hotel and across the campus, passing many graduates on the way. When at last they came to the chapel, there was a line of graduates and some cadets there.
Every year it gets bigger, Jock thought. They’re so young, so full of dreams. They’re here to pledge something to each other, lovers and friends. Sharon would like that, I’m sure.
One of the graduates turned and noticed Jock, and whispered to the girl in front of him. She turned and whispered to the graduate in front of her, and soon the path to the chapel was clear, every graduate and cadet looking at Jock.
Jock slowly walked up to the spot near the steps, bent down and placed the flowers and card there, among the dozens of single blooms already there. He stood, teary eyed, and walked into the chapel.
Jack and Kesa walked up behind Jock, Jack placing the single flower next to the bouquet his father had placed in remembrance of Jack’s aunt. The two waited patiently for several minutes, and finally Jock came out of the chapel. The other graduates had formed an honor guard along the path, standing at attention saluting the Captain’s devotion.
Jack and Kesa slipped into the chapel unnoticed by all except Jock. At the end of the honor guard he stopped, turned sharply, and saluted the graduates lined up. Then he stood at ease, centered between the lines of graduates, waiting for his son. He could not suppress the grin that crept onto his face as his voice snapped out, loud enough for only those outside of the chapel to hear, “Hold position, AT EASE!” How many Dads get to do this for their son? He has no clue that I had spoken to Kesa last week. She has no clue Sandy helped him pick out the ring. And I had no clue he would do it tonight, but it’s perfect. Perfect.
The doors to MacAlister Chapel opened and Jack held them for Kesa to pass. Jack froze when he heard his father’s commanding voice echo across the campus.
“ATTENTION!”
Two hundred and sixty graduates snapped to attention with the easy flawlessness spawned by innumerable repetition. As Jock snapped a perfect salute to his son, the honor guard, now celebrating one of their own, snapped their salutes to Jack and Kesa.
Briefly a touch of panic flashed through Jock’s mind; could she have said ‘no’? As his eyes caught the glints from Kesa’s ring, the flush of her cheeks, and the light smiling in her green eyes, Jock released his salute and stood at ease. The impromptu honor guard followed his lead, breaking into applause and moving in to congratulate their friends.
***
Mars L-2
J. Wadsworth R & D Station
Commander’s Quarters
Standard Earth Date May 4, 3473
“I know, Sandy. Soon, I’ll be back on leave. Jack and Kesa too. We leave in three days.” Jock waited for the time delay. These vids were great, but the damn time delay for the laser feed to go from Mars to Earth and back slowed down conversations.
“Jock, I can’t wait. I’ll see you soon, honey. Stay safe.” Sandy’s image faded from the viscreen in Jock’s ready-room. He sat back, contemplating his travel.
“Ding-DING!” his door chime called. Who could that be at this hour? Research shifts ended two hours ago.
“Come in.”
The door opened and Jack, Kesa, Lieutenant Rhonda Rhodes, and Commander Haja Zafy stumbled over each other entering the room.
“Okay, everybody. Sit down and relax.” Jock commanded. The youngsters were highly excitable, and Haja tended to reflect the emotions of those around him.
When the four had sat down, Jock looked at each of them.
“Okay, what’s up?”
“Well, the special resistance numbers…”
“Gravitic Friction to spatial fabric distortion…”
“The moderation of the GravTorp field limiter can let us stretch out…”
“QUIET!” Jock commanded. “One at a time, please! Haja, go!”
“We have FTL, Commodore,” Commander Haja Zafy said simply, “and more!” Jock looked into the faces in front of him. Jack and Haja he could read like a book, Rhonda he had an idea, but Kesa he had no clue about. They’re excited, not giggling. Damn, they’ve really got it!
“OK, what do you mean by that. Haja, simple, concise answer, please.”
“Admiral, simply put, the modulator that limits the gravity sphere in the GravTorp detonations can also stretch and compress points in space. By compressing the space a ship occupies and the space along a straight, one-point thick line to the destination, we can achieve nearly limitless velocities. Tests indicate transit rates on the order of dozens or even hundreds of light-years per day.” Haja stopped to let his CO digest what he’d just said.
“You said there is more. Go on.”
“A slight adjustment to the quantum frequency turns the same modulator into a drive that acts directly upon the fabric of space. Essentially it is a ‘fuelless drive’. The combination means our ships can devote all of their volume to payloads, civilian and military.”
“What are the energy requirements for this?”
“That’s the best part, Sir. We have the gravitic generator design working as well. By holding an electron and a proton in close proximity, while preventing the electron from orbiting or colliding with the proton, we get huge amounts of energy, hundreds of times as much as the plasma generators make. More than enough to power the drives, and a lot more.” Rhonda’s breathless voice beamed with pride as she explained the progress.
“Where did you get the theories for this?”
“They’re yours, Dad. The ones you and Shannon worked on. One hundred percent Space Force owned research!” Jack confirmed.
“What stage are you at with this?”
“Drone tests have run flawlessly. We have a manned ship ready, the Thistle.”
“When is the test scheduled for?” Jock looked at his son and daughter-in-law.
“May 7th, Sir. Three days.” Rhonda chimed in with a grin.
“I see. And, do you have a crew for this test-drive?”
“We have a crew, Sir, but we need an experienced command officer.” Kesa’s musical voice sparkled.
“What route have you geniuses mapped out?” Jock sat back. He was trapped, and he knew it.
“We first considered an outward route, but we finally settled on an inbound route, Mars L-2 to Lunar L-2. We figured the trip will take, oh, like, twelve seconds.” Jack explained, barely able to contain his excitement.
“OK, well, I had better start packing then, I guess.” Jock smiled and added, “Well done, everyone. Great job. Now, I’ve got some arrangements to make, so if you’ll excuse me…”
“Sir, there are two more things. Commander Zafy has asked that we transport some equipment with us, Sir.”
“What equipment, Rhonda?”
“Gravitic wave communication transponders, Sir. Drones have confirmed that Commander Musa’s design works perfectly. Real-time communication anywhere in the universe.”
“The second?”
“Gravity stealth; your designs to apply the light bending tech from the stealth probes to large ships using gravity waves works. We’ve made the Thistle invisible!”
Jock shook his head as he watched them file out of his office. Well, I’ll be damned! We’re gonna make it!
Chapter Five
Mars L-2
J. Wadsworth R & D Station
Commander’s Quarters
Standard Earth Date September 10, 3476
“Are we ready for this?” Haja Zafy grimly asked his companions.
“He’s going to be angry, you know.”
“Kesa, he’s going to be frightened. Of losing you.” Jack explained.
“He’ll get over it.” Admiral Bucktooth declared. “I’ll order him to. All right everyone, stick to the plan!” Jericho reached up and hit the door chime.
“Come in!”
The door opened at the call of the voice, and Lieutenant Commander Charlie Walker, Lieutenant Rhonda Rhodes, Lieutenant Commander Jack MacAlister, Commander Haja Zafy, Lieutenant Kesa MacAlister, and Admiral Jericho Bucktooth nervously crowded into the small office.
Jock walked out of the living quarters and into the office portion of his suite, and stopped dead when he saw the collection of people in front of him.
“What’s going on?” Jock asked in a grimly quiet voice.
“Relax and sit down. We’re here to discuss the Needs of The Fleet.” Jericho said, understanding Jock’s apprehension.
“Commodore, I’ve asked for a transfer four times this past year, and you’ve denied me each time. I’m asking again, Sir.” Kesa began.
“Kesa, I need you here. I can’t replace you.” Jock’s lame plea did have a ring of truth to it.
“Dad, you mean you need her here, where you can keep her safe. You mean that you can’t replace her as a daughter-in-law.” His son’s words hit Jock with the hammer of truth.
“Kesa, Jack, I…” Jock took a big breath and exhaled his fears slowly. “I guess I didn’t realize that. Now that you say that, Jack, I, I don’t know what to say.”
“Commodore, I’ve asked for transfers as well, twice in the last six months. So have Charlie and Rhonda.” Haja added.
“Dad, you’ve been a great CO for all of us. Now you need to be a great mentor.” Jack added.
“Jock, these officers have given you more than you could ask for. It’s time you let them grow. It’s time you grew. It’s time for you to focus on what The Fleet needs, what Earth needs, and put it above what Admiral Jock MacAlister wants.” Jericho Bucktooth’s last few words brought surprised glances from everyone in the room.
“Jeri, what…”
“Here it is, straight and simple. Fleet has hundreds of new ships. We need bright competent officers to command them. Fleet needs bright, competent Admirals to lead them.
“Jock, Admiral Alimonte is retiring. I’m being selfish here, but since I’ve been tapped to take his place, I want the best damn people I can get supporting me.
“That means that as of today, Charlie, Rhonda, Haja, and Kesa have been transferred to Fleet Command Line, and will leave for Ship Command Orientation tomorrow; Rhodes and MacAlister will be promoted to Lieutenant Commander. Walker is promoted to Commander and Zafy to Captain. Upon successful completion, each will be assigned as Executive Officer under an experienced Captain.
“Jack will be promoted to Commander, and has accepted assignment as Commander, R & D. Jock, you’re coming with me. You should know that Musa has been promoted to Rear Admiral along with you. You will report tomorrow to my skiff, and accompany me to Earth. There we will meet with and organize our command staff and structure. Any questions?”
Everyone in the room was stunned by the promotions and clear visions described by Admiral Bucktooth. Twelve eyes stared at Jericho for several silent seconds before he broke the meeting.
“Very well. Dismissed. No one leave yet.” Jericho leaned back in his chair slightly. “I believe our new Rear Admiral has some fifteen year old Scotch he would like to share?”
***
Chrysler Building
55th Floor
New York City
Standard Earth Date September 11, 3476
“So, we have a unanimous vote then, ladies and gentlemen. I will inform our new Principal this evening. Thank you.” The tall bald man’s elegant voice informed The Board.
“What of Mr. Elathan?” A lone voice quivered out the question no one else dared to bring forth.
“Mr. Elathan prefers to remain in the…background. He will be available if…required. Nothing else? Good. Adjourned.”
***
United Space Force Academy
MacAlister Chapel
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Standard Earth Date June 19 3477
“It’s weird, that’s all. It’s just not logical.” Corrine MacAlister frowned.
“It’s sweet. Imagine a love so perfect!”
“Yeah, then imagine it’s your Dad and not your Mom. It’s weird!”
“What does your Mom say about it? Have you talked about it with her?”
“She’s fine with it. She tells me she can read Dad’s mind. I don’t know what to think of that. It’s not like she’s crazy or something. She’s always so logical and practical, except…”
“Except when it comes to your Dad. Geeze, Corry, get a clue, will ya? Your Mom and Dad are gaga for each other! I’ve seen them together for what, fifteen–plus years? This thing isn’t weird, it’s sweet, and your Mom knows it. Why don’t you?”
“Tracy, the whole thing just doesn’t make sense to me.”
“I know, it won’t fit into that neat, perfect little package you demand of everything. Maybe you’re just over…anal…yzing…Oh, my! Will you look at that!” Tracy Singh grabbed her friend’s arm tight enough to make her gasp. Corrine MacAlister just didn’t feel it. All of the eighteen-year-old prospective cadet’s senses were focused on the tall, dark haired marine cadet striding confidently their way.
“Hello, ladies. May I be of assistance to you?” Cadet Michael Halsey’s smooth, deep voice vibrated around the two girls as he tipped his hat in greeting. She is absolutely gorgeous!
“W-what? Excuse me?” Corrine asked as Tracy sighed dreamily. Gorgeous?! Me?
Look at the fire in those eyes! I wonder what ignites her? Hold on, slow down buster! Remember who her father is!
“Well, miss, the Admiral asked me to escort you two ladies around the campus, to help you understand what your life would be like should you decide to come here next year.”
Tracy broke her death-grip on Corrine’s arm and looked at her friend.
Ignite me, indeed! Corrine thought. “Dad! OK, so he thinks we need a chaperone, like I haven’t been here a dozen times already! Well, okay then ‘Prince Charming’, lead on!” Did I say that out loud? And am I really hearing what he’s thinking, or has Tracy got my head all turned around again? Still, he IS VERY tall, taller than Jack. And handsome. Like Daddy, only better…
“Please, call me Mike. Now, ladies, this way please!” Mike held his arm out to Corrine. The touch of her hand sent a small shiver through him. Oh, my. She is something special. Something very, very special!
Corrine smiled as she took his arm. Special. He thinks I’m special! And gorgeous! His arm is so hard. Like steel. I wonder if…
Tracy stared at the two walking away from her. The pretty blonde called out, “Hey, what am I, chopped…oh, never mind!” As she caught up to them, she saw Corrine blushing heavily. Well well, maybe my friend the Ice Princess is melting! That’s one show I just have to see!
***
United Space Force Academy
United Space Force Academy Hilton
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Standard Earth Date June 19 3477
“She’s doing WHAT?!”
“Relax, Sandy. I’ve checked him out; he’s a good cadet, solid grades, and good character. Plus, he knows my rank, and Tracy a
nd I will be there. They’ll be fine!”
“Well, you’d better hope so, mister, or you’ll have a lot of explaining to do!” Should I tell him? That I can feel this boy’s thoughts, just like I feel his? No, can’t let him in on that just yet.
“Yes dear.” Jock grinned. “He’ll be here soon, so I’ll let you go now.”
“Good-bye, darling.” He’s almost as nervous as she will be right now. Sandy thought as she cut the comm link.
Corrine and Tracy had begged to come and see the academy when Jock went this year. I think it was more Tracy’s idea than Corrine’s. Jock thought.
“DING-ding”.
“Corry, are you ready? He’s here!” Jock shouted through the half-open door to the girl’s suite.
“Just a minute, Dad! Let him in, please.”
“It’s just dinner in the hotel restaurant downstairs. Why are she and Sandy making such a big deal about this? What is taking her so long?” Jock muttered as he checked his tie. “Like Sandy on our first date, we almost missed the movie she took so long getting ready…Oh!”
When Jock opened the door, he was a little surprised to find Marine Cadet Halsey in his Dress Blue-Whites. The young man snapped to attention, a crisp salute held awaiting Jock’s reply.
“At ease, cadet. For the entire evening, please!” Jock replied as he returned the salute. “Come in. The ladies are almost ready. I hope.”
“Thank you, Sir!” The tall cadet walked into the suite as Jock closed the door.
“Have a seat, Mr. Halsey. It could be a long campaign.”
“Thank you, um, yes, Sir.”
“So, I take it you had a nice time with the ladies this afternoon? My daughter insisted that you join us for dinner. That is highly irregular.”
“Your daughter is a highly unusual girl, eh, lady, Sir. Unique, er, different, um…Special! Sir.” Sure, Cadet, ram that foot just a little further down your own throat.
The Turret: Starclan Foundation Page 14