by Chris Hechtl
“You may want to counsel your XO on patience. She seemed very exasperated by the process,” Lieutenant Neat and Orderly said, making a note on his tablet. “She needs to brush up on her procedures.”
“Well, she was an engineer like me before she was pushed into the executive officer slot. Please forgive her for learning that job on the run while still doing her old one.”
“She …,” the elf looked up from his tiny tablet to blink at her. “She was both your XO and chief engineer?”
“Yes. Commander Zeb took one of the prize ships in to Pyrax,” Shelby explained. “In his absence, she stepped up to fill his duties.”
“Ah. Well, I don't often cut an officer slack, but I suppose in this case she deserves some. But she needs to work on toning down her nonverbal signals. She positively vibrated frustration and annoyance many times. It was quite distracting.”
“I'll let her know to be on her best behavior next time,” Shelby replied dryly.
“Very well,” the elf said, tucking his small tablet under his arm. “I've sent my report off to the chain of command. You'll get the final copy when it is reviewed. Are there any questions?”
“Nope,” Shelby replied, sitting back.
“Very well. If you'll excuse me, Captain, I've got another ship to inspect after lunch,” the elf said as he hoped down from the table.
“Have a good day,” Shelby said cheerily as the elf left.
A few minutes later Cynthia texted her. “Is he gone?”
“He's on his way off ship,” Shelby replied. “Prometheus? Is Lieutenant Neat and Orderly gone?”
“The IG team has departed,” the A.I. replied.
“Hallelujah!” Cynthia crowed. “I take it we passed?”
“We did. Not quite with flying colors, I doubt anyone anywhere could ever make that high standard. He did mark down that you were 'vibrating frustration and annoyance' with disapproval,” Shelby said as the XO came into the wardroom. She shook her finger at the blond woman. “Naughty,” she said, turning to the XO as she reached for her cup of coffee.
“I couldn't help it,” she sighed. “I admit; he was just doing his job. He is thorough. So, we can start releasing the crew to go on leave now?” she asked hopefully.
“Yes, that we can do,” Shelby said.
Cynthia grinned. “That'll make everyone's day,” she said.
“Just as soon as they finish today's paperwork,” Shelby amplified.
Cynthia's face fell. She grimaced. “Cruel, really cruel, Skipper.”
“I have to keep up my appearance of being a heartless demigod, don't I?” Shelby asked mildly.
“You don't have to try that hard,” Cynthia muttered as she stomped back to her office. “So not fair, I've got all the paperwork coming at me,” she said as she left the compartment.
Shelby snorted, then took a sip of her tepid coffee as she picked up her tablet. Cynthia might have a lot of the paperwork coming at her, which was normal. But the captain had the final sign off on all of it.
Chapter 3
The crew had been given leave one by one as IG and JAG finished with them. They were forbidden to speak with one another until the review process was completed. When they were finished with Shelby, she was informed that Prometheus would not be refitted for several weeks since there was a backlog. She decided to take a short amount of her accumulated leave time.
She explored the star system in her cabin, wondering where to go. A lot had changed. One place she did check out though was her birthplace, Anvil station. That was her first stop. She changed into her civies, packed a bag, and then headed to the boat bay with the next departing shuttle for the station.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
Once she was sure the worst the REMF could put on them was behind them, Cynthia made sure the crew was okay before she checked the BUPERS network for a familiar name. She frowned, she knew he was in the star system, at least he was when he'd last sent her some mail.
“Are you having a problem, Commander?” Lieutenant Kalmia stated as she intercepted the search request.
“Um …,” Cynthia frowned until Kalmia appeared as an image on her HUD. “Yeah, I'm looking for a friend.”
“A friend. Is that way you are calling it these days?” Kalmia said maliciously enough to make Cynthia blush slightly. “As it happens your friend isn't a chief engineer or executive officer,” Kalmia said. Her avatar reached up and removed those search parameters from the search box. “He is currently captain of the frigate Daimyo.”
“Captain?!” Cynthia said in surprise and delight, momentary embarrassment forgotten. “Are you serious? How'd he get there that fast? I remember he was a prize captain but …?”
“Yes, I am. Captain Contenov proved himself when he gave ONI a lead on the Ssilli world by using the engineering diagnostics on that captured ship. He was then designated to return to Pyrax as you mentioned. They made good time here, and he took on a brief stint as an XO proving his skills there and his skills as an able trainer. Three days before your arrival here he was given a chance at independent command and took it. The frigate Daimyo was put back into space as a picket ship and training vessel. As it happens she is returning to base for resupply and a short time off,” the A.I. stated as she brought up Daimyo's files and location. “Would you like me to put the call in for you?”
“Yes please,” Cynthia said with a nod.
“Not a problem. That is, after all, my job,” the A.I. replied. “There is a two-second time lag. The lag will shorten slightly but most likely not noticeable to you organics. Please allow for it,” Kalmia stated as she withdrew.
“Thank you,” Cynthia said, pulling a pillow around to lean against it as she waited for the signal to get through to the ship. When the system indicated the signal was accepted, she was put on hold for the captain for a short period. The ship was near, only a light second away on its return to the naval complex for a brief cycle based on the plot Kalmia had provided.
She opened a link in a separate window and read the short file. Based on what Kalmia was reporting, Daimyo and her captain had done well. She nodded. That meant the boy deserved a treat. Well, she didn't mind being the treat, she thought with a mental grin.
When she saw the familiar face on the video screen replace the ship's wallpaper, she grinned. “Well, well, well, if it isn't Vlad the Impaler …,” she said wickedly. A brief two seconds later his eyes went huge and then he looked around to be sure he was alone. She couldn't help it; she started giggling, snickering at his discomfort.
He rubbed the back of his head when he realized he was indeed alone, then turned to glower at her. “You are so going to get it for that …”
“If by it you mean …?” she grinned and then giggled at his expression. He shook a fist at her. She snickered. “Arrange time off together.” Giggle, “I'm looking forward to it,” she said coyly.
He chuckled. “It as in …?” he asked, leering at her.
Her eyes narrowed in a mock scowl. “Well! If you think I'm that easy bub ….” His eyes flared wide. “ …Then you'd be right,” she said wickedly.
His chuckle turned into a laugh. “I'm looking forward to seeing you. Believe it or not, I've missed you.”
“Lonely sailor routine, gee, I've heard that one before a time or two,” Cynthia purred, tapping her chin with her index finger.
“Hmm, is it working?” he asked with a slight smile.
“I don't know. I'm not sure which of us is the lonely sailor,” Cynthia teased, eyes gleaming with mischief.
“If I say both, can we quit playing around and plan this? Before we use up all the leave available?” he asked.
“Okay,” she drawled huskily. “As it happens, I've got a free three-day pass to that resort ship,” she said. He nodded. “You have to be a gentleman and pay your way of course,” she said with a grin. His eyes narrowed before he sat back and sighed heavily. “Good boy. Surrender is your best option,” she said with another grin.
“You … you
…,” he shook his finger at her.
“Yes?” she asked with a broader grin.
“When I get my hands on you, lady, I am so going to wipe that self-satisfying smirk off your face.”
“Ooooh really,” she drawled. “Well then, you might have a problem catching up to me. After all, there are a lot of hunky guys on that ship I bet,” she said with a gleam.
“So don't go there, lady,” he growled, eyes glittering.
“Well, we'll see,” she said. “You might have gotten flabby since we were together last. You haven't been keeping up on your crunches and planks, have you?”
“As it happens I have despite the new assignment as captain and all the paperwork that's been dumped on me,” he said with as much authority as he could muster. Silently he was trying to figure out a fast way to get into shape to impress her more while also improving his stamina. Something told him the little minx was going to make him really work for it. Probably for a loooong time, he thought with a mental grin.
“Well, we'll see,” she said. “I'm still a bit peeved that they jumped you from chief to a ship's captain,” she said, shaking her head.
“I put my dues in as an XO briefly. Only three months but long enough to say I've done it. They needed someone in the hot seat,” he said. “I accepted. So far, it's worked out.”
She nodded. “Good for you,” she murmured in approval.
“If you are a good girl, I'll show you my ship later,” he drawled.
“Your ship. Is that what you are calling it now?” she demanded.
He grinned. “I can even work on that docking we're arranging too,” he said.
She snickered. “I'll send you the details when I get them. Let me know what is your earliest you can get off. Um ….” She felt her cheeks heat.
“I know what you meant,” he said. “I'll be nice and let you off the hook this time,” he said.
“What's it going to cost me?” she demanded warily.
“Oh … nothing I'm sure you aren't willing to pay. Eventually,” he said. She snorted. “Seriously, I'll check in a moment. BUPERS can be sticky about getting time off sometimes,” he warned.
“Okay,” she said with a nod. “Keep me posted.”
“Will do,” he replied. She blew him a kiss. He pretended to catch it and then sigh. She snorted and cut the channel.
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
Shelby checked out Anvil through the viewport as the shuttle approached. She knew she had at least a few old friends on the station. Anvil was no longer the largest population center in the star system despite additions to the station. She was still considered a metropolis, however, with the college, museums, and a transport and freight hub. The station bustled with activity; there were blinking lights and running lights of dozens of shuttles, tugs, and EVA techs all over the place. Another docking ring was under construction, and along the spindle, there seemed to be one or more habitat cylinders under construction. That was interesting; she made a mental bet that Liam Kincaid was probably busting his ass and probably too busy to chat.
She went through customs rather quickly; sending her IFF to Smithy got her VIP treatment. “Thank you,” she murmured as the guard waved her through the line. She ducked her head as she cut past the other visitors who looked at her with interest and contempt. Eat your heart out she thought.
Mama Valdez was home, but most of the family were out and about. She grinned when she received a hug from the older woman. “Well! Look at you! A captain!”
“Of a tender,” Shelby replied.
“Bull! Sure it's a tender, but I heard you did good things. I caught that award ceremony,” Mama Valdez said as she ushered Shelby inside. “Junior is also a captain, you heard?” she asked.
“I … no, we lost touch,” Shelby said cocking her head. “A captain JG?”
“Captain senior grade,” Mama Valdez said proudly. “And a ship's captain to boot! That last part I'm a bit worried about, but don't tell him that!” she said hurriedly.
“Ship's captain? The last time we crossed paths he was running the fighter command here plus fighter training ….” Shelby frowned thoughtfully. Was it fair for Junior Valdez to be a grade above her when he'd started as a lieutenant and she had started as a lieutenant commander?
“Your father arranged for him to take on Argus,” Mama Valdez said with a smile, “the fleet carrier. She was sent to Protodon when … well, you know,” she said in a more worried tone. “Is it as bad as they say it is?” she asked quietly.
“No,” Shelby said with a shake of her head. “Second Fleet fell back when they were hit, but there are pretty substantial defenses in Protodon, plus a heavy stockpile of ammunition and material to draw on there for their support,” she said, patting the other woman on the shoulder as they went into the living room. She looked around a bit. The space was the same, but it had received a fresh coat of paint and new furniture. The images on the wall were of the family. There were a few new unfamiliar faces in the mix.
“Oh,” Mama Valdez said. “Come on. I'll fix you some coffee and a snack. You must be peckish after the trip over,” she said. Shelby smiled slightly, feeling a bit indulgent over the woman, but also knowing there was a bit of steel in the woman's statement. Mama Valdez might be a little pudgy but that was because she cared to make certain her brood and her guests were well fed.
“So, how are things here?” Shelby asked as she set her bag down and followed Mrs. Valdez into the kitchen. She noted the kitchen had been renovated, but the layout remained the same. Even the food replicator the admiral had rebuilt was still there, just with shiny new plastic cover panels and fresh labels.
“You know how it is. They grow up, leave the nest,” the older woman said as she put the coffee on and then dug out a roll of cookies from the freezer. She cut a few rounds and put them on a baking sheet then put them in the infrared oven for a quick bake. By the time the coffee was done, the kitchen smelled of freshly baked cookies.
“Fresh, just the way I love it,” Shelby grinned as the woman slipped an oven mitt over her hand and then pulled the cookies out of the oven. “So, the kids are all grown up, and you've got empty nest syndrome?”
“Something like that. They've already started in with the grandkids. All but Junior. I wish he'd settle down but …,” she shook her head as she used a spatula to peel the cookies off and onto a rack to cool. “I'd have my husband here with me to greet you but he's off in one of the tugs. The business has really expanded,” she said, shaking her head in wonder. “The admiral really made an impact here,” she said as she waved the spatula over the cookies to help them cool.
Shelby took her coffee but disdained creamer or sugar. The cookies would be enough sugar she knew. “Are you still working in hydroponics?” she asked.
“I was, but I got tired of it. We don't really need the money,” Mama Valdez said as a robot floated by. Shelby blinked and watched as it scanned the room and the occupants, then went on its way. “Cleaning robot. It's taking my job here too,” Mama Valdez said in a slightly aggrieved tone of voice.
“I learned to let the robots take the jobs we hate. The stuff that is messy or tedious. We're still needed, and we have to make sure they do the job right,” Shelby said as she reached for a cookie.
Mama Valdez swatted her hand with the spatula. “They are too hot, young lady. Wait a bit,” she said.
Shelby snorted and withdrew her hand, amused at the older woman. “Are you working somewhere else? I know how hard it is to sit idle. We have a lot of problems with boredom on the ship when we're in hyper,” she said with a shake of her head.
“What's it like? Being on the ship? Seeing new things?” the older woman asked keenly.
“Well,” Shelby drawled. “The ship is a bit like being on the station. You've got a job to do, a small rack to sleep in, people to oversee. It's all machinery and such,” she said. The other woman nodded. “In hyperspace we can't work on some stuff since it is in use. That's what I meant about boredom.” The oth
er woman nodded again. “Now, the planets …,” she sat back. “I've visited nine so far. Each of them are a bit different than the others. But I'm a spacer,” she grinned as her hand slipped under the woman's guard to snag a cookie. She juggled it until she got it to her napkin.
“I told you it was hot,” the other woman said with a shake of her head.
Shelby grinned as she picked the cookie up daintily, then took a test nibble. “But its ooh so good!” she gushed. The other woman chuckled.
“Which one did you like the best?”
“Well …”
]][#]]]{OO}===}==>
Shelby had enjoyed her time with the Valdez family but she kept it limited to one evening; she didn't want to overstay her welcome. Despite her assurances that she wasn't a burden, Shelby had noted Mama Valdez had lit up when Sergio had come home, and her entire attention had been riveted on her lover and husband. She envied that sort of connection deeply.
She had made the rounds the following day, seen some of the sites and even shopped with Mama Valdez and had lunch with her before she'd decided she'd had enough of Anvil.
When Prometheus had first arrived back in Pyrax, the crew had been given a free three-day pass to the Oasis of Space XCIV. Shelby had been amused by that offer; she knew that the owners of the ship expected to recoup the free passes in the amount of money her people would spend on board. She wasn't surprised that most of the crew had accepted the offer when they had gone on liberty; there really wasn't a lot of resorts or other places to unwind in the solar system.
She hadn't intended to go, but Anvil felt too bittersweet to hang around in, and the other colonies offered little to her. She'd eventually broken down and arranged to go during the middle of the week at the ship's slowest time period.
She started to feel a bit better and to relax and feel like she was ready to enjoy herself on the resort ship despite the ship's appearance. To her expert eye the ship appeared a bit grungy. To be fair it had a lot of traffic and passengers, thousands every day. She could see the wear in the flooring, the marks on the walls that wouldn't quite come out despite the scrubbing by cleaning robots. Some of the paint looked faded. A few of the fixtures had their paint flaked off, and you could see the plastic or metal underneath. There were a few spots where you could see something had spilled and still stained the floor or carpet.