Rocket Babe_Reflection
Page 25
With them properly instructed and attired for dinner at the Yard, Verna led them to the Cantina where she made the necessary introductions.
“Good evening, Bernie. It’s good to see you again. I’d like for you to meet General Barrett and his lovely wife, Lucy. This is their first time up and with little training for dining at the Cantina. Please do all you can to help them through the learning process and to make their evening enjoyable.”
“By all means, Captain. Welcome to Sagitta Cantina! It is a pleasure to meet you both and I would be delighted to assist you.”
“Thank you, Bernie. General, I’ll be leaving you now. Emmett will bring you home tomorrow afternoon. I hope the two of you enjoy the rest of your anniversary.”
“Thank you, Verna, for everything.”
“It was my pleasure, sir.”
She was almost through the door when Bernie caught up to her. “Verna, may I have a word?”
“Of course.”
“I have a small favor to ask. I’d like to meet one of your pilots, but I need someone to formally introduce us, if you know what I mean.”
“Sure, which one? Emmett, Charlie, Jack or Henry?”
Bernie looked totally exasperated as he shook his head. “No, the other one.”
“You mean Connors?”
“No! Come on, Verna!”
“Ohhh, you want to meet Pim Ono.”
“Yes. Is she seeing anyone?”
“I believe she has an admirer but it’s not exclusive as far as I know.”
“Good! I mean, I would appreciate a proper introduction.”
“I’m not surprised. I had you figured for the blonde, curvy type. I tell you what, make sure the general and his wife are well taken care of and I’ll put in a good word for you with Lieutenant Commander Ono.”
“Lieutenant Commander! When was she promoted?”
“The moment the general left me in charge, but she doesn’t know yet, so…”
“Got it, and the Barretts will have the time of their lives.”
“I have to go now but I’ll be in touch soon.”
Verna wasted no time getting back to 107 where she found Ono speaking with Lieutenant DeArman. The duo snapped to attention then saluted as Verna reached the hatch.
“Good evening, lieutenants. At ease. I believe you’re both off duty, are you not?”
“Good evening. Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you enjoying your time at the Yard?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Well, be forewarned, the general and his wife are here celebrating their anniversary tonight. You might want to let the others know to be on their best behavior.”
“We will, ma’am.”
“Charlie, would you mind if I had a private word with Pim?”
“Of course. Have a safe trip home, ma’am.”
“Thank you, Charlie.”
“I won’t keep you but a minute, Pim. First, I wanted to tell you that your promotion has been approved and the ceremony is set for this Saturday afternoon. Congratulations, Lieutenant Commander Ono.”
“Thank you, ma’am, but I figured that wouldn’t happen, since…”
“Nonsense, you’re not the first pilot to lose a fighter and you won’t be the last. What you managed to accomplish was well worth the cost. I have evaluated your combat footage and it is nothing short of amazing! The general was most impressed. He agreed with me on the promotion and that you should receive the next fighter off the line.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I will do my best to live up to your expectations.”
“I know you will. Now, the other thing is, the man in charge of the Cantina is a friend of mine and his name is Bernie. He would very much like to have a cup of coffee with you at your convenience, but that is of course, up to you. I’d introduce you myself, but I have a date of my own and I have to get back to HQ.”
Ono thought for a moment, then smiled. “Sure. I’ve seen him around. Seems like a nice guy. Why not!”
Chapter 18
Verna released the docking clamps holding 107 in place and dropped away from the Yard. She was on her way home to the piney woods of Alabama for three days of R&R, but as she cleared the pylon her comline began to flash.
“Olympus Control to Rocket Babe.”
“This is Rocket Babe. Go ahead Control.”
“Ma’am, this is Penelope. Please stand by while I conference you in with Commander Randall.”
“Standing by.”
“Commander, do you read?”
“I read you, Monk. What’s up?”
“You asked me to keep you informed regarding the Anakim, Nephilim situation. I now have a brief update and I have Captain Starr patched in as well.”
“Proceed.”
“Aye, sir. Pandora released her Eradicators at exactly 1400 hours this date. Between 1500 and 1536 hours SRN detected three antimatter explosions. We believe the first missile was partially intercepted approximately 1,900 miles from their northern boundary, but the effects would have only been reduced by nine percent. The second detonated on impact with full effect near their southern border, while the third obliterated the entire region known as the Nephilim Directorate.
“It is unclear if Anakim survived or was in the vicinity. Tactical continues to monitor these areas for signs of activity but so far none detected.”
“Rocket Babe, did you get that?”
“Loud and clear, Commander.”
“Thank you for the update, Lieutenant. Now tell Fangs and Vixen to enjoy their time off. We’ll see you all Monday, then it’s back to work.”
“Yes, sir. Control, out.”
“Rocket Babe, out.”
A few seconds later comline three was flashing again. “Yes, Commander.”
“Did you miss me?”
Verna sighed as she giggled. “Yes, it was the longest minute of my life. Where are you?”
“It just so happens, I had a few errands to run.”
“Really?”
“Really! And I was wondering when you’d be home.”
“Less than an hour, why?”
“Did you forget our date night?”
“Date night? Are we having a date night? Oh yes, I remember now. I’ll be there and ready before you. I have something special planned I know you’ll love.”
“Do tell.”
“It’s a surprise and you’ll see soon enough. Starr out.”
Before long Verna was preparing to land near their home. Her final approach took 107 directly over the house and from there she could see it was completely dark. Pleased she had arrived ahead of Randall, this time she decided to skip the hike and take the golf cart up the mountain from the hangar.
As she reached their bedroom the lamp on her nightstand snapped on and there on the bed she saw a large gold frame lying face down on the spread. Carefully Verna turned it over and began to smile. It was an enlarged photo from their last days of high school that had been taken in someone’s front yard across from the school. In the picture they were sitting in the grass with Randall right behind Verna looking over her shoulder as she smiled for the camera. The caption inscribed on the frame was a reference to what several of their teachers had often called Randall: From your shadow, with love.
For a few seconds she could not help smiling as the words of her favorite teacher echoed though her mind. “Here comes Verna’s shadow.”
“Dog gone it, this means he’s already been home. I can just hear him now, ‘If you’re waiting on me, you’re backing up,’ but not this time mister!” Quickly Verna disrobed and stepped into the shower. She had never bathed so quickly in her life but her extra effort paid off. Just as she finished her hair she could hear the garage door going up.
“Ha! I’m ready!”
Verna waited until she heard the den door open and close before stepping to the top of the stairs, but she was careful to stay back from the hall railing so Randall could not see her. From his desk there were eight steps up to a landing then a turn and e
ight more to the upper level. When he came in, she was actually standing directly above him in the upstairs hallway near the head of the stairs. Seeing she was not in the den waiting for him, Randall shouted up the stairs.
“Verna! Are you ready?”
“Yes, and there is no need to shout.”
“Sorry, I expected you to still be in the bathroom.”
“Why? I told you I’d be ready. Are you?”
“Yes, come on down and let’s go.”
“Slow down; we have plenty of time. You don’t even know where we’re going or why.”
“Should I come up?”
“No, I’m coming down but close your eyes first.”
“Ok, they’re closed.”
He could hear her coming down the top set of steps but then she stopped half way on the landing.
“Ok, now open them.”
Randall opened his eyes and began to smile as though he had won the lottery.
After a few seconds Verna slowly walked down to meet him wearing his favorite outfit; a knit crimson pullover blouse with a lacy scalloped neckline, black leather mini that zipped diagonally all the way across the front and that was all topped off by a matching black leather jacket. He preferred she wore heels but tonight she had a reason to opt for her favorite over the knee boots. Randall called the outfit her official Rocket Babe uniform.
Smiling as she reached the last step, Verna used her right index finger to gently nudge him back until he was forced to sit down in his desk chair. Once he was settled, she seated herself on his lap and softly kissed him.
“How do I look?”
“Fantastic!”
“You like this better than my dress whites?”
“Infinitely!”
“So, you approve?”
“Absolutely, whole heartedly, one hundred percent!”
Verna rolled her eyes and laughed. “At this moment, you look more like a little boy in a candy store than a commander, but I will always love the way you look at me.”
“I do love looking at you. So, tell me beautiful angel, to what prayer do I owe this blessing? Where are we going?”
“We’re going to your favorite Italian restaurant, The Boot, in Huntsville. Elisa is having a Best Boots contest for charity. I know how much you love this outfit, so I entered the contest. There will be lots of people, music, dancing and a few judges from a local radio station that will be broadcasting the event.”
“Great! How much money will you win?”
“I think she’ll have a first, second, and a third-place prize, but if I win anything it will all go to benefit St. Jude’s Hospital.”
“With your legs, you’ll win.”
“Will you listen? It’s a best boot contest, not best legs and it’s for charity.”
“Sounds great. Best Legs it is! I already know who will win that.”
“I tell you what, you can bring your camera. That way you’ll have something to do while I work the boots, and please remember, it’s all for charity. Don’t get mad if someone else wins, ok? There will be twenty-two contestants and all of them are probably younger than me, so I don’t expect to even place much less win anything. And please don’t try to organize the crowd to cheer for me or work the judges. Just get some photos of the others for Elisa and maybe a few of me for yourself.”
“What do you mean they’re younger? You’re only 28.”
Three hours later…
“I told you, you’d win.”
“Really? My boots came in third, and I agree with the judges for first and second, too. And before you ask, I gave my $75 prize money to St. Jude’s. Besides, Elisa said they’ve raised a ton of money from the crowd, as well.”
“I wasn’t talking about the boots, see?”
Randall looked down at their table and picked up the certificate she had won for third place boots and when he did there beneath it was a large blue ribbon that read, Best Legs, 1st Place.
“See, I told you!”
“Where did you get that?”
“I saw one of the judges put it on the table while you were doing your final walk and I was taking photos.”
Verna smiled and shook her head. “You put it there.”
“No, I didn’t.”
Verna gave him a look of disbelief as her head began to tilt.
“You don’t believe me? Ok, let’s think about this for a minute. Coming tonight was your idea and a surprise for me, right?”
“Right.”
“I didn’t know where we were going, and you’ve been with me the entire time since we left home, right?”
“Right.”
“And we came straight to the restaurant, right?”
“Right.”
“So where did I get a blue ribbon at an Italian restaurant that says, Best Legs 1st Place?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“See, it’s not just me and two of the three judges were women!”
“Well, I guess that’s nice but the only opinion I have ever really cared about is yours.”
With music playing and two hundred people watching, Verna leaned over, smiled and kissed him.
“Why is everyone staring at us?”
“I think they’re waiting for us to dance.”
“So, let’s dance.”
“I love you, angel.”
“I love you more.”
Additional Reading and Information
We hope you have enjoyed Rocket Babe – Reflection! There are three more books in the Rocket Babe series. Don’t miss Rocket Babe – Dust Storm, Rocket Babe – Fallen Angel and Rocket Babe – Ant Men!
You can share your thoughts with the author and main character by sending your email to: vernarockets@live.com and list Rocket Babe in the header.
For greater detail and to learn more about the author and characters of Rocket Babe visit Verna & Randy’s Rockets at www.vernarockets.com, and be sure to LIKE Rocket Babe on Facebook to keep up with regular updates.
Also…
Would you like to build and actually fly the rockets and ships described in Rocket Babe? You can! Visit the Sirius Rocketry website at: http://www.siriusrocketry.com/sirius00.htm today! David Miller and Sirius Rocketry sell model kits, parts and all the supplies to construct the U.S.S. Pandora, Verna Starr’s Cestris Fighter, Eradicator, Interrogator and Saturn V.
To learn more about model and hobby rocketry, visit the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) website: http://www.nar.org