by Chris Hechtl
“Deep Purple classification, Fletcher,” Sprite said. “Watch your email chains,” she reminded him tartly.
“Understood. This is going through an ONI secure server. I've been monitoring the progress of the Cadre Initiatives core candidates. Some have issues with the process. Some are signing off a bit too fast. One of those questions was about budget,” the A.I. stated.
“I have a blocked-out amount but it is tentative. Some of it is engineering time with a basic standard budget template to start them off with. Unfortunately, I don't know what the Cadre spent back in the day, so I don't have an example to base the numbers on. We're going to have to make it up as we go along.”
“Wonderful.”
“As far as the briefings, that's good I suppose. Have you considered what to do about the support personnel? We should anticipate that. Find a way to read support personnel in.”
“Which will mean they will have to go through a similar process since they will be exposed to the Cadre. That is a problem; Admiral Irons didn't give me a directive in regards to that.”
“You mean he hasn't yet,” Sprite clarified. “They are going to need guards to protect their base, personnel for support, medical ….” As she brought up the various people, she realized she hadn't anticipated them in her budget. “Damn it, now you've got me going. I just realized they aren't in the budget either,” she said.
“You're making more work for yourself,” Fletcher stated.
“I'm trying to anticipate needs to head off more work in the future,” Sprite said in rejoinder as she adjusted the budget numbers. “Captain Lyon is going to have to sort this out. But mark my words he will bring up the question of support personnel once it occurs to him he'll need them.”
“Understood. Can I see the budget template?”
“Here,” Sprite said, sending him the file. She sent it to Captain Lyon and Admiral Irons as well. “This is the first draft. I believe once we get an idea on how much is involved in building one suit, we'll be able to project how much it will cost to build the others and can fix that number,” she said.
“Within reason given the bioforms are maddeningly inconsistent. There are multiple species involved,” Fletcher replied. “But I see your point. We do need a baseline. These numbers are filled with too many variables and qualifiers.”
“Agreed.”
“I've got bots monitoring RECON. I noted Bast is in the RECON base network as well. Are we to pass over some of the Cadre duties to her? What is her rank? Admiral Irons brought it up in the initial meeting but never got to address it.”
“Just another thing he's going to have to figure out,” Sprite said, jotting a note out and sending it off to the admiral.
<)>^<)>/
Admiral Irons had an idea on how to move the Cadre Initiative along. But he had to talk to General Forth about it and get his blessings. “General Forth is online, sir,” Protector informed him.
“Thank you, Lieutenant,” the admiral said as he turned to see Jersey's head bust on his desk. “Nice to see you, General,” he said.
“You as well, sir. What can I help you with? We're a bit busy now that the Chester Puller convoy has arrived. We're holding it for the current graduating class of air units. That will give Dana ten days off target for departure but within the slippage window. She can do something about integrating them on the way. I understand she's got a layover in Pyrax anyway,” he said.
“Good to know. I'm actually calling about something else though. We're getting the Cadre Initiative going as you know. So far the first phase has either all volunteered already or indicated they will shortly. I've got a few that have questions though, I'll be dealing with that shortly,” Admiral Irons stated.
“Good to hear, sir,” Jersey replied. His face looked a bit distant. No surprise since the ansible was translating his text to his virtual head without any emotional indicators.
“Captain Lyon needs help. He's indicated he has too much on his plate as it is. When I threw this at him, I think it was pretty close to the straw that will break the camel's back. I don't want that obviously. We need him.”
“I know, sir. We're thin on officers and senior leadership. RECON is very tight at the moment.”
“I see that. So, I have an idea to help him. It's not perfect, but it should get him off the ground and let him focus on the overall picture while the day-to-day Cadre details get ironed out into a routine.” The admiral laid out his plan. The general immediately signed off on it.
“The unfortunate thing is we can't give him the ceremony he deserves. Not without causing undue interest in him from people and the public that we'd rather keep in the dark.”
“I think he'll understand, sir,” Jersey replied.
“The good news is he's on my schedule. I need to help them get the Cadre Initiative running. I'm going to be spending today with them once he and I have a sit down. I suspect I'll be on hand to help get things running for the next month or so.”
“They will try to minimize interference with your schedule as much as possible, sir. They'd better,” he growled.
“I know the feeling Jersey, but they are making it up as they go along. And some things I have to be on hand to handle personally.”
“Understood, sir,” the general said.
“Antigua out,” Admiral Irons said, cutting the channel just as security alerted him that the Neocat was en route. That was fine; it gave him enough time to put a call in to the captain and BuPers to let them know what he was about to do.
Chapter 16
Jethro had questions, and the only one he could discuss them with was Admiral Irons since Captain Lyon was busy. He was reluctant; you didn't just make an appointment to meet with the highest ranking naval officer and acting president of the Federation on a whim. But his questions didn't have easy answers. They weren't covered by the limited FAQ, and Captain Lyon had indicated he didn't have the answers either.
Bast made the appointment for him. He was surprised that the admiral's yeoman slipped him on the schedule for the following day. He caught the evening shuttle up and then waded through security once more.
The yeoman outside the admiral's office was new—a chocolate speckled Neomutt in a sharp sailor's uniform. He nodded to him. “I have an appointment to see the admiral,” he said to the yeoman.
“You are one minute late. Go in,” the yeoman said, unlocking the door with an implant signal. Jethro nodded. He didn't bother to make any excuses about security. The yeoman opened the door, stuck his head in, and then went in. Jethro followed.
“Sir, Master Sergeant McClintock is here for his eleven-thirty appointment,” the yeoman said crisply.
“Thank you, Luke,” the admiral said with a nod. The yeoman nodded once and then withdrew. Jethro was peripherally aware of that as he strode up to the admiral's desk and then came to attention.
“Can the salute, Jethro,” the admiral said with a wave of his hand. “I understand you've got questions that the FAQ can't handle?”
“Yes, sir. And Captain Lyon referred me to you, sir,” Jethro said.
“Okay. As it happens I wanted to see you anyway,” the admiral said as he rose. “We'll get to the orders in a moment. I just got off the ansible with Jersey. He signed off on what I'm about to do. So did Captain Lyon, though I think he's a bit put out about not being here for it. We can arrange something more formal later,” he said.
“Sir?” Jethro asked, clearly confused.
“Attention to orders,” the admiral intoned as he rose. Jethro instantly came to attention. The fleet admiral eyed him for a long moment then nodded once. He sent a file to Jethro. “Mister McClintock, please read the file I just sent you.”
“Sir?” Bast helpfully opened it for him.
“Just raise your right hand and read it, Jethro,” the admiral ordered.
“Yes, sir.” He nodded once. He dutifully raised his right hand. “I, Jethro McClintock, do solemnly affirm that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Feder
ation against all enemies foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office for which I am about to enter. So help me Gods of Space,” he said clearly confused.
“And now that we've got that over with,” the admiral said with a smile as he pulled out a jeweled case. “You can get your uniform changed later. But for the moment, I have these,” he said. He opened the case and showed Jethro a pair of W-1 rank insignia.
“Sir? I … um … don't know what to say,” Jethro said weakly.
Bast flicked her long ears in humor.
“If you could only see your expression,” the admiral said maliciously. “I'm going to send it to Jersey. He'll get a kick out of it,” he said as he pulled off Jethro's master sergeant rank tabs and then replaced them with the warrant insignia. Jethro wondered how he did it; the rank tabs were sealed to his BDU. Apparently, the admiral had some sort of black magic to be able to pull them off and replace them.
“Um …,” Jethro felt a series of files being sent to him from the admiral. “Sir, what did you get me into?”
“I made you a warrant—a W-1 to be exact. I understand you didn't want a commission. Given that you are an operator and should be in the field, this is the best compromise I can come up with.”
“Yes, sir. I understand that, I think,” Jethro said as files crowded his HUD for his attention. Some were marked read immediately. Bast got busy sorting them out.
“You took the tests to get another promotion while on the convoy here I understand. This is just a step in a different direction, one we need you to take,” the admiral said as he finished up.
“Yes, sir.”
“That's it?” the admiral asked as he stepped back.
“I don't know what to say, sir,” Jethro said cautiously.
“You can swear later when you realize the shitload of crap I just dumped you into,” the admiral said with a feral smile. “For the moment,” he went back behind his desk and took a seat. He indicated the cat should sit as well. “Why don't we go over the high points or low points of what you've got on your mind and then we can get busy with the itinerary I've got planned,” he said.
“Yes, sir,” Jethro said as he nodded and took his seat. He noted Bast seemed very excited about his promotion.
“Well, one of us is very excited it seems,” Jethro said dryly.
“Ah, that's right, my apologies Bast. Come out here,” the admiral ordered. He pointed to a holo projector. Bast hesitated and then appeared in the projector. “That's better,” the admiral said.
“So, you aren't excited about the Cadre Initiative, Jethro?”
“I had only the vaguest idea about what it involved and what you need of me, sir. I'm admittedly concerned given my changed status,” the cat stated slowly.
The admiral nodded sagely. “But you are on board?”
“Being Cadre has been something of a distant dream since I heard about my ancestor, sir, and well, since you and Commander Sprite activated Bast here,” he said indicating Bast.
“But you are on board?” the admiral asked again.
“Yes, sir. With reservations,” Jethro said.
“The reservations are?” the admiral asked. “We want a commitment, Jethro. This is a lifetime commitment.”
“I know, sir. That is a part of my problem. My questions,” Jethro said. He inhaled deeply then exhaled, deciding to plunge right into things. “I'm a family man now, sir. It has … awakened things in me.” Jethro said cautiously.
“An awareness that we're all mortal I imagine,” Admiral Irons stated with a nod. “Well, the good news is, for the foreseeable future you will be in training. Training yourself as well as the other core members as well as building the tools to make the Cadre. Their equipment is going to be a pain in the posterior,” the admiral admitted with an agreement.
Jethro nodded. “Accidents happen, Admiral, even in training. Given the Cadre will be training hard, it is an increased risk.”
The admiral eyed him. “Don't tell me you've lost your nerve. I know better.”
“I know we will all meet the reaper eventually, sir. Recent events in Kathy's World, Protodon, and some of the stuff I heard went on in ET sort of … made me aware of my own mortality. My mate isn't happy about my profession, which is a problem. I'll deal with it, sir.”
Admiral Irons nodded slowly. “All right.” He grimaced. “I know about the death mark on you. If I can get it off, I will.”
Jethro nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
“It will hopefully not affect your assignment with the Cadre. And put it this way,” he said with a cold smile, “anyone who does show an interest in where you are and asks will give themselves away to ONI. And ONI will have a link to follow.”
“Yes, sir,” Jethro said. “Just call me bait I suppose.”
“That's the spirit. Now, I've got my day cleared. Well, mostly cleared,” he said with a grimace as he rose from his seat. “So, you and I will go catch some lunch, then a shuttle groundside. I want to personally go over the staff with you. I need to set a few things up while I'm there. Unfortunately, I have to do it in person,” he said, holding up a restraining hand as Jethro started to protest. “It's the key thing,” he said, nodding to Bast. Bast nodded back.
“We'll get you the Phase II recruits soon enough. It will be a mixed bag with both, new and old blood. The new blood will have to be initiated, and the old blood will be run through the wringer,” the admiral said with a rueful shake of his head. “I don't even want to think about the washout rate, so let's go eat before we sour my stomach,” he said.
“Yes, sir,” the Neocat said cautiously.
“And while we're eating, you can fill me in a bit about some of your adventures in Kathy's World and Protodon,” the admiral said with a small smile. Jethro blinked as the admiral came around the desk. “Call it an old man's desire to hear some action after being stuck too long behind a desk,” the admiral said.
“Yes, sir,” the Neocat said with a relieved chuff and ear flick.
“And I'd like to see Shanti's picture and the kittens if you don't mind,” the admiral said, making the Neocat blink. “I've had a lot invested in your future, Jethro. I know you miss them. It's part of your concerns, isn't it?”
“Yes, sir. I was aware that I'd miss a lot of their life on deployment. And given the mark on my head, it was safer if I stayed away. But it isn't easy,” Jethro said, heaving a sigh as they walked to the door.
“I know. And Shanti is stubborn. She has her own career, her own life on her homeworld. We all have to respect that. She's not a military wife, willing to submit her career and future to the whims of the service,” the admiral said with a sad smile. “I've been there, gone through that. She's worth treasuring,” he said.
“Thank you, sir. And I'd love to show you the images of the kittens,” Jethro said, “and pick your brain about them. Bast hasn't been very forthcoming about why they have my abilities at such a young age,” he said.
The admiral nodded slowly. “Yes. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of experience with the Cadre. I met my share, and I know some, but not as much as I'd like,” he said as he clasped his hand on Jethro's shoulder. He stopped at the yeoman's desk. “We're going out to lunch, Luke,” he said.
“Aye aye, sir,” the Neomutt yeoman said with a dutiful nod. He logged it into the admiral's schedule. “And you'll be going groundside for the rest of the day?”
“Yes. Let Captain Burrows know I'll need the usual security detail even though we'll be staying on the military base for the day,” the admiral said.
“Very well, sir. You'll catch the red eye back up and be back here in the morning?”
“Raring to go or at least begging for coffee,” the admiral said with a fleeting smile.
“We'll have it hot, sir,” the Neodog said with a flick of his ears.
“Now that
that is settled,” the admiral said, turning away from the yeoman. “I know a great steak place here. You can trot those photos out when we wait for the meal to be delivered.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“No problem. And I ordered that you have priority on the ansible. You'll still have to wait behind the usual government and military message traffic and you need to not abuse the privilege, but I thought it is only fair.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it,” Jethro said with a nod.
<)>^<)>/
After lunch the admiral and Jethro met the admiral's Marine security escort at the shuttle that took them to the ground. He was impressed that they sort of breezed through security. Then again, he was traveling with the admiral he thought with a mental snort at his distraction. He was a bit jealous of the shuttle too. The shuttle was a full Navy pinnance, a fast one that dropped in half the time the personnel shuttles rode up and down on.
It seemed it was nice to be at the top. You could get the clearances you needed including with air traffic control. And since the admiral was the president, he had full number one priority.
It was a simple affair of getting to the RECON base; Captain Burrows had already arranged armored air transport. Once they loaded up, they again breezed through traffic, floating over the base before setting down in the RECON section of the base.
When they landed, they were met at the apron by Captain Lyon. Instead of heading to the administration building, the admiral had them go to the base's armory.
RECON didn't have a traditional armor morgue. One had been added to the armory for Jethro's suit. It was a drop-in building, not a purpose-built structure though, something Bast hadn't been thrilled about when they'd dropped his armor off. Not that she had any say or choice in the matter.
“This is the mobile armor morgue. I guess it's appropriate that you test it here. I understand Colonel Pendeckle has been testing it on Protodon, and Colonel Harley will have her chance on Destria,” the admiral said as the group arrived at the armory.