***
Admiral Oden found himself being recorded almost the whole day, especially when he was with the Federation's Ambassador after the awards ceremony. It was a rare opportunity for the press to record him in his dress uniform with every award in place on it. Even the cadets were awed by the impressive number of awards Fleet Admiral Oden possessed as he escorted the Ambassador around to see the cadets as they lived and trained in various environments.
The first and second year cadets lived exclusively out in the open, using whatever was available to shelter themselves with. The third year cadets spent part of their time living in the open in tents and part at the Academy dormitories. Only the fourth year cadets spent almost all their time living in the dormitories and training on the latest equipment.
"I am impressed by how you harden your men and women to conditions. I feel I shall steal this idea from you to suggest to my own military for their benefit. Are some of your cadets so poor that they cannot afford uniforms or are they being punished, Admiral?" asked the Ambassador.
Admiral Oden chuckled as he answered, "Neither. They prefer to be naked and our bill of rights entitles them to do so. Our military supports our people's laws fully in recognizing that every member is entitled to the full benefits of being a citizen under the law. The military permits them to do so as part of its support of the law and has provided them with an alternate means of identification. You'll notice, if you look closely at some of the cadets, that their rank is marked on their shoulders with body paint that can be removed when they're off duty."
"Yes, Admiral, I do see what you mean now. You do not have any trouble among the men and women because some of them are naked?" asked the Ambassador.
"Very little, Ambassador. Those weapons they're all carrying are real and loaded. That gives a person a lot of respect from one's peers and deters anyone from trying something. However, that hasn't been a problem and it's not the reason they have their weapons. The cadets are virtually the pick of the crop in everything about them. They have outstanding intelligence, attitudes, maturity, behavior, health, and other attributes. We have very few dropouts and those are usually for personal reasons related to family matters. Rarely do those happen after the second year. We lose only a few cadets to the overall toughness of the course during the first year. We like to think that's because we're tough in our selection process to begin with. We don't pad scores to enter someone in the Academy. Political favors simply haven't existed for over a decade now and that's given graduates of the Academy a very high status in the Navy. These men and women are eagerly received by the Navy's units when they get commissioned. They usually get put to work on important tasks simply because they represent the best and latest in training. Oftentimes, these men and women spend part of their time updating other officers around them on the latest techniques despite their junior status. Our Navy has consequently seen an increase in the number of officers willing to stay beyond their initial service obligation. Excuse me, Ambassador, I seem to have rambled on away from your question," Admiral Oden said.
"Yes, I was almost ready to ask where I could join," the Ambassador said. "I enjoyed hearing you talk so gratefully about the Academy. I can see much that would be of use in our own training, especially since you defeated the Galan fleet with cadets and not fully experienced officers and crews. Your training works clearly and we should consider it. Please show me more and talk all you like about the training, wherever you want to."
***
Admiral Oden wasn't at all envious at seeing his image and name fall off as the lead story for the local news services while the Union announced plans for settling Maria, credited to discovery by Cadet Ensign Brut Vincent. While it might be true that he wasn't the first to find it, Union laws didn't permit pirates to benefit from such discoveries, so he was the first to knowingly and legally recognize it as a new planetary body.
Almost immediately, the news services reported that people from planets closest to it owning less than others were ready to immigrate. A small area of the surface would be set aside for Union use as naval bases and such, but the rest of the surface was free and open on a first come, first serve basis to anyone willing to actually settle and live on the land.
Dave didn't mind being relegated to a minor story. It was a relief not to see himself pictured on the news as he worked. He did notice that Cadet Ensign Vincent was recorded in a very good setting and seemed to relish the attention he received from the press. The cadet neither boasted nor shied away from what actually happened. He simply stated the facts which were, after all, now a matter of public record since the Navy began recording bridge action on board ships larger than fighters after the Ape-oid War. However, the news services rarely used those since recordings tended to be a lot less glamorous than the same story when retold later by an actual participant.
There were still journalists from a number of news services still in attendance at the headquarters front door. Even they seemed prepared for it to be a slow day for them until Maria was no longer the lead story. They didn't press around as much when Dave left the office to go home.
***
"We're being followed again, sir," the driver said.
"Very well. Do what you must," Dave replied.
"Activate Plan Confusion," the driver spoke into the radio.
***
Minutes later, identical hover vehicles converged on the admiral's hover. Shortly after they did and while they were changing places in a roadway shell game, more hovers joined the following vehicle, changing the outlook on the entire game plan.
"Admiral, they've called in reinforcements of their own. You still want to go home?" the driver asked.
"Yes, but obviously we're not going to lose them this way. Take us to the naval base," Dave replied.
"Right!"
The admiral's hover left the group of vehicles, followed by only one hover. The others were still following their assigned vehicles in case he was in one of those.
***
Admiral Oden got out of the hover and ran over to the fighter waiting for him. He was inside within moments and then it launched. It required only a minute for the fighter to disappear from sight of the hover that trailed his. Once it was out of sight, it changed course and delivered him home.
"Well, looks like you all get to stay the evening in our barn as we affectionately call it," Admiral Oden said referring to the building where the hover was normally hidden.
"Admiral, are we allowed to wander about?" the fighter commander asked.
"Sure, if you don't mind going naked," he replied.
"You go naked here?" she asked.
He replied, "That's at the property owner's request. She doesn't like to give a show of herself or her children."
Lieutenant Sache asked, "I know I'm being nosey, but is she your girlfriend?"
"Yes, and she doesn't want publicity if it can be avoided. She'd be hounded by the press if they knew she had a connection to me. They can be just a bit too bothersome, sometimes," said Dave.
"Yeah, I noticed how they followed you to the base," Lieutenant Sache replied. "They are a determined lot."
"That they are. If you get hungry, the kitchen is over that way. You're welcome to help yourselves. I'll see you in the morning and thanks for the lift," Dave said.
Sache replied, "We enjoyed helping you, Admiral. We don't get many missions to do, anyway. This was a delight."
***
Dave realized that the fighter idea wouldn't keep the press from following him the next day. They would probably have a shuttle of their own to follow it.
"Annie, I think the world is going to learn that you're my wife, whether we want them to or not," Dave said at the supper table. "Are the four of you ready to have your pictures in the news?"
"Really, Dad?" asked Will.
"It's beginning to look like it, Will," said Dave.
"Gee, nifty! Now everyone at school will know that my father is the greatest admiral ever! It's been a pain
in the ass not being allowed to tell them," Will replied.
"I'll say!" said Angelica. "Everyone always asks me who my father is and treats me like I'm nobody when I don't answer."
"That's been strictly for your protection, Angelica, just like that pistol you carry all the time," Dave replied.
"That's the only thing that keeps most of them from teasing me," said Heather. "Almost all of them don't have weapons, but we do. They know we're somebody, but they still don't treat us normally."
"They still won't treat you normally," said Dave. "They'll discover that I'm your father and want to be close to you to be in favor with me. Just remember, I don't grant any special favors for those reasons, so don't promise anyone anything once this gets out. Also, others will expect more out of you because I'm your father. They'll expect you to do as well as I did and they won't be willing to accept very much less."
"I know that, Dad," said Will. "Still, it'll be nice for them to know that I really have a father."
"Well, so long as you all understand that. Now, have we got anything planned for tonight?" Dave asked.
"Fishing!" shouted Will.
"Swimming!" Heather shouted.
"Boys!" Angelica moaned.
"Really, Angelica?" asked Dave.
"Yes, Daddy. You should meet Paul. He's dreamy and he goes to school nude, too. He's got everything in the right places," she said.
"You mean I don't get to meet him?" asked Dave.
"He can come over?" Angelica said excitedly.
Annie said, "Have we ever said no to your friends?"
"Well, no, but with Daddy home, I thought we weren't supposed to bring anyone over," Angelica answered.
"No, you're only supposed to give us notice when Daddy's home. He doesn't mind spending the night with me in the cave," Annie responded with a smile.
"Great! Can I, I mean, may I invite him over tonight? He'll be the first to learn about my Daddy!" she said very excitedly.
Dave looked at Annie and then said, "Might as well be now as tomorrow. Maybe the press will hound him for interviews tomorrow instead of me."
Annie laughed at the thought of all the reporters trying to interview Paul at school. "You've got a point there, Dave, but I don't think that will work. They'll just call in reinforcements like they did today."
Dave said, "Yes, you're right about that. Sure, call Paul and invite him over if you want. You don't have to tell him over the net that I'm here. He'll probably recognize me when he gets here, Angelica."
"Won't he be surprised!" Angelica exclaimed as she got up and raced for the terminal.
Dave whispered, "Were we that way at seventeen?"
Annie replied, "Probably worse. I know I was."
"You were?" asked Dave. "Could have fooled me."
"It's a good thing you didn't know me then or I'd have really shocked you with my behavior. I mellowed down significantly before we met." Annie laughed as she thought back to her younger days.
***
Paul arrived shortly before seven while there was still daylight. At first, he didn't pay any attention to anyone except Angelica. It wasn't until he overheard Heather calling out "Daddy!" as she swam near Will, who was fishing, that he suddenly realized that Angelica's father, whom he had never met, was home.
"Your father is home?" he asked Angelica.
"Yes. Do you want to meet him? He's really very nice," she responded.
"Well, uh, I don't know. You've never said anything about him before," Paul said.
"We had to keep it secret before," said Angelica.
"Why? Is he a spy?" asked Paul.
"No, he's not a spy. He's just my daddy," said Angelica.
"Well, if he's not a spy, then why all the secrecy?" asked Paul.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Angelica suggested.
"I'm not sure I should. He'll probably hate me for hanging out with you all the time. He might even think that we make love when we're alone. Then he'd most likely tell me to quit hanging around you," said Paul.
"He's not like that at all! He's very kind and thoughtful! Almost everyone who meets him, likes him," said Angelica. "I think you'll like him, too."
"Well, maybe I'll talk to him. Still, he might not like me because I go around naked," said Paul.
Angelica replied, "Silly! I go around naked all the time. He's not going to dislike you for that. He's naked now, too. If you don't believe me, you can look over there at him for yourself and see that quite plainly."
Paul turned and glanced over his shoulder. He could see the backside of Angelica's father. "Okay, so he's naked, too. Still, he's probably going to worry about how much time we spend together."
"He will not!" Angelica said.
***
The sky began to grow dark when Dave went inside with Will and Heather. He had a great time with the two of them. Will was busy cleaning the fish he caught so they could be frozen. Dave watched as Will handled the filet knife almost expertly.
"You do that very well, Will. You're one heck of a woodsman, you know?" Dave said.
"Thanks, Dad. I'm trying real hard," Will replied.
Dave said, "I know you are and you're doing real well. I'm proud of you."
"I'm proud that you're my father. Have the news people been that rough?" asked Will.
"Not rough, just persistent. They also have the funds to keep up with me. I'm running out of ideas to keep ahead of them," he replied.
"Too bad you don't have a tunnel you could go through and just let a double take your place to lead them around," Will suggested.
"They'd catch on to that fairly quickly. That's the sort of trick I'd save for a real emergency, anyway," said Dave.
"You mean you've got a tunnel?" Will exclaimed.
"I didn't say I did. I only said that's the sort of thing to use when it's really needed," Dave responded.
"Oh," Will said disappointedly.
"It's a great idea, but not one to waste on the press," Dave said.
"Oh, I think I see now. You'd use that if you were being followed by a spy or assassin, then?" Will said.
"Precisely. You save the good ideas for when they'll do the most good," Dave replied.
Paul and Angelica entered the kitchen. Paul suddenly stopped as he caught sight of Admiral Oden.
"You're . . . you're Admiral Oden! Angelica didn't tell me that she had any important visitors over tonight, sir. I hope we're not intruding, sir," Paul blurted out.
"You must be Paul. Angelica told me a little about you. I'm pleased to meet you," Dave said as he extended his hand.
"You know my name? Gee! You really are great! Are you here with Angelica's father? I didn't know that he was that important! I'm not being too nosey, am I, sir?" Paul said as he extended his own trembling hand to shake hands with the admiral.
"Angelica hasn't told you, Paul?" asked Dave.
"Uh, told me what, sir?" asked Paul.
"I am her father, Paul," Dave answered.
Paul's mouth fell open as he found himself speechless and still shaking hands with Admiral Oden.
"He is, Paul. This is my father," said Angelica.
"Am I in trouble now because I know this?" Paul finally managed to mumble.
Dave answered, "No, Paul. You're not in trouble. The fact is that the news services are probably going to discover my family tomorrow. You're just getting a preview of what the news will be getting then."
"Then I can tell my friends that I met Admiral Oden and shook hands and know his daughter and all that?" Paul said with excitement.
"I guess you can, at that," replied Dave. "However, I think you might want to stop shaking hands now unless you intend on taking me along as proof."
Paul looked at his hand, still in the grasp of the admiral and let go suddenly. "Gosh, no! I don't need you along for proof! But I would like your autograph, sir! I've always got my autograph pad with me! Would you mind?"
"I don't mind at all, Paul. Let me have your book and something to write with
and I'll sign it for you. You want me to write anything special with it?" Dave asked.
"Uh, that's up to you, sir. I don't know what you'd want to say," said Paul.
"Okay, I'll think of something, Paul," Dave responded as he accepted the book and a pen.
***
The news was all over the school before Admiral Oden left his office in the afternoon the next day. When he stepped outside to get in his hover, dozens of reporters jammed up in front of him to ask about the rumors they were hearing about him having a family.
"Admiral Oden, is it true that you have a family?"
"Do you really have three children?"
"I heard that they're always nude. Is that an indication that you're considering the nomination for Edun's candidate seriously?"
"Are you separated from your wife?"
"Is your wife still living?"
"Does she go around nude daily? Has she always done so or is that because of the race on Edun?"
"How does your family feel about you running for Congress?"
"Admiral, have you heard that you surged another five percent on Edun because of your family?"
"Do you go nude at home, Admiral?"
Admiral Oden looked at the man whose voice said that last question and recognized Noel Manner. He then realized that he was going to have to stand and answer a lot of questions.
"Okay, okay. I'll answer some questions, but only if you organize yourselves and give them to me one at a time. Otherwise, we're all going to miss supper and I'm famished," Dave said.
Chapter 10
"They're following us, sir. Shall I lose them?" the driver asked.
"Not today. They know I have a family now. I'm not wasting anyone's time trying to hide them anymore. The press outnumbers me and they've got the funds to keep up. About the only thing I can do is hire some security now," Dave replied.
"Aren't you entitled to military security?"
Dave answered, "Yes, but this is really my responsibility. Besides, in a military emergency, we might need our personnel for more important matters. Anyway, I know some good security people whom I can trust as much as those in the military. Hiring them won't break me and won't take away from what we have to use in dealing with military matters."
Paravoid (Rust Bucket Universe) Page 19