by Chris Hechtl
“Thanks. I think,” he murmured back.
Chapter 13
“Captain Truex would you care to explain what just happened?” Captain C'lax demanded.
“I thought that was obvious, sir. We executed a pincer attack with Tweedle Dee to draw the enemy off and to force them to retreat.”
“Yes, I saw that, Lieutenant. My problem is you. You reported your ship was more heavily damaged than it was. Your ship deliberately fell behind forcing me to abandon it. That was a ruse.”
“Are you asking a question, Lieutenant?” Captain Truex asked. The two Veraxins had a bit of bad blood between them dating back to their days at the academy several years ago. Then Senior Midshipman C'lax had been about to graduate when Freshman Midshipman Truex had entered the academy. Truex had been a bit of a wunderkind, a fire eater who scorched up the tactical track. He'd done so well he'd jumped an entire semester.
C'lax like many senior midshipman had hazed the freshman to toughen them up. Having one jump like that took Truex out of his sights. But the true sting came from when Truex had participated in C'lax's final tactical exercise and had trounced the by-the-book Veraxin. Worse, he'd made it look easy and he'd smugly pointed out the elder Veraxin's every error as if he'd been an amateur.
“I am downloading your ship's log as well as her maintenance log. We do not have a JAG or NCIS agent on board to undertake an investigation. But I am formally warning you I will be pressing charges.”
“Sir?”
“You heard me. You disobeyed me. You deliberately took yourself out of the battle which could be construed as cowardice in the face of the enemy, Lieutenant. I'll let the courts settle it out when we return to Pyrax. Until then I need you where you are. Don't screw up like that again.”
“Yes sir.”
<(>~^~<(>
“Did your marine get back on board?” Lieutenant Truex asked Captain Shelton an hour after his conversation with Captain C'lax. “I heard he boarded the Nelson. That was insane.”
“He's on his way over from Rose. No worse for wear apparently.”
“And they call me crazy.”
“Hey, what's this I hear about you up on charges?” Captain Shelton asked, raising an eyebrow at the bug.
The bug clacked his mandibles and then signaled second level resignation. “Something I expected and most likely shouldn't discuss since there will be an investigation. Lieutenant C'lax isn't happy about how I helped us win.”
“We didn't win; we survived. There is a difference, Truex,” Kali said, shaking her head. “I knew you couldn't resist pulling a fast one. But this is pretty tricky even for you. I know you can argue the jamming prevented you from telling the First Lieutenant your plan but ….”
“It wasn't so much that. My engineer did think we had worse damage than we did. The plan came later,” the Veraxin admitted.
“Ah, I see,” Kali replied, crossing her arms. They both knew she didn't believe a word he said. She looked at the plot and then shook her head. “I need to go; the shuttle is docking in a moment. Keep your head down, bug. Don't make any more waves.”
“With C'lax in command? Doubtful. But I'm not going to sit idly by and let him throw lives away.”
“Be careful old friend,” Kali said, shaking her head again. “I owe you a bottle of bug juice for what you did though. So do a lot of people. Hopefully the lieutenant will come around. Until then I strongly suggest you don't risk his ire again. And forward the engineer's report to him.”
“I'm not going to lean on my people. My log will speak for itself when he has time to read it. Until then,” the Veraxin signaled first level amusement. “We'll do our duty.”
“Indeed we will. A pity Hyuga isn't around with us though to hoist that bottle. But our other classmates still are. Until we see each other again.”
“Safe sailing, meatbag.”
“You too, bug.”
<(>~^~<(>
When the shuttle docked with his transport he received a hero's welcome. Marines and crewman clapped as he passed through the airlock into the corridor. Jethro saluted the colors and asked for permission to board from the officer on duty. It was heartily granted.
Lieutenant Queen stood beyond the OOD. She grinned at him as he saluted her. She returned the salute. “Good job, kitty. You definitely lived up to your reputation. Too bad they got away though.”
“Yeah, that part sucked. If I'd had another five minutes ….” He shook his head as he tucked his helmet under his arm.
She snorted. “It figures, biting off more than you can chew. Save it for the bosses; they are waiting for a hot wash on the network. You'll have to get out of that suit and shower later,” she said, eying his black suit. “Damn that thing is wicked.”
“Yes, ma'am. After you?” She bobbed a nod and led the way to the bridge.
When they got to the bridge, Jethro passed on the intel Bast had gathered as well as a recording of his adventure to the lieutenants and Captain C'lax. “I don't know if you are insane or just stupid,” Lieutenant Queen said, shaking her head. “You have got to be the luckiest damn cat in the universe. And insane.”
“He definitely is bad luck for anyone who crosses his path,” Sergeant Farsea said with a grin as he came into the room and clapped Jethro on the shoulder. “Way to stack ‘em, Gunny. You lived up to your rep and then some.” He turned expectantly to Lieutenant Chaing and Captain C'lax.
“I think it was a team effort,” the Veraxin stated. “The gunnery sergeant's efforts were a part of the reason the Horathians departed.”
“If he hadn't been pulled out, he would have torn that destroyer apart piece by piece and then gone for the other ship. We all know that, sir,” Lieutenant Queen stated. “The virus package he uploaded cut their fire control down to local nets and cut their engines and shields. That forced them to withdraw. He could have won if he hadn't been recalled, sir,” she said, eying the bug.
“If they hadn't set off the self-destruct,” the Veraxin retorted, “which they could have.”
“He's alive to tell his story. Awesome work, Gunny,” Tyler said again.
“Definitely lively. We owe him. If he hadn't disabled that Nelson, we'd be in for a world of hurt now. All of us,” Lieutenant Queen said, jutting her chin out. “My report will reflect that.”
The Veraxin's mandibles moved, but he didn't say anything. He buzzed though, a clear sign of annoyance.
“We're not arguing that. Were you bucking for another medal, Gunny?” Lieutenant Chaing asked, looking at Jethro coolly.
Jethro flicked his ears. As if, he thought, he had enough medals to last a life time. “No, sir. Desperate times and all that, sir.”
Slowly the lieutenant nodded. “Agreed. Damn fine work. We'll go over this and buck it up the chain when we get contact. Good job. Get squared away and then get ready for the Kathy's World drop. Unless you have something more to contribute, sir?” he asked, looking at the Veraxin.
“No. Prepare to make landfall,” the Veraxin stated stiffly.
“You heard the man. Bug. Let's get ready to meet the natives.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
<(>~^~<(>
“Sir, about these alleged charges against Captain Truex …,” Captain Otto started.
“You have issue with them, Lieutenant?”
“Sir, it is your right to bring charges if they are warranted. And Truex has always been one to play fast and loose with the regs, I'll admit that. Even in the academy,” Lieutenant Otto stated. “But he did have damage. Getting it sorted out took time. And since the enemy hadn't stopped jamming, it could be argued that he couldn't report to you the changes or report his plan to you.”
“Sir, he also won the day. You have to see it in that light too. As will any investigation as well as the admiral. They will also take your past history into account.”
“Our past has something to do with it?”
“Oh no? Sir, no disrespect but an argument could be made that this prosecution would be considere
d vindictive, a senior officer punishing a junior for success. What message will that tell the Navy, sir?”
“And don't forget sir, if the investigators substantiate the charges and the case goes forward, he and you will have to be relieved of duty. He for the charges, you to testify. That also means you will both have to be transferred to Pyrax or some other convening authority for the trial to play out.”
“My testimony could be recorded.”
Kali shook her head. “The defense would decimate that. The prosecution wouldn't allow it either, sir.”
“I see.”
“We're only asking you to think carefully, sir. The enemy is out there, not among our own ranks.”
“Tell him …, no I shall do it some other time,” the Veraxin stated. “But you are correct. We do need to work together. All of us. As a team, not as some heroes out for glory.”
“Yes, sir.” Kali and Otto didn't bother to point out that they were serving unglamorous jobs where they were at. All because someone had to and because they were team players.
“Very well. I will consider your words carefully. Good evening,” the Veraxin stated as he closed the circuit.
“Do you think we helped at all?” Kali asked Otto softly.
“I don't know. It couldn't hhoit,” Blake hammed, making her smile. “No, seriously, we've given him some stuff to think about, a way out. And he's cooling off, hopefully he'll see things as they are and will back down. But we really need to get Truex to watch his step.”
“Yeah, try telling him that,” Kali sighed, shaking her head. “Any changes in the enemy forces?”
“They are still on track for the jump point. Most likely making good their damage. I did notice one of the Nelson's launched fighters. Curious that they didn't do that before.”
“Fighters? Or someone doing an EVA?”
“I'm pretty sure it was a pair of fighters. F-32 Raptors based on the silhouette. They were between the ship and us so he got some good shots. My XO I mean. I'll upload his screen grabs. I don't know if they are using them to help for exterior repairs or what. I'll send them to Lieutenant C'lax as well,” he said with a grimace.
“I'm wondering why they didn't use them?”
“I don't know. I guess we can count our blessings that they didn't I suppose,” Blake said. He rubbed at his chin. “I feel sorry for anyone they run into next.”
“Me too. But there is nothing we can do about it.”
“Yeah,” Blake exhaled. “Yeah.”
<(>~^~<(>
“So, it's over?” Benny asked, eyes wide. “Please, oh please tell me it's over,” he said.
“Don't jinx it,” Lieutenant Crane said fervently. That earned a tired snort from the acting captain when he saw the earnest look on Benny's face. “Yeah, I think it is.”
“Good. I so need to sleep!” That got a chuckle from the rest of the bridge crew.
When they were certain the Horathians were going to leave, Captain C'lax called the militia ship, then the planet. It took several hours to get a reply back. “This is Captain Moira White Wolf. I take it the battle is over?” a voice asked over their radio network. Her IFF was on a subchannel.
“Yes. The battle is over,” the Veraxin replied. “We need to make good on our repairs and refuel however,” he stated. His bridge crew was warily watching the pirates. They would continue to watch them like mice watching a circling hawk until they jumped into hyper some days from their present time. “Unfortunately, they will be someone else's problem.”
“True,” Captain Senior Grade White Wolf replied four hours later. “I have your SITREP. I'll go over it now. Call me when you are in orbit,” she stated then cut the connection.
The Veraxin looked at the radio line on his display than turned an eye stalk to the communication's rating. The human sitting there just shrugged it off. “Very well,” he said and got back to work overseeing the repairs. “You gave her our SITREP?” he asked after a moment.
“Yes sir. A basic one.”
“Next time wait until I order it,” the captain said.
“Aye aye, sir. Sorry, sir.”
The ships had to deal with their injured and the damage to their ships. Unfortunately, the tiny sickbays on the small warships were for basic needs; they were designed to handle minor injuries and triage major ones to stabilize a crewman before they were transported to better facilities.
The two colliers had similar facilities, however. Fortunately the major injuries were light, four broken bones and a couple of sprains. But the injured would need downtime to recover and couldn't be underfoot or cared for properly on their own ships.
Captain C'lax had them transferred to the colliers and then pulled off some of their crew to help with the repairs. Cargo handlers and the Marines worked to break out the stores to make good on what repairs they could. He also had Captains Otto and Shelton send out EVA teams to run hoses from their ships to the warships. He wanted his ships to have sufficient fuel in case the enemy came back to finish the job.
Tweedle Dee and Captain's Lady were first up. Both had sustained minor damage, but it was their critically low fuel situation that was of paramount importance to the Veraxin. Once the refueling got underway, Captain Truex oversaw the transfer of parts to his ship as well as two of his injured crew. Then it was Rose's turn.
<(>~^~<(>
Jethro noted the injured crewmen and women but wasn't sure what to do about it. Apparently the Navy had it in hand, but they weren't putting out any details to the Marines. When a cargo super woke his people and snarled at them to get out of their racks and to work, he rose slowly and smoothly and eyed the broad man. “First, we don't take orders from you,” he said, making a show of his teeth and claws. The guy tried to stare him down, but Jethro had been stared at by worst people in his life. “Translation, you're not in our chain of command. Second, if you ever …”
“Sorry,” the guy muttered suddenly, cutting Jethro off. “Look, we're wasting time here. I need help, and the skipper said to get your people. Are you going to help or not?” he demanded.
“One moment,” Jethro said. He checked with Bast. She put a cartoon image of Lieutenant Queen up sleeping with little Z's popping over her head. That was out. He called the captain.
“Captain Shelton, this is Gunny McClintock. One of your people is here …”
“I told him to get with you,” the captain cut him off.
“Aye, ma'am. Understood. But I didn't get it from my chain of command,” he said.
“Now you have. Get to work, mister.”
“Yes, ma'am,” he said. He nodded to Tyler.
The sergeant rose smoothly and fatalistically. “You heard the man. No rest for the wicked apparently,” he said rolling his shoulders. They'd already been toting bails and cargo while also doing their duty standing guard and planning their drop. Most of the Marines were getting less than two hours of rack time every twenty-four.
“Apparently not,” Jethro said dryly. He waved to Chambers, the cargo supervisor. “We'll be with you where?”
“Bay four,” Chambers replied, holding up a hand with four fingers.
“Good. We'll be there in fifteen.”
“But …”
“My people need chow and to pee. We'll be there,” the cat said, eying him again.
“Fine,” the guy replied, sulking. He took off at a trot.
“Going to catch hell for letting us get a chance to eat?”
“Frack ‘em if I do. We're going to be toting bails and shit. Better to eat and piss first beforehand,” Jethro growled. He saw Tyler's dubious look and shrugged. “If they piss and moan, I'll take the lumps. You be sure it's fifteen minutes counting down from thirty seconds ago. Got it?”
“Got it. Cause I really do need to take a dump,” Tyler said, taking off at a trot.
“Don't take a magazine with you,” Jethro called after him. He shook his head as the other Marines chuckled. “Fourteen minutes, people. We have to be at that cargo bay in thirteen minutes
fifty seconds. Move it!” He growled, voice deepening. They got up and got to work squaring themselves away for the day.
<(>~^~<(>
Two days later the Horathians jumped out of the star system. They waited, studying the jump point with their sensors and telescopes to be sure it wasn't a trick before they made for the planet. When they got into orbit a day later, Captain C'lax called the planet's authorities once more. He was annoyed to get the Marine captain once more, but decided she must be acting as a liaison or something.
He explained to Captain White Wolf the ships don't have support for injured. “I know. I fully understand, and I've got my best people organizing now to deal with your wounded. We'll take care of them,” she replied, cutting off his long winded explanation.
The Veraxin signaled first level gratitude.
“I've been on ships, Captain,” the Marine replied with a chuckle. “I know how cramped it is. I bet your people are looking forward to some time to unwind, especially after their recent reception. I'm sorry we couldn't get you more warning. And I'm sorry as hell you lost a ship.”
“Yes well, it was unfortunate,” the Veraxin replied. “We also lost Captain D'lif'ther. Lieutenant Crane is acting captain on Rose.”
“Understood. Send your shuttles down. You have the coordinates, right?” the captain asked.
“Yes,” the Veraxin clacked his mandibles as he signaled the shuttles to move out. None of the warships had a shuttle, a problem due to their small size. But there were four shuttles on each of the colliers. Both colliers started launching the moment he gave the order.
They didn't need all eight shuttles he thought, then realized Lieutenant Chaing and the collier captains were probably unloading as well. He clacked in annoyance and made a note to speak with them about that when he had the chance. Yes, it was in the plan, but they should have waited for authorization.
“Shuttles are on the way,” he reported.
“Good. Captain … are you a captain? Captain JG?” Captain White Wolf asked carefully.