Mark caught another spit ball laying it down on the table on the napkin next to his plate with the others and smiled. He was getting so sick and tired of that phrase. "Ok. Would you object to me being put in charge of the Garbage Compartment Councilor or is it just me you object too.” Shaking his head. “You said a few more days until after the prelaunch department meeting Mr. Abraham? Well I am glad I have more time than I thought I had. That’s a big relief. Thanks for your help sir."
"Help? How did I help you Mark? All I told you was to relax until we got you out of this mess. Dian says you have been stressing out about the whole thing and I can see that you are. So how did I help you?"
"As I said before Mr. Abraham. It is called respecting the uniform. Seams a lot of people have forgotten that around this ship lately Sir. Even the Captain. And just two things for your consideration Councilor. One, I have been working on those engines since I was 8 years old and I have what, 5 engineering degrees now and working on several Doctorates. The Admiral told me that I have scored the highest on the placement, technical and IQ exams he has ever seen. He has even seen too it that I have been trained as an officer in the Cadet program, assigning me to extra duties and classes cadets are not normally assigned to since I was 10 including putting me on high risk missions no cadets had ever been assign to before resulting in half the medals I have.” Glancing at Dian with a smile. “You can ask Dian about my medals since she knows more about them than I do.”
Shaking his head as he took a deep breath. “And second. If you manage to get around the Admiral this time while letting the crew along with yourself treat the UNIFORM like shit. Don’t be surprised when someone else decides the uniform and the law is just shit and over throws the Captain and the Council and the ship’s Constitution because they don’t agree with the law and make themselves dictator throwing off the ship or killing anyone that disagrees with him."
Laying his napkin down on his tray as a hand full of spit wads rolled out and standing up. "Luckily the flag store is still open for a few minutes so I will bid you all good knight and thanks again for all your help sir. I hope you will give subverting the ship’s constitution a second thought sir. Turning it into a living and breathing document at the whim of a few good at twisting words, will only destroy the ship in the long run." Turning to Dian as she starred up at him. "I will see you later love. I have work to do." And kissed her on the cheek before leaving.
Dian’s brothers immediately started bombarding her with questions about Marks medals while her father frowned, watching him leave refusing to talk to anyone the rest of the meal.
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After closing the Flag store Mark went back to their cabin. Went over the engine plans with Mickey and the Admiral for a while discussing his new plan and then laid down for more Hypnotic-training.
Dian finely walked into their cabin and slammed the door. "Did you even go to the Flag store or just come here to sleep. Seams that is all you are doing anymore is sleeping unless you’re fucking me."
Mark starred up at the overhead for a few more seconds and then blinked a few times before raising his head and frowning. "Yes I went to the Store. Open the closet. I added a bunch of stupid geedunk metal to my kaki’s. Starting with Commanders Oak leaves and my wings amongst others. I can’t believe I have more qualification tab garbage than most of the other Engine Room Commanders. Maybe they just don’t put it all on anymore."
Dian opened the closet and looked, getting a confused expression on her face. Even without the medals from his dress uniform his kaki blouse was plastered with mission, proficiency and rating tabs and bars and pins. "What? Why?"
"Like your father said. I only have a few days at this so I might as well as enjoy it while I can. Besides the Admiral thinks it is a good idea to dazzle them with bullshit while I prepare and then attack in three days instead of trying to force my way in tomorrow morning like I was planning. The extra prep time should make getting the help I need a lot easier. After all an MP (Main Propulsion room) Commander has almost as much pull as a Chief. Which is why everyone is in a hurry to get me out of the posting and one of the reasons why the Admiral assigned me. I just have to look and act the part." Standing up to take Dian into his arms. "It is also why I need to eat breakfast in the officers mess tomorrow morning. I need the other department heads to see me in a Commanders uniform in the presence of the Captain so when I talk to them about helping me, I will have the Captain's unofficial approval of my rank to back me."
"What? I don’t' like that idea Mark. You can get into big trouble masquerading as a Commander."
"Didn't you hear your father? He is a lawyer and he said it is in the regulations. I checked the first day I was assigned to Command the MP-3. So relax. I will be fine. What can go wrong?"
"But I have to eat in the Ensign's mess. I can't go with you."
"'Sorry love but it can't be helped. I only plan on eating there for breakfast tomorrow. I will be back with you in the ensign's mess for lunch." Mark kissed her on the lips and Dian responded reluctantly at first. Taking a few minutes to get warmed up before wrapping herself around Mark for the night.
Dian made sure he thought about nothing but her and her body to his delight. She had no idea that Mickey took over as soon as she closed her eyes. Telling Mark to stay awake a few more minutes so she could start the next teaching program.
“Come on Mickey I am exhausted. Just let me sleep.”
“I will make sure you get plenty of rest but you are running out of time and need the experience training we can now start giving you though it will not be as good as years of real life experience in some respect. It is the best we can do for now. Now just relax and start reading. Just concentrate on reading while I set you up for Virtual Immersion Input…” Suddenly Mark was on a Parade Ground with a hundred men standing at attention in front of him. “Let’s start at speed 10 with the basics Commander Collins.”
Mark looked around himself in amazement. The sun was bright with the sound of a gusting breeze coming from the right in his ears that made it a little hard to stand perfectly still.
“Take the platoon to point A on the other side of the base and don’t get them run over or lost and still in formation. Later I will start adding more complexities like men that do not want to cooperate. As always watch out for and try to anticipate surprises. You may start any time you are ready.” By morning Mark had spent months going from drill instructor through several battles and finally engine room Commander that at least had the basics of command. Mickey knew the next two nights and even over the next few months would build on that shaping and molding him into a better officer than anyone else on the ship. Preparing him for their future together in a way no previous Inspector had ever been allowed to.
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The next morning Mark stood outside the Officers Mess hatch starring at the hatch when a lieutenant walking up from behind confronted him.
"What the hell do you think you are doing Ensign Collin’s? Get out of my way and go back to the ensign's mess before I step on you."
Mark slowly turned around to stare at the lieutenant for several seconds before swallowing and taking a deep breath. "I; I am Commander of MP-3. You... Pea brain. Get out of my way before I step on you…. Lieutenant." Mark finely spit out repeating what the lieutenant had said simply because that was the only thing he could think of.
The Lieutenant looked down at Marks collar and grimaced before swallowing himself. "Yes sir Commander?" Taking a step back and starring. Then started to go around him.
“What the hell do you think you are doing cutting in front of me scum face?”
He stopped then stepped back. “Yes sir. By your leave sir.” And pushed the hatch open and waited.
Mark pushed past the lieutenant and entered the Officers Mess. Looking around he swallowed again trying to remember to breathe as he realized everyone was busy eating without noticing him. Letting him relax a bit. Surveying the room Mickey st
arted placing names, titles and ranks over the heads of the officers seated at the tables. It quickly became apparent who was who and where. Though he knew most of them after years on the ship even if he had not paid any attention to them in the past. Taking a plate he dished up some eggs, bacon and hash browns and took a seat at the 6 seat table the Maintenance Chief was sitting at directly across from him. He knew that if he did not draw attention to himself the Chief would not even know he was there.
The MP-4 Commander sat down next to Mark and then did a double take before looking across the table at the Chief who was cutting up a sausage, staring down at it as he carefully cut it up. Looking back and forth several times the lieutenant finely shrugged his shoulders and dug into his breakfast. The officers around him continued to talk as if he was not there, ignoring him, though eventually everyone finally spotted him as the talk slowly becoming animated. Most looked at him several times at least and then at the Chief waiting for an explosion. The Chief just sat there enjoying his breakfast oblivious to Mark and what was going on around him even though he would look up and around once in a while just so he would not look stuck up. Mark knew as fast as his eyes moved that he was not actually seeing much detail. Everyone finally taking their cue from the Chief, went back to their regular conversations.
Mark was just starting to relax when an officer at the hatch bellowed. "Captain on Deck."
Everyone came to attention in their seats until the Captain said. "At ease; continue your breakfast." Walking across the now spacious Officers Mess headed for her usual table at the head of the compartment with the senior flag officers.
Mark braced himself as she approached trying to look invisible and only taking a breath after she passed behind him.
Suddenly stopping, the Captain turned, looking down at Mark. "Glad to see you could join us Mr. Collins. I am still waiting for the hold battle reports."
Turning his head Mark looked up at her trying not to faint as his heart thumped wildly in his chest. "Ah...Yes...” his voice started to squeak. Taking a breath he made an effort to keep his voice normal. "Sir. I, will have one for you by noon sir."
"See that you do." The Captain walked to her table and sat down.
Mark took another bight of eggs and looked at the Chief. He was suddenly paying attention looking at each of the officers at the tables around him one at a time. Trying to figure out if what he had heard was true and where he was. "Mark!" Mickey said the Chief is looking for you. It is time to leave."
Mark pushed his chair back and stood up and stepped around so he could push his chair back into the table and headed for the hatch. "Mark." Came the Admiral's voice. "You need to talk to the Captain again to make sure everyone in the mess sees you and the Captain together. Many were still eating and did not notice. Go up to her table and ask her a question."
"What question?"
"It does not matter as long as everyone sees you talking to the Captain. Just make it short. Do not give her time to think or say anything detrimental to you that anyone can hear."
"You have got to be kidding. Anything she says to me is likely to be detrimental."
"Then hopefully few will hear what she has to say. The important point is that everyone sees you with the Captain."
"You have never heard the Captain get mad have you. Her voice can carry clear across a hold." Mark slowly walked toward the Captain's table. Every part of his body and mind told him to leave as quickly as possible and not delay by asking the tiger if she wanted to eat him. Besides what could he ask the Captain without sounding like a fool? "Hey Captain how is the weather?" he said to himself. "How is your breakfast?" Mark finely found himself standing in front of the Captain across her table. He bit his lip then licked them and swallowed. Then he realized the one thing she and the ship needed and why the Admiral had assigned him to command the MP in the first place. Smiling he asked. "Sir. Do you want the upgrade kits installed on the Main engines, Sir?"
"Jesus Star Christ! How many times do I have to say this?" She bellowed. "Yes I want the upgrade kits installed. This ship staying alive depends on those upgrade kits being installed and working. We need the additional lift as well as the reliability and speed for the outback. How many times must I say that? Install your damn upgrade Kit Commander, I don't care how it gets done."
"Yes sir just checking sir. Thank you sir. “Mark saluted and turned, making a beeline to the hatch and safety. Slamming the hatch behind him shut he leaned back against the bulkhead. Taking a deep breath. "Is that good enough for you Admiral?"
"Yes Mark that is better than I had hoped for. Perfect in fact. Now time to get to work. Who do you want to visit first now that you have the Captains full witnessed approval? We have just about enough time to prepare for the first meeting before breakfast is over."
Chapter 18 Romantic Night Fight
That night Mark sat down with Dian to eat in Tramptown. Hopping to stay away from Chet as far as possible. A container placed on the edge of tramp town with windows cut into the side toward the open cargo hatch with a view out across the port with fresh air wafting in on the breeze. Half way through dinner Chet and his friends wondered in and took seats in the front by the door ordering drinks. It only took a minute before a bee bee wacked Mark in the back of his head. Turning around he finely spotted Chet. "Mickey why didn't you tell me Chet and his friends were here?"
"They just walked in Mark. Why would they cause any trouble?"
"You have got to be kidding."
Chet smiled at him then drew his finger across his throat.
Turning back around. "Damn! I am getting tired of this shit."
"What was that Hun?" Dian looked up from her plate. A peace of asparagus on her fork.
"Oh nothing. Just a couple of guys that won't give it up." He reached up and caught a bee-bee pellet. Placing it on the table to role across next to Dian."
"What is that?"
"Just a little present from some old asshole, aa friends. Shall we go, I am not hungry anymore."
"Don't be foolish, it is a beautiful night and I still have half my plate to eat." Looking out the hatch and all the brightly lit ships in the distance. “This is so romantic Mark. I just love it. Thank you for bringing me.” A bee bee sailed past behind her head without her even noticing as Mark cringed.
A half dozen pellets later with several getting through after being fired from several directions at the same time. Some hitting Mark and some simply zipping past between Mark and Dian and even knocking things off the table though Dian did not seem to notice to Marks disbelief, she was ready to leave. Mark rubbed the back of his head now sore from pellet hits. A forced smile on his face.
Dian hugged him. "This is so perfect I wish we could eat here every night."
Mark paid and on the way out he gently pushed her ahead of him past the table Chet and one of his friends was sitting at. Humphrey was sitting at the table on the other side of the door. As they passed, Chet said hi to Dian smiling.
Dian smiled back as she walked. "Hi Chet. I can't believe you now Mark. Are you old friends?"
"Why yes Miss Abraham. We have been best friends for years. But he owes me a dept. I was hoping he would go ahead and pay since he is a big time Officer now."
"I don't owe you anything Chet. Now leave us alone." Mark started to follow as he pushed Dian out ahead of him but a foot was suddenly stuck out tripping him. Mark fell to his knees catching himself on the chair next to Chet. Chet reached for his glasses like old times.
Realizing that Mark was not behind her as chairs squeaked and she heard several thuds and crashes, Dian turned around. Chet started screaming as Mark held his hand. One of his friends lay on the deck face down blood gushing from his nose while she watched Mark's foot hit the other in the throat with his heal knocking him up off the deck to sail back across the table smashing into the chairs on the other side. "What are you doing Mark! Let Chet go you are hurting him. Let go!" Dian grabbed Marks arm pulling him away witch just bent Chet’s wrist even farth
er back until it snapped.
Mark let go as Dian dragged him away a few yard before she went back to administer aid to the crying Chet and his friends. Calling for a medical team to assist. Then over her shoulder she sneered at him. You owe him money and this is how you repay him by trying to kill him and his friends!"
Marks mouth dropped open. "I don't owe Chet a dime. If anything he is the one that owes me big time." But it fell on deaf ears.
The Ship’s Patrol showed up minutes later. The Chief Sgt. at Arms showed up within 15 minutes. Chet and his friends demanding that Mark be arrested for assault. Turning to Dian the Chief smiled. "Miss Abraham, what happened?"
"I saw Mark kick Humphrey in the throat and break Chet’s wrist."
"Did you see anything else Miss? What started this?"
"I don’t know. Something about Mark getting hit with bee bees earlier I don't know. My back was turned when this last bit started. Chet said Mark owed him something. I just thought it was friends joking around. Are you going to arrest Mark?" Dian was soddenly not sure of herself. Her face baffled. "But then I seem to remember quit a few people that have wound up in sickbay saying something about Chet and his family being the cause. I just don't know anymore." Turning to Mark. "Do you really owe Chet money?"
The Master at Arms Chief chuckled, interrupting Marks attempt to answer. "Miss Abraham." The Chief said. "All you have to do is say no to them to owe them something in their twisted minds. Go home and let the duty staff take care of this now."
On the way back to their cabin Dian kept looking at Mark strangely. The smile was gone from her face. With the bed made up into a couch they sat back and watched a local planetary sitcom and then a police detective show. When the bad guys got beat up as the hostages were rescued Dian turned to Mark. "I can't believe what you did at the restaurant. Did you have to break his wrist?" Looking down at the deck. "And kicking that guy in the throat... He may never talk again if you crushed his larynx and I bet the other has a concussion as hard as I heard his head hit the deck or table. Thank Godstar that it was wood."
Tramp Wars: The Enemy Page 53