"Surely the Upper Council doesn't hold us responsible for the losses at Vauzlee and Higgins?" Councilman Blosworth asked.
"Us? No. Chairman Gagarin had complete operational leadership in both debacles. He alone has been singled out for censure."
"What about Captain Wolff?" Councilwoman Overgaard asked. "He made the decision to quit the battle at Higgins just when we were about to overcome the Spaccs?"
"We've reviewed the message log from his ship and decided that he shouldn't be held accountable. He was only following orders from Admiral Nazeer. The last orders he received from the com operator aboard the Glorious were, and I quote, ‘Admiral Nazeer states that the Glorious is under attack by a Spacc force. He orders you to break off.'"
"Break off?"
"That was the order Wolff received. Then the com channel went dead. Following that, only encrypted signals on a Space Command frequency were received from the area where the battleship had been positioned. We've confirmed the authenticity of the message by also checking the logs of several other ships that survived the attack. We may never know why Admiral Nazeer gave such an order; perhaps he panicked. When Space Command encrypted messages were detected coming from the area where the command vessel had been stationed, Wolff naturally feared that an unexpected Spacc task force was about to descend upon them, as happened at Vauzlee. By that time, our remaining task force was too badly damaged to take on a fresh, Spacc assault force. He immediately ordered all ships to break off and head in different directions, then proceed to the Raider Four base when they were sure they weren't being trailed."
"But there wasn't any other Spacc task force," Councilman Blosworth said. "It was just Carver with her heavy cruiser."
"Yes," Strauss said with a single chuckle, "just one mid-level officer with a severe stomach wound. Pretorious' aim was apparently a little off."
"Are you going to increase the bounty?" Councilwoman Overgaard asked.
"No. In fact, I've lowered it. I've felt that the amount was excessive from the moment Gagarin set it. I've reduced it to ten thousand credits."
"No professional assassin is going to attack a highly visible Spacc officer for a mere ten thousand credits," Councilman Kelleher said as he scratched his bearded chin. "An assassin would have to be pretty desperate, or hopped up on narcotics, to attempt such a mission. Killing a Spacc officer is always a risky business. It's not like killing a mere business leader or politician. If Space Command identifies the assassin, he'll suddenly find he has a million Spaccs looking for him with murder in their eyes."
"That's perfectly acceptable. I've never approved of this kind of revenge anyway. I'm only offering the ten thousand because Upper Councilman Stengel is upset with Carver for destroying the pretty new battleship they'd planned to use as a temporary base in that deca-sector after Higgins was obliterated. In a few months, when he's calmed down, I'll try again to convince him to drop the bounty altogether. I agree that we must keep Carver under close observation, but I've cancelled the accident that I'd arranged at Gagarin's behest."
"I support that position," Councilwoman Overgaard said. "We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in ridiculous revenge operations. This is a business."
Chairman Strauss nodded. "Unless anyone has anything more to add, this meeting is ended. Oh, one last thing. If anyone cares to attend, there will be a brief graveside ceremony this Friday for Chairman Gagarin. That's all. Goodnight."
* * *
On Saturday, the 3rdth of November, 2268, the entire Carver family traveled together to the Galactic Alliance Headquarters Complex in Nebraska for the Medal of Honor ceremony. Nary a cloud was visible in a clear sky of deep majestic blue. Although the overnight air temperature had dipped slightly below the predicted fourteen degrees centigrade, the bright sunlight was rapidly warming the countryside to comfortable levels. A massive raised stage sat on the edge of the parade ground, within three concave, semi-circular rings of tall flagpoles, each bearing the cloth emblem of a member planet in the Galactic Alliance. Two thousand folding chairs, erected to seat the expected attendees, filled the field in front of the stage.
Upon their arrival, Jenetta was immediately directed to a structure beneath the stage where officials were assembling in preparation for going up top. Her family was meanwhile escorted to front row seating. All heads in the room swiveled in her direction as Jenetta entered and was intercepted by Admiral Moore's chief aide. Captain Knott then escorted her around the room, introducing her to people in their order of importance, beginning with the Chairman of the Galactic Alliance Council.
"It's a distinct honor to meet the officer who has played such a key role in making travel on the spaceways once again safe for the citizens of our nation," Chairman Neville Oscar Rainey said obstreperously as he smiled and extended his hand. Naughty Nev, as he was known in the media for the frequent rumors of successful seductions among both single and married women, had been a professional politician for all of his life. A tall, handsome man, he had a soft speaking voice when he wasn't trying to be the center of attention. Like all other successful politicians, he had the gift of making you feel like his best friend in the world, even when he found it necessary or desirable to twist the knife he had just shoved into your back. "You've rekindled hope that we will one day wipe out the scourge that has menaced our peoples for so many years. My office door will always be open to you, Commander. If there's ever anything I can do, please call on me."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman," Jenetta said.
Fearful that Jenetta might be so politically naïve as to actually believe a politician meant it when he used the old ‘call on me if you ever need anything' cliché, Captain Knott dragged her away before she had a chance to actually ask for something.
As each of the political officials welcomed her home to Earth, and thanked her for her service to the Alliance, Jenetta smiled and thanked them for the honor they had chosen to bestow upon her. Admiral Moore's aide kept her moving through the crowd so that she would have a chance to meet everyone before they had to go onstage. There had been so few such occasions in recent decades that every politician who could wangle a seat on the stage had come here to be seen. Someone had even taken pity on the President of the United States, who was currently involved in a hotly contested bid for reelection, and allowed him a seat in the back row. No other representatives of Earth countries had been granted such a privilege because there were too many GA politicians who wanted seats, and who had pulled every string, and called in every owed favor they had, to get one.
After being introduced to all the political officials present, even the U.S. President, Jenetta was introduced to the Space Command Officers in the room, beginning with Admiral Moore.
"I can't tell you how pleased I am to meet you at last, Commander," the eighty-year-old Admiral said, "and to welcome you home to Earth. You've done a spectacular job for the Galactic Alliance and for Space Command. You're really just beginning your career, but what a beginning it has been. Few military officers throughout history have enjoyed the overwhelming success in a lifetime of service that you've had at such a young age."
"Thank you, sir. I'm delighted to once again stand on the planet of my birth. I've admired you for a long time and it's a particular honor for me to meet you today."
Admiral Moore smiled kindly as Jenetta was pulled away to be introduced to the other members of the Admiralty Board. All had come to meet the young woman except Admiral Hubera, who maintained that he'd already had the honor of her acquaintance for an entire semester at the Academy.
With the help of Admiral Moore's aide, Jenetta managed to meet everyone present before it was time for the ceremony to begin. Captain Knott, previously anxious about what Jenetta might inadvertently say, and fully prepared to cover any solecism unwittingly wrought by her political naïveté, was delighted that she weathered the session like an experienced political campaigner.
* * *
Flags undulated proudly in the freshening breeze as political official
s and military officers climbed the steps to the stage. The grass of the parade ground had begun to adopt a sickly brown color recently, as the vegetation made its annual preparation for the bleak winter months ahead, but groundskeepers had sprayed a chlorophyll-based dye that made the parade grounds appear as green as they had in late spring.
A full regiment of meticulously groomed Space Marines, wearing their striking medium-blue and dark-blue dress uniforms, launched the ceremony. Led by the renowned Space Marine Marching Band, to the strains of a John Philip Sousa inspirational tune, they paraded through the narrow area between stage and guest seating, then continued around the field to the open area behind the guest seating where they formed up their ranks, remaining at attention until ordered to adopt a Parade Rest stance.
Rather than permitting dozens of vid teams from the various news organizations to run rampant during the ceremony, the event was being filmed by Space Command Public Relations personnel. From the main PR building, the SCPR cameramen controlled vidcams that floated inconspicuously at a dozen prime vantage points around the grounds. Housed in the same kind of camouflage battle armor that allow Marines to completely blend into the background, the ‘oh-gee' vidcams were almost impossible to spot without performing an electronic sweep. The newsies were permitted to tap into the signal feeds being relayed to a vid center in the main PR building. Those few actually in attendance at the parade grounds were required to remain in their seats until the ceremony was complete, under threat of permanent expulsion from any and all GA and SC events.
So many years had passed since the last ceremony to award a Medal of Honor that the politicians were determined to exploit it to the maximum. Despite half-hearted attempts by Space Command to limit the time exhausted by key political figures, a series of long-winded speeches about Space Command and what it meant to the citizens of the Galactic Alliance was inevitable.
Jenetta sat stiffly between Captain Gavin and Commander Kanes, in the front row on stage, while her family watched from reserved, front row guest seating. As a young girl she had scorned skirts and dresses, but following her enslavement by the Raiders, an increased predisposition for such garments in formal situations had developed. Space Command gave female officers the right to wear either trousers or a skirt as part of their dress uniform, and Jenetta had chosen the latter for the ceremony. Her mother was delighted to see her daughter exhibiting signs of increasing feminine behavior, and the hundreds of male attendees that spent the hours ogling her gorgeous legs appreciated her choice of uniform as well.
At long last, Jenetta was called to center stage. She stood, took two steps forward, and turned sharply to face the podium before marching to confront the most senior officer in Space Command. As she stood at attention before Richard E. Moore, Space Command's Admiral of the Fleet, he read the official citation.
"Lt. Commander Jenetta Alicia Carver, Galactic Space Command, distinguished herself by actions above and beyond the call of duty on 20 July 2267 through 11 August 2267. Then Ensign Carver, cut off from Space Command supervision and on her own initiative, undertook to infiltrate a Raider stronghold for the purpose of gathering intelligence information…"
Jenetta's mind wandered as the admiral's voice droned on in praise of her accomplishments. She thought about the Vordoth, the Nordakians, the fearful enemy actions, the dangerous yet exciting penetration into Raider-One, and her escape from the detention center. She was trying, unsuccessfully, to forget her time spent as a prisoner of the Raiders. She came back to reality as the admiral neared completion in his reading of the citation.
"…where she remanded her prisoners to Space Marine custody and relinquished command of the two recovered battleships to the Space Command senior staff at the base. Lt. Commander Carver's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty have been in keeping with the highest standards of military service, and reflect great credit upon her, and the Galactic Space Command."
Finally, Admiral Moore lifted the wide blue ribbon bearing the medal, from the open case being held by his aide, and placed it around Jenetta's neck, where he clasped the two ends. He then came to attention, took one step back, and saluted Jenetta. She returned the salute sharply, performed an about-face, and returned to her seat as the audience applauded and cheered. As she stood in front of her chair until the audience exuberance began to wane, she wondered facetiously how much was out of gratitude that she wasn't going to make a speech also. The Chairman of the Galactic Alliance Council gave a ‘brief' twenty-minute address in praise of Jenetta's accomplishments and then closed the ceremony.
A large assembly of people remained behind to personally congratulate Jenetta after the Space Marine divisions had marched proudly from the field and the politicians had moved through the crowd glad-handing the electorate. Most of the officers of the Song and Prometheus were among those waiting to personally congratulate her, as were many of the Academy classmates who had attended her funeral service following the disaster that befell the Hokyuu. Jenetta spent about an hour smiling and accepting congratulations before the crowd started to disperse. She took the contact information from a number of her former classmates and promised to be in touch when she had time.
As Jenetta approached her family afterwards, her father and brothers, all in full-dress uniform, lined up. They came to rigid attention and saluted her, while her mother looked on proudly. As she faced them and returned the salute, Jenetta choked up and tears stung the corners of her eyes. She had worked so hard for so many years to gain the respect that she felt towards them, that this simple gesture on their part was more precious to her than all the awards that Space Command could possibly bestow in a lifetime. A newsie that had hung around after all the rest had gone to file their stories had seen her approach her family and quickly shot a vid that captured the entire tender scene. A frame from it appeared as a front page news lead around Galactic Alliance space in the following days. Anyone viewing that image would never have the impression that the youngest member of the Carver family was any less loved and respected than any other.
Perhaps it's time for Jenetta to change the old image in the 20x30 centimeter black anodized frame that she always kept on her bedroom dresser.
~ finis ~
*** Jenetta's exciting adventures continue in: ***
The Clones of Mawcett
(sneak peak)
* * *
A Message To My Readers
If you've enjoyed this novel, I hope that you'll take just a few minutes to leave a review on the Amazon site. They are much appreciated, as they often assist purchasing decisions by other readers.
Thank you
* * *
Appendix
This chart is offered to assist readers who may be unfamiliar with military rank and the reporting structure. Newly commissioned officers begin at either ensign or second lieutenant rank.
Space Command Officer Hierarchy:
Admiral of the Fleet (5 Star)
Admiral (4 Star)
Vice-Admiral (3 Star)
Rear Admiral – Upper (2 Star)
Rear Admiral – Lower (1 Star)
Captain
Commander
Lt. Commander
Lieutenant
Lieutenant(jg) "Junior Grade"
Ensign
Space Marine Officer Hierarchy:
General (4 Star)
Lt. General (3 Star)
Major General (2 Star)
Brigadier General (1 Star)
Colonel
Lt. Colonel
Major
Captain
First Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
The commanding officer on a ship is always referred to as Captain, regardless of his or her official military rank. Even an Ensign could be a Captain of the Ship, although that would only occur as the result of an unusual situation or emergency where no senior officers survive.
On Space Command ships and bases, time is measured according to a twenty-four clock, normally referred to
as military time. For example, 8:42 PM would be referred to as 2042 hours. Chronometers are set to always agree with the date and time at Space Command Supreme Headquarters on Earth. This is known as GST, or Galactic System Time.
* * *
Admiralty Board:
Moore, Richard E - Admiral of the Fleet
Platt, Evelyn S. - Admiral - Director of Fleet Operations
Bradlee, Roger T. - Admiral - Director of Intelligence (SCI)
Ressler, Shana E. - Admiral - Director of Budget & Accounting
Hillaire, Arnold H. - Admiral - Director of Academies
Burke, Raymond A. - Vice-Admiral - Director of GSC Base Management
Ahmed, Raihana L. - Vice-Admiral - Dir. of Quartermaster Supply
Woo, Lon C. - Vice-Admiral - Dir. of Scientific & Expeditionary Forces
Plimley, Loretta J. - Rear-Admiral, (U) - Dir. of Weapons R&D
Hubera, Donald M. - Rear-Admiral, (U) - Dir. of Academy Curricula
Ship Speed Terminology:
Plus-1 - 1 kps
Sub-Light-1 - 1,000 kps
Light-1 - 299,792.458 kps or (c) (speed of light in a vacuum)
Light-150 or 150 c - 150 times the speed of light
Hyper-Space Factors:
IDS Communications Band - .0513 light years each minute (8.09 billion kps)
DeTect Range - 4 billion kilometers
Sample Distances:
Earth to Mars (Mean) - 78 million kilometers
Nearest star to our Sun - 4 light-years (Proxima Centauri)
Valor At Vauzlee Page 33