by Jake Macklem
His breath caught in his throat, his face went slack in awe, and his eyes softened as his pupils dilated. The boys continued talking, each taking a hand, walking him towards the woman he loved.
Her hair was down and she wore a simple yellow dress with white trim. The subtle makeup colors on her face only accentuated her beauty. As she batted her caramel eyes, Cam fell in love all over again.
“I made it home, Gwen. I’m here,” Cam said in hushed tones, half to himself.
“I heard you calling for help.” Her voice was warmer than the sun.
“I needed it. It got tense out there.” Cam smiled.
Tomas looked back and forth between his parents and a knowing smile spread across his face. Looking at Calvin he said, “Let’s get his stuff and go get breakfast started.”
“But…” Calvin started.
“Calvin!” Tomas said, motioning to his parents and made big eyes. “Let’s go inside.”
Understanding flashed on Calvin’s face. “Oh. Okay.” He smirked and hurried inside, followed by Tomas, who shut the door behind him.
“Smart boy, that Tomas.” Cam stepped closer and took his wife’s hands in his.
“Takes after his mother.” Gwen stared deeply into Cam’s eyes.
As their lips touched, it was as if he was being resurrected from death. How long they stood and embraced Cam could not tell. It was an eternal moment he would carry with him, reminding him what it was to be People. What he fought for, and what he lived for. This infinite moment of unbridled bliss that justified every struggle.
The world eventually returned around them and he leaned back to look lovingly at Gwen. He watched as she regained her composure, her face flushed.
He realized that for the past two years he had been lying to himself, burying his feelings, hiding them away during the unbearably long and lonely nights. The dangerous landings, deadly moons, ruthless pirates, and impossible monsters had been no threat at all compared to his own feelings. He felt his love for his family was the only force in the Verse that could crush him.
Would his boys remember him? Would Gwen still love him? Had she ever? If he had allowed those questions and feelings to surface he would never have survived.
And now the whole two years—the whole Verse—vanished. They were two souls connected beyond the physical world, beyond space and time. Two souls interwoven to become one, and he knew they always had been.
Gwen leaned back, flushed and blushing, and playfully smacked his shoulder. “The boys are spending the night at friends tonight.”
“Yee-haw,” Cam joked.
Gwen laughed then the twinkle left her eyes and she asked, “What happened out there, Cam?”
She knows me to my soul. He wrapped his arm around her waist. “It was bad, but, not as bad as Dal Rixian,” he started as he led them into the house. “It all started when I met this woman.”
“On Ophelia’s moon?” Gwen asked surprised.
Opening the door, he said, “Yep.” Gwen went inside and Cam followed and said, “Surprised me too.”
“Cam, are you missing a finger?”
“Well now, that’s part of the story. Don’t go jumping to the end.”
34: Ace
The clicking of the secretary’s keyboard and the soft hum of the HVAC were the only sounds in the quiet room. Through the large window, Ace watched soldiers running loading drills just a few meters away in the yard. Transport ships flew in formation, landed, and opened the doors. The soldiers ran “attacked” the ship while the ship's gunner fired training tasers over their heads. Were we ever that sloppy? She could see the training officers walking among the troops, pointing and presumably shouting.
Soft murmurs and muffled thumps came from the general’s office. The secretary leaned over her desk and looked at the door, surprised. Someone is getting their ass chewed.
Leaning back, the secretary smiled awkwardly at Ace. “I’m sure the general will be with you shortly, Lt. Commander.”
Ace gave a single nod. I just want to get this over with and go to Earth. She adjusted the strap of her sling. Her arm felt itchy; inside, her bones were being reconstructed by a nanoshot, using micro-organisms that were discovered centuries ago, by an alien People on an alien planet. She did not know how, but they healed bones faster than normal. Her ribs were already fixed and her arm was mending but still needed time. That was all Ace needed to know. She resisted the urge to scratch and continued to gaze out the window. She saw the action, but her mind replayed the last few days.
&
As soon as they had the ship’s navigation sorted and en route to Rosetta, Ace and Cam began a thorough search of the pirate vessel. The smell on the ship was thick and foul, and they dreaded what they would discover. It did not take long to locate the cargo hold, where they found dozens of prisoners packed into a few filthy cells.
Some had been purchased on distant planets, outside the reach of Galactic law. Some were colonists who were taken after crossing the pirates. Others had been captured with their ships, including Cam’s mining ship. Calming them down took some work—Ace was afraid of what they might do if released—but when Cam found and greeted the crew from his mining vessel, including Verne, who had launched his pod, they all became grateful, eager to do anything their rescuers asked.
Cam started helping sort them out, with places to sleep, food, and clean clothing, while Ace piloted. Using emergency STAR clearance, she bypassed Gate Protocol and once in Rosetta space headed directly to Sol gate and through. Once in the Sol system, she sent a pulse signal on the STAR subspace relay, indicating a STAR was on board and ensuring that a Sol military ship was en route to meet them. Shaw got a kick out of that, cutting in line at the gate then getting the full attention of top brass.
While her channel was open, she sent the ship’s collected logs to Sol authorities. Remy had been thorough in his record-keeping; it included attacks they had been responsible for, drop points, buyers, and hideouts. Enough information to put a serious dent in their operations. It even had his real name—Romeo Dorvashmitz. No wonder he was so angry. Stupid name.
As the Sol ship approached, Ace made Shaw join the rest of the captives. It only took him a moment to realize it was for his own safety. Sol military would undoubtedly board the pirate ship following “potential hostiles” protocol. To avoid any misunderstandings, Ace had all the captive Peoples lay on their bellies in the cargo bay, and she stood in front of them, hands up.
The soldiers waved their guns around and swept the vessel while she cleared everything up with the captain.
The government transports arrived shortly after that and, over the next few hours, debriefed and off-loaded the rescued civilians, taking them to Luna Station where they could give further testimony and get transport to wherever they were supposed to be.
Ace spotted Shaw as he was being herded to a shuttle with everyone else from the mining company. They shared a long moment across the loading bay; Cam tilted his hat and winked at her. She gave a tight-lipped smile and a single nod, fighting the tears threatening to stream down her face.
&
He’s a good man. I hope he made it to his family. I never would have made it off the iron rock without him.
Ace snapped out of her daydream as the general’s door opened and Commander Diaz exited, slamming it behind her. She stormed across the office then slowed and stopped as her eyes settled on Ace—who stood up and saluted. Was she yelling at the general?
Diaz returned the salute. “How you holding up, Hart?”
“Best vacation I’ve ever had. I have a few hundred pirates I’d like to recommend it to,” Ace retorted.
Diaz smiled. “You are the toughest woman I’ve ever trained.”
“Don’t forget ‘the best,’ Ma’am.” The cocky response was expected. I am a STAR after all.
“Cut the shit, Hart,” Diaz snapped.
Ace flinched in surprise. “Commander?”
Diaz stepped up close and spoke softly, “I�
��ve trained one thousand four hundred and four STAR candidates. Thirty-nine classes. Helped them turn themselves from girls to women, and into some of the greatest warriors the Verse has ever seen. And yes, you are the best.”
Ace shifted uncomfortably. This got weird.
“You just survived a leaked mission that went completely sideways, stole a pirate vessel to escape, crashed and spent four months on a deadly moon, then commandeered another pirate vessel to get home. Anyone else would have given up. Just laid down and died. But not you.”
Ace looked Diaz in the eye. “You know I don’t quit.”
“Amber Anderson learned that the hard way.” Diaz stared at Ace, inches from her face. “I have learned to live with ghosts. Verse willing, you will too. I’m used to training girls to die. You’re the first one I’ve ever had live. I finished my STAR contract eighteen years ago, but I stayed. I was never able to let go. I hope you’re stronger than I was,” Diaz finished, her eyes still boring into Ace’s.
“Lt. Commander Hart, the general will see you now,” the secretary interrupted.
Ace ignored her, still focused on Diaz. “Aye, Commander. I am stronger than you. I’m gonna leave. I’m gonna live to honor all my sisters. And—just for you—I’m gonna get me some dick.” Ace straightened her gaze and marched ahead. Turning a sharp ninety degrees, she entered the general’s office. Hussy.
The general stood and watched her enter the room. Non-plussed, Ace snapped to attention and saluted. Her superior curtly returned the salute. “At ease, Lt. Commander. Or I should say, Commander. I read your report. That’s quite the adventure you had the last few months. In fact, I remember signing KIA papers,” she said.
“I was lucky, ma’am.” Ace stared straight ahead.
“I highly doubt luck had anything to do with it. Diaz tells me you are as good as it gets. I would certainly love to hear more about it.”
Ace was not about to explain that her luck came in the form of a space cowboy named Cam. “I filed a full report, ma’am.”
“I understand.” The general pressed her com button. “Angela, send them in.”
To Ace’s surprise, the entire resident command staff filed in. It was a big office, but they still had to crowd a bit.
“Ace Hart, as commanding officer of the Strategic and Tactical Aerospace Rangers, I am proud to present you with these medals, awarded in recognition of your actions in the field.”
An attendant stepped forward with a tray of medals and ribbons. Oh shit. How long is this going to take?
One by one the general named them as she pinned them to Ace’s uniform. The Navy Cross. Intergalactic Defense Service Medal. Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Distinguished Flying Cross. Air and Space Campaign Medal. Bronze Star. Silver Star. Platinum Star of Sol. And the United Sol System Congressional Medal of Honor—the highest honor awarded to service members.
“And finally, your Commander insignia.” The general pinned on the Commander Star.
The entire staff saluted, then broke into applause. They filed by, shaking her hand and congratulating her before leaving the office. Ace was silent. Is this almost over? Just let me sign my papers.
“Now, I have to ask you this, though I am afraid Commander Diaz already warned me what the answer would be. Would you be interested in staying on as an instructor to help prepare the next generation? I can guarantee a pay raise and excellent quarters. What do you say, Commander Hart?” The general smiled.
“Shank no, ma’am,” Ace answered loudly and firmly.
Surprised at the wording, if not the answer, the general laughed and reached out to shake hands. “There is a transport ship ready to take you anywhere in the Sol system that you would like to go.” She gave one last salute in farewell and finally said, “Dismissed.”
Dazed, Ace found herself in the outer office. The secretary handed her a digital document and a stylus pen. She signed the page and the secretary said, “Thank you, Ms. Hart.”
Ace was dismissed from the Sol military.
Standing in front of the STAR wall, Ace all at once felt the sum of every emotion she had ever experienced before. Proud of her accomplishments. Grateful and resentful for the belated recognition. Happy she was leaving. Sad she was the only one. Angry the Verse took any of them. Scared to start over. Excited to see Mick. I don’t think I ever let myself believe this would really happen. I’m free.
Walking the length of the wall, she stopped in front of the section that represented her class; thirty-six small stars—one for each STAR that died—arranged in a larger five-pointed star. Ace had a star on the wall with her sisters. I hope it’s okay with you guys, cause I doubt they’ll take it off. “You all earned your death. I hope it’s… peaceful.” Stepping forward, she slowly placed her palm flat on the wall. “I will honor you.”
She crossed the tarmac to her transport and a group of soldiers ran by. A tight sensation squeezed her heart as she waited for Smith—she knew it was not going to happen. Heading up the ramp, Ace felt heavier with every step. When she reached the top, she turned and looked at what had been home for the last six years. If I ever see this place again, it’ll be too soon.
Far across the base, Diaz watched her and saluted.
Ace lifted the sling strap over her head and tossed it to the ground then snapped to attention and returned the salute. She then turned and entered the transport, never looking back.
35: Ace
Her final days of STAR training had taken place four years ago, in northern Canada. Ace had not been to Earth since and things had not gotten any better while she was gone. Global overpopulation, a shaky food supply, rolling power outages, and unpredictable snowstorms, heatwaves, and other disruptive weather were commonplace. Humans just kept on marching to their own destruction.
Bills still needed to be paid, products needed to be made and bought, and people still needed a way to forget that their lives were doomed. That part had not changed at all.
The dying city of Portland reached over half a mile above the river. The upper levels of the buildings pierced the clouds to see open sky. Corporations had their offices there, and the wealthy had their homes. From there, the rich and powerful ruled the city and watched those below.
Mid-level was their playground. The cafes, bars, shops, stores, nightclubs, theaters, restaurants, and every other form of entertainment. Only a few people lived there. They were the “middle” class, and though a small percentage of the population, they ran and worked at the businesses that kept the city alive. These levels had all the modern conveniences and were police patrolled, with strict enforcement—it was safe for the most part. At the mid-levels and above, the buildings were connected by footbridges and trolley tubes so residents never had to descend.
Ace had ridden the trolley straight downtown from the spaceport. When she exited at the level 20 station stop, the first thing she saw was the sign for Polymer Cords, a clothing store. She had not bought civilian clothes since before her time at Hart’s Academy for Young Women. Looking down at the uniform she was wearing and then back to the store, she cocked her head. I’ve been wearing uniforms since I was eight. A mischievous smile spread across her face and she wandered inside.
It took some time but she finally stood in front of the full-length mirror, wearing the outfit she had put together. She had chosen a cobalt blue long-sleeved tube top, a short yellow skirt over a green mesh maillot tank suit, and thigh-high stockings held in place by shiny forest-green garters and matching suspenders.
Ace studied herself and blushed. She felt pretty and glamorous, like the girls at the club when she was younger. It was just after noon when she exited the store with a confident swish in her hips. Smiling men and women made a point to say hello, and she saw many heads turn as she strutted by.
She paused before the lift. Across the hall, an old-fashion Japanese restaurant beckoned. Places to be. Continuing through the heavily populated suburbs on the lower levels of the city, memories washed over her in waves. She walked the
same path she had taken to and from school, weaving through the back alleys as if she had never left. Things were different, but nothing had changed. She continued down lower still.
“McCade’s” stood on the ground level, its bright façade in stark contrast with the rest of the broken down and dilapidated storefronts on the block. Dealers, junkies, thugs, fences, and anyone else wanting “off the grid” called the ground level home. Most of the people in this part of the city were there by necessity, but for a few—for people like Mick—this last bit of untamed society was the closest thing to freedom they would ever get.
She had fought her pace, trying not to run as she got closer. Unable to contain her excitement any longer, she grabbed the handle and yanked the door open. Stepping inside, Ace’s heart sank. Soft music played over the speakers to an empty room. All the chairs were upside down on the tables for cleaning. The stink of sweat and stale beer wafted through the air but the place was empty. Ace saw no People.
Walking toward the stage where she had played a thousand times, Ace felt funny. She was happy to be here, but it did not feel the same. Nothing had changed, but everything is different. She felt a tightness in her throat. This isn’t right.
“Mick!” she called out.
“We aren’t open yet.”
Spinning around, Ace saw Glitter. Her hair was up and she was wearing her grubbies for cleaning. She looks good—healthy, clean, and sober. Glitter set a bucket of soapy water and some rags on the bar. Ace tried to answer, but her voice did not work. Why is it so hard to breathe?
“Look, I don’t really need any new dancers, but… you are the hottest piece I’ve seen in a quick minute, so, if that’s why you’re…” Glitter trailed off.
She never was real bright.
“Ace? Is that you?” She asked
Ace nodded, unsure why the tears were building in her eyes. “Hi, Glitter.”
Glitter threw down her mop and rushed to Ace, squealing with excitement. “I didn’t think we’d ever see you again.”