by Ben Winston
“What if someone hits the wrong button, or changes their mind before the five minutes are up?” Ian asked.
Star looked at him to answer his question. She knew that he was asking for the benefit of the rest of the assembled. “There is a confirmation ‘screen’ that clearly asks if that is your intended answer. As for changing a vote after its cast; it’s not an option.
“The belief is that one’s first instinct is the most correct one based on the evidence presented. Once cast, a vote cannot be changed.” Star paused to see if anyone else had any questions about the process. When no one spoke up she continued.
“The display will be presented on the table or desk top before you. Remember only you will be able to see it. Simply touch the place where you see the button for the answer you want, and it will be recorded. The question before this conclave is whether or not to emancipate Cadet-Lieutenant Talena Williams. Please cast your vote now.” She clasped her hands in front of herself, and waited for the decision of the conclave.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Given the seriousness of the situation, Ian was surprised when he had to stop himself from humming the tune from the old TV game show, ‘Jeopardy’.
The five minute time limit had not yet expired when Star spoke again. “The vote is concluded. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. The decision has been officially recorded and the results of the vote are now being displayed for each of you in the same manner as the ballot was.”
“Thank you, Major,” John said. Star bowed slightly to him and returned to her place beside Jenny.
John looked down at the table in front of him, and couldn’t help but grin a little. “Would the Petitioner and her Sponsor please stand?” Ian and Talena quickly rose. “With the exception of the abstain votes from the Commander, the Executive Officer, and the Chief Medical Officer, the vote was unanimous in favor of emancipation. Congratulations Cadet!”
Everyone applauded and congratulated Talena. Ian let it continue for a few minutes before winking at his diminutive lover, and nodded his head toward his wives. As Talena joined the small group of women, Ian shook John’s hand and thanked him for mediating for him.
Once John and Ian had retaken their original seats, Ian spoke. “Earlier today, Major Dommer and his team of miracle workers reported ‘ready to lift’ to the command section. Not only have they done the impossible by getting this lady ready to do something she was never built to do in the first place, they did it ahead of schedule!” Ian led the room in applause for the Engineer and his team. Major Dommer grinned and bowed his head in acceptance of the gratitude for himself and his team.
“So, now that we’re physically ready to go, I want all stations and departments ready to lift by seventeen-hundred tomorrow. Ops, I’m still waiting for that patrol schedule. Be sure to include the CAP (Combat Air Patrol) we discussed.
“Flight, did you get the ceremony scheduled?” Ian asked.
John grinned. “Yes, sir. The parents should start arriving on the next shuttle from Earth. The graduation itself is scheduled for eleven hundred tomorrow.”
Ian nodded agreement. “We can turn the reception afterwards into a luncheon. I know that might cut into the time some of you need in getting ready to lift; so, other than the ceremony itself, I won’t require attendance. No tours this time. We’ll need those folks off the ship before we lift. Any questions?”
“Yes sir, I thought we were trying to be stealthy about our presence here. Won’t launching a CAP be counter to that policy?” MCPO Reynolds asked.
Before Ian could answer Major Brighton spoke. “Yes, it’ll pretty much tell anyone in the system that we’re here. But that’s not what’s going to be the worst thing, Master Chief. The amount of energy we are going to use getting off the moon will be like sending up fireworks or turning on those big spot-lights they use in New York and Hollywood. Once we lift off the moon, we’ll need the CAP to help warn us of attack.”
Barb grinned a thank you at Chloe. “Sure, I just get all the hornets overhauled, and now you’re gonna go start getting them all messed up again!”
“Think of it as job security,” Ian said and winked at Barb, making her blush.
“Sair, I only have ‘bout half the knuckle-draggers I’m a-gonna need. I’d like tah have more afore we lift, just to man the DC (Damage Control) and ESAR (Emergency Search and Rescue) stations,” The Bosun said.
Ian nodded agreement; he’d been worried about the same thing. “Get with Major Dommer, and the CMO to see if they can loan you some people. I’ll assign what Marines we have and any other crew we can spare to you for the lift. I also believe that Mrs. Laskar has more people for you waiting for a ride down at Talos. Considering the number of people that want to be here for the graduation, I’m sure we can get them up here too.” The Bosun nodded, and Ian continued. “Either myself, the XO, or Major Brighton will be available to answer questions. Don’t be afraid to wake me up. We’ve got a busy couple of days ahead of us, people, let’s get to it. Dismissed.”
Ian and family headed for their quarters. “So, since Talena is an adult now, does that mean we can give her a ring, and add her name to ours?” Cindy asked.
“It does, but I was planning on asking her in a more romantic way. I don’t think talking about her in the third person while she’s here with us is very romantic, do you?” Ian replied, smiling at the excited looking Talena.
“No, you’re right, Ian. But the bonding ceremony is just a formality anyway; we all know she’s as much our wife as any of the rest of us!” Cindy replied.
“Be that as it may love, she still has to be verbally asked, and she has to verbally accept, as do we all. Then we have to have at least the same small ceremony the four of us had on the shuttle. That’s the only way the bonding will be accepted and officially recorded,” Jenny explained. “It’s a safeguard against accidental bonding.”
“So... Let’s get home so Jenny and I can plan a romantic supper, while you and Ian help this beautiful young woman get ready,” Beth injected, winking at Talena.
“Considering the love you all share with me every day, I’d have to agree with Cindy; the rings are a formality. I don’t know how, but I love you all more every day. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to burst with the power of the emotion,” Talena said. “But I’d still be up for the romantic dinner!”
That night the newest member of the Williams family officially became their bondmate. They’d gone to bed early, but they didn’t collapse into sleep until after the soft tone announcing the beginning of the midwatch.
Ian and Beth were the last to get to sleep, and as was becoming their routine, they moved out to the couch to snuggle and talk.
“You know, when she first awoke in Cindy’s bed, she seemed so sad that I didn’t think we’d ever be able to get her over the grief from her loss. But tonight that young woman is glowing with happiness. Even in her sleep you can see it,” Beth said as she leaned back on Ian’s bare chest.
“Yeah, I think you’re right. She had moments before we’d left Earth, but you could still see the shadow of her loss. Not anymore; when we made love tonight, it was like she was an entirely different woman. I think she has finally let her heart truly love again,” Ian replied.
Beth chuckled. “Boy! You’re sure an old softy!”
“Uh huh, if I wasn’t exhausted, I’d show you how ‘soft’ I am!”
As she yawned, she replied, “Then finish your beer so we can get back in bed with our lovers. We’re gonna be sitting up nights soon enough with four new-borns.”
“Yes dear.” Ian replied.
“Smart ass. Now, help me up.”
When Ian arrived on the bridge the next morning, he could feel the crew’s excitement coursing through the old ship from the bow point defense turrets to the massive plasma vents astern. After four thousand plus years of slumber, Star Dancer was finally coming back to life.
“Good Morning Lieutenant Liefson. Anything unusual to report?” Ian asked.
Th
e young woman grinned tiredly at her commander. “Nothing that I can put into words, sir.”
Ian nodded agreement. “I can understand that; I feel it too. When did it start?”
“I can’t really say, sir. When I came on duty, I could ‘feel’ that something was different, but whatever it was, was so subtle I couldn’t isolate it. I didn’t get an ominous feeling from it, so I just waited to see if something clarified it. It’s almost like the lights are a little brighter, the coffee is just a bit richer and the stars are much clearer.”
Again Ian nodded. “I have the Con, Lieutenant. Go get some sleep; I think you’ll see more of the difference after some shut-eye.”
She came to attention, and saluted. “Aye sir, you have the Con. Have a great day sir.”
Ian returned the salute. “Sleep well, Liefson.”
As soon as the young assistant communications officer left, Star’s hologram materialized beside his chair, and Jenny walked in carrying two medium sized mugs. As she handed one to Ian she made a suggestion. “You know, since you have to give the address at the graduation ceremony, and you’ll be on duty tonight for the lift, why don’t you go work on your speech, and let me stand your watch?”
Ian snorted. “I was supposed to write a speech?” He lifted his mug in a salute to her. “Thanks for this, as for the watch, I was planning on working on the speech out here.”
“That might not be a very good idea...” Jenny began as the doors to the bridge slid open to admit all three navigators. Ian was about to comment on being on time for their shift, but Jenny, continuing with her sentence stopped him. “You see, Chekov and his team have been up since about four hundred going over the launch program with a fine tooth comb. They’ve even run it through several simulations on the computers down in astrophysics. They scheduled this morning to run tests on the whole system. I didn’t see a problem, so I approved it. They just finished with their simulations and have moved the program up here to the main Nav console. He’s not late, just extremely early.”
“Is there a problem with the program?” Ian asked.
“Oh! No sir! We just want to make absolutely sure every contingency we can cover, gets covered,” Chekov said.
Ian once again nodded his approval. “Carry on then, but before you start, how’s Ally doing?”
The small man smiled proudly, and puffed his chest out. “Still pregnant, sir. But it could be anyday now.”
“I think my wives might be holding off so Ally can have hers first. Although, if the baby doesn’t come soon, I think Cindy might slip ahead of her,” Ian replied, grinning.
“I think it’s the baby holding off until he or she has some playmates. Ally is more than ready for this one to be over with.”
“I’ll let you all get back to work. Tell Ally we’re all rooting for her,” Ian said.
“Will do, sir,” Chekov said as he turned back to his smiling counter-parts. It was seconds before the big screen was covered in computer code and the three where quietly talking about different aspects of the program they wrote.
Lieutenant JG Garvy toggled the console communicator. “Engineering and Operations, this is Navigation. We’re ready for the power on system test.”
“Good Morning, Gentlemen and Lady. Engineering is ready for Power on system test,” Major Dommer replied.
“All Departments! This is Operations. Please prepare for reduced power test of anti-gravity lifting system. Report readiness to Operations once you’re secured.”
Ian grinned at Jenny as he stood to give her his seat. “Okay, so now I can see why you don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate out here. You have the Con, Colonel.”
“Thank you, sir, I have the Con,” Jenny replied as she returned his salute, and sat gratefully in the warm command chair. When Ian didn’t head for his ready room, Jenny looked up at him questioningly.
Seeing her look, Ian winked and quietly said. “I’m waiting to see how this test goes.”
She nodded and began her part in this test. “Operations, Command is online,”
“Affirmative, Command. All departments report ready for lift,” Major Brighton replied this time.
“Flight Control, launch the Navigation Drones,” Jenny ordered. “Engineering, power up the AG array and bring the reactor up to twenty percent.”
“Nav Drones away, Command,” Flight reported.
“Reactor at twenty percent. AG array ready for lift.” Engineering replied.
“Navigation, initiate the launch,” Jenny said, calmly.
“Aye, initiating The Launch,” Chekov replied. “Anti-grav at five percent and climbing; main engines at standby.
He paused as the reading on the navigation console changed.
“Anti-grav at fifteen percent; mains still at standby.” During the report, an alarm started beeping. “Engineering we’re showing a power fluctuation at frame one-seventy-two, section four starboard,” Chekov said.
“Registering increased torque on keels one and three at frame one-sixty-nine,” Star reported.
“We’re on it!” Major Dommer reported.
“Anti-grav at twenty-one percent; main engines at standby,” Chekov reported.
Star looked a little worried. “Torque now on all keels and approaching maximum safe limit.”
Chekov started the next report but was interrupted by Star. “Anti-grav at twenty-seven...”
“Aborting Launch program. Scenario failure; Keel torsion from AG array imbalance exceeded safety limits.” Star reported, frowning.
“Give us twenty minutes! The gravimetric compensator was thrown out of balance by the internal gravity field. We’re fixing it now,” Major Dommer reported.
“All departments; stand down for thirty minutes. Murphy’s Law strikes again!” Jenny ordered before turning to look up at Ian. “So... What are you going to do about the speech?”
The big landing/launching area on Beta flight deck seemed like it was literally packed with people. Once he’d adjusted to the crowd, Ian sought out Elias.
The Johnson family was there to see both Stephanie and Kyle graduate. Luke was still down at Talos, but his wife, Lara was there for Tara.
Ian found them all together near the exit from the pilot’s ready room. “Hi guys! I’m glad to see you could all make it!” The three cadets immediately snapped to attention as soon as they realized Ian was right behind them. “Relax, Cadets,” Ian chuckled.
“You know, I knew the ship was real, I mean at first, back when you and Janet ‘told me a story’, I didn’t believe a word of it, Even after you introduced me to Olympus and I accepted all of this; it still couldn’t get my mind to accept the reality of the ship.
“Now, I’m off-planet and standing in her. There wasn’t a big production with NASA, I didn’t have to go through the Air Force Academy and become an Astronaut; I simply got aboard a shuttle and flew here. Amazing! Just amazing!” Elias said, all starry-eyed.
Grinning at his friend, Ian said, “Welcome aboard, Elias.”
Realizing he was acting like a tourist, Elias chuckled. “Thanks Ian.”
“I wanted to ask you guys where all these people came from? It seems like the whole population of Talos is up here!” Ian asked.
“Don’t you read the New Talosian? Your recruiters are really busting their humps. We’ve had to start on another subdivision of housing!” Elias replied.
His wife, Laura, was nodding in agreement. “Since you moved up here, our population has more than doubled. Admittedly, roughly half are new eggs recommended by their colleagues, but once you add their families, the numbers grow. I should also mention that one of Janet’s recruiters has this habit of ‘rescuing’ prostitutes, and the ‘forgotten’ and ‘lost’ people. Not the crazy ones, mind you, just the ones that have given up on life.”
Ian was impressed. He’d often wondered where Janet was getting all the people from. “So just how big are we getting down there?” Ian asked.
“Well, Elias was exaggerating about the new subdivisi
on; it’d be too difficult to explain all the empty houses once the moon base is finished. No, we’ve had the drones adding more housing underground,” Lara said getting into the conversation.
“Are any of the new people going to be coming to the ship?” Ian asked.
“Eventually. The Council just approved a request made by Ty for the addition of a marine training facility, complete with barracks. He’s already got two platoons of recruits that’ve been waiting for a decision on training facilities. If you add the members of the construction crews that have expressed an interest, it brings the recruits to three and a half platoons,” Lara replied. “I believe Luke said he was going to forward the whole thing to you for final approval before we got the drones working. Since it’s a military matter, the Council felt you should have the final say.”
“Wow, Okay, I’ll look for that once I get back to my office. It is something of a priority; Ty needs more support down there,” Ian replied.
In the old Talosian Society, there were political entities called Families that were governed by an elected Matriarch or Patriarch. (Though the position was usually past to an heir, the family still had to approve.) These family heads got together and selected a Grand Matriarch or Patriarch for the group of families which formed the Clan or House. Those selected leaders formed the Grand Council. (The pre-genocide Grand Council had over two hundred members.) The Grand Council appointed twenty to form the Ruling Council to make the day-to-day decisions of running the government. The Grand Council only met twice a year to deal with issues the Ruling Council felt needed their attention. The military High Command was a tool of the Ruling Council and was subject to oversight by the Grand Council. It had worked well for three millennia before the attack that destroyed the society.
Ian was a little surprised that the people down at Talos would adopt the political structure. “So do I call you Councilor?”