"What have you heard?"
"Only that the farming community is often a tight-knit group, and most try to help their neighbors, expecting that the help will be reciprocated when they have a problem."
A Priority-One message from Admiral Poole at Quesann cut Jenetta's short vacation even shorter. After viewing the message, she made immediate plans to leave the tranquil life on Obotymot and respond to the new emergency situation in Region Two. As she packed her travel case she wondered if life on the planet could ever be fulfilling enough to sustain her after the constant challenges and life-threatening situations she'd faced in the military.
* * *
Chapter Six
~ March 8th, 2286 ~
The short time spent on Obotymot had been relaxing and refreshing. Jenetta had visited the farm of Gerravx Hthumakp just before she'd left and determined that he had received a full delivery of fertilizer the day after her first visit. He was most appreciative and couldn't stop thanking her and guaranteeing that he would produce a great crop for her by the following season.
Naturally, her mom was agitated about the situation that caused Jenetta to cut her vacation short, but Jenetta managed to calm her fears before departing the planet.
During the one-day trip to Higgins Space Command Base, Jenetta spent every spare minute thinking about the latest emergency and the other important business before her. She naturally took care of regular business, such as her hour-long morning briefing session with her aide, Lt. Commander Ashraf, and a morning discussion with Captain Gavin, but other than that, she isolated herself in her office.
As with Earth Space Traffic Control, Higgins Approach Control gave the Ares a straight-in approach vector. Admiral Holt hadn't yet had an opportunity to tour one of the new Ares-class ships, so Jenetta invited him aboard as soon as they docked at the station. Although the Ares was her flagship, Gavin was the ship's captain, so he conducted the tour while she trailed along with Holt. The Higgins SCB commanding officer was suitably impressed and was as shocked as most visitors when Gavin ordered the tac officer to remove the decks using the special Simage technology, although he hadn't ordered the deck removed until Holt was over the initial sensation of having the bulkheads melt away and had agreed to a further demonstration. Even though surrounded by almost a million tons of solid shipbuilding materials, the technology made it seem like they were encased in a clear plastic bubble in open space.
"Incredible!" Holt uttered as all but bridge personnel, consoles, and a grid of light lines on the deck used to aid orientation seemed to disappear.
"A commanding officer could never hope to have a better view for making maneuvering or attack decisions during battle conditions," Jenetta said. "The Admiral's bridge has the same capability."
"I have to say it again," Holt uttered as he looked at the other ships docked at the station. "Incredible."
"It is impressive," Jenetta agreed. "Well, that concludes the tour, Brian. Would you join me in my office? We have a couple of items to discuss."
"Of course."
Turning to Captain Gavin, she said, "I'm sorry, Larry. I have a private matter to discuss with Brian first. I'll let you know when you can join us."
"Of course, Admiral."
"Jen."
"Of course, Jen."
Jenetta smiled and looked at Holt, then tilted her head briefly towards the corridor.
Once they had prepared a beverage and were seated in her sumptuous office that adjoined the Admiral's Bridge, Jenetta said, "Brian, I'd like you to join me in Region Two."
"I know."
"You know?"
"Richard contacted me right after the Admiralty Board approved your request."
"Hmm, I thought it would be a surprise."
"He needed to know if I intended to join you so they could begin the search for someone to replace me."
"Of course. This base is too vital to have the top position left open for very long. And how did you respond to Richard?"
"I told him that if you asked, I'd go in a heartbeat."
"Wonderful," she said with a smile, "but did he tell you the whole story?"
"About the missing ship and the possibility that we might be facing a serious new threat?"
"That's part of it."
"What else is there?"
"The GA Council intends to move the entire Senate to Quesann."
"Oh, that. They've been talking and arguing about that ever since you defeated the Milori."
"It's more than just after-dinner conversation now."
"What have they said?"
"It's apparently a done deal. They're developing construction plans for building and housing complexes."
"When is all this supposed to happen?"
"Not for a while yet. It will take some time to build a secure complex for the Senate and another for Space Command Supreme Headquarters. We'll need new quarters for dignitaries and Space command personnel, and an area for the— press corps. Of course there will be a need for restaurants, visitor lodging, and business complexes, plus residences for the usual lobbyists and other political hacks."
Holt made a face that caused Jenetta to chuckle.
"I agree," Jenetta said. "I've spent my career trying to stay away from that situation, and now I've been thrust smack into the middle of it. I suppose I'll just have to make the best of it."
"So on the bright side, we'll obviously have to build a complete city. That could take years."
"The longer the better. Does that mean you'll come?"
"I can't think of any job I'd like more. I've done everything I could to avoid going back to Earth for my final years in Space Command, and I've secretly wished I could find an excuse to travel to Region Two and perhaps even finish my career out there at one of your new space stations. Things have gotten a bit boring here at Higgins, and establishing a new station in a new territory could really enliven my remaining years in the service."
"You do know they're planning to extend the retirement age again, don't you?"
"No. That's apparently something Richard forgot to mention."
"If the senate passes the measure, and I'm confident they will, the new mandatory retirement age will be one hundred twenty-five."
"That's wonderful news. I've been wondering how I was going to spend the four decades after retirement. With any luck, they'll extend it again in the future."
"We'll have to see. I know my father would agree with you."
"So when do we leave?"
"There's a bit more to tell you. I want you to go into this with your eyes wide open. I cut short my vacation time by almost a week because I received a Priority-One message from Augustus. Another scout-destroyer is overdue and not responding to messages."
"Which one?"
"The Salado."
"Wasn't that just launched recently?"
"About eight months ago. He was on his first patrol."
"Who's his captain?"
"Commander Judith Deneau. SHSA class of '71."
"I've never met her."
"She was promoted off the Portland."
"That's Gregory's destroyer, isn't it?"
"Yes. He told me she's good and deserves the promotion. I only met her once when the Salado reported for assignment to my fleet."
"Any ideas on what happened to the ship?"
"They reported spotting several ships on their DeTect system and were going to investigate. Nothing after that."
"That's ominous. Isn't that the same situation as the Yenisei?"
"Yes. That's why I cut my vacation short. Something serious is going on in Region Two and I need to be out there and find out what it is."
"Then we'd better get going."
"You can leave now?"
"I've already received orders to proceed to Quesann to assume the new post of Deputy Military Governor of Regions Two and Three with a promotion to Vice-Admiral."
Jenetta smiled and said, "Congratulations, Admiral."
"Thank you. Admiral. I'm de
lighted to be assigned to your command. I've already said all my goodbyes here and attended a goodbye party thrown by my officers last evening. My bags are packed and can be brought to the ship immediately. Do you have an empty hold?"
"An entire hold for your luggage?"
"You collect a lot of things over the years when you're not moving around." After punctuating that with a smile, he added, "Just kidding. I can't leave Project Springboard here. You know why I can't brief anyone on the specifics of the project, and we can't risk having it fall into someone's hands if proper security isn't maintained by a commanding officer who doesn't understand the reason for such security. The only solution is to bring it with us."
"I agree. I wasn't thinking about Springboard being part of your personal possessions."
"And on top of everything else, it's best that Springboard be in the most secure place imaginable. To my mind, that would be Quesann, the Space Command HQ for Regions Two and Three, and the future home of Supreme Headquarters and the GA Senate. And a place where both of us can ensure it's not abused."
"Yes, Quesann is probably the safest long-term storage location."
"Good. Although my staff doesn't know the contents of the containers, they're ready to supervise the move as soon as Larry can arrange for space aboard the Ares."
Tapping her Space Command ring to initiate a carrier, Jenetta asked Captain Gavin to come to her office.
Four hours later the Ares backed away from the station's docking ring and set course for Region Two. Admiral Holt had personally verified that all containers were received aboard the ship and that all seals were intact. When all of the components for Project Springboard were securely nestled in a large hold, a security team of Marines was assigned to see that no one entered the hold unless either Admiral Carver or Admiral Holt was present.
* * *
"Come in, Larry," Jenetta said as the door to her office opened to reveal Captain Gavin waiting for admittance. "Fix yourself a beverage and join us."
Gavin prepared a cup of coffee at the beverage machine and then walked to where Jenetta and Admiral Holt were seated in her informal seating area. He chose to sit on the sofa so he'd have a table on which to set his cup.
"Brian and I were just discussing the trip ahead," Jenetta said.
"Any changes planned?" Gavin asked
"No, we'll stop at Stewart as planned, then proceed to Flordarya."
"I thought you were anxious to get back, Jen."
"We're going to pick up Captain Barbara DeWitt, the head of the Weapons Research and Development section there, and most of her team. As soon as I heard that a second DS ship was missing, I sent a request to the Admiralty Board that she be posted to Region Two HQ to head up our new Weapons Research section. We don't know who or what we're facing yet, but they must be formidable if they were able to take down two DS ships before our people could get a message off. Barbara's team worked on the development of the Phalanx system and kept at it until it was almost ninety-five percent effective. I want her at Quesann when we learn what we're facing, and the Admiralty Board approved my request. I know that Brian knows her because she headed up the small Weapons Research section at Higgins before being sent to Stewart."
"I've met her, but I don't know her well," Gavin said.
"She's incredibly gifted," Holt said. "I was sorry to lose her, but Jen needed her more than I did at the time, and the move included a promotion once Jen was moved up to Admiral."
"Knowing the almost total indestructibility of Dakinium," Gavin said, "I wonder if we'll be able to stop an enemy that's been able to defeat those two ships. Perhaps you should delay the diplomatic trip to Flordarya and head straight to Quesann."
"We still have no information regarding their disappearance," Jenetta said, "so there's nothing we can do at Quesann right now, and the Admiralty Board wants the representatives delivered promptly to begin GA membership talks and trade negotiations. Augustus will notify us immediately if he learns anything."
"Has an ambassador been assigned to Flordarya?" Holt asked.
"We're delivering an envoy to begin the discussions that could lead to Flordarya becoming a member of the GA. The planned talks will determine if the Flordaryns are acceptable candidates and ready to become a member planet. If they are, the envoy will remain on as the new ambassador."
"How do things look?" Gavin asked.
"It all appears pretty standard so far. The Flordaryns are adapting well to having their planet and their freedom back. The Tsgardi may have subjugated them for decades, but they never lost their indomitable spirit. That's one of the reasons for the upcoming trade talks. They apparently continued numerous research projects right under the noses of the Tsgardi and supposedly made great advances. They never shared any of the new technology with the Tsgardi and the Tsgardi were too ignorant to notice. Now they want to become a full trading partner with advanced civilizations in the GA and are offering a sharing of technical knowledge."
"It's amazing that the Tsgardi never picked up on the subterfuge," Holt said.
"Many people believe that the Tsgardi are not even sentient," Jenetta said, "and I won't argue that the assessment is very far off the mark. They'd never have made it into space if they hadn't enslaved peaceful Flordaryn travelers."
"It's a good thing their military is restricted to their own solar system now," Holt said. "I don't doubt that once they fully understand exactly what the loss of Flordaryn expertise means to them, they might try to roll back the clock."
"I think I adequately impressed upon them what would happen if they ever tried anything like that."
"Let's hope they remember. As you said, they're barely sentient."
* * *
Sixteen days after leaving Higgins, The Ares arrived at Stewart Space Command base. Jenetta preferred not to go through any welcoming ceremonies, so she invited Admiral Thaddeus Vroman to visit her aboard the ship. He was waiting on the docking pier as the vessel completed its dock-and-lock procedure and was instantly welcomed aboard by the OD who had a Lt.(jg) escort Admiral Vroman to Admiral Carver's office.
"This is a damn impressive ship, Jen," Vroman said as he entered the imposing office.
"Yes, it is Thad. And you haven't seen anything yet. Would you like the full tour?"
"If you have the time, I'd love one."
"We'll make the time. But first, you know Brian Holt and Larry Gavin, don't you?"
Turning to the other officers, Vroman said, "Of course. Hello, Brian. Hi, Larry. Congratulations on the promotion, Brian. And I just heard you'll be the Deputy Military Governor in Regions Two and Three."
"Yes, I'm looking forward to the position and delighted to be working with Jen again."
Turning towards Jenetta, Admiral Vroman said, "I understand you're having some trouble in Region Two."
"That's why I wanted Barbara and her team. We don't yet know what we're facing. Let's take the tour and we can talk along the way."
They wrapped up the tour back at the Admiral's bridge and Jenetta delighted in showing Vroman the Sim technology that made the walls seem to melt away. He took it pretty well but got a bit nervous when the deck almost completely disappeared. Jenetta signaled the tac officer to restore the deck after Vroman reached for one of the command chairs and hung on.
"That's something I wouldn't use very often," Admiral Vroman said. "I felt like I was going to fall right through those thin grid lines."
Jenetta smiled slightly and said, "It does take a bit of getting used to, but we were never in any danger."
"On some level I knew that, but on a different level all logic fled."
"Gavin, out," the captain said. Then turning towards Jenetta, he said, "I just received a message via my CT. Captain DeWitt and her people are aboard, and the equipment they're bringing has all been stowed."
"Excellent." To Admiral Vroman, she said, "Guess it's time to go, Thad. Thanks for your hospitality. I hope to see you again soon."
"You're always welcome, Jen. I hop
e you locate the two missing ships and that everyone is alive."
"Thanks, Thad. That's our hope as well."
* * *
Chapter Seven
~ April 28th, 2286 ~
"General quarters— general quarters — all hands proceed to your assigned battle locations," suddenly blared from the overhead speaker in Jenetta's quarters in the middle of the night. At the same instant, an identical message began to reverberate in her head thanks to her CT. The strobe mounted on the overhead was flashing alternating colors of red and white as she sat up in bed and gave the order for the room to illuminate. She was trying to rub the sleep from her eyes while she slid to the edge of her bed when the com chimed. She stopped what she was doing and leaned over to raise the cover. The face of Captain Gavin immediately filled the screen. Her screen was on blackout so Gavin was only seeing a previously recorded image.
"Jen, we're approaching Flordarya. It's surrounded by what appears to be warships."
"Surrounded?"
"There're at least five, all about the same size from what we can see from here, spread out in roughly geosynchronous orbit around the planet. It appears they've taken up positions over the major cities. I've cancelled our FTL envelope and we're sitting at almost maximum DeTect range, so the data is still sketchy. The ships could be innocent transports or even small single-hulled freighters, but my tac officer says the return signals suggest otherwise. Given that two of our DS ships are missing, I decided to play it safe."
"Good call. I'll be on my bridge in five minutes. Carver out."
Jenetta leaped off the bed and yanked her clothes on. As she raced out of the bedroom, she discovered her steward standing in the sitting room with a steaming mug of coffee extended at arm's length. Jenetta took the cup and told her steward to get down to a Secure room immediately, then ran into the corridor. She didn't instruct the Marine security team to leave their posts because they wouldn't have gone willingly. Besides, on all new DS warships, destroyer and above, special four-point connection harnesses had been installed at all guard post positions. They were built into the bulkheads, and normally almost invisible. Like a seatbelt in a car, they were instantly ready for use, or could be released with a tug on a quick-release buckle. Once released, they would retract back into the bulkhead structure until needed again. They left a Marine's arms completely free so he or she was always ready for action. Located next to the harness area was a locker where the Marine stored the duffel containing his or her personal body armor when they reported to their post. They would probably never need it, but it was there if they did.
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