Castle Vroman

by Thomas DePrima

"Yes, we must turn our full attention to the immediate development of a complete bureaucratic structure in the new territory," Admiral Platt said. "It can't be handled slowly, as with the last expansion where the Galactic Alliance simply pushed out its borders and began to bring order to an area of space that formerly had no order. We'll need everyone from the newest recruits, for manning bases, to commanding officers as high in rank as Rear Admiral, Upper Half. The Milori established bases throughout the territory and we should be able to move right in, although some adaptation to our physical differences will be required, as was done with the vessels Admiral Carver restored. Recruitment on Earth is going extremely well, but recruitment on Nordakia is lagging behind. We're going to need substantially more forces than we have at present."

  "There are any number of worlds in the Galactic Alliance where we've never actively recruited," Admiral Ressler said. "Perhaps it's time we looked to all members of the Galactic Alliance with seats on the Council for far greater military support."

  "Most worlds lag far behind Earth and Nordakia in technology and education," Admiral Hubera said. "Can you imagine a Cheblook, Eulosian, or Wolkerron at one of the academies? We might as well open them to Pledgians."

  "Perhaps most are not ready for the Academies," Admiral Woo said, "but they could serve as crewmen on bases or ships while their cultures develop the educational programs found on the more advanced worlds. I support Shana's suggestion that we begin active recruitment efforts at all Galactic Alliance planets, with the possible exception of Milor for the time being."

  "In simple terms, we're faced with the problem of expanding the present Space Command by two-hundred percent," Admiral Moore said. "That was the number discussed by the Galactic Alliance Council when they approved annexation of the new territory, but I believe a more realistic target would be an increase of four-hundred percent. However, it's one thing to say and quite another to actually accomplish. We began shifting forces when we faced the prospect of an invasion by the Milori, and must now step up those efforts. Let's inform every base commander that he will be losing half of his forces and begin reassigning them to the new territory. I just wish we had more ships with Light-9375 capability."

  "They're coming, Richard," Admiral Plimley said. "Every new warship and transport coming out of the Mars dockyards will have an outer hull made of Dakinium and their engines will utilize the new design. In addition, the construction of new facilities dedicated exclusively to the retrofit of existing ships is proceeding according to schedule, so within a few years we can look forward to having all older ships capable of at least Light-450. All Prometheus class battleships and Kamakura class cruisers will have their outer skin removed and replaced with Dakinium while their power plants are being retrofitted.

  "It can't come soon enough," Admiral Ahmed said. "The new transports may be the only way I can hope to supply bases that are three thousand light-years from Earth."

  * * *

  Jogging around the running track in the hold was still Jenetta's favorite morning exercise, and she had been running for over a half hour with her cats by her side when she received a message through her CT from the com operator on the bridge.

  "Admiral, you've received a message from Admiral Moore's office in Supreme headquarters."

  Pressing her Space Command ring, she asked, "Is it a Priority message?"

  "Negative, Admiral," the com operator said.

  "Thank you, chief. I'll view it when I come on duty."

  "Aye, Admiral."

  "Carver, out."

  Jenetta finished her run and took a shower before eating the enormous breakfast that was delivered to her quarters. She arrived on the bridge ten minutes early and, after cheerfully greeting the bridge crew with a "Good Morning," she accepted Lt. Commander Ashraf's status report, and relieved her. Rather than settling into her command chair, she turned the bridge over to Lt. Cruz, the ship's fourth officer who had also arrived early, and walked to her briefing room.

  Sitting down behind her desk, she selected Admiral Moore's message from the queue and tapped the play button.

  "Hello, Admiral," Admiral Moore began. "On behalf of myself, the Admiralty Board, the Galactic Alliance Council, and all the peoples of the Galactic Alliance, I congratulate you on your incredible victory. As always, you've demonstrated that the trust we've placed in you has been well deserved.

  "We've begun the massive task of transferring equipment and personnel to the new command. Most existing bases will lose up to half their forces so we can begin to fill the needs of the new territory. Your first task must be to identify which former Milori bases will become GA bases and communicate that information to us so the proper routing of transports can take place. Your recommendation that the base on Quesann serve as the Space Command Headquarters for Region Two is acceptable and your headquarters staff will be directed there."

  "My headquarters staff?" Jenetta said aloud.

  "Since you'll be setting up dozens of new bases, and many will have StratCom-One and StratCom-Two designations, the Galactic Alliance Council has approved the creation of an appropriate number of new Lower Half and Upper Half flag officer positions. Moreover, for the first time in GA history, a new position above the rank of Upper Half has been created where the flag officer is permanently assigned outside Supreme Headquarters on Earth.

  "Congratulations, Admiral Carver. By recommendation of the Admiralty Board, and with unanimous approval of the Galactic Alliance Council, you have been promoted to the rank of Admiral, a rank commensurate with your new responsibilities as Commander of the Second Fleet and Military Governor of Region Two. Admiral Platt's title has been officially changed to Commander of the First Fleet."

  Jenetta's jaw was hanging down by now and she had stopped breathing. She had been so relieved when she wasn't promoted to Vice-Admiral and now she had been promoted to the even higher rank of Admiral.

  Admiral Moore's message continued. "Thank you, Admiral, for everything you've done, and will do in the future. You are the only one I would trust to prevent that territory from sinking into complete anarchy. Your job will not be an easy one, and there will be days when you'll want to throw up your hands and resign, but you will stay and do your duty, as you always have. And I know that the job will be done as well as— or better than— it could have been done by anyone in Space Command. As always, you have my full faith and confidence."

  Jenetta released her breath and closed her mouth. Actually, her face was frowning with displeasure.

  "By the way, I know you'll have trouble getting the proper insignia out there, so no one will criticize you if you vary slightly from regulations by simply doubling up your existing two star insignias. Congratulations, Admiral Carver."

  "Richard E. Moore, Admiral of the Fleet, Supreme Headquarters, Earth, message complete."

  Jenetta put her hands to her face. Admiral Moore had hit the right buttons in talking about duty. If not for her sense of duty, she wouldn't be out here at all. If not for her sense of duty, she would have resigned her commission when they promoted her to flag officer. And now, because of her sense of duty, she was going to be the best damned Commander of the Second Fleet that she could. However, in five or six years, she'd better get her own battleship, or she would have to reevaluate her continued service in Space Command. A thought suddenly occurred to her. Could you resign from Flag Officer rank without leaving the service or leaving a blemish on your record? Because her two stars had been brevet rank, she hadn't seen a problem before, but full approval by the Galactic Alliance Council made this a permanent promotion. Could this be the reason for the condition placed on her receiving the battleship? Had they planned this all along, knowing that her rank would prevent her from reporting to the Mars facility to pick up her ship?

  Jenetta returned to the bridge and climbed into the command chair. The bridge crew noticed she was unusually self-absorbed, and everyone wondered what calamity could have occurred that would change her mood so dramatically.

  In
early afternoon, the com operator said, "Admiral?"

  "Yes, chief?" she replied.

  "We've received today's com traffic from Supreme Headquarters."

  "Fine, chief. Log it as received."

  "Admiral, a report announces that you've been promoted by order of the Galactic Council, effective three weeks ago, as of the date the report was sent out."

  "Yes, chief. I know."

  "Aye, Admiral."

  The bridge crew didn't miss the brief conversation, and those at stations with com screens discreetly called up the daily report and read the announcement. Those who didn't have a com screen got the information from the others at their first opportunity.

  When Lt. Commander Gallagher reported for duty just before the second watch, he came to attention and saluted Jenetta. Jenetta returned his salute as she stood up.

  "Congratulations, Admiral," he said, as he held out a small box. "I can't think of anyone more deserving."

  Jenetta accepted the box and opened it. Inside, she found two improvised insignias with four stars each. As Gallagher and the bridge crew applauded, she said, "Thank you, Commander. Thank you everyone."

  "It was the best we could do on the spur of the moment, Admiral, but the engineering staff will have regulation insignia made up by tomorrow."

  Jenetta smiled. "Thank you, Commander, and my thanks to everyone who assisted in the preparation of the insignia. I'll wear these proudly."

  Congratulation messages began flooding in the next day as word of the surrender, annexation, and promotion had been spread first through Space Command communications and then through the news media. Everyone back on Earth and in the sectors adjoining earth had known for weeks already. As on such occasions in recent years, Jenetta prepared a universal thank you message for replying to most senders and then recorded individual replies for the others. Her mom had been so choked up that the message from her was almost unintelligible. It had begun normally enough.

  "Hi honey, I'm speechless. I was stunned when you made lower half, and then astounded when you were promoted to upper half, but now I'm utterly speechless. I mean, I've always known how very special you are, but no parent really expects the rest of the galaxy to appreciate their child's abilities. And now you're the military governor of an area twice the size of Galactic Alliance space, or at least half again as large since your territory is now part of ours. I mean it's one big territory and you're the commander of more than half of it–– the far half–– the more dangerous half. You're always in the far half and you're always in the more dangerous half. You'd think I'd be used to that by now, but I'm beginning to wonder if you'll ever get home again while I'm still alive. Each posting has taken you further away from home, for longer and longer periods, but I certainly never expected you to be posted two thousand light-years away from home."

  With each minimally coherent sentence, Annette Carver had moved closer to tears. Jenetta could feel the anguish coming through and it stirred her own emotions. She had promised her mother that she'd be home for a visit as soon as she could and then she'd asked for this assignment to bring the war to Milor. As the first tears appeared on Annette's face, Jenetta felt tears streak down her own cheeks. For the first time she was glad they didn't have a direct connection. She would at least have a chance to dry her eyes before preparing her reply.

  After the message ended, Jenetta took several minutes to compose herself and then recorded a message in response. She tried to make it very positive and mentioned again how she had been promised a ship in about six years, and if she didn't make it home before then, she would at least make it at that time, regardless of what calamity had befallen the GA in the meantime. She made sure that a smile graced her face during the entire message. She signed off still smiling.

  Messages from Hugh, her brothers, sisters, and sisters-in-law were considerably more cheerful. Hugh joked about becoming one of her aides and the boys all pretended to be shocked that the Admiralty Board could appoint their baby sister to such a responsible position, while dredging up embarrassing childhood incidents as proof of Jenetta's inability to command the Second Fleet, and function as Military Governor to two-thirds of all Galactic Alliance space. Nevertheless, Jenetta could see that they were all extremely proud of her. The messages from Eliza and Christa were humorous, almost comedic, as they pretended to scold her for allowing the Admiralty Board to isolate her even further behind a desk, or an entire barricade of desks. Both joked that they would become a ship's captain before she did, although they knew of the Board's promise for one of the next crop of battleships. Her sisters-in-law, neither of whom she had met in person, just expressed their awe of Jenetta and the things she had done, and sent her their love.

  Jenetta viewed the message from her father last. She rather expected it to be quite a bit more somber than the others. Her father's face, as it appeared on the screen was soft and friendly.

  "Hi, sweetheart. Congratulations on your promotion and your successful prosecution of this war. Everyone here is celebrating your victory, our victory really, and for the first time in decades, we're hopeful that the Galactic Alliance can enjoy a period of peace and prosperity without seeing the dark clouds of war hovering on the horizon. You've made that possible. You've made the difference. I can think of no finer legacy for any military officer. Whatever happens for the rest of your life, you'll be forever known as the one who defeated the Milori Empire and brought us peace. Every parent hopes that his or her child will go on to greater heights than themselves, and there's no doubt you have. I'm so proud to be your father that I can't adequately put it into words.

  Her father's expression then changed completely. "But I'm also furious with you. Are you crazy? How could you let them promote you to permanent four-star rank? They'll never give you a ship now. Four-stars fly desks, not ships. Oh, sure, your mother's happy because four-stars rarely see any action, but I know that you won't be happy. Our problem now is what to do about it. I've asked a buddy of mine in JAG to look into the regs and find out if and how you can revert to the rank of Captain without damaging your record so bad they won't give you a ship, but his first impression was that it just isn't possible. He said you can resign your commission, but he's never heard of anyone in Space Command resigning flag officer rank to become a commissioned officer again. Even in the Terran militaries on Earth, he couldn't recall any occasions, except for brevet or battlefield rank where the promotion hadn't been made permanent or where the flag officer lost his flag as the result of a disciplinary action. I'll let you know what he finds out, as soon as I hear." His face softened again. "In the meantime, you be the best damned four-star in the service, and be careful out there.

  "I love you, baby, and I am so very, very proud of you.

  "Quinton E. Carver, Captain, GSC cruiser Octavian, message complete."

  Jenetta sighed. She'd have to think for a while before responding to her father's message, and there were many more messages waiting.

  She moved on to the messages from close friends and lastly to the ones from VIPs. As she had risen in rank, the list of VIP's she knew had grown considerably. One person who qualified both as a friend and very important person was Admiral Holt, the commanding officer of Higgins Space Command Base, and she replayed his message so she could tailor her response to what he said.

  Jenetta smiled as soon as she saw his cheerful face appear on the com unit.

  "Hello Admiral. Congratulations on your recent promotion and on your new posting as Commander of the Second Fleet and Military Governor of Region Two. You know how much I've always enjoyed reading or hearing the reports of your adventures, and whenever I hear your name, I can't help but remember the young ensign who nervously appeared before me and seemed so shocked when she learned she was being promoted. It isn't so hard to visualize because, outwardly, you haven't changed a bit, and also because it wasn't all that many years ago. I recall telling you on that occasion you'd go far, but you've exceeded even my expectations."

  Admiral Hol
t's expression turned serious, as he said, "I expect that your shoulders are drooping a bit by now from the weight of the responsibility that's just been heaped upon them. You're certainly no stranger to responsibility, but those two extra little stars add the burden of hundreds of populated worlds and trillions of sentient beings to your load, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of Space Command personnel that will soon become part of the Second Fleet. I know this job isn't the one you've wanted, but it's critically important and I know you'll do it well."

  His face returned to its usual affable look as he said, "I haven't yet collected on my bet with Admiral Hubera, although he hasn't denied you were the first from your class at the Academy to make Captain, and now, at just forty-five, you're the youngest four-star in Space Command history by thirty some years." Admiral's Holt's expression turned mischievous as he said, "I'm sure you're still a bit overwhelmed, so I have to wonder if you've yet realized that only one officer in all of Space Command outranks you? Something to think about, eh Admiral?"

  "Good luck, Jen, and take care of yourself. I hope you'll stop by to visit next time you're in the neighborhood."

  "Brian Holt, Rear Admiral, Upper Half, Base Commander, Higgins Space Command Base, message complete."

  Until Admiral Holt mentioned it, she hadn't really thought about there being only one individual who outranked her. Of course, there were four other flag officers holding the rank of Admiral and their length of service made them all senior to her, but she was now one of the top six officers in Space Command. A smile spread across her face as a thought occurred to her.

  "Not bad for someone voted 'least likely to succeed' while at the Academy," she said aloud. "Not bad at all."

  ~ finis ~

  *** Jenetta's exciting adventures continue in: ***

  Against All Odds

  (special preview)