A system for conducting testing and shakedown of new or overhauled vessels has never formally existed within the OESA. I must convey to you that, Admiral Bryant has inserted a reference to the two manuals you authored on the subject in the OESA Rules and Regulations as amended for Fifth Mobile Rapid Action Command. Fleet Admiral Stephenson is seeking to modify the OESA Rules and Regulations for the entire service to include these citations, too. It is my feeling that your report on the results of the ESS Loki should also be included as a guideline to the final results we are seeking in this process. I have forwarded your report to Fifth Mobile Command for Admiral Bryant's examination.
I must also congratulate you on the speed you achieved the melding of the crew of the Loki into a functioning team. These are people who now feel they can do anything if they do it together. I believe you have a promising future in the OESA and can look forward to rapid advancement. This commendation will be placed in your permanent file for future reference.
Vice Admiral Helena Leeds
I call in my XO.
"El, I am sending you three memos. Take a moment to read them. Then, post them ship wide. Everyone should feel excited about our recent accomplishment. I will have a navigational course for you in an hour." I explain.
"Aye, aye, sir." He responds with a big smile and a salute, after quickly reading the memos.
I call up the current locations of Fifth Mobile ships, looking for Command Carriers parked near appealing vacation systems. Valhalla is sitting five minutes, ten seconds, east of 14 Hercules, so I set that ideal system, as our destination. Traveling to and from the Valhalla from that there is a half-hour proposition standard-space speed of twenty percent. The other advantage is that 14 Hercules is only seventeen light years from our current location, so it's three and a half days each way from Phoenix. If we head out now, we will have seven full days at 14 Hercules, and I can head out to Valhalla on two of them. If I take the four lectures I still need on the first visit on December 23, I can be ready to write the mid-semester tests on the second visit on December 28. I will have to travel to and from in off hours to allow myself maximum time on 14 Hercules. If I am lucky, I will get four days’ leave, myself. I call El into the office, again.
"Commander Elasima reporting, sir." El says.
"Sit and relax.' I respond. 'We are at Eta Corona, right now. The Valhalla is here.' I point out the location on my pad. 'We can jump to 14 Hercules, which is a great vacation spot. It takes about three and a half days, each way. That leaves seven days for rotating leaves ashore. It also means I can reach the Valhalla in a half-hour, by shuttle. I would need one of our thirty shuttles on December 23, and, another on December 28. That would allow me to take in four lectures, I need and write the mid-term tests. I will travel in off hours, so it takes only a day each way. Can you plan all the leaves and shuttle usage around that program?" I ask him. I do not want to impose my needs on the rest of the crew.
"I don't think it’s a problem. We would get there on the twenty-second. That's when the first shuttles would go down. One-third of the ship could land then. The next third could go late on the twenty-fourth, and, we'd return the first group as we bring down the second. The last batch could descend early on the twenty-seventh, as we return the second group. We'd recover the last ones late on the twenty-ninth. We would have thirty shuttles on each day we need them, and we'd still have twenty-nine others for the rest of the stay for emergencies and in-betweeners. That's six hundred at a time going down. We would make six trips each way on the travel days. Everyone would get leave. The Marines have their own shuttles for boarding and landing party assaults. They can use those. I don't think it would pose a hardship." El responds.
"We need to get back an hour before we have to report. We are still light on Marines. The Colonel detached a thousand to other Carriers in the Fleet. He didn't need them for the trials. We must retrieve them, so we are at full complement when the Admiral comes aboard the Loki. Can you set up the timing with the Colonel?' I ask the XO, then continue. 'He may want to grab them all right now - before we leave. That's okay, too, but we need to jump in a couple of hours."
"I'll look after it. We'll get a schedule ready and get everyone on board." El offers.
"Good, and I'll post a memo about the leave, right now," I respond as El turns to leave.
The announcement granting leave is well received. Everyone is happy with the choice of locations. It tells everyone to watch for the rotation schedule the Exec will post.
El advises the Colonel wants to get his people, now. He wants them to get leave if they can. El arranges it. By the time we jump out, we are at full complement of nearly six thousand.
............................................................................
One thing I really hate is all the formality in the regulations. Bringing the Phoenix Flag and the Admiral aboard is part of quite an elaborate ceremony. It's a wasted hour, for everyone. I will not have those protocols observed if I ever get control of a Theatre or Quadrant. The Admiral should be piped aboard, as usual, but the change of flag should not be so ceremonial.
Anyway, it's January 3, and we reported on time. On the way back, we made sure the Loki was "ship-shape and bristle fashion" for the Admiral's arrival. I have no way of telling her without sounding sappy, so I haven't, but I really like her. I am glad she made the Loki her Flagship.
"I will expect you to have dinner in the Admiral's mess with me - say nineteen hundred." Her statement is almost an order as we wind up from the flag transfer ceremony.
"Yes, Admiral. I will see you there." I respond as she turns towards her office and walks away.
I expected her COS and maybe, a Task Force Commander in the dining room, but we are alone. At dinner, she asks about the College.
"I wrote the midterms when Loki went to 14 Hercules, on leave. My marks should come in a few days. Meantime, I am pushing ahead with second term studies." I explain.
"Good because the whole Mobile Fifth is moving. Anyway, Nichols has given us assignments that seem particularly close to Midgard. I think he did that for you, but it's not been mentioned. How long will it take you to finish?" She asked.
"That depends on the move. The longer the jump is to the new location, the more I will get done. If I only have my bridge shift and an hour or two of administration a day, I can finish quite a bit. If we do a five-day jump, I could finalize, with the exception that I would need two lectures on the Midgard. Then, I'd have to write the finals. I could have final marks in two weeks, if we are making a long enough journey, now." I explain.
"The jump is fifty-six light years. The Fifth will reassemble at Gliese 777 in Cygnus. That's an eleven-and-a-half-day trip at normal cruising speed, so I suspect we’ll stop over at HD193664 in Draco. That's almost an exact halfway point. It would not be unusual to give us a two-day break there, which means you'd have day two to go aboard any one of the Command Carriers. Then, we will probably get another day or two at Gliese 777, so you might avail yourself again, there. I haven't received the orders, yet but I believe that's the way it'll go. I think Bryant picked his target for you, too." Admiral Leeds finished as if she was deep in thought.
"So, you believe Admirals Bryant and Nichols are conspiring to push me through the War College Program quickly. They're creating all the opportunities, they can, for me?" I chuckle.
"Not just them!" She blurts out as her face gradually reddens.
"You're in on it, too?" I ask.
"I knew you'd certified the Shenzhen and worked on two others, when, I read your file. Why do you think I made the Loki my flag and brought it to Midgard. I knew you'd ground it, immediately. I also believed that if you were using Midgard as a base, you would take the opportunity to go as far as possible on the War College Program. You didn't really believe I had forgotten to have a Carrier certified, did you?' She laughed. 'I suggested it to my cohorts, and they went for it. And, I was so happy to see you are as driven and motivated as I thought. Look at me. I am a
lmost exactly your age. How do you think I got where I am, so fast? Bryant believed in me, too. He even gave me a second chance, once. We have more in common than you know. I have selfish reasons for this. The Flag levels have been diluted. There are some on the way up who look good. But, I need a leader with exceptional tactical skill, right now. There's no one else actually in line who has your skills. That's the selfish professional side of me - cold, calculating and driven. Then, there's the personal aspect of this, too. It's the real reason I made Loki my flag, again." She stopped short.
"What personal reasons could you have? I ask her. She paused. There was a long silence that seemed like hours in the tension that had risen above the table.
"I will say this once. If you don't like what I say, tell me straight out. It will never be mentioned again, and it will not affect our professional relationship. I am too selfish to screw up my career.' Again, there was a long silence. 'I... er... well... I... oh hell, I'll just say it. I think I am heavily attracted to you. In fact, I would say that I've fallen for you." Silent tears left her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
I knew I had been attracted to her the moment I saw her. As we interacted, I had been drawn to her more and more but buried it all under my work. After all, she's an Admiral, and she is my boss. "Well, that is a surprise. I have been keeping myself under such tight control, almost since we met. You don't come on to your boss - especially if your boss is a senior Admiral. I can honestly tell you, that I am falling for you too, Helena." There! I said it. I finally admitted it – to her – to me! The cat is out of the bag.
"Professionally, I need you to drive to take a Task Force, quickly. Rear Admiral Chan is not up to the job. I would send him to the Headquarters pool. He would make a great COS for someone. But Task Force One is very weak. We have no leadership at the Command and none in the Loki Group. Either I do all the thinking for this Task Force, or we are crippled. Believe me, my objectivity is not clouded on this issue. Any Fleet Commander would want you for a Flag position.' She is calm and logical, now. 'It was the plan from the beginning, before I met you. The personal part came after that. I saw we were so kindred. I found you decisive, intelligent, smart, forceful, and very confident. That is appealing in such a handsome package. It wasn't hard for attraction to turn into more."
"I have an idea.' I said and paused for her to slow down a bit. "I feel the same way, but I am really uncomfortable with the Flag Officer - Officer thing. Let's try to keep it professional, for just a while. When I have a star, we can make it more. When I have two, we can take it further still. When I have three, I will ask you to marry me." He said as she broke into gushing tears.
"Do you really mean that?" She asks haltingly between the convulsions of her sobs.
"Yes, I mean it - all.' I said as I rose, leaned over the table, cupped her chin in my right hand, and, kissed her gently, but firmly, on the lips. She responded warmly. There was a real connection. I broke the contact. 'I need it to be like that, though. Can you live with that agreement?" I asked.
"Yes, you'll have a star in a month or two. It will seem forever, but I can live with it." She responded through sobs, again.
Chapter 16 Clean Up this Mess!
Thursday March 20, 2256
"Behind every great fortune there is a crime." Honoree de Balzac
I am still in shock as I stand on the main floor to the right and just below the stage in the amphitheater of the Valhalla. I did not expect to be here, at this time, but it takes at least a full level-eleven Admiral to do the honors when promoting someone to level eight. When I received the offer, I thought it was an error. The offer came from Admiral Nichols instead of from Vice Admiral Leeds.
MEMO
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Commander Theatre Nine Command
To: Captain Kurt Brubacher Commander ESS Loki
C.C. Admiral George T. Bryant Mobile Fifth RAC Commander, Vice Admiral
Helena Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet
Re: Offer of Promotion and Reassignment
Date: March 3, 2256
Captain Brubacher,
It is my pleasure to advise you that you have been nominated and approved for promotion to Flag Level. A proposal has also been made to have you reassigned to a Flag Level Command. Both these recommendations were made by Vice Admiral Helena Leeds who is happy to have you take a position that has been very difficult for her to fill competently.
You have displayed excellent character, motivation, and intelligence in all the assignments the OESA has delegated you to date. You served with distinction in several positions within Boots Fleet until being reassigned as master of an autonomous Frigate the ESS Shenzhen. After a year in command of the Shenzhen with several demanding tactical situations under your belt, you were asked to take the posting of Commander of the ESS Loki Carrier Class Vessel. You transformed a new vehicle and turned it and its crew into a working unit, while under the added pressure of attending War College classes. In that light, I must mention that you have graduated the Fellowship Program with highest honors, achieving an overall average of ninety-seven point five percent. In all, you have been an impressive member of our team.
In light of the above, you have been ratified for elevation to the level of Rear Admiral (Level 8) rank. This recommendation was made by Vice Admiral Leeds and was endorsed by me. On passing it to Fifth Mobile, it was approved by Admiral Bryant, after conferencing with your Commander and me. The Orion Empire Council sanctioned it unanimously, and it received the necessary consent of the Secretary of Defense.
Vice Admiral Leeds also suggested you for the Assignment of Commander Task Force 1 within the Phoenix Fleet. Again the selection was supported and affirmed at all levels. We are seeking a response from you by no later than twelve hundred hours, Thursday, March 13, 2256. If you reply positively, the ceremony, along with all others that ripple from this move, will take place in the amphitheater of the ESS Valhalla at thirteen hundred hours Thursday, March 20, 2256. Following the elevation ceremony, a small gathering will attend a cocktail party. A dinner will be held in your honor in the ballroom of the Valhalla at eighteen hundred hours on March 20, 2256. You may invite up to five hundred to the official advancement rite, and up to one hundred to the dinner. The cocktail party is a closed affair. If you answer positively, please include the number of guests you will summon to attend to each event.
Deepest Regards
Admiral Stephen Nichols
It had taken me a few days to get my thoughts and all the personal details together. I responded with the following message.
MEMO
From: Captain Kurt Brubacher Commander ESS Loki
To: Admiral Stephen Nichols Fifth Mobile RAC Theatre Nine Commander
C.C. Admiral George T. Bryant Mobile Fifth RAC Commander, Vice Admiral
Helena Leeds Commander Phoenix Fleet
Re: Offer of Promotion and Reassignment
Date: March 7, 2256
Admiral Nichols,
It has taken me so long to respond to your offer because I was utterly dumfounded by it. While I had thought an elevation and reassignment was in the cards, for me, I did not expect to be raised two levels in both rank and assignment. The generosity of the offer and the confidence you have shown in me is overwhelming.
I am pleased to accept your offer to promote me to the rank of Rear Admiral and Post me as the Commander of Phoenix Fleet's Task Force One Command.
In the days since receiving the proposition, I have accessed all of Phoenix Fleet's personnel records and can see Vice Admiral Leeds's dilemma. I find no one that, I feel I can recommend for the position of Loki Group Commander. While there are those who could occupy the seat and even manage the Group fairly well, there are none that possess all the combined skills that make a good Tactical Commander as well as an able administrator. I will be doing a disservice to Phoenix Fleet, Theatre Nine Command, Mobile Fifth RAC, and the OESA if I endorse someone from my available pool of candidates. Since I do not have access to Theatre Ni
ne, Fifth Mobile RAC, or HQ files, I am unable to dig further to find a suitable contender. I believe that my first responsibility to Task Force 1, will be to find the right person, once I have access to all the files. I would like to recommend the raising of Commander Elasima, currently Executive Officer of the Loki, to the Office of Loki Master. In the six months under my command, he has proven himself worthy of the job. All other positions arising from that upgrade should follow his recommendations. He will make an excellent Captain.
As far as guests go, Admirals Bryant, Vice Admiral Leeds, Commodore Hurst, you, and Admiral Stevens are essentially my family. I would hope all of the above can attend my promotion, which is a testament to their patience and skills. I would also like to ask the entire Senior Officer Staff of both the Loki and the Shenzhen to this affair. That only totals around fifty-six, but they are the people I would like to join both the ceremony and the dinner.
I again wish to thank you for the kind offer, and for your tutoring and coaching throughout my career. I will look forward to seeing you when I report to Admiral Bryant's office aboard the Valhalla on October 20, 2256.
Captain Kurt Brubacher
I called in Elasima and showed him the offer and my response. He congratulated me and gushed at his own pending promotion - effusively thanking me for the recommendation. I explained that I only made the suggestion because he deserved it. Ten hours after sending the email response to Admiral Nichols, I received the following.
MEMO
From: Admiral Stephen Nichols Theatre Nine Commander
To: All Fleet Commanders Theatre Nine
C.C. Admiral George Bryant Commander Mobile Fifth RAC, Fleet Admiral W.O.
Stephenson OESA C&C
Re: Reassignment of Rear Admiral Lee Chang Commander Task Force 1 Phoenix Fleet
Date: March 7, 2256
All,
I am pleased to make the following announcement on behalf of the OESA.
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