“Why don’t we bring it forward?”
Rihan beamed back. “I’m up for it. But we need to ask Sue and Art. Oh and we need to get leave.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem right now. None of us have a command.”
“I’ll ask them now shall I?”
“Yeah sure.” He watched his fiancé glide through the bodies in the bar area. ‘I could look at that forever’ he said to himself. But somehow he was conflicted. He wanted to spend more time with his love but he felt lost without his ship. With all the noise, talk and clinking of glasses all around him he was light years away. He could see that first day he boarded the Hermes and how complete he felt with his first independent command.
“Sir…Sir” said Chase “another round?”
“Oh Chase. Sorry I was a million miles away. No I’m right. How’s the knee?”
“Better Sir. By the way Sir, when do you think we’ll hear about postings?”
“Soon I imagine. They can’t let valuable blokes like you sit idle can they?”
Chase smiled. “I better get these drinks.”
Dave nodded. ‘I wonder what posting I’ll get.’
Chapter 6. Chester 1800, 20 March
“Right Maam” said Dave through his phone “I’ll be there at 0830.” He hung up and looked across the table at Rihan.
“Well?”
“I have to front up to the Admiral’s office tomorrow morning.”
“And?”
“I don’t know what for. I’m just a lowly commander remember.”
“You can be difficult at times Dave. I bet it’s your posting. So long as they remember that we have next month off.”
“Next month?”
She frowned at him “Very droll Dave.”
He smiled. “How could I forget?”
“You men, you’re all the same. You all for hurrying up when you want to get laid and then once you do you can’t remember what you were hurrying up for.”
“Oh I haven’t forgotten what I’m hurrying up for.” He stood up. Went around behind Rihan’s chair and whispered in her ear and gave her a kiss on her ear lobe.
She moaned slightly. “Oh you are a smooth talker Dave Warner.”
Chapter 7. Chester 0828, 21 March
Dave was told to take a seat when he arrived outside the Admiral’s office. Matt Turiq came out to invite him in. As he entered he saw a familiar face, that of Admiral Phil Yomoto, Commander Special Operations at Polaris Fleet HQ. Rose and Phil stood as he entered. Dave stood to attention and saluted. After a few words of welcome they sat down in the easy chairs, rather than around Rose’s desk.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here aren’t you Dave” said Phil.
“It crossed my mind Sir.”
“Don’t worry I’m not here to give you any grief, well maybe but that depends on how you view this mission I have for you. Let me explain…”
Two hours later, Rihan poked her head into the office of the Admiral’s assistant. The assistant just shook his head. “But they’ve been in there two hours” said Rihan.
“I can call you Commander when they come out.”
The door opened and Rihan saw Yomoto shaking hands with Dave. She smiled innocently. Phil saw her. “Commander Kabel.”
“Yes Sir.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you. Congratulations are in order I believe.”
“Why thank you Sir.”
“Would you and your fiancé dine with me tonight? I think we’ll have a lot to talk about. But I’ll let Dave fill you in beforehand.”
“Sure Sir. Love to.”
Yomoto went back into Rose’s office and the door closed.
“Let’s get a coffee” said Dave.
They took their coffee to one of the outside tables and sat down.
“Well?”
Dave had a stern expression on his face. “It’s serious Darling.”
“How serious?”
“I have a new mission.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Do you want the good news or the bad news?”
“Oh just give it to me anyway Dave. I can’t stand this anymore.”
Dave smiled. “It’s alright Darling” and he put his hand on top of hers on the table.
“What’s the bad news then?”
“I’m going away for a very long time. It’s going to be extremely dangerous and there will be little support.”
“When? How long?”
“In a month or two. I don’t know exactly how long but we’re talking at least two years.”
“Oh shit! Where, for what purpose?”
“I am to lead a mission to support Evie bring about an uprising in the rogan empire.”
“My God!”
“I’ve got a new command” said Dave with smile “she’s the Resolute. The first of a new class of capital ships. She looks a beauty Rihan. She will be commissioned in May in Polaris. We can get married there next month. Your family can be there. It will be great.”
“Yes but what, then you leave me for two whole years? You accepted this didn’t you without consulting me?” Her dander was up now. Her face was flushed and her eyes were searing into Dave like a laser.
“No I haven’t accepted it honey. I told Yamoto I would give him our decision tonight.”
She calmed down a bit. “Our decision?”
“Yes our decision. You have to commit too.”
“I have to commit to what, you leaving me for two years?”
“No silly to being my XO, to coming with me.”
“Oh Dave they won’t agree to that. You know the policy.”
“They will agree to it honey. I want you to share this with me.” He leaned closer towards her and kissed her gently on the lips.
She gave him a light peck in return. “What rank?”
“That’s my Rihan!” he said with a smile. “Commander for you, Captain for me.”
“So what you get a promotion but I don’t.”
“Oh come on Rihan I had to argue like hell to get them to agree to this. Please don’t get hung up about things like status. We’ll be together doing what we both love.”
“What about falling pregnant?”
“We can put that on hold till we get back?”
“Oh we can, can we?”
Dave rubbed his forehead with both hands. ‘It’s not that long Rihan. You’re still young. You’ve got plenty of time to start a family.”
“Yes but you mightn’t”
“Ouch!”
“Oh I’m sorry Dave that was mean of me.” She sat back and pondered for a moment. Then she leaned in again “So what’s this Resolute like then?”
Chapter 8. Chester 2345, 21 March
She gave Dave a nudge. He didn’t respond. He just lay there on his back snoring. She gave him a harder prod. His body reacted with a jerk.
“What” he managed to utter.
“You’re snoring. Roll over.”
“Ugh” and he rolled over onto his side and back to sleep.
She recalled how happy he looked tonight with the Admiral discussing plans. ‘Would I be happy?’ she thought. She recalled how after Xmas she had set her mind to falling pregnant in order to give Dave the family he so missed. ‘Now it’s off the agenda because he wants this new command, this new mission.’
She looked up at the ceiling where the reflected lights from the city played. They gained access through a gap in the curtains. ‘Well the die is cast. Let’s pray we don’t regret this.’
Chapter 9. Chester 0930, 22 March
The crew of the Hermes, along with others from various Fleet units, including many of the survivors from the Chicago took their seats in the large hall. Art and Sue were there. So was Evie. Vice Admiral McCubbin and her senior staff were seated in the front row along with Dave and Rihan.
It was not every day that most of them would be addressed by a full Admiral let alone the Head of Special Operations. Phil Yomoto strode into the hall and went direct
to the podium. His big deep voice was amplified by the sound system and it filled every space within the hall.
“Lock the doors please” he boomed. “What I am about to tell you is classified top secret. For those of you who don’t know me I am Admiral Yomoto, head of special operations at Polaris Fleet HQ. I have come all the way from Polaris just to speak with you. For some time now I have been following the exploits of the FFS Hermes, her commander and crew. You impressed on Alpha Phi, were heroic on Klaster and now over Fulmar you have pulled off a very important victory.”
“Yes you lost your ship but you should be proud of what you achieved. You displayed what is known in this business as the right stuff. In this hour of peril as we face off against a mighty empire we need people with the right stuff. The Federation needs you. I need you for a mission of truly strategic import.”
“This mission is nothing less than to ferment rebellion in the rogan empire. It is going to be a long and dangerous job. But it is vital to our survival. It will require a special flotilla, led by a special commander and crewed by special warriors, the best that we can proffer.”
“That special commander is your Commander Dave Warner and you are the special crew that will man a flotilla of special ships led by the soon to be commissioned Resolute, a new class of capital ship. Two new Phantom class frigates will support her along with a new Base Force. The Resolute comes with its own fighters. Everything is state of the art.”
“You will be going deep into enemy territory, territory that we have never explored but we have a guide Evie Plentun of the Rogan Resistance. The Resistance is substantial and growing but they need our help and they need it soon.”
“So we depart for Polaris in a few days. You will all have one month leave upon arrival. Work up for the new force begins in June and you depart in July. You will be away for approximately two years.”
That got everyone murmuring.
“I hear you. Two years is a long time. To offset this you will all receive a hardship allowance equal to 25% of your normal salary. You will be given four month’s leave on return and the normal Fleet policy preventing partners from serving in the same command will be suspended for the duration of the mission.”
That seemed to have placated most. Yomoto cast a penetrating gaze around the hall. He looked satisfied. “I have had a very pleasant task to perform these last couple of days. In conjunction with Vice Admiral McCubbin I have compiled a list of awards and promotions arising from the recent engagements. These have been promulgated effective this morning.”
“It will take far too long for us to go through these here and now. But I do want to signal out for exceptional judgement, leadership and valour the following personnel, without whom this victory over Fulmar would not have been possible: Captain Dave Warner, Commander Aubrey Bellard, LCmd Sue Chalker, LCmd Art Simons, 1st Lt Val Gomez, WO2 Steff Heeley, WO2 Emil Faruk and Sgt Heather Baines.” Yomoto started clapping and everyone followed suit.
Chapter 10. Chester 0855, 23 March
Dave was in an office at Raleigh HQ trying to get on top of all the administration, especially regarding personnel appointments.
He heard a knock at the door and looked up to see Val. She came in and tried her best to give him a salute. But it was a poor effort with her stiff shoulder still recovering.
Dave smiled and cut her a salute in response. “They suit” he said.
She crooked her head to see the extra pip marking her 1st Lt badge of rank. “Sure do!” she said with a grin.
“What can I do for you Val?”
“I want Tracy to come on this mission.”
Dave smiled with an expression that said ‘so that’s how it is, is it?’ “And pray tell, just how can that happen. She’s not even enlisted in the Fleet.”
“You could do it Sir. She’s managed an entire hotel. By all accounts you could use someone with good organisational skills.”
“Not as much as you could use her other skills and attributes I guess.”
“Oh come on Sir. I need her. She’s willing to enlist. She can be my assistant.”
“What about her recruit training?”
“We’ve got three months in warp…plenty of time. Please.” Val’s big dark eyes were indeed pleading with him.
“Oh hell it’ll be two years before I can be reproached for this decision.”
Val enthusiastically embraced him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“It’s subject to a medical and psych test. You need to do it today. Make sure she enlists by close of business, get her insurances and all that crap done by then too and you both better be ready to go at 0800 tomorrow with the rest of us.”
“Of course. Consider it done. You are wonderful and she gave him a wink.”
“Are you still here?”
“Not any more” she called out as she left the office.
Dave hardly returned to his admin when another knock came. This time it was Aubrey also with her new rank on full display.
“You wanted to see me Sir.”
“Yep, take a seat. I don’t have much time Aubrey. So I’ll cut to the chase. I want you to command one of the new frigates. Are you up for it?”
Aubrey’s beaming expression told him she was.
“Good. I’ll take that as a yes. Here, you have first dibbs at these frigate crew lists. Let me know who you want by 1200 hours.”
Aubrey was still silent.
“Well go on” said Dave.
“Yes Sir, thanks” she finally said and left.
As she left Dave could see a line of people waiting outside. ‘How am I going to deal with them and do this at the same time?’ Just at that moment Rihan came walking down the corridor. “Rihan.”
She gave him a big smile. “Yes Captain Warner.”
“See all these people, they want to see me about some urgent matter that must be attended to, apparently by only me.”
Rihan nodded with a knowing smile creeping onto her face. “Yes?”
“I also have all this admin I need to do by close of business. Can you help?”
“You want me to do the admin don’t you?”
He nodded.
“OK, leave it to me.”
“Thank you” he said and took hold of her face with both hands and gave her a big kiss on the lips in front of everyone. There were smiles all round.
“Right who’s next?”
Before You Go
Thank you for reading Redemption. I’d really appreciate you taking the time to rate the book and share it with your friends. So please respond to the “Before You Go” prompt that will appear on your Kindle as you finish the book.
Dave O’Connor
Acknowledgements
Once again I must thank my wife, Joy, who encouraged and supported my writing.
Peter Winship (author of the John Connor crime books) also provided valuable feedback and advice both in terms of writing style and getting published. He very generously shone a light for me and, coming from someone who has trodden the path already, this was very reassuring.
John Hemry (author of Jack Campbell’s The Lost Fleet series) gave generously of his time to advise on how I could get published. His ‘pay it forward’ attitude was most appreciated.
The Australian Society of Authors (www.asauthors.org ) provided good advice on being an author and sponsored Steven Lewis’ E Publishing course (www.taleist.comwww.warpdrivepublishing) which I found to be valuable.
Book 3 of Warner’s World
The adventure continues in Book 3 of Warner’s World: Insurrection.
Dave Warner has a new wife, a new ship and a new mission to sow the seeds of resistance in the rogan empire. They are to practice the dark arts deep within enemy space, ferment insurrection and weaken the stronger foe from within. Only trouble is the enemy is more than capable of creating its own deceit and deception. Who will strike first? How low is each side prepared to go? In the race to the gutter, where the stakes are measured in star systems, is it possibl
e to prevail and still retain your principles?
Visit www.warpdrivepublishing.com for more details.
Purchase it from Amazon here: Insurrection on Amazon
Warnerpedia
Get your free copy of Warnerpedia at www.warpdrivepublishing.com. It answers your questions on ‘who, what and where” in the Warner’s World series.
This reference document comes in three formats - Word, PDF or MOBI. It contains a listing of all the characters in all the books, listed by first name, last name, rank, role, organisation and the book they first appeared in. There is also a list of the weapons, vehicles, ships and other equipment used in the series. All the cities, places, planets and star systems are listed so you can look up exactly where events are happening. A glossary is also provided.
With the Word format the data is listed in sortable tables. So it makes it easy to find that character using one of their attributes - first name, last name, organisation etc.
Extract
From
INSURRECTION
Book 3 of Warner’s World
Prologue In warp to Polaris 2330 hours, 16 April 2513
Commander Rihan Kabel of the Federation Fleet was in full recline on her chair aboard the interstellar shuttle. Her fiancé lay asleep beside her. She had just woken up from a dream, a bad dream. A dream no mother ever wants. But then Rihan was not a mother anymore.
Technically she never was for until your baby is born you can’t lay claim to that title. But in her heart she had been and she wondered now if she ever would again.
She closed her green eyes and if her fiancé, Captain Dave Warner, had seen them he would have said ‘how serene’. But he would have been wrong.
She drifted off and was back there again – back in Shangri-La on Klaster, back in the place where she had first made love to Dave, where he had first professed his love, where they had first conceived and where they had been so happy, so happy until…
Redemption: Book 2 of Warner's World Page 36