At maximum speed, Ray was pulling into the
hangar within minutes where Sande and her medical
team were waiting.
7
Preparing Zeus
The day dawned bright and warm on the California coast. Commander Alec Salvatore of the US Navy Construction Battalion 4 stood in front of a formation of forty ‘Seabees’ outside one of the massive warehouses at Port Hueneme. Behind him were over a hundred wooden crates and metal boxes of assorted sizes in two stacks, the result of a three am call. It was all very hush hush. There had been none of the usual in-depth mission pre-briefing. His orders were simple; prepare for construction assistance for a twelve-month deployment in a remote location in a temperate zone. No heavy construction equipment would be required, pre-stage and wait for a seven am pickup.
It wasn’t the first time he had been given scant information about a rush deployment. Usually though it meant heading to a combat zone. He was curious about the lack of heavy equipment. He called the detachment to attention as his CO, Captain Stuart Benner, drove up in his hummer. The Captain put the men and women at ease. Usually he would have a few words to say to the group before any mission but this time he had none to give; even he was not briefed on their destination. The Captain stood next to the Commander running an experienced eye over the crates staged before him. He could see everything was in order but said nothing. To do so would show a lack of confidence. The detachment Senior Chief brought over mugs of coffee and the three of them stood around casually chatting as they waited. Ten minutes went by, then without notice, two Barques materialized in front of them. The huge blue triangular patch with the gold lightning bolt through the center on the side of each of the Barques left no doubt. They were deploying with the EDF. Trying to look unimpressed the Captain came to attention as Warrant Officer Karen Lindstrom looking drop dead gorgeous in her blue Battalion flight suit marched up, came to attention, and saluted.
“Warrant Officer Lindstrom Senior Pilot, Sir. We are pushed for time so if we could begin loading immediately. The Flight Chief will take care of getting your personnel to their seats. We will manage the loading.”
Not waiting for a reply, she saluted again and turned to the crewmembers exiting the Barques, “Load up. We have fifteen minutes.”
Salvatore was astounded as the Barque crews attached antigrav units to the crates and moved them aboard with ease. He turned to his CO, “we need to get some of those.” He saluted and shook hands with his CO who wished him luck. He turned, picked up his sea bag and headed toward the nearest Barque.
“Commander your transport is over here,” said Lindstrom as a Jaguar dropped out of the sky. “There is room for three.” In less than fifteen minutes the Barques followed the Jaguar vertically leaving a stunned Captain Benner standing alone in front of the warehouse. The early morning breeze blowing grit on his brilliantly shined boots.
The three days since the meeting with the Hevinian Minister proved to be the busiest ever aboard the Orion. First to arrive was James Wright and the SETI group. There were only five of them so finding accommodations for them was no problem. Lieutenant Commander Pete Smith, the Senior Officer of the Navy supply corps announced the transfer order had come through and the Navy supply detachment was now officially part of the Confederation and the Brigade. A formal transfer ceremony could be held after the Orion was underway and things slowed down. At 1100 ship’s time,
Commander Alec Salvatore, now Commanding Officer of the US Navy Construction Battalion 4 Detachment, his Executive Officer and Command Senior Chief arrived in the hangar bay.
Senior Flight Sergeant Deming met the group and escorted them to the collection of packing crates Tom liked to call his office. Tom was meeting with Alexander Allain, Orion’s Executive Officer (XO) at the time but he waved the Commander over. Salvatore presented his orders to Tom without saluting. Tom studied the man for a few seconds before reaching out his hand. The Commander was tall and lean with a chiseled jaw and piercing eyes, his well weathered tanned face and hands indicated he spent a lot of his time outdoors. His CV which had preceded him showed he was 35 years old and a fifteen-year veteran of the Seabees with a wellearned reputation for being highly organized and tough. Tom looked down at the orders; the CB’s were ordered to Altis-5 for a twelve-month tour. For operational purposes, they would come under the command of the EDB. Tom looked up, he recognized a professional when he saw one, and shook his hand.
“Welcome aboard Commander, may I introduce Commander Allain, XO of the Orion.”
They shook hands all around as Salvatore introduced his XO and Command Senior Chief. “Let me show you where you will be staging your equipment.” Deming drove them to one of Orion’s massive holds where they stored the big Hevinian multipurpose construction machines. These machines had been used to remove all the construction debris from the village for President Umberto’s first visit to the Orion. It seemed pointless to pack them back into crates. The
Commander was impressed and was interested in how the Carvorite engine worked. The Hevinian called over to a technician and asked him to brief the Commander on their Carvorite engines and antigrav capabilities. The crewman opened a compartment and pointed to the large grey smooth plates.
“These plates are made from Carvorite that when excited in this configuration attracts and expels microscopic atmospheric debris and air at an enormous rate. The pressure of the dust and air mixture turns the blades of this turbine which provides the power to run the machine.”
“Very interesting,” said Salvatore as the crewman closed the panels. “I see now why we were not required to bring any of our own heavy construction equipment these will make our job so much easier.” Being a combat Engineer, he was already envisioning other uses for the equipment. “I presume we will get a chance to train on them during the trip?”
“Yes,” said Tom. “You and your men will also need training on the Hevinian weapons and transports. You will have plenty to do.”
“I am not familiar with the logistics of a Seabee Brigade Commander,” said Allain. “What will you need to accommodate everyone?”
“We are a completely self-contained unit,” said Commander Salvatore. “We bring everything from shovels to shithouses.” He looked around the cavernous space. “There is enough room in here for all our equipment. We can use the crates to section off areas for maintenance and administration. We will need assistance from your Chief Engineer to arrange sewage, freshwater and grey water plumbing and electrical power though. Our supply and logistics folks are on their way up in one of the Barques. By the way, how do I get a couple of those? Anyway, we should have a plan together by noon and by this time tomorrow, we should be good to go.”
“I am impressed Commander,” said Allain. He turned and gestured toward Sande who had just arrived. “I have asked our ship’s Environmental Technician to assist you. If there is anything you need just let her know. Now if you will excuse me I will be about my duties.”
Tom did not see Sande arrive but he could tell she was there by the look on Salvatore's face. He turned and as always, he was struck by her beauty.
“May I introduce Sande Skylar, ship’s
Environmental Technician and my fiancé.” He included that last statement for the benefit of the Commander who he knew was a bachelor.
“Good morning, Commander,” said Sande. “If you will follow me I will show you the plumbing and power connections built into the deck. I had them color coded according to Earth standards and fitted with universal connections. That should make your planning easier. If you look at the side of the hold you will notice there are three large panels. These are connecting points for the Barques. Once the Barque is secured to the bulkhead the panel will open to allow you to remove your equipment efficiently.”
“Thank you…” The Commander hesitated not knowing the correct way to address her.
“If you need a formal title then call me Nurse Skylar. I am the ship’s Nurse as well as the
Environment
al Technician. If you need any further help please let me know.” She turned to Tom. “There is a small birthday party for Commander Winters’s wife in the Café tonight would you escort me?”
“Of course,” said Tom. “It would be my pleasure.” There was a thud against the bulkhead, then a hissing sound as a Barque moored to the hold and of the large panels slid open. Several sailors stepped out, they looked smart in their grey and black camouflaged uniforms. The leading sailor, a confident looking lieutenant, stepped up
“This is different, Commander, cozy and really different,” he said standing with his hands on his hips looking around.
Lieutenant Brown was twenty-eight years old. He had deployed five times to three different war zones in his four-year career. Within minutes of boarding the Barque he was completely at home with it. Now inside the Orion his brain was already working on the task at hand. To him the massive hold was no different than the huge hangar bays of the amphibious assault ships that he was very familiar with.
“OK Gentlemen, let’s get to work,” said
Commander Salvatore. “We have to be ready in two days.”
“Ah! Here is Sara,” said Tom. “She will arrange berthing for you and your men in the bachelor area of our village. I will leave you in her capable hands.”
That afternoon five Australian Army Officers, surveyors from the Corps of Royal Australian Engineers arrived. Captain Fosdyke, the Officer in Charge, reported in to Colonel Markham. He marched over to Tom’s desk, stamped his feet as he came to attention and snapped a very smart open hand salute. Tom returned the salute and received his orders. The Captain and his men were also assigned to the EDB for one year and would provide any surveying work needed and accept any other duties as necessary. Once again Sara was called to provide billeting.
Early on the morning of the second day Colonel Markham and Captain Querrion held a status meeting. Commander Salvatore reported that the Seabees were all aboard, settled in and ready to go. Lieutenant Commander Smith reported that all supplies received so far were stored away. He and his supply team had been assigned to the Brigade temporarily and brought aboard to assist with the receipt and storage of supplies needed by the Brigade. It soon became obvious that their expertise would be needed on a permanent basis and they had requested a formal transfer. The Brigade Commanders reported they were ready and Sara Anderson stated that the village also was ready. Captain Querrion was fascinated by the Seabees and
congratulated Commander Salvatore on the speed and efficiency of the embarkation.
“All in a day’s work Captain,” said Commander Salvatore. “Everything is containerized and staged at the Brigade or Supply Center ready to go at all times. All we do is decide which containers we need to do the job. Normally it takes several days using loading and transport equipment available on Earth. With the Hevinian Barques it was a snap.”
“Then all we have left to do is receive our perishable supplies and we are ready,” announced Tom. “At noon today, there will be a welcoming ceremony on Earth for the arriving Hevinian fleet. Tomorrow at 1800 the Hevinian Colonial Minister, the President of the World Confederation and the President of the United States will arrive aboard Orion. The Hevinian Minister will brief us on what we can expect to find on Altis-5. We will hold the brief in the village square. Obviously not everyone will fit in the square so the brief will be broadcast on the ship’s closed-circuit video screens. The US President will however visit both the Brigade and the Navy units personally to wish everyone good luck. This is an informal visit but I want traditional honors as they step aboard. As I said, this is an informal visit so nothing will interfere with the provisioning. Commander Salvatore we will need your Seabees to help load the perishable stores under the direction of our supply folks. Are there any questions? No? Good. Captain Querrion will now brief us on the trip.”
Captain Querrion stood. “I understand that this is an historic moment for all of you but for the crew of the Orion it is just a routine voyage. Once underway all the unmanned storage holds will be secured. The rest of the ship will be open to all apart from the Command Center. I do not anticipate any problems but I expect senior officers and village leaders to maintain order. This is a short trip by our standards but things can get tense when so many people are trapped together in a small space. It may seem large now but once we are a month into the trip trust me it will get smaller. My advice is to keep everyone busy and entertained and the time will pass quickly. So, barring any unforeseen delays I plan to leave orbit tomorrow as soon as the dignitaries have left. Once we clear the debris field and leave Solar’s system I will open the recreation area on deck five for all personnel.” Seeing their look of surprise, he added with a smile, “the busiest time for a supply vessel is when we are in orbit. The recreation staff is assigned other duties so we routinely close the area.”
He approached the screen. A chart showing the course the Orion will take to Altis-5 was displayed. “I will keep this chart displayed on the ship’s information screens. I find it has a calming effect when people can see where they are and where they are going. If we pass close to a planet of interest we will inform everyone and display it on the screens. There is a large threedimensional view screen in the recreation area. We have cameras mounted forward and aft, when the images are sent to this screen it gives the effect of flying through space. Are there any questions? Then that concludes my brief. Thank you.” He sat down.
“Thank you, Captain. I understand we will be able to view the Hevinian welcoming ceremony down on Earth on the ship’s video screens.” Tom looked over at his Battalion Commanders. “Are the preparations complete, to transport the dignitaries to the welcoming ceremony by noon Earth time? His Commanders nodded. Very good, then I will see everybody at 1800 tomorrow to greet our guests.”
When everyone had left his office, he pulled out his pre-departure list and began checking off the items. With the last item checked off, he sat back in his chair and began to relax a little. His door opened without a knock and Sande walked in, pulled over a chair and sat down across the desk from him.
“We need to talk.” Tom went into instant panic. Those were the four words most men dread; the classic prelude to the breakup. Usually it is followed by it is not you, it’s me.
“We need to talk about the wedding.” Tom started breathing again.
“I am not prepared to wait until we get to Altis-5. The President of your World has asked for an invitation and we cannot disappoint him.”
“But that means we will have to have the wedding between 1800 and departure tomorrow,” said Tom.
“Marcie thinks we should do it right after the brief. Everyone will be there. We can have the reception after the Presidents and the Minister leave. It will be a great start to the voyage. Don’t you think?”
Tom looked into her eyes and was mesmerized. There was no way he was going to refuse. “OK.”
There was a shriek from behind the door and Marcie and Anne came rushing in. They had obviously been listening. “Great,” said Marcie as they whisked Sande away. “Ray and Kris are on their way. We presumed they will be your best men, we will do the rest.”
Tom sat back in his chair wondering what just happened. There was a knock at the door and Sergeant Deming came in with a tray holding four cups of Muska followed by Ray and Kris grinning from ear to ear.
“Now,” said Kris smiling, “about your bachelor party.”
8
The Departure
It made sense to use to the amphitheater near the town of Tympaki for the Hevinian welcoming ceremony. Situated on the southern coast of Crete made it ideal. The seating was still in place from the international funeral from the Battle for Earth only a few short weeks ago.
Once again, a cordoned off landing zone next to the amphitheater allowed the Barques to discharge their passengers. Barques were landing and discharging dignitaries and their entourages non-stop for two hours. At one point, there were four Barques stacked up over the landing zone wa
iting to land. Security was tight; creating a bottle neck and slowing the proceedings but figured into the planning. The Barque schedule was necessary considering the monumental task of picking up leaders from all over the world. One premier decided he was far too important to bow to a schedule and when the Barque landed to pick him up he sent a message that he would be delayed and they were to wait. Unfortunately for him Warrant Officer Lindstrom was the pilot. She gave him five minutes as per her orders then left without him, therefore she was rewarded by a round of applause from the dignitaries already onboard. Confederation aides were running around escorting people to their seats and, apart from a few glitches, things were going well.
Locally recruited catering staff were everywhere bringing drinks to all the guests and by 11:50 GMT, everyone was settled in. The major communication companies were in place ready to broadcast worldwide. Billions of people, almost the entire population of Earth who had a television or could get to a television were watching. The world waited. Clouds over the island parted as if on cue and the amphitheater was bathed in sunlight. William Umberto walked up to the podium and the crowd stood and applauded. Since the defeat of the invading Kaedian fleet he had become wildly popular. William said nothing he simply turned and looked up into the sky. It was impossible for the crowd not to look up as well. At precisely 12:00 noon, a shoebox the size of a house dropped vertically out of the sky. There were no windows, the skin of the box was pure white and slick as if covered in wet oil paint. The ceremonial Barque slowed and stanchions extended underneath. The vessel settled silently and gently on the grass in full view of everyone. A few seconds passed then a large door opened and a ramp extended to the ground. The crowd was silent and it was like they were watching an old scifi movie but the illusion ended abruptly when Beltran appeared and strode quickly down the ramp smiling and waving at the crowd casually dressed in a loose-fitting white shirt and pants that accentuated his perfect tan. Behind him came fifteen equally well tanned and casually dressed Hevinians. When he reached the podium, he greeted William like a long-lost friend, they exchanged a few words then William turned to the crowd.
Altis-5: Book #2 of the Sleeper Series Page 8