Belwen looked up from his panel and smiled, “The issue is power. Adding more powerful fuel to an old reactor isn’t as good as replacing it with a newer model. Now that the new ships are here, you can send the old ones to be retrofit with the new reactor. They won’t take the hull stresses of the new model but if we add the modifications those three children made to their ships; I think they might be able to hold their own.”
Dat looked at Belwen, “What changes did you see?”
“They’ve found a way to get the new blaster to build up energy and release it in a pulse. They’ve also managed to manipulate the shape of the force field so that it assumes the shape of a cone. According to my measurements, it increased the power fivefold.”
Gresha nodded, “They used that new blaster to prevent an attack from the open end of the cone.”
Belwen nodded, “Yes they did.”
Katherine looked at Belwen, “Could they have stopped those invaders without the modifications they did?”
Belwen tilted his head and shook it slightly, “I doubt they would have stopped them all. One would have probably made it through.”
Katherine looked at Brad, “Please collect the information on what they did and start modifying all our new ships.”
“I’ll get on it right away.”
Katherine looked at Dat, “Whatever they did to make those changes, their ships didn’t have to be rebuilt; the other ships should be modified rather easily. What are you going to do with them?”
“What do you mean?”
“We’re certainly not going to punish them for something that saved our lives and allowed us to keep the planetary force field secret. They’ve also demonstrated remarkable command skills during this encounter.”
Dat looked at Gresha and saw her slowly shake her head and turned back to Katherine, “Sir, They’re only eighteen years old; putting them in a command role would cause resentment among senior ship commanders ordered to report to them; there are many officers with more seniority that would also take offense at being passed over for promotion by them.”
Katherine stared at Dat and said, “How do their crews feel about them?”
Dat shook his head, “I honestly don’t know. I’ve done my best not to show any partiality toward them.”
“I do.”
Everyone looked at Kelli, “I was with the fleets prior to them coming here and I was curious about how Dat’s children were being received by their ship’s crews. I had my Executive Officer accidentally show up at a bar that Angelica’s crew frequented. He says they were suspicious at first but now they’d fight anyone that shows her disrespect. It appears they believe she takes keeping them safe quite seriously. That’s why no one heard about the modifications. Their crews won’t do anything that would cause their Captains issues. These changes weren’t mentioned to anyone outside of the three Arvolo’s crews.” Kelli paused, “You know how difficult it is to keep that sort of information off the grapevine.”
Katherine looked at Brad, “Issue promotion papers for those three. Make them Commodores and give them three thousand Jukeboxes to command. Assign all three groups to a planet with a spaceport and give them sixty days to train their commands.”
Dat stared at Katherine, “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Katherine smiled, “How old were you when you were secretly promoted to Fleet Admiral?”
“That’s different.”
“How old, Dat?”
Dat sighed, “Nineteen.”
“I suspect they’ll do quite well. You’re more concerned about frivolous issues that revolve around your reputation instead of strengthening our fleet. They could add to our strength.”
“Playing favorites is not frivolous.”
“You saw the battle. Do you not think the rest of our fleets won’t be shown this recording; they’ll see how they piloted their ships? I suspect if you ask for volunteers to join their units, you’ll be overwhelmed with requests.” Katherine thought for a moment and said, “That is exactly how we’re going to do it. Brad, send the recording of this battle out to all our ships along with a request for ships to volunteer to form three elite units that will be used to carry out our most difficult missions. Let them know the three Arvolos will be commanding them.”
Gibbs entered the room, sat down, and listened to Katherine. He shook his head, “You can do whatever you want with them but they will stay in my fleet.”
Shane leaned back, “Why?”
Gibbs shook his head and looked at Dat, “I think they just might be better than you are. That is one fine officer I just flew with. Her crew loves her.”
Dat smiled and leaned back in his chair, reached over, and took Gresha’s hand, as the other three Fleet Admirals argued about who was going to get one of the three Arvolo triplets. Gresha ended the argument when she said, “You’ve seen how they work together. They almost read each other’s mind. I would think you would want them to become exactly what Admiral Hull suggested.”
Gibbs said, “What is that?”
“An elite unit any of you could call on to assist your fleets when needed.”
Gibbs looked at Shane and Matt. They shrugged and Gibbs said, “Which of the three will command their unit?”
Gresha and Dat both said at the same moment, “Angelica.”
Katherine looked at them and smiled, “Why do you say that?”
Gresha smiled, “She’s the glue that holds them together. Grest is the strong one that will not bend and Arve is the risk taker. They both depend on her to find consensus among them. I think if you review the fight you’ll see that it was Angel that made the decisions and her brothers followed her without a second thought.”
Dat said, “She won’t accept the position.”
Kat’s eyebrows came together, “Oh, why not?”
“She’ll feel like her bothers are being slighted. If you want her to command the unit you are going to have to interview the brothers first and see what they say about being in command over her.”
Katherine looked at Gibbs and said, “Call them in and conduct the interviews.”
Gibbs looked at his executive officer and he left the room to make the calls.
• • •
Angel sat at a table in the Ship’s cafeteria and pushed her food around her plate. Captain Stone saw her sitting alone as he picked up his tray and walked over to her table, “Do you mind if I join you, Sir?”
Angel looked up and nodded to the chair across from her. Stone sat down and started eating. Angel smiled, “Captain, you did a remarkable job coordinating the ship’s weapon’s today; I was highly impressed with what you accomplished in our first combat.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Angel nodded and looked at her plate. Stone sat back and stared at her, “Do you know what Fleet is going to do about the modifications we made?”
Angel looked up, sighed, and shook her head, “My brothers and I have been ordered to report to Fleet Headquarters to be interviewed; they will be questioned first and I’ll go last.”
Stone looked into Angelica’s eyes and said, “The crew has signed a petition requesting Fleet to not change our current Captain, Sir. We’ve sent the request directly to Admiral Hull’s attention.”
Angel was surprised at the statement, “Whose idea was that?”
Stone shrugged, “Mine, Sir.”
“But this would give you command of a ship if I’m removed?”
“Some things aren’t as important as seeing that the right thing is done, Sir. We’re better with you in command; I’m nowhere close to being as good as you are.”
Angel blew out a breath and her wrist communicator beeped. She looked at it and shook her head, “They want me to report now.”
She stood up and Stone reached over and pulled her tray over to him, “I’ll take care of this.” Angel nodded and left the cafeteria. As soon as she left the room, every sailor in the cafeteria ran over and asked Stone what was going to happen. He told them he didn’t know but to be prepa
red to request Fleet to come to their ship and discuss the issue with them if Angel was removed from command. He saw the crew was determined to resist accepting anyone else. Stone hoped his Commander was going to be ok.
• • •
Angel entered Fleet Headquarters and was taken to an office. She found Admirals Gibbs, Matthews, and McCagg sitting at a table. She went to attention and saluted. Gibbs returned her salute and said, “Take a Chair, Captain.” Angel sat down across from the three Fleet Admirals and wondered if she was going to be sent to prison or kicked out of the service. Gibbs looked at her and said, “Captain Arvolo that was one of the finest jobs of using your ships that I’ve ever seen today. You and you brothers did a remarkable job of defending Earth and I saw that your success was due in large part to the modifications you made on your ship.”
Angel nodded, “They did improve our chances.”
“The Senior Admirals have discussed what happened and Admiral Hull has issued orders that all of our new Jukeboxes will be modified to use the new systems you and your brothers developed. There will be no disciplinary action taken regarding the unauthorized tampering to Fleet Weapon Systems.”
Angel blew out a breath she had been holding and said, “Thank you, Sir.”
“There will be one thing changed regarding your current post in the Navy.”
Angel looked at Gibbs and shook her head, “Please don’t take my ship, Sir.”
“I’m sorry, Admiral; that’s going to happen.”
Angel lowered her head for a moment and then jerked her head up, “What do you mean Admiral?”
“You’ve been promoted to Rear Admiral and will take command of three strike groups that will be used on our most difficult missions. Your brothers will be promoted to Commodore and will command one of them. I need you to select the third Commander to take the other unit.”
“Sir, I appreciate your confidence in me but…”
“Your brothers said they would not accept the command. They insist that you are best qualified to lead the new Fleet.”
Angel stared at the three Admirals and said, “Don’t you think my brothers and I are a little too young to do this? I don’t think most ship commanders would want to report to a teenager.”
“We’re sent the recording of your battle out to the fleets and asked for volunteers to join your unit. We need nine thousand and have had twenty thousand requests come in during the first hour; they’re still coming in as we speak.”
Angel’s eyes widened; she opened her mouth and then closed it. She didn’t know what to say. Admiral Matthews said, “Do you have someone in mind to command the third unit?”
“Captain Stone would be my first choice; he knows as much about the new systems as my brothers and I.”
Gibbs looked at the others, “He was impressive during the battle.” Gibbs looked at Angel, “You will have a Fleet Commander’s Jukebox built for you and it will be delivered shortly. You should go and meet with your brothers and start planning how to get your units trained to make maximum use of the new systems.”
Angel saluted and did an about face. She left the room and then started sprinting to her shuttle. She needed to tell her crew what had happened and tell Stone about his promotion. He was going to be ecstatic.
Chapter Five
Angel arrived on board and went straight to her quarters. She used her communicator to call Captain Stone in and waited for him to arrive. She was afraid of her new position and elated at the same time. Captain Stone came in and she had a huge smile. He saw it and smiled, “They let you stay!”
“Not really.” Stone’s smile disappeared. “They’ve promoted me to Rear Admiral and gave me a fleet to command. I’ve requested that you take command of the third unit and they agreed to promote you to Commodore. You’ll take command of the Wellington and I’m going to be given a Fleet Flagship.”
Captain Stone went to attention and said, “I humbly refuse the promotion, Sir.”
Angel stared at him with her mouth open and managed to say, “You what?”
“I refuse the promotion, Sir.”
“Why?”
“I am your Executive Officer; wherever you go, that is where I should be.”
“But…but…”
“I’m sorry, Sir.”
Angel stared at Stone and saw something in his eyes. “How old are you?”
Stone’s head went back and he said, “Twenty five, Sir.” Angel nodded and Stone said, “Why do you ask?”
“I’ve been blind, haven’t I?” Stone’s face showed his anxiety. “How long have you felt like this?”
“About six months, Sir.”
Angel nodded. She looked at Stone and said, “I really need you. The third unit must be commanded by someone that will fit in with me and my brothers. You are the perfect choice to do that. This crew needs you. You have to take the position.”
Stone looked at the floor and shook his head, “If I have to take command of the third unit then you will have to stay and I’ll go to another ship. Why do you have to take a new ship when this one is perfect for you? Can’t Fleet modify the Wellington to be your Flagship?”
Angel looked at Stone and said, “That is a great idea.”
“The crew will be extremely happy if you can make that happen, Sir.”
Angel looked at Stone and said, “So everyone will be happy except you.” Captain Stone nodded. “What is your first name, Captain?”
“Bret.”
“Well Bret, do you really think you can be happy following in my shadow?”
“As long as you’re the one making the shadow, I can.”
“Then you are going to have to find someone else to take the third unit that would be able to work effectively with us. You will be promoted to Commodore; my executive officer will have that rank. However, if you can find someone to take the position, we will stay together.”
Bret started smiling and said, “Let’s see who I can find.”
Angel came around her desk, walked up to Bret, put her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. She stepped back and smiled, “Go see what you can do.”
Bret’s smile was huge and he said, “Yes Sir.” Angel watched him go and felt her heart beating faster. Some diamonds are right under your nose; she should have seen this one. She went to her panel and contacted Admiral Gibbs, “Sir, would it be possible to modify the Wellington to be my Flagship?”
“Hold on a moment.” Angel waited and after three minutes, Gibbs reappeared and said, “No, not really.” Angel’s face showed her disappointment and Gibbs said, “However, you can move your crew to the new ship when it arrives and it will assume the name Wellington. Will that work?”
Angel smiled, “That would be perfect, Sir.” The panel went dark and she touched her lips. Come on, Bret; find somebody. I want another kiss.
• • •
“Admiral, I think I’ve found a great candidate to Command the third unit.”
“Tell me about them.”
“Her name is Elizabeth Banks and she is currently the commander of a Squadron of Rovers.”
Angel’s eyes narrowed, “You couldn’t find someone in the Jukebox hierarchy?”
Bret shook his head, “Sir, we need Commanders that are excellent pilots first, great command skills second, and everything else third. She has all the attributes that would make her a success in our organization.”
“Who does she report to?”
Bret blew out a breath, “Admiral Kune.”
“How does he rate this Captain?”
“She’s at the top of his short list to promote.”
“He’ll never agree for us to interview her.”
“Uhhh, I sort of went around him.”
Angel shook her head, “What did you do, Stone?”
“I asked Admiral Gibbs to send us the top rated Rover to assist us in training our pilots. She’s arriving in an hour.”
Angel shook her head, “You’re just asking for trouble going around one of our senior Ad
mirals. You know I can’t interview her; you’ll have to sell her on the idea.”
“I know, I know. It’s worth a try.”
Angel shook her head again, “You’re probably right; Admiral Kune would never allow her anywhere near us if he knew we were interested in her.” Angel paused, “Are you sure she’s that good?”
“Her piloting scores at the Academy were only two points lower than yours.” Angel’s eyebrows went up. “The sailors under her command would die for her. She’s really something, Admiral.”
Angel nodded and said, “Good luck.”
• • •
Bret sat in the ready room close to the Rover Launch Tubes and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Captain.”
“Thank you, Commodore. I’ve been told you want to use me to improve the skills of your Rovers.”
“That’s right, Captain; but first, tell me how you feel about flying a Rover instead of a Jukebox Battleship.”
Dizzy smiled, “I would hate to have to fly a ship that big. The Rovers are incredible in their ability to accelerate and maneuver. I really love flying the Rovers.”
Bret knew his work was cut out for him, “Have you seen the new Jukeboxes perform?”
“I’m currently assigned to a fleet of them. They are an improvement over the last model.”
“They’re really incredible in what they can do, Captain.”
Dizzy stared at Bret and tilted her head, “I thought I was here to talk about Rovers?”
“Captain, I want to make you a proposition.”
“Oh, what is that?”
“I want to promote you to command the third unit in our new fleet.” Dizzy stared at Bret and he saw her frown. “Captain, we are going to be on the front lines taking on the most challenging missions.”
“That is the only thing I find even remotely interesting in your offer. You can transfer my Rovers here and we’ll fight with you in our ships. I have no desire to have anything to do with the Jukeboxes.”
Star Rover-Chosen to Die (Lens of Time) Page 6