Too dumbfounded to reply, or do anything but rub his cheek, Jeff stood there experiencing a vague almost half-real memory. Kami turned storming off down the hall leaving him there. His hangover came back with a vengeance, and a sickly feeling filled his stomach as the realization of what happened last night finally took hold.
CHAPTER 35:
BACK TO EARTH
Splashing water on his face Jeff leaned forward onto the edge of the sink. Bright bloodshot eyes stared back at him from the mirror. He knew he should be getting ready to brief the squadrons on their assignments. But Kami’s kiss, or maybe it was the slap, he wasn’t sure, kept running through his mind. There was no doubt about what transpired the night before. The slap seemed to knock most of the haze from his head. Unfortunately it also rekindled the throbbing headache that feigned subsidence up until that point. How he could let something like this happen he wasn’t sure. He wasn’t even sure if he regretted it.
Focusing on his reflection, the bloodshot shot eyes continued to stare back challengingly. They taunted him, forcing him to take a good long look at himself. Fine lines were beginning to crease the corners of his eyes, accentuating the dark bags that had the look of being permanently attached to his face. The sight brought with it a realization of how long it had been since he studied himself. His face looked harder, rigid, and older than his years. The hair at his temples had taken on grey streaks and his ragged, hangover amplified, appearance made him almost feel just as old as he appeared.
Grabbing a towel, he began dabbing his face when the door chime sounded. Ignoring the call, he draped the rag about his neck. Closing his eyes tightly he leaned on the sink once more. The altercation with Kami was running through his mind once more. You’re a world class fuck up, he chastised himself. Getting involved with the XO? What the fuck were you thinking? An odd flutter danced across his abdomen at the thought. Grunting as the door chime called again he pushed the thought from his head. “Yeah, come in,” he called out tiredly.
“Knight?” a voice asked over the sound of the hatch hissing closed.
“That you Skid?” Gripping the towel Jeff hung his arms off it and stepped from the small bathroom. James was lounging in the desk chair idly playing with Jeff’s pack of cigarettes. Pulling two out he lit them offering one to Jeff. “I’ve never seen you smoke before,” Jeff said accepting the cigarette.
“Only when the stress gets a bit high,” James said blowing out a cloud.
Jeff croaked a disgusted laugh. “Yeah.” Turning he pulled down his rack. Taking a long drag he dropped down to the beds surface.
“You want to talk about it?” James asked turning to him, cupping the room’s lone ashtray he’d plucked from the desk in his hand.
“Does the whole crew know?”
“I meant about Spanky,” James laughed picking up on his thoughts. “But I’m sure there’s plenty onboard who haven’t heard. Does it really matter? Everyone knew this was inevitable. Just didn’t expect it to happen under these circumstances.” James blew out another cloud and must have caught a look in Jeff’s eyes quickly adding, “Sorry, that didn’t sound right. What happens with you and Commander Thomas is none of my business. And Spanky. He was…he was one of a kind.”
“That he was Skid,” he said quietly blowing out a grey streamer. Bending over Jeff began pulling off his boots. “Anyway, I need you to assemble the flight crew. As of right now we’re on alert status. Make sure they’re ready to roll within the hour.”
“Stop dodging it Knight, I’ll take care of everything. You need to take care of yourself.”
“I’m not dodging anything, and I don’t have time anyway. Styles put me back on active flight status. We need to―”
“What you need to do,” James said cutting him off, “is get this shit off your chest. You’re not going to do yourself, or anyone else, any good out there until you do!”
“What happened to all that talk of yours about leaving people to deal with shit in their own way?”
James shrugged. “Call me a hypocrite.”
Jeff stared obstinately into his friend’s eyes. The look James threw back was determined. He knew that look, knew that there wasn’t going to be any arguing the point. Sighing in resignation, he took another drag of his smoke and rested his arms on his knees. “Did you know he barely graduated the Academy?” he began. “Guy could fly circles around most anybody, but really struggled with the academics. I helped him a lot there. Just couldn’t get the feel for math or books. Some of the guys called him Durtis,” he laughed uneasily. “Though they all agreed he had a talent for the stick. I wish I hadn’t now. He’d be safe. He’d be home flying a shuttle or something. Spending time with his son…” he trailed off. Bowing his head his voice cracked ever so slightly as he focused on the deck plates, “Oh God Skid. What the hell am I going to tell Laura?”
“The truth,” James voice was somber, “Nothing you say can make it any easier. But the truth is the best place to start.” Snuffing out his cigarette James stood up. “It’ll take time Knight. You’ve been down this road before. Don’t beat yourself up.” Placing a hand compassionately on Jeff’s shoulder he said, “Do what you need to. I’ll go get the crew ready.”
James turned to leave pausing at the hatch a moment when Jeff called after him, “Thanks Skid. For everything.” A weak smile and a nod answered him before James stepped through the hatch. Jeff watched the door close behind his friend and lit another cigarette. I’m turning into a chain smoker, he thought bitterly with a chuckle.
Turning towards the computer terminal resting on his desk, his heart sank into his stomach. Slowly he moved toward the device. Dropping in the chair he pulled up Laura’s contact information. A quick tap and after a momentary pause the beaming smile of his best friend’s wife illuminated the console.
“Why Jeffery!” Laura's image announced joyfully, “How nice it is to see you.”
“Hi Laura,” Jeff answered in as strong a voice he could muster.
***
“Helm, set course for Earth stand by SLD,” Kami barked stepping onto the bridge. “Mister Flores, status.”
“All systems operative Sir,” the young man replied smartly rising from the command chair. “Most of our hull breaches have been shore up. We still have a few aft compartments inaccessible but we’re no longer venting atmosphere, and aside from damage to starboard launch tubes six and seven we’re in great shape to make for dry dock.”
“We’re not going to dry dock,” Kami said absently. “What about our guns?”
“Excuse me Sir?”
“Weapon’s Flores,” she snapped more sternly than she intended, “how do we look?’
“Uh, main batteries are running at approximately eighty percent. Engineering is estimating another day before they’re back to full power. Plenty of shells left for the deck guns but we’re sorely in need of a restock on nukes.”
“What about the rest of the fleet?”
“Pretty similar,” Flores said keying up a series of weapons manifests. “If we get into another scrape like the last one we’ll be throwing pots and pans at them inside two hours.”
“And Caloway probably stocked up on all he could carry,” Kami muttered under her breath. “Schwartz,” she called out turning, “are there any freighters in the vicinity? I’d imagine we should have some kind of restock coming.”
“Just the UES Bennington Commander,” Schwartz called back. “She’s en route from Alpha Centauri but having SLD trouble and about three hours out at sub-light.”
“Damn,” Kami seethed crossing her arms. She didn’t have time to rendezvous with the freighter and bring the fleet home. “Give me a tactical display,” she called out before relieving Flores back to the helm. The screen flickered displaying the familiar computer grid detailing their surroundings. Slowly lowering herself into the command chair, she gripped the arm rests tightly as the grim details of the fleet’s sorry shape illuminated the screen. “Is the rest of the fleet this bad?” she asked absently studying the
display.
“Mostly,” replied Flores, “Admiral Caloway didn’t leave us with much.”
“What do we have to work with?”
“Of the two-hundred and thirty we have, about ninety-eight are experiencing engine trouble. From the carrier group the…ah… the Essex and Riverside are in roughly the same shape as us. The Hornet and Intrepid are pretty banged up but they can fight. We’ve about forty Corvettes and a pretty even mix of Frigates and Destroyers. Sadly only ten Cruisers however, but all are combat ready.”
“One-hundred and thirty-two then,” she whispered to herself. Pinching the bridge of her nose she sighed quietly in resignation to the dire straits. “Mister Schwartz, send to all capable to prepare for SLD jump. The rest are to transfer whatever munitions they can spare then proceed to Alpha Centauri at best possible speed.” Kami glared at the view screen for a long moment as the bridge began buzzing in a flurry of activity. “Tyler,” she said glancing at the flight operations console, “how many birds do we have out?”
“Six Sir; four on long range perimeter patrol and two more flying close cover.”
Kami grumbled to herself. She didn’t like the idea of pulling in guard fighters before they’d sorted themselves out. Sourly she said, “Bring them in, I want to be ready to jump in a moment’s notice. Have the Intrepid double its patrol craft and hold position until the rest of the fleet is away.”
Standing she crossed her arms staring daggers at the viewer. There’s not enough time, the thought was bitter as her mind wandered. Jeff just wouldn’t get the hell out of her head. She needed to talk to Emily. She needed to talk to Jeff. Yes, talk to Jeff, get this settled, but first Emily. The potential of only having days left her with a sense of urgency. “Flores, take the con. Commence SLD jump as soon as the fleet is ready.” Like that, she was stalking from the room not heeding any replies.
***
“Okay you animals settle down,” Jeff said as he stepped through the hatch to the ready room. Victoria’s fighter pilots were quickly finding their seats when Jeff dropped the folder he was carrying on the podium. Rubbing a temple, he quietly scanned the room, quickly spotting Alison slumped in the front row of chairs. Her eyes were as bloodshot at his, and her cheeks red and puffy.
Stepping down to the floor, he walked over to squat down in front of her. “How you holding up?” he asked reaching out to grasp her hand. A low murmur emanated from the crowed. It died down after James forcefully cleared his throat. Jeff nodded in appreciation of the assist. The moment wasn't lost on Alison. She threw a glare about the room, challenging anyone to speak up. Reaching out, Jeff turned her back to face him saying, “Forget about them.”
“I want them dead Jeff,” Alison seethed quietly. “All of them.”
“Hey, I know,” he tried to sooth her. He didn't need a rage blind pilot taking wing during their next encounter with the Drac. “But it won't bring him back.” Alison looked up at him. The dark rings under her eyes gave them the impression of being two red hot coals sitting deep inside two pitch black caverns. He knew the look well, and quickly spoke to ward off the coming outburst, “I just want to make sure you're one-hundred percent. Did you get any sleep last night?”
“I can sleep when I'm dead,” she snapped.
“And my job is to do what I can to keep that from happening,” he countered. “Now are you going to play nice or do I have to ground you?”
A weak smile graced her lips and she lilted sarcastically, “I'm as ready as you are sugar.”
He had that coming and he knew it. He wasn't as sure of himself as he was letting on, and there wasn't enough time to deal with it all. “Let's just forget about whatever happened yesterday,” he said more firmly than he intended. “We can't take any chances.”
“Maybe you can forget it,” Alison grated. “But I can't. And I can't sit here, and let them get away with killin my jungle man.” Her voice was fierce.
Jeff took a deep breath, forcefully blowing it through his nostrils. “All right then,” he whispered after a moment. “Just try not to get yourself killed.” Standing, he braced himself on her desktop and planted a compassionate kiss on her forehead.
Before he could retreat to the podium, Alison grabbed his hand. “Thank you,” she said.
With a smile, he patted her hand and hopped up to the podium. Flipping open the report folder, he made a show of arranging the papers trying to buy himself some time to collect himself. Leaning on his forearms, he scanned the faces intently watching him from the audience and paused at the sight of one parked in the back. “Who’s the new guy?” Jeff called pointing him out.
“Lieutenant Jacobs,” Alan announced snapping to attention, “reporting for duty Sir.”
“That’s a mighty formal reply there Lieutenant Jacobs.” A murmur of laughter followed the remark.
“Sorry Knight.” Alan grinned somewhat abashedly. “Guess I’ve been out of it too long. Heard the whole fighter wing was put on alert status. I want in.”
Picking up on the hesitation in Alan's voice Jeff asked, “You sure you’re ready for this?”
Sounding like his old self, Alan quipped, “I don't see you keeping Mako out of it?”
“Like I could stop her if I wanted to,” Jeff said, “But I can't be babysitting two basket cases during an operation. So, I'll ask you again, are you sure you're ready for this?”
Alan's cheeks flushed. Jeff wasn't sure if it was embarrassed or anger. It honestly didn't matter at this stage of the game. “If I may say so Sir, after what happened to you yesterday…well, I just wouldn’t feel right sitting out because of cold feet.”
“Good, now sit down and shut up.” Straightening a bit, Jeff locked his elbows and gripped the podium studying the young and not so young pilots that put their faith in him. The pain of the all too recent call to Laura threatened to overwhelm him. Twice already in the day he had to surrender sour news. Thankfully or regrettably, he wasn’t sure, his mother was unavailable so a message had to do. Now he was tasked with telling the very people who were charged with pulling off the impossible exactly what was coming. He wished Curtis was in that audience. Imagined him sitting in the front row next to Alison, giving him the strength he needed to take charge.
Looking down to clear his head, to delay the inevitable actually, he flipped closed the folder he’d been studying. Clearing his throat, he began in a thankfully strong voice. “I’m not going to bore you boys with all the details, suffice to say that we’ve got our work cut out for us. We’ve been informed that the orbital defense network on Earth was breached by a Drac scout ship. It’s safe to say the blood suckers know, or will soon enough, where our home is.” The announcement brought on excited chatter from the assembled officers, and questions quickly began flying at him. Raising a hand he spoke up over the ruckus, “Hey, we all knew this was a possibility of the job; part of our oath to defend our home and our people.” The admonishment seemed to do the trick. “We’re in rough shape,” Jeff continued, “but that doesn’t change shit. Within the hour the fleet will be returning to Earth. Our job is to provide cover for a full scale planetary evacuation.”
“Fuck that,” Alison shouted. “Why don’t we just go full bore on those bastards and pound them where they are?”
“That’s Admiral Caloway’s plan. And with any luck he’ll pull some kind of miracle out of his ass allowing us to mop up the leftovers. But in the meantime we need to be ready for anything. We’re beat up, we’re strung out, but we need to hold those bastards back long enough to save as many lives as possible. Command might be throwing us into the back of the bus, but that doesn’t mean we’re any less responsible.”
“Back of the bus?” Joanne sniped. “Where exactly are they putting us?”
“Sorry Apple. That last part was directed more toward the Yellow Jackets. There are, some, people, who believe that Victoria’s CAG is damaged goods at the moment. Nightdippers and Tophatters will be part of any advance force should the Drac make it to Earth. The Jackets will sta
y behind the line and provide cover for the escape craft.”
“Come on Knight, that’s no place for the Jackets,” Jason barked. “And furthermore, any ass-hat who calls you damaged goods needs a shot in the mouth!”
Jason’s bravado was echoed by no less than half a dozen fellow pilots, some of whom began grating against what they considered unfair orders. The grumbling grew in intensity and threatened to become bedlam before Jeff shouted, “Listen!” He scanned the mass a moment until satisfied everyone had calmed down. At least they were keeping their opinions to themselves. “I appreciate your support,” he continued, “but we don’t have time to argue the orders. We’ll get our shot, one way or the other. You know your jobs, what we’re up against, and I believe every last one of you will do what’s necessary to give those fuckers one hell of a welcoming party. If the Drac show up in orbit, then I Goddamned well intend to make it the last thing they ever do.”
Jeff hadn’t realized exactly how motivational his speech had been until a climactic cheer erupted from the mass of pilots crowding the room. Boasts flew through the air along with predictions of a swift and final end to the Drac menace. Pushing down his own reservations, he allowed himself to feel, for a moment at least, the jovial spirit he’d instilled in the crew.
Handing out a few final orders and assigning rotations for alert fighters, he called James over asking him to keep an eye on Alison. He didn't trust himself to make a good judgment call at the moment and needed to clear his head. After James gave his word to look after her, he excused himself from the ready room leaving who was now his oldest friend onboard in charge to handle the details. Walking with a determined pace, his mind raced, trying to make sense of the last twenty-four hours.
***
The spring loaded door slammed shut as Linda stepped into the kitchen. Dropping a pair of gloves on the counter, she filled a glass with water taking a long swallow. It wasn’t particularly warm outside, but the sun did eventually take its toll and the cool water was refreshing. Stretching her arms high above her head, she tried to work the stiffness from her back. She wasn’t sure when exactly her garden became more painful than relaxing, but the flowers were beautiful and worth the effort. Draining the vessel before refilling it, Linda began walking to her room looking forward to a quiet afternoon. Maybe a book and some sweat tea relaxing on the porch would be in order.
In the Blink of an Eye Page 37