Jenetta had had enough of bands and cheering throngs for a while so she specifically requested the reception be a quiet one when she sent a communication to Admiral Holt, the commanding officer at Higgins, informing him that she would be arriving in several days. Her main reason for stopping there was to pick up Admiral Kanes, although she owed Admiral Holt a visit. Still, she hoped to make the stop a quick one and planned to arrive just before dinner because she knew she would be invited to attend at least one meal.
Jenetta was sitting in her chair on the bridge when the space station came into view and the image was projected onto the large front monitor. The sight of Higgins never failed to bring a smile to Jenetta's face. She remembered the first time she had seen the massive space station floating in synchronous orbit above the capital city on the planet far below.
Jenetta requested and received special clearance for a straight-in, high-speed approach. Normally they would spend the better part of a day approaching the station once they reached the outer marker.
After the docking maneuvers were complete and the airlock integrity tested, the hatch of the Colorado was opened. Jenetta stepped out of the ship with her cats and walked down the pier to the dock platform. A security officer with a platoon of Marines waited there. Nearby workers and onlookers, merely curious about the presence of the Marines until that time, recognized Jenetta immediately and began to crowd around. The Marines immediately went to work keeping everyone a few meters away while the security officer snapped to attention and saluted Jenetta.
"Marine Captain Reggerio, Admiral. I have a car waiting to take us to the Admiral's dining facility."
"Lead on, Captain," Jenetta said as she returned his salute.
As the officer turned to lead the way, Jenetta glanced at the crowd that was massing. She smiled, and waved to them. Her acknowledgement brought quick applause and a few people began to shout the two syllables of her last name in a sort of chant that grew in intensity as she walked towards the car.
The two Marines that had been guarding the car jumped into the front seats after Jenetta, her cats, and the captain had climbed into the rear of the large limousine-like vehicle. As the 'oh-gee' limo moved away, the Marines that had kept the small crowd at bay were able to relax and walk to their own vehicles.
At the entrance to the administration section of the base, the car was waved through immediately. There should be relatively few civilians around from that point on and there were none visible as the car braked near the entrance to the dining halls. Marine Captain Reggerio, still nervous after sharing the rear of the vehicle with two enormous and deadly cats, not to mention one of the most senior officers in Space Command, jumped out of the limo almost before it had stopped moving and stood by the vehicle.
As Jenetta stepped out, the two marines at the entrance doors, already at attention, stiffened even more and one activated a tiny device on the forefinger of his left glove to open the doors. Jenetta walked through the doorway with her cats and followed the corridors to Admiral Holt's private dining facility with Marine Captain Reggerio and the two Marine security people as an entourage. Space Command personnel in the corridors moved out of Jenetta's way as she approached, coming to attention with their backs against the walls until she had passed.
Her entourage halted outside the Admiral's dining room as Jenetta entered and the three people talking near the center of the room turned to greet her.
"Welcome to Higgins, Admiral," Admiral Holt said in his booming voice. The six-foot two-inch-tall officer was approaching eighty-five years now but still appeared very fit.
Jenetta walked directly to him and reproached him jokingly with, "Admiral? It was always Jen before and we've known each other since I was a mere Ensign."
"You were an Ensign by virtue of graduating from NHSA, but you were never mere. I recognized that from the time you first arrived at Higgins, ma'am."
Jenetta smiled. "Stop it. It'll always be Jen for you, sir."
"Sir?" he said smiling. "Now who's being formal?"
"Sorry, force of habit. How have you been, Brian?"
"Great, Jen. It's wonderful to see you again."
Admiral Holt extended his hand, but Jen sidestepped it and moved in close to give him the type of hug usually reserved for a favorite uncle. He responded by chuckling, then wrapping his arms around her and hugging her for a couple of seconds.
As she stepped back, he said to her, "You haven't changed a bit. You're still the prettiest officer in Space Command. I could almost wish to have gone through that DNA recombinant procedure myself."
"I didn't appreciate the pain and suffering I went through when the Raider doctors performed the procedure, but I have to admit now, as I move towards middle age, that having the body of a young adult is not altogether unpleasant. At least it hasn't been the hindrance to my career that I once feared."
Nodding and then gesturing towards the officer on his left, Admiral Holt said, "You remember Admiral Margolan, don't you?"
Turning towards Rear Admiral (Upper) Margolan, Jenetta said, smiling, "Of course I do; besides presiding at my court-martial, he pinned on one of my insignia when I was promoted to Lt. Commander." Extending her hand to the thin, five-foot, nine-inch JAG officer who was closer to the mandatory space retirement age than he cared to think about, she said, "How are you, Chester?"
"Just fine, Admiral," he said, his shock of white hair shaking slightly as he nodded his head. "And I prefer Chet."
"Okay, Chet. It's Jen. Congratulations on receiving your second star."
"Thanks, Jen."
"And of course you remember Admiral Kanes," Admiral Holt said.
"Of course. We're old friends," she said looking at the five-foot, eleven-inch intelligence officer. His brown hair was starting to gray slightly at the temples, but his steel-gray eyes were just as piercing as ever. "How are you, Keith? Congratulations on your promotion to flag rank." Jenetta extended her right hand and when he took it, she covered the handgrip with her left hand.
"Thank you, Jen. I'm delighted to have been assigned to your staff in Region Two."
"And I'm delighted to have you with us. We have a monster of a task ahead of us and your knowledge and insight will be invaluable."
"Shall we sit down?" Admiral Holt invited. "I'm sure the meal is almost ready."
Jenetta nodded and took her seat at the table as the others did. As the mess stewards began serving the meal, the quartet engaged in small talk.
When the stewards were finished and had left the room, Admiral Holt asked, "What's the latest in Region Two, Jen?"
Looking at Admiral Margolan, she said, "I'm sure Brian and Keith are aware of this, but I don't know if you've been apprised of the situation in Region Two, Chet. This information is classified secret and should not be mentioned outside this room." Taking a breath, she said, "We have unsubstantiated information the Tsgardi have invaded Region Two with the apparent intent of seizing part of our new territory."
"Unsubstantiated?" Admiral Margolan repeated in a questioning voice.
"The report comes from the Viceroy of Milor. He claims to have received an urgent plea for help from someone on the planet Ekoqulith. As yet we do not have any confirmation through Space Command official channels that the Tsgardi Kingdom is involved, nor even confirmation by Space Command personnel that the planet was attacked. This action, if there was an action, might have even been initiated by the Raiders using Tsgardi mercenaries in the guise of Tsgardi military troops. At this time we just don't know the full situation."
"Given the distance to Region Two," Admiral Holt said, "there appears to be little likelihood we'll be dramatically affected here."
"Perhaps not dramatically, but a new invasion threat may pull some of your patrol forces away. And if Region Two heats up substantially, you may find it a little more difficult to get new supplies and personnel. A war anywhere in our territory will affect everyone in Space Command."
"How do you intend to proceed, Jen?" Admiral Kanes
asked.
"At the earliest opportunity we'll have to send a ship to Ekoqulith and determine for ourselves just what has happened there, unless the Tsgardi Kingdom issues a declaration of war before then or something else occurs to confirm their invasion."
"There's been no declaration of hostilities?" Admiral Margolan asked.
"None, which might cause some to construe the Tsgardi government isn't behind it. I don't share that opinion, but in the absence of a formal declaration we can treat all attacks as piracy."
"Because the treatment of pirates can be different than the treatment of prisoners of war?" Admiral Holt asked.
"Exactly. We can use a slightly heavier hand when interrogating pirates because our conduct isn't governed by a myriad of past military treaties."
"You'll still have to observe Galactic Alliance law," Admiral Margolan warned.
"Of course, but Region Two is still under Martial Law. As Military Governor, I have a slightly freer hand than I would otherwise have. I won't break the laws, but I might have to bend a few if we're to nip this thing before it gets out of hand, assuming it isn't already out of hand."
"What can I do to help you, Jen?" Admiral Holt asked.
"You've already done it by giving us Keith and the people he's selected to bring along."
"I wish I was going with you," Admiral Holt said. "It would be a grand way to finish out my career. Chet and I are both nearing the point where we'll be recalled to Earth to serve our remaining years in the service."
"I'd love to have you with us, Brian. As the new headquarters develops, I know the same pseudo-political bureaucratic infrastructure found in headquarters everywhere since militaries were first formed will develop. I've managed to avoid much of it until now because I've always been posted at the remotest regions of Galactic Alliance space in situations with a high turnover in personnel, but I know those days are over. I'm going to find myself right in the center of something I'm ill-prepared to handle. I don't fear the Tsgardi half as much as I fear becoming embroiled in politics. Your years of fighting in the political trenches would be invaluable."
"I thought you might want me for my good looks and keen sense of humor," Admiral Holt said, chuckling.
"That's naturally an important part of it," Jenetta retorted with a smile.
"What about the rumors of other possible involved parties, Jen?" Admiral Kanes asked. "Anything new?"
"Everything we know has been included in your briefings. The general feeling is the Tsgardi are far too obtuse to organize something like this. They were afraid of Milori might and it makes sense they should be afraid of us on the same reason. If they have really invaded our territory, somebody has to be prodding them. Your job will be to determine exactly who is holding the stick so we can prepare to meet them. Upon reaching Quesann and assuming your new position, all agents and contacts in Region Two will report to your section so we won't have to wait for intel to be collected at Earth and filtered back to us. But we don't have anywhere near the number of information gatherers we need. We may not be sure who's involved until they're knocking at the front door."
The discussion turned to lighter matters after that and discussions of past battles and tactics. They had finished their deserts and were enjoying their coffee when Admiral Holt's aide entered and whispered something to him.
After the aide had delivered the message and left, Admiral Holt said, "All of Keith's people are aboard the Colorado, as are his spacechests. You can leave whenever you're ready, Jen."
"Thank you, Brian," Jenetta said as she stood up. "As much as I hate to eat and run, I am a bit anxious to get underway."
The other officers rose as she did.
"I understand completely," Admiral Holt said. "I'd be just as concerned if trouble started while I was away from my command. I'm glad you could join us for dinner tonight and I hope you'll be able to avoid a new conflict. We'd all like to see a period of peace and stability now that the Milori have been dealt with."
"Yes, but I believe another very serious fight is coming our way. We weren't prepared to take immediate control of an area anywhere near as large as Region Two and everyone knows it. I suppose it was just wishful thinking that everyone would behave until we could establish our full presence there. Let's hope a little saber-rattling will send the Tsgardi scurrying back across their border."
"Just before the Battle for Higgins," Admiral Holt said, "Larry Gavin predicted that one day we would clash violently with the Uthlaro. Keep one eye on that border, Jen. That may be where the real trouble is brewing."
* * *
The Colorado arrived at Stewart Space Command Base some sixteen days later. Neither the Bellona nor the Chiron where in port, so Jenetta's sisters would either have to wait at Stewart until the ships returned or transportation to them could be arranged. If not for the urgency of the situation, Jenetta would take them directly to their ships, but she didn't want to waste the extra day— or days— necessary to locate both ships and deliver the two officers. She wished now she hadn't promised Thad she would stay for dinner when she returned, but a promise was a promise and she knew that the captains in port were anxious to hear firsthand about the final days of the Milori Empire.
Attendance at the dinner was limited to officers holding the rank of Captain or above and still the dining room was filled to capacity. The continuing expansion of Stewart had resulted in a greater number of senior officers than had been posted there when Jenetta was the Base Commander. Not all the captains present for the meal held ship commands, but even the officers who only piloted a desk each day were anxious to hear Jenetta give her accounts of the attacks on the Milori home world, ship docks, and outposts. The dinner also gave Jenetta an opportunity to renew friendships with some of the officers who had served under her during her years at Stewart.
Being four-hundred-fifty light years closer to Quesann and still not having received any calamitous news from Region Two had taken the edge off Jenetta's worries sufficiently for her to relax somewhat and enjoy her evening with old friends and fellow officers. She had already shared parting goodbyes with her sisters. Frequent messages in the months ahead would sustain them until they met again.
Just after midnight, the Colorado backed slowly away from the airlock, turned ninety degrees to larboard, then started gliding slowly forward. Once clear of the hollowed-out asteroid that housed the base, the course to Quesann was laid in and the ship accelerated away so quickly it seemed to vanish. Speeding through the cosmos at Light-9375, the ship would travel slightly more than twenty-five light-years each Earth day, reaching Quesann in just thirty-two days.
* * *
Seven days out of Stewart, Jenetta summoned Admiral Kanes to her briefing room.
"You wanted to see me Jen?" he said as the door closed behind him.
"Yes, Keith. I've received a message from Admiral Sprague I think you should hear right away. I posted Vince to a former Milori space station we've designated as Coleman Space Command base. It's located approximately a hundred light years from our border with the Tsgardi Kingdom. Care for a cup of coffee first."
"I'm fine," he said taking a seat.
Jenetta pressed the play button and the message displayed on the wall monitor. An image of an agitated Admiral Sprague filled the screen.
"Jen, we've completed the evacuation of Coleman and are proceeding at Light-9375 to Quesann. Our Distant DeTect network picked up a large force of ships heading towards the base at Light-225, so we assumed them to be Tsgardi warships and evacuated as per your orders. All ordnance had already been moved back aboard the Themis and our last act was to disable key systems in ways not easy to find even by Space Command engineers. The Tsgardi may occupy this base, but it'll take them a lifetime to get it functional. When we retake it, it will only require a few days to re-enable the systems we've incapacitated.
"I'll brief you fully when I see you at Quesann.
"Vincent Sprague, Rear Admiral, Upper, Base Commander of Coleman Space Command Base
, aboard the Themis."
"Here's my reply," Jenetta said, tapping another key on her com console.
The image on the screen changed to one of Jenetta and her voice could be heard saying, "Hi Vince, you've taken the correct action. Two ships are inadequate to repel a large Tsgardi force determined to take, or destroy, a station.
"I regret we were unable to support you better at this time and I promise we'll restore your command as soon as an acceptable risk level is achieved.
"The Colorado is just days from the border with Region Two and we expect to arrive at Quesann in twenty-five days. I'll see you then. I'm relieved that everyone in your command is safe.
"Jenetta Carver, Admiral, Commander of the Second Fleet and Military Governor of Region Two, aboard the Colorado. Message complete."
"The message from Vince is fourteen days old," Jenetta said to Keith. "It was routed through Quesann. I've also sent messages to Admirals Mendez and Colsey to evacuate their bases and proceed to Quesann with all haste, assuming they haven't already done so. We know the Tsgardi aren't in this alone, so there's no telling where the next attack will occur."
Jenetta took a sip from her coffee mug while Keith Kanes thought. It was he who broke the silence with, "I can't see where you had any other option. Until we know what's going on or we get reinforcements, you had to consolidate your forces for the protection of Headquarters. You certainly couldn't have pulled the ships away from the space stations while they were still occupied by our people."
"I may have been a bit premature when I rushed to occupy the bases without adequate warship protection."
"We all expected this region to sink into a quagmire of lawlessness until a strong military presence could be reestablished. We thought that for the foreseeable future our only worry was piracy. You were taking the proper steps to reassert control. No one expected an invasion by forces from outside the region."
"I should have anticipated it," Jenetta said.
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