Bryant took the Admirals hand and warmly returned the handshake. Then, he stepped back and saluted smartly.
"Ladies and Gentlemen may I present to you, the new Commander of Boots Fleet; Vice Admiral George T. Bryant." Stephenson called out as they turned to the crowd who repeated the same ritual as before. This time, the press corps made mad dashes to the aisles to get the best angles and perspectives for images of the event. The next day's digital news headlined "Hero of the Empire now new head of Boots Fleet" and "Empire's Golden Boy New Head of Boots Fleet".
Again raising his hands to silence the crowd; Admiral Stephenson began to speak. 'Until this moment, I was still the official Boots Fleet Commander; so, there is another minor ceremony we will conduct.' George handed Stephenson his data pad; keeping it low and out of sight. Bill continued. 'Sir, I am the Commander of Boots Fleet. Please, state your business with me.' He said officiously.
"Sir, by order number 215903-9412, I am the new Commander of Boots Fleet and have been assigned as your relief by order of the C&C and the Quadrant Commander.' Bryant sounded equally official. After a pause he continued. "Sir, as directed by the order presented, I relieve you." He finished.
"Sir, I confirm the order. I stand relieved, with thanks.' Stephenson said as he examined the data pad screen. Then, they stood apart and saluted. He went on. 'You will find all security codes transferred to your command." He finished, as he handed the data pad to Bryant. George feigned a serious inspection of the screen.
"Sir, I see all is in order. I accept the command from you, in good standing; with my thanks." Bryant responded. Then he saluted, turned smartly; and, returned to his seat.
The next half hour was spent reading orders that, granted elevations and assignments to Boots officers; as requested by Bryant. Then, another fifteen minutes was spent ceremoniously elevating Marie to First Lieutenant; but this time, George was on the presenting end; pinning insignia to her right collar point and shoulder board. She looked all the spiffier with her new silver number three, double bars and gold lanyard adding to the accessories on her uniform. They all sat through another hour and a half as other Quadrant Commanders conducted other advancements.
"I guess you're dying to get out of that monkey suit?" Marie queried as they came together when the event ended.
"You are so right' George responded. 'But, I'm booked with C&C and Stephenson, now. I think it'll be another hour before I can change; and then, it's the dinner uniform. Thank goodness it's a bit more comfortable." He exaggerated his distress; hooking his right hand pointer finger inside the raised collar; and pulling it away from his throat; all with tongue hanging out.
"Would you like me to accompany you?" She asked through the snickers.
"Certainly. I'd enjoy the company." He responded; as, they turned into the corridor and started for his next appointment. They arrived at Admiral Dickinson's office after a slow walk; enjoying the casual conversation that friends often share.
"Vice Admiral Bryant reporting as ordered, sir." Bryant snapped to attention and saluted; as he announced himself to his three superiors inside the office doorway.
"Relax, George.' Dickinson responded; as he casually returned the salute. This is a very informal meeting. We just wanted to get to know our rising star a little." He added.
The next hour was spent sunk into an over-stuffed leather chair in the ambiance of power; as they shared conversation and Cuddy Sark. All were impressed by George's apparent humility. He did not enjoy talking of his conquests or heroism in anything but tactical terms. They also enjoyed his candor. George never held back with superiors; and hang the consequences.
Marie was waiting when he withdrew; but, she had already changed for the dinner party. A short black Cavalry-style jacket sported two nonfunctioning bronze buttons on each side, just above the waistline. Its notched wide lapels flowed into a collar; the points of which displayed her silver Lieutenants bars. A single row of silver oak leaves encircled the top of the cuff and its bottom, at her wrist. The jackets final adornment was the Fleet medallion worn in the middle of the right side panel above the waistline. The delicately ruffled white blouse was accentuated by a four-inch red cummerbund surrounding her delicate waste and her skirt and shoes were the same as the dress uniform. In addition, Marie had changed her hair. Her shoulder length tresses now sported one role on either side of her face and a conservative portion of makeup accentuated her features.
"You look absolutely stunning.' Bryant said, with a wink and a smile. 'But, you'd probably look great in a gunny sack." It popped out before it could be stopped. For a moment, he wished he could pull it back through the air.
"Why thank you, Admiral. You clean up pretty good yourself. I bet you'll be the bell of the ball in your dinner uniform." She returned the smile, with an exaggerated wink, as they started down the corridor.
She waited in the salon of his quarters; as he changed. His tailless black single breasted short Cavalry jacket sported a row of bronze buttons from top to bottom on each side only buttoning at the top one. Its straight collar rose about an inch and a half up the neck. Golden piping trimmed the black shoulder boards displaying his three silver stars surrounding a silver number nine. Jacket cuffs were encircled with a row of fine golden oak leaves trimming top and bottom with one wide and two narrow gold bars ringing the cuff between the trim. A gold Boots Fleet Commanders’ medallion was displayed on his right jacket breast panel. Mini medals graced his left breast just above the pocket. The opened-front jacket revealed a black waistcoat fastened with four bronze buttons and trimmed in gold piping. The slacks sported the barely perceptible gold stripe of a flag officer.
George always suspected these occasions were just a matter of socializing with all the upper elite; in the guise of celebrating some supposedly important personal achievement. Otherwise, he found them a complete bore; and only accepted the minimum obligatory dance requests to avoid being classed as anti-social. Marie rescued him from potentially long, monotonous, embarrassing conversations with invited Press Corps members who only wanted to discuss harrowing events surrounding his past awards. They usually pressed the questions of how it felt to be a heroic swashbuckler; or, what risking your life in the void of space was like. Marie had already come to understand that George did not like talking about himself. If he was forced into small talk, sports were the most comfortable topic matter for him. She already knew from lunch in Rigil New York that; he liked ice hockey; though, he’d never played it; and, he loved baseball. Otherwise, he preferred a discourse on business with those who worked in any capacity with the OESA. At any rate, he enjoyed the evening immensely; if only because of, Marie's company and the three dances they shared over the course of the evening.
Citing the following day's early departure time, Bryant made apologies for them. They left shortly after midnight.
..........................................................................................
Seated in the general passenger compartment aboard the Admiral's Craft, on route to the Fleet, Marie was in a quandary regarding her new charges. After breaking orbit, the Admirals' Craft would not see land again; until the next similar change in Command. It would travel through space attached to the Flag ship; unless in route to somewhere. Crew or passengers that had to attend something planetary would now use its shuttle craft. This is because, the fuel expended in launching it from a large body is considered an inefficient waste. The eighteen-hour trip to Earth had been uneventful; but, had shaken Marie, a little. The reduced gravity on the "Yacht" was much harder to deal with than that on the big warships. She had been in zero gravity on a shuttle before; but, this half-gravity was harder to handle. She had not developed "space legs", yet; and, had a queasy feeling; as, they entered the jump. Otherwise, the time home was most enjoyable. She managed nearly two full days with her family; while the Admiral conducted business. In the end, Admiral Bryant had chosen to leave Earth via a small pad in Marie's hometown; Waterloo Ontario Canada. It worked to her advan
tage; providing an extra half day, at home; and, had allowed the opportunity to introduce her parents to the Boots Fleet Commander.
Dressed in his daily gray utility uniform; flashes, ribbons and rank insignia bearing witness to his importance; Bryant cut a figure who greatly impressed her folks. But, to their surprise and her chagrin; he was comfortable, at ease and at home with them; taking time to enjoy a light lunch. Ratatouille, white rice, crusty chunks of fresh bread and pieces of Swiss lace cheese made for an impressive snack. For his part, George made quite a show of relishing the fine meal; washing it down with two glasses of her father's homemade ice tea; and, complimenting them again and again on the fine cuisine. But, the highlight of the afternoon was the ten full minutes George and her father spent locked in a conversation, about the galaxy - in French. She was stunned and exceptionally pleased. Though English is the language of the region, French is her father's native tongue; and, the galaxy is George's bailiwick; but it turned out; both spoke the other’s language fluently. It was a true bonding moment for the two men. Always the matchmaker, Marie's mother made it understood just how good this man would be for her with animated hand signals and exaggerated whispers. Marie involuntarily nodded her assent; while chastising her mother for drawing such conclusions.
On arrival, they had launched the shuttle from its bay; while in orbit; then, landed both craft side by side, at the Academy. She, and others, took the shuttle to their destinations. An Academy shuttle had brought George to Waterloo, when his Academy business was finished. When they returned to the main vessel, at fourteen hundred hours, the entire squad of cadets were absent; investigating the sights and shopping in town. All had been ordered to return to the landing pad by thirteen hundred hours; but, though the press corps personnel were aboard, none of the cadets had appeared. The large vessel stood waiting; its commander on station, at the entry port. Olivia decided to have the shuttle reloaded, while awaiting the cadets. They straggled in one at a time failing to pay their proper respects to Marie, Commander Hurst; or even the Admiral. Later, as the yacht did its de-orbit burn to depart earth orbit, they had boisterously taken over the lounge; all the while, failing to observe the mandatory protocols at each and every required encounter. It would take ninety minutes for the ship to reach the point where it could jump towards Boots; so, Marie rose from her seat and headed for the lounge. No one made notice of her entry to the space.
"Cadets; attention!' She snapped in a deep guttural voice at a volume that filled every corner of the ship. Everyone in the lounge froze. Silence broke out in the general seating area as its inhabitants looked questioningly at each other. Bryant rose to investigate the disturbance.
'Form two lines!" She roared.
There was the rustle of all twenty cadets rushing to form the lines. They stood erect; at attention with eyes front.
"Right dress!' She snapped at the top of her lungs; to which each cadet. but the furthest right extended their right arm to the next person’s shoulder; shuffling left until the line was aligned and equally spaced. The second line did the same except for the person at the extreme right who raised his right arm forward to the right shoulder of the first person in the first line; thus aligning the two rows.
"Eyes front! The first cadet that moves a muscle will be on report!" She snapped when the alignment was completed.
There was complete silence within the room. The steward tending bar tried to make himself invisible; as did the head chef who could be seen through the galley pass-through. Bryant stood silently; outside the door jamb; out of sight to Marie and the cadets. Marie paced back and forth along the line; looking them up and down; scowling at each and every one.
"Look at yourselves. You are a mess. You are disgusting.' She said in a low guttural growl as she walked along the line flicking at blousing shirts, crooked collars and unfastened buttons. 'You are disheveled, wrinkled and unpolished. Most of you look like you’ve been in a wrestling match, in your uniforms. After four; and, in some cases five years; none of you know anything about OESA regulations and protocol. I should recommend that; you are all thrown out of the service. There is almost no point in wasting any effort on you; if, you don't get it, by now. Do you understand me, cadets?!" She hollered the question at the top of her lungs.
"Yes, ma'am." Chorused a weak response.
"Ma'am ... ma'am!!' She repeated; glaring eyes wide with indignation. 'There is no such reference in the service. Are you all sexist pigs; or, do you all just think I'm some weak little female? In this service, you answer a superior with yes sir, or Mr. X, or by rank, or by rank and name. There is no male or female protocol in any military service. And, you answer smartly; and, in a fashion that shows those nearby you are listening and committed. Do you understand?" She paused.
"Yes sir." Came a weak chorus.
"Do you understand?" She bellowed again, even louder.
"Yes sir." The unified chorus was loud and clear.
"Yes sir; what sir?" She yelled again.
"Yes sir; we understand, sir." Came the thundering chorus.
"Do you cadets know what was your most disgusting offense?’ She held a length pause for affect; the, continued. ‘You returned to this vessel and showed no deference to any officer as you reported in and boarded. Each of you should have reported to me, acknowledged the Admiral and asked the ship's Captain for permission to come aboard. And at each of those occasions, you are required to pay a senior officer the respect of acknowledging their presence and rank. None of you reported to me, none of you saluted the Admiral or the Captain. In the future, you will follow regulations. You will salute officers and call them by rank and name or sir; and, you will follow protocols; like, asking permission to board a craft. Do you understand?" She barely took a breath through the entire soliloquy; while sustaining an eardrum shattering volume.
"Yes sir; we understand, sir!" Came the crisp loud chorus.
"I will not forget this day. For this entire assignment, you will be rotating between tasks; but, always at my command. You have each had your first and last chance. Today's conduct will be recorded in each of your records; along with a reprimand.' Her voice was almost a low whisper; reinforcing her statement. 'This will be your first and only chance. I will recommend the discharge of any one of you that fouls up again. You will follow all regulations and protocol while in my command; or, you will be gone. Do you understand?" She snapped the last question.
"Yes sir, we understand, sir." The group responded.
"Stand easy." She commanded; and sidled from cadet to cadet matching nametags to information on the data pad she carried; asking questions of each person she confronted.
"Admiral on deck!" One yelled and all snapped to attention; simultaneously as Marie turned, jerked to attention and saluted.
"As you were.' Admiral Bryant responded as he returned the salute and then continued. 'I came up here when I heard the raucous begin, to see what was going on. I intended to speak to each of you regarding your behavior; but, I see it is not necessary. I do want to convey to you that, each and every person attached to Boots Fleet is under my Command; whether directly or indirectly. That is to say that, when you are insolent to an officer in my command; you are impertinent to me. I will not tolerate it. Lieutenant Ste. Laurent has my complete confidence, as do all my Officers. If she is forced to recommend the discharge of anyone in her command; I will honor the request. She will assign you duties for specific periods under the command of a department or division head. While attached to that operation you will follow protocol; but, you are under her umbrella; always in her command. I do not want a repeat of this type of behavior from any of you again. I personally selected each of you. I considered you the best of the graduating class. Your actions have humiliated me. They have made me look incapable of assessing personnel. I do not like being embarrassed. Do you understand, cadets?" He hissed the words.
"Yes sir, we understand, Admiral." The line chorused.
"What's your name cadet?" Bryant asked one body in th
e line.
"Kurt Brubacher, sir." The cadet responded.
"I thought so, Kurt. If I remember your file, you topped your class in all areas. I definitely expected more from you." The Admiral snorted.
"Group!" Marie snapped bringing everyone to attention, as the Admiral turned and headed for the door, without warning.
Marie turned back to the cadets; methodically going about the work of finishing the documentation, she started before Bryant's entry. When finished, she took a step back.
"Attention!' She ordered. 'This lounge is for everyone aboard. You will not dominate it. You will spend time in your quarters boning up on Boots. You will devote time to learning about the Admiral. You will study protocol. There will be tests, when we reach the Fleet. You may use the lounge for dinners and the occasional quiet limited social gathering from time to time; but, use common sense and discretion. Other people need to move about and some even have work to do. You will not drink alcohol, while aboard this vessel. You will only drink during off-duty hours aboard an assigned ship; and you will maintain decorum at all times. You will keep assigned quarters neat and clean; and, you will wear clean and pressed uniforms, at all times. You will show respect to all you come in contact with. I will tolerate no more of this. You are dismissed!" She snapped as she turned and walked out of the room with a sideways glance to insure all the cadets remained at attention as she left.
"Remind me never to cross you, sergeant major." Bryant quietly wisecracked as she returned to her seat.
"Is that a crack...sir?!" She responded with flashing eyes.
"No, it isn't. As a matter of fact, if you listened carefully; you would have noted a hint of fear and admiration in my voice. I am just glad you're not one of those drill sergeants who carry a riding crop. I went to lend a hand; but, you didn't need it. The intrusion I made was to reinforce to them that there are consequences in treating any officer the way they did.' His smile faded as he reverted to a serious matter. 'Are you really entering a formal reprimand in their files?" He asked.
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