As the three men exited the lift from the observation deck to the main hanger bay of the Intrepid, the call went out for attention on deck to the thousands of Marines on docking parade. Jake looked around with a big smile towards where his two friends trailed slightly behind him.
“God, they look good.”
Mercer nodded, just as choked up as Jake at the sight of all the men they had been campaigning with the last year. “And we brought most of them back too. It don’t get no better than that.”
“Not with all we accomplished,” Dougherty added, still looking around in awe at the United States Flags flying from all over the hanger bay. “The Governor will like this display.”
General Peters and newly promoted Colonel Corey were waiting for them at the main docking hatch, where they would welcome the new military Governor of the colonies on board the Intrepid for an inspection. They both came to attention and saluted, and Jake returned it formally. Mercer and Dougherty took up their places in the welcoming line, having been assigned there by Jake, who had just laughed at an old Earth Command directive for battle ships entering dock for any type of inspection by the high command on the port of call.
Corey looked at Jake as he took his place between the Commander of the Intrepid and his Executive officer. “When Risling notices you don’t have the troops formed by our old directive, don’t blame me when he gets on you about it.”
Jake sighed, clasped his hands behind his back, and sighed audibly before whispering out of the corner of his mouth to Peters. “I see the engagement hasn’t toned the Harpy down any.”
The resulting outburst of laughter brought the Commander of the Intrepid a scathing look from his soon to be bride.
“I heard that, General,” Corey complained, still staring at Peters, who was now standing at attention with his eyes straight ahead. “I was just trying to make you aware of protocol.”
“And I appreciate it, Sara, but once was quite enough,” Jake replied. “Risling won’t notice anyway, and if he does, he can.”
“Attention on deck, the Military Governor of the Colonies boarding,” The audio call went out loudly in the hanger bay.
Risling came through the entry hatch with Colonel Janice Stedman from the Tennyson, and a small contingent of officers from Genoa. He paused inside the entrance, and saluted the large United States Flag at the hatch, as did the rest of his party. Risling then turned to the Intrepid’s Officer of the Day and saluted again, with the obligatory request for permission to come aboard. Governor Jackson Risling then turned to survey the Marines and ship’s crew under the many United States Flags, as silence reigned within the huge core of the Intrepid. After many moments, Risling walked quickly towards Jake’s contingent, returning their salutes, before embracing a grinning Jake. Risling stepped back, and glanced around with a huge smile.
“I see all the usual suspects in attendance, if not in place,” Risling commented, as Corey elbowed Jake with a whispered ‘I told you so’.
“It’s good to see you in person, Sir,” Jake said, ignoring Corey, as Risling went down the welcoming line, shaking hands with everyone, with a special wink at Mercer and Dougherty.
Jake hugged Colonel Janet Stedman, who had followed Risling. She returned his hug with enthusiasm. “It’s good to see you, Jan. I didn’t expect the Tennyson to be in port.”
“We brought in another shipment of fuel cells from Omaha,” Stedman replied, as Jake released her. “We’ll be heading to Earth with the rest of the shipment, and bringing back a whole lot of goods. You wouldn’t believe the want lists.”
“I think I can imagine. You didn’t happen to bring along a certain Doctor with my same last name, did you?”
“I asked her if she wanted to go,” Stedman answered with a shake of her head negatively. “She said she won’t be going anywhere until you take her back to Casserine.”
“That figures,” Jake acknowledged with a grin. “I will get a call in to her. It will be a lot easier from Genoa. Thanks for asking her. If you hadn’t, she’d have probably accused me of co-opting you into a plan aimed at keeping her away from me.”
Stedman laughed in appreciation, patting Jake on the shoulder as she moved on to an equally emotional re-acquaintance with her old crewmembers, Corey and Dougherty. Risling came back to join Jake in a troop walk by to close out the inspection ceremony. Jake had Mercer dismiss the troops, and send the liberty parties on their way. Risling joined
Jake in his stateroom aboard the Intrepid for a drink while they talked. Jake poured them each a double shot of rum, as Risling made himself comfortable at Jake’s small dining table. Jake raised his shot glass to clink it against Risling’s.
“To the Corps.”
“To the Corps,” Risling agreed, sipping his rum. “I can’t tell you how good it is to have you here safe, Jake. God only knows how you could have accomplished all this so splendidly.”
“We had the power, and the people, Governor,” Jake replied casually. “The only thing that could have beaten us was holding back. Because we went at these missions full bore, without worrying about how the enemy felt about it, we saved a lot of enemy lives as well as our own.”
“You certainly didn’t pull any punches,” Risling laughed. “There were some who didn’t like the heavy hand at the Rigel Tribunal.”
“Gee, that’s too bad,” Jake smiled, sipping his drink. “We needed an example to the rest of the people in authority positions out here and on Earth. Chirar fit perfectly. I didn’t hide anything. I could have just vacuumed him into orbit without sending out a vid transmission of the trial.”
“It’s in the past,” Risling said, waving his hand in dismissal. “You’re as popular as ever. Have you thought about what you want now?”
“I want to go back to Casserine with Adrian,” Jake said simply. “She’s giving me no choice in the matter.”
Risling laughed uproariously, pausing finally to down the rest of his drink, and hold it out for a refill. “God, Jake, the Galactic Field Commander of all forces in space, and throughout the colonies, taking a duty station on the most God forsaken place in the universe?”
“As I said, I’m not getting a choice. You can bust me back down, so you can give someone else the title.”
“Not on your life,” Risling stated emphatically. “Hey, at least you’ll be coming to see me on Genoa every few months. Besides, we may need you in the future, with your rank in place. Ain’t nobody going to kick about it either. Remember though, the experiments with putting anyone else down there to colonize the place just aren’t feasible. You two will be alone.”
“I know,” Jake sighed. “I’ll call Adrian and tell her the news. She said I couldn’t see her again unless I was picking her back up on the way to the Rock.”
Risling lifted his glass again with a big grin. “Well then, to Casserine.”
“Casserine,” Jake agreed, downing his rum.
Epilogue
Back on the Rock
“Are you going to do something, or are you just going to stand there laughing your ass off?” Adrian asked him as she hung suspended upside down, looking at Jake through the open window of the rover.
Jake was still enveloped in uncontrollable laughter, tears streaming down his face. He had to sit down, leaning back against one of Casserine’s rocky outcroppings, which Adrian had flipped the land rover against.
“I think we’ve been here before, Honey,” Jake gasped, pulling himself back up, using the upside down land rover as a lever. “Two months getting used to this place again, and after five minutes in the land rover, you’re upside down again. Didn’t you learn anything from. “
“Shut up, you big goon, and get me out of here, or I’m going toheave.”
Jake, stronger than he had ever been before, gently put his arms around Adrian’s upside down form while he released the strap retainers. He righted her gently, letting Adrian’s feet come to rest on Casserine’s rough surface before releasing her. Jake looked at her face with growi
ng concern.
“You don’t look at all good. Let me carry you inside, Hon.”
Adrian shook her head negatively. “I’m just a little woozy. I already threw up breakfast while you were getting the land rover.”
Jake took out the thermos of tea from his pack, and poured them both a cup full, as Adrian leaned against the land rover. “Are you coming down with something? We’ve never gotten sick here before. Maybe you sucked in some spore while you were digging around in.”
“I’m going to have a baby, Jake,” Adrian said casually, glancing up at Jake, who immediately dropped his cup from a now shaking right hand.
Adrian laughed, pointing at Jake’s stunned face. “You look worse than I do. You’re white as a bleached rock.”
“You…you’re sure?” Jake stammered, pulling her to him.
“Just as sure as I am it’s a boy,” Adrian answered, pulling his face down to hers for a kiss.
Jake pulled back for a moment. “We’ll have to get off the Rock, Babe. No fooling around this time. You.”
“We aren’t going until I’m ready to deliver. I’ll be like a superwoman by then, and the delivery will be a cinch. Besides, I’ve done some tests. Your son shares your abnormal DNA. He’s a Casserine native for sure.”
“Charlie, Tim, Jas, and Sara are coming to visit aboard the Tennyson next week. I can’t wait to tell them,” Jake said excitedly. “Your pregnancy is going to be brutal, Adrian. Are you sure I can’t talk you out of staying here?”
“Not a chance,” Adrian stated firmly. “I’ll let you know if it gets unbearable. I, of course, will not have to take my turn cleaning the storeroom from now on.”
Jake started to object, but sighed instead, pulling Adrian close again. “Agreed Major, I’ll be the only full time janitor, and Military Commander of the Universe, in history. Just don’t tell the gang about the way you treat me down here, especially the Harpy.”
“What’s in it for me?”
Jake picked her up in his arms, and headed for the habitat. “I’ll think of something. You still have that Princess Lea outfit, don’t you?”
The End
About the Author
The author of three other fiction novels, American Survival, American Mutant, and the political thriller, Sotello, Mr. DeLeo earned an AA degree in auto repair in 1977 from Chabot College in Hayward, California, and a BA degree in English from California State University in Hayward, California in 1980. An unrepentant conservative, who threads his political outlook and love of America into everything he writes, the author specializes in fast moving tales of adventure.
He owns an automotive repair shop in Oakland, California, where he has worked since 1976 and owned since 1983. The author lives with his wife of twenty-seven years in San Leandro, California. They have two grown children and one grandchild.
Table of Contents
Casserine
Contents
Chapter 1
Jake and Adrian
Chapter 2
Omaha Mining Colony
Chapter 3
Casserine
Chapter 4
Fuel Pirates
Chapter 5
Domestic Problems
Chapter 6
Trouble In Paradise
Chapter 7
Revelations
Chapter 8
Bugs Again
Chapter 9
Bougainville
Chapter 10
Tactical Mission Parameters
Chapter 11
Indigenous Species Encounter Group Mission
Chapter 12
Practice Run
Chapter 13
Aftermath
Chapter 14
Re-infestation
Chapter 15
Rescue On Omaha
Chapter 16
Politics and Commitment
Chapter 17
The Nest
Chapter 18
Trip Out of Hell
Chapter 19
Second Queen
Chapter 20
Rebellion
Chapter 21
Bougainville Mission
Chapter 22
Complications
Chapter 23
Hostage Situation
Chapter 24
Mr. Snappy
Chapter 25
Earth Command
Chapter 26
The Fall of Earth Command
Chapter 27
With Victory, Peace
Chapter 28
Strategy and a New Weapon
Chapter 29
Alien Excursion
Chapter 30
Unexpected Opportunity
Chapter 31
Alien Politics
Chapter 32
Alien Engagement
Chapter 33
Prison Rescue
Chapter 34
Survivors
Chapter 35
Negotiations
Chapter 36
ET’s
Chapter 37
New Parameters
Chapter 38
Complications
Chapter 39
Close Encounters
Chapter 40
New ET Leadership
Chapter 41
Chamber Surprise
Chapter 42
Communications Breakdown
Chapter 43
ET Leadership Adjustment
Chapter 44
Cleanup
Chapter 45
Mission on Casserine
Chapter 46
Lead Pirate
Chapter 47
Minor Setback
Chapter 48
Rigel
Chapter 49
Celebration
Epilogue
Back on the Rock
About the Author
Table of Contents
Casserine
Contents
Chapter 1
Jake and Adrian
Chapter 2
Omaha Mining Colony
Chapter 3
Casserine
Chapter 4
Fuel Pirates
Chapter 5
Domestic Problems
Chapter 6
Trouble In Paradise
Chapter 7
Revelations
Chapter 8
Bugs Again
Chapter 9
Bougainville
Chapter 10
Tactical Mission Parameters
Chapter 11
Indigenous Species Encounter Group Mission
Chapter 12
Practice Run
Chapter 13
Aftermath
Chapter 14
Re-infestation
Chapter 15
Rescue On Omaha
Chapter 16
Politics and Commitment
Chapter 17
The Nest
Chapter 18
Trip Out of Hell
Chapter 19
Second Queen
Chapter 20
Rebellion
Chapter 21
Bougainville Mission
Chapter 22
Complications
Chapter 23
Hostage Situation
Chapter 24
Mr. Snappy
Chapter 25
Earth Command
Chapter 26
The Fall of Earth Command
Chapter 27
With Victory, Peace
Chapter 28
Strategy and a New Weapon
Chapter 29
Alien Excursion
Chapter 30
Unexpected Opportunity
Chapter 31
Alien Politics
Chapter 32
Alien Engagement
Chapter 33
Prison Rescue
Chapter 34
Survivors
Chapter 35
Negotiations
Chapter 36
ET’s
Chapter 37
New Parameters
Chapter 38
Complications
Chapter 39
Close Encounters
Chapter 40
New ET Leadership
Chapter 41
Chamber Surprise
Chapter 42
Communications Breakdown
Chapter 43
ET Leadership Adjustment
Chapter 44
Casserine Page 61