by Chris Hechtl
Which was why he was one of the first people to see the story about Moira's date from the following evening.
He snorted. Moira was old enough to take care of herself; he wasn't her father or patriarch or whatever. And dating Horatio Logan wasn't the anchor some would assume it was. She was establishing herself, climbing the social ladder a little while also making contacts with Horatio and those who knew him. He nodded slowly—in other words, politics. He highly doubted there was anything there, but he couldn't help but call her on it.
“Did you have a good evening?” he asked Moira as she logged online, “and lovely Sunday?” he teased.
Moira froze and then seemed amused by the inquiry. “I see the news broke. Rather slow news day though for us to make it up there,” she said, shaking her head as she accessed the media network with her tablet. “Ah, here it is,” she said after doing a search on her name.
It wasn't necessary really. She'd already had a bot out watching for it, and she'd checked it twice since Horatio had made his reluctant goodbyes. She appreciated the shot of his leaving their motel, and her parting kiss at the dock. It was a nice touch.
She doubted that many people suspected or knew that she'd deliberately tipped the media off to let them know about the date to feed the gossip hounds. Her relationship with Horatio would put her in the media eye longer than her status as a Bekian. She judged that would be a one-night wonder at best. So, tying herself to Horatio a bit would help her rising star. Speculation about their love life would keep them in the gossip circles for awhile.
“If you are done playing games, we've still got a trip to plan. Though why we have to go into such detail …” Yorgi shook his head in disgust.
“That's because I want to stop and see the sites along the way, Yorgi,” Moira replied in a so-there tone of voice to put-down her protests. “And since we're on a limited time schedule, we have to plan our itinerary at each stop carefully. We want to squeeze in as much as possible, right?” she demanded.
“We're not there to play tourist, Moira. We're just passing through,” he scolded.
“Correct, but that's not my intention. I for one don't know when we'll have another time to see those planets and populations. We need to put the time in, which is why I want to schedule visits with the governors and media at each stop along the way.”
“And I'm saying I'm not comfortable with it. Not scheduling every waking moment,” he said, shaking his head. “Besides, I have my own plans in Agnosta.”
“Agnosta … our first stop …,” she frowned thoughtfully.
“The military reservations there and the academies,” he said helpfully.
She nodded in sudden understanding. “Ah. Okay, so, the rest of us can carry the ball there I guess. You're going to check in with Teddy and the others?” He nodded and spread his fingers apart. “Okay then. I suppose I can forgive you for going off on your own on this one instance,” she said, shaking a stylus at him with a mock severe expression on her face.
He snorted at her antics. “You really did get some if you are that full of it,” he said, shaking his head. “And FYI, Teddy and the others haven't left yet. They are scheduled for implant surgery right about …,” he turned to glance at the clock and then back. “Now,” he said.
She frowned and then shivered, eyes wide as that penetrated. She nodded slowly. “I'll get someone to send them some get well soon flowers,” she murmured.
“I doubt Teddy will appreciate the flowers, though he'll appreciate the sentiment. Now, I wanted to point out to you that we've only got one other stop in the convoy and that's Triang.”
“Not Briev 4?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.
He shook his head. “You didn't read up on it? It's an interdicted system,” he explained. She frowned thoughtfully, tapping the stylus against her lips. “Interdicted as in hostile. It's in the history including some of Admiral Irons' travels. They are alleged allies of the Horathian pirates,” he explained.
“So a diplomatic mission is out I suppose?” she asked.
He shook his head and fought not to roll his eyes.
“Okay, just asking, just asking,” she said. “Geesh,” she growled.
“Some probably wouldn't mind you going down and getting your head lopped off. I would though,” Yorgi replied.
“Lopped off?”
“They have rather primitive and public forms of execution—medieval including decapitation,” he explained. Her eyes widened. He slowly nodded. “So, I think you'd rather keep your neck so …”
She nodded. “Okay, that's out. So, about Triang …”
~<><{<^>}><>~
Yorgi got into his office and checked on the trio of officers who'd just finished their round of surgeries. Major Theodore Edward Bear IIXXX, a Neopolar bear marine from his home star system had pulled through, but he'd expected as much. The bear was sleeping it off. He snorted. Was it hibernation or did the medics use a lot of anesthetic to make certain the bear didn't wake mid-surgery? He shook his head at the thought.
He felt for Theo a bit. The bear had been lost in Bek despite managing to advance through the officer's ranks as far as he had. He was a mustang, and there were some old prejudices working against him there. He'd realized he wasn't going to rise any higher and had been near retirement and some form of civilian employment in a security agency or heaven forbid law enforcement before Caroline and salvation had dropped into his lap from the heavens. Moira, Yorgi, and Theo were the only ones who'd immediately volunteered to go on Caroline despite the risks.
Theo, like the two Nuevo army officers, were destined to go to the ground bases in Agnosta. He wanted to visit them in passing, but he wasn't certain if he'd get the chance or not. Most likely none of them would appreciate the courtesy. Brigadier Forth might though.
Lieutenant Colonel Pasha 1010111 and Lieutenant Olivia Lincoln were hicks. Well, Pasha put on the airs of a professional, but he knew the man was just putting up a front. No way a reservist could be that well-polished. Hell, the last he'd heard, Nuevo didn't even have a formal academy or boot camp! He shook his head at that thought. The man was going to have his hands full in Agnosta trying to sort out the army. He didn't envy him.
And that was another thing. If the Federation was so hard up for trained personnel and ships, why put any effort into building the army or marines anyway? Shouldn't they secure the orbitals first? Leave the ground pounding and tidying up for later? He frowned thoughtfully. Apparently, Admiral Irons didn't think so, he thought.
Or, he paused and cocked his head. Or, Irons knew setting up both branches would be long and time consuming so he'd laid the groundwork early.
Or, more likely, he'd needed a dumping ground for people. People who had no business in the navy.
He frowned thoughtfully but then shrugged such considerations aside. He wasn't certain, and he wasn't certain about asking the man when they finally met.
It was good though that all three officers had pulled through with flying colors. Most likely they'd be back on their feet within a few days so they could be shipped out to Agnosta on the next convoy.
~<><{<^>}><>~
Zek noted Moira's antics when he checked the news and shook his head. He hoped she didn't burn Horatio. It was clear to him that Moira was using him to climb the social ladder, nothing more. He was convenient; the titillating gossip she would play off and use in her favor to advance her own goals in the end. He didn't know the man very well, only by reputation. If he was so easily enamored by the woman's charms though, he was going to be a light weight in Bek.
He was online surfing the media outlets when his tablet pinged, indicating that he had an e-mail. He fumbled with his implants to apply his pass code to unlock and decrypt it. It was so much simpler when all he had to do was use his fingerprint or his Bekian implant and a memorized code he mused. On the third time, he managed to get it right, and the e-mail unlocked.
His eyes rapidly scanned the text as his expression stilled into a mask then his lip cu
rled in a silent snarl. “They …,” he shook his head, ready to fling the offending device away from him. Its message was unpalatable but apparently reality. One he'd hoped to escape.
“Oprah, put a call in to Admiral Subert's office. I need to talk to him at his earliest convenience,” he said over his shoulder.
“I … yes, sir. I'm tapped into Commander Garretaj schedule, sir. I believe the admiral is not on site today. He's booked solid for the next three days,” she warned.
“Do it anyway,” Zek ordered.
“Aye aye, sir,” the lieutenant said. She turned and went to work.
He rubbed his brow and then exhaled noisily. Lieutenant Si looked up to him and then away.
According to the orders the Admiralty wanted him to return to Bek. To return to Bek and take charge of the shipyards to oversee the modernization efforts.
He closed his eyes in pain, scrubbing his face with his hands. He wasn't certain that the people who'd drafted those orders knew what he was getting into. They were operating in a vacuum … or they knew and didn't care, they just wanted to get the job done. He wasn't certain how to handle it.
“I'm sorry, sir. According to the commander, Admiral Subert isn't available. He's in transit to San Diego, sir, and said he didn't want to be disturbed on the trip out,” Lieutenant Si said apologetically.
Zek's scowl deepened. “Perfect. Can we get some ansible time then? Put a call in right to the top? I hate going over other people's heads, but I technically outrank Subert,” he said.
“By date of rank. Yes, sir, I know,” the Asian woman said with a nod. “The orders didn't originate here though, sir. They were transmitted from the Admiralty in Pyrax,” she said.
“I … how did you know about the orders?” Zek demanded, eyeing her.
She cocked her head. “I thought you knew, sir; I got the same orders,” she said. She smiled. “I think you're still stuck with me,” she said with a brief broad smile.
“Lucky me,” he mock growled.
“And to answer your order, I put a call in to the ansible as well. Admiral Irons is also not available,” she said.
“Frack,” Zek muttered.
“Admiral Sienkov is here however, and he is available, sir,” she suggested. “I can call him …,” he nodded. “Yes, sir, putting the call in now.”
“Zek?” a familiar voice said from the wall screen. The rear admiral turned to see Yorgi's face.
“That was quick,” Zek said, glancing at the lieutenant. She shrugged and then quietly left the room.
He nodded to the admiral. “I see your lieutenant cleared the deck so we'd have some measure of privacy. I'm guessing it is about your new orders,” Admiral Sienkov said with narrowed eyes. “They aren't up for interpretation or change, Zek, sorry,” he said.
“So you are aware of them, sir?”
“I was consulted in drafting them,” the senior flag officer replied with a nod.
He ended up discussing the problem with Yorgi. Yorgi pointed out that Bek needed to be dragged kicking and screaming into the Federation. “You know this and I do too. You are the only expert we can send back. The only one with rank. Commodore Logan needs your help. Bek needs you.” He grimaced. “Whether they like it or not,” he growled.
“Yes sir. Duty in other words,” Zek said, lips puckering in a sour grimace. “I'll … we'll get it done, sir.”
Yorgi eyed him for a long moment. He held some sympathy for the man. Of all of them Zek had been the one most looking forward to getting to Pyrax. It must be a bitter blow to be ordered back. And he wasn't certain of what sort of reception the man would have when he returned home. Most likely not good. “I know you were looking at being here as a fresh start …”
Zek snorted.
Yorgi eyed him and then grinned slightly. “Okay, so you are more like a kid in a candy store at the moment. And you've got us mean adults yanking you by the ear back to reality,” he said.
Zek's snort turned into a chuckle. He finally nodded, relenting on some of his built-up indignation and ire over the situation. Apparently, there was no changing it, so the best he could do would be to accept it, move on, and go with the flow. To ride it out and see where it took him.
Hopefully, it wouldn't spell the end of his career. He'd hate that.
“Think of it this way. You get to introduce our people into the fold. All this lovely stuff we've read about for so long, soon we're going to have to learn how to use it. Use it, build it, and maintain it. You get to figure all that out and try to make the process as smooth as possible.”
“An impossible task,” Zek said, shaking his head.
“But it's one you've got to do. Right?” Yorgi asked in a no-nonsense tone of voice.
Zek nodded. His window to whine was over obviously. Now he had to suck it up and get the job done. “Aye aye, sir, I'll do what I can to get the job done.”
Yorgi nodded. “You do that,” he said.
Chapter 4
Horatio opened his e-mail and wasn't surprised to find his orders there. He'd gotten a hint that something was up when Lieutenant Strongbirth at BuPers let drop that orders had come in from Antigua and were being processed. Apparently, there had been some discussion between Admiral Irons and Admiral Subert, which was why there had been a delay in getting them to him.
He'd known he was going to leave Pyrax, and he'd had some misgivings about it. He knew after Anvil and being the naval commander in Pyrax for over ten years he could handle the job. But what job and where were the big questions. Admiral Irons had mentioned setting up a new yard, but not where or when. Some deductive reasoning had given him three possibilities, of which he wasn't certain which he liked the best.
He scanned the lines and then nodded slowly. The plan from Admiral Irons was to send him and Admiral Zekowitz to Bek. So the most recent scuttlebutt had been right, he thought. Admiral Irons had warned him something like that might be in the works. He'd hoped the admiral would have reconsidered. Once Caroline had returned he'd known it had been inevitable. He'd also heard that Admiral Zekowitz had already gotten his orders and had pitched something of a snit in a vain attempt to get out of them.
As he read the plans though, his eyes narrowed. He wasn't certain they were viable. The intent was clear, but the plan was overly ambitious to say the least. The idea of sending Caroline … that was simple enough. But, sending two freighters …even though they were military grade but still, two fully-loaded freighters, with very delicate cargoes? In addition to that, send them with untested crews into the rapids? That was just begging for trouble. Someone was over eager and reaching a bit too far.
He flicked a button embedded in his desk to open a channel. “Kalmia, is Admiral Irons available?” he asked, accessing the communication's A.I. He knew Kalmia had passed over half of her workload over to Captain Firefly and Barry, so she was more likely to be free since the other two A.I. officers had their own zones and duties to attend to. At least, she would be free until she took reassignment in one of the fortresses picketing one of the jump points or was transferred out of the star system.
He'd known her a long time. Her recent upgrade had put her on the edge of becoming a full smart A.I. She had no interest in a shipboard posting; she'd been created from the outset to handle a static but large group of people. But he also knew she and some of the admiral's other staff members, most noticeably Saul, didn't quite get along well beyond professional masks.
Kalmia's image blinked on his desktop holo pedestal for a moment, and then winked out. “Just a moment. Yes, sir, I believe he is. Its morning in Antigua now; he's reading and prepping for a briefing. You've got only a few minutes,” she said.
“If he's busy …,” he offered.
“Signal through. Admiral Irons is here,” she said. He turned to see Admiral Irons on the holo table. His avatar was basic, just his head shot. He nodded. “Sir, good morning to you.”
“And good morning to you too, Horatio. What's up?”
“About my orders �
��”
“That was fast,” Admiral Irons said, opening up the conversation. “A problem, Horatio? Don't think you can handle the assignment?”
“That's what I like about you, Admiral; you get right to the point,” Horatio said with a smile on his face. “Given you are a busy man, I'll jump straight into it without too much beating around the bush. I'm trying to parse out the logic. On the one hand I see it …”
“I tend to be logical. But I look long term. I take it you have a problem with the assignment?”
“Not in so many words. I'm just surprised by it, sir. May I ask why? I thought I was going to be sent to you. That way you could finish the flag officer implants. And from there, on to another star system, either to Bek or more likely, in a neighboring sector to start over.” He grimaced. He hadn't liked the idea of being sent to Pi. He'd considered putting in for a transfer to Tau to ride herd on Shelby. But she didn't need or deserve him looking over her shoulder. She was an adult; she'd earned her command. She'd done well on her own, and he knew she could handle whatever was thrown at her in Tau.
“In a way you are being sent to another star system to start over … but with a lot that is there. Once you get them situated out, I've got other plans for you,” Admiral Irons said. He'd considered having Horatio in Pyrax, or hell, even send him out with his own task force into Pi sector like he was doing with the commodore's daughter, Shelby, in Tau sector, but once the Bek option had presented itself, it had been a no brainer.
“Gee, thanks,” Horatio said wryly. "And the freighters?"
"They aren't for Bek. We've reconsidered that plan but it hasn't caught up to you yet. They and possibly another support ship will be building the core of the B101a1 Harbor Station as well as getting a jump on some of the infrastructure there."
"Now that is starting to make some more sense, sir," Horatio stated with a nod.
“I've got to go. Get your people up to speed including your replacement. You aren't going right away but soon enough.”