by D. J. Holmes
Christine gave James a genuine smile. “Thank you Admiral. You may not think it, but you are the best man for the job. Koroylov and the others can hold down the fort until you return. Now, let’s think through a few different situations you might find yourself in. The final decisions will be up to you, but let’s do as much preparation work as we can.” Fighting back a sigh, James nodded and summoned what patience he had as Fairfax and the other politically minded members of the Inner Council shared their thoughts.
Chapter 13
Every generation looks back at the medical practices of those before it as barbaric. Today it is just the same. A historian must remember that at the time, the medical practices were cutting edge.
-Excerpt from Empire Rising, 3002 AD.
Atlanta, Georgia, 18th October 2482 AD (two days later).
James found himself run off his feet over the next two days, nevertheless he forced Miyagi to find enough time for one personal visit he wanted to make. As the shuttle Miyagi had organized touched down outside the hospital, James gestured for Miyagi to stay put. “I will not be long,” James said, “there’s no need for you to get up.”
“Yes Admiral, we have one hour before Drake is scheduled to break orbit.”
James chuckled at his Chief of Staff, “Don’t worry, we are not going to be late. Besides, do you think the Grand Admiral’s flagship is going to leave without us?” As he spoke James tapped his rank insignia on his shoulders and raised an eyebrow.
“No, of course not Admiral,” Miyagi responded.
“Then don’t worry, we’ll be breaking orbit in time.” Dismissing Miyagi from his thoughts, James descended the shuttle’s ramp. In front of him was a series of hospital buildings. Some looked to be more than three or four hundred years old whilst others were essentially brand-new. Somewhere in the midst of the buildings Admiral Lightfoot was being looked after. As he approached the main entrance, three doctors were already rushing out towards him. At least I won’t get lost, James thought.
“Greetings Grand Admiral,” one of the doctors said. “I’m the Senior Neurology Consultant here, Doctor Cathy Jennings. It’s a pleasure to have you visit our hospital.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome,” James said as he shook her hand. “I don’t have time for a proper tour. I’m actually leaving the system within the hour. If you don’t mind, I’d like to be taken directly to Admiral Lightfoot’s room.”
“Certainly, Admiral. Right this way,” Doctor Jennings responded. She waved her two compatriots to one side and marched off. James quickly followed.
A handful of minutes later Jennings came to a halt outside a door similar to the hundreds of doors that they had already passed. “Admiral Lightfoot is in here. Let me warn you though he may be asleep. If he is, you will have to leave him be. He needs his rest.”
“I understand completely,” James responded. “Can you tell me, what’s the latest on his situation?”
Jennings reached over and lifted a file out of the holder attached to the wall beside Lightfoot’s door. “He took a serious blow to the head,” she said as she flipped through the file. “He needed neural regeneration. Putting him in stasis for the journey home prevented the damage spreading too far, but you never know with these kinds of injuries. Thankfully, our doctors were able to repair almost all of the damage.” She nodded as she replaced the file and turned to James. “He has passed all his cognitive tests and his memory is largely intact. It seems his memory of the last six months is a bit fuzzy in places, but that’s understandable. What is missing may come back to him, or it may not. Only time will tell.”
“Thank you,” James said as he gestured towards Lightfoot’s door for it to automatically open. Tentatively he stepped in, looking for Lightfoot’s bed. When he saw his friend sitting up and eyes open, he smiled. “Do you have time for a visitor?” he asked.
Lightfoot set the datapad he had been holding to one side. Then he returned James’ smile. “Of course Admiral, or is it Grand Admiral now? Or are you Emperor? I’m losing track of all these titles. Perhaps I’m supposed to get down and bow to my former King?”
James increased his pace as his smile widened, at least his friend hadn’t lost his sense of humor. “For now, I’ll settle for a handshake. Though when you’re back on your feet I’ll be expecting you to kneel.” Taking Lightfoot’s hand, James firmly shook it. “I’m glad to see you awake and doing well. We have been very concerned about you.”
Lightfoot waved to take in his hospital room. “They’ve taken care of me very well here. They say I’ll be ready to go home in another week or so if I pass a few more tests.”
“That’s great, have your family been staying nearby?” James asked
Lightfoot nodded, “Emma is in a hotel across the street. The kids have taken a couple flights over to see me.”
“That’s good,” James said as he placed a hand on Lightfoot’s shoulder and squeezed it. “You don’t need any more encouragement to get better than that. How is your memory of events?”
Lightfoot’s face darkened. “Well enough,” was all he offered in response.
James hid a frown. “You’ll be pleased to know we’ve had a full debrief with Captain, now Commodore Rivers, as well as Captain Scott and Admiral Jil’lal. You’ll not need to relive what happened at the Karacknid supply depot over and over again. But we are keen to get you back to work as soon as you’re feeling up to it.”
Lightfoot shook his head, “I don’t know,” he responded.
James’ mental frown deepened. He took a deep breath as he started to say what he had prepared on the shuttle flight down from Drake. Of course, he had wanted to see how Lightfoot was doing, but he had also suspected what kind of mood his friend was in. Losing ships and their crews in battle was always hard. It was one thing if you were victorious, quite another when it was a defeat. Especially one you felt solely responsible for. As he spoke, James gave Lightfoot’s shoulder another squeeze. “You can’t let one loss determine your future. I know it is hard. Trust me, I’ve been there. The pain is far worse than any physical injury. Your head will eventually fully heal, at least, that’s what the doctors tell me. But you’ll never forget those moments when the Karacknids launched their surprise attack.” Though James hadn’t been there, it was easy for him to picture it. Scott had described it vividly. When Lightfoot didn’t respond or meet his eyes, James pressed on. “Your dark thoughts are as dangerous to you as any disease. You have to fight them just like a doctor might fight an infection. They need to be eradicated. One defeat does not make you a failure. Nor does it mean you let your people down. They all signed on knowing the risks. We cannot win every battle. But we need to win most. And for that, the Imperial Fleet needs you. We cannot afford to have you wallowing in self-pity and doubt.”
James walked around Lightfoot’s bed to place himself in his friend’s line of sight. “I know how easy it is to just give up. After Suzanna died I went AWOL for months. Months that could have been spent preparing for the Karacknid attack on Earth. I’ll never get those back. All I can do is spend the rest of my life making up for those mistakes.” James reached over and grabbed Lightfoot’s wrist. “You don’t want to go down that path. You are one of our greatest Admirals. We desperately need you.”
Lightfoot’s eyes flashed as they finally rose to meet James’. “And what if I get more of our people killed? Who needs me for that?”
“You will get more of them killed,” James said bluntly, making Lightfoot’s eyes flash again. “But you will also kill more Karacknids. Perhaps even the very ones that ambushed your fleet at their depot. And, far more importantly, you’ll protect Earth and our colonies. If you disappear on us all, the cost could end up being measured in the tens of millions of lives.”
Lightfoot snorted, “You don’t believe that.”
James took a step back and anger filled his voice. “You joked about kneeling to me. Yet perhaps that is what you should have done. Though I didn’t want it, I have been thrust into
this position. Now all of our species are my responsibility. I leave in less than an hour to go to New Delhi to deal with some political annoyance when I should be preparing our fleet for war. Do you think I have time to waste coming here for nothing? If you respect my opinion at all, you will listen to me. You are vital to this war effort. If I cannot be here, then you must. We are making preparations for a strike against the Karacknid supply depot. Koroylov heads the strategic planning division. He needs your input. I’m giving you a direct order as your Grand Admiral and Emperor to be, as soon as you’re well, you will report to him.”
Lightfoot didn’t respond, James stepped forward, back into his direct line of sight. “Is that understood Admiral? You just received an order from a superior officer.”
When Lightfoot looked at him, James saw pain in his eyes. Nevertheless, Lightfoot nodded slowly. “What was that?” James demanded.
“Yes Grand Admiral, I hear and obey.”
“Good,” James said, his tone softening. He reached out and touched Lightfoot’s shoulder again. “It will be hard at first, but you’ll quickly get back into the swing of things. You’re too valuable for us to lose. Not when we’ve lost Gupta and so many others. She died to get you home. I’m not going to let you waste her sacrifice.”
“All right Admiral,” Lightfoot said as he shook James’ hand off. “I get it. I won’t let you down. You can rest easy.”
James smiled for the first time since first seeing Lightfoot. “That’s what I came to hear. I wish I could stay longer, but I do really have to go. Drake is making her final preparations to break orbit.”
“Drake?” Lightfoot asked. “Your new flagship?” James nodded. “That’s a good name. What is she?”
“A battleship, one of Scott’s designs. She will be a force to be reckoned with,” James explained.
“Of that I’m sure,” Lightfoot replied.
“She’s being wasted on this mission to New Delhi, I fear both of us are, but this is what I have been asked to do. By the time I get back, I expect you and Koroylov to have some plans drawn up for how to put her to proper use.”
“I’m sure we will, you have my word,” Lightfoot replied. “Now get going, I don’t want you to blame me for holding up a battleship.”
“All right, well, farewell then,” James said as he stepped back from Lightfoot’s bed. He gave his friend one more nod and then turned and left as Lightfoot called out goodbye.
Doctor Jennings was still outside the room waiting for him. “Did you have a good visit Admiral?” she asked.
James nodded, “It was as I expected. You have been taking good care of him. See that it continues.”
“Of course Admiral, of course we will,” Jennings replied.
“Good,” James said, “now you better lead me out of this maze back to my shuttle, I have a battleship to catch.”
“Right away Admiral,” Jennings said as she quickly turned and headed in the opposite direction James had expected them to go.
*
When the shuttle touched down in Drake’s hangar bay, James descended its access ramp, datapad in hand as he flicked through a couple of files. He was taken completely off guard by the pipes that broke into song and the snap of officers clipping their heels together as they came to attention. He quickly got over his surprise and kept his eyes from rolling as Captain Fisher, in full dress naval uniform, stepped up to him and saluted. “Welcome on board your flagship Admiral. It is an honor to have you as our commanding officer.”
“The honor is all mine,” James said loudly as he held his hand out to Fisher. “I’ll get you back for this,” he whispered. He had specifically told her not to cause any fuss. He had thought he got away with it when she hadn’t formed a welcoming party when he had first come on board a couple of days ago. Since then he had been running around Earth making preparations to leave. This was his first time back.
“Having you use Drake as an office was one thing,” Fisher whispered back. “Now we are going on our first official mission. I couldn’t just let you sneak on board. Besides, Captain Scott contacted me and suggested you would appreciate the welcome.”
This time James did roll his eyes. He was going to have a word with his former Chief of Staff about just what she shared with his current officers. “Well, it’s customary for you to introduce me to your officers,” James said as she stepped past Fisher and looked at the Lieutenants lined up in front of him. As Fisher walked down the line and introduced the different officers, James was dismayed to see that he didn’t have a direct connection with any of them. None had served under him before. Two of Drake’s six lieutenants were actually fresh out of the naval Academy. James had to stop from shaking his head at their youth. They’ll learn, he thought. They have to.
Behind Drake’s Lieutenants, there was a second line of officers. His command staff had turned out in their full dress uniform as well. “Commander Miyagi,” James said with a nod as he stepped past his Chief of Staff. Somehow, in all the commotion, he had come off the shuttle and got in front of James and formed up with the rest of his staff officers. After Miyagi, James greeted each of his staff officers by name. Though for some it was the first time he was meeting them in person. He stopped in front of Lieutenant Commander Kirsty Ivanov and warmly shook her hand. “It’s good to see you Lieutenant,” he said. She had served under him on board Golden Hind. Three months ago he had contacted her with news that he had a ship available for her. To his disappointment, she had refused and requested to be assigned to Koroylov’s strategic planning department. Koroylov had been the one who had suggested Ivanov join James’ staff as his operations officer. She had proven the strength of her strategic thinking time and time again during her years with him. When he had spoken to her she had insisted that that’s where her skills lay. Despite his misgivings at the time, James had given in and allowed her to work with Koroylov. As soon as it was time to put together his own staff officers, he had contacted Ivanov and asked her to join him. She had been more than happy to. Now that James found himself standing in a room full of unfamiliar officers, he was happy that she was with him.
“It’s good to see you as well Admiral,” Ivanov replied. “I’m looking forward to serving with you once again. Though we do have a habit of ending up where the fighting is fiercest.”
“Would you have it any other way?” James asked, then smiled as Ivanov vigorously shook her head.
“Where the fighting is fiercest is exactly where you need to be Admiral,” she replied.
“Where we all need to be,” James said as he took in the stern looks on the faces of his other staff officers. He turned back to Ivanov, “I hope you will let them know I don’t bite… If they live up to the high standards we set of course. They have big boots to fill.”
“Don’t worry Admiral, we have already had a conversation or two about that.”
James nodded to Ivanov again and continued down the line. He stopped once more in front of Lieutenant Commander Anderson. He was James’ new tactical officer. According to the reports James had read, he had been seen as a young prodigy in the United Colonial States Navy. James was eager to see what he could do. “You come with an imposing reputation Lieutenant,” James said. “I’ve worked with a lot of highly skilled officers. But I am open to being impressed.”
“No Sir… I mean yes Sir; I won’t let you down Admiral!” Anderson said forcefully.
From his voice and the look in his eyes, James sensed something he easily recognized in himself. “You lost someone in the Karacknid attack on Earth?”
Anderson nodded and then lowered his gaze to his feet. “I was on the frigate Hercules in the Connecticut system at the time. My parents and sister lived in New York. Their bodies were never found.”
James placed a hand on his tactical officer’s shoulder. “We’ve all lost friends and family to the Karacknids. We will make them pay.” Raising his voice James addressed all the officers. “This mission to New Delhi may seem like we’re heading away from the
action. In many ways we are, but this is your chance to train together. To get to know one another. As soon as we’re back, we will be heading to confront the Karacknids. Don’t waste the next couple of months. If we are not ready for war by then the Karacknids will best us and return to ravage Earth. So make every day count.” Turning to Fisher he gave her a nod and then a salute. “My compliments on your officers Captain. You may break orbit as soon as Drake is ready.”
Ten minutes later James was sitting in his command chair on Drake’s bridge as his flagship came to life. First maneuvering thrusters reorientated the ship’s nose away from Earth orbit, then her main impulse engines kicked in. Around her, six destroyers broke orbit and fell into a defensive formation. After watching his ships maneuvering for several minutes, James turned his attention back to Earth. He imagined Christine, wherever she was, was watching Drake leave. She’d probably only have a few minutes to watch him go before being pulled back into one problem or another. Good luck, he thought to her, guessing she was thinking the same thing. As he said the words to himself, it hit him that he was going to miss her. Though they were engaged, their relationship had remained largely platonic. The odd cuddle, kiss or quiet word alone was the only intimacy they had been able to share. Even so, he had come to rely on her tremendously. They had worked so closely together on forming the Empire that she had become like a second arm to him. Good luck, he thought again, I’m going to miss you.