Against All Odds (13 page)

"The Admiralty Board has this past week approved a request from me to substantially increase the Second Fleet's quota of scout-destroyer ships. Resources are being allocated immediately to begin stepped-up production at the Mars facility. Although the actual speed capability is classified, I'm sure most of you have heard the rumors. Let me just say our new ships are faster than anything envisioned just a decade ago. I know you'll be as thrilled as I've been to be a part of this emerging technology. In the months ahead, many of you will receive an introduction to the battle tactics developed for this new class of warship.

"When I leave Earth in a few days, I'll be starting my trip back to Region Two where I'll continue overseeing the establishment of our new Headquarters base on the planet Quesann. From that location we'll work to bring peace and stability to a part of the galaxy which has for a century known little but war and violence. Because Terrans weren't tolerated in the former Milori Empire, we have little first hand knowledge of the worlds in Region Two, so we'll be relying on the file data we recovered in captured Milori vessels as we feel our way along.

"In a few months time, as my graduating class prepares to assemble in celebration of our twenty-sixth reunion, you members of the class of '82 will be graduating. A greater number of graduates then ever before will be assigned shipboard duty because of both the larger class sizes at the Academy and the increased quotas of new officers accepted for duty in space. The GSC Warship Command Institute has likewise greatly expanded its class sizes. Space Command needs every one of you to do your best, both now while you're preparing for the day when you get your orders to report to your ship, and later when you actually assume your duties. I'll need hundreds of new ships in the coming decade and the crews to man them, so many of you will be joining me in Region Two. But should you be assigned patrol duties in one of the less active areas of Region One, don't ever think your role isn't just as important as those of your fellow officers assigned to Region Two. Only by keeping things quiet and under control in your sector will others be free to focus their full attention on keeping things quiet and under control elsewhere. With each of us doing the job assigned to us, no matter how unimportant or tedious you may feel the job is at times— and I've had my share of those— we are working together to ensure our families and friends remain safe and free.

"We must never again allow the Raider organization, or any other crime syndicate, to attain such a strong foothold in our territory that they threaten the lives and prosperity of our citizens. I've done my best to wipe out that threat…." Jenetta had to pause again while the entire assembly rose to their feet and drowned out her words with cheers and applause. She smiled and took a quick gulp of water from the glass on the podium while the students expressed their feelings.

"…but the job of further reducing that organization's piracy, murder, slavery, illegal drug smuggling, illegal weapons sales, and other illicit activities will now fall to your shoulders and those of your fellow officers. As is the case with most line officers who have advanced to flag officer rank, my duties continue to move me further and further from the action. And perhaps that's as it should be. As this old warhorse takes a step back to make room for you new stallions, and stallion-ettes, remember that my heart will always be with you at the forefront of our battle lines. I envy you the experiences and adventures that await you.

"Thank you for sitting through my long-winded speech. Good luck with your studies and remember that everything you learn here will be useful one day. Pay close attention to the material your instructors are cramming into your head. God bless you all. I'll look forward to seeing you in Region Two."

As Jenetta stepped back from the podium, the entire student body stood and applauded for all they were worth. The building seemed to shake from the thunderous applause and stamping feet. Jenetta smiled and waved as Admiral Ponte stood and moved to the podium. He waited patiently, dividing his attention between Jenetta and the students as the entire cadet corps seemed unwilling to stop cheering. Finally, he put up his hands in a gesture that told the cadets to ease off and the din began to subside.

When it had quieted down, he said, "Admiral Carver, I doubt you'll find anyone on this campus, or anywhere else for that matter, who views you as an old warhorse."

The student body erupted in genuine laughter.

"I'm equally sure that anyone at the Academy would deem themselves very fortunate indeed to be assigned to a ship or base in your command when they've completed their studies. And you can be sure that anyone joining you in Region Two is ready for the challenge after receiving the best education Space Command can offer. With you in command of Region Two, we know the new territory is in the best possible hands."

Jenetta smiled and said, "Thank you, Admiral."

Turning back to the corps of cadets, Admiral Ponte said, "And now it's time to return to your studies. This assembly is dismissed."

After saying goodbye to the senior officers present, Jenetta and Lt. Commander Ashraf returned to the shuttle pad.

Admiral Ponte remained with them until they entered the shuttle and then watched as the small ship lifted off. A part of him wished he too could be making the trip to Region Two.

* * *

Two days later, Jenetta and Lt. Commander Ashraf visited the Southern Hemisphere Space Academy where Jenetta received just as enthusiastic a reception as she had received at NHSA. After a tour of the school and lunch with the senior officers, she addressed the corps of cadets in an assembly, giving a very similar speech. As at NHSA, the corps of cadets expressed their admiration and respect for the things she had accomplished during her years as a Space Command Officer.

* * *

After returning to the Potomac Base, Jenetta was able to spend two more days with her mother before it was time for her tearful goodbye. Her departure was less eventful than her arrival, but a number of close friends of her mother, as well as the base's commanding officer and senior staff, turned out for her liftoff.

Back aboard the Colorado, preparations for departure had already been completed and the ship left Earth orbit within an hour of Jenetta's arrival with her two sisters. They would reach Higgins in less than four days.

The conversations in Jenetta's quarters during those four days centered mainly around the trip to Earth, although thoughts of what was transpiring in Region Two were never very far from their minds. She had briefed them on the situation as soon as they were away from Earth. She hadn't told them earlier because she hadn't wanted to diminish their delight in being home while they were still with Mom.

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?"