First Command (49 page)

      
After conferring with K’Rang Fleet HQ and receiving concurrence from the Elders, they established their own combined mine and sensor barrier layered opposite the exit.
 
The D’Rin star cluster was no longer a backwater.

* * * * *

      
The military-only memorial ceremony for the defenders of Barataria was a somber affair.
 
The Bishop-Commander led the invocation and prayers for the souls of the lost.
 
Kelly saw quite a few wet eyes on and around the raised dais of one of the Ascetic battalion chapels that had been set aside for the memorial.
 
To tell the truth, his eyes felt a little steamy when he thought about CDR Milton and his warrior spirit that led him to put his ship in harm’s way, when he could have remained safely in the rear.

      
Later, Kelly helped the admiral place a wreath at the future site of the Defenders Memorial by the parade ground.
 
The large civilian presence around what was a hastily constructed marble pad was heartwarming.
 
The audience was equally composed of Old Brotherhood and former captives, all grateful to those who died ensuring their safety and freedom.
 
After the ceremony, the admiral called Kelly aside.

      
“Kelly, are you aware that Fleet has been studying whether to assign scout ships to groups, task forces, and fleets during operations?
 
On the basis of your service to the 3rd Assault Landing Group, I am forwarding my recommendation to Fleet HQ that this be made a routine assignment for scout ships.
 
I would be happy to have your ship under my command at any time.”

      
“It is my considered opinion that the K’Rang fleet would now be threatening Rigel and Aldebaran, if not for the excellent reconnaissance work carried out by you and your crew.
 
You are to be personally commended, as well as your crew.
 
I will see to it that your ship is awarded another campaign star and a special engagement star for your destruction of the two K’Rang scout ships.
 
I will also forward award recommendations for you and any of your crew you deem worthy.
 
Get the recommendations to my flag secretary before you’re chopped back to Scout Force control and leave sector.”

      
Kelly said, “I appreciate your sentiments, sir.
 
You’re an easy admiral to work for.
 
I hope we work together again some day.”

      
The two clasped hands, then departed to their next event, the wedding.

* * * * *

      
Sally’s wedding was to be held at the Ruin View.
 
One-Eyed Pete would allow nothing else.
 
He had flowers from all over the planet brought in to decorate the place.
 
Sally insisted that only she would work in her kitchen, but Pete and Russell shouted her down.
 
They were not going to let her work on her wedding day.
 
They borrowed the best military cooks that she had trained in her style of cooking, and had them cater the meals.

      
Sally was dressed in a traditional white satin wedding gown, not seen much these days.
 
It covered her from her shoulders to the floor.
 
It had a simple white beaded headband that held up her veil.
 
The gown had belonged to one of her Brotherhood customer’s wife and had cheerfully been given to Sally to do with as she wished.
 
An afternoon at the tailor assured a perfect fit.
 
She looked positively slender in it.

      
Russell was dressed in formal wear suitable for a GR ambassador.
 
In fact, it had once belonged to one, before an Undefeated class cutter liberated it.
 
All the preparations were complete.
 
One-Eyed Pete stood at the front of the restaurant ready to give away the bride.
      
Russell and Alistair stood at the back of the restaurant with the Steven Maynard.
 
Six military cooks watched carefully over the ovens, pots, and pans, with plates lined up on the prep table.

      
Kelly sat on the bride’s side in the second row, in his dress uniform.
 
Mary Chen sat on his left and Connie Cortez on his right.
 
Admiral Minacci sat in the first row with his executive officer, CDR Digg.
 
The restaurant was packed.
 
Not a seat was empty and people were standing outside looking in the windows.
 
This was a big event for Barataria.

      
The wedding march started and everyone stood and faced to the rear.
 
As One-Eyed Pete and Sally marched up the aisle, Connie and Mary started sniffling.
 
Kelly, prepared, pulled out two handkerchiefs and passed them over.
 
Kelly had to admit that plain old Sally looked beautiful.
 
Her face beamed with a too infrequent smile.
 
She stood up straight and not her usual slump.
 
Love looked good on her.

      
She and Pete reached the end of the aisle.
 
He raised her veil and gave her a polite peck on the cheek then handed her over to Russell.
 
Maynard started the wedding with a brief welcome to all the guests and an explanation of why all were here.
 
He then proceeded to the vows and exchange of rings.
 
Women all over the restaurant were sobbing quietly, including Kelly’s ladies.
 
Before he knew it, it was time for Russell to kiss his new bride, which elicited a round of cheers and applause from the assembled dignitaries.

      
The reception followed immediately.
 
The guests were hustled into the bar for wine and cocktails, while the caterers cleared the chairs and set up the restaurant for the meal.
 
Kelly mingled with the assorted guest and dignitaries.
 
Steven Maynard came over and brought him a fresh drink.

      
“LCDR Blake, I want to thank you for all you did for Barataria.
 
Admiral Minacci tells me that without your support he might have lost to the K’Rang.
 
Let me assure you that we appreciate what you and your crew have done or us.
 
Also rest assured that there will be no repercussions for your unfortunate engagement with Torpedo Squadron Six.
 
We were pirates then and we took a pirate’s chances.
 
We bear you no ill will.”

      
“Thank you, Mr. Maynard.”

      
“Please, call me Steven.”

      
“Okay, Steven, call me Kelly.
 
I appreciate this gesture.
 
I wish there had been a way that I could have accomplished my mission without the loss of your squadron.
 
As a fighter pilot myself, I can assure you that I’ve never faced finer or braver opponents.
 
You can be proud of Torpedo Squadron Six.”

      
“Thank you, Kelly.
 
Excuse me, I see my assistant waving me over.”

      
It was time for the dinner.
 
The bridal party led the multitude into the dining room.
 
Place cards showed everyone where to sit.
 
Kelly wound up at Admiral Minacci’s table with his ladies on either side.
 
Alistair was at the head table next to Russell.
 
Connie blew a kiss in his direction.

      
The meal was excellent.
 
Even Sally was pleased.
 
The toasts were long and witty; the wine flowed freely.

      
After a while, One-Eyed Pete stood up.
 
“Ladies and gentlemen, I have a gift for the bride and groom, if they will accept it.”
 
 
He pulled out a pocket terminal and turned it on.

      
“This is a legal document I’ve had drawn up.
 
It deeds Sally and Russell a full partnership in the Ruin View Restaurant, if they will agree to stay here on Barataria and help me run it.”

      
Sally stood up and pulled Pete’s face down to kiss him.
 
Tears streamed down her face.
 
She choked up and couldn’t speak, so Russell spoke for her.

      
“Pete, this is an unexpected pleasure.
 
This is what we were hoping, but felt we couldn’t ask for.
 
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

      
Pete disentangled himself from Sally, who clung to his neck weeping with joy, and had them thumb the document.
 
He held it up after to a round of applause and cheers.

      
After the dishes were cleared, the bride and groom circulated around the room, thanking all their guests for coming.
 
When she finally came to the Admiral’s table, she told him and Kelly she’d better never hear either was in the sector without coming by for a meal.
 
There would always be a table waiting.

      
They made their way around the table and One-Eyed Pete was there to hustle them along to change for their get-away.

      
The bride and groom changed into street clothes and the guests lined the entrance to wish them well.
 
Rice flew as they ran to a waiting hover limo and it sped off into the night.
 
Folks found out later that Pete had lent them his cabin by a lake for their honeymoon.

      
A long line for the taxis had Kelly, Mary, Connie, and Alistair waiting, until Kelly felt a tap on his shoulder.
 
It was CDR Digg, motioning him to come with him.
 
The four of them followed him around the corner to a large ground car.
 
Admiral Minacci waved them all in, and they rode to the spaceport.

      
Mary rode up to the Golden Eagle in the Admiral’s gig.
 
Her company would be embarked on the Golden Eagle until the 3rd ALG reached Gagarin.
 
The remainder of the Marine Brigade from the Yellow Jacket would be split between the Assault Landing Carriers Wasp and Bee.
 
Temporary berths were set up in the AS-500s to house the Marines.
 
The Yellow Jacket’s dozen AS-500s would be parked at the Baratarian Main Spaceport until a carrier could be dispatched to pick them up.
 
The pilots, copilots, and a small Marine detachment became honored guests of Barataria, as they remained behind to guard the craft.

      
Kelly, Connie, and Alistair spent a sober night on the Vigilant.
 
A large part of the crew was out on the town.

      
The Vigilant lifted off the next morning, bright and early, with the crew only a little hung over.
 
When they hit orbit, Admiral Minacci contacted Kelly to tell him he had been released back to Scout Force control and, again, how much he appreciated having him around.
 
He hoped they could work together again some time.
 
Kelly expressed similar sentiments.
 
The Admiral signed off and Kelly heard a knock on his door.
 
It was Yeoman Benitez, with a dispatch from Scout Force ordering him back to Antares Base.
 
Kelly ordered Connie to set course for Alistair’s ship to drop him off first.

      
They docked with Alistair’s ship and transferred his gear over.
 
Kelly watched as Alistair pulled Rojo out of the stasis chamber.
 
He lifted him out of the carrier and placed him on the warm spot next to the command console.
 
In but a few minutes, Rojo was up and purring, rubbing up against Kelly’s leg.
 
Kelly had an idea and excused himself, leaving Connie and Alistair alone.
 
He came back a discreet time later, making sure to make noise as he approached the control room.

      
“I understand Rojo likes sailor fish fillets.
 
If that’s still the case, here’s a package of them for him.”

      
Alistair was astonished.

      
“You have sailor fish fillets in your galley stores?”

      
Kelly replied, “No, but a replicator is a wonderfully handy thing to have.”

      
They all three laughed.

      
Kelly told Connie that he had some things to take care of on the Vigilant before they left, so she could stay here to say farewell for a while.
 
Kelly went back to his cabin, called in Yeoman Benitez, and finalized his award recommendations to transmit to Admiral Minacci’s Flag Secretary before they left the sector.
 
He approved the list and had Benitez transmit it to Admiral Minacci’s staff.