Jethro 3: No Place Like Home (59 page)

He hugged her behind for a moment. “Well,” he said as she turned, resting against his chest. “I know it's a little late, but I know of a position at the academy. Teaching hypernavigation and helming a ship,” he said.

“You do?” she asked, eyes wide. She looked up at him. He smiled down at her as her chest twined in his boyish chest fur.

“Yes. It just so happens the Ssilli are going to be headed out shortly. Word is they are headed to Antigua on the next convoy. That's in a couple months, but I think they wouldn't mind someone taking over now.”

“That's...that's an interesting proposal,” she murmured. “I have to admit; it's interesting. But I'm reluctant. I do love to fly,” she whispered.

“I know you do, love,” he said, thrilling her with that simple four-letter word. Her heart twisted. “And you can still do it to some degree; after all, you'll be manning the simulators all the time. It's not just theory and classroom work; there is a practical side to the training. And I know they want the kids to get a real handle on the navigating side, so they are working on short hops. Sending a ship out for a parsec and then back.”

“That is...interesting,” she admitted. Her eyes fell as she thought about it.

“And of course you can get your hands dirty flying shuttles and fighters too,” he said with a grin. She looked at him again. “I know a guy who's in a position to make certain you get flight time when you want it,” he teased.

Oh you,” she chuckled, patting his chest.

“Well, I should,” he said, stroking her hair again. “You'll think about it? Talk to the Ssilli and the others? You might be able to get that Selkie Marine Deja on board. Really go over the hypernavigational school in San Diego, shake it up and put your stamp on things,” he said. “Set it up properly. Take some courses while you're there. You said you want a promotion; the credits and leadership you show will help you,” he encouraged.

“I...I can't make any promises,” she said as he rocked her and stroked her hair. “But I'll talk to the skipper about it and see what she says. I'm not sure they can get me a replacement at this late a date though,” she said.

“You never know until you try,” he murmured.

She reached up, eyes locking to his as she stroked his cheek. “Enough talking,” she murmured huskily. “Time to do,” she said as her lips enveloped his. He chuckled as she pushed him backwards. Then coherent thought seemed to drift after that.

---( | ) --- ( | )---

Later that evening she returned to Firefly's berth, filled with a heady feeling and a bit of trepidation. The nerves worked themselves up the closer she got to the berth. She was reluctant to go now, she realized, but scared of what her Captain would say at such a desertion.

“So, had a good time,” Renee teased from behind her. Janice spun and came to attention. The Captain smothered a laugh. “At ease Janice for goddess sake, you're out of uniform anyway,” she teased, waving a hand.

“Sorry, Skipper,” Janice said, blushing.

“Well, I'm glad the evening went well. Last evening,” Renee teased with a wicked smile. Janice felt her flush darken to her ears. Renee cocked her head, grinning as she crossed her arms. “So? Spill!”

“Um...” The Lieutenant looked around the companionway uncomfortably. It wasn't flat-out busy, but there was still a steady stream of people coming and going.

Renee recognized her reluctance and relented. “Come on,” she said, waving her off. “Let's go,” she said making her way on board. She saluted the colors and then the officer of the deck and asked for permission to board. Janice did as well, following protocol. She saw the OOD's amused look at her
uniform
but didn't respond. He pinged their IFFs then formally acknowledged their right to board.

Once they were in the Captain's day cabin Renee waved her to a seat and texted her steward to bring them a couple glasses of wine. After they each had a glass and had murmured their thanks, he withdrew quietly. Renee took her seat, crossed her legs and smiled taking a sip. “Don't think you are off the hook. The inquisition was just delayed until I got you in private. So spill girl!” she said wickedly.

Janice sputtered, making Renee chuckle. She batted at her damn silk dress for a moment and then shook her head. “It was the most magical night of my life. We had a blast! Food, wine, dancing...”

“I hope more than just dancing,” Renee said looking at her feet. Janice grimaced and kicked her shoes off before she reached over to rub them. “Oh, come on,” Renee growled.

Janice snorted and then chuckled, ducking her head. “Okay, okay, I give. Some dancing in bed too. Many times.”

“Many times?” Renee demanded.

“Many, many, many times. I lost count,” Janice gurgled. She loved Renee like a sister. They'd been crew mates together on Carib Queen, and they'd been an anchor for each other after they'd been marooned in the system. Now...

“So...”

“So...” Janice sighed, fighting her body’s urge to tear up. She would not cry she vowed, fighting it. “So, he.. proposed to me...”

“What?” Renee squawked, eyes wide. “Talk about a fast mover! I know flyboys are quick but...” She shook her head.

“Not...not that. At least not
yet,”
Janice said. She wiped at her eyes. “I don't know what to do,” she said, fighting the sobs tearing at her throat. “He told me about the position on San Diego, the Hyper instructor...”

Renee's face cleared and then stilled. She listened as her friend told her about the great opportunity. Her own heart twisted, she knew what she had to do, had to say. She put in a text file to Commander Decius, requesting a relief for Janice with a terse explanation of the circumstances.

“Go for it. Take the position, take some classes, and fill in here.” Renee encouraged her, reaching over to pat her knee.

Janice looked up at her friend, eyes wide. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! It's about time you left the nest and tried your wings. You wanted the XO position, maybe even a ship of your own. Here is a path to that. You have to be willing to try it,” Renee said firmly.

“I...can try. But oh, I'll miss this!” Janice half whispered, looking around. She waved a hand to the ship's bridge not far off.

Renee smiled softly. She'd miss her friend but knew it was her time to move on. “And we'll miss you silly! But we all have to move on sometime.”

“Okay,” Janice said softly. “But I don't know if they can do it so late or if it will be approved,” she said biting her lip.

“It's already in the works. I put in for the transfer and recommended you for the post,” Renee admitted.

“You did?” Janice said, eyes wide again. “Oh, thank you!” she said, lunging forward to hug her.

Janice and Renee hugged in a private moment. When it broke Renee smiled, still holding her arms. “See? Not so bad. Yes I'll miss you, but I'm looking forward to raking you over the coals to drag out every morsel of information, every dirty little secret you two have been up to in my absence,” she teased.

Janice giggled.

“Hey, it's only fair, you've done the same to me when I'm with Vargess,” Renee growled. Janice nodded, dashed tears and put in for the transfer.

She was surprised and a little put out at how quickly it was approved and her replacement showed up half way through the next shift. She didn't like the idea of being so replaceable so easily.

“Don't think about it that way. Think about learning. Spreading what you've learned, passing on your experience to the others,” Firefly told her. He didn't tell her that he had anticipated the transfer and had put in an alert with the personnel department some time ago, hours before Captain Mayweather had put her request in. Commander Decius had taken the warning to heart and had lined up several navigator candidates. The ship AI had worked with Commander Dart to narrow the field to the top pick, a human male named Lieutenant Jared House. He was a good man, an experienced navigator. He'd helmed a few civilian ships before he'd come to Pyrax and enlisted.

He'd taken a commission and rocketed through the ranks with his past experience as his foundation. He'd helmed several of the frigates as well as Fuentes and Damocles. He had been slated to take Xavier's senior navigator slot before Lieutenant Yu had put in for her transfer.

Commander Dart knew the Lieutenant, having served with him before. He had some grudging praise for the man, admitting he knew his post forward and back and had a backbone. They'd have to see how well he handled leadership when he manned a watch for the first time.

“Go. Do good. Kick ass,” Renee said firmly. “And if Junior doesn't work out, have fun checking out all the college lads,” she said with a wicked teasing grin.

Janice bobbed a nod but she was blushing. “Yes, ma’am.”

---( | ) --- ( | )---

The evening before Firefly's departure a formal last dinner was scheduled for all the old bridge crew on Firefly as well as the new. It was the first formal dinner with the new XO, both a send-off for Janice and Shelby and a welcome to the new crew.

Jethro was grabbed outside the berth, ordered to dress in his formal uniform, and then rushed in as guard outside the wardroom door. It was literally a last minute grab. Had he had five minutes more he would have been clear of the ship.

“They couldn't find anyone else? I'm just here to pick up my armor,” Jethro grumbled softly, noting his partner was a damn mech. Sergeant Riley had insisted on having the armor run by him before he and Firefly departed the system. Jethro had been ordered to comply, but he'd made certain the powers that be understood the Admiral's orders and Riley couldn't just make off with it, no matter how much he coveted the armor. He felt eyes on him and stiffened as someone came out of the hatch. It wasn't someone he knew by smell though, so most likely an officer.

The man came out and turned, flashing an IFF of a Lieutenant Commander. He was tall for a human, thin, average looking with brown buzzcut hair of a spacer. His face was lean and cold though.

The human eyed him like he was a particularly loathsome specimen, but one he had to put up with. “Shut up and soldier, soldier cat. Most of the Marines are on leave or in training. We sort of got caught out so we're stuck with you. I intend to do the departing officer the proper duty. As you know the last order given should be obeyed.”

“Right, yes, sir,” Jethro replied, nodding tightly and flicking his ears. This guy was a stiff Jethro texted to Bast. The AI looked up and flicked her ears but as usual didn't say anything.

The new exec eyed him with scant favor. “You do remember, children should be seen not heard, Sergeant? Marines even more so. You don't have enough brain cells to rub together for proper conversation anyway,” the human said with a sniff.

“Yes, sir,” Jethro said tightly, hiding a grimace while forcing his ears to remain erect and attentive. He felt Bast grumble in the back of his mind. She growled low, hissing softly in annoyance. Jethro wasn't certain in his defense or at him for toying with the XO. He was now acutely glad he had been transferred off Firefly and now couldn't wait to leave. Hell, the Captain had never liked him anyway, he thought.

“Very well. We'll have someone in the ship's company relieve you in good time. Until then, do your best to play the part accordingly. I think you can handle that. At least I hope so,” The XO said, sounding doubtful.

“Aye aye, Sir,” Jethro replied stiffly.

Jethro and Bast were both amused to see the new XO fuss over each of the ship's officers as they came in, having them adjust their formal wear to his exacting standards.

The amusement peaked when the Captain's steward came out of his pantry, gave each of them a quick inspection, but found fault with the XO. There were a few soft snorts from Janice and the other veteran officers. Jethro schooled his expression to not give away his own amusement. But the look on the XO's face was priceless.

Janice and Shelby winked at him in passing as they passed through the hatch. He nodded to Commander Valdez as the young man ran up and passed him without a word.

---( | ) --- ( | )---

Renee's steward handled the choreography of the meal with impeccable grace and leadership as always. She nodded her thanks to him as the final dishes were whisked away and then smiled. As hostess she raised her glass. “I have a few toasts to make, and normally, tradition dictates that the junior member of our party starts them,” she said nodding to the youngest midshipman in their midst. The Veraxin picked up a glass with his right truehand. “But, I'm going to flout protocol and tradition briefly, because I wanted to say this personally,” she said, nodding to them.

Those who knew her smiled. Her new XO Dart looked slightly put out, but that was tough for him. He needed to lighten up she thought. “First, as always, to the reborn Federation and the Admiral,” she said formally. “Long live the Federation,” she intoned.

Others in the compartment echoed her toast.

“And second, to friends old and new,” she said, gesturing with her glass to each of the officers. “For those departing friends, may the goddess of space smile on your new adventures. For those of us just joining, I greet you as friends and comrades and look forward to getting to know you over our voyage.”

“Here here,” Shelby said, lifting her glass. Others did as well.