Welcome back to the Lady Lex. Sorry for the long delay, but life gets in the way of writing. That and the process seems to get harder as we approach the end. Here is our latest installment, with a look at the other ships participating in the Olympics. This chapter is a bit different. We both did various scenes in it then patched it together. Enjoy.
The Boys of the Lady Lex Chapter 46 "JFSA" Written By Douglas DD and Benjamin TC
Johnny Cooper nervously paced the bridge. He kept looking at his watch. The only ones on the bridge with him were Carson Brothers, Douglas Daniels and Mike the Donkey. Carson, Mike and Douglas were monitoring their stations intently.
"It's almost eight in the morning. They were supposed to be back by six. This was only supposed to take them 10 hours, not 12."
"Relax, no alarms have sounded yet, just lets give them time," said Douglas as he kept monitoring his station.
"If they fail this..."
"They won't fail. Not this time," assured Douglas.
"Johnny, I got them!" said Carson with excitement. "They're requesting permission to dock."
"Permission granted," said Johnny eagerly. He then left the bridge and headed to the hangar with Mike closely behind.
They got there just as the hatch opened. Out came seven tired looking boys. All but one were wearing only black T-shirts and make up on their faces. The seventh boy had no make up on and he was wearing normal civilian clothes.
"Well?" asked Johnny impatiently.
"Mission accomplished," smiled Trevor.
Johnny Cooper, Mike the Donkey, Scooter, TJ Polaski, Ryan Thumbleton, Douglas, Ben, Ian, and Gary were standing in formation on the hanger floor in front of the Lady Hawke. In a separate formation stood Commander Creevey, Dr. Daniels, Captain Storm, Major Zjan-Ren, Ensign Masters, Lieutenant Colonel Stone and Harrison Wolfe.
"Attention on Deck!!" yelled Commander Creevey as Captain Hatcher entered the hangar bay. At her command everyone, except for Harrison Wolfe, stood at attention in their dress uniforms.
"As all of you are aware, yesterday was the last day of final exams. Tomorrow the Olympics will officially begin. In the morning we will have the opening ceremonies and then in the afternoon the games will begin. This evening, on the planet, the senior cadet officers and certain regular officers are required to attend a banquet where they will be told the rules for the games. The following cadets are required to attend the banquet. Captain Johnny Cooper, Commanding Officer; Commander Mike Wakeman, Executive Officer; Lieutenant Commander Douglas Daniels, Operations Officer; Lieutenant Ben Collins, Master Helmsman; Lieutenant Ryan Thumbleton, Chief Engineer; Lieutenant Junior Grade TJ Polaski, Navigator; Lieutenant Junior Grade Gary Banks, Weapons Officer; Ensign Scott "Scooter" Starr, Science Officer; Ensign Ian Brothers, Communications Officer; And finally our special missions officer."
Most of the cadets in formation were confused. They didn't have a special mission's officer. So who was going to fill that role?
"Captain Cooper, have you decided on who your special mission officer is going to be?"
Johnny stepped forward. "Yes Sir. After showing much leadership, courage and intelligence, I ask your permission to promote Cadet Trevor Collins to the rank of Ensign and the position of Special Missions Officer."
"Very well. Permission granted. Now go get your new special missions officer and bring him to my ready room in one hour so I can promote him accordingly. Ensure he is in his dress uniform, because right after the promotion we will be heading to the planet for the banquet."
"Yes Sir," said Johnny. Captain Hatcher left the hangar. Johnny turned to his senior officers. "Senior Officers, be at Captain Hatcher's ready room in one hour for the promotion of Cadet Trevor Collins. Dismissed."
"You look like you were sleeping standing up," said Scooter to Ian as they exited together.
"I practically was. I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Why? What were you doing?"
"I can't say," said Ian as he tried to stifle a yawn.
"Okay. So where are you headed?"
"To my quarters. I want to take a nap before Hawke gets his promotion."
"Okay, see you there."
"I can't believe they're making Trevor an officer," said Ben, who was still surprised over what just happened in the hangar.
"He worked hard for it," said Douglas, who was walking next to Ben. "And after last night, he definitely earned it."
"Yeah I know, but it was only yesterday he finally qualified to play in the Olympics, and now today he's a senior officer. Just doesn't make any sense."
"Stop trying to make sense of it and be proud of your brother."
"Oh I am proud of him, Douglas. Don't get me wrong; it's just going to prove interesting is all."
"I can't argue with you there," laughed Douglas. "It will definitely prove to be interesting indeed."
"Douglas, can I ask you something?"
"You just did." Douglas laughed again. Then he stopped and put his hand Ben's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "You know you can ask me anything whenever you feel the need to ask me my love. What is it?"
"I know. Thanks." Ben leaned in and gave Douglas a gentle, loving kiss. Then Ben pulled away and looked into his lover's eyes. "You think we have a chance on winning the Olympics?"
"I want to say that we have the best chance and will kick ass, but like you I have my doubts. After all, we are using the Lady Lex who is well past her prime. But I think the Lady Lex, the Wonder Boy, and all the other shuttles have that one last fight in them to prove to the other academy ships that we are no joke and definitely don't deserve the name of the Triple L's."
"I think this old girl has some fight left in her too. Come on, we've got some time to kill. Let's go to our quarters," said Ben, as he started to rub Douglas's hardening member through his uniform pants.
Douglas smiled, and the two of them went to their quarters.
Johnny walked into the sports hangar. As he entered he could hear the swishing of a mechanical pitching arm with a crack shortly following it. He went over to the batting cage and he found Trevor swinging at some balls.
"Practicing your batting?" asked Johnny.
"What does it look like I'm doing? Practicing my field goal kicking?" said Trevor in his smart ass tone.
"Listen here smart ass; I need you to get washed up and into your dress uniform."
"For what?" said Trevor as he took another whack at a fast ball.
"The Old Man wants to see you."
"Is it about last night? Is he mad?"
"He still doesn't know about last night."
"Well, if Uncle Steve wants to see me in dress uniform that means I must have done something wrong, and now I have to explain my actions. But we didn't break any rules."
"Just get showered, and in your uniform, and be standing outside Captain Hatcher's ready room in thirty minutes. And don't be late."
"I don't want to go. I want to stay here and practice ball."
"You don't have a choice Hawke. Now go!"
Trevor gave up reluctantly and went to his quarters to get showered and dressed.
As he stopped from running all the way, Trevor slicked his still damp hair back in front of Captain Hatcher's ready room. He was out of breath, but he made it in time. Johnny was waiting outside the ready room for him.
"I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it," said Johnny as he straightened out Trevor's uniform.
"What is this all about?"
"You'll find out shortly."
The door to the ready room opened revealing Mike the Donkey. Like Trevor and Johnny, he too was in his dress uniform.
"He's ready," said Mike with a smile.
Trevor took a deep breath and followed Mike and Johnny into the ready room. In the corner he saw Ian, Ben, Douglas and the other senior officers standing at attention and in formation. He looked at Ben and saw him crack a smile and wink at him. "What's going on here?" Trevor thought to himself.
In the other corner of the room were all the regular senior officers and Mr. Wolfe. They too were standing at attention. All of them were in dress uniform except Mr. Wolfe, who was wearing a tuxedo. Trevor thought to himself that Mr. Wolfe looked odd in his tuxedo, and yet not so odd at the same time.
"Front and center Cadet Collins," boomed Captain Hatcher.
Trevor walked up to Captain Hatcher's desk, standing tall and proud. He didn't know what was going on here, or what kind of trouble he was in, but he was going to show them all that the Hawke wasn't afraid of anything.
"Cadet Collins, attention!" snapped Commander Creevey. Trevor stood at attention, looking stiff as a board. "Hand Salute!" ordered Creevey. Trevor snapped his hand up sharply and held his salute. "Report."
"Cadet Trevor Collins reporting as ordered, Sir!" said Trevor very professional and military like.
"Very well," said Captain Hatcher, as he saluted back at Trevor.
"Ready two," ordered Commander Creevey. Trevor dropped his arm as quickly as he had brought it up. He stood at attention waiting to find out why he was called here.
Captain Hatcher walked out from behind his desk. He stood in front of Trevor and towered over him. He looked down at the young boy and started to inspect him. Trevor just stood there not batting an eye lash. He wasn't going to show any sign of fear.
"Cadet Collins, I noticed you are out of uniform," said Captain Hatcher.
"Pardon Sir?"
"Did I stutter? I said that you are out of uniform."
Trevor broke his attention posture and started to see what he forgot. But from what he could tell, he was in uniform.
"Cadet, stand at attention." Trevor quickly stiffened back to attention. "Your rank and title patch on your arm is wrong."
"Permission to speak, Sir?" asked Trevor.
"Permission granted."
"How is it wrong Sir? It is the one I was issued."
"Ensign Collins," Trevor's head jerked slightly hearing the word ensign. "Your peers and I have decided that you have rightfully earned the rank of Ensign. And with your new rank, you carry the new title of Special Missions Officer."
The harsh sound of Velcro being torn off of Trevor's uniform sounded through the ready room. Trevor felt his chest swelling even more with pride, as Captain Johnny Cooper placed the new rank and title patch on Trevor's arm.
Commander Creevey held up a blue folder that had a certificate in it. She began reading:. "To all who shall see these present, greetings. Know Ye, that placing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of this cadet, I do hereby appoint Trevor James Collins to the rank of Ensign, carrying the title of Special Missions Officer in the Sol Force Alliance Junior Academy Fleet. This rank is awarded the tenth day of August, Two Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Seven. Ensign Collins will therefore carefully and diligently discharge the duties of the grade, to which appointed, by doing and performing all manner of things pertaining thereto. And I do strictly charge and require all personnel of lesser grade to render obedience to his appropriate orders. Ensign Collins is to observe and follow such orders and directions as may be given from time to time by his Superiors, according to the rules and articles governing the Sol Force Alliance. Given under my hand, onboard SFA Lexington, this Tenth day of August, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Seven. Signed Captain Stephen Hatcher, Commanding Officer."
The regular officers started applauding, and the cadet officers quickly followed suit, adding in cheers and whistles. Douglas looked at Ben, and then he looked up at Trevor. He didn't know who was more proud, Trevor for receiving these honors or Ben for being proud of his baby brother.
"Ensign Collins, it has been a long naval tradition that was carried over to SFA, that when one becomes an officer he receives a silver dollar. And then that silver dollar is passed on to the first person who salutes you. Ensign Collins here is your silver dollar." Captain Hatcher then placed the silver dollar in his palm and stuck out his hand to shake Trevor's hand. Trevor gripped his hand firmly and the silver dollar was passed into his palm.
Trevor smiled. He then was lead to the cadet officer formation and fell into rank. Captain Hatcher stepped forward and addressed the senior officers.
"Nothing makes me more proud then to promote someone, whether it is to the next enlisted rank or the officer rank. Lady Lex's officers are definitely untraditional because none of you boys worked your way up through the ranks to get where you are now. In addition some of you are a few years younger then those who hold the same rank and titles on the other junior academy ships. But all this doesn't mean that you didn't earn or deserve your rank and titles. You and your crew have come a long ways. I am proud to serve with each and every one of you, and I know you will all do me proud tonight at the Banquet of Rules. Besides, this is where we get to return the `Orion's' flag."
"Umm Sir?" said Trevor raising his hand.
"Yes Ensign?"
"We have six flags to return."
"Six?"
"You see last night I lead the Birds of Prey on a secret mission. We managed to sneak on board the Oriskanee, Spirit, Monitor, Gettysburg' and Port Royal`. We wanted to get the Kriton's flag too, but we ran out of time. Plus, we didn't know they were coming, so we didn't prepare to sneak on board their ship."
"You captured all their flags last night?" Captain Hatcher was pleasantly shocked.
"Yes Sir. And we still have the `Orion's flag."
"Commander Creevey, how many `Lexington' flags were captured?"
"Only the one and that was recovered by Ensign Collins and Ensign Brothers several weeks ago."
"Splendid. This is going to be some banquet." Captain Hatcher looked at his watch. "We need to get going. Commander Creevey take charge and have everyone on the Lady Hawke in 20 minutes, ready to head to the planet."
"Yes Sir!"
Captain Hatcher looked at his nephew with a gleam in his eye. He didn't know how he pulled it off without getting caught, but this was definitely a tale he wanted to hear once the banquet was over.
Trevor sat in a chair on the "Lady Hawke". All the regular officers and cadet officers had congratulated him on his advancement. Ben even embraced him hard and told him that he was proud and honored to be his brother. Trevor cozied himself down into the chair and fastened himself in. Last night's mission was beginning to catch up to him. He tried sleeping in the morning, but he was on such a high from capturing everyone's flags that he couldn't sleep. He had planned on going to bed after he hit a few balls, but that was changed when he made ensign.
Johnny and Mike sat in the same row as Trevor. They fastened themselves in. The engines began to roar as Kalon in the Pilot's seat, and Ben in the co-pilot's seat, put the Lady Hawke into gear and headed toward the planet.
"Hawke, you know, now that you are an ensign, there will have to be some changes," said Mike.
"What kind of changes?"
"You can no longer be the science officer on the Raptor."
"What? You mean I have to give up being a Bird of Prey? No way!" Trevor took his patch and pulled it off his arm and threw it at Mike. The lack of sleep was starting to put Trevor in a foul mood.
"That's not what we're saying," said Johnny. "Hear us out. You can no longer be the science officer."
"You already said that," grumbled Trevor has he looked out the window.
"As special missions officer you will be in charge of the group or groups that are needed for special missions. If the Donkey or myself think we need a special mission then we will come to you and tell you what we want and need, and it will be up to you to put your team together and come up with a plan to accomplish the mission."
"Can the Birds of Prey be my team?" asked Trevor.
"The Birds of Prey ARE your team," said Mike.
"That's right. Look at it this way. You are their Officer in Charge. Condor will be in charge of the Raptor, but you will be in charge of the mission that the `Raptor' is on. Understand?"
"I think so."
"Good. Now your first decision as Special Missions Officer is to find a new science officer for the `Rapto'r."
"I know who I want for that position."
"You're not going to think about it?" asked Mike.
"No need too."
"Very well, I trust your judgment," said Mike. "But remember Trevor, if you feel you need to replace any of your team for whatever reason, you have the power to do so."
"Okay," replied Trevor.
"Plus, if you need to temporarily add an additional person to your team for whatever reason, you have the power to do that too."
"I understand."
"Good, now it will be about an hour until we are docked and ready to debark so catch some shuteye."
Trevor didn't say a thing. He just laid his head against the cool glass of the window and dozed off.
Captain Alena Neeson was red in the face and her nostrils were flaring. Her gray hair was turning grayer as her voice boomed in her ready room. Standing before her were the JSFA "Oriskanee" cadets senior officers.
"I don't know how someone managed to sneak on board my ship and take my flag. But because this happened, you will all pay for it. Someone let my flag be taken right from underneath our noses. There is going to be hell to pay. I didn't come here to lose and by damn its not gonna start now."
Cadet Captain Gretchen Blitzstein the Orisankee's commanding officer said nothing. She just took it all in with her XO Commander Eve Clemmens, Operations Officer LCDR Eddie Frampton, Chief Engineer LCDR David Farley, Master Helmsman LCDR Hanz Kraus, Navigator LT Gianni Barratta, Weapons Officer LT Hamid Meade, Chief Science Officer LTjg Kally O'Neal, Chief Communications Officer Ensign Burt Gifford, and Special Masson's Officer LTjg Montgomery Allen.
After the cadets took the all too familiar ass chewing, they left the ready room, leaving Captain Neeson and Commander Toby Titus, the XO, behind. Commander Titus gave Captain Neeson a disgusted look and left.
The JSFA "Monitor's" Executive Officer, Commander Colby Scott walked onto the bridge. Sitting in his Captain's chair was Captain Michio Lin yu-Wang. He wasn't a man of words, but he was a man of action. He led with honor, pride and commitment. Many of his peers called him the Silent Leader or the Silent Predator.
"Captain, the senior officers and cadet senior officers are on the shuttle ready to head to the planet." Captain Lin yu-Wang nodded in acknowledgement. "Here is the passenger list."
Captain Lin yu-Wang looked over the list. He was pleased to see who his cadet officers were. They had proved themselves to be very worthy and valuable over the school year. He had faith in them that they would bring him honor during the Olympics.
The names on the list for the cadet senior officers were Captain Jean-Renee Leroux Commanding Officer, Commander Jeremiah Cosgrove Executive Officer, LCDR Shawn Alexander Operations Officer, LT Tiffany Close Chief Engineer, LT Stephanie Parks Master Helmsman, Ensign Ward Warner Navigator, LTjg Terry Newman Weapons Officer, LT Vanessa Bradshaw Chief Science Officer, Ensign Amanda Westgrove Chief Communications Officer, and LT Faith Manning Special Missions Officer.
Commander Scott started to leave to head to the shuttle and then stopped. "Captain, may I ask you something?" Captain Linyu-Wang nodded. "What are we going to do about our flag?"
Captain Linyu-Wang stood up and walked over to his XO. "Nothing," is all he said. He then left the bridge and headed to the hanger.
Commander Shequille Winters bounced into his opponent on the basketball court and made a slam dunk. The 6'11" black, Commanding Officer of the JSFA "Gettysburg", stretched his hand out and helped the man he knocked down. Unlike the rest of the Junior Academy Commanding Officers, he was only a Commander. When he retired from SFA he had only reached the rank of Commander, but it was not unheard of for that to happen.
Commander Winters shook hands and went over to the benches where his Executive Officer, Kylie Nichols, was waiting for him. She handed him a bottle of water and he dumped it over himself, washing the sweat down his long lanky body.
"Everyone is in their rooms and getting ready for tonight's banquet," said Commander Nichols.
"Good. Who do you have rooming with each other?"
"I have Captain Marshall Lincoln, our Commanding Officer, rooming with XO Commander Alex Nathan. LT Brian McNabb, our Operations Officer, is bunking with our Chief Engineer, LCDR Jerry Brockenhauser. Our Master Helmsman, LT Evan Jacobs, is bunking with our navigator, LT Leif Edwards. Our Chief Science Officer, LT Oliver Hallbridge, is bunking with our Chief Communications Officer, Ensign Rashad Hindi, and our Weapons Officer, LTjg Lee Leighton, is bunking with our Special Missions Officer, LCDR Victor Melrose."
"Very good Commander. Do any of them know who took our flag, or when and how it was taken?"
"No Sir. Who ever did it, did one hell of a fine job."
"I'm willing to bet that it was the `Orion' crew or the Port Royal crew."
"You don't think it was the `Lexington' crew, Sir?"
"No I don't. I thought so at first, but it is too obvious for them to do it. After all their crew is made up of juvenile delinquents. But I don't think Captain Hatcher would risk the humiliation of them being captured like they were on the `Orion.' No, I don't think it was them."
"I see your point sir, but I still think it was them."
"Care to make a wager?"
"Sure, ten credits."
"Not much of a risk taker, are you Kylie."
"OK Sir, one hundred credits."
Commander Winters smiled. "It's a bet." He shook out his hand and sealed the bet.
Rich Zimmer watched the "Orion" recede as the shuttle "Lionheart" started making its way towards Hawking's Planet. He loved being in his dress uniform, with his captain's epaulets proudly on his shoulders. He loved being the cadet CO of the newest junior academy ship in the fleet. He loved the status and power associated with his position. He had gotten there by knowing the right people and making sure they knew him. He would have preferred being the captain of the JFSA "Spirit", the ship he and Todd had been on since they were sixth graders, the youngest grade on every academy ship except the "Triple L", which had a few younger fifth grade cadets. But he didn't see the "Triple L" as being a real academy ship. Besides, from what he had heard, once the Olympics were over she would be decommissioned and her cadets sent back to the prisons and reform schools where they really belonged.
The only thing he didn't love at the moment was the fact that at the Banquet of Rules he would have to take on the humiliation of getting the "Orion's" stolen flag back from the criminals on the Triple L.
Chase Hunter, the captain of the "Orion", sat next to Rich. Rich hadn't been his first choice for CO. Todd Brown was the boy he wanted. He saw Rich as being no better than Ops Officer. But Rich apparently had some pull, not that Todd didn't. The difference was that Rich used his. Commodore Ridgeway, the Junior Academy commandant, ended up convincing him to take Rich, which turned out to be a poor choice. Fortunately, Todd had ended up being a superb XO, even if he was at times a bit too friendly in bed with some of the boys under him. But since he had no complaints of using sex to coerce any of the cadets, he let it ride, knowing how horny a teen can get locked up in a box flying through space. After all, he had been there once himself.
He had heard that all of the ships except the Kriton had had their flags stolen the night before. Some of it was rumor. Hatcher, for example, had been non-committal about the status of his flag. He smiled inwardly. At least he wouldn't be the only captain at the banquet with egg on his face. He did have one thing over the other captains. His crew had captured one of the thieves, even if it had been temporary. He wondered who had captured the flags. He didn't think it had been one ship, because if that was the case the Kriton, or his own ship, could have been the culprit. It couldn't be the "Lexington"; she was too incompetent. Nothing against Steve Hatcher, who had done a fine job with what he had, but face it, he didn't have much. The Kritons were here by invitation, part of the ongoing peace talks. They had no concept of the pranks and traditions of the JSFA. And if his own ship had done it, he would know it by now. Besides, that strange radio message had discouraged any one from sending out a raiding party. Of course one of the other ships could have done it, then cried about its own flag being captured as a ruse. It was a tactic he wouldn't put it past either the "Port Royal" or the "Oriskanee." Both of their captains loved playing at the edge of the rules. He added both to his list of suspects, though, using that logic, it could have been any of the other junior academy ships. He also knew Captains Scott, Winters, and Lopez well enough to figure they would have their crews locked up tight this close to the Olympics. He had heard that Winters' crew had failed to try a capture of the Spirit's flag during their preliminary match, so he could've been looking for redemption. But Hunter doubted it would be this close to the Olympics. Most captains shut down the little black operations this close to the games, but the fact that some didn't meant ships always had to be on their toes.
He and his XO, Sven Erickson, a big blonde Swede who looked slow and dumb, but was anything but, had discussed who the culprit might be. Sven agreed with him that more than one ship might have been involved, perhaps two ships working in tandem. But he also gave merit to the fake theft idea. And like Hunter, he wondered how much the radio message had discouraged anyone from doing an operation, and if the message was somehow related to the disappearance of the five flags.
Oh well, Hunter sighed, I guess we'll find out soon enough.
Hunter looked at the young cadets on his ship. Captain Rich Zimmer, his CO; Commander Todd Brown, the XO; Commander Gregor Markovich, Chief Engineer; Commander Tonia Windhammer, ops officer; Lieutenant Commander Roy Davis, Master Helmsman; Ensign Cary Boyce, Navigator; Lieutenant Tim Whitaker, weapons; Lieutenant Commander Kin Bu-Long, chief science officer; Lieutenant David Lee, chief communications officer; and Lieutenant Mark Hatcher, in the newly created post of special missions officer.
The appointment of Mark Hatcher had been controversial following his capture on the "Lexington". Sven, Todd, and yes, even Rich, had fought the appointment. But in spite of everybody's suspicion that more had happened on the "Lexington" than had been revealed, nothing could be proven. Todd had done everything asked of him, and, after interviewing numerous upperclassmen, none of them had been as qualified as Hatcher. Some thought appointing Hatcher had been an act of favoritism because he was the son of a captain. Appointing him had been no more an act of favoritism than appointing young Tim Whitaker as his weapons officer. They were young, but were also the most qualified for their posts. On some ships they might be political appointments, Hunter thought, but not on my ship. He just wished he had a ship that wasn't saddled with the sons of SFA senior officers.
While there weren't as many officers from the senior class as Hunter would have liked, his crew had quite a few juniors and so wasn't as senior heavy as most ships. Seniors were, for the most part, reluctant to leave their old ships for their senior year. But the allure of a new state of the art ship, and classes available nowhere else, did draw some seniors who saw becoming a cadet on the "Orion" as an opportunity. Seniors from every ship but the "Port Royal" had transferred to the "Orion". Hunter knew his junior and sophomore classes were a gifted group. Then there were the freshmen. Boys like David Lee, Tim Whitaker, and yes, Mark Hatcher who had talents far beyond the norm. With them, the issue was maturity, not talent.
Hunter knew it would be difficult for a new ship to perform at the same level as experienced crews who had been together for many years, but he was confident the extraordinary talent level of his cadets could make up for that. Todd had done a good job of trying to instill a sense of teamwork in the crew, but often his efforts were thwarted by the arrogance of Rich, an arrogance and air of overconfidence that often permeated the ship. Hunter knew that when the competition began and the adrenaline started flowing, anything could and would happen. And his crew had shown they had the ability to do anything. Hunter's question to himself was, as he looked over at his cadet CO, did they have the guts?
"You lost WHAT?" Admiral Whitaker screamed.
"Our ship's flag," Captain Harland Avery replied, sweat dripping down his face.
"No offense Harland, but how could you, of all people lose your flag? The `Port Royal" is two time defending champion. It is on the verge of a threepeat with maybe the finest senior class in the JSFA fleet. Your ship is supposed to STEAL the flags not LOSE them!" Whitaker was furious.
"Sir, we didn't have the opportunity to go on a foray. We were late achieving orbit."
"And why were you late?"
Avery took a deep breath. He respected and admired Whitaker. He had after all been his chief aide for five years. He had always been the one helping Whitaker apply the heat. Now he was on the receiving end, sweating like the poor fools who had invoked the admiral's wrath. He tried to phrase his answer to it wouldn't sound like he was blaming somebody else, but it still ended up coming out like a lame excuse.
"We were stopped for a surprise inspection and tour, sir. Along with an inspirational speech." It had, of course, been Whitaker who had stopped them.
"I take it you're telling me your chief engineer is too incompetent to add more speed? And that your crew is incapable of planning a raid in advance of achieving orbit.
"No, sir, I'm not. Chief McPhearson had the warp drive pushed to the limit. And we did have plans, but an alert was out for severe meteor activity and we decided not to launch our shuttle."
"Meteor activity? Around Hawking's Planet?"
"Yes, sir."
"And did you detect any meteor activity?"
"No, sir. But it takes time to do a scan."
"Well, the warning obviously didn't scare off everybody. Somebody had the guts to ignore it and take your flag. I'd love to shake the hands of whoever it was that pulled it off. By God, they showed some balls, something the JFSA might need more of." Avery could do nothing but nod and sweat. Whitaker lowered the level of his voice and said, "Captain, you are the best aide I have ever had. I gave you command of the `Port Royal' because you deserved to have the JFSA flagship and show what you can do before getting a ship of the line. I have not been disappointed with the results. Two Olympic titles in two years. If you want that command, I expect nothing less than a third in three years. Remember, captain, excuses are for losers."
"Yes, sir. We'll get it done."
Whitaker cut the connection. Avery immediately called for Lieutenant Commander Marty Fischer, his special missions officer, whom he had appointed with great ceremony during Whitaker's surprise inspection. Because the appointment had come right at the end of the academic year he was the only senior officer who was not a member of the senior class.
As he waited on Fischer, Avery thought about the Orion's stealing of flags during chance meetings. They had tried to take his, but failed. On the other hand, the missions his son and his XO had planned had failed as well. So often the CO and XO just didn't have time to plan things properly, hence the creation of the special missions' officer post. Starships had them, and the JFSA captains had pushed for a long time to have a similar post on the academy ships. Until last night, the "Port Royal" had never lost any sports or academic competition or a flag. No other ship could say that. Whitaker's chewing out had made him angry, and he was determined somebody would pay.
The strapping 16 year old junior entered the captain's ready room, his wavy blond hair as long as regulations would allow. He stood at rigid attention, expecting the "at ease" command that never came. Most of the "Port Royal" crew was smart, athletic, well-connected, and arrogant. Marty was all of the above without the connections. He was a scholarship student which made him an easy scapegoat.
"Commander, two weeks ago I appointed you to the newly created position of special missions' officer. I gave you an immediate assignment to plan an attack that would net us at least three flags from rival ships. You not only failed to get one, you managed to lose ours. Do you have anything to say to me about this?"
"Sir, we got a meteor warning and Captain Edwards thought we shouldn't launch a shuttle. And we figured nobody else would, either, so we eased up on the extra security."
"And yet there were no meteors, were there commander?"
"No, sir," Fischer said weakly.
"Do you think that maybe, just maybe, you got duped by that message?"
"Sir, it was on the emergency channel. Nobody is supposed to use that channel except for real emergencies."
"Cadet, I looked over the communications records. No such message went out over the emergency channel. The message was on an open channel. Were you aware of that?"
"No, sir." Fischer was now sweating like Avery had been when he faced Whitaker.
"And neither, I guess, was our communications officer. Whoever sent the message sent an earlier signal that moved our receiver off the emergency channel and over to an open channel. The channel numbers on our radio clearly show that the radio was not tuned to the emergency channel."
"We thought it was, sir."
"You THOUGHT? Cadet, you aren't supposed to think. You're supposed to observe the situation, see what is happening before you, and make decisions based on facts and on what is actually happening, and not on what you THINK is happening."
"Yes, sir."
"Cadet, I appointed you because I thought you were the best qualified junior for the post." Which is actually true, Avery thought, unlike half my officers who got their posts because their fathers are Senator so and so or CEO of some fucking company. "I was obviously wrong. You will not need to put on your dress whites for the Banquet of Rules, cadet. I am relieving you of your position effective immediately."
Marty fought back tears, but stayed at attention. "You are dismissed, cadet."
Marty left, knowing that not only had he lost his post, but that his life on the "Port Royal", the ship that had been his home since he was 11, was over. He would have to transfer off the ship, because he would not be able to serve on a ship where he had been stripped of his position. He had walked into the captain's office full of confidence, expecting to hear about the upcoming banquet. He left it a bent and broken boy.
Captain Avery watched the boy leave. He could see the boy's shoulder slump as soon as he got the word. Well, somebody's head had to roll, Avery thought. I certainly can't fire one of my well-connected seniors only three weeks before graduation. The chief communications officer was really the one who should be fired for not noticing the radio had changed channels, not the inexperienced junior. However, Fischer was the easiest to fire. A scholarship student with no connections, not to mention an underclassman. Oh well, nobody ever said life would be fair.
He left to meet his XO and his cadet officers at the shuttle in order to depart for Hawking's Planet. He would report his action to Whitaker tomorrow, knowing Whitaker, he would be happy with a head having rolled. That would placate him for the next two weeks. But the only thing that would truly make the good admiral happy would be bringing home the trophy for the third straight year.
He got on the shuttle along with his XO, Commander Royce Springer. His senior officers, who were all members of the senior class were CO, Christopher Avery, (his son); XO, Cmdr Lucas Redgrave (son of Senator Adam Redgrave); Ops officer, Ramon Santiago (son of the President of Panama); Chief Engineer, Steven "Spike" O'Grady (son of the CEO of IBM); master helmsman, Commander Bart Harlow; Navigator Lieutenant Commander, Amy Doan; weapons officer, Commander Freddy Parker (son of Admiral Ronald Parker); chief science officer, Commander Floyd Breton; and chief communications officer, Lieutenant Commander, Brittany Estrada (daughter of a line captain).
It was, overall, a good group, Avery thought. They won't miss Fischer; he was too new to the group. In a way it's a shame he had to go. He might have been a good CO candidate. While it wasn't unusual for all the senior officers to be members of the senior class, it was frowned on, for it failed to fully develop officers for the next year.
Well, it makes no difference to me, Avery thought. My son is graduating and will be the captain of the first crew of cadets to win three straight Olympics. And despite the little setback created by Fischer and Estrada's incompetence, I will be in command of a ship-of the-line next year, once we win these games. After all, they had humiliated the "Monitor" in the preliminaries. So whatever happens to the "Port Royal" next year means nothing to me.
Captain Jose Lopez of the JSFA "Spirit": watched as his polished group of senior officers boarded the shuttle, looking sharp in their dress uniforms. Their bags had already been stowed. Like the senior officers of the other ships, they would stay overnight in their appointed quarters on Hawking's Planet. They were a good group. Solid. Some were even qualified for their posts, at least the ones he had appointed himself. But like almost every JSFA ship there were political pressures. Fortunately, he had the best people in the most important posts. He had made sure of that. CO, Captain Emily Hanson; XO, Commander Scott Durban; Ops officer, Commander Norm Howard; chief engineer, Captain Crystal Bing; master helmsman, Ensign Lugi Gabrielli; navigator, Lieutenant Hans Brugo; weapons, Commander Farley Covington; science, Lieutenant Commander Joyce Covington (Farley's younger sister); communications, Lieutenant Perry Lawrence; special missions, and Lieutenant John Martelli. Finally, his own CO, Captain Kenneth Franco, boarded.
Franco was XO, even though he was a Captain, because he had been asked to fill in when the regular XO, Carla Jensen, had to leave the ship two months after becoming pregnant. The thing that made this a big deal, was that the father was one of the 8th grade cadets. Franco agreed to come out of retirement and fill in until a permanent replacement could be found. Lopez hoped Franco would agree to stay on. He was strong, experienced, and had the respect of the cadets, something Jensen didn't have, even before the scandal broke.
Lopez and Franco both wondered what ship was behind the big flag theft. Like Hunter they suspected subterfuge, a flag claimed stolen, that was not, in order to allay suspicion. They liked this idea even more after they discovered how the thief had gotten the entire JSFA fleet to relax with a bogus radio warning. Both Captains secretly wished it had been their ship that had done the stealing, but they had pretty much asked their crew not to go on forays and concentrate on finals and the upcoming games. After finishing last the previous year, Lopez was ready to move up in the standings. He was, in fact, confident in his crew. They had defeated the "Gettysburg" by two hundred points in the preliminaries. This was a much better prepared crew than last year's. He did everything he could to maintain their focus.
The Kriton cadets of the "Shakah-Amon" followed Captain Lagh-Vorz down the corridor to their shuttle. They did not fully know what these games were all about. What they did know, was that they were happy for the change in routine and enjoyed playing the strange Earth games. No overall score was supposed to have been kept in their games against the "Oriskanee", but Captain Neeson had kept them anyway, ready to brag about their superiority over the Kritons. Much to her surprise and horror, the games were actually competitive. The Kritons were athletic and had caught on fast. The Earth ship had won, but it ended up being more difficult than Neeson thought it would be, something that helped contribute to her usual foul mood.
The Kriton command system was much different than Earth's. But the essence was there. Only members of the top two academic groups could be in a senior command position. And they were appointed by a board on Kriton, not by the captain of the ship. While a few of the JFSA appointments were political, especially on the "Port Royal", almost all of them were on a Kriton ship. But, unlike some of the political appointments on an Earth ship, the appointee was expected to show a high level of competence as well.
The Kriton's were interested as to how this Banquet of Rules would go. While they were Kritons, an arrogant group confident in their own superiority, they were also kids, ready for competition, sport, and a new experience.
As the shuttles landed, the cadets were herded to the Royal Galaxy hotel, where each crew was given a small meeting room outside the banquet hall to get organized. The Banquet of Rules brought a lot of high brass, starship captains, politicians, industry leaders, government officials, and other important guests together for the official kickoff of the Olympics. No matter what the feelings and rivalries between ships, the banquet was a setting where tradition prevailed. The question was, could the Lady Lex fit into the stifling mold of the Banquet of Rules?
To be continued.......