A Galaxy Unknown (37 page)

Jenetta had immediately realized that she was being promoted when the admiral began reading, but she expected to hear ‘Lieutenant(jg).' When the Admiral said ‘Lieutenant Commander,' her jaw dropped and she just stood there with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open.

Admiral Holt chuckled. "This is the first time that I've seen you at a loss for words, Commander."

"Li— Lieutenant Commander? Surely you meant to say Lieutenant J.G., sir.

"No— I meant to say Lieutenant Commander."

With narrowing eyes, Jenetta asked, "Is this a joke, sir?"

Admiral Holt grinned. "Supreme Headquarters is not in the habit of making jokes, Commander."

"Uh, no sir. But isn't that— rather an unusual promotion? I mean, from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander? That's three grades, sir."

"Advancement from ensign to lieutenant(jg) is not really a promotion in the normal sense, but rather an upgrade at the discretion of a commanding officer when he or she feels the new officer is deserving. If not for all this brouhaha with the court-martial, you would have received that immediately upon your arrival here. So it's really just a two-grade promotion. And yes, even that is a bit unusual, although in Earth's history there have been battlefield promotions that far surpass it. I prefer to think of this advancement as simply being— overdue. You were repeatedly skipped over at promotion time because we, um— temporarily misplaced you, so Space Command is merely placing you where someone of your demonstrated talents and ability would no doubt be after eleven years in Space Command. Most of your classmates who have remained in the service have reached Lieutenant, and one recently made Lieutenant Commander. After what you've done for the people of the Galactic Alliance, we can't have you being junior to any of your former classmates. And Commander?"

"Sir?"

"I've made a small wager that you'll be the first of your graduating class to reach the rank of captain— officially. Don't let me down."

"No sir. I mean, yes, sir. Thank you, sir."

"Here's your first set of three bars to replace the single that you're currently wearing. Admiral Margolan, would you assist me, please."

"I would be most honored, sir," Admiral Margolan said.

Jenetta stood at attention as the two admirals replaced the ensign insignia on each epaulet with new insignia that showed her rank to be lieutenant commander. When they were done, both stood facing Jenetta and saluted her. She immediately returned their salute.

"Since we're officially at war with the Raiders, I'm also pleased to award this Purple Heart in recognition of the broken arm that you suffered while retaking the Prometheus," Admiral Holt said, holding out a medal case. "I'm as glad as you are that you were able to avoid those lattice shots."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."

"It's also my pleasure to give you the Space Command Star that you were awarded following the explosion of the Hokyuu. It was awarded posthumously, but the records have been amended, so you're entitled to wear it. I know that it won't make up for the many years that you lost, but it's the best we can do."

"Thank you, sir."

"And here's your new service classification insignia." Smiling widely, Admiral Holt held out a small jeweler's case and raised the snap open lid. The case contained the two new gold insignia for her collar.

Jenetta started to reach for the box and then froze as she saw the insignia. All command officers wear gold collar insignia in the shape of an inverted ‘V,' meant to be symbolic of an early spaceship blasting off from a planet. But the insignia that Admiral Holt was holding also contained a red garnet inset at the widest part of the ‘V.' Intended to represent the flames from the ignition of liquid fuel, only the collar insignia of a line officer contained that red inset.

"I don't understand, sir," she said.

With smiling eyes the admiral said, "You were expecting to be posted maybe to a research ship, quartermaster ship, or possibly a reclamation vessel? Something like that?"

"Uh, yes sir."

"Because of the regulation that requires all line officers be graduates of the Warship Command Institute?"

"Yes sir."

"The Admiralty Board endorsed your advance registration for the next class of WCI students."

"They have?" Jenetta said, her face lighting up.

"But then they withdraw it," he said, his face reflecting sadness.

Her smile immediately faded. Crestfallen, she said, "They did?"

"They decided that it would be— awkward— to have a Lt. Commander who had seen such action as you have, and been the subject of so much attention, in a class with a bunch of inexperienced ensigns. They felt that the other officers would be in such awe of you that it could affect their performance. Besides which, during these difficult times we can't have an officer with your abilities and experiences sitting in a classroom for two years while a professor tells you things you already know, and possibly even know better. Or worse, wasting those talents by posting you to a Quartermaster ship or Research vessel, as vital as those services are. So the Admiralty Board has decided to waive the regulation in this instance, and allow you to assume your new post aboard ship immediately.

"I fully endorse their decision. I've had an opportunity to review the bridge logs of your time as captain of the Vordoth; not just the logs recorded immediately prior to and during the attacks, but the normal watch logs as well. I recognize command ability when I see it. You belong on the bridge of a warship."

Jen returned her gaze to the small case and reached out with trembling hands to accept the insignia, a lump materializing in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes. It was her lifelong dream come true; a command posting to a warship.

"The room shall be at ease," Admiral Holt said and everyone relaxed. Handing Jenetta a data ring, the Admiral said, "Here are your orders to report to the captain of the Prometheus two days from now by 0700 hours. You are now the second officer of that ship. As second, you'll be back in the command chair for part of each day, although it will be the third watch."

Jenetta was dazed anew as she stared at the Admiral through moist eyes. "The Prometheus, sir?"

"One of the two best warships in the fleet, as you well know."

"Yes sir, but…" Jenetta took a deep breath and shook her head slightly to clear it. "Thank you, sir. It's more than I ever dared hope for."

"The Prometheus and Chiron are returning to Earth for their official launching ceremonies, but the Prometheus has been commissioned effective on the date that you took it back from the Raiders. As such, the logs, and the ship's identification plaque on the bridge, will forever show that the first captain of the ship was one Ensign Jenetta Alicia Carver. You're also entitled to wear a golden pip on your collar. There's one in the case with the new collar insignia."

Jenetta's jaw dropped again. As far as she knew, no other currently serving officer had been permitted to wear a pip before attaining the official Space Command rank of Captain, the rank required for promotion to warship command. Although Space Command and the Space Marine Corps have many different ship configurations for warfare operations and support, only Space Command's destroyers, frigates, cruisers, and battleships are included under the umbrella term, ‘warship'. A golden pip represents a previous warship command, while a red pip represents a current appointment. Admiral Holt wears five golden pips on his collar.

"You're the only ensign in the history of Space Command to be officially recognized as the captain of an active duty GSC battleship. In fact, I don't believe that any officer below the rank of Commander has ever been acknowledged as the captain of any warship. It's a great honor, Commander."

"I know, sir," Jenetta said, as she wiped at the tears that had trickled down her cheeks. "I'm feeling a little lightheaded."

"Stay with us, Commander, there's more. Following the official launching of the Prometheus, the ship will take you, and a delegation of Galactic Alliance Council members, to Nordakia where you will be awarded the Tawroolee Medal of Valor."

"Nordakia? I don't know what to say, sir."

"Then don't say anything until you've heard it all," Admiral Holt said.

"There's more?"

"The Galactic Alliance Council has voted to award you the Medal of Honor for your infiltration of an enemy base, your successful destruction of the Raider spaceport, and the return of the two stolen battleships. The ceremony will be held on Earth, preceding the official launching of the Prometheus."

"Medal of Honor? Me?"

"Yes, you, Commander."

Jenetta took another deep breath. "Is that all, sir?"

The admiral chuckled. "Isn't that enough?"

"Oh, yes sir. Yes sir, definitely. I just want to pinch myself now and wake up. This has to be the best dream ever, and I want to record it on my personal log ring so I don't forget a bit of it."

The admiral laughed robustly and the officers in the room joined in. "It's not a dream, Commander. It's better than that. It's real."

Jenetta pinched her leg hard, just to be sure. "Yes sir. It certainly seems to be."

The ceremonies over, the attendees began to introduce themselves and personally congratulate Jenetta. She smiled, shook hands, and did her best to remember all the names. Officers began to filter out after congratulating her and the room was almost cleared when Jenetta thanked the admirals and was dismissed.

The morning had brought a rollercoaster of emotions, beginning with the fears that she might either be re-arrested or bundled off to a research lab somewhere for endless experimentation. The revelation that the court-martial had been a sham, of sorts, had both shocked her deeply and temporarily filled her with resentment, but she understood why she hadn't been informed beforehand. She probably couldn't have emoted the necessary reactions if she'd known in advance that she'd be cleared of all charges. Then to be promoted three grades and have numerous honors heaped upon her had been both exhilarating and numbing. Lastly, to learn that she was now the second officer aboard the Prometheus carried her to a dizzying height. Her elation was almost too much to suppress. She wanted to scream, as she had when she'd learned of her posting to the Hokyuu, but as the newest Lt. Commander in Space command, it just wouldn't be decorous.

She still had an hour until lunch so she walked back to the science section to get the few personal things that she had in her desk. On the way, she stopped just long enough to replace the science officer insignia on her collar with the new line officer insignia and single pip. Using her reflection in a thick polycarbonate door at the entrance to the science section, she insured that they were properly positioned, and then admired their appearance on her collar.

Immediately spotting the new Lieutenant Commander rank insignia on her epaulets, Lieutenant Kesliski accosted Jenetta before she was ten steps into the room.

"Are you insane? They just finished court-martialing you for wearing captain's bars and now you show up wearing the rank insignia of a Lt. Commander." Kesliski grinned slightly. "I can't let this slip, Ensign. I'll have to report this breech of conduct to Base Security."

"It's
Lt. Commander
Carver,
Lieutenant
Kesliski. I've been promoted and reassigned as second officer aboard the battleship Prometheus, leaving shortly for Earth. If you have any questions, you're welcome to call Admiral Holt's aide and verify my promotion and posting. But if you call Base Security
without
first checking, I'll have you slapped in the brig for making false accusations against a superior officer. Now get out of my way,
Lieutenant!
"

Lieutenant Kesliski practically jumped aside at the crisply spoken command, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. Jenetta walked calmly to her desk, retrieved her personal items, and then headed for the door, stopping where a shocked Lieutenant Kesliski was still standing.

"Close your mouth, Lieutenant; you look exceedingly foolish like that. I know that you haven't approved of me, and intended to make my life as miserable as possible while you were my supervising officer, so it's a real pleasure for me to say farewell." Reaching into her tunic pocket, she produced the science officer insignia that she had just replaced on her collar. "Here," she said, holding out the insignia to the lieutenant and depositing them in Kesliski's hand when it was extended, "perhaps you'll find some use for these. As you were."

Jenetta turned and walked from the room. Telling Kesliski off had been the best few seconds that she'd had in that office.

Lt. Kesliski looked down at the collar insignia in her hand as the door slid closed. Her surprised facial expression changed to show the frustration and anger that was beginning to boil over inside her. She screamed loud and long before throwing the insignia against the nearest wall with all the strength she possessed.

As she walked down the corridor, Jenetta heard Lt. Kesliski's emotional outburst. A smile momentarily lit up her face, before being replaced by the staid expression she felt was expected of a senior officer on duty.

~ The End of the Beginning ~

*** Jenetta's exciting adventures continue in: ***

Valor at Vauzlee

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Appendix

This chart is offered to assist readers who may be unfamiliar with military rank and the reporting structure. Newly commissioned officers begin at either ensign or second lieutenant rank.

Space Command Officer Hierarchy:

Admiral of the Fleet (5 Star)
Admiral (4 Star)
Vice-Admiral (3 Star)
Rear Admiral – Upper (2 Star)
Rear Admiral – Lower (1 Star)

Captain

Commander

Lt. Commander

Lieutenant

Lieutenant(jg) "Junior Grade"

Ensign

Space Marine Officer Hierarchy:

General (4 Star)
Lt. General (3 Star)
Major General (2 Star)
Brigadier General (1 Star)

Colonel

Lt. Colonel

Major

Captain

First Lieutenant

Second Lieutenant