Book of the Guardian 3: The Last Mission (3 page)

"I think I got a handle on this, but if you would like her to take a look at my plot before we transit, I'd be a little surer of it," Carmichael replied.

"Okay, I'll let Chloe know. Good work by the way; you just cut three days off the trip!" John replied. Hearing the comm close, he got back to the 'paperwork' involved in becoming the leader of the new knights.

––––––––

F
our hours later, John and Chloe were in the cockpit with Lieutenant Carmichael as they approached the outer marker for the Capitol system.

"Centauri Control, this is the TG
Flyer
requesting permission to enter the system," Chloe called.

"You're very early, My Lady," the controller replied. "With respect, can you explain this?"

"Sure can, I'm sending you our logs for verification, but the short version is we jumped a transit point," Chloe replied, typing for a second on her keyboard.

"Receiving." The man said. A few moments later, he came back on. "Verified. Sorry for the delay
Flyer
, can't be too careful. Permission for entry is granted. What is your destination?"

Chloe chuckled, "He must be new." The she rekeyed her mic. "Royal Palace, Control. We should have a Royal Summons in the system."

"Oh! Uh, Stand-by, My Lady. I'll arrange an escort for you," the controller replied.

Chloe smiled sweetly. "Control, please tell your trainer to quit messing with you! We don't need an escort. We have a standing invitation and clearance for the Royal Palace!"

"My apologies, My Lady. He's been doing very well for the last two days, when you arrived I saw the opportunity to trip him up. It almost didn't because this trainee is pretty good," a new voice replied.

"Understood, Control, I'd say you owe your charge a beer for that!" Chloe replied.

The original trainee controller came back on then. "Proceed on vector one-nine-two by three-four, speed point four. We are really busy today, so I may need to alter your approach. Thanks for the beer, My Lady, we'll toast you while we drink it."

"Understood and not a problem, Control. Just holler if you need to," Chloe replied. "Good luck, and good work. TG
Flyer
out."

Chloe chuckled. "Everyone has to start somewhere!"

"At least he didn't lose his cool and get frustrated, he'll make a good traffic controller," Lieutenant Carmichael added.

"Wow, I'm surprised they're training today! Take a look at the scanners!" Chloe replied. "There's got to be a thousand ships out there!"

"Yeah, there's a hell of a lot more ships out there than there should be," John replied and keyed up his own communit. "ATC this is T-Gaurd One, over."

"Main Control on-line. What can we do for you Lord Aster?" a no-nonsense sounding female asked.

"A couple of things actually; First off, what's with all the ships? This isn't normal." John replied.

"Secure comm activated," the woman said. "The Sentinel fleet is being replaced. The new ships have been arriving for almost three hours. When they all arrive, the old fleet will withdraw to be upgraded."

"Okay, I can understand that, but why is everyone still crowded around the planet? It almost looks like the planet is under siege," John replied.

"In all actuality My Lord, Admiral Thomes has refused to move any of his ships out until the replacement fleet is in position," she said flatly, telling John that she was not very happy with the intransigent Officer.

"Can you add him to this call, and maybe I can help sort this out for you," John replied.

"I would appreciate it, My Lord. I'm about ready to pull my hair out over this. Please give me a moment to add him in," the ATC officer said.

"Good afternoon, My Lord Aster! Welcome to Centauri Prime! What can we do for you today?" Admiral Thomes said as he joined the channel.

"You can clear something up for me, Admiral. Since entering the system a few minutes ago, I've noticed an unusually high number of ships in orbit of the planet. In fact, I've personally witnessed several near collisions. The ATC is telling me you are refusing to move until the new fleet is in position, is that correct?" John asked reasonably.

"Yes it is, My Lord," the Admiral replied. "We are in a state of military emergency, and I will not leave my post until the incoming fleet can properly protect the planet."

"I see. Tell me Admiral, did you have basic physics in primary school?" John asked.

There was a short pause before the Admiral answered. "Of course I did, what does that have to do with the ATC not being able to do their jobs?"

"It is a simple and widely known aspect of physics that two separate objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time unless one of them is out of phase. So tell me, if you will, how can the incoming fleet take position if you are still in it?" John asked reasonably.

"Now see here, Major! I will not..."

"Admiral Thomes, you will move your fleet in accordance with instructions from the ATC as that is her job. If you continue to refuse the instructions of the ATC, I will hold you personally responsible for every single loss of life and materiel incurred in the accidents that will happen. I will also make it my personal mission to ensure you are imprisoned for those deaths. Currently, I will be filing a formal suggestion with High Command recommending you be removed from fleet command and reassigned to a desk someplace since you obviously no longer have a clue as to how to command a fleet!" John said, no longer sounding reasonable, but rather firm and resolute. "Why am I not seeing any ships moving
Commodore
Thomes?"

"You have no RIGHT!" the Admiral began only to be interrupted by John.

"You better check your laws again, Thomes. Military emergency gives me all the authority I need. I'll be in orbit in forty-five minutes. If you haven't moved your fleet to where the ATC tells you, I will board your ship and shoot you in the fucking head. Do you understand me now?"

The former Admiral disconnected from the comm channel. John saw the ATC was still on though. "ATC, has any of the old fleet begun moving yet?"

"Not yet, Sir," the woman replied, sounding much less formal.

"Chloe, could you see if His Majesty has a moment for me?" John asked, glancing over at her.

"Sure!" Chloe said, and got busy on her comms. Very shortly a somewhat rumpled looking hologram of Mark was standing with them. He was wearing sweatpants, and it was clear he had been sleeping.

"What's up, John?" he replied and yawned.

"I'm very sorry to wake you, Your Majesty, but I have a problem with former Admiral Thomes," John replied.

Mark cocked his head to one side. "
Former
Admiral? Maybe you should tell me everything."

John told him about the last few minutes, and when he finished, Mark was pissed. He turned, and seemed to speak to the ceiling. "Who's on duty?"

"Ford, Majesty. How may I serve?" a man's voice replied.

"Thanks Ford, could you please get me former Admiral Thomes, priority two," Mark asked.

"At once Majesty." Ford replied.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with this shit first thing when you get back here, John. This was supposed to be finished by now. Considering the efficiency of our ATC folks, I'd bet my crown we are about to deal with the reason it hasn't been," Mark replied.

"Uh, Majesty, I have Main ATC on another channel," John said.

"Good! They should know I think they're doing a great job, and that I know none of this mess is their fault!" Mark said.

"Thank you Sire! We were worried that this nightmare might get blamed on us," the woman said.

“The shame of it is, if John hadn't gotten me involved, it probably would have. We've been collecting far too many connected politicians here lately. Maybe I can do something about that," Mark replied.

"Majesty, Admiral Thomes was on the comm with Senator Jenkins, and had put our call on hold to end his other call. Considering it’s the middle of the night for you, I thought you might like to know that." Ford said.

"Ford, you are a devious saint, and I'm glad you work for me. Good Work," Mark replied.

"Admiral Thomes for you, Majesty," Ford announced.

"Thank you, Mr. Ford. Please put him on," Mark replied.

"Majesty! I appreciate the honor, but you need not have contacted me directly. The matter is already being handled," Thomes replied.

"Call your Senior Captain into your office, Commodore," Mark said in a flat voice. When the man looked confused, Mark let his irritation show and raised his voice. "
Now Captain
! Or would you like to try for Commander or lower?"

The man must have quickly called in the officer, because he arrived rather quickly. When he saw Marcus, he bowed.

Mark told him to rise. "Captain, have two marines escort your former Admiral to a shuttle and have him brought down here to the palace brig. Then contact the system ATC and very nicely request her forgiveness for the intransigence of an old fool. Then I want you to follow their instructions to the letter, and to the best of your ability. Is this understood?"

"Of course, Sire. Do you wish us to proceed to our recall point when the switch over is completed?" The man asked.

"Yes, if you don't have a replacement for this idiot by the time the ATC releases you, proceed to your refit station. I'll have another Fleet Commander for you by the time you're finished getting worked on." Mark replied.

"As you command, Sire," The Captain said.

The former Admiral looked pole-axed. "Sire?"

"Thomes, during peacetime, you were a good commander. However, this little exercise showed how totally unprepared you are for an active command. I'm just really grateful to any deity that happens to be awake and listening that we discovered this without someone getting killed because of your incompetence. Gentlemen, you have your orders. Dismissed." Mark said and closed the channel and turned back to John. "Madam Controller, if you have any more issues with the fleet, please call my aide immediately. You don't need to put up with shit like that on top of everything else."

"As you command, Sire. Thank you very much for your intercession in the matter. My name is Stephanie Howe, Majesty," the woman replied.

"Thank you for all the good work, Controller Howe. You shouldn't have any more problems. Now, John; is there anyone else you need me to scare the shit out of, or can I get back to sleep?" Mark finished.

"Nope, that'll do it, Sire. Thanks for the assist, rest well." John replied, grinning.

"I'll try, see ya in a few hours," Mark replied and closed the channel.

John noticed that the ATC was still on line. "Controller Howe, is there something else?"

"Yes My Lord, you said there were a couple of things I could help you with, may I ask what the other was?" the now much less stressed woman asked.

"Oh! I did say that, didn't I? I was going to ask what's up with all this 'My Lord' and 'My Lady' crap. You've dealt with us before, it was always Major Aster, not all this super-formal crap. What's up?" John asked.

"Since His Majesty declared that all of you are knights that makes you Lords and Ladies. That means a change in title, My Lord. The paperwork has already made the rounds," She explained.

"Uhg! Just when I was starting to get used to being called Major, they go and change it!" John said. "Thank you, Controller Howe. I'd like to add my compliments to that of His Majesty on the good work you and your people are doing. Thank you."

"It's all part of the service, Sir. Now, with your permission, I'll get to work getting this mess straightened out," the woman replied.

"Certainly! Thank you for the assistance, Main ATC. TG
Flyer
is out," John replied and closed the channel.

Chloe snorted. "Just further proof human idiocy is still alive and well."

"That man should be placed under a mandatory procreation restriction!" Lieutenant Carmichael said.

"He's pushing retirement anyway, so I imagine if he were to have children, he already has. Mark will probably just quietly retire the man to some meaningless desk job where he can't actually hurt anyone," John replied.

––––––––

"I
think I'm going to make a new law that if I get woken in the middle of the night, the person responsible will be shot!" Mark yawned. His aide, Ford, was still on duty, and sat a steaming cup down next to the King.

"Will that be all, Sire? Hanna is about to come on duty," Ford asked.

Mark shook his head after taking a sip of the hot beverage. "No, thanks a ton, Ford. Go get some rest."

"I have weapons recertification later this morning, Majesty," Ford replied smiling. "Somehow, I don't think the Weapons Master would accept a Royal Order to get some rest as an excuse."

"That’s the truth!" Mark replied, "That man is worse than the drill instructors I had before I was enhanced!"

"Don't forget, Sire, you have recertification coming due yourself. I left a note for Hanna to schedule it for you," Ford replied.

"Oh, that should be fun!" Mark replied sarcastically. "Even though I'm his King, that man still makes me re-qualify on every one of the weapons I've been trained for!"

"Good!" John said, and nodded thanks to Ford for the drink. "You may be our King, Marcus, but you're also still a soldier. You need to maintain your certifications just like the rest of us."

"I don't know; if I remember correctly, you weren't all that good of a shot, Mark!" Chloe added. "Have you improved yet?"

Mark snorted. "After three thousand years, you'd think I could score better than eight-hundred on the range!"

"You did once right after we were trained on the Breckett Mark Twenty sniper rifle, remember?" John said.

"Yeah, but that was because the Mark Twenty had an independent targeting system. All anyone has to do with that rifle is point it in the general direction of the target and pull the trigger!" Mark replied.

"Don't the standard issue assault rifles have the same system now?" Chloe asked.

Mark nodded. "The point of qualification is to evaluate the soldier, not the weapon. So, the system is disabled during qualifications. It was deemed that it gave the soldier too much of an advantage during qualification. The way things are going, very soon all a soldiers will have to do is push a button, or just hold the weapon and try to not get hit in return."