Escape to Earth-Living Legends (7 page)

“She never has in the past but, just like you, I enjoyed sending it.”

Michael left the stage and the reporters flooded around the medal recipients. Josey began answering questions but had a nagging fear she should have listened to Jan.

• • •

“Averel.”

“Yes Sir.”

“I want a watch put on Lt. Bartolo’s personnel file. If anything changes in it, I want to be notified immediately.”

“Greenwall, Sir?”

“Count on it. She’s probably banging her head against the wall right now but she will try something. I want to know what it is.”

“Yes Sir.” Averel didn’t bother with putting a watch on Josey’s personnel folder, she simply looked at Katy’s mind and watched what she was planning. That Admiral was cunning beyond belief.

• • •

Katy stopped pounding her head on the wall after she saw stars. She was past rage as she tore off her clothes and put on a workout uniform. She arrived in the gym and yelled, “EVERYBODY OUT!!” The gym emptied faster than a wino’s bottle. She put on the sparring gloves and began hitting the heavy bag. It swung back six feet and she stopped it with her left hand. An hour later, exhausted, her mind was clear enough for her to think clearly. She hung on the bag and after twenty minutes, she smiled.

• • •

Admiral Rickman saw Admiral Greenwall on his monitor, “What can I do for you, Admiral?”

“I must say that your pilot that was awarded the Crescent has really impressed me.”

“She’s impressed all of us.”

“I was wondering if I might be able to work a transfer to move her to my fleet.”

Rickman smiled, “Do I look that stupid? I can use her to train my new recruits. Forget it!”

“But you haven’t asked what you would get in return.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why would you want to use her to train your new pilots? She’s never placed in the top eight hundred pilots in fleet maneuvers.” Rickman’s eyes narrowed and Katy said, “I’m willing to trade Johnson and Benning for her.” Rickman was shocked by the offer. What was going on here? “As you well know, they placed third in the last competition and would be much better at training new pilots.”

“Why do you want Lt. Bartolo so much?”

“That’s not something you should concern yourself with. Do you want to make a trade or not?” Rickman knew he shouldn’t do it but he was getting the best of this deal. Katy smiled and said, “I do ask that you send her best friend with her to make the transfer less traumatic. They can support each other.”

Rickman thought about it and decided that the Admiral must not have bad intentions or she wouldn’t have asked for Jan to go with Josey. He was going to get Johnson and Benning out of this deal, who should have won the competition this year. They lost by a freak accident. They would help bring him to the attention of the Senior Admirals. “I will not trade them back!”

“I don’t expect you to do that, Admiral. Do we have a deal?”

“Send me the forms.”

Katy tried not to smile as she said, “I’m sending them to you now. I’ve already signed them and if you’ll sign and send them to Fleet Personnel, I’ll send Johnson and Benning right over.”

Rickman forgot about Josey and Jan and rushed to the printer to retrieve the forms. He signed them and sent them out immediately.

• • •

Josey and Jan arrived back at her unit’s quarters and was surrounded by her fellow pilots congratulating her. She smiled and insisted she didn’t deserve it until Captain Coronado came in the door and yelled, “Bartolo, Keller, pack your bags!”

Josey looked at him with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, “Sir, what’s going on?”

Captain Coronado looked at her and shook his head, “You’ve been transferred to Fifth Fleet.”

Josey stared at him and said, “Sir, you know the Admiral in Fifth has it in for me.”

Joe shook his head, “She offered Johnson and Benning for the two of you.”

Josey’s eyes went wide and she saw Jan shaking her head, “Why does she want Jan?”

“I gave up trying to understand how Admirals think years ago. If you two would have put up a better effort in the competitions, you’d probably not be going and don’t even try to say you gave it your best. I know better.”

“How long do we have before we have to report?”

“You’re expected to report to Admiral Greenwall’s office in thirty minutes. I suggest you don’t keep her waiting.”

Josey and Jan packed their duffle bags and Jay said, “I’ll send the rest of your things. Get moving.”

They looked at Jay, who had been listening in and Jan said, “Thanks.” Jay nodded and they sprinted out toward their Battle Pods.

Captain Coronado looked at Jay, “You know I’m right.”

Jay shrugged, “There are worse things than being transferred.”

Coronado smiled and tilted his head, “Say that after Admiral Greenwall finishes with her.” Jay looked at the two women sprinting out the door and hoped the Captain was wrong.

• • •

They arrived at Fifth Fleets location and left their pods on the concrete as they ran toward the Headquarters building. A warrant officer met them, “I’ll deliver your bags; get moving.” They dropped their bags and the officer shouted, “We’re proud of you, Bartolo!”

Josey yelled, “Thanks!” over her shoulder and entered the entrance to Fifth Fleet’s Headquarters building. They ran to the elevator and found a Sergeant waiting on their arrival. He closed the door and ran with them to the Admiral’s office. He gave them a moment to straighten up their uniforms and then pressed the door speaker, “Sir, Lt. Bartolo and Keller are here.”

“Have them stand at attention and wait!”

The Sergeant looked at them and shrugged, “You heard her.”

Josey looked at Jan and went to attention. Jan followed her lead and they stood outside the door and waited. Three hours later, both of them were starting to feel their legs lock up but still they were forced to wait.

• • •

“How much longer are you going to allow this to continue?”

Michael looked at Averel sitting in front of his desk and blew out a breath, “I really don’t want to deprive the Lieutenant of seeing what’s coming.” Averel’s mouth turned into a frown and he said, “I won’t wait much longer.”

• • •

“Enter!”

Josey looked at Jan and helped her take a step. They pushed the door button and the door rose into the ceiling. They walked in and went to attention again in front of the Katy’s desk. She looked at Jan and said, “You may step outside and wait until you’re called.” Jan saluted, did an about face, and walked stiffly out of the room. Katy waited until the door closed and then turned to Josey, “You will start your new assignment as soon as you leave this room. The bathrooms you’re going to clean start on the end of this hall. Your tools to do your cleaning are in the corner.” Josey looked and saw a toothbrush and a small bucket. She turned back to Katy and kept her expression neutral. “Did you honestly think you could get away with ignoring me?!” Josey remained silent. “I asked you a question, Lieutenant!”

“Sir, I never thought anyone as shallow as you would ever achieve your level of command. I am surprised that I was wrong about that.”

Katy’s rage was instant and she stood up just as the wall monitor illuminated showing Admiral Stone. Katy pulled herself together and said, “Wait in the hall!”

Audrey said, “Lt. Bartolo, belay that order. I’ve been looking for you and just found out that you’ve been transferred.”

“Yes Sir. I now report to Fifth Fleet.”

“No you don’t.”

Katy said, “Yes she does, Sir.”

Audrey looked at Katy and said, “Admiral Greenwall, since when are you in the position of telling a superior officer that they are wrong?”

“But she has been transferred to my command, Sir.”

“Orders for her to report to Fleet Operations for special assignment were approved by the First Commander immediately after her medal presentation. When were her transfer orders to your fleet signed?”

Kate knew she was trapped. A sailor could not be moved until they served six months after a transfer. “They were signed at ten hundred hours this morning.”

“It appears you’re ten hours late.” Audrey looked at Josey, “You will pack your things and report to Fleet Operations immediately. Your initial commander will be Commodore Averel.” Josey stared at the screen and Audrey said, “Get moving.”

The screen went dark and Josey went to attention and saluted Admiral Greenwall. Katy’s anger was clear to see but then her anger turned into the sweetest smile she had ever seen. Before she returned Josey’s salute, she pressed a button on her desk and said while looking directly into Josey’s eyes, “Lt. Keller. Get back in here to receive your orders.”

Josey knew why this venomous bitch had transferred Jan. Katy returned Josey’s salute and looked at Jan as she entered. Her expression was almost pure evil. She looked at Josey and said, “I’ll make sure to take good care of your friend.” Josey shook her head and Katy said, “Get out of my office!!”

• • •

Josey left and knew there was nothing that could be done to save Jan. She was certain that no orders had been written for her and now she was stuck for at least six months and probably longer. This cast-iron Admiral would never allow her to leave as along as her vengeance wasn’t done.

Josey arrived at Fleet Operations and was taken directly to Ship Development where she was introduced to Budge Blaine. She had to get to the First Commander but she wouldn’t see him now. She cried herself to sleep that night knowing what Jan was going through because of her actions.

• • •

Three weeks later, Michael showed up in the ship lab and saw Josey working on a simulator. He walked over behind her and saw the score in the top right corner of her monitor. He looked at Budge, who nodded. “She’s incredible, Sir.”

“I won’t interrupt her. I just wanted to check and make sure she was ok.” Michael turned to go as Josey looked at her monitor and saw his reflection just as the screen went dark. She whipped around and said, “SIR!”

Michael stopped and smiled, “Hello, Lieutenant. I didn’t want to interrupt your training. I’m glad I was able to save you from cleaning bathrooms.”

“But you didn’t help me at all!” Michael’s eyes narrowed and Josey said, “Admiral Greenwall transferred my best friend along with me and she’s punishing her for what I did.” Michael starting slowly shaking his head and stopped when Josey said, “You gave the medal to the wrong person.”

“What?”

“You didn’t really look at what happened; it wasn’t me that won the battle; it was Jan! And she’s living in torment because of that crazy Admiral.” Michael’s expression hardened and Josey said, “You think I’m lying to save her. Look behind the heavy. Just take a look!”

Michael looked at Budge who shrugged, “She’s never been dishonest about anything, Sir.” Michael stared at Josey and left the room.

Josey put her head in her hands and started crying, “He doesn’t believe me!”

Budge put his hand on Josey’s shoulder, “Trust me on this, he is going to look.” She lowered her hands and looked at him through her tears. Budge looked at Michael walking out of the lab, “His anger is not toward you.” Josey looked at Michael as he disappeared through the door and prayed Budge was right.

• • •

“Jinks.”

“Yes Sir.”

“I need you to bring the entire recording of the battle at the Legends’ Vessel to my office.”

“When?”

“Immediately!”

“Give me an hour to collect all of it into one data-block.”

“See you in an hour.” Michael sat at his desk and thought about what Lt. Bartolo said. By the time Jinks arrived, he was all business. Jinks inserted the data-block into the reader and Michael said, “I want you to follow the ship frequencies of Lt. Josephine Bartolo.”

“Sir, you’ve already seen that.”

“And Lt. Janice Keller.” Jinks turned to his panel and began entering codes. “I also want you to see if there is any other ship frequency that’s near them on a consistent basis during the attack.”

Jinks entered the instructions and pressed the enable button. They watched the monitor and after fifteen minutes Jinks said, “How did you know about this?” Michael remained silent and Jinks watched the recording and knew his department was woefully unprepared to fully understand the newest battles the Alliance was fighting.

Michael pressed his panel, “Audrey, report to my office.”

“Sir, may I…”

“YOU MAY NOT! REPORT HERE IMMEDIATELY!

Audrey saw Michael’s expression and said, “Yes Sir, I’m on my way.” Audrey arrived and found Michael and Jinks staring at the wall monitor. Michael motioned her to a chair and she sat down and looked at the monitor. She immediately recognized the gigantic black vessel in the distance and knew this had to be a recording of the battle. She looked at Michael who was intently staring at the monitor. She turned back to it and started getting into the rhythm of the battle. Then her eyes began getting wider and then wide open. The monitor finally went dark and she looked at Michael and Jinks. Michael looked at her and said, “I want four armored guards called in and all of Fifth Fleet’s communications blacked out until further notice.”

Audrey nodded and lifted her wrist. Jinks shook his head, “I’m sorry, Sir. We just…”

“No need to apologize, Jinks. I know the current technology isn’t up to doing what you need.”

Jinks nodded and stood up, “Thank you for understanding, Sir.” Michael nodded and Jinks walked out of the room as four armored warriors walked in.

Michael pressed his panel and said, “Lt. Bartolo, report to my office immediately!”

• • •

Katy pressed her wrist unit and nothing responded. She stepped out of her office and saw Commander King running up the hall, “What’s going on?”

“Sir, all communications have been ordered blacked out and all ships grounded.”

“Who made that order!?”

“It came from Fleet, Sir.”

Katy heard a bump on the ceiling and looked at Commander King, “What was that?”

“I have no way of knowing, Sir.”

Katy turned as she heard metallic sounds coming down the steps from the landing port on top of the building. She grabbed her neck as she saw Fleet Admiral Stone followed by four armored warriors. Audrey walked up to her and said, “Admiral, you are confined to your office until further notice.” Katy looked in Audrey’s eyes and shut her mouth quickly. She turned and walked toward her office and two of the armored warriors followed her inside. She heard Admiral Stone say to the other two armored warriors, “Find her!” Katy stopped at the door and a warrior pushed her inside.”