Impulse (27 page)

“Activate the Relic!”

I pressed down on the button. On the main display the torpedo glittered with the light of a hundred stars. The HuK detonated with anti-graviton plasma at nearly the same instant. We watched in awe as the starlight from the Relic burst out into space, covering the distance between itself and the HuK, enveloping the plasma, and then exploding in a sparkle of pure white fire.

The next instant, the space where the HuK had been was empty.

“A small ejection of anti-graviton plasma escaped the Relic activation, but it won't be in sufficient mass or at sufficient speed to impact anything before it dissipates. In short: we did it,” Serosian said.

I slumped over my console.

“Mr. Layton,” said the captain's voice from behind me. “Take us back to Levant. I think we'll have some celebrating to do.”

Celebrating was the last thing I felt like doing.

Two days later, I attended a memorial ceremony for the fallen Levant Navy sailors who had given their lives. It was a somber occasion, and I attended not as a Union Navy officer, but as a royal diplomat. Prince Katara sat on his official throne, Janaan next to him on hers. I was first on the dais of dignitaries, and although I had been asked to speak I chose not to. I did join both of Levant's regents in laying a memorial wreath near the cedar coffin symbolizing the navy sailors lost defending their world. As I set the wreath down, Janaan reached out a lace-gloved hand and gripped mine, if ever so briefly. The funeral music brought me close to tears even though I didn't recognize the tune.

That evening I attended a wake at the palace, once again as the honored guest of the prince and princess. We were all there, and the talk turned to the imminently arriving
Starbound
. I was anxious to get aboard her and get on with the
Impulse
rescue mission that I assumed would follow in short order. But I had to confess I was enjoying playing the role of royal and diplomat more and more. Janaan's presence had more to do with that than I would probably have liked to admit.

Dobrina was with the prince's group, which included General Salibi and Serosian, with her back to me, out of disdain or respect, I couldn't tell which. I felt bad for the general. He looked as if he hadn't slept a wink since the sacrifice of his navy commanders, and I didn't blame him. His guilt at surviving must have been tremendous. But he still had his job, which I had taken great care to inform the prince that I thought was appropriate under the circumstances. He had done the right thing in taking the prince to safety.

An hour into the reception, Janaan cornered me in one of the anterooms over a cup of tea.

“May I join you?” she asked, gesturing to a pair of chairs.

“I would be honored, Princess,” I said, and sat with her. The servants abruptly scattered, and we found ourselves alone with as much privacy as one could get in a royal palace.

“So I assume you're anxious to leave the luxury of our world and join your compatriots in space again?” she said.

“The palace is not without its charms, my lady,” I said. She smiled.

“It will be a lonelier place without you,” she said.

“I'm sorry,” was all the awkward response I could muster. Then there was silence between us as our tea got cold. Finally I took her hand. “I wish I could stay,” I said.

“I know. But your heart is elsewhere,” she replied.

“My heart is with the stars, Janaan, nowhere else. I hope you know that.”

“I wish I could believe it. Still, you know I will wait for you, until you either return to make me your wife or send me a message from some distant world that you belong to another.”

I thought on that for a moment. “My promise was sincere. I will gladly come back here, to you, when my days of adventuring are over.”

“I will hold you to that,” she said, then she rose and started to walk away. I followed and stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. Pulling her to me, I kissed her softly. It was sweet and pleasant, and I thought it truly could keep me warm through the long months in space. She parted with a last squeeze of my hand then headed back out to the reception, there to play the princess once again.

Prince Katara closed the formal portion of the evening with a public pronouncement that Levant had signed the agreement to join the Union, and that in return they would be getting a new Lightship, to be named
Resolution
both in honor of the official documents being signed and to reflect the character of those who had given their lives to save their world.

We walked back to our palace apartments as a group, losing Marker and Layton first and then Serosian. Dobrina and I found ourselves alone in the hallway. We walked the last few steps in silence until we reached the doors to our respective rooms, across the hallway from each other. I turned and faced my captain, who in her formal evening gown once again looked much more a woman than a soldier.

“So,
Starbound
arrives tomorrow,” she said. I thought about how to reply. She wasn't nearly as beautiful as Janaan, but I still found myself drawn to her like a magnet.

“It does,” I said. “And I have to stop playing the young royal and go back to being a lowly lieutenant commander.”

“And I am now an officer without a commission,” she said. “And you're no longer under my command.” I sensed the foreboding in her, the worry over her crewmates somewhere in deep space, in danger, but I couldn't help but notice the reference she made to her no longer being in command. I was for all practical purposes a civilian at the moment. She took a step closer to me.

“Did you get all you needed tonight, Peter?”

I shook my head. “I'm not sure I even know what that means,” I said.

She looked down the hallway at the distant guards, our only companions, then back to me. “I think it means that sometimes we can accept what we can have, even if our hearts long for something more,” she said.

“I understand,” I said. The thought of being with her was extremely attractive, no question. But something inside was stopping me. “But . . . I think we should wait. There is the
Impulse
rescue mission—”

“There is always another mission, Peter. Perhaps when you're a bit older you'll recognize that,” she said. Then she abruptly turned away from me and walked to her apartment doors, stepping through without looking back and shutting them firmly behind her.

I sighed, then entered my own empty room. Truth was, I couldn't wait to take my diplomatic costume off and get back to being a Union Navy officer once again.

On High Station Artemis in the Levant System

T
he next day when I left the palace Dobrina was already gone and Serosian was in conference with dignitaries from the Levant government about the new alliance, so I took a shuttle up to Artemis Station with Marker and Layton.

Upon our arrival Levant soldiers escorted us to a communications center. We were told on the walk that a communications packet would soon be arriving from
Starbound
. Dobrina was in the communications room when we arrived. I stood next to her but said nothing as we waited for the packet to download.

After a few minutes of technical translations, the visage of Grand Admiral Jonathon Wesley appeared much larger than life, looking down on the four of us. We all snapped to attention and the admiral said, “At ease, gentlemen,” to us, which was strange since the message was recorded. I felt like a fool for reacting out of instinct but nonetheless maintained a professional attitude as Wesley started speaking.

“Word of your mission at Levant has reached us here at the Admiralty from Mr. Serosian, and I just want to congratulate you all on your success. You saved an entire planet, and that in and of itself is worth at least one of my stars for each of you. But for now, our work is only half-done,” he started. That was promising.

“First I must address Commander Kierkopf,” he had resorted to using her official, not interim, rank, I noted. “Your work in leading this team after your separation from
Impulse
is of the highest order, Commander. When
Starbound
arrives her current XO will be put in charge of the First Contact mission and seeing it through to a satisfactory conclusion. As you may note that will leave the position of
Starbound
's executive officer open. I am assigning that position to you on a temporary basis. Once we recover
Impulse
, and we
will
recover
Impulse
, I expect you to guide her safely home.” At that, he changed his tone.

“Now, Lieutenant Commander Cochrane,” he began again. “Your actions as reported to me, especially in the rescue of Captain Zander aboard the shuttle, seem on the surface reckless and not becoming of an officer.” He paused here and I tried to swallow, uncertain of what was coming next, but my throat was bone dry.

“However, your actions since that time, and indeed even your success in rescuing Captain Zander, show an outstanding quality of valor and care for your fellow officers. Because of these actions, your disobedience during the shuttle incident will be noted in your file, but no demerits will appear on your record so long as you maintain a one hundred percent performance record for a period of no less than twelve months,” he said. That was a relief.

“You are further reassigned to
Starbound
to serve at the convenience of Captain Maclintock and Commander Kierkopf. They will determine your new assignments and I urge you to emulate both of them in your future actions.” I wanted to say “thank you” here but I reminded myself that I was indeed watching a recording. “In addition, your new duties on
Starbound
will involve integration of the marine teams aboard ship. I urge you to give this work your highest priority.” I looked over at Marker and he winked at me.

Can't wait
, I thought.

Both he and Layton received promotions, Marker to sergeant, plus commendations and pay raises, which made them smile. At the end, Wesley saluted us and we found ourselves automatically saluting back.

As the screen went black I turned to Dobrina, but she was already on her way out of the room, not looking at me. I decided at that point that my best course of action was probably just to let her go. I knew she was upset about the events on Levant, and I didn't blame her. Everyone, including her, had told me I should do what I had to in order to secure the alliance. It would seem however, that the feelings of a woman ran a lot deeper than those of a navy officer.

Marker, Layton, and I made our way out into the station.
Starbound
was due in port in just over three hours and I was excited that I would finally get to serve aboard her as I had originally trained to do.

We passed the time with some good-natured chess matches in the officers' mess, all of which I won. About an hour ahead of the docking, we stopped the games to go over their coming duty assignments on
Starbound
as conveyed by Wesley.

As we sat around waiting, a new question came to mind, so I asked it of my two closest friends in the navy.

“Why did you two follow me?” I said. “I mean, we trained for so long to serve on
Starbound
, then when the
Impulse
mission came up, with the chance to join me, you could have said no.” They both said nothing for a moment, then Marker shifted in his chair to face me directly.

“Not sure I understand you, sir,” said Marker. Layton followed by also shifting in his chair and then leaned in toward me across the table we three shared.

“It's because you're the best, sir,” Layton said.

“What?” I said, thinking he was joking with me. “Don't be ridiculous!” I finished.

“No, sir,” insisted Layton. “It's true. Really.”

“Bollocks!” I said. Marker laughed, but Layton jumped right back in.

“Sir, I watched you train for two years, and I played against you on the soccer pitch,” he said. “The same talent I saw on that field I saw in our training. From the first week of cadet school I knew I wanted to be on your squad, and I did everything I could to make that happen.”

“Gods, really?” I was taken aback. “Didn't think I was that good,” I muttered. Now Marker spoke up.

“No, it's true,” he said. “I saw it too. You have something special, and not just because you're the grand admiral's son. I knew I wanted to work with you, sir, and that's why I'm not afraid to follow you through thick and thin. That's why when our probationary year is up I'm going to ask to attach my billet to yours, sir.”

Now I was truly flattered, and surprised into silence.

“I'll make that request as well,” chimed in Layton. “If you'll have me.”

I looked at my two friends, impressed by their enthusiasm and humbled by their belief in me. I stood and they stood with me.

“Gentlemen,” I said, “I am honored by your trust in me, and I hope and pray to be worthy of it, and of you.” Then I extended my hand to each of my friends in turn, and we shook hands as gentlemen do, resolved in our new, now formalized, bond.

Then the claxon sounded, signaling the arrival of
Starbound
.

We made our way to the docking arm and used our military passes to gain access to the debarkation area. We mingled with excited Levantine officers, all trying to get a glimpse of the grand lady as she arrived. I was stuck to the window, watching as the pointed nose of
Starbound
's forward baffles moved slowly past me. I looked up the height of her, past the Hoagland Field generators to the brilliantly lit conning tower, soon to be my new home. Lights shone out into space from officer's cabins and operations stations on the main decks. The name “
H.M.S.
Starbound
” was illuminated on her hull. I felt my heart jump with excitement. I would finally get to serve aboard the ship I'd trained on for two years! I felt like a first-year cadet again.

The station's umbilical stretched the final few yards to
Starbound
and then locked and sealed around her holding doors. Once completed, the doors began to part as a loudspeaker announced her arrival.

“Attention on the station. Attention on the station,” said the announcer in both Levantine and Standard. “Her Majesty's Ship
Starbound
now docking at port six. Please refrain from boarding her until all moorings are secure and all arriving crew have debarked.” The message repeated several more times as we waited.

I stood with my hands behind my back with Marker and Layton to either side of me and watched the process begin. Passengers and crew began filing out, milling around and greeting friends, others making professional connections. I watched as Marker and Layton shook hands with Academy friends.

When the deck cleared of debarking passengers I approached the hold entrance. A Quantar ensign acknowledged me with a crisp salute and then held out his hand for my ID card. He cleared me with a nod, checked Marker and Layton's orders as well, then waved us through.

“Welcome aboard
Starbound
, gentlemen,” he said. “The Officer of the Deck will greet you at the Purser's station.”

“Thank you,” I said, tapping my cap as I went. We weaved our way through a forest of officers and enlisted men, some coming, some going, some packing equipment or moving cargo on large racks. The air was crackling with the excitement of an arrival at Artemis Station for those who had been aboard her, and just as much excitement for those of us joining her crew.

We passed through the busy crowd and finally made our way to the Purser's station. I could see the arms of an officer through a rack of crates motioning vigorously to a pair of noncoms. It was hard to hear the conversation over the din of activity, but clearly someone was being chewed out. I leaned over the Purser's desk and raised my voice.

“Lieutenant,” I called. One of the noncoms looked at me but didn't say anything as the conversation, or the chewing out, continued. “Lieutenant!” I called again, a bit louder this time. Still the conversation persisted outside of my hearing range, accompanied by furious arm movements and pointing from the unseen officer. I looked to Layton, who shrugged with a bemused smile, and then glanced at Marker before I took a deep breath and cupped my hands to my mouth, shouting.

“Lieutenant! Attention on the deck!” I yelled. This time the noncom cut into their one-way conversation and pointed at me. The deck officer came whirling around the crates and slapped his clipboard down on the desk before verbally snapping at me.

“What's so goddamned important that you have to interrupt—” he stopped in midsentence as he looked up at me, recognition in his eyes.

“Commander Cochrane!” he said aloud, then caught himself and saluted. “Sorry to keep you waiting, sir!” I smiled and returned the salute.

“At ease, Lieutenant . . .” I checked his ID badge. “Ensign Daniel. I was just anxious to get your attention. No harm done,” I said.

“Yes, sir!” he snapped his salute hand down to his side and then stood at attention, almost frozen. Daniel was a slight kid with wavy blond hair and looked barely old enough to be serving in the navy. He had obviously been flustered to meet the grand admiral's son, so I decided to help the kid out.

“Perhaps you should finish your business with your crewmen and then see to our needs,” I said.

“Of course, sir,” he said, regaining his composure and then turning back to his crew, quickly snapping off orders and giving them the “Go” sign with a pointed finger. They left in a hurry. I watched him take a deep breath and then turn back to me at the desk.

“How can I help you today, sir?” he said. I pointed to Layton and Marker.

“These two men need berths. Sergeant Marker here with the marines, and Lieutenant Layton with me in junior officer country.”

“Of course, sir. Let me see what I've got,” he said formally. I watched him work his terminal. After scanning his manifest for a few seconds he came out with assignments. Marker seemed satisfied but I made an issue of Layton's location. It was a deck down from where I'd be.

“He's going to be my adjutant and I would like him close by,” I said. Daniel went back to the manifest.

“There's really nothing else open except . . . I can make a single stateroom available three doors down from you, sir.”

I nodded. “That will do. I hope we won't be inconveniencing anybody?”

“It's no inconvenience, sir. I was planning on moving out anyway,” he said.

I bristled at this. “
You're
giving your own cabin up? That's not necessary, Ensign,” I said, trying to wave him off. He clicked a couple of keys while I protested and then handed the men their pass cards.

“Already done, sir. Welcome aboard
Starbound
, gentlemen. Lieutenant Layton, I'll have my things packed and out of your way by 1800 tonight. Is that adequate?”

“It is,” said Layton. I nodded them both off to see to their berths.

“Thank you, Ensign,” I said, as he coded in my pass card and handed it to me. I took it, then turned and bent over to pick up my bags just as a loud voice boomed into the conversation from behind me.

“There you are, Daniel! I've been looking all over for you.” I whipped around, dropped my bags, and saluted. Captain Jonas Maclintock of
Starbound
saluted back without really looking at me and continued his approach to Daniel. I recognized the captain from his navy profile. Maclintock was thirty-five, rail thin, but not much taller than me, if at all. He had a slightly receding hairline of close-cropped black hair with a rock-set chin and rugged face. I stood frozen in place.