Retribution (9 page)

“In your dreams John” parried Crystal.

“You are always in my dreams Crystal” said John with a big grin.

“Oh please!” she replied dismissively. She quickly changed the topic of conversation by asking “Anyone seen LCmd Bellard?”

“Last time I saw, she was heading down to B deck” responded Kat.

Aubrey was packing her kit when she received a hail from Brennon Warner. “Yes Brennon.”

“I can’t get away tomorrow but I can the day after.”

“That’s wonderful? For how long?”

“Six days. I’m yours till the end of your leave.”

“Mine hey. Well where should I have you?”

“Anywhere you like really. I’m amenable.”

“Amenable no less. Things are moving ahead.”

“Bright lights or a quiet getaway?” he asked.

“Bit of both.”

“How about I meet you in Nova Vista and then later we can spend some time up at Tingara Falls. Ever been there?”

“No I don’t think I have. Won’t be too hot?”

“Not at all. It’s high up in the mountains. It will be cold at night.”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll book the hotel in Nova Vista. You book Tingara Falls. Does that sound OK?”

“Perfect.”

After she finished her call with Brennon, Aubrey went online and booked the Cleopatra suite at the Radford. One of the benefits of being a single Lieutenant Commander on active service was that you earned a good income and had nothing to spend it on. ‘I deserve it’ she said out loud to herself. ‘Right down to the Moet and red roses’ she thought.

Half an hour later Dave Warner took the forward elevator down to E deck. He’d just received confirmation that the original honeymoon cabin they’d stayed in was now reserved for them. He was feeling pleased with himself. He made his way to the Med Bay and found Mary at her desk.

“Oh hello Sir” she said warmly with a smile. “What brings you down this way?”

“I want to pay a visit on Art tomorrow afternoon. Can you advise what hospital he’s in?”

“He’s at the North Shore” and she looked up some data on her screen. “Ward 14C Room 2. I was going to pop in then too – on the way to my sister’s place.”

“That’s good of you Mary. You’re a saint. You know that.”

“I like helping people and I like helping those dear to me even more.”

Dave smiled. “You know Mary you need to spend some of your time on yourself.”

“Is that a polite hint to find myself a good man?”

“Your happiness is important to me, Mary. It should be important to you.”

Mary touched his arm with her hand. “Thank you Dave. But you know there aren’t that many older men on this ship and the best one’s just been nabbed.”

Dave laughed. “All the more reason to use this time wisely.”

“Mmm…” said Mary with a smile. “Perhaps you’re right.”

“You should team up with Aubrey; she always seems to get herself a man.”

“Well that’s true but this time she’s already got him and I don’t think I’m invited.”

“Oh really?”

“You don’t know do you?”

“Know what?”

“No, not what, whom.”

“OK whom?”

“Your brother, Brennon.” She gave him a knowing smile.

“Good for him … and her.”

“Looks like the dark horse is making his charge” said Mary with a grin.

“Or the barracuda is circling in for the kill.”

Mary laughed and she had a big laugh.

Chapter 16. Resolute at Tumos 1700, 2 June

Dave received the message from the Admiral and smiled. He hailed Dr Govinda and asked for his help. Mani was pleased to assist and by 1740 Dave made the ship wide announcement that all crew should be in the Facilities main theatre by 1930.

At 1915 a light shuttle touched down on the runway and Dave was there to meet it. Phil got out and with a smile on his face returned Dave’s salute. He patted his top pocket as he talked with Dave briefly before they both walked across the apron to the facility entrance, where a line of personnel were already making their way into the theatre.

At 1930 Dave introduced the Admiral and Phil began. “Crew of the Resolute there is no greater pleasure for me than to be able to reward those under my command for the courage and heroism they have displayed in the performance of their duty. Tonight it is my honour to present the Fleet Medal to 2
^nd
Lts Ivan Kiralenko and Chase Hanlon and the Distinguished Service Medal to Sgt Buster Williams.”

He asked Ivan to step forward. Ivan felt nervous and definitely out of his comfort zone, made worse after he turned to face the crowd.

“Mr Kiralenko” announced Phil “on the morning of the 26 May last year led the second wave of an assault force tasked with clearing the tunnels of Pulton 1 mine complex and thus relieve the forces trapped there by the enemy. The first wave had largely been decimated by the withering enemy fire. Yet he summoned the courage to press home the assault which led to the defeat of the enemy and the securing of Klaster. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present you with the Fleet medal.”

Ivan turned to face the Admiral who pinned on his medal. The crew applauded and Phil then returned to the podium. Ivan began to walk off the stage when Phil said “Not so quick Mr Kiralenko. It is also my pleasure to announce your promotion to 1
^st
Lt.” Phil stepped over to Ivan and handed him his new rank badges. Ivan saluted and dared not move. Phil smiled and with a flick of his head indicated he could now sit down. Ivan was grateful for the excuse to get out of the limelight.

“Mr Hanlon” said Phil and with his hand gestured for Chase to step forward, which he did. Unlike Ivan Chase was revelling in this moment. He was beaming and focussed on Kat sitting in the second row.

“Mr Hanlon on the 5
^th
of February this year over Fulmar led the boarding of the Imperial Rogan Ship, the Drakush. The enemy had already contained the initial boarding attempt with great loss of life inflicted on the marines of the FFS Chicago. With captured enemy shuttles Mr Hanlon planned and led the second attempt. It was a long hard and deadly engagement. The enemy made an attempt to relieve the Drakush with fresh troops who arrived on a shuttle that seized the hangar. Mr Hanlon with no regard for his own safety led a charge into the hangar and routed the enemy and secured the enemy shuttle. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present you with the Fleet medal and I am also pleased to announce your promotion to 1
^st
Lt.”

Phil pinned on the medal and handed Chase his new badges of rank. Chase saluted and revelled in the applause. Phil had to wave him off the stage.

“Our third recipient, Sgt Williams cannot be with us tonight. He is still on Beta Phi recovering from his wounds suffered in an action which is itself worthy of distinction.”

“Sgt Williams on the morning of the 26 May last year led Bravo team in the first assault wave on the Pulton 1 tunnels. He repeatedly led his team in assault after assault engaging the enemy at close quarters. When casualties forced the amalgamation of Alpha and Bravo teams he stepped up and led this force to the point of exhaustion. For unselfish devotion to duty and courage of a high order I present Sgt Williams with the Distinguished Service Medal.”

“As I said Sgt Williams is recovering from his wounds. I am sure he would appreciate our prayers for his speedy recovery.”

Phil paused for a moment. “I would like to also say that these three individuals singled out for the awards today are a poor attempt at the recognition that you all deserve. I am so proud to serve as your commanding officer.”

As Phil walked off the stage, Dave could see that Phil was quite touched by the ceremony. The crew started filing out through the main entrance. Dave made his way over the side of the stage. By the time he got there the Admiral had recovered his composure. “So how did I do?” asked Phil.

“Very nice Sir.”

“Good. Can you hold onto these for Sgt Williams?”

“Of course Sir.”

Chapter 17. Resolute at Tumos 1000, 3 June

It had been a close run thing but somehow, through all the administrative and logistic chaos they had made it. Rihan surveyed her charges as they milled around the huge foyer just inside the facility entrance. It was already getting warm. The sun was blazing over the desert and baking the mountain rock. The smell of hot dry clay met anyone out on the apron. But the ground staff out there, waiting for the imminent touchdown of the heavy shuttle, probably didn’t notice.

Val appeared at the far end of the foyer and gave Rihan the thumbs up. The last of the gear scans had been completed. ‘Not before time’ thought Rihan. Val looked drained as she approached Rihan. “Well done Val. Tracy has your gear over there.” Her partner, Cpl Tracy Gordon, gave Val a wave and Val smiled at her.

“Oh thanks Maam. I don’t want to do that again. There’s got to be a better way.”

“Well you have at least a week to think of it.”

Val looked over to Tracy and then back to Rihan. “Nah! I’ve forgotten about it already.”

Rihan laughed but her noise was drowned out by the thrusters of the heavy shuttle as it descended on the apron behind the Resolute. It created a sudden wind storm swirling dirt and dust about. The heavy shuttle was a big craft, almost as long as the Resolute but not as high. Rihan craned a look out through the entrance and saw it settle.

A minute later she got a hail from Tumos control telling her to marshal her crew for boarding. Rihan stood on one of the chairs near the entrance and in a big voice yelled out. “OK everyone can you please line up in your designated serials, with serial 1 up front. Make your way out and follow the direction of the ground staff. You will hand over your gear to the load masters and then board the shuttle. The crew will direct you to your allocated seats.”

Dave and Rihan were the last to board and took their seat at the front of A deck. Rihan looked down the line of seats, saw that everyone was seated, most were smiling or engaged in animated conversation. ‘Aagh, it’s over’ she said to herself and sat down next to Dave.

He placed his hand on her knee and whispered in her ear “Well done. Thanks honey.”

Rihan finally relaxed her body and leant her head on Dave’s shoulder. The ship’s chief steward stepped toward Rihan and was obviously a bit embarrassed at her familiarity with a senior officer and that he would have to interrupt her. “Excuse me Maam but are you and you crew all done. Our tally indicates we have everyone.” Rihan nodded and then leant her head back on Dave’s shoulder and closed her eyes. The steward smiled and made his way forward to the cockpit.

“Don’t worry honey” said Dave “tonight we dine at Renata’s and tomorrow we will be up at Terra Fuaga with our feet dangling in the tropical waters.”

“Can’t wait” said Rihan as the flight safety video began playing. She tuned out having seen it a million times already. By the time it finished the shuttle’s engines revved up and they began ascending before the huge aft thrusters propelled them headlong over the runway.

Chapter 18. Nova Vista 1400, 3 June

It was a weary Rihan that pulled her suitcase through the door of their apartment on the 41
^st
Floor of Nelson Towers. She twitched her nose on encountering the slightly stale air and flicked the control to kick off the air conditioning while Dave held the door open. He pulled in his suitcase and let the door close behind him. He went straight over to the windows and opened them. The warm air rushed in and he breathed deeply.

“I’ve just turned the air conditioning on” complained Rihan.

“It’s OK honey we can close these once the old air is flushed out.”

He wheeled the cases into their bedroom and smiled as memories of pleasure flooded back to him. He was still smiling as he came back out into the open plan living area to find Rihan collapsed in one of the big lounge chairs. She was vaguely looking out through the windows to the spaceport beyond but her mind was not focussing. She had let her hair down and the soft auburn curls fell about her reclining head.

Dave came over behind her and massaged her head. “Mmm” she sighed. He intensified the pressure on her scalp and she rolled her head back a little further. She closed her eyes and murmured “More!” He moved his fingers to her shoulders and he could feel her muscles relaxing. He gazed out the window as the curtain on the left billowed with the fresh warm breeze. He could see the spaceport and then remembered.

“Oh I promised to call in and see Art” he said.

“What now?”

“Soonish. He’s in North Shore hospital.”

“Dammed inconvenient.”

“Why don’t you give Sue a ring?”

“Why don’t you Mr Energy?” she mumbled.

“All right, I’ll do it.”

“Don’t stop” she commanded.

“I’m afraid I’m not that good at multitasking.”

“Just a minute more.”

A minute later he stopped and hailed Sue.

“Sue, it’s Dave” he said giving her the signal that he was calling as a friend not her boss. “We want to call in on Art this afternoon.”

“I’m at the hospital now Dave. Art’s in good spirits. Come on over. Do you know where to go?”

“North Shore 14C Room 2?”

“Yep that’s it.”

“Does he need anything?”

“Actually I forgot his portable console. He’s up for reading now. Can you pick one up? I can reimburse you.”

“Of course. See you in about an hour.”

Turning to Rihan he said “I’m just ducking downstairs. I’ll be back in twenty. Can you be ready then?”

“If I must!” she replied.

“Come on grumpy. It’ll do you good.”

“I’d throw this pillow at you if I had the energy.”

“Better you use it for a cat nap. Twenty minutes right. See you.”

Rihan took his advice and was soon snoozing on the lounge. She was still snoozing when Dave returned with a shopping bag. He couldn’t resist saying “I’m home honey. Time to go!”

Rihan mumbled something about him being cruel but Dave ignored it. He offered her his outstretched hand and she reluctantly took it. He pulled her to her feet and then wrapped his arms around her. She slumped. He grabbed her behind with both hands pulling her back upright. When her face was close he kissed her on the forehead and then on her closed eyelids. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. He kissed her on the lips gently.