Echoes of War Box Set, page 70
part #1 of Echoes of War Series
“I’ll try just about anything once,” Aibek responded.
“Good. 1900 CMT? Right after dinner?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Excellent! Now I’m going to go get some sleep,” David said as he stood from the couch, a grin spreading across his face.
“Good night, David. Godspeed and good rest,” Aibek replied.
As David stepped through the hatch and back into the passageway that lay beyond, he looked back into the room. “For what it’s worth, you’re every bit Sheila’s equal in terms of ability, honor, and dedication, Talgat. I’m glad we’re serving together.”
“I am honored.”
David inclined his head and walked off down the hall. It’s going to take a lot of time before I have the kind of natural rapport with Aibek that I had with Shelia, even after taking the emotional element out of it. She could read my mind. Still, I’m lucky to have him. I need to nurture our friendship on and off the ship. I’ll have to put myself outside of my comfort zone and do it.
As he stepped into the gravlift and began to order it to take him to the deck his cabin was situated on, David thought the better of it. “Deck five,” he said instead. A brief ride later, the doors slid open, and David briskly walked down the central passageway of the ship. As large as three normal passageways, it was one of the main thoroughfares for the crew. His destination was the shul, which was amidships, situated against the outer hull.
At the late hour, there was virtually no one present in the shul, David noticed as he pulled on his yarmulke and walked inside. “Prayers before bed, Colonel Cohen?” the voice of Rabbi Kravitz boomed out from his small office.
Smiling, David stuck his head through the door. “Still got a few minutes for a fellow Jew, Rabbi?”
“Of course. Come in. Come in!” Kravitz replied, wearing a warm and genuine smile himself.
“I haven’t had time to get down here and thank you for ministering to those we rescued. I’m sure that having a rabbi around to offer healing was beneficial,” David said.
“The Mitzvot do specifically say to appoint a special priest for soldiers in a war.”
“Five hundred ninety-nine,” David replied with a grin.
“Do you still study the Torah?” Kravitz asked.
David nodded. “Every day that I can. I still hope someday to become a rabbi.”
“A noble goal,” Kravitz replied. “We always need more of those.”
“I read somewhere the other day that there are more than a billion Jews in the Terran Coalition as of the last census.”
“We were fruitful and multiplied,” Kravitz cracked.
“I’ll say. We’re still the smallest of the major religions.”
“That would be expected. We started with far fewer people in the Exodus,” Kravitz observed.
“I’m worried, Rabbi.”
“About what?”
“I didn’t even remember that it was Rosh Hashanah. I was so caught up in fighting and what was going on around me. I find that I’m struggling to fulfill my duties as a Jew.”
“Then rededicate yourself, decide to pray more, partake in services, and worship God.”
“Do you ever wonder how Adonai looks at us? I imagine He must be disgusted when we engage in combat, killing dozens, hundreds, thousands of His creations, and show up to prayers a few hours later.”
“I don’t believe he judges us for a just action in war,” Kravitz said, frowning. “If I may be so bold, it sounds to me like that you carry around much guilt.”
“I do,” David replied. “I feel like I’m constantly running from the guilt and despair that threatens to engulf me. I still blame myself for Sheila’s death. If I hadn’t insisted on going after Seville, she’d still be alive.”
“And we probably wouldn’t have the allies we have now, nor be pushing the League back across the entire front.”
“So her death was God’s plan? It was worth it in the grand scheme of things?”
“Perhaps it was,” Kravitz allowed.
“Someday, I want to understand why. A being that can create anything, why can’t He stop the League in its tracks? Why not banish evil?”
“Have you considered that perhaps God doesn’t revolve around you or me? That, in fact, we revolve around Him? Perhaps the reason Adonai doesn’t destroy evil in the universe today is that if He did, billions of souls who do not know Him would be cast out. Perhaps He, in His infinite wisdom, allows us to grope around and try to seek His name.”
David furrowed his brow while shaking his head. “I suppose I hadn’t thought of it in that manner. At least not recently.”
“Think on it.”
“I still hate this war,” David said as he sighed. “I long for the day we no longer have to fight day in and day out to ensure our existence.”
“Only a sociopath enjoys killing,” Kravitz replied. “The fact it still bothers you is proof you haven’t lost your humanity and your connection to God.”
“Thanks, Rabbi.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
David stood up. “I guess I’d better recite the evening prayer and turn in. Tomorrow is another day.”
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
“I’ll do my best,” David replied, smiling.
Andrew MacIntosh walked through a full-body scanning booth at one of the entrances to the residence of the Terran Coalition’s president in his full uniform. The protocol called for wearing, at a minimum, service dress khaki uniforms to meet with the president, preferably dress blacks, which MacIntosh didn’t have time to don.
After completing the scan, he was whisked away to the private living quarters by several elite protective service agents and directed to wait in one of the many and ornately decorated rooms. This particular room was decorated in a Greco-Roman style with paintings of Dr. James Lawrence, the creator of the FTL system employed by all human spacecraft, adorning the walls. MacIntosh didn’t have to wait long; within five minutes, the door swung open, and President Spencer entered, followed by his constant, twenty-four-hours-a-day bodyguard.
Reflexively, MacIntosh sprang from his chair and came to attention. “At ease, Andrew,” Spencer said with a smile. “This is just a friendly discussion between two friends.”
MacIntosh relaxed into a parade rest posture. “Sir, you’re the President of the Terran Coalition. Can’t train that out of this old soldier.”
Spencer gestured to the chair MacIntosh had been occupying. “Please, have a seat,” he said as he sat down on the couch across from the chair.
“Thank you, sir,” MacIntosh replied, sitting only after the president had.
“We’re preparing a statement on the Monrovia situation, and I wanted your thoughts on the matter,” Spencer stated matter-of-factly.
“Mr. President, while I argued for intervention, the situation ended up going further than I had ever intended. I can do nothing but offer my apologies for my personnel exceeding their authority and orders.”
“Andrew, I’m not upset about it. If anything, I’m grateful they did.”
MacIntosh’s mouth dropped open. “With respect, sir, we operate on a system of orders. If you don’t like orders, you have to shut up and do them or resign. There’s no cherry-picking which ones you agree to follow.”
“You did tell me that Colonel Cohen was unorthodox in his methods.”
“I underestimated just how unorthodox he is, sir,” MacIntosh replied.
“I think that might be a positive. Thanks to the reporting done on Monrovia, the approval rating for the CDF is even higher than it was a couple of weeks ago, which was a historical high then. Spontaneous gatherings are occurring outside of our embassies on neutral planets thanking the Terran Coalition for protecting them. In short, we’ve come out of this as the force for good in our local region. I can’t see a better outcome. We stopped a monstrous wrong, exposed the League one more time for what it is, and did it in front of a holocamera for once. How many times have our men and women died to stop the League, and the press never seemed to notice just how bad the League is?”
“That may be true, sir. I worry about the optics of the Terran Coalition intervening in other planets’ internal business. This case was easy, but what about the next one? It’s a slippery slope to imperialism setting in.”
“I’m surprised to hear this from the man who wanted me to authorize intervention in the first place.”
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, sir. History shows that unchecked police actions against rogue states feed on themselves. I urge caution.”
“I think you’re more chafed at your protégé disregarding your instructions,” Spencer observed.
“The young colonel still has a lot to learn,” MacIntosh replied, smiling ruefully. “I wish he had more seasoning, but I still believe he’s the best man for the job.”
“I seem to remember you overlooking a certain CDF officer exceeding his orders on occasion.”
“And he grew up to be the commander in chief. Can’t have that happen again, sir,” MacIntosh said with a tight grin.
“There’s something I want to know.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“How’d you managed to get a seemingly unbiased GNN reporter onto the Lion of Judah? I never quite understood why you argued for them over a Canaan News Network embed.”
“Well, sir, everyone expects Canaan News to be pro-CDF. I thought it would be far better for our society and for morale at large to have a reporter from a news outlet that wasn’t thought of generally pro-military. You can argue pretty convincingly that GNN is anti-CDF.” Better to leave the rest of my deal off the record.
Spencer nodded his understanding. “I see, Andrew. Your line of reasoning is, as usual, impeccable. I’d also like to thank you for finding the troops to get Monrovia garrisoned. I’m sure that was no easy feat.”
“I bled forces off from several of our core worlds that, quite frankly, don’t need as many troops right now thanks to our continued successes in the war, and cobbled together a few reserve ships to constitute a planetary defense and customs force. Monrovia is a long way from being stabilized, though. The people of the planet are experiencing great upheaval. In the end, it’ll be up to them what kind of society they create from the ashes.”
“It’s up to each of us, in the end, to do what’s right,” Spencer observed. “I find myself thinking we should have done more here. It was only the heroic actions of a few brave people that saved the day. Perhaps, when the League is finally on the run, we should change policy.”
“To confronting evil in our local area of the galaxy?”
“Yes. We’ve long ignored things in our backyard, sticking to this non-interference mantra. For instance, take the Harr’al. They allow legalized slavery for crying out loud, Andrew. Humans fought wars that killed millions of people to stop slavery back on Earth. Someday, I hope we can right some wrongs out here. It’s about time.”
“Mr. President, again, as a professional military officer, I would caution you to avoid blanket statements. They lead to unintended consequences.”
“I’ll try to remember that in the days ahead.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Andrew, I’m going to go have dinner with my wife and children. Would you care to join us?”
MacIntosh shook his head. “No, sir, though I am deeply honored you would ask. If I did that without bringing my wife, well, she’d kill me.”
“Then I’ll invite both of you soon,” Spencer replied while laughing and rising from his seat on the couch.
MacIntosh quickly jumped out of the chair and stood as well. “Thank you, sir.”
“Carry on, Andrew, and keep those technological marvels coming.”
“Aye aye, sir!”
Spencer walked out of the room, followed by his two protectors, leaving MacIntosh to exit the residence. During his trip out, he couldn’t help but think about the conversation. I know where Justin’s heart is, but we can’t be the galaxy’s policeman right now. Even once we beat the League, we need to step back, take care of our own, rebuild our civil infrastructure, and for the first time in a generation, not be at war. At least, that’s how I see it. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what I believe because the politicians make policy, not the military. I hope whoever our next president is, has the same kind of abilities and coolness under fire that Justin does. Otherwise, we could find ourselves in many small wars… and that’s not something I look forward to.
41
The day after returning to Canaan, David rose at his usual time of 0430 CMT. Maybe there’s a bit more spring in my step today, he reflected after exiting the officer’s gym after his workout. There’s got to be. I can’t be getting old before I even turn forty. He made his way back to his quarters, showered, and dressed in the uniform of the day. Deciding to eat before his morning prayers, David arrived at his favorite officers’ mess at 0530. For reasons he couldn’t readily explain, the one closest to the bridge had become the one he preferred, even though there were three others on the massive ship available for officers at all hours, in addition to six messes for enlisted personnel. Walking in the door, he strolled into the ordering area.
“Chief,” David said, addressing the lead cook. “Give me three eggs over medium with a side of hash browns and toast. Oh, and get me a piece of salmon too, if you have one that’s kosher still in stock?”
“Yes, sir, Colonel! You’re in luck; we resupplied last night. I’ve even got some eggs that are marked kosher, though… well, sir, we do cook meat on this grill too.”
David grinned in return. “I know, Chief. Hard to get an actual kosher meal except when it’s brought up pre-cooked. We’re out of the vacuum-sealed religious meals anyway.”
“I heard the chiefs’ mess still has some of those, sir.”
“I guess I’d better see if I can get the Master Chief to invite me sometime,” David replied. “You guys always get the best food.”
“Been that way for hundreds of years too, sir,” the head chef, who wore the stripes of a chief petty officer, replied.
“I’ll have to settle for things marked ‘kosher’ this time around, Chief. Serve it up!”
“Oh great, here we go with that again. Kosher this, kosher that. Next, you’re going to tell me I can’t have my bacon cheeseburgers,” boomed Calvin’s voice from behind both of them. David turned around and made a big show of rolling his eyes.
“Colonel Demood… I’m tempted to make you run laps in here,” David replied good-naturedly.
“I’m game. Like to see you CDF boys keep up with my laps any day of the week. Chief, let me have my usual. Two eggs, bacon and sausage, peanut butter on the toast.”
“You got it, Colonel,” the chef replied.
“Chief, please use a separate pan for the bacon,” David said with a grin.
“Already planned on it, sir.”
Turning to Calvin, David continued, “Care to join for me for breakfast?”
“Sure. You get a good night’s sleep?”
“Yeah, about as good as any lately,” David replied as he walked over to the coffee dispenser and poured himself a mug. “Mmmmm. CDF coffee. Nothing else like it. I’ll take this stuff over the lattes or whatever is in vogue with the more refined set these days.”
“Hah, it’s battery acid, but it does get us moving.”
“Amen,” David said, taking a seat at a table near the transparent metal “windows” that allowed a view of Canaan and her orbiting defenses, space stations, and dozens of ships. “That is a sight that just never gets old to me,” he said while glancing out into space. “The fact that we’re out here and able to see the handiwork of the Creator. It’s a gift.”
Calvin took a sip of his coffee before speaking. “I’m kind of amazed we survived long enough as a species to get out in the stars.”
“You and me both.”
Out of the corner of his eye, David saw Ruth and Hanson come in about roughly the same time, place their orders, and get coffee. He waved at them, and both walked over.
“Mind if we join you, sir?” Ruth asked.
“Feel free.”
Ruth slid into the open seat next to David while Hanson occupied the one across from her. “I know it’s only been a couple of days, sir… but it feels like months,” Hanson commented. “Are you glad to be back?”
“You have no idea, Major. I’m very thankful to be back home, where I thankfully still belong.”
“Thank you for sticking up for us yesterday, sir,” Ruth said. “I think I can speak for the entire senior staff by saying that meant a lot.”
“Just something a good leader taught me, that I try imperfectly to emulate.”
“You emulate it well, then,” Ruth replied.
“Oh, look here. Colonel Cohen has a fan club. Where can I sign up? Does it come with autographs?” Calvin interjected sarcastically, causing laughter from everyone at the table.
“We’ve got another set of software upgrades for the reactor controls, courtesy of Dr. Hayworth,” Hanson said excitedly.
“How much of an improvement in power output?” David asked.
“Don’t feed the nerd, Colonel,” Calvin joked. “He’s bad enough without being encouraged.”
Hanson looked uncomfortable but pressed on. “Well, sir, at least five percent. Maybe eight if we keep pushing. It’d help keep our shields up longer or provide a bit more into the energy weapons capacitor.”
“That sounds good to me. More protection or more lethality... I’ll take both,” David replied.
Engrossed in the conversation, David didn’t see Amir walk up to the table. “Is there room for another?” he asked, holding a cup of hot tea.
“Of course, take a seat,” David said, gesturing to the open seat next to Calvin.
Amir set his tea down first, then pulled the chair out and sat down. “Thank you, sir.”
David leaned back in his seat, looking at his friends. “One more successful mission in the books, lady, and gents.”
“And a stark reminder of how far we’ve yet to go,” Amir replied. “I never thought I’d see human beings—outside of the League—do the kinds of things we saw on Monrovia.”
“Good. 1900 CMT? Right after dinner?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Excellent! Now I’m going to go get some sleep,” David said as he stood from the couch, a grin spreading across his face.
“Good night, David. Godspeed and good rest,” Aibek replied.
As David stepped through the hatch and back into the passageway that lay beyond, he looked back into the room. “For what it’s worth, you’re every bit Sheila’s equal in terms of ability, honor, and dedication, Talgat. I’m glad we’re serving together.”
“I am honored.”
David inclined his head and walked off down the hall. It’s going to take a lot of time before I have the kind of natural rapport with Aibek that I had with Shelia, even after taking the emotional element out of it. She could read my mind. Still, I’m lucky to have him. I need to nurture our friendship on and off the ship. I’ll have to put myself outside of my comfort zone and do it.
As he stepped into the gravlift and began to order it to take him to the deck his cabin was situated on, David thought the better of it. “Deck five,” he said instead. A brief ride later, the doors slid open, and David briskly walked down the central passageway of the ship. As large as three normal passageways, it was one of the main thoroughfares for the crew. His destination was the shul, which was amidships, situated against the outer hull.
At the late hour, there was virtually no one present in the shul, David noticed as he pulled on his yarmulke and walked inside. “Prayers before bed, Colonel Cohen?” the voice of Rabbi Kravitz boomed out from his small office.
Smiling, David stuck his head through the door. “Still got a few minutes for a fellow Jew, Rabbi?”
“Of course. Come in. Come in!” Kravitz replied, wearing a warm and genuine smile himself.
“I haven’t had time to get down here and thank you for ministering to those we rescued. I’m sure that having a rabbi around to offer healing was beneficial,” David said.
“The Mitzvot do specifically say to appoint a special priest for soldiers in a war.”
“Five hundred ninety-nine,” David replied with a grin.
“Do you still study the Torah?” Kravitz asked.
David nodded. “Every day that I can. I still hope someday to become a rabbi.”
“A noble goal,” Kravitz replied. “We always need more of those.”
“I read somewhere the other day that there are more than a billion Jews in the Terran Coalition as of the last census.”
“We were fruitful and multiplied,” Kravitz cracked.
“I’ll say. We’re still the smallest of the major religions.”
“That would be expected. We started with far fewer people in the Exodus,” Kravitz observed.
“I’m worried, Rabbi.”
“About what?”
“I didn’t even remember that it was Rosh Hashanah. I was so caught up in fighting and what was going on around me. I find that I’m struggling to fulfill my duties as a Jew.”
“Then rededicate yourself, decide to pray more, partake in services, and worship God.”
“Do you ever wonder how Adonai looks at us? I imagine He must be disgusted when we engage in combat, killing dozens, hundreds, thousands of His creations, and show up to prayers a few hours later.”
“I don’t believe he judges us for a just action in war,” Kravitz said, frowning. “If I may be so bold, it sounds to me like that you carry around much guilt.”
“I do,” David replied. “I feel like I’m constantly running from the guilt and despair that threatens to engulf me. I still blame myself for Sheila’s death. If I hadn’t insisted on going after Seville, she’d still be alive.”
“And we probably wouldn’t have the allies we have now, nor be pushing the League back across the entire front.”
“So her death was God’s plan? It was worth it in the grand scheme of things?”
“Perhaps it was,” Kravitz allowed.
“Someday, I want to understand why. A being that can create anything, why can’t He stop the League in its tracks? Why not banish evil?”
“Have you considered that perhaps God doesn’t revolve around you or me? That, in fact, we revolve around Him? Perhaps the reason Adonai doesn’t destroy evil in the universe today is that if He did, billions of souls who do not know Him would be cast out. Perhaps He, in His infinite wisdom, allows us to grope around and try to seek His name.”
David furrowed his brow while shaking his head. “I suppose I hadn’t thought of it in that manner. At least not recently.”
“Think on it.”
“I still hate this war,” David said as he sighed. “I long for the day we no longer have to fight day in and day out to ensure our existence.”
“Only a sociopath enjoys killing,” Kravitz replied. “The fact it still bothers you is proof you haven’t lost your humanity and your connection to God.”
“Thanks, Rabbi.”
“That’s what I’m here for.”
David stood up. “I guess I’d better recite the evening prayer and turn in. Tomorrow is another day.”
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
“I’ll do my best,” David replied, smiling.
Andrew MacIntosh walked through a full-body scanning booth at one of the entrances to the residence of the Terran Coalition’s president in his full uniform. The protocol called for wearing, at a minimum, service dress khaki uniforms to meet with the president, preferably dress blacks, which MacIntosh didn’t have time to don.
After completing the scan, he was whisked away to the private living quarters by several elite protective service agents and directed to wait in one of the many and ornately decorated rooms. This particular room was decorated in a Greco-Roman style with paintings of Dr. James Lawrence, the creator of the FTL system employed by all human spacecraft, adorning the walls. MacIntosh didn’t have to wait long; within five minutes, the door swung open, and President Spencer entered, followed by his constant, twenty-four-hours-a-day bodyguard.
Reflexively, MacIntosh sprang from his chair and came to attention. “At ease, Andrew,” Spencer said with a smile. “This is just a friendly discussion between two friends.”
MacIntosh relaxed into a parade rest posture. “Sir, you’re the President of the Terran Coalition. Can’t train that out of this old soldier.”
Spencer gestured to the chair MacIntosh had been occupying. “Please, have a seat,” he said as he sat down on the couch across from the chair.
“Thank you, sir,” MacIntosh replied, sitting only after the president had.
“We’re preparing a statement on the Monrovia situation, and I wanted your thoughts on the matter,” Spencer stated matter-of-factly.
“Mr. President, while I argued for intervention, the situation ended up going further than I had ever intended. I can do nothing but offer my apologies for my personnel exceeding their authority and orders.”
“Andrew, I’m not upset about it. If anything, I’m grateful they did.”
MacIntosh’s mouth dropped open. “With respect, sir, we operate on a system of orders. If you don’t like orders, you have to shut up and do them or resign. There’s no cherry-picking which ones you agree to follow.”
“You did tell me that Colonel Cohen was unorthodox in his methods.”
“I underestimated just how unorthodox he is, sir,” MacIntosh replied.
“I think that might be a positive. Thanks to the reporting done on Monrovia, the approval rating for the CDF is even higher than it was a couple of weeks ago, which was a historical high then. Spontaneous gatherings are occurring outside of our embassies on neutral planets thanking the Terran Coalition for protecting them. In short, we’ve come out of this as the force for good in our local region. I can’t see a better outcome. We stopped a monstrous wrong, exposed the League one more time for what it is, and did it in front of a holocamera for once. How many times have our men and women died to stop the League, and the press never seemed to notice just how bad the League is?”
“That may be true, sir. I worry about the optics of the Terran Coalition intervening in other planets’ internal business. This case was easy, but what about the next one? It’s a slippery slope to imperialism setting in.”
“I’m surprised to hear this from the man who wanted me to authorize intervention in the first place.”
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions, sir. History shows that unchecked police actions against rogue states feed on themselves. I urge caution.”
“I think you’re more chafed at your protégé disregarding your instructions,” Spencer observed.
“The young colonel still has a lot to learn,” MacIntosh replied, smiling ruefully. “I wish he had more seasoning, but I still believe he’s the best man for the job.”
“I seem to remember you overlooking a certain CDF officer exceeding his orders on occasion.”
“And he grew up to be the commander in chief. Can’t have that happen again, sir,” MacIntosh said with a tight grin.
“There’s something I want to know.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“How’d you managed to get a seemingly unbiased GNN reporter onto the Lion of Judah? I never quite understood why you argued for them over a Canaan News Network embed.”
“Well, sir, everyone expects Canaan News to be pro-CDF. I thought it would be far better for our society and for morale at large to have a reporter from a news outlet that wasn’t thought of generally pro-military. You can argue pretty convincingly that GNN is anti-CDF.” Better to leave the rest of my deal off the record.
Spencer nodded his understanding. “I see, Andrew. Your line of reasoning is, as usual, impeccable. I’d also like to thank you for finding the troops to get Monrovia garrisoned. I’m sure that was no easy feat.”
“I bled forces off from several of our core worlds that, quite frankly, don’t need as many troops right now thanks to our continued successes in the war, and cobbled together a few reserve ships to constitute a planetary defense and customs force. Monrovia is a long way from being stabilized, though. The people of the planet are experiencing great upheaval. In the end, it’ll be up to them what kind of society they create from the ashes.”
“It’s up to each of us, in the end, to do what’s right,” Spencer observed. “I find myself thinking we should have done more here. It was only the heroic actions of a few brave people that saved the day. Perhaps, when the League is finally on the run, we should change policy.”
“To confronting evil in our local area of the galaxy?”
“Yes. We’ve long ignored things in our backyard, sticking to this non-interference mantra. For instance, take the Harr’al. They allow legalized slavery for crying out loud, Andrew. Humans fought wars that killed millions of people to stop slavery back on Earth. Someday, I hope we can right some wrongs out here. It’s about time.”
“Mr. President, again, as a professional military officer, I would caution you to avoid blanket statements. They lead to unintended consequences.”
“I’ll try to remember that in the days ahead.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Andrew, I’m going to go have dinner with my wife and children. Would you care to join us?”
MacIntosh shook his head. “No, sir, though I am deeply honored you would ask. If I did that without bringing my wife, well, she’d kill me.”
“Then I’ll invite both of you soon,” Spencer replied while laughing and rising from his seat on the couch.
MacIntosh quickly jumped out of the chair and stood as well. “Thank you, sir.”
“Carry on, Andrew, and keep those technological marvels coming.”
“Aye aye, sir!”
Spencer walked out of the room, followed by his two protectors, leaving MacIntosh to exit the residence. During his trip out, he couldn’t help but think about the conversation. I know where Justin’s heart is, but we can’t be the galaxy’s policeman right now. Even once we beat the League, we need to step back, take care of our own, rebuild our civil infrastructure, and for the first time in a generation, not be at war. At least, that’s how I see it. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what I believe because the politicians make policy, not the military. I hope whoever our next president is, has the same kind of abilities and coolness under fire that Justin does. Otherwise, we could find ourselves in many small wars… and that’s not something I look forward to.
41
The day after returning to Canaan, David rose at his usual time of 0430 CMT. Maybe there’s a bit more spring in my step today, he reflected after exiting the officer’s gym after his workout. There’s got to be. I can’t be getting old before I even turn forty. He made his way back to his quarters, showered, and dressed in the uniform of the day. Deciding to eat before his morning prayers, David arrived at his favorite officers’ mess at 0530. For reasons he couldn’t readily explain, the one closest to the bridge had become the one he preferred, even though there were three others on the massive ship available for officers at all hours, in addition to six messes for enlisted personnel. Walking in the door, he strolled into the ordering area.
“Chief,” David said, addressing the lead cook. “Give me three eggs over medium with a side of hash browns and toast. Oh, and get me a piece of salmon too, if you have one that’s kosher still in stock?”
“Yes, sir, Colonel! You’re in luck; we resupplied last night. I’ve even got some eggs that are marked kosher, though… well, sir, we do cook meat on this grill too.”
David grinned in return. “I know, Chief. Hard to get an actual kosher meal except when it’s brought up pre-cooked. We’re out of the vacuum-sealed religious meals anyway.”
“I heard the chiefs’ mess still has some of those, sir.”
“I guess I’d better see if I can get the Master Chief to invite me sometime,” David replied. “You guys always get the best food.”
“Been that way for hundreds of years too, sir,” the head chef, who wore the stripes of a chief petty officer, replied.
“I’ll have to settle for things marked ‘kosher’ this time around, Chief. Serve it up!”
“Oh great, here we go with that again. Kosher this, kosher that. Next, you’re going to tell me I can’t have my bacon cheeseburgers,” boomed Calvin’s voice from behind both of them. David turned around and made a big show of rolling his eyes.
“Colonel Demood… I’m tempted to make you run laps in here,” David replied good-naturedly.
“I’m game. Like to see you CDF boys keep up with my laps any day of the week. Chief, let me have my usual. Two eggs, bacon and sausage, peanut butter on the toast.”
“You got it, Colonel,” the chef replied.
“Chief, please use a separate pan for the bacon,” David said with a grin.
“Already planned on it, sir.”
Turning to Calvin, David continued, “Care to join for me for breakfast?”
“Sure. You get a good night’s sleep?”
“Yeah, about as good as any lately,” David replied as he walked over to the coffee dispenser and poured himself a mug. “Mmmmm. CDF coffee. Nothing else like it. I’ll take this stuff over the lattes or whatever is in vogue with the more refined set these days.”
“Hah, it’s battery acid, but it does get us moving.”
“Amen,” David said, taking a seat at a table near the transparent metal “windows” that allowed a view of Canaan and her orbiting defenses, space stations, and dozens of ships. “That is a sight that just never gets old to me,” he said while glancing out into space. “The fact that we’re out here and able to see the handiwork of the Creator. It’s a gift.”
Calvin took a sip of his coffee before speaking. “I’m kind of amazed we survived long enough as a species to get out in the stars.”
“You and me both.”
Out of the corner of his eye, David saw Ruth and Hanson come in about roughly the same time, place their orders, and get coffee. He waved at them, and both walked over.
“Mind if we join you, sir?” Ruth asked.
“Feel free.”
Ruth slid into the open seat next to David while Hanson occupied the one across from her. “I know it’s only been a couple of days, sir… but it feels like months,” Hanson commented. “Are you glad to be back?”
“You have no idea, Major. I’m very thankful to be back home, where I thankfully still belong.”
“Thank you for sticking up for us yesterday, sir,” Ruth said. “I think I can speak for the entire senior staff by saying that meant a lot.”
“Just something a good leader taught me, that I try imperfectly to emulate.”
“You emulate it well, then,” Ruth replied.
“Oh, look here. Colonel Cohen has a fan club. Where can I sign up? Does it come with autographs?” Calvin interjected sarcastically, causing laughter from everyone at the table.
“We’ve got another set of software upgrades for the reactor controls, courtesy of Dr. Hayworth,” Hanson said excitedly.
“How much of an improvement in power output?” David asked.
“Don’t feed the nerd, Colonel,” Calvin joked. “He’s bad enough without being encouraged.”
Hanson looked uncomfortable but pressed on. “Well, sir, at least five percent. Maybe eight if we keep pushing. It’d help keep our shields up longer or provide a bit more into the energy weapons capacitor.”
“That sounds good to me. More protection or more lethality... I’ll take both,” David replied.
Engrossed in the conversation, David didn’t see Amir walk up to the table. “Is there room for another?” he asked, holding a cup of hot tea.
“Of course, take a seat,” David said, gesturing to the open seat next to Calvin.
Amir set his tea down first, then pulled the chair out and sat down. “Thank you, sir.”
David leaned back in his seat, looking at his friends. “One more successful mission in the books, lady, and gents.”
“And a stark reminder of how far we’ve yet to go,” Amir replied. “I never thought I’d see human beings—outside of the League—do the kinds of things we saw on Monrovia.”
