October 4th, 2262. 12:20 St. Mary’s Commercial District – The BBQ Joint
John raised the giant beer mug up and took a mighty swig from it. Every last seat, and some ad hoc ones, of the suitable space at this amazing BBQ joint were taken up by the former crew of the CNS Des Moines and their loved ones.
Not everyone was there. Lieutenant Guetta was found guilty of dereliction of duty and willfully ignoring a lawful command from the commanding officer. He was sentenced to twelve months confinement and upon completion of that sentence, he’ll be demoted to ensign and given a bad conduct discharge.
A few of the marines jumped at a chance to join a larger battalion and moved on. That was true for some of the enlisted crew as well. The most notable absence amongst the officers was Lieutenant Linton, Moreland, and Blanchet.
Rebecca, because of her relationship with Billy, was given a different assignment whose deployment schedule sadly didn’t overlap as neatly as the others did. Chase was transferred to Sixth Fleet to be closer to his extended family. And the good doctor was not one to take downtime. She left her new post and immediately jumped in cover the CNS South Dakota’s lack of qualified medical officers.
John smiled as he set the beer down, “So Stumpy, how’s that new thing feeling?”
Billy waved his new arm around, “Kinda crazy we can grow back lost limbs. No phantom pain, thankfully. I really didn’t want them to lop it off and restart with a new one.”
“Why did you give him that nickname?” Beth set her drink down carefully but was very angry, “He lost his arm.”
“Right. It was a stump,” John deadpanned the answer, “Hence, Stumpy.”
“Of my old arm,” Billy added.
Deniz grinned, “That arm was pretty useless.”
“I hate all of you,” Beth even pointed at Billy.
“Why are your nicknames so trash?” Alice shook her head, “You are so damn smart, but that nickname is just awful.”
“It really is,” Eileen said in agreement.
Kevin was watching all of this happen and was grinning. Theresa was even more shocked that the universe had managed to find a way to create a clone of sorts for their good friend Andern. Kevin then started to giggle to himself at the craziness of that realization.
“Dude, so you really were married,” Billy said as he saw Alice sit back next to him.
“Yeah, and I have friends too,” John grinned as he pointed to Kevin and Theresa, “Why the hell would anyone lie about being married?”
“I don’t know,” Billy shrugged as he took a drink, “Some people do though.”
“Who are these ‘some people that lie about being married?” John asked.
“I dunno. They are out there though,” Billy said defensively.
“This is fucking amazing. There are two of them,” Kevin said with a laugh.
“Two of what now?” Billy asked when he set his beer down on the table.
“One of our really good friends is effectively a spiritual clone of you. Which is a terrifying thing to think about,” John said with a grin.
“That really is horrific,” Eileen said, “I felt like I always got less done when he was on duty.”
“It’s like herding cats,” Theresa said with a smile, “Though the real way to get them to work is to trick them into doing it.”
“Two years serving with him and that got me fucking nowhere,” Eileen said.
“Beth, congratulations on making Third Lieutenant,” John raised his mug.
Everyone else did so. Some cheers were made. Beth turned a bright shade of red and looked like she wanted to retreat into some dark place away from anyone else. Eileen slapped her on the shoulder and made her stand up and bow to everyone. More cheers erupted from the rowdy crew.
“You made second…” Kevin said before John just shook his head.
For John, this meeting wasn’t about him. It was about the crew and how their camaraderie got them through the mess they found themselves in. Plus, it was a neat way to burn through a credit chit with all of these gluttons assembled in one place.
Eileen took a drink and then looked at John, “Have you gotten your orders yet?”
“Next week. Heard some scuttlebutt about a battlecruiser. I’ve got my eyes on the CNS Salem, the namesake for the new attack cruisers.”
“Ooh, those are beautifully angry ships,” Ana said, “All the arms of a heavy cruiser and damn near the armor of a battlecruiser. Man, if we had four of them in our squadron…”
Beth finished Ana’s thought, “Sir, would we even be together like this if we had those new ships?”
John shrugged, “Hard to tell. We would’ve had losses, but I suspect we would’ve been able to retreat successfully. The scary thing, hell the hard thing, to admit really, is that us succeeding there would’ve taught the fleet, Navy, and civvies the wrong damn lesson.”
“Hard to learn the right lessons without feeling the pain,” Billy said.
“Good lord,” Kevin whispered to Theresa, “Just like Andern.”
“It was a painful lesson for us to learn, obviously. But it seems that it was learned. Every fleet had a rash of squadron and wing assignments because of similar shit we saw,” John said, “Just an all-around shitty way to learn how to better ourselves.”
A whole host of servers came out of the kitchen with slabs and trays full of BBQ, sides, treats, desserts, bread, and cheeses. John was very close to drooling at all of the brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken that were on the tray placed in front of him.
When all of the food was served John stood up and gestured for everyone to be quiet. The military members in the restaurant shut up nearly instantly. The family members that didn’t know or didn’t see John were quickly shushed into compliance.
“First off, I want to say thank you for everyone coming back and having this reunion of sorts. None of us would be here if it weren’t for everyone here. And those that couldn’t attend this meeting. There’s a brotherhood of sorts that will never go away. It wasn’t at all easy, but we dug deep, and we ultimately lived to serve another day.”
The crowd raised their drinks and cheered.
“To lost friends and lessons learned,” John rose his glass.
“Cheers,” the comrades said.
“Ok, onto the fun part. Eat, drink, and be merry!”
The room returned to its rowdy nature instantaneously. The food was stellar. The drinks were free flowing. And there was no shortage of bullshit between friends. Moments like these were few and far between, John drank the moment in.
“What were you doing on station while the rest of us were shipped out?” Billy asked.
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John was shoveling two pieces of brisket into his mouth when asked, “Damn that is good brisket. How the hell do they get the taste of red oak into the meat? Anyways, spent a lot of time with the marines running different simulations.”
“I think I heard one of the officers here say the Marines are a hell of a lot more focused now,” Deniz grinned as he ate a piece of chicken, “Figured that was your handiwork.”
“It was working with the marines or sitting on my ass and answering questions about the attack,” John grunted, “I think I chose correctly. Eventually got shipped to Earth.”
“Hey, on that topic,” Ana said, “Why did you defend our captain during the hearing? I didn’t quite understand your logic.”
“Well, what good would it be to demote someone that is dead? Everyone knows that he made a shit plan and froze up under pressure. Kory’s name is synonymous with failure now. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is called the ‘Shephard’s Quagmire’ or something similar in the future.”
“But he got everyone killed. Shouldn’t that mean anything?” Beth asked innocently.
“The senior officers on the other ships went along with the bad plan,” Deniz said, “The guilty members are all dead. Though I must say I think not punishing them is spitting on the graves of those they drove to death.”
“Where does it ever end?” John asked as he ate some cornbread, “That’s the problem. Once you open those floodgates, they are open forevermore.”
“You sure that’s your only reason?” Kevin asked.
John grinned, “After the hearing, I got to speak to Admiral Shephard. I asked him if the roles were reversed, would Kory have defended me as I did him? Take a guess what the answer to that is.” John paused, “Kevin, you can’t answer that.”
Eileen shook her head, “If he wasn’t willing to lie then the answer that would be no, Kory absolutely wouldn’t have defended you.”
“The Admiral is aware of that. And ultimately his willingness to accept the yoke that was given to him by a group of well-to-do assholes. As a result, he stopped evolving his tactics and got fat and rich in his writings. Had a kid who grew up as a royal one percenter and believed him to be superior to everyone.”
“Then the commander,” Deniz shook his head at the rank Kory had achieved, “Was able to get a bunch of yes men in his wing. And we ended up with that shit sandwich we got served.”
“It’s better to use it as a lesson to learn from and not repeat than to try and punish the asshole in death. Ain’t going to change anything by dropping him to ensign.”
“Is it true that the Admiral is heading to the academy?” Beth asked, “I swore I heard he resigned his position or requested a transfer.”
“He’s already teaching this semester,” Deniz said, “Supposedly working on some new tactical reviews from the conflict too.”
“There’s never a dull moment is there?” John grinned as he shoveled pulled pork into his mouth.
After two more hours of gorging themselves with the delicious food, the party was over. Friends for life were forged in battle. Their futures would ultimately be divergent, but they would face an uncertain future with a strength that was created through the unnecessary battle they were subjected to.
John had agreed to pay for this meal. But when the bill was shown to him a little part of him wanted to run away and hide. Their friends’ stomachs were bottomless pits. The bill reflected the amount of food and drink that was enjoyed that day.
The time Alice and John spent with their friends came and went all too soon. Both of them knew that these moments would be fleeting. Hell, the moments they got with one another were generally of a fleeting nature too. That was the life they all chose. They’d be vagabonds with a purpose for a period then return to a place and then head back out once again.
October 9th, 2262. 18:30 St. Mary’s Green Space – Residential District
Alice was around the gardens looking for her husband. He kind of just disappeared after dinner. This was one of his favorite places to go and sit and work out whatever he had on his mind.
Sure enough, John was sitting on a bench that overlooked a couple of cherry trees and a bunch of pumpkin plants. She walked over to the bench and sat down on it. Then she hugged him.
“So, what’s in that big mind of yours?”
“Worried that I’m going to get screwed again tomorrow. I am not sure if I’m going to be able to handle another rejection professionally.”
“Well, you better. Admirals don’t like it when junior officers mouth off at them. Shit, my CO doesn’t tolerate that either.”
Alice rested her head on his arm, “What else is going on that noggin of yours?”
“What would happen if I swiped one of these pumpkins when it gets ripe?”
Alice laughed, “Well I know you don’t like to eat pumpkin so why would you bother stealing one?”
John shrugged, “Maybe I just want a pumpkin. Make it into a spice for a cappuccino or a beer.”
Alice giggled, “Yeah, no. I’m sure you’ll get a fine or something. Come on, get your spirits up. Things will be alright.”
“I know. I’m just trying to get myself in the right mindset for if I get any bad news.”
Alice giggled, “With the amount of bad news you’ve received in your life I’m surprised you haven’t gotten used to it by now.”
John gave a wounded look at his wife.
“Oh, come off it. You get bad news all the damn time,” Alice continued, “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“I mean, you aren’t,” John sighed, “Still felt like a low blow.”
“Did you know that no one else thinks you get into vulnerable states like this?” Alice smirked as she squeezed him a bit.
“Bullshit, I’m not vulnerable.”
“There he is,” Alice laughed.
“Thank you for always being there for me. I don’t deserve you.”
“You are most welcome. And don’t you forget it, mister,” Alice let go of her hug and kissed him on the cheek, “I’ll let you brood more. I’ll be back at our place.”
Alice then slapped John’s shoulder as she walked by. But John would continue to sit there and brood. But her presence did help lighten the mood a bit and help him prepare for the eventuality that he did receive bad news.
After another hour of thinking and staring, John got up and returned home. He had come to the conclusion that there was no possibility of the Navy screwing him again. It was time to move on and let him back on a ship. That was the only thing that could happen at the meeting tomorrow morning.
October 10th, 2262. 08:30 St. Mary’s Naval Wing – First Fleet Operations
John was sitting in the entryway and had been for the last thirty minutes. That is, he had been waiting in the office for thirty minutes, and he was waiting outside the office for nearly twenty minutes. Today was the day.
For nine long months, John existed in a state of uncertainty. Hopes had been dashed time and again. He was called to do things he desperately wanted to avoid. Though his experience in the political theatre was not wasted. And his public speaking got loads better as well.
Still, a position onboard any Naval vessel is what he wanted. What he needed. This was one more step towards captaincy. If all went according to plan, he’d have command of a frigate or an older cruiser inside three, maybe four, years.
John looked up at the administrative officers. They were extremely busy, far busier than he had to see them in the past. John wondered what they were working on. He didn’t have the faintest clue as this kind of work wasn’t something he did. Or had spent any time investigating in the past. He just chalked up to fleet movements or a large number of personnel transfers.
John nodded to himself, that would make sense. The military was keen to stamp out cults of persona where they actually were or presumed, they were. Given his firsthand experiences that would be a welcome change, though he was sure this personnel probably didn’t want to spend the day working on this much paperwork.
“Lieutenant Lief,” one of the receptionists peaked over her desk, “It’ll only be a couple more minutes before they see you.”
“Thank you petty officer,” John said as he leaned back in the seat.
He couldn’t stop fidgeting in his seat. The receptionists all peaked and giggled at the oversized man child in the waiting room. Eventually, his name was called.
John was smiling as he walked through the secure doors. He hung a left and then walked down the hallway to Admiral Dufresne’s office. John pressed the notification button outside the door and waited for the doors to open.
It took twenty-six dreadfully long seconds before the door opened. It was at that time that John thought that he could be set up for disappointment once more. This was the fourth time he had come here for an assignment. Surely, he wasn’t going to get jerked around again.
Right?
In that brief moment, an overwhelming amount of doubt crept into John’s thought process. Maybe he was going to get screwed again. But how? The hearings were done, and the Navy commission had already handed out its disciplinary recommendations, of which only one was being followed up.
Before John could let these thoughts marinade in his mind anymore the door opened. He was taken by surprise when they quickly opened with an audible whoosh. Tim looked up from his desk and waved John in.
“You may enter Lieutenant.”
John walked forward and stopped a step in front of the desk. He quickly saluted the admiral. Tim saluted him back and picked up a data slate, then sighed.
That was not the reaction John wanted to see. While he stood there at attention John looked the part of a steely reserved military man. Inside though, it was a quagmire of doubt and disappointment. He tried to prepare himself to be disappointed yet again.
“I’m sure you’ve heard scuttlebutt about the CNS Salem,” Tim said as he pressed a few buttons at his terminal which brought up an image of the magnificent ship on the screen behind him, “And that’s where you were going to be assigned.”
Tim noticed John’s emotions bubble to the surface for the briefest of moments, “I’m sorry to disappoint you but I can’t transfer you there.”
John looked down at the floor and took a deep breath. He was desperately trying to reign in his emotions. He was on generally good terms with the Admiral, but it was going to take all of his control to not say something he’d regret.
“However, I suspect my guest might have an alternative plan,” Tim smirked as the door opened, “He just arrived, and the locals made the paperwork a bitch.
John heard three footsteps before they stopped, and the door closed again. Before he had a chance to turn and face the man he spoke. John’s emotions changed in a heartbeat.
“Good morning, Lieutenant,” boomed General Mizrahi, “Perhaps joining my taskforce would suffice as an acceptable alternative. How would you like to go hunting for a mutual acquaintance of ours?”
John smiled as he looked back and forth at both men, “With pleasure, sir.”