Allison was pacing in her temporary quarters aboard the Silwrath flagship. It had been two days since her Babu had intercepted them. She should have already been on board hugging him then been on her way home. Bit had already been sent over. She was still here. She hadn’t been a prisoner, in fact just as Rubina had ordered she was an honored guest. As charming as Nutina was her loud and boisterous company was starting to wear on Allison. She had gleaned from her time here that Nutina did not have many friends, either because of her rank or because of her personality. Allison hadn’t figured it out yet. She had now been provided with two uniforms, two PT outfits and one set of off-duty wear. She was in one of the uniforms currently. The high point of her visit was definitely the Silwrath’s holographic fighter simulator. The First Trimark was an excellent pilot and she had taught Allison more than one thing.
Allison was reaching for her clean PT outfit. She had decided more resistance training would help her overcome the weakness three weeks of zero-G had caused in her muscles. The Silwrath medical staff had been very helpful in preparing a regimen for her, and Oozie. The nargle had refused to leave her side for even a few seconds since they’d arrived. She had the sports bra in her hand when she heard her name on the room’s speakers. The very loud and bossy sounding Silwrath VI was telling her that her presence was required on the bridge. She left her room. Oozie chased after her. The pair ran into Nutina halfway down the passageway. The Silwrath smiled at her.
“It would seem you are on your way home, little human.”
Nutina had tried to speak the sentence in Alliance standard. She’d done a passible job, but human came out, uman. The Silwrath seemed to struggle with the concept of silent letters. It went against their belief that everything must be heard clearly. It made them… loud.
“H isn’t silent.”
Allison repeated the word.
“Human.”
Nutina repeated it a few times before getting it right. The pair reached the bridge. Allison stood at attention and saluted Eminence Keer.
“At ease, Ensign Wanjala. The Fleet Admiral would like to speak to you in private.”
Keer motioned to a door that led off the bridge. Allison knew it led to the captain’s ready room equivalent.
“Aye, sir.”
She nodded and entered the room. Her Babu was on the screen. He smiled.
“Ensign, I have good news. We’re taking you home finally. Now that the diplomats and politicians are done posturing. We are to continue talks on Eden Prime. I was hoping you could plot a course for the Eminence and pilot the ship into a proper legal orbit of Eden Prime.”
Allison narrowed her eyes. She wanted to go home pretty badly but this all seemed a little too good to be true. She spoke a challenge code. Her Babu answered. She did another. He responded in kind again. Allison nodded.
“Aye, sir. Is the Eminence aware?”
“He is. He wanted me to pass the orders on directly because he thought you might be suspicious. It appears he was correct. Good work. See you soon, Little Simba.”
Allison saluted her grandfather and left once the connection closed. Eminence Keer saw her appear and motioned to the ship’s helm.
“Please, Ensign, if you would take the helm.”
Allison stood at attention briefly.
“Aye, sir.”
Allison knew the Silwrath to be sticklers for rank if you were on duty from Rubina so she’d done her best to show the officers and crew of the Silwrath flagship every courtesy and deference she could muster as a show of respect. Allison sat down at the helm. Oozie curled up at her feet. She always felt a bit odd with the nargle being everywhere with her. It was getting slightly suffocating. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She wasn’t sure about Silwrath protocol for FTL jumps. So, she just followed Alliance protocol and plotted the FTL jump.
“Course laid in, sir, awaiting your orders.”
Eminence Keer glanced at his comm’s officer.
“Are all fighter patrols and scouts landed?”
The comm’s officer responded in the affirmative after doublechecking. Eminence Keer looked at Allison.
“Proceed, Ensign.”
Allison hit the FTL jump. The ship accelerated to speed away from the remnants of the rogue planet and a blue-white vortex formed on the view screen. Allison moved to get up.
“You have not been relieved of your station, Ensign.”
Allison blushed and planted her butt firmly in the seat.
“Sorry Sir.”
She heard Eminence Keer chuckle.
“Ensign, maintain your station, you have the bridge. First Trimark Nutina and I have a few things to discuss. Notify us when the ship arrives and is docked.”
Allison glanced back over her shoulder to see the two Silwrath moving into his ready room. She sighed softly and wondered if her Babu had put the Eminence up to this, or if this was some sort of test by the Silwrath to see if she was capable. It was pretty unorthodox to give command of a ship to someone who wasn’t actually part of your military or even your political faction. Not that she believed for a second anyone on the bridge would follow an attack order or anything similar. The jump took just over two hours the ship was slower in FTL than even the slowest Alliance ship. Once the ship transitioned into normal space Allison turned to the comm’s officer.
“Sir, do you have standard System’s Alliance comm link set up?”
“Yes, Ensign, I do.”
Allison nodded.
“Please open a channel, sir.”
“Link established.”
She was amused to see Ajay standing in space control. Likely yet another on the job training assignment. He looked surprised to see her.
“Eden Prime Space Control, this is Skull Ten, in command of the ADFS Rampart, requesting geosynchronous orbital placement.”
Ajay looked around and seemed a bit flustered a lieutenant commander appeared.
“Skull Ten, we are sending coordinates for you now. Welcome home.”
“Thank you, Sir, Rampart out.”
Allison glanced at the coordinates relayed to her from the comm station. She expertly piloted the cumbersome battle cruiser into the orbit indicated and set the helm to auto maintain position. She hit the button on her station to request a page.
“Eminence, First Trimark we have arrived and are parked.”
The pair of officers came out of the ready room. Eminence Keer handed Nutina something and shook his head.
“Very well done, Ensign, you are relieved of your station, I am sure you’re eager to get home.”
Allison stood up as a Silwrath Wing Vanguard took her place. She felt her stomach drop when she realized being home meant, two things, her mother, and Trixie. Eminence Keer quirked his head to the side.
“You are happy to be home aren’t you Ensign?”
Allison saluted.
“Aye, sir.”
He motioned to her.
“Then why do you look like your pet just died?”
“I just realized how angry my command and my mother are going to be.”
Her comment elicited more than a few laughs, the loudest of which was Nutina’s. He responded.
“Tell her to call me, I’ll set her straight.”
Allison gave him a half smile.
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“Sir, with all due respect, that is a fight you will not win.”
He laughed while slapping his leg.
“Mothers, they’re the same in every species. It was an honor to meet you, young Ensign. I hope it is not for the last time.”
Allison saluted him.
“The honor was mine, Eminence Keer.”
Nutina, Allison and Oozie made their way to a launch bay. A System’s Alliance shuttle had already landed, and her kit had already been placed on board including all of the clothing and toiletries given to Allison by the League and their Allied Defense Forces. They arrived at the ramp and Allison turned to salute Nutina but was engulfed in a tight hug by the large woman. Allison returned it as best she could. Nutina released Allison.
“Next time, maybe you can meet my daughter. May you find honor and glory, my young friend.”
Allison smiled.
“I wish the same for you as well.”
She waved and walked on board the shuttle. Oozie followed her and hopped up on the seat beside Allison. Allison strapped herself in, then Oozie. She smiled when she felt the shuttle transition into the atmosphere, she’d be home soon. She ruffled Oozies fur. The shuttle landed and she unstrapped the nargle, then herself and stood up. Oozie ran around the shuttle sniffing and rubbing against everything. The ramp lowered and Allison walked out. Oozie raced behind her.
Allison was faced with two MPs and Major Ghai. She stood at attention and saluted. Oozie sat down beside her. Major Ghai looked her up and down, then glanced at Oozie.
“Ensign. Only you could turn a simple trip to Earth into a diplomatic incident and a near declaration of war. Do you realize you also disrupted our wormholes when you detonated that antimatter device? We were down for six hours.”
Allison stood at attention waiting for him to finish his dressing down.
“Ensign, you have been reassigned from Fleet to Intelligence, and to my command. You are now considered a military specialist. I have been ordered to advise you that your flight status has been revoked, and you have been placed under house arrest until a decision can be made by a combined military and civilian tribunal in relation to your recent… antics. You are allowed to attend school, take part in any school related activities, attend training on base, attend physiotherapy sessions to assist in recovery from extended zero-G, physical training and to complete your visit with the President on Earth, you will be notified of the schedule. During your house arrest period you can freely travel between your home, your school and this base. During your trip to Earth, you will be under guard. We wouldn’t want you to blow up a star system on your next attempt. Also, a reminder that everything that occurred on this unscheduled and unsanctioned search and destroy mission is classified. You are not to discuss it with anyone except myself, the president or anyone we personally designate. Pick up your things from the shuttle, these ladies will escort you home.”
Allison saluted him and spun around to gather her belongings. Some animal handlers were approaching Oozie who was getting ready to attack them. Allison stuck her fingers in her mouth and whistled. Oozie ran to her.
“Sorry, she’s staying with me. Once a nargle bonds, taking them away from their master would be considered animal cruelty under System’s Alliance law. I have their behavior and bio-scans from the Silwrath.”
She tapped the file and swept it towards the group of animal handlers and the Major. Major Ghai waved his Xeno-intelligence techs away. Allison moved to walk past Major Ghai, he held out his hand to stop her.
“Ensign, I will take this opportunity to remind you, that you are still active-duty military reserves, you will maintain sim hours, continue training on all alien and System’s Alliance ship configurations. As a military specialist you are also a starfighter pilot who will be called on to defend this colony and the System’s Alliance. Further training in Xeno-Linguistics, Xeno-survival, counterintelligence, surveillance, espionage, digital warfare, power armor, System’s Alliance army tactics and demolitions will be assigned once I am happy with your VR simulation performances. A Military Specialist is expected to be well versed in all aspects of System’s Alliance combat technology, special tactics and reconnaissance. You made a commitment of ten standard years when you joined this military, I intend for us to make the most of your service. A tech will be sent to repair the damage you caused to your armor. You will be provided with uniforms consistent with your new posting”
He looked into her eyes.
“SAI is not Fleet. We take our duty seriously. As a member of my unit, even as a reservist you will be ready to defend the System’s Alliance at a moment’s notice. You will be within reach of your armor or wearing it at all times. Your kit, including assigned weapons, will be in your school locker or on your person at all times. You will wear your translator, holo-phone and contacts at all times. Do you understand, Ensign?”
Allison saluted.
“Yes sir!”
“We will be holding daily debriefs about your mission Ensign, 1200 hours to 1300 hours on weekdays. A room will be provided by the school for this purpose. On weekends these sessions will be for four hours, 0800-1200. You will then report for Physio, physical training and simulation training for your new role. We will keep to this schedule until I am satisfied that we have learned all we can from your holo recordings and your memory. I expect the same commitment you showed in Flight school, during your training in Military Intelligence. You are hereby ordered to report for duty every weekend until I am satisfied with your progress. You are dismissed, Ensign.”
Allison nodded.
“Yes, sir!”
He motioned to the MPs.
“Please remove this loose cannon from my base. I have had enough of her for today.”
The MPs saluted Major Ghai and motioned for Allison to follow them. She glanced back at the Major. She couldn’t help but think he was happier about her new assignment than she was. It occurred to her she had never heard of a military specialist. The MPs didn’t say anything.
Oozie laid across the other half of the military transport’s back seat with her chin on Allison’s knee. After three weeks in a cockpit, and a week on a Silwrath battle cruiser it seemed like forever since she’d seen her homeworld. Fall had come to the Colony of Eden Prime. The trees were turning into a rainbow of violet, blue, red, orange and yellow. The red, orange and yellow trees looked like they were on fire, as they did every year. The harvest had come and gone, the yearly harvest festival had closed down the weekend before. Allison absently scratched Oozie’s head and behind her ears. She looked down at the nargle. Oozie looked up at Allison with her ridiculously adorable blue cat eyes.
“You go in first. One look at you and mom’s heart will melt. Then I’ll come in, how about that?”
Oozie purred and wagged her fluffy tail. Allison smiled and leaned down and buried her face into Oozie’s soft white fur. They pulled into the Wanjala residence’s driveway. One of the MPs got out and opened the door for Allison. Allison gathered her kit and got out. The MP saluted her.
“Welcome home, ma’am.”
Allison nodded to her. She couldn’t exactly return the salute.
“Thank you, Corporal. Sorry the Major dragged you into this.”
The MP gave Allison a knowing look and the pair escorted Allison to the doorway. The Master Corporal was holding several sheets of paper. She looked at Allison and offered the letter. Allison put down one of her cases and took the paper.
“This has the terms of your house arrest. You are to wear your holo-phone at all times. If it leaves designated areas, or you remove it you will be placed under arrest for AWOL. You will subsequently either be booked into the brig, or confined to base, at your CO’s discretion. Do you understand this document as I have presented it to you ma’am?”
Allison nodded. The Master Corporal offered another sheet of paper.
“Notice for your transfer to Intelligence and your change of specialty.”
Allison glanced at the transfer order and added it to the house arrest terms. Allison was offered one last sheet of paper.
“Finally, an order to appear at your tribunal.”
Allison glanced at it; It was scheduled for fall break. In six weeks. The Master Corporal touched the panel to let the VI know people were at the door. Allison’s mother opened the door. That was no surprise, it was a Sunday afternoon. The Master Corporal offered the last sheet of paper to Apiyo.
“Ma’am, your daughter has been placed under house arrest until her tribunal date. As she is a minor at this time, as her legal guardian, it is your responsibility to ensure that she follows the terms of this house arrest. If she fails to follow the terms outlined in this document, she will be either booked into the brig or confined to base until her tribunal. You and your partner could face fines. Do you understand this document, as I have presented it to you, or do you require a translation sent to you in your first language?”
Apiyo read it over.
“Well, seems like the Military has done something right for once, saves me from having to ground her myself. Thank you, I’ll take her from here.”
The Master Corporal nodded.
“I hereby transfer Ensign Allison Wanjala into your custody, ma’am.”
The pair of MPs walked off. Apiyo put her hands on her hips and looked at Allison then down to Oozie.
“You have brought me home another stray I see.”
Oozie sat down, wagged her tail, and gave Apiyo the biggest saucer shaped puppy dog eyes. Apiyo frowned.
“You’re one of those, alright get inside.”
Apiyo motioned Oozie looked up at Allison who nodded. The nargle bounded inside and started sniffing everything. Then she started rubbing herself against everything. Allison’s mother looked her daughter up and down.
“Well, at least they cleaned you up this time. I suppose I’m not going to get any explanation, am I?”
Allison looked at the stone walkway under her feet. Apiyo sighed and pulled Allison in for a tight hug. Allison buried her face into her mother’s shoulder and just took comfort in being close to her mom once again. Apiyo stepped back and cupped Allison’s cheeks in her hands. Her mother was five inches shorter than her at this point.
“You are cursed to live an interesting life my child. So, what is that thing’s name?”
Apiyo released Allison’s cheeks and motioned at Oozie. Allison made a clicking sound with her tongue. Oozie ran to her and sat down panting.
“Mom, this is Oozie, Oozie, this is mom. If you are nice, she feeds you.”
Apiyo looked at Allison.
“Oozie? Is there something I should know?”
Allison laughed.
“No, no, her name is like six syllables long. I shortened it. And if I could tell you what happened you would totally get why Oozie fits.”
Apiyo held her hand down. Oozie licked it and then rubbed her legs.
“And the solar radiation is it safe for this thing?”
“She’ll be fine. I checked a file on them. Nargle’s are very hardy. She can survive with half the oxygen we do, she’s comfortable in zero-G and I haven’t figured out how to get her to leave my side.”
Allison looked around.
“Where are dad and Aryna?”
Apiyo threw up her hands.
“Some representatives of the SA board of directors showed up and whisked her away for some diplomatic function. They were very light on the details, something about dignitaries were requesting an audience. As for your dad… In your absence he was temporarily transferred to a new colony in the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy. Only for six months. His XO, Major Ghai is now in charge of our defense forces.”
“Yep, found that out when I got off my shuttle.”
Apiyo put her hands on her hips.
“Not your fighter?”
Allison sighed.
“My flight status is currently revoked, and I am not assigned to a starfighter, or squadron. I’ve also been transferred to SAI.”
Allison offered the official paperwork to Apiyo. Her mother took and looked them over.
“Military Specialist? I’ve never heard of that trade.”
Allison shrugged.
“I haven’t either, but I signed up for ten years, so they’d pay for school so I’m pretty much not in charge of my life. That should make you happy, knowing even after I am twenty-one you know someone is still telling me exactly how to dress, what to do and when to do it.”
Apiyo hit the top of Allison’s head with the bundle of papers.
“Hasn’t seemed to make your father any better at being an adult. Go drop your things off. I’ll let the… nargle? Out.”
Oozie was bouncing at the back door. Apiyo opened it and the nargle started running around in circles outside and rolling in the grass. Allison gathered her things and took them to her room.