Some confrontations are good. Some a bad. Some make life better when we get through. Some make life worse. I\u2019ve had good luck with most of mine. And I\u2019ve made some seriously stupid mistakes in others. One or two I\u2019d even take back if I had the chance. But we don\u2019t get that chance. So I remember the cost of doing it wrong, in hopes that I can find the right way to do things in the future. Because we make our lives out of the ways in which we handle all the little challenges in life.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Captain Wyatt leaned forward in her chair and placed both hands on the admiral\u2019s desk. There was not an ounce of compromise or reticence in her demeanor and Jack admired that. He admired it a lot in fact. She was good. She was strong. She was exactly what they needed if they were going to win The War. He just wished more people understood that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did what I had to do,\u201d Wyatt said without an ounce of contrition. Or weakness.<\/p>\n
Lashley nodded in approval. \u201cYou realize there will be repercussions?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe record will prove me right,\u201d Wyatt said.<\/p>\n
Lashley laughed and shook his head. \u201cWhich one? The record we already have, or the self-serving one you\u2019ve obviously brought with you?\u201d<\/p>\n
Wyatt\u2019s cheek twitched but she maintained her composure. \u201cI bring nothing but the truth with me.<\/p>\n
Lashley sighed and leaned back into his plush chair. \u201cI don\u2019t doubt that, but the truth is not always welcome. Or accepted.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI see.\u201d Wyatt echoed Lashley\u2019s action, and the external relaxation of the meeting sent Jack\u2019s subconscious worrying into overdrive. \u201cSo what is<\/em> welcome?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley sucked in a long breath and reached onto his desk to play with a model spaceship on it. Nearly every major fighter and bomber of the last fifty years hovered over that desk, but the one in his hands was possibly the most powerful of them all. It certainly carried more brute firepower than his Avenger, but Jack knew he could take one in a fight. They were pretty dumb and slow compared to his girls.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you know about the Marauder program?\u201d Lashley asked and held the bomber up for Wyatt to see clearly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re the best small warship killer we have,\u201d Wyatt said without hesitation.<\/p>\n Jack opened his mouth to protest, but Betty placed a hand on his shoulder that told him to remain silent. He sighed and accepted her request.<\/p>\n \u201cHow valuable do you think they are right now?\u201d Lashley asked.<\/p>\n Wyatt frowned and looked towards Jack. Jack shrugged, having no clue what Lashley was getting at. She turned back to Lashley. \u201cGiven what circumstances?\u201d<\/p>\n The admiral frowned. \u201cGiven the losses we took at Fort Wichita, New Washington, and Epsilon Reticuli. Given the news filtering in from the outer colonies.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat news?\u201d Jack asked under his breath.<\/p>\n Betty\u2019s twenty-centimeter form flickered on his shoulder and he glanced at her. \u201cColonial Fleet has taken heavy losses,\u201d she whispered in his ear. \u201cProduction can\u2019t keep up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs Third Fleet confirmed destroyed?\u201d Wyatt said, grabbing Jack\u2019s attention again.<\/p>\n Lashley shook his head. \u201cIt\u2019s confirmed missing<\/em>. Aneerin stopped by three days ago to update us. He couldn\u2019t find enough wreckage to account for the entire fleet. We don\u2019t know what happened, but we are assuming that Los Angeles<\/em> is the last<\/em> surviving ship of Third Fleet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat about the British medical frigate and her destroyers?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n Lashley\u2019s cheek twitched and Jack would have paid good money to find out why. But the man just shook his head. \u201cThey\u2019ve already returned to Earth for a heroes\u2019 welcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt pursed her lips. \u201cWhile we are here at Alpha Centauri?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhile you are here at Alpha Centauri,\u201d Lashley said with a nod.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Third Fleet is gone.\u201d She licked her lips in thought. \u201cWhat about the Ghost Fleets?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley gave her a half smile. \u201cThe last ready reserve ship was returned to active duty a month ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack winced at that. Even he\u2019d heard about the scandals with the Ghost Fleet ready reserve. People had literally lost jobs over the forged documents claiming they were ready to set sail at any time. And it was hard to lose a government job.<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Wyatt said and shook her head. \u201cWhat about the un<\/em>ready reserves?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s actually some bright news there,\u201d Lashley said. \u201cAdmiral Aneerin delivered a dozen more Shang fabricators to Ghost Fleet HQ a week ago. They should start tearing through the boneyards a lot faster now.\u201d<\/p>\n Boneyards. Jack winced again. They were very carefully not talking about the factories that should be producing new<\/em> ships. Yosemite Station had been the single largest factory in Terran space the day The War started. Losing it had been a deathblow to America\u2019s industrial output, and it hadn\u2019t done anything good for the rest of the Western Alliance either. And the first Battles of Alpha Centauri had smashed far more of the industrial might in that system than anybody wanted to admit. The two most powerful Pre-War industrial centers in Terran space were effectively gone. And now they were reduced to pulling retired ships out of boneyards. It was a losing proposition no matter how you couched the words.<\/p>\n Wyatt just shook her head. \u201cThose are not enough to replace our losses,\u201d she said and Lashley nodded. Wyatt sighed. \u201cThe Joint Chiefs have probably already started discussing cutting our squadron size so we can keep more squadrons in action and using Marauders to fill out our combat power.\u201d<\/p>\n The admiral laughed. \u201cWe just received official notice of their intention to consider those actions this morning. They are \u2018welcoming any input as to the advisability of such an option.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt snorted. \u201cSo they are covering their posteriors by volunteering you to approve the idea so they can say they were just following your advice?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExactly,\u201d Lashley said and shook his head. \u201cThe problem of course is the number of Marauders we have in service right now. We don\u2019t have enough right now so we must ramp up production well beyond current levels.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will be happy I\u2019m sure to learn that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania graciously offered to devote several factories to produce more Marauders. All they ask in return is a new flagship to modernize the command and control of their Star Fleet.\u201d Lashley\u2019s mouth twitched with distaste. \u201cAnd since they have heard that we are about to cashier a certain naval captain for cowardice in the face of the enemy…\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s jaw clenched at the last sentence and Jack almost jumped to her defense. Only Betty\u2019s hand on his shoulder stopped him.<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Wyatt said very slowly, refusing to allow Lashley to see her lose her composure. \u201cSo what does the Navy intend to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley shrugged. \u201cYou said it yourself. We need the Marauders.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt let out a long breath. \u201cAnd Charles\u2019 family is willing to hold them back if you don\u2019t play ball.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey have never said that,\u201d Lashley said. Then he shrugged and looked away. \u201cI\u2019m certain they would be offended if anyone suggested that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes the truth is offensive,\u201d Wyatt said with a voice of steel.<\/p>\n Lashley nodded very slowly. \u201cWe awarded your ship and crew a Meritorious Unit Commendation. It was the best we could slide through under the radar. And we got you an honorable discharge.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s jaw twitched, and Jack saw her hold back the urge to shoot to her feet. She remained sitting through a supreme force of will. \u201cYou expect me to surrender my rank and ship so easily?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley sighed. \u201cYou can always refuse to accept.\u201d Then he shook his head. \u201cBut this is the best we can offer right now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou mean it\u2019s the best you can offer without committing career suicide?\u201d Wyatt charged.<\/p>\n Admiral Lashley leaned back and sucked in a long breath. \u201cThere is a saying about the tallest nails getting the hammer. Our political masters do not value those who stand too tall and do not long abide them. Take the offer, captain, or they will break you.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt pursed her lips again. \u201cWhat word is there from Texas?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley snorted. \u201cTexas said they like your moxy. Very privately. Their official stance is that this is an internal issue of the United States Navy and they want no part of the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hursts got to them,\u201d Wyatt said and shook her head. \u201cGave them a deal they couldn\u2019t refuse.\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s what the scuttlebutt says.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll regret this,\u201d Jack whispered very slowly and meant every word of it. They had made an enemy in him and sooner or later he would backfire all over them.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not say that too loudly, Captain Jack,\u201d Lashley said with a stern look. \u201cThey have friends in many places who would be happy to report you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you<\/em> one of those friends?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n Lashley averted his eyes and Jack knew the man wasn\u2019t. He began to feel sorry for the man then. A little bit. The man knew the orders were wrong but couldn\u2019t think of a way to survive refusing them. And survival was more important to him than principle.<\/p>\n Wyatt caught his attention with a look and Jack saw that she had made the same assessment. Then she turned back to Lashley and spoke. \u201cWhat do you expect me to do?\u201d<\/p>\n The base commander swallowed long and hard at her direct question. It was obviously a question he didn\u2019t want to answer. \u201cThe Admiralty expects you to walk away\u2026and live whatever life you can make out of this.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt pursed her lips. \u201cAnd what about Los Angeles<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley looked at his computer and pursed his lips. \u201cYou, your crew, and all personnel attached to Los Angeles<\/em> are now relieved of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike Hell!\u201d Wyatt growled.<\/p>\n \u201cLos Angeles<\/em> will be locked down until a Pennsylvania Star Fleet AI and crew are shipped in to take command,\u201d Lashley continued as if she had not said a word.<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Wyatt said and leaned back in her chair.<\/p>\n Lashley licked his lips and steepled his fingers on his desk. \u201cCaptain Wyatt. These orders come from the Joint Chiefs. You have<\/em> to follow them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo I?\u201d Wyatt just met his gaze until he looked away and sighed. \u201cI could push for an open court martial. Put all of this out in the open so everyone can see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley nodded slowly. \u201cYes. You could. But the Hursts will not blink. If no one blinks, the United States Navy will be caught in the middle and nobody will get out of this without major loss of face. And right now we cannot afford that. We have a War to fight. We can\u2019t fight another one at home. Not now. Please. Just\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJack?\u201d Wyatt returned to her feet and looked around Lashley\u2019s office. The very slight twist of her lip betrayed her disappointment.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am?\u201d Jack returned.<\/p>\n \u201cI think we should be leaving now.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack nodded and scanned the office as well. He was disappointed too. He had hoped for much better here. Not expected, but surely he could be allowed to hope, couldn\u2019t he? Well, sometimes hopes were dashed. \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Lashley said with a shake of his head. \u201cJust please tell me what you intend to do before you do it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you can tell your masters?\u201d Jack charged.<\/p>\n Lashley came to his feet with a snarl and slammed both hands on his desk. \u201cI serve the Navy<\/em>! I need to know what you intend so I can protect the Navy<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n Jack measured the man for a long moment, and then nodded very slowly. The man wouldn\u2019t report them. He simply wouldn\u2019t stand up to those with axes to grind. He supposed he couldn\u2019t entirely blame the man for that. Entirely. Still, he owed the man something for the charge he\u2019d made. \u201cSorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley let his breath out, shook his head, and sat back down. \u201cI\u2019ve done everything I can. Just\u2026keep me apprised please.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack looked to Wyatt and she gave him a minute shrug. The man hadn\u2019t done everything he could<\/em> actually. He could see she understood that. But he\u2019d done what he thought he could without risking his career. Once again, Jack couldn\u2019t entirely blame the man. Getting hammered by on high was rarely comfortable.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll keep in contact,\u201d Jack said and nodded towards Lashley. \u201cWe just have some things to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n Lashley nodded and Jack and Wyatt turned as one to leave the office.<\/p>\n It was a short walk back out to the tarmac where the Marines still held their ground. Captain Wyatt strode straight through the Marines with her head held high and took the stairs into her shuttle with practiced ease. Jack stopped outside and frowned, considering for a moment if he should go with her. No. If she needed to talk to someone, Gabbie was there. And Wyatt was a strong woman. She didn\u2019t need a babysitter. And if she did, she didn\u2019t need him seeing her out of sorts.<\/p>\n \u201cEnter.\u201d The voice sound like neither Captain Wyatt nor Olivia.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Wyatt,\u201d Jack said in trepidation and stepped up into the shuttle. He saw her as he cleared the hatch and nearly stopped. She sat in a chair, head in her hands, and did not look at all like the Captain Wyatt he had seen so often. Neither did she look like the Olivia he had come to know. She looked smaller.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t understand you,\u201d she said very slowly.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s not to understand?\u201d Jack asked with a wave of his hands. \u201cI\u2019m pretty simple.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou took so much joy in calling me Olivia back at Serenity,\u201d she said with a shake of her head. \u201cNow I\u2019m Captain Wyatt, again. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed and looked around the inside of the shuttle. Then he smiled as the answer came to mind. \u201cBecause Captain Jack flirts with just about everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed and gave him The Look and said she didn\u2019t believe him.<\/p>\n Jack sobered, shook his head, and tried again. \u201cI just\u2026you were the perfect captain of a heavy cruiser. In your element. Busting the balls of anybody who tried to shut you down. My\u2026unique chain of command gave me enough freedom to flirt with you just a little bit without messing up your<\/em> chain of command.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd why would you think I wanted to be flirted with?\u201d she asked in exasperation.<\/p>\n Jack smiled and gave her a wink. \u201cBecause I\u2019m an excellent judge of character.\u201d<\/p>\n She let out her breath and turned away, but didn\u2019t correct him. \u201cFine\u2026so why not now?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed again. \u201cBecause the last thing I want to do right now is give you any disrespect of any kind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd using my name is disrespectful?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was,\u201d Jack said and raised his hand to place his finger and thumb a centimeter apart. \u201cJust a little. Just enough to make you laugh. Or smile. Or shake your head. That\u2019s what I was going for. That\u2019s not what I\u2019m going for now.\u201d<\/p>\n She peered at him for a long moment before asking the next question. \u201cSo what are you going for now?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips. This was getting a lot more serious than he liked his conversations. But she needed it. So he gave it to her. \u201cI\u2019m trying to say that I\u2019m with you. You will have any aid I can give you. I don\u2019t have to worry about a career. The politicos already hate me. Any<\/em> aid at all. I\u2019m here. Whatever you need.\u201d<\/p>\n She met his gaze long enough to see the truth in his words and then looked away. \u201cThen you should call me Olivia.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him again. \u201cNo disrespect. No flirting. Just friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack managed to suppress the instant reaction of any man slammed into the friend zone and smiled back. Then he let Captain Jack out for another slight twist. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can handle the no flirting thing, but Olivia does sound better on you.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia shook her head. \u201cYou\u2019re impossible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome have suggested that is my middle name,\u201d Jack returned with a smile.<\/p>\n Olivia smiled back and sighed. Then she changed the subject. \u201cWhat do I do now?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked and licked his lips. \u201cWhat makes you think I know?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia gave him a sad smile. \u201cYou always seem to have answers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re my<\/em> answers,\u201d Jack protested. \u201cYou usually don\u2019t agree with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTry me,\u201d Olivia said. Then she looked around the inside of the shuttle and shrugged helplessly. \u201cMy answers don\u2019t seem to be working out well right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack turned to see Betty standing nearby and she smiled, telling him he had answers. Then she nodded towards a chair, telling him he should give them. Well, that was just great advice. He had no idea what the answers were and really wished she would tell him. She nodded towards the chair again and Jack let out a long breath before sitting down next to Olivia.<\/p>\n \u201cFive years ago I would have just left,\u201d Jack admitted with a sad shrug. \u201cIf they didn\u2019t want me I wouldn\u2019t want to be around them.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia met his gaze and then turned to glance towards Betty. \u201cAnd now?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack followed her eyes and Betty just smiled at him. He sighed and nodded. \u201cI made a promise to her two years ago. That once I was done with all this I would travel. See things. Live things. I promised that I would stop being just someone that wanted to kill Shang and find a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis<\/em> is the only life I\u2019ve ever wanted,\u201d Olivia whispered and Jack saw the depths of her loss. The Navy was her life in every way that mattered. He could relate to losing a life.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Shang took away my life,\u201d Jack said with a sad smile and then looked at Betty. \u201cShe gave me a new one. You just need to find yours.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia snorted. Or was a sniff? A sniffle? \u201cThat easy, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope,\u201d Jack said and turned back to see her trying to maintain her control. \u201cNothing easy about it. It\u2019s one of the hardest things in all the worlds actually.\u201c<\/p>\n Olivia shook her head and bit her lip. \u201cThis isn\u2019t fair.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo it isn\u2019t,\u201d Jack returned with another shake of his head.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not right,\u201d Olivia added in a voice that suggested she was either on the verge of looking for someone to beat up or to cry on.<\/p>\n \u201cNo it isn\u2019t.\u201d Jack looked around the small shuttle and shook his head. He didn\u2019t really want to wager on which way she went. \u201cWould you like to take a walk through the city? Give your head a chance to clear?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia glared at him with slit eyes. \u201cYou think I\u2019m not rational right now?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack swallowed, holding both hands up in a defensive gesture. \u201cI think you\u2019d shoot every member of the Hurst family without an ounce of remorse right now.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt laughed. \u201cI\u2019d like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo yeah. I think you should take some time to cool off. Walk around some. See the sights.\u201d Jack shrugged and looked around the interior of the shuttle again. \u201cThe boardwalk\u2019s a lot prettier than this.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia snorted and shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m not a beach bunny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGive them a break,\u201d Jack said and forced a wry smile onto his face. \u201cBeach bunnies aren\u2019t all bad.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course you\u2019d say that,\u201d Olivia said with a snort.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe the theater, then?\u201d Jack held his hand out towards her. \u201cThere should be some good shows on right now. This is<\/em> New Earth you know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d Olivia sighed and shook her head. \u201cBut I\u2019ve never had time for Broadway.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen maybe it\u2019s time for you to take a vacation,\u201d Jack cajoled.<\/p>\n Olivia glared at him again. \u201cThey aren\u2019t giving me a vacation.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t take what they\u2019re giving!\u201d Jack almost shouted in exasperation. \u201cDon\u2019t give them that satisfaction! Make it your own<\/em>! Make it something better<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia just listened to his outburst and then nodded very slowly. \u201cPoint taken.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack pulled in a deep breath to regain his composure, gave her his best debonair smile, and glanced at his outstretched hand. \u201cWould you like to go for a walk, Ma\u2019am?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia shook her head but pulled in a long breath. Then she grasped his hand, came to her feet, and leaned forward to whisper in his ear. \u201cI know you have fun with that ridiculous Captain Jack routine of yours, but if you tried to show real<\/em> passion like that more often, you might find a more lasting relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI tried that,\u201d Jack whispered and shook his head. \u201cIt didn\u2019t work out so well.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen what\u2019s this?\u201d Olivia asked and Jack frowned.<\/p>\n This was just him trying to keep her from going off the rails. Then he saw where she was looking and followed her eyes to Betty. Oh. That this. Betty had her head cocked to the side as she smiled at him.<\/p>\n And Jack sighed. \u201cShe\u2019s an exception that proves the rule.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat rule?\u201d Olivia asked with real curiosity in her expression.<\/p>\n Jack shrugged. \u201cThe rule that Captain Jack may be fun for a day or two, but he just doesn\u2019t go for long term commitments.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia snorted. \u201cYou know what they say about people who talk about themselves in the third person, right?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat we are\u2026fantastic,\u201d Jack said with a self-deprecating smile and stepped towards the hatch. \u201cShall we allons-y?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia shook her head with an amused smile and followed him towards the exit. \u201cThat is a horribly grammatically incorrect combination of American and French.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut anything that makes a lady smile is automatically correct,\u201d Jack riposted and walked out onto the steps.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd there you go again,\u201d Olivia said with a sigh.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n She might have whispered \u201cMen,\u201d but Jack could pretend he hadn\u2019t heard anything as she took the steps behind with a confidence that looked real good to the Marines waiting outside. They reached the tarmac and Captain Thompson raised one hand and called his men to encircle her. Her reaction was instant and exactly what Jack expected of her.<\/p>\n \u201cNo!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am?\u201d Thompson asked in confusion.<\/p>\n \u201cI will not walk around downtown with a hundred armed men around me,\u201d Olivia declared.<\/p>\n \u201cAh. Of course,\u201d Thompson purposefully misunderstood and quickly pointed out one squad. The squad in question sprang forward to escort her with eager smiles.<\/p>\n Olivia lowered her head and rubbed it in a longsuffering way. \u201cThis is New Earth. I don\u2019t need an armed escort to walk the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMa\u2019am,\u201d Thompson said in a disapproving voice.<\/p>\n \u201cRelax,\u201d Jack said with an airy smile. \u201cI\u2019ve got this.\u201d<\/p>\n Thompson raised one very questioning eyebrow at Jack. To which Jack just smiled and looked for the Cowboys standing nearby. His eyes lit on Katy, Jasmine, and Natalie. \u201cWho\u2019s up for some shopping?\u201d<\/p>\n They didn\u2019t miss a beat before stepping forward with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s eyes fell on Ken last. \u201cKen. Didn\u2019t you tell me you had some shopping to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Ken\u2019s eyes flicked back and forth, and every Marine knew it was bald-faced lie. Men did not tell other men that they had shopping to do. Ever. But the Marines knew what Jack was doing, and so did Ken. \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThen it\u2019s settled,\u201d Jack said in a bright tone. \u201cWe\u2019ll all go shopping together.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJack,\u201d Olivia began in protest.<\/p>\n \u201cOr we can handcuff you to the shuttle,\u201d Jack added nonchalantly.<\/p>\n Olivia stared daggers at him and dug her hands into her hips. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI would, actually,\u201d Jack returned with a serious look. Olivia opened her mouth but Jack shook his head. \u201cAnd don\u2019t ask for any help. They\u2019ve got my back on this one.\u201d<\/p>\n Her mouth snapped shut and she looked around. The confirmation in the Marines\u2019 eyes deflated her just a bit and Jack smiled again.<\/p>\n \u201cSo\u2026we<\/em> can go to town together\u2026or you<\/em> can stay right here on base and get stir crazy behind a wall of Marines looking for something to shoot.\u201d Jack turned a questioning gaze towards Captain Thompson to make certain the Marine agreed.<\/p>\n Thompson nodded back.<\/p>\n Olivia sighed but then turned a hard gaze on Jack. \u201cNo weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack opened his mouth to protest but she shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. This is Landing City. You know the laws here. We will respect them.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack scowled at her for a long moment before nodding his surrender on the point. \u201cFine. No weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack reached down and pulled the twin Taurian Arms revolvers from his hips. Their gleaming silver twenty-five centimeter barrels became visible as they left the concealing holofield and he regretfully placed them on the tarmac after making certain their hammers were locked on safe. Ken and Katy echoed his actions with frowns that showed they disliked this as much as he did.<\/p>\n Jasmine and Natalie had more to do. Their robotic avatars could carry a bit more weight than their merely biological counterparts and they had long taken advantage of that fact. They first pulled a pair of heavy machine guns out from under their personal holofields. Then they placed revolvers that matched his on the ground. Next came a belt of grenades. They continued placing weapons on the tarmac until Jack could see enough firepower to overturn a Third World government, to the profound approval of the Marines arrayed around them.<\/p>\n Olivia looked at the carefully arrayed weapons, looked at the two cybernetic intelligences, and then shook her head. Only a single word escaped her lips as she turned to walk away. \u201cMarines.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack waited for a few moments, watching the Marines as their eyes flicked back and forth between each other. He could tell what they were thinking.<\/p>\n \u201cOorah,\u201d Jack whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cOorah,\u201d they whispered back.<\/p>\n Jack chuckled at that and turned to follow Olivia into town.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Some confrontations are good. Some a bad. Some make life better when we get through. Some make life worse. I\u2019ve had good luck with most of mine. And I\u2019ve made some seriously stupid mistakes in others. 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