I spent most of my life trying to stay out of any entangling commitments. I was footloose and fancy free and I liked it. I volunteered for the military so I could kill Shang. I didn\u2019t see it as signing up for the military. Or any kind of oath or anything else like that. The Shang had ended my world and I wanted to end all of theirs. It turns out that not everybody has goals that simple. And some people want a greater level of commitment of the people they work with. Betty is one example. There are others like her.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack flexed his fingers, breathed in deeply, and scanned the displays again. Most of the fleet\u2019s ships drifted in space, venting atmosphere from deep gashes through their armor. Nearly half their fighters were just gone, and one of Holly\u2019s pilots hadn\u2019t survived. A quick check showed all his Cowboys still lived though. That was one good thing.<\/p>\n
But the Shang had been real sneaky today. Again. They just never stopped looking for new ways to kill him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow are we?\u201d Jack asked as he continued to scan the displays.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can fly,\u201d Betty answered and then waved one hand at another display.<\/p>\n
The Shang fleet came back into view on the display as new sensor platforms spread out beyond the field of debris surrounding them and Jack grunted in approval. Less than half the Shang fleet still moved under power, and atmosphere poured from almost all their smashed hulls. Gravity flowed around the ones who still had power, accelerating them out and away from the remains of his little fleet while leaving their wounded fellows behind. That was good. Los Angeles<\/em> and company would never survive another fight like that in their present state.<\/p>\n Then Betty waved up at the canopy where Thunderer<\/em> and her escorts accelerated past their position. It was a zoomed in view of course. They were too far away to see with the mark one eyeball, but the canopy made them look real good as they sailed by on plumes of blue fusion flame. The slingshot maneuver swung them through New Earth\u2019s gravity well in a move designed to catch any damaged Shang lagging behind the main formation. And that explained why the Shang weren\u2019t sticking around. Los Angeles<\/em> might not be able to fight them now, but the remains of the Shang force were no match for an honest-to-God battleship. Thank God for small favors. Not that he could let anybody think he\u2019d needed that much help.<\/p>\n \u201cOpen frequencies,\u201d he ordered.<\/p>\n Betty gave him a sly smile and nodded. She knew what was coming.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is Captain Jack of Hart Squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Wing 112, the Cowboys,\u201d Jack said in his cockiest tone of voice. \u201cAnd we just kicked your ass.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOorah!\u201d Ken and Katy shouted over the radiowaves and Jack chuckled. They couldn\u2019t miss a chance to push their reputation as boorish American Cowboys after all.<\/p>\n \u201cFeel free to come back any time you want another beating,\u201d Jack added with a totally disrespectful salute and a wink. \u201cWe\u2019ll be waiting for yah.\u201d<\/p>\n Then he leaned back and watched Thunderer<\/em> and her fleet continue to chase the Shang away with a stream of missiles and gravitic cannons. The Shang kept running. And for a moment, all was right in the universe.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, the good news is that the Shang are running,\u201d Jack said with an approving smile. \u201cWho\u2019s got more good news for me?\u201d<\/p>\n The cybers looked back and forth at each other on the console for a second before Holly answered. \u201cThe fleet has enough power and maneuvering capability if we work together to achieve a stable orbit over New Earth before we bounce off the atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack nodded and gave her a thumbs up. \u201cThat is very good news. Any more good news?\u201d<\/p>\n The Gabrielle in white piped up next. \u201cThe Pennsylvania embassy has charged us with piracy and destruction of national assets. They want everybody involved arrested and held for trial.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned and considered that for several seconds. Then he cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes at her. \u201cI fail to see how that is good news.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle smiled. \u201cThe good news is that the Pennsylvania fleet that accompanied us from Serenity left for Earth yesterday. They aren\u2019t here to execute the arrest order themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n That was a sobering thought. Jack winced and then nodded. \u201cOkay. On further reflection, I accept your definition of good news.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Jack frowned and looked around. He narrowed his eyes at the sight of Hollywood\u2019s<\/em> wounded flank. An idea began to form and he smiled. \u201cHolly?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah?\u201d the Japanese surfer girl asked with a suspicious look. She could tell he was thinking about something.<\/p>\n \u201cMe and you belong to Aneerin\u2019s fleet. That makes us the closest things to neutral parties there are in this little disagreement, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n Holly cocked her head back and forth and the doubt showed clearly. \u201cWe are in no way neutral in this.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack scowled at her. Then he brought up one hand and motioned for her to come closer. She looked at her fellow cybers for a moment before floating across the empty space between them and stepping onto his shoulder. He leaned in close to her twenty-centimeter form and whispered in a conspiratorial tone. \u201cAneerin asked me to protect Olivia. Are you willing to help me?\u201d<\/p>\n Holly frowned at him for what seemed like an eternity. Then she grunted. \u201cFine. What do you want of me?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s eyebrows rose as a few ideas came to mind. Holly\u2019s gaze turned very sharp as she recognized his wondering mind and she cleared her throat in a vaguely threatening way. At which time he decided he probably shouldn\u2019t put voice to them right now and nodded towards Gabrielle. \u201cGet them<\/em> over to Hollywood<\/em>. We can keep them safe from arrest or whatever until cooler heads prevail.\u201d<\/p>\n Holly just raised one eyebrow. \u201cCooler heads? You really think that will happen?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and shrugged. \u201cHope springs eternal.\u201d<\/p>\n Holly pursed her lips and then looked around towards the other cybers. They performed all the nonverbal clues that showed they were talking to each other much faster than mere words allowed. One cocked her head to the side. Another placed a hand on her hip. Another shrugged. They each did something a little different, but appeared for all the worlds as just a normal group of young ladies talking to each other. And then Holly turned back to him with a nod.<\/p>\n \u201cWe concur with your idea. It has a reasonable chance of success.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned as a thought came to mind. \u201cAnd Olivia?\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle sighed. \u201cShe is\u2026not convinced.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeed some help?\u201d Jack asked with a wide smile. \u201cI\u2019m always happy to help.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Gabrielle said with a vigorous shake of her head. \u201cI\u2019ve got this covered.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned. \u201cWhat\u2019s she saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNot repeatable in polite company,\u201d Gabrielle said with a wince.<\/p>\n \u201cOh.\u201d Then Jack smiled as a new thought came to mind. \u201cThat is so sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle gave him a confused look. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou think I\u2019m polite company now,\u201d Jack said with his best innocent look.<\/p>\n Gabrielle sighed and rolled her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t let it go to your head.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d Jack waggled his eyebrows at Betty. She rolled her eyes back at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll get her out. You cover us?\u201d Gabrielle requested.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Jack said and turned back to business. \u201cCat. Crane. Form up on Los Angeles<\/em>. We have friends to protect.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAll over it, Boss,\u201d Katy acknowledge with a sly look.<\/p>\n \u201cGot it, Boss,\u201d Ken said with just a slight hint of beach lazy in his tone.<\/p>\n Jack grasped the stick and swung the Avenger around to accelerate towards Los Angeles<\/em>. The Cowboys accelerated with him and he smiled as they navigated through the wreckage. He let out a long breath as Los Angeles<\/em> came into view and he saw her with his own eyes for the first time since before the battle. Half her armored wedge was just gone. It looked like one of her gravitic cannons had overloaded and ripped that entire part of the wedge off. Two of her engines pods were reduced to sparking struts and the other two were so damaged he didn\u2019t know if they would work at all. Torn and shattered armor plating hung off her flanks like weary battle flags. He\u2019d never seen the poor girl looking so bad.<\/p>\n He pulled the Avenger to a stop and saw New Earth through the massive, airless hangar bay. The hatches had been blown free of the ship by a powerful explosion that had also disabled her atmospheric energy screens. The ruins of Olivia\u2019s shuttle lay scattered against the bulkheads. Scars and scorch marks marred the Marines but diagnostic indicators said they were all alive and fully operational. Then their craft rose off the deck and shot out of the hangar as he watched.<\/p>\n \u201cOlivia is under Marine protection,\u201d Gabrielle reported on his console and Jack nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cStay on the Marines, Cowboys,\u201d Jack ordered and brought his Avenger around to follow. The other Cowboys acknowledged and slipped into formation as they accelerated towards Hollywood<\/em>.<\/p>\n Jack scanned the displays and looked up through the canopy as they passed by smashed frigates and crippled destroyers. Not one ship had escaped the battle unmauled and it was all his fault. He\u2019d underestimated the Shang and everyone who listened to him had paid the price.<\/p>\n \u201cHey, Boss,\u201d Ken said from a display and Jack turned.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to need to keep a patrol up and running out here until the Shang are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAgreed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI suggest we leave Cat in charge.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack pursed his lips in thought. It was a good idea. Then he looked out as they slowed to match course and speed with Hollywood<\/em>. The Marine craft continued in to the open hangar and Jack scanned the ship for a moment. She\u2019d taken far less damage than Los Angeles<\/em>, but large wounds still showed in her flanks and armored wedge. At least they hadn\u2019t blown clean through. And her hangar\u2019s atmospheric screens still worked.<\/p>\n \u201cCat?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, Boss?\u201d Katy returned.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re in command out here.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAh, and here I wanted to see Hollywood<\/em>,\u201d Katy said with a pointed look.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be time for that,\u201d Jack said with a chuckle. Then he sobered. \u201cWe\u2019re not pulling out of this soon, that\u2019s for certain.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoger that one, Boss,\u201d Katy acknowledged and pulled her Avengers out of formation to surround the warship. \u201cI\u2019ll cover her for now. You do the diplomatic work first.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight,\u201d Jack muttered with a scowl. She just had to remind him of how tricky this was going to be. Then he nodded towards Betty and the other Avengers followed Katy, leaving Jack and Ken\u2019s fighters alone as they drifted towards Hollywood<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go in,\u201d Jack ordered and the two Avengers slipped into the hangar. Their noses hit the atmospheric screen first, piercing the force field and causing a brief blast of crystallizing air to escape around them. But the force field reformed in contact with the fighters\u2019 hulls as they moved further in. More crystals glinted in the twin sunslight of Alpha Centauri as engines and wings pierced the screen, and then the screen shimmered behind them as the fighters fully entered the hangar. They spun, found empty places on the deck, and came down for a landing.<\/p>\n Ken jumped out of his Avenger first and Jack followed. Jack hit the deck and took a good look at the heavy cruiser\u2019s interior. That was when he froze. The ship had cartoons<\/em> printed on her bulkheads. Everything from Hello Bunny to something that looked like a cuddly version of Godzilla. Jack looked closer and saw the fluffy white little bunny happily warning people to stay away from the \u201cbig badda boom\u201d that was a bunker full of missiles.<\/p>\n Jack shook his head in disbelief and saw Ken smiling at him.<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you like her?\u201d Ken asked.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is\u2026weird,\u201d Jack answered with a shudder.<\/p>\n Ken laughed and waved a hand at a Japanese schoolgirl with a magic wand giving zero-gravity safety tips. \u201cI\u2019ll take this over navy grey corridors any day.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell\u2026yeah\u2026\u201d Jack muttered and then shook his head. \u201cColorful and such I can see. But this is\u2026cute<\/em>\u2026on a war<\/em>ship.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken sobered and gave Jack a long look. \u201cMy people used to glorify war, Jack. America taught us the error of our ways. We fight because we have to now. But it is a nasty business.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken turned and pointed towards a rainbow-colored kitten with fairy wings giving vacuum-safety instructions. \u201cWe glorify cute now. Fun. Joy. That\u2019s true<\/em> honor.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken paused for a moment, envy in his eyes.<\/p>\n Jack reached over to grasp Ken\u2019s shoulder and smiled. \u201cYou\u2019re honorable too<\/em>. Trust me. Your people will see that in time.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken\u2019s jaw set and his eyes darkened in a flash of anger. \u201cDo you think I want<\/em> that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone<\/em> wants to be seen as honorable,\u201d Jack answered in confusion as he withdrew his hand.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what I\u2019m afraid of,\u201d Ken whispered, let out a long calming breath, and returned to looking around at all the cute art on the bulkheads. \u201cHonoring warfare nearly destroyed our country. It was a cancer that ate at our souls and drove us to take the most monstrous of actions. MacArthur made us better. I do not ever want to see that cancer take over my people again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Jack whispered as he tried to make sense of that. Were the Japanese really still hung up over that? It had been over three centuries ago. Then he shook his head and just decided to go with it. He\u2019d try to make sense of it later. \u201cI didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t advertise,\u201d Ken returned and looked around at the beautiful ship\u2019s interior. Then he smiled and relaxed again.<\/p>\n \u201cJack!\u201d a voice called out and Jack turned to see someone streaking towards him. He barely had time to brace himself before the girl wrapped him up in a tight hug that two years in the Republic of Texas Marine Corps had absolutely not prepared him for. Older lessons held him in good stead though.<\/p>\n She gazed up at him with an earnestly innocent expression from a robotic avatar that wasn\u2019t wearing the standard uniform he\u2019d always seen on her holoform. An abbreviated kimono heralded her Japanese ancestry while an even more abbreviated pair of jeans and blonde hair proudly proclaimed her American present.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome aboard,\u201d Holly said with a wry smile. \u201cFinally. How do you like me?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled at the girl in his arms. \u201cYou<\/em> are always<\/em> amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n Holly laughed and spread her arms out wide. \u201cMy ship<\/em>, Jack! How do you like my ship<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked and looked towards Ken. The man just smiled at him and Jack scanned the inside of Hollywood<\/em> again. The colors and cartoons had him on cute overload. But then he looked down at the ship\u2019s schoolgirl-like avatar and her wide-open eyes stopped him from saying it. He sighed. \u201cA lot.\u201d<\/p>\n She melted into him and sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t care what they say, you\u2019re a sweetie.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned. \u201cWhat who<\/em> says?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSpoilers!\u201d Holly announced in a teasing tone as she extricated herself from his arms. She gave him a wink and turned to jump into Ken\u2019s arms. \u201cKenichi! Welcome back!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA pleasure as always,\u201d Ken answered with a sly look aimed towards Jack.<\/p>\n Jack rolled his eyes and whispered, \u201cyou old smoothie.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Ken whispered back.<\/p>\n \u201cCome, come! My captain\u2019s coming!\u201d Holly announced as she stepped away from Ken and grabbed each of their hands. Then she dragged them away from their fighters with a sing-song \u201cHe\u2019s gonna want to see you.\u201d<\/p>\n Ken gave Jack a knowing smile and Jack just shook his head. This was not what he\u2019d expected at all.<\/p>\n \u201cWelcome to my culture,\u201d Ken said in an amused tone.<\/p>\n \u201cThis explains so much,\u201d Jack returned with a snort.<\/p>\n Ken laughed. It was a full-throated cackle that echoed off the bulkheads and forced everyone in the hangar bay to turn and look at him. It felt at odds with the damage and destruction all around them, but Jack couldn\u2019t help but start laughing with his friend as well.<\/p>\n \u201cSee what I mean?\u201d Ken asked and placed a free hand over his heart. \u201cLaughter and joy are good for the soul.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack just nodded, unable to come up with any argument against that.<\/p>\n \u201cCome on, boys,\u201d Holly said as she pulled them around a damaged Avenger in time to see Olivia step out of her shuttle.<\/p>\n A pre-space twenty something-looking Japanese man in a traditional Japanese military uniform stood at the bottom of the ramp as she arrived on the deck. Jack focused on the man and the name Hayata Sato appeared on his contacts as the man spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Olivia Wyatt,\u201d Sato began and Jack frowned at the manner of the address. Why hadn\u2019t the captain given her the courtesy promotion to commodore?<\/p>\n \u201cThe Free Japanese don\u2019t give courtesy promotions. They don\u2019t find it difficult to distinguish between some random captain and The Captain,\u201d Betty whispered in his ear and he let his eyes stray to where her holoform stood off to the side. They exchanged smiles and Jack returned to watching Sato and Olivia, replaying the part of the conversation he\u2019d heard while Betty had his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cI owe the honor of commanding a warship of this caliber to your efforts. I will never forget,\u201d the man had said, and then gave her a deep bow of honor.<\/p>\n Jack thought he saw Olivia blush, but he might have been mistaken. Her brown skin was good at masking those, and the lights weren\u2019t the best for detecting them. But he was pretty sure the Japanese captain\u2019s welcome had embarrassed her.<\/p>\n \u201cThe honor is all mine,\u201d Olivia answered after a moment with a deep bow of her own. \u201cYou have done greater things than I with what you have been given.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNonsense,\u201d Sato corrected as Holly dragged her charges up to the two ship captains and released their hands. \u201cMy deeds have merely been recognized more than yours. Your time will come.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI doubt that,\u201d Olivia returned with a shake of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cHave faith,\u201d Sato said and turned to bow his head towards Jack. \u201cCaptain Jack Hart. Your legends precede you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Jack answered with an echoing head bow.<\/p>\n Sato aimed a penetrating gaze at him. \u201cThat is not always a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave him a thin smile. \u201cYou sound like Aneerin.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Sato said with a smile. Then he turned and held his hand out towards Ken. \u201cKenichi. You are always welcome aboard my ship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDomo arigato, Hayato\u201d Ken answered and they shook hands like old friends.<\/p>\n Then Sato breathed deeply and turned back to Olivia. She cocked her head to the side in response to his gaze. \u201cMay I speak freely with them?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia smiled and nodded. \u201cThey are with me.\u201d<\/p>\n Sato nodded in approval. \u201cThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is unhappy with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTell me something I don\u2019t know,\u201d Olivia returned.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have filed official charges of piracy and theft of starship assets against you.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia nodded \u201cSo I have heard.\u201d<\/p>\n Sato sighed. \u201cUnfortunately there is no paper trail saying that you were informed yesterday. Admiral Lashley asked me to give you his apologies for his lax paperwork and promises to run the orders through as soon as the current situation stabilizes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI see,\u201d Olivia said with raised eyebrow. \u201cSo he is buying me time.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe is,\u201d Sato noted with a nod. \u201cBut I do believe that your time with the American military is at an end. Pennsylvania will not back down on this.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know,\u201d Olivia said with a sad shake of her head as she scanned the interior of the hanger bay.<\/p>\n Sato followed her gaze. \u201cCommand of a ship is something no one ever gives up easily.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I don\u2019t want to,\u201d Olivia said and looked around again. Then she set her jaw. \u201cI don\u2019t want them to win.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat is your pride talking,\u201d Sato said with a single upraised eyebrow.<\/p>\n Olivia didn\u2019t answer that, and in that moment Jack felt an opportunity. His subconscious knew it was there and he looked around in search of whatever had gotten his attention. He saw Gabrielle standing with the other cybers. The other Gabrielle was gone, leaving just her in a long white dress almost as angelic as her name. None of the cybers felt particularly uniform-bound in this hangar bay. And that was it.<\/p>\n He had it. He cleared his throat and asked, \u201cHow\u2019d you like that little carrier?\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle smiled back at him. \u201cShe\u2019s a good ship.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want to keep her?\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle aimed a sidelong look at her captain and then nodded. \u201cI would.\u201d<\/p>\n That got Olivia\u2019s attention, and Jack saw her opening her mouth to say something. Jack spoke first. \u201cYou\u2019ll need to change your name.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d Gabrielle asked in confusion.<\/p>\n Which gave Jack a very short time to follow that up. \u201cAnd you\u2019ll need to get rid of that fancy dress. And the name. And get a new look.\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle crossed her arms and gave him a very doubtful look. \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDo you want everyone to know you\u2019re playing for the visiting team now?\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle cocked her head to the side. \u201cAm I? Playing for the visiting team?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou can\u2019t play for the home team anymore,\u201d Jack said as if it was obvious. \u201cAnd if I was in your position I would never want to stop playing. Which leaves the other team as default. Right?<\/p>\n Gabrielle crossed her arms and nodded very slow. \u201cI suppose. So why the new look?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips and hoped his next words would come out right. \u201cDo you want everybody to know that a cybernetic intelligence went rogue in the middle of a war?\u201d<\/p>\n Gabrielle frowned. \u201cBut I\u2019m not<\/em> going rogue. They\u2019re kicking me out!\u201d<\/p>\n Jack just gave her a shrug. \u201cAnd do you really think that Pennsylvania will let that be the official story?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Gabrielle whispered. Then she shook her head. \u201cI\u2019m really starting to not like them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJoin the line, sister,\u201d Jack agreed.<\/p>\n Gabrielle blinked and then looked at Olivia. They exchanged a long gaze and then Olivia spoke up. \u201cI see what you\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWork with Malcolm. With Charles. It\u2019s an opportunity for you to stick it to Pennsylvania,\u201d Jack said and turned towards Olivia. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a good mission. You\u2019ll be free to build good stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Pennsylvania will think they\u2019ve beaten me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled. \u201cSometimes the best way to win in the end is to allow your enemy to believe they are victorious.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia frowned as she looked at him.<\/p>\n \u201cIsn\u2019t victory all the more sweet when your enemy never sees it coming?\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia nodded. \u201cIt can<\/em> be.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd besides, we\u2019ll need you when this is done.\u201d Jack sighed at her confused look. \u201cThe military is unhappy with how The President forced our promotions through,\u201d Jack explained. \u201cI\u2019m never getting another one in my life. And I\u2019ll be first on the axe the moment the fighting is over. The military bureaucracy will see to that. For all of us. We\u2019ll need a place to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia blinked and then lowered her head. \u201cFine. Let\u2019s say I do this. What happens after The War? What do we do then?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack snorted. \u201cI\u2019ve got no clue. I haven\u2019t thought that far ahead. All I know is we have enemies. The Shang. The Chinese. The Roderan. The Russians. Pennsylvania now. We have to deal with them. And we will. But I don\u2019t know how long that is going to take.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know that,\u201d Olivia said with a sigh of her own. \u201cBut once all of that<\/em> is over, what then?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack let out another long breath and glanced to where Betty stood with the other cybers. She smiled and nodded. And then he nodded towards Olivia. \u201cI promised Betty a long time ago that when this is done, we would go places. New places. We would travel. Enjoy life.\u201d Jack laughed. \u201cI\u2019m not sure exactly how to do that, but she made me promise. So I will give it my best effort.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia nodded slowly and then looked towards Gabrielle. They shared a long look and Gabrielle nodded. And then Olivia turned back to Jack with a hard look on her face. \u201cI once had my life planned out. If I do this, I will be abandoning that future. Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do,\u201d Jack said in complete understanding. He\u2019d had plans before the Shang ruined them all.<\/p>\n Olivia nodded. \u201cGood. And do you recognize that you are at fault for this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHey there,\u201d Jack said with upraised hands in protest. He was not going to take responsibility for this. \u201cI\u2019m just the messenger boy here. This plan is all Charles.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia pursed her lips at him. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t agree to work for Charles. So he asked you<\/em> to convince me, didn\u2019t he?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned, not liking where this was going. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I\u2019d put it exactly like that.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia gave him the look that said she didn\u2019t believe a word he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOkay. Fine,\u201d Jack said with a shake of his head. \u201cYou<\/em> might put it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo I<\/em> might say that I\u2019d do this because you<\/em> convinced me?\u201d she asked with a smile that told him he wasn\u2019t going to get away with backing out on this.<\/p>\n \u201cI suppose,\u201d Jack admitted reluctantly.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s your fault.\u201d Olivia looked straight into his eyes. \u201cI won\u2019t do this alone. I need you to promise that you will remain involved in this. And not just as a messenger boy.\u201d<\/p>\n And now he understood what she wanted. Jack shook his head sadly and spoke in a very calm voice. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but I can\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia pursed her lips at him. \u201cSo you want me to volunteer for a project that you want to stay away from because you are afraid it will fail?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not it at all,\u201d Jack said with a shake of his head and turned to Betty. \u201cDrop the holo.\u201d<\/p>\n Betty cocked her head to the side, wordlessly asking if he was sure.<\/p>\n Jack nodded to say that he was.<\/p>\n Betty shrugged and he heard the holoprojectors on his suit drop in power. He turned in time to see Captain Sato and Holly react to seeing Jack\u2019s normally strong and healthy face fading away. The slack skin and sunken eyes of a man on a starvation diet replaced the holographic projection and Holly suppressed a gasp. Sato\u2019s eyes widened but he said nothing. Jack remembered that he was hungry. Again. He hated getting injured like this. But first to business.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think the project will fail,\u201d Jack said and turned back to Olivia. \u201cI will. This body will. One day my reactions won\u2019t be fast enough and even this body won\u2019t be able to survive. You should not depend on it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d Olivia said with a smile and brought a hand up to tap Jack\u2019s forehead. \u201cI just want your mind<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s eyes rolled up to look at her hand and he sighed. Then he said in a low rumble, \u201cThere are plenty of people who would say that\u2019s a fool\u2019s bargain.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia just smiled. \u201cAnd there are plenty of people who don\u2019t know you very well. Now do you want to volunteer for this project?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack bit his lip. He\u2019d never really been good at volunteering. He looked up towards Betty again. She smiled and nodded once more. Jack let out a long breath. This was not going the way he had planned. And that was the rub, wasn\u2019t it? He\u2019d backed out when Julie and Alex pushed him into a corner he hadn\u2019t planned. And that had worked out just stellar for him. Super novas were technically stars. So were black holes. Nobody wanted to be anywhere near either of them when they went wild. Jack sucked in a long breath and shook his head. Then he looked up again to meet Olivia\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cFine. I\u2019ll stick with the project.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivia\u2019s eyes flashed. \u201cPromise<\/em> me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her an exasperated look and nearly shouted, \u201cI promise<\/em>!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOkay,\u201d Olivia said with finality. \u201cYou got me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack let out his breath, wondering what exactly he\u2019d gotten himself into in the process. Today had not gone according to plan in so many ways it wasn\u2019t even funny. Then Olivia turned and walked away through the damaged Avengers.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain Hart,\u201d Sato said in a voice that betrayed a hint of admiration.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d Jack asked with a measure of trepidation as he turned towards the man.<\/p>\n Sato smiled. \u201cThe legends that precede you are not entirely accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Jack answered with a wry smile.<\/p>\n \u201cFight well, Captain Jack,\u201d Sato said and bowed his head to Jack.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd you, Captain Sato,\u201d Jack said and returned the gesture before turning to follow Olivia. He may not know exactly what he\u2019d signed up for, but he knew who he\u2019d signed up with. He threaded through the damaged Avengers already undergoing repairs and stopped next to Olivia. The energy screen holding the air in crackled not a meter in front of them, barely distorting the outside view. But he could see everything he needed to. The torn up ships around them. The beautiful blue oceans of New Earth below them. The stars burning steadily in the firmament beyond.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is beautiful,\u201d he said, allowing his voice to betray just a hint of the awe he always felt when looking out on the universe.<\/p>\n Olivia turned to give him a long look. \u201cYes. It is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo.\u201d Jack clapped his hands together in a nervous motion. \u201cWhat are we going to do now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Olivia turned back towards the stars and smiled. \u201cI haven\u2019t thought that far ahead yet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTouch\u00e9,\u201d Jack whispered and looked out to the stars again. They filled his eyes and he remembered something. A phrase. “We are coming.”<\/p>\n “What?” Olivia asked.<\/p>\n Jack smiled as he remembered the whole conversation. “It was something Charles said. ‘We are going to tell them that we are no longer children squabbling over the sandbox of our tiny little planet. We are coming. We are still<\/em> coming. No matter what they do to us we will always<\/em> be coming.'”<\/p>\n “‘They will not bottle us up in our little corner of the galaxy forever,'” Olivia whispered, taking up the words Charles had spoken over Serenity with a smile of her own. “‘Because we will never give up on our future.'”<\/p>\n “It was a good speech,” Jack noted with an approving nod.<\/p>\n “It still is,” Olivia said into the night before them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I spent most of my life trying to stay out of any entangling commitments. I was footloose and fancy free and I liked it. I volunteered for the military so I could kill Shang. I didn\u2019t see it as signing[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2307-angel-war-earc","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-medron-pryde"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4886"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4886\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4887,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4886\/revisions\/4887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}