{"id":719,"date":"2012-02-06T00:01:59","date_gmt":"2012-02-06T06:01:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jackofharts.com\/?p=719"},"modified":"2013-02-25T00:17:58","modified_gmt":"2013-02-25T06:17:58","slug":"independence-seven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/?p=719","title":{"rendered":"Independence Seven"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 In 2170, NASA sent the first of dozens of Vulcan Missions, their last grand gesture.\u00a0 Those Astronauts probed The Wall that enclosed us, seeking a way out.\u00a0 A single rocket ship, the Independence Seven flew through the worst gravitic interference we\u2019d ever seen and made it through The Wall.\u00a0 They arrived in the Tau Aurigae System, landed on a Goldilocks World and named it Independence.\u00a0 And there, to this day, the crew claims they made Contact with the Peloran first<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Independence Seven<\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Hellcat cut through New Earth\u2019s bright blue sky, engine exhaust painting white contrails of water vapor through it.\u00a0 Maneuvering thrusters flared, flaps lifted, and she banked to the side, lines of ice crystals shimmering off the tips of her wings.\u00a0 She pulled away from the last Hellcat she\u2019d faced in trial combat, and Jack smiled in approval.<\/p>\n

The Hellcat really was<\/em> a good fighter, even if it wasn\u2019t an Avenger.\u00a0 He really liked the missile racks.\u00a0 In a way, that made them better hyperspace fighters since they wouldn\u2019t suffer the backlash of grav cannons, but they didn\u2019t have the power to get their on their own.\u00a0 And the Avengers hadn\u2019t been designed to fight<\/em> in hyperspace, just to travel through<\/em> it on their way to hit the enemy.\u00a0 It made sense.\u00a0 With all the space taken up by the capacitors, they didn\u2019t have the magazine space for dedicated missile packs like the Hellcat had, and capacitors that could push a ship into hyper could power grav cannons without working up a sweat.<\/p>\n

Jack frowned in thought.\u00a0 \u201cBetty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty cocked her head at his tone, smiling over the yellow sundress she loved so much.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, Jack?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got an idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought<\/em> I smelled something burning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHar, har,\u201d Jack said with a shake of his head.\u00a0 \u201cSeriously, what do you think of these missile racks?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cWell, they\u2019re certainly effective, though I miss the focused fire of a grav cannon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack nodded.\u00a0 \u201cTrue.\u00a0 What if we could have both?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty blinked and cocked her head to the side again.\u00a0 \u201cOh,\u201d she whispered.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know\u2026something to think about,\u201d Jack finished for her.\u00a0 \u201cHellcats don\u2019t have enough power to twist gravity for movement, deflection, and<\/em> weapons fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile Avengers have more power than we can use in combat, but never had the room for missile racks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUntil now,\u201d Jack said with a smile.\u00a0 The Peloran tech was so<\/em> much smaller than Terran tech that placing it in a Terran hull left lots<\/em> of empty space.\u00a0 \u201cWe could fill those big empty wings with missiles now.\u00a0 Imagine what a missile<\/em> swarm would do to an enemy?\u00a0 We could even fill the nose<\/em> with missiles now that the turret isn\u2019t there anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, I\u2019d rather use the power we have access to with the Peloran generators.\u00a0 Besides, you don\u2019t want missile exhaust flying over your cockpit do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot especially.\u00a0 What do you<\/em> have in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty smiled.\u00a0 \u201cA third gravitic cannon of course.\u00a0 We could make it bigger than the others.\u00a0 And while we\u2019re at it, we could move the other<\/em> two out to the ends<\/em> of the wings so if they overload they won\u2019t blow us to kingdom come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what if that<\/em> one blows up?\u201d Jack asked with a wave of his hand towards the nose.\u00a0 \u201cI rather like my feet where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty crossed her arms and bestowed on him a raised eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cJack.\u00a0 How many times have you seen an Avenger lose a nose and keep fighting?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Jack answered in a subdued tone.\u00a0 \u201cTrue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides, we\u2019ll put it on the tip of the nose so there\u2019s lots of room for you to see the pretty colors of an overloading gravitic cannon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Jack muttered.\u00a0 \u201cI always have<\/em> loved light shows.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty gave him a sweet smile.\u00a0 \u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 She shifted her head in thought and Jack held off on a response.\u00a0 \u201cThe next fighting is incoming,\u201d she said in an odd tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

She shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019s coming down from orbit<\/em>, not from the base.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d Jack whispered.\u00a0 \u201cWell, patch me in then,\u201d he added with a shrug.\u00a0 \u201cThis is Cowboy Five to\u2026\u201d Jack trailed off as he read the screen showing its IFF signal and looked at Betty with questioning eyes.\u00a0 That couldn\u2019t be right.\u00a0 She nodded to say it was.\u00a0 He shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cTo Independence Seven.\u00a0 You must think you\u2019re a good pilot to use that name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then hurry up and kill me.\u00a0 We\u2019ve got some pretty stringent \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 qualifications requirements.\u201d\u00a0 And if this guy thought taking the name of that ship would help, he had another thing coming.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard,\u201d the other pilot said, banked his Hellcat to the side and dove towards Jack faster than anyone he\u2019d seen yet, missiles rippling out to engulf the fighter.<\/p>\n

Jack jerked to the side as the missiles exploded all around on the sim screen, followed by lasers strobing up and down the Hellcat, racking up hundreds of points.\u00a0 Jack laughed, brought the fighter around, and nodded at Betty.\u00a0 \u201cWell, if he wants it like that, let\u2019s do<\/em> this.\u00a0 Give him the full treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFull treatment, aye,\u201d Betty answered with a mock salute and began to ripple missiles back at their target in a steady stream of a few at a time.<\/p>\n

Jack dropped them in behind the other Hellcat, but it shot off to port before the missiles could track it.\u00a0 Jack pulled to starboard on a whim, despite his wish to follow, and a swarm of missiles boiled up where he would have been.\u00a0 \u201cOoooohhhh\u2026tricky,\u201d Jack whispered as alarms went off.\u00a0 The man was behind and above them, firing another salvo.\u00a0 Jack pulled up this time and brought the Hellcat around in a tight loop the missiles couldn\u2019t follow.\u00a0 They came out of the loop above and behind the other fighter.<\/p>\n

Betty fired a full salvo of missiles and Jack pushed the throttle forward, cutting the pilot off from replicating his tactic.\u00a0 The fighter pulled to port again and Jack frowned in thought.\u00a0 The other pilot seemed to prefer portside maneuvers.\u00a0 He might be able to take advantage of that.<\/p>\n

His hand swung right and the fighter rolled to starboard a split second before another few missiles passed through their previous location, trying desperately to claw their way back into his fighter.\u00a0 They were going too fast to turn though and sailed off into the blue sky.<\/p>\n

\u201cBetty, do some soft launches to his port side whenever you get the chance,\u201d he ordered and dropped into a valley, buzzing over some trees.<\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d Betty answered with a smile as the other Hellcat latched onto their tail.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd cold launch above<\/em> him now<\/em>,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Missiles tumbled out of the racks, pushed out by the small magnetic rails in the wings, and fell behind the fighter as atmosphere clawed at the powerless hunks of metal.\u00a0 They tumbled until their tiny minds picked up the target behind them, and then their drives exploded to life, throwing the swarm of missiles at the enemy Hellcat.<\/p>\n

Jack pulled the throttle all the way back and the engine pods ceased their burn for a moment, before filling the air in front of him with fire.\u00a0 The Jack\u2019s Hellcat slowed to a halt as the other Hellcat accelerated through the swarm of missiles, managing to avoid most of them.\u00a0 The other Hellcat flew straight into his sights and Betty fired another volley of missiles straight into his engine flare.<\/p>\n

Jack began to twitch to port, but had a bad feeling about that again.\u00a0 He shifted starboard instead and found himself on his enemy\u2019s tail, Betty sending a salvo of lasers into the denuded rear deflection grid.\u00a0 Points rolled up on the simulation screen, showing direct hit after direct hit.<\/p>\n

The enemy fighter pulled to port and Jack tried to follow, but once again Jack lost him and a salvo of missiles rained into their flank.\u00a0 More points ran up the screen for the other guy, keeping him in the lead, and Jack swallowed.\u00a0 He was really going to have to take this seriously.\u00a0 The guy was good.<\/p>\n

Jack flicked the stick to the side, took a deep breath, and stopped trying to plan anything.\u00a0 He opened his eyes wide, relaxed into his seat, and let his hands move whenever he felt the need.\u00a0 His sense of time faded away, and he became only dimly aware of the outside world, while at the same time hyper aware of everything<\/em>.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t take time to consider anything, to think about anything, or to let what he saw affect his mind in any way.\u00a0 He simply reacted to what he saw, taking no time or energy to ponder it.<\/p>\n

An alarm sounded and he came back to full awareness.\u00a0 He blinked dry eyes and pulled stiff fingers away from the throttle and stick, working his fingers back and forth to restore circulation.\u00a0 He looked at one screen to see that half an hour had passed since the trial started, kicking in the automatic alarm to end it.\u00a0 He cleared his throat, feeling phlegm break loose, and licked his dry mouth.\u00a0 He glanced down on the sim screen to see he\u2019d lost, by a few hundred points.\u00a0 The score was higher than he\u2019d seen in any sim before.\u00a0 Of course, it had gone longer<\/em> than the others too.\u00a0 He blinked, looked again, and shook his head as he turned to look at the Hellcat flying next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cCongratulations, Independence Seven,\u201d he said with a smile and cleared his throat again.\u00a0 \u201cYou beat me with that first strike.\u00a0 You are a dirty and underhanded fighter.\u201d<\/p>\n

The other pilot laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI was beating you the whole time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack chewed his lip and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cYes, but some would say you cheated<\/em> to take the lead.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue,\u201d the other pilot said in an amused tone.\u00a0 \u201cBut if you ain\u2019t cheatin\u2019, you ain\u2019t winnin\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack chuckled and shook his head again.\u00a0 \u201cTruer words have never been spoken,\u201d he said and cleared his throat one more time.\u00a0 He needed a drink after this.\u00a0 \u201cI think it\u2019s time to return to base.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRoger, that, Cowboy Five.\u00a0 I need a drink.\u201d\u00a0 Independence Seven banked away, lines of ice crystals flaring off her wingtips, and accelerated towards Leif Erikson Spacebase.<\/p>\n

Jack followed with a flick of his wrist.\u00a0 \u201cBetty, keep on his six and follow him back to base.\u00a0 And patch me through to the Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty smiled, crossed her arms, and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s on the line.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChief here,\u201d the commander\u2019s voice said over the comm. system.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s up, Jester?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack worked his jaw back and forth several times.\u00a0 His whole body felt sore.\u00a0 He really needed to get up and walk around to work the acid out of his muscles.\u00a0 \u201cHave you been following the trials?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo\u2026I\u2019ve been doing paperwork.\u00a0 Give me a second to\u2026holy frak<\/em>!\u00a0 Who is<\/em> that guy?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack smiled at the confusion in the other man\u2019s voice.\u00a0 \u201cI have no idea.\u00a0 But he came in from orbit, not the base, and given the name of his ship, he thinks he\u2019s as good as he is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u00a0 Look, I\u2019ll get Bull and we\u2019ll meet you at the landing strip.\u00a0 This needs face to face.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cAgreed, Chief.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChief out,\u201d Charles finished and the comm. line cut out.<\/p>\n

Jack looked outside the cockpit to see the other Hellcat dropping towards the spacebase and relaxed, working his legs and toes against the lethargy in them.\u00a0 He watched as they came down to a landing and his jaw dropped as he saw the crowd ringing the landing area.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrak.\u00a0 People were watching, weren\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYup,\u201d Betty said in a proud voice.\u00a0 \u201cYou two did really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack looked at her with a raised eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cI lost<\/em> in front of them all.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty still gave him a proud look.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, but you lost going all out and big.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue.\u201d\u00a0 Jack shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI just don\u2019t like losing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNone of us do, Jack.\u00a0 But sometimes we do, and that\u2019s due to no failing of our own.\u00a0 That is simply life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack sighed as the fighter settled down for a soft landing and the canopy began to open.\u00a0 \u201cThanks for the fortune cookie.\u201d\u00a0 He unbuckled his restraints, stood up, and saw the other pilot vault out of his fighter to land with a shoulder roll.\u00a0 \u201cDamn.\u00a0 He\u2019s good,\u201d he added with another shake of his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack,\u201d Betty said in a warning tone and shook her head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Jack asked in an innocent tone and mentally measured the distance to the ground as the other pilot rose to his feet and brushed something off the shoulder of his blue uniform.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do it,\u201d she said and he turned to see her plant both fists on her waist.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think I can do it?\u201d he asked with a smile.<\/p>\n

Betty sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI think you haven\u2019t practiced<\/em> it, and it\u2019s stupid to do something in front of an audience you\u2019ve not practiced before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack cocked his head to the side and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGood point.\u201d\u00a0 He measured the distance again.\u00a0 \u201cCan you do the grav slide that Hal did for me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty smiled.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I can replicate that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood,\u201d Jack said, stepped forward, and slid down to the pavement on an imaginary surfboard down a slope made of controlled gravity waves.\u00a0 He came to a stop and adjusted the tie that matched the khaki shirt and green slacks of his service uniform.\u00a0 The other pilot gave him a nod of approval and ambled forward to meet Jack as his cyber jumped out of the fighter to land beside her pilot.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Juliet,\u201d she said and held out her hand to Jack.<\/p>\n

Jack took her feather touch hand in his and raised it to his lips.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m charmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Juliet smiled and looked at her partner.\u00a0 \u201cSee?\u00a0 He<\/em> knows how to treat a lady<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new pilot shook his head at Jack with a wry smile.<\/p>\n

Betty stepped up, dressed in a uniform that matched Jacks, and held her hand out as well.\u00a0 \u201cMy name is Betty.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man took her hand with an elaborate bow and kissed it.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I\u2019m Major Tom Rogers, and it is a very<\/em> great pleasure to meet you<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack blinked in confusion as the name registered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2026are you\u2026the Astronaut<\/em>?\u201d he asked, the shock driving introductions from his mind.<\/p>\n

Tom smiled and spread both arms out wide.\u00a0 \u201cIn the flesh.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack shook his head in wonder.\u00a0 \u201cThe\u2026NASA<\/em> Astronaut?\u201d\u00a0 He glanced over at the fighter.\u00a0 \u201cIndependence Seven\u2019s actual pilot<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom chuckled and nodded his head.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles and Jay walked through the crowd, ties of their service uniforms flapping in the slight wind, Dorothy and Winona at their sides.<\/p>\n

Tom glanced at them and smiled at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cLooks like you ordered up a committee.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack shrugged and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you\u2019re pretty good.\u201d\u00a0 He glanced at Tom\u2019s fighter again.\u00a0 \u201cAnd now I know why<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom chuckled one more time before the other Cowboys stopped in front of them.\u00a0 Dorothy held out her hand and introductions and handshakes passed back and forth.\u00a0 \u201cAnd yes, I\u2019m that<\/em> Major Tom Rogers,\u201d Tom finished and tapped the NASA patch on his uniform.\u00a0 Jack recognized it from his history classes, but had never expected to see someone actually wearing<\/em> one.<\/p>\n

Charles appraised the man for a second before nodding.\u00a0 \u201cIt is an honor to meet you, Major.\u00a0 Might I ask what you are doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom smiled and raised a black leather briefcase cuffed to his wrist for all to see.\u00a0 \u201cSomeone<\/em> decided they were going to ruin my retirement by starting up a war, so the President asked me to come here with new orders for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles examined him again, with an upraised eyebrow that showed he was running through all their permutations of what that meant.\u00a0 \u201cYou talked to her?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom smiled and spread his arms out wide.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I am<\/em> the official representative of a star system.\u201d\u00a0 He brought his arms back down and looked around at the crowd of watchers.\u00a0 \u201cDo you have a secure office here we can speak in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course I do,\u201d Charles said and waved a hand in the way he\u2019d come from.\u00a0 \u201cPlease follow me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLead the way,\u201d Tom said and followed as Jay\u2019s hulking form took up point, clearing a way through the crowd.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a big boy,\u201d Tom whispered as Jack slid into step next to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s one<\/em> reason we call him Bull,\u201d Jack answered with a chuckle, feeling his composure come back.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the other<\/em> reason?\u201d Tom asked.<\/p>\n

Jack chuckled again.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t get him angry.\u00a0 You wouldn\u2019t like him when he\u2019s angry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAh, I see now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, weren\u2019t you born in\u20262140 or something?\u201d Jack asked after a quick glance at the man\u2019s young face.<\/p>\n

Tom shifted his head to the side in a half shrug.\u00a0 \u201c2145, but who\u2019s counting?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack whistled.\u00a0 \u201cYou don\u2019t look a day over forty<\/em>, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom aimed an impish smile at him.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you know what they say.\u00a0 You\u2019re only as old as the one you feel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cRemind me to keep you away from my girl<\/em>friend then.\u201d\u00a0 He blinked then as the realization of what he\u2019d said sunk in.\u00a0 Girlfriend.<\/p>\n

Tom laughed and patted Jack\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cHaven\u2019t had many girlfriends, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack grunted and shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cOh, I\u2019ve had lots.\u00a0 I just\u2026never\u2026\u201d he trailed off, lost in thought, and let out a long breath.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever considered her one?\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack focused back on the present saw Tom\u2019s knowing smile.\u00a0 He sighed, knowing he couldn\u2019t disagree.\u00a0 Mostly.\u00a0 \u201cNo I didn\u2019t\u2026least not up here,\u201d he added with a tap on his temple.\u00a0 \u201cBut I obviously do<\/em> or I wouldn\u2019t have said it.\u00a0 I guess that just snuck up on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom laughed again and slapped him on the shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cOne small step for man, Kid.\u00a0 One small step\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir,\u201d Jack muttered, lost in thought again.<\/p>\n

\u201cCall me Tom, Kid,\u201d he said in an amused tone.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sir\u2026Tom,\u201d he added with a wince after his mind caught up with his reactions.<\/p>\n

Tom laughed once more and laid his hand on Jack\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cThe good ones always get us the worst, Kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack shook his head in bemusement.\u00a0 \u201cAin\u2019t that the truth?\u201d<\/p>\n

They entered Charles\u2019 office behind Jay and Charles like that, and Jack had a feeling they were going to end up as friends.\u00a0 Charles waved for Tom to take the chair in front of his desk and Jack and Jay sat down on either side of it.\u00a0 Jack watched the cybers taking chairs of their own in a corner of the office.\u00a0 They leaned in close to each other and Jack realized they were talking to each other as only cybers could.\u00a0 Betty aimed a knowing smile at him and Jack nodded back.<\/p>\n

Charles took his chair and leaned back in it.\u00a0 \u201cNow what exactly<\/em> is this about?\u201d he asked in a serious tone with eyes that put the lie to his relaxed body language.<\/p>\n

Tom opened the briefcase and pulled a sheet of paper out of.\u00a0 He placed it on Charles\u2019 desk with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cIn brief, the President has decreed the expansion of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 to whatever size the commander deems appropriate to support the Peloran.\u00a0 She has also decreed that the commander of this squadron has the authority to request, pursue, and accept any volunteers from any other unit, whatever service they are in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles nodded in understanding.\u00a0 \u201cI see.\u00a0 So I assume that you have been sent here to take command of this squadron?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom smiled.\u00a0 \u201cNot exactly.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled another sheet out of the briefcase and placed it on the desk.\u00a0 \u201cIn very brief, all pilots of Cowboy squadron, living or dead since Yosemite, have been awarded a permanent<\/em> promotion of one pay grade above their previous permanent<\/em> rank.\u00a0 That makes everyone but you<\/em> a silver bar,\u201d he said with a waved hand at Charles.\u00a0 \u201cYour acting promotion to captain is permanent now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles nodded in acceptance.\u00a0 \u201cThank you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t think me.\u00a0 Thank the President.\u201d\u00a0 He shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cAssuming you still feel like thanking her when I\u2019m done of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles\u2019 eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom looked at Jack and Jay for a moment before pulling out another sheet.\u00a0 Jack felt a chill go down his spine at the sight of those orders, even though the Major skillfully kept it at an angle he couldn\u2019t read.\u00a0 There was just something about them he knew he wouldn\u2019t like.\u00a0 The man dropped the sheet on the desk with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cAfter studying the reports of how these two marines have handled the demi-squadron commands you tasked them with, which by the way she was most pleased with, they are being granted acting commissions to captain.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack shivered again.\u00a0 Two ranks in one day, even if one was just acting, did not<\/em> sit well with him.\u00a0 It was too fast, and since the President ordered it, the brass would not<\/em> be happy about it.\u00a0 And if he ever<\/em> made a single<\/em> mistake, they would take it away and never give him another chance to get it back.\u00a0 \u201cIf it\u2019s just the same to you, Sir, I\u2019ll pass on that acting promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom gave him a sad smile.\u00a0 He knew how hard this could be on a career.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not<\/em> the same to me though,\u201d he said with a shake of his head.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but once other pilots start arriving, you\u2019ll need all the authority you can get in dealing with them.\u00a0 The brass won\u2019t like it, but there won\u2019t be many marines saying you don\u2019t deserve the promotions after what you\u2019ve done.\u00a0 Yes, they\u2019re too early, and I\u2019m sorry for that, but we don\u2019t have time to do this slowly.\u00a0 The Cowboys need<\/em> two captains, right now, and you two can do it, so we need you to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack and Jay exchanged glances for a second, and then turned to Charles.\u00a0 Charles nodded, a bitter taste in his mouth, and nodded towards the briefcase.\u00a0 \u201cI gather there is another sheet there,\u201d he bit out.<\/p>\n

Tom smiled and pulled one out.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u00a0 I\u2019m being assigned to Cowboy squadron, with a strong suggestion that I be placed on the wing of the squadron commander.\u00a0 He after all will be the only<\/em> member of the squadron that I don\u2019t outrank.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Charles said, sounding very displeased.\u00a0 \u201cSo I\u2019m going from acting Captain to acting Major<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom pulled out another sheet, laid it on the desk, and nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cThis is crazy.\u00a0 The brass won\u2019t like it, and if we make any mistake, they\u2019ll take it all away and our careers will be over.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry, but I can not accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom sighed and let out a slow nod.\u00a0 \u201cShe said you might be difficult.\u201d\u00a0 He pulled a small holobase out of the briefcase and laid it on the desk.\u00a0 \u201cSo she sent me with this,\u201d he finished and tapped a command into it.<\/p>\n

A holofield flickered to life and The President appeared in front of them, arms crossed in displeasure.<\/p>\n

\u201cHello, Captain<\/em> Hurst.\u00a0 If you are seeing this, it is because you are showing reluctance to accept your acting promotion to major.\u00a0 I understand the objections you have probably stated.\u00a0 The brass will not like it.\u201d\u00a0 The President smirked.\u00a0 \u201cThe brass have been most unhappy with much that I have done in recent months.\u00a0 You do not feel ready for the rank.\u00a0 You did not volunteer to become a major within months of joining the military.\u00a0 It is too soon.\u00a0 I trust I have covered the most important objections.\u201d\u00a0 The President sighed and shook her head as Charles returned a rueful smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrust me when I say that I really do<\/em> understand.\u00a0 When I ran for election against a popular incumbent for Colorado\u2019s junior Senate seat, I never conceived of standing in this office.\u00a0 I did not volunteer for it.\u00a0 I was not ready for it.\u00a0 And it was<\/em> too soon.\u201d\u00a0 The President gave a curt nod.\u00a0 \u201cBut it is our job<\/em> to do the job we have<\/em> to, not the job we want<\/em> to.\u201d<\/p>\n

She waved her arms to encompass the office she was probably in.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want<\/em> this job, but I am running for reelection.\u00a0 I am running, because there will be<\/em> an election, and I\u2019d rather have myself as President than\u2026well\u2026any of those that want<\/em> it.\u00a0 There will be<\/em> an election, and there will be another one after that, and the elections will continue on and on and Presidents and Senators and Representatives will come and go because there will be<\/em> a United States of America to elect<\/em> them.\u00a0 This is the oath I made to myself when I became President.\u201d<\/p>\n

She crossed her arms and glared at Charles.\u00a0 \u201cTo see that possibility through, I need Peloran military technology, and Peloran military training to use<\/em> that technology.\u00a0 They are unlocking their tech for us, and some<\/em> of it we can even build<\/em>.\u00a0 What we can\u2019t<\/em> build is the training to use<\/em> it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She aimed a finger at Charles.\u00a0 \u201cThis is what I need you<\/em> for.\u00a0 The Cowboys<\/em>.\u00a0 In a month<\/em> of serving with you, a pilot will learn more about how to use Peloran tech than in years<\/em> of study here at home.\u00a0 We need<\/em> more Cowboys, many<\/em> more Cowboys, and we need them to come home and show us what we\u2019re doing wrong<\/em>.\u00a0 And you<\/em> will accept the acting promotion to major because the Peloran trust you and will work with you, and I need someone they trust in command.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo your duty<\/em>, Major<\/em> Hurst,\u201d she finished and faded out.<\/p>\n

Charles sat in his chair for several seconds as silence reigned in the office.\u00a0 Finally he shook his head and said \u201cThis is-\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you say this is crazy one more time,\u201d The President\u2019s disembodied voice spat out, \u201cI will personally<\/em> fly to Alpha Centauri and bitch<\/em> slap you!\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack looked at Betty in alarm.\u00a0 \u201cAre we sure<\/em> that\u2019s a recording?\u201d<\/p>\n

Betty gave him a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Jack, we are<\/em>.\u00a0 Instantaneous interstellar communications is science fiction<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack pulled in a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cRight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is\u2026not easy,\u201d Charles said, manifestly unhappy with the situation, but he finally nodded towards Tom.\u00a0 \u201cI will accept the acting<\/em> command.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tom nodded.\u00a0 \u201cGood.\u00a0 But for the record, while the rank<\/em> is acting, the command<\/em> is permanent.\u00a0 The President was impressed with the poise you used when speaking with her, and with the command you have shown since.\u00a0 The Cowboys have survived well under your command, and they are yours.\u201d\u00a0 Tom smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if half of what I\u2019ve read is true, I will be happy to fly with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charles took in a long series of breaths, looking back and forth between Jack and Jay, before finally nodding.\u00a0 \u201cI understand.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 In 2170, NASA sent the first of dozens of Vulcan Missions, their last grand gesture.\u00a0 Those Astronauts probed The Wall that enclosed us, seeking a way out.\u00a0 A single rocket ship, the Independence Seven flew[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2304-forge-of-war-1stdraft","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-jack"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/719","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\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=719"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/719\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1842,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/719\/revisions\/1842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=719"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=719"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=719"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}