Fourth Vector Ch. 47

"Agreed to that. Nevertheless, the day will come when we'll find out the depths of Bancroft's depravity. He's already shown that he'll murder innocents to get to me. How deep will that hole go for him?"

"We can only hope that he doesn't have much time left in Java," said Lucas as he took a sip of Apulian wine. It was gifted to him by Santino after finding out that Lucas had never tasted it. Judging by his reaction, Lucas had already asked for several more bottles. "Speaking of which, have you decided what victory looks like? If you do win and you kill Bancroft, what will you do with Java? Will you take over the country?"

Jack shook his head immediately. "I have no desire to become Emperor of Java. I have no desire for any ties with Java at all. There is nothing left there for me now. My future is in Galicia."

"Somebody will have to rule in Java though, Jack. Who will take up the mantle?"

"I haven't decided yet. There's still too many variables. We don't know how long this war will take or who will perish in the process. Even if I had a candidate in mind, they'd still have to survive the war. Who knows how deadly this war will be? One thing is for certain though. Ruthenia and Occitania will be restored to their rightful statuses as independent countries. Java will no longer rule over them as she does now."

"A crippling blow to the empire, no doubt," said Lucas.

"I also doubt that Tyroleans will go back into the fold as well," added Jack. "I'm thinking they will have to be given their independence as well. Perhaps even the Thessalians too."

"If that's the case, Java will cease to be an empire, Jack. She'll be nothing more than a kingdom once more. You'll reverse centuries of history with a flicker of a pen."

Jack smiled. "I've done it before. My Swabian allies were once a mighty empire and they've been reduced to a kingdom."

"And you can still count on them as allies? You must be some kind of leader then, Jack."

Jack chuckled. "We have a certain accommodation with them. They are led by a good man and they recognize the threat that we all face. I trust them to do the right thing in this battle."

Lucas took another drink of wine. "I'm sure the Tyroleans will be happy. They've been agitating for freedom for longer than anyone can remember. How many times has a Tyrolean revolt been put down just in the last two hundred years? Let's hope they have the means to preserve their independence after such a hard-fought liberation campaign."

"I have to win first," added Jack. "All of this hedges on me winning first and nothing else."

And staying alive, thought Jack glumly.I have to stay alive. How can I do that though when the prophecy predicts my death?

Jack took a drink of his own water. Those thoughts had been occurring more often as of late, reminding him of the Swabian campaign when he was in the same mental situation. It was a feeling of deja vu that he could do without, especially if this was truly the final campaign.

Swabia had been a warm-up. Bancroft would be the true fight for everything that mattered.

Jack wasn't able to stay lost in his thoughts for long. They heard Lt. Settler open the door for some newcomers. Abigail was the first to enter the room, but she was surprisingly followed by Luke right behind her.

"I didn't think either of you would mind but I ran into an old friend," said Abigail as she gestured to Luke.

"The more the merrier," chimed Lucas as he looked at both of them. "Would either of you like some Apulian wine?"

"I'll pass on that, but thanks," said Luke as he sat down on the opposite side of Lucas. "I can't be hungover for our big departure tomorrow. The leader of this force would chew my ass off."

Jack smirked. "And you'd deserve it too."

"See? Talk about a slave driver, this one," joked Luke.

"That's funny, because everything I've seen of him seems to indicate that he's the freer of slaves," said Abigail as she sat next to her husband.

"Bah, tomato tomato I'd say," teased Luke.

"I'm glad you two were able to join us though," said Lucas. "In a way, it's like we have all the originals here again. I still remember when you three left Quiller's Cove three years ago with just theDestiny and theValiant."

"And theTiger too," added Abigail sadly. "Can't forget about theTiger."

Jack lowered his head for a moment, thinking about the destroyer they lost in the Battle of Aberdeen. It had been commanded by a dear friend of his, Vicky Carter, who had unfortunately perished with her crew during the battle.

"To think that this whole thing started with three ships," muttered Lucas. "And now how many are under your command, Jack?"

"Nearly one hundred and seventy fighting vessels," replied Jack instantly. "Not counting the transports, of course, with which the number approaches two-fifty."

"Good god," said Lucas as he shook his head. "This battle really is going to be momentous."

"Let's just hope it's the last one," said Luke. "I'm already thinking about retirement. The last thing I want is a long, drawn-out war."

That was news to just about all of them. Abigail was the first to look at Luke.

"Retiring, Luke? Just you or you and Kim both?"

Luke smiled. "For both of us. Not until this war is over, of course, but my hope is that the war is a short one so that we can finally get a chance to live in peace. Maybe buy a small farm back in Java or something like that."

"I have a hard time picturing you as a farmer," said Abigail with a laugh.

Luke took it somewhat defensively. "I can be a farmer."

"Don't take it personally, Luke," she teased. "But I'd expect that we'd need to have Kim keep you in line for that."

"Well, that's a given. Her people come from that background and she's told me she knows how to run a farm. I have no doubt of that, and I'd be willing to let her run it totally as long as no one starts shooting at us."

"A farmer's life is a simple one," said Lucas. "In any case, I hope this war is a short one for your sake. What about you, Abigail? What's on your mind for after the war?"

Abigail shared a look with Jack as she took his hand. "Peace has a very nice ring to it. And family as well." She placed her hand on her stomach where their child was growing underneath.

"Ah, yes, well I wish you both the best for that," said Lucas. "I bet you never would have imagined this fate after meeting here three years ago."

"We talk about that a lot," said Jack, sharing a look with Abigail. "But it's worked out for us quite nicely. I wouldn't change a thing."

Except for the prophecy of course.

"What about you, Stan?" asked Abigail. "What's on your mind about after the war? Something tells me you won't have to stay on Quiller's if that's the case."

"Jack and I were just talking about that earlier," said Lucas. "Although I'm trying not to get my hopes up about such a topic."

"It's okay to think about it though," said Abigail. "After all, I'm sure you'd like nothing more than to go home."

"I would like that very much but I'm also cognizant of the fact that getting my hopes up is just going to make it worse if it doesn't happen," said Lucas.

"Well, hell, what do you want, Stan?" asked Luke. "It sounds like you're split on the subject."

Lucas took a moment to answer that question.

"I do want to go home," he said finally, in a firm tone. "I really want to go home."

That was when Jack had an idea. "You know, Stan, we can make that happen. You don't have to sit in Quiller's until the war is over. There's plenty of room in the fleet for a good naval officer. We can see to it that you get home for sure."

Jack made the offer knowing full well that Lucas would reject it. The only thing that surprised Jack was how long Lucas took to think it over.

"I can't go back that way," said Lucas while shaking his head. "I can't go back on an enemy warship, even if commanded by a friendly face. I'd still have to live among my countrymen after the war and that's something I think would work against me."

Jack and Luke both gave knowing nods.

"I understand you completely," said Luke. "I have the same thoughts going through my mind half the time."

"No offense, of course, to you, Jack. I'm still struggling with this new thing of being a traitor and I find myself still looking at every option from all angles."

Jack smiled. "I understand, Stan. You don't need to explain to me. What you've done for us wasn't an easy thing, and I appreciate you that much more for it. One day, I'll see to it that you arrive back at your home in Java. I don't think I could rest without making it so."

"Thank you, Jack," said a grateful Lucas. "You have no idea what those words mean to me."

The four of them continued to talk for the next hour until the first yawns began. From there, it became readily apparent that it was time to call it a night.

"We really should be getting back," said Luke as he stood from his chair and stretched. "Big day tomorrow and everything."

"Well, I appreciate you three coming here to spend your time with an old man," said Lucas as he firmly clasped hands with Jack and Luke and then hugged Abigail. "I don't get many visitors and it's a struggle not to talk their ears off when I do."

"We're always going to be here for you, old friend," said Jack. "Whenever you need us."

With those final words, Jack, Luke, and Abigail departed Lucas' headquarters and began to work the short distance to the harbor. Jack and Abigail were sharing a room together in town while Luke would have to make his way back to theValiant. When the time came to part ways, Luke stopped to look at them.

"Tomorrow, we sail for home then," he said, looking at Jack with a fond expression on his face. "And we'll liberate it from that tyrant."

Jack grinned at him. "Right you are, Luke. I couldn't do it without you."

Luke grinned as well. "You're damn straight you couldn't."

Both men laughed for a moment before Luke said his goodbyes to Abigail. With those words, he was off to theValiant while the couple made their way inside.

At this time of night, Kat was already sleeping, and Jack watched as her chest slowly rose and fell as she slept. He was of half a mind to join her before Abigail surprised him by giving him a lingering kiss that he felt all over his body.

"What was that for?" he asked quietly.

Abigail gave him a coy look. "I wasn't quite ready for bed, and I was secretly hoping you weren't either."

"It felt like you have something else on your mind right now," said Jack as he pulled her closer and squeezed her ass.

Abigail moaned quietly. "I definitely do."

Jack looked back at the bed. "So how do we do this without waking Kat?"

She gave him a wicked grin. "I didn't say anything about having sex in bed, Jack."

With those words, she started to yank him toward their bathroom. Jack closed the door in a hurry as Abigail turned on the soft lighting. By the time his eyes adjusted, it was just time enough to watch her begin to strip.

There was something magical about watching Abigail remove every stitch of clothing from her body. He loved the way she watched his reaction as each new piece hit the floor by her feet, turned on by his lust for her. It was only once she was fully nude that she beckoned him toward her.

"Jack, I want you to take me," she whispered breathily. "Make me yours like you did that night three years ago."

A few minutes later, their bodies became one under the fiery stream of water in the shower.

Jack wouldn't have had it any other way.

*****

The next morning, Jack was the first to stir from bed. His evening with Abigail had been entirely pleasurable and both of them went to sleep with smiles on their faces.

This morning though, it was a different story. Abigail took forever to wake up, and she was only beginning to stir after Jack and Kat were already dressed and ready to leave for the day.

"Oh, Abigail," said Kat in a sing-song tone. "It's time to wake up, sleepyhead."

"Go away," muttered Abigail from under her pillow.

Kat laughed and looked at Jack. "Did you two have a late night or something?"

"Or something," answered Jack. "I'm guessing that Abigail is still a little worn out from that session in the shower."

Kat purred. "You guys did it in the shower last night? And you didn't wake me?"

Jack turned red. "It moved a little too quickly for that. Well, Abigail moved a little too quickly to be more accurate."

"That little minx," said Kat. She rubbed Abigail's shoulder very hard until the brunette finally sat upright.

"What? What's the problem?"

Kat put her hands on his hips. "Next time, wake me when you want to have shower sex. That sounded like it was really fun."

"Oh, it totally was. That shower stall is probably big enough for three now that I'm thinking about it."

Kat looked from Abigail to Jack. "We could always start the day off in a good way if you know what I mean?"

Jack gestured to his uniform. "We're already dressed, Kat."

Kat giggled and pulled her dress over her head, exposing the bra and tiny underwear beneath it. "You can get redressed quite easily, husband. Come on, let's have a threesome in the shower."

It took nearly forty-five minutes before everyone came and they ran out of hot water, but the three of them left their room thoroughly sated that morning.

There was still much to do before the fleet departed around in a few hours, and the first to branch off was Abigail, who was sitting in on a meeting with the senior commanders of the fleet, led by Russ.

"I'll let you know if anything important comes up," said Abigail as she kissed Jack goodbye.

"I should hope you hear nothing new," said Jack with a chuckle. "Everything that Russ is telling you is stuff I already told him."

With Abigail departing, that left Jack and Kat. Jack was making his way to theDestiny for the purpose of talking with the crew on the bridge, but he was surprised when Kat continued to follow him.

When asked about it, Kat simply shrugged her shoulders. "I'd rather be with you than watching the men load back up on their transports."

That seemed to settle the matter, and when Jack emerged on the bridge a moment later, he saw three of the faces that had sailed with him the longest.

The first face he saw was Lt. Stephanie Pierce, the head of operations on theDestiny. Stephanie was instrumental in keeping the ship running smoothly and for many years she had been the right-hand woman of Abigail in keeping the ship in working order.

Sitting just in front of Stephanie was Lt. Kyle Abrams of weapons division. Kyle was one of the best operators in the Javan Navy (or the Galician Navy now), and he could hit a target that was miles out with just the right amount of skill.

The last face Jack saw was that of Lt. Cory Renner, the head of engineering division. Cory had been on theValiant formerly but three years ago, he took his current position on theDestiny after Abigail's sister, Anna, switched places to avoid being in direct proximity with Jack and her sister. Cory was calm and steady and had every marker of a future captain in his blood.

"Good morning, Jack," called out Stephanie as she swiveled her seat to look at him. "And to you too, Kat."

"Morning all," replied Jack. "Are we ready to set out today? How's everyone feeling this morning?"

Jack watched as the three of them gave nervous looks to one another. It wasn't hard to tell something was on their minds, and thankfully, they didn't try to hide it from Jack.

"Word out there is that it's Admiral Reynolds that's on his way to Quiller's Cove with the entire Javan fleet," said Kyle quietly. "Any truth to that?"

Jack nodded to the question. "Yes, that is accurate. Reynolds is on his way, which is why we're leaving today to get the transports on their northerly route. Very soon, our two fleets will converge on each other."

Jack's answer only increased the tension in the room.

"It's been a long time since we've faced a fleet that modern and in that number," said Stephanie. "Especially commanded by people that we likely know over there."

"You're right about that," said Jack. "Is that what's troubling you? Potentially being asked to fire on Javan ships?"

Stephanie used her arms to hug herself. "It's a little troubling, Jack, I can't lie. I'll do my duty if that's what you're asking but I can't say that it doesn't weigh heavily on my mind."

"And mine," added Kyle. "I've been thinking about it a lot lately."

Jack turned to look at Cory, who'd been silent up until this point. "What about you, Cory? What do you say?"

Cory thought his words over carefully before answering. "Is it troubling? I guess, but it depends on how you look at it."

"How do you mean, Cory?"

"Well, it's like this. Are these Javans that we're about to fight? Yeah, no doubt but these are people that are willingly giving their service to a monster like Bancroft. We know now that there's plenty of unrest at home amongst the people who are tired of Bancroft's rule. They're tired of war and they're tired of struggling to make ends meet. All those people are weary of being led by an emperor who couldn't care less about them. What we're fighting against is the regime that makes that suffering possible. We're fighting Bancroft and his minions, not the people of Java. In a way, that makes this next fight easier to think about. We're going back to set Java free, not to conquer her."

Jack couldn't help but smile at Cory once he finished speaking. "That's a great way to look at it, Cory. Our quarrel is with Bancroft, not our countrymen in Java."

"Cory, why didn't you say something like this sooner?" asked Kyle with a laugh. "Looking at it from that angle definitely makes this easier."

"Easier but their power is still formidable," said a still cautious Stephanie. "And even if this fleet under Reynolds isn't representative of Java as a whole, it's still deadly. It could still destroy our force if we let it."

"No doubt about that," said Jack. "Which is why we're not going to take any unnecessary risks. We're going to protect our soldiers in the transports and make sure they get to Java safely. Once we land the army, we can seek out battle with Bancroft's men, but my goal in all of this is doing whatever is necessary to remove him from power totally. Bancroft's time ruling in Java is at an end."

"Amen to that, Jack," replied Kyle. "I think all of us are just ready. We've been anticipating this war for some time now. We're ready to fight, but we need to be given the chance. The sooner we get started, the sooner we get it over with."

"I don't think we'll have to be waiting for very long," said Jack. "We'll close in on Reynolds soon enough."

"And may god have mercy on him," said Cory with a growing smile. "For we shall have none."

Jack grinned with him. "Well said, Cory, well said."

Jack stayed to talk with them for another fifteen minutes before he could distract them no longer. They needed to get back to their tasks of getting theDestiny ready to sail. Jack and Kat left the bridge of the mighty cruiser a short time later.

"They are awfully calm for what we're about to go through," said Kat as they walked back to Jack's personal quarters. "I almost expected them to be more conflicted."

"That bunch?" asked Jack while shaking his head. "They're professionals. I have never doubted them, not even in the very aftermath of the switch of allegiance from Java. When they told me they would fight, they meant it. They might be apprehensive about the fighting getting started, but they'll fight hard because that's the kind of people they are. Javans are good people at the core. They've just allowed themselves to be ruled by the most despicable kinds of leaders."