Gabatrix: The Shira Maneuver

"It would help the UHN in repelling future attacks," Shira added.

"As a Fleet Admiral, I have to be aware of the things that are around me. I won't lie to admit that I have been doing my best to keep you operating in a concealed status on Aphadus. I was doing that to protect you until recent circumstances proved otherwise. When I put both of you on a ship, I wouldn't anticipate that Shira would take command of that ship and play a crucial role in saving it. I don't think anyone could anticipate that, honestly. Nonetheless, here you are now," Anaya said, gesturing to Shira. "Now everyone knows who you are in a much brighter fashion than ever before. I'm sure that some view you as an unknown hero or a mysterious savior."

Javier shrugged. "I'm pretty sure that others will probably think the media is pulling some gag or hoax just for the ratings."

"No doubt. What matters is what the UHN thinks, and their opinions are what affect every military personnel out there. They took great notice of what Shira did a couple of days ago. Anybody that doesn't know her does now. Thankfully....." she paused as she pulled out a tablet and slapped it on the desk. "I might have a new solution to that."

"What is it, Ma'am?" Javier asked her.

"Call it a modification of the original plan. Knowing Shira, she would probably consider it an act of wisdom or something. I will be assigning the both of you to a new ship.....a brand new one. There will be some significant differences, however."

"Really? Like what?"

"The biggest differences are that the ship is so brand new that it still needs two months until its completion. There is no crew assigned to it yet. I was thinking of the perfect person who will oversee its construction. You, Javier, will oversee that."

"What?" Javier replied as his eyes went wide. "I don't know if I have much experience in that."

"Not if you are going to help command it."

His eyes expressed some surprise upon hearing that. He had nothing to say at first.

"I would agree with that idea," Shira added. "Most Itrean commanders best operate with their assigned ships and crew under this fashion. Many of the crew often consider their ships as homes and an extension of themselves more than UHN personnel do. It allows them to more easily sacrifice themselves in battle rather than abandon their ships in the heat of battle."

"So......" Javier almost seemed to feel a hint of excitement. "You are essentially giving me command of a ship?"

"Hmmm, not exactly," Anaya said. "Let's be honest and say that while you did a good job, you were having to catch up when it comes to your rank. I can't just promote you to a higher rank again right now and be done with that. I can still see you as an XO, though. That is, of course, depends on the Captain of that ship."

Javier watched as Anaya turned her gaze towards Shira. The face and eyes said it all as Shira's brow lifted a little bit in response. It caused Javier's eyes to go wide in surprise.

"Wait......you are giving both of us the command of a ship," Javier reacted.

"It wasn't fair for Shira to have her rank removed from her when she defected," Anaya explained. "Sure, she was a different rank in equivalence with the Shal'rein clan and the UHN, but the idea is still the same. Lesser Adjunct might as well been the Commanders and Captains of the UHN for what it sounds like."

"True," Javier said. "But.....how would you......are you telling me that you are going to make Shira an officer?"

"I.....sort of have that ability. Unfortunately, I don't have the ability to self-promote someone to become an officer by my abilities alone. I still have to adhere to UHN rules and laws after all."

"Of course......two months," Javier realized. "That would be the time needed for someone to go through the Officer's Training Program of the UHN."

"Exactly," Anaya replied with a nod. She gave a big smile the moment that the news fully sank in. Shira, on the other hand, only gave a very brief smile before it quickly faded away.

"So that means that Shira will be trained to become a UHN officer.....it means that she will be sent to Mars for a couple of months. How was that possible? I gave a letter of recommendation to have her made a part of it. I know that you offered your support as well, Fleet Admiral. She still needed another officer to have a part of it. Did the news travel quickly enough to have someone try to endorse her?"

"I didn't have to reach out to someone else," Shira answered. "No effort was made on my part in the last couple of days since we returned to Aphadus."

"Nor was I," Anaya continued. "But she already had the final letter of recommendation. It was completed by Officer Lifen to be sent to us. The letter was found in the computer banks before the Jian Seng was towed back to base. It was among the last actions that she made before the incident at the asteroid belt."

Javier's jaw was agape upon hearing the news. He didn't even realize that Shira had reached over and manually closed his mouth without as much as offering a glance at him. He couldn't believe it before her touch snapped him out of it.

"Lifen offered a Letter of Recommendation for her....." he said. He looked over to Shira. "You have been busy."

"I commend her actions greatly," Shira remarked. "Her support will not be forgotten."

"Wow....." Javier said as he shook his head for a moment. He turned his head to look at Shira. "So with you becoming an officer, I am curious as to what you think on such an offer as this?"

"It is a maneuver to put me in the role that I was removed from," Shira said to both of them. "The idea of going through the Officer's Training Program does seem a bit redundant, however. I am quite sure that much of it will tell me things that I already know."

"For my arguments sake, I do believe that you still need to go to Officer's Training, no matter what," Anaya said, looking at Shira. "Even if you have enormous amounts of command experience in commanding fleets of warships in battle, it would be wise to gather whatever information that you can. I am quite sure that there are enough differences between the Shal'rein clan and the UHN in how they operate in command structures and apply in ship's operations."

"I can help her a little bit in that department," Javier said. "I don't believe she will have any difficulty in adapting and adjusting to the environment that she is going to encounter. It does bring into question about her as an alien, no offense. Will she be the first Shal'rein that is going to go through this?"

"I don't know enough, unfortunately," Anaya replied. "I heard that the UHN is experimenting and expanding with the UHN programs since the alliance with the T'rintar clan. I think there is a Yutilian that has expressed interest in going through and becoming an officer in the UHN, but it is just a wild rumor. Maybe Shira will encounter her.....I don't know."

"Thanks to the efforts of Ambassador Ifra and Ambassador Kane, new alien training programs are being made for the UWA and the UHN," Shira answered. "The T'rintar clan have also been constructing assistance programs and additional facilities to help house and train humans to work and operate on their ships. No doubt it is to encourage more.....cohabitation between the races and possibly more."

Javier noticed that Shira was gently implying something else in her last sentence. With a generally higher proportion of humans being male, the T'rintar clan was certainly trying to encourage mateship to a race that consisted of only females by whatever means necessary. It only made sense that war and the military would further help in that field as well.

"I am well prepared for whatever trials are ahead," Shira replied.

"No doubt, especially after what had happened," Anaya continued. "Shira is going to be made into the rank of Captain, where she will be made into the CO of the ship that Javier is overseeing in construction. Technically, for Lieutenant Javier, I am not assigning him to that ship once it's completed, but as the future Captain and CO of that ship, Shira has the ability to select the personnel that she wants to have as a part of her crew."

So much was sinking into Javier's mind of what was going on. To oversee a ship being built and possibly be made into the second in command of that ship, later on, was mind-blowing. The responsibilities were enormous, but at the same time, much of this was for the benefit of Shira. It was a very beneficial compromise for her. Anaya was looking out for her in the best possible way while at the same time, she also considered Javier's feelings of being pressed into a ship that he might not enjoy being on. He couldn't ignore this opportunity. As much as he wished living on Aphadus, Shira was a mighty comet that dragged everything with her in her wake. She filled in the blanks with his life and felt most at ease around her. He lifted up his hands, shrugged, and gave a smile.

"I can't ignore this offer," Javier said. "I accept the assignment. Knowing Shira, I will serve as the XO under her command once the ship is built."

Shira gave a faint smile before it quickly dissipated.

"May I see the specifications of the ship that I will be assigned on?" Shira asked as she extended her arm to the desk.

"Sure," the Fleet Admiral said.

She tapped a few buttons on the tablet as a new holographic display projected. It showed the technical specifications of a vessel that Javier had never seen before. Unlike the Fu Yi class Military Transports or the Phalanx Class Assault Carriers, this one was more of an enlarged armored box transport with wings. It was a military transport first and foremost and didn't have the ability to carry planetary aircraft, at least from what he could see. It had twice as much internal space than the Jian Seng, more crew, better equipment, and far better firepower to defend itself. Appearance-wise, it wasn't as pretty to look at but transports never always shared the winner of the beauty pageants category either. Like the other classes, this came with a centripetal ring and engine module as well, being a composite ship in all.

"The Qing Class Military Transport.....interesting," Javier noted. "Ugly as hell."

"I disagree," Shira said as she pointed at the specifications. "Space does not care about looks. This is a far better improvement in design than the Jian Seng. The front section is not perfectly designed for planetary flight, but in space, it will prove adequate."

"Hmmm.....I guess we will find out."

"In that case," Anaya said. "Javier, you will be shipped to the Deimos Shipyards in three days, where you will be assigned to dock facility 12. Shira, you will be sent to the Martian Officer's Academy in two days. Do you have any questions before I dismiss the both of you?"

"Yes," Shira asked. "Do you happen to know where my ship, crew, and I will be tasked?"

"Unfortunately, I don't know enough yet to give a good answer. I did get a message from Admiral Thiago that has expressed interest in you, especially after the stunt you performed at Picaro."

"Admiral Thiago...." Javier noted. "He is in charge of Palora's Defense Fleet. I'm not surprised either."

"It is still a little too early, however, as I still needed to get the final approval from Shira if she wanted to be made an officer or not. Since I obviously see no objections from her, I can go ahead and contact him and let him know. Of course, I do know another new Admiral on Mars that is currently climbing the ranks pretty fast. He sent a message to me this morning in regards to learning more about Shira. It's up to her and who wants who."

Shira seemed momentarily curious as to what this other individual on Mars was that apparently expressed interest in her. Javier knew that this couldn't have been Admiral Simmons that hated her or pretty much anybody. Her eye looked away as she put her fingers to her chin before she rested and came up with her decision.

"Being assigned to the Paloran Fleet is the more preferred choice for now," she said

"Ugh....." Javier grunted as he kept his complaint to himself. Shira's fin-like ear was tuned to him.

"Then I will contact Admiral Thiago and let him know the news," Anaya replied. "What other questions do you have?"

"I was wondering if I am permitted to carry a firearm on my ship?" Shira asked.

Javier felt it was an odd question but one that still made sense to ask, especially for the fact that her guns were confiscated from her. Even Anaya didn't even seem bothered.

"It's your ship," Anaya answered. "Your command. Your rules. As long as it obviously doesn't purposely endanger the lives of others."

Shira briefly smiled at her. "In that case, I would like to have both of my guns returned to me."

"I had a feeling you would want them back. It's only fair, right? Done."

Javier nodded. "Then that leaves to another question that I have," he asked. "What is the name of this ship?"

"There is no name for the ship as of yet," Anaya explained. "This is the first of its class that is under construction since the war started. However, sometimes the Captain of the ship can have the choice of naming a vessel as long as it confides with military regulations."

"If that is the case, then I have a name that would be suitable for my new ship," Shira said.

"And what is that?"

"The Lifen."

"The UHN Lifen....." Anaya nodded. Even Javier felt like that was a proper name and one that should bear the memory of Captain Lifen. It was an honorable title. He turned his head and looked at Shira with nodding approval.

"Fitting choice," Javier said.

"The Lifen it is then. I will pass that along to Fleet Admiral Annika."

There was a brief pause in the room as the Fleet Admiral thought of something. Her head turned down a little bit, looking away from the two as she tapped her two thumbs together. Javier was wondering what was going on in her mind, but it would be quickly answered.

"You know....." Anaya continued as she looked down. "I never had a chance to meet Gabatrix. It was one of the tragic events for me that he existed during my lifetime, but I was just a nobody. Finally, I would get a chance to personally talk to him, but it would be too late. He passed away a few days later before I would ever meet him." She bit her lip. "I would imagine that to him, to finally encounter an alien that would later serve in the United Human Navy would be incredible. He would be happy to see you a part of the system, Shira." She looked at her and smiled.

"It was a shame for me as well," Javier said. "He died not long after I was born. Gabatrix did leave a number of recommendations in case we ever discovered an alien race."

"Sadly, few seemed to think that there were aliens out there at the time, including even him." The Fleet Admiral looked at Shira and gave the nod to her before extending her hand to her. "I wanted to congratulate you on your achievement."

"I accept your solicitations and orders with honor," Shira replied as she looked at her hand and shook it. Javier could feel that this was a new beginning for her. Even Shira had an extended, but composed smile as her hand engulfed Anaya's.

*******

It had been later that day when Javier and Shira walked into their temporary quarters on Aphadus. It was very much like the previous apartment dome housing set up before they left. For Javier, it just felt like returning back from an odd dream or nightmare, depending on how one would view it.

The doors closed behind them as they both reached the bedroom. Shira had one hand behind her back while she was neatly smoking a cigarette. Javier was carefully reading the tablet that she gave to him.

"I'm reviewing the list of personnel and modifications that you wanted to have for the UHN Lifen," Javier told her as they came to a stop. Shira stood and turned to look down at him. Her shark-like eye was attuned to him.

"You have questions, yes?" Shira calmly asked him.

"I will be your XO. There is no doubt about it," Javier happily told her. "I did go ahead and ask some of these personnel in advance before you proposed this to me. You would be surprised that some of the crew of the Jian Seng had already asked to come with you."

Shira's brow lifted only slightly upon hearing it. She neatly took a drag from her cigarette, seemingly enjoying the flavor it gave to her, before blowing it out of her nostrils.

"Yeah....," he continued. "I went and checked up with Marcelle. When I spoke with her, she was recovering after being shaken up by the whole fight and battle. She seems to be doing much better, though. She even expressed interest in wanting to serve as a pilot and navigator under your command. Although, I think she had a complaint about your smoking after the Jian Seng was disabled."

"Her lungs will recover," Shira told him. "Human medical technology can easily repair the damage inflicted to them from secondhand smoke or most forms of smoke inhalation. She will learn about the fourth rule of the universe."

"Of course she will.....," he replied, almost rolling his eyes. "She said something else too. She was mentioning about the fact that you promised to train her in properly cooking cevan."

"That is a promise I intend to keep," she said as she took a drag from her cigarette. "However, she needs to attend further flight training."

"I see that on the report. She didn't do a bad job at all in that escape through the asteroids."

"True, but there is always room for improvement. During the next two months, she will have that opportunity to become acquainted with the new ship's control systems."

"That is going to be the same with a lot of the crew that you requested. I noticed that you offered everyone from the Jian Seng a chance to be a part of your crew. I also see that you requested a couple individuals from the Garja, including Folar'sha. I wouldn't mind trying to contact her to see if she would come to the Lifen."

"Folar'sha is currently stationed on Mars as a medical examiner," Shira stated. "I am quite sure that she would be interested in coming. However, I have not had a chance to inquire about her personal life. I want her back since she is a viable doctor. Assuming that she is mated with another, offer her mate a chance to serve on our ship as well."

"I will do that. I tried to check up with Ramirez, but I haven't seen him. I heard that he was currently at a psychological rehab at the moment."

"He spent over an hour with his dead Captain and other deceased crew on the bridge till he was finally rescued. No doubt he is trying to recover. I give the offer for him in two months to come to my ship."

"I know that wasn't easy. At least Spencer survived from the blow to the head. He was very instrumental in saving us."

"Which is why I want him back," Shira commented as she took another drag of her cigarette. "Further training is required for him."

"Let's see....." Javier commented as he read the tablet. "I have a feeling that Obasi would want to come back.....hell, even Patterson was pretty impressed with your work. I know that Obasi apologized to you for his past actions. I think they might both accept."

"It is their choice to make. I cannot force them to serve on our ship."

"I will do my best, don't worry about it. I....." he paused again as he saw the other list of names. "You want to have the shuttle pilot Mizu including both of his mates, Li'lo and Jenta to serve. I wasn't expecting that."

"Mizu has proven to be quite competent in his abilities to fly a shuttle," Shira said. "I know that he is a civilian, but tell him that he has the opportunity to serve as a UHN member under my ship."

"UHN rules wouldn't recognize him as enlisted anymore, not after the whole incident on Batrice. I mean.....I know after the fact that I helped him out with that whole problem on the colony."