Tales From The Space Force Pt. 1

Cassidy smiled, "That should help you quite a bit, plus give you the basics."

Lucas smiled, "Thanks from the help. But how do we handle our situation? I don't care if we keep it like it was, you've been a someone I've like working for. But will others see it the same way.

Cassidy grinned, and shrugged, "I'd say let's just keep doing it then. Luckily, we're not that hung up on rank for the most part here. It reminds me of what a friend of mine told me about the SEAL's and other special forces. We're basically out on our own here, and have to depend on one another more than then earth-bound forces, and add to that we're from all branches, so how things are done are a bit different. " He indicated a chair for Lucas to sit down.

"I run things like I was trained to and did before I joined space force, which was Navy. Now Captain Snider was Air force, so, he runs things like that and so on and so forth. I understand that was one of the big problems when they set all this up. So, they decided to just let it happen and see where it went. And surprise, surprise, it actually works very well. We've had very few problems getting things done and very little discipline problems."

He stood and brought back a carafe of coffee and topped up both their cups, then sat back down. "Take you for example. Before all this, you ran the lab more like a civilian lab, with Navy overtones because of me. So, like I said, let's just continue like normal till someone says something about it." He smiled, "Like a Chief I had working for me on Earth said, "It's easier to get forgiveness, than it is to get permission."

Lucas laughed at that, then nodded his understanding and agreement. He took a drink of coffee, then asked, "One other thing, I'm not sure who to see on it. Who should I talk to about different quarters?"

Cassidy smiled, "That's partially taken care of, I talked to the admin people about it when I notified them of your promotion. But right this minute, you're still a Sergeant until the CO gets back and makes it official. So, just go and see them tomorrow."

Then he grinned, "Oh, and I also told them it was for two."

Lucas blushed, "Thanks sir."

Cassidy laughed, "And I think you can knock off the sirs. It's Jim or Cassidy now." Then he said, "One last thing, since we didn't see you, I imagine you went to breakfast at the dining hall. Correct?"

Lucas nodded, "Yes, was that wrong?"

Jim rocked his hand back and forth. "Yes and no. Like I said, we don't stand on formality too much here like on earth. But you should join the rest of the officers for breakfast from now on. Colonel Thorson likes to put out info to us then. It's sort of an informal officer's call, as we called it in the Navy. Lunch and dinner are where ever you want, unless something specials laid on, but try to make breakfast, or you might miss something you need to know."

Lucas nodded, "Okay, that makes sense to me. I do the same really, I talk to my people before I come see you, in case I need to pass something along."

Jim nodded, "Exactly, and there's no reason Pilot Saito can't join us, the others do.

Lucas nodded, "She normally doesn't because she doesn't really "eat". She comes with me to spend time before she has to go and do whatever she has that day. She normally has her nourishment bars at breakfast or dinner time right now, but that might change a little after Nakamura and I upgrade her this week."

Jim shuddered as most people did, when Lucas mentioned the nourishment bars. "I'm happy for her if the upgrade works, I've heard the bars taste like warm turds. "

Lucas grinned, "You have no idea how bad they really are unless you've tasted one. Nakamura had me eat one as sort of an initiation rite. Saying they taste like warm turds, don't really do them justice. Hopefully, they fix that as more of the Cyborgs get updated."

He laughed, "That was why the first question Evelyn asked was, could she shut her taste buds down."

Jim laughed, "I can believe that. Look, we don't have anything going on today but the normal things. We'll see what happens after the CO gets back. So, you might want to come to dinner tonight, the CO will expect it."

Lucas nodded, "Okay, si... Uh Jim. I'll see you later."

He walked out and Jim smiled. He liked Lucas, he was very smart, genus level really, and when it came to cybernetics, he hadn't seen anyone one better. He'd do well once he found his feet, it was true what he told him, nothing would change for now.

Lucas walked back to the lab, and as he did, he smiled when he saw Evelyn standing there talking to one of the male Cyborgs. He wasn't sure of his name and as he came closer, Evelyn saw him and smiled. "Lucas, how are you? Let me introduce Pilot Ivan Nikolaev. Ivan this is Lucas."

Lucas smiled, "Pleased to meet you Pilot Nikolaev. How are you?"

Ivan smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you also. I understand I have you to thank for saving my butt the other day. I was going to take up one of the fighters out after lunch for a training flight, then Evelyn had her crash and you found out what was wrong. Thank you very much."

He grinned, "I was already in a crash once. Granted, I probably wouldn't get that hurt now, but I really would not like to go through it again. Once was enough."

Lucas laughed along with Evelyn, then she said, "I agree, the second time, while not as bad as the first, was not really something I looked forward to."

Then she grinned, "Even if it did bring Lucas and me together."

They talked for a little longer then Ivan said he had to go. Evelyn and Lucas, told him goodbye and once he left, Evelyn smiled and asked how his day was going.

Lucas grinned, "About like I expected to go. I had a long talk with Lieutenant Cassidy, it helped and we came to an understanding. We're just going to go on like we were for now, until someone tells us we can't. In his words, "It's easier to get forgiveness, than it is to get permission."

Evelyn laughed, "That's very true, I think. Did you ask him about quarters for us?"

Lucas nodded, "He said he'd already talked to admin about it and my promotion. But he said to wait to tomorrow until after the CO makes my promotion official when he gets back. It's basically a paperwork kind of thing I guess."

"Oh, and he also told me we should make sure we have breakfast with the rest of the officers from now on. Apparently, the Colonel likes to have an informal meeting to put out info."

Evelyn nodded, "I guess that makes sense. Since I don't really eat, I've never bothered, since Captain Snider normally goes and tells us whatever he hears."

Lucas nodded, "That's sort of what I told him, but I have to go, so it's up to you if you want to join me."

She looked around, then came closer to kiss him. "Of course I will. Hopefully, after my upgrade, it might even be worth it."

She looked around once more and kissed him again, "We're on break right now, but I have to go back in. See you at lunch?"

Lucas nodded, "Yes, I've got to go back to the lab and take care of a few things, then I'll meet you there." He looked around and kissed her, "I love you."

She grinned, "I love you to hon, I'll see you later."

She went back into the classroom and he continued on to his lab. He talked to Ellie, and they worked on a tentative schedule for the people tomorrow. Once done, he added, "That might change once the CO gets back and I talk to doctor Nakamura. I'm not sure when he wants to do the upgrade yet. I also want to see if we can add maybe, a couple others to observe. So, I want to clear that with him, and of course Evelyn. I don't know how she'll feel about an audience."

Ellie nodded, "Okay, that sounds good to me, and I don't think Evelyn will mind, she knows it can only help as other cyborgs get stationed here."

Lucas nodded, "I think your right, but I still want to check."

Ellie grinned, "Of course you do, I'd smack you upside the head if you didn't."

He grinned back, "Oh, so your gonna strike an officer now, are you?"

She grinned once more, "I've got immunity on things like that, we used to sleep together, remember?"

Lucas laughed and gave her a one-armed hug and kissed on her on the cheek. "Yes, I remember it, quite vividly as a matter of fact."

She smiled back and sighed to herself, "Yeah, I remember it also. Very vividly." She still missed their nights together. She also hadn't found anyone yet, to give her the same he did. "God's I'd love have his tongue on me one more time."

Lucas looked up at the time, oblivious to the thoughts going through his work partners mind. "I meeting Evelyn for lunch, want to join us?"

Ellie shook her head no, "Thanks anyhow, but I've got a few things to do."

He nodded and told her he'd see her after lunch.

He headed over to the classroom Evelyn was teaching in and waited a few minutes until the class was done for lunch. As the people starting walking out, he greeted the ones he knew. The Evelyn walked out and smiled seeing him. He returned it and asked, "You ready?"

She nodded and they headed out. As they walked, he asked, "Class all done?"

She nodded, "Yes, all finished for now. You have anything left to do today?

He shrugged, "Not real sure, I don't have anything down in the lab that I know of. I guess until the CO comes back, I won't know for sure."

"Oh, which reminds me, I wanted to ask you if you'd mind having a couple of my senior people be there when we do the upgrade? Ellie, will since she's my assistant and she needs to start learning."

Evelyn thought for a minute, "No, I don't think I do. The more that know something the better I suppose."

Lucas nodded, "Good, I feel the same. Thanks hon, I wanted to be sure you wouldn't be embarrassed to have an audience."

Evelyn laughed, "It takes quite a bit to get me embarrassed anymore. But thanks for asking."

She twined her fingers in his and they continued on to the dining hall. Lucas got something to eat, and they sat down at the table they used if no one was using it. The table was out of the way, and most people left them alone while they gathered in the main part of the hall. While they didn't mind people looking at them, it did get old after a while. They just wanted to enjoy themselves while the had time. They talked about many different things and found that they loved talking to each other almost as much as making love. Today, they were discussing moving into their new quarters, then that segue into where they had lived at different times.

While they were talking, Lucas saw Ellie come in. He was surprised to see her as she said she had something to do. He shrugged and went back to talking.

Evelyn saw where he was looking and then saw him shrug. A normal person wouldn't have noticed it, but she saw much more than flesh and blood humans. "Something the matter hon?"

Lucas looked up at her, "Not really. I just saw Ellie, I asked her if she wanted to join us for lunch, but she said she had something else to do. So, I figured she must have finished early."

Evelyn nodded, "More than likely." She looked over to where she was sitting, her peripheral vison was excellent, she could see clearly at up to ninety degrees from straight ahead. She saw Ellie looking over at them, and she seemed a little sad. She thought to herself. "I wonder if she's having a bad time because Lucas and her were together now." Lucas had said they were only sometime lovers, nothing serious outside of being close friends. But it always seems we want what we can't have. Evelyn had no doubts what so ever about them, she knew he loved her. Hopefully Ellie would get over it and find someone else soon.

Then when they were almost through with lunch, Lucas got a message for him and Evelyn to report to the fight command center after lunch. He told Evelyn about it, and as soon as he finished, they headed out.

As they walked out the door, Ellie's eyes followed them, once again feeling a bit of jealously. She had to stop that, she told herself. They had never had anything you could call permanent; it was all for fun.

Evelyn noticed the look, and kind of felt sorry for her. She knew Lucas and herself were together now, and would always be. Then she thought to herself, "Maybe I can fix her up with one of my friends." She'd nodded to herself; I just need to figure out which one.

The got to the flight center and walked in greeting everyone. Captain Snider smiled and greeted them, "Evelyn, Lucas, how are you?"

Lucas grinned to himself. "I guess we're on a first name basis now since he was a captain also."

Evelyn smiled at him, "Good sir and you?"

Snider smiled, "You know, you can just call me Robert. That's goes for you too Lucas, we're all really the same rank now."

Lucas nodded, "I suppose your right, it will take a little getting used to."

Snider laughed, "Yeah, I understand. I had the same thing myself when I made captain. James said you were in to talk to him this morning, I agree with what you two decided. But I think I'll suggest to the CO that he promote him also. That's the problem we have with people from all different branches here. We're sort of a special branch of the Space Force here.

Lucas nodded, "Yes, that was something else Cassidy and I were talking about, he likened it to the SEAL's and the other Special Forces."

Snider nodded, "Exactly right, that's the best description I can think of. Oh well, it'll figure itself out I guess."

"The reason I called, the CO is about fifteen minutes out and we're going to meet him at the docking bay. But I didn't want to put out over the announcing system."

Lucas and Evelyn nodded, "That makes sense, do the rest know yet?" Lucas asked.

Snider nodded, "Yeah, you two were the last I needed to tell. I kind of wish we had a way of making the coms more secure like we can with main coms."

Lucas nodded his understanding, "Well, there is a way, but without someone being hooked to the system, like you are in the ships, each person would have to have the equipment installed."

Then he added, "I understand they are looking into something that might work, but the whole cybernetics technologies are still in it's infancy. It's kind of like when they started with electronics, everything was big, but over the years they were able to miniaturize things. That's were we are right now."

Lucas smiled once more, "Which is what were doing with people like Evelyn. The upgrade we'll be doing to her, was thought to be impossible three or four years ago. What we learn from them and their experiences, are making it easier. So, if you want, I'll ask Doctor Nakamura when he gets here. He might know something."

Snider nodded, "Why not, can't hurt. If you want, you two might as well stay here for now. The we'll go see the CO together."

Lucas and Evelyn nodded their agreement and went to sit down out of the way. They talked for a few minutes while they waited. Then, since they really couldn't talk openly, they just sat watching everything going on.

While they did, Evelyn went over her list of friends to see about fixing Ellie up. She dismissed a bunch of them for one reason or another, mainly because they were already attached, or not interested. Then she heard the pilot of the transport come over the coms. "Pilot Evens requesting landing clearance."

She smiled, Steve Evens, he would be perfect for her. They were close to the same age, he was very good looking, and a very good friend. She decided to talk to him later.

Captain Snider told the coms personnel to transmit permission was granted and welcome home.

Five minutes later, they heard, "Transport landing completed at main base grid 2-Delta, awaiting docking bay deployment."

Snider gave permission for the docking umbilical to be deployed. This was sort of like the old jetways for airliners, but was pressurized once connected so the people could make there way to the main building. Once everyone was off, the transport craft would be moved to the main hanger.

Snider called to Lucas and Evelyn, "Come on, we better get over there so we can greet the CO."

They nodded and followed him over to meet the CO and the others. Once there, they saw Hampton, Cassidy and a few others. They greeted each other and waited till the docking umbilical was pressurized and the airlocks flashed green letting them know everything was equalized.

The all stood waiting as they saw Colonel Thorson and Major Linda Harris who was the XO or second in command, walking down the passageway followed by the others that were with them.

Captain Snider commanded, "Attention."

They all came to attention and Snider saluted the Colonel as he walked through the airlock. The CO smiled, "At ease, carry on."

The all relaxed as the CO came over and greeted them all one by one. He finally stopped in front of Lucas and Evelyn, then smiled. "It's good to see you Captain Torson, all the paperwork has been filed. So, before we go any further, let's make this official and we can get on with business."

With another smile, he said, "Sergeant Lucas Torson, attention." He took a box out of his pocket and smiled at Evelyn, "Pilot Saito, will you please assist me." He opened the box and handed her one of the captain's bars and he took the other.

He smiled at Lucas once more, "Sergeant Lucas Torson, we are all very proud of you. You are now a Captain by the grace and order of the Commander of the American Space Forces and the governing council."

Then he and a smiling Evelyn pinned on his new collar insignia. The Colonel saluted him proudly, and Lucas returned it, then he shook his hand as did Evelyn. She mouthed "I love you" to him which made Lucas smile

The colonel smiled to himself, "She would probably hug and kiss him if there wasn't a crowd. Then he grinned to himself, "Why not?"

He said to her, "Pilot Saito, considering the circumstances, I think I can allow you to put decorum aside for this."

Evelyn smiled and said, "Thank you Sir." The next Lucas knew, Evelyn's arms were around his neck and she was kissing him to the applause coming from the rest of the people. She finished and thanked the colonel smiling at him.

Lucas thanked them all, then the colonel started to introduce the others with him to his people. When it was Doctor Haruki Nakamura's turn, he politely greeted the others, then smiled as he came up to Evelyn and Lucas. He smiled and bowed to them, "Saito chan, Torson san, Kon'nichiwa. It is so good to see you two once more.

Lucas smiled back and returned the bow. "Nakamura-san, Kon'nichiwa. It is so good to see you also and to have you here."

Then Evelyn smiled, "Nakamura-san, Kon'nichiwa. Anata ga inakute sabishīdesu (I have missed you.)"

She grinned quickly over at the colonel, "Colonel, may I have permission to but decorum aside, just once more?"

The Colonel smiled, "I don't see why not."

Then Nakamura grinned as Evelyn hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. He hugged her back, "I've missed you too my dear."

After all the greetings were done, the Colonel said, "Let's get everyone settled in, then we'll have dinner together. After that we'll discuss the other matters."

They all agreed, then Captain Hampton directed some of his people to escort the visitors to their quarters. Then smiling, he said to Lucas, "Lucas, why don't you and Evelyn get doctor Nakamura settled in. I'm sure you'd all enjoy a visit before we meet."

They nodded and thanked him, then they escorted Nakamura to his quarters. They talked while walked to them and Lucas said, "Any baggage you have will be delivered to your rooms in a few minutes after they unload everyone's."

Haruki smiled, "Thank you Lucas, I don't have much, just one bag and of course the upgrade components."

Lucas nodded, "Do you want those in your room, or should I direct them to bring them to my lab?"