Tales From The Space Force Pt. 1

Lucas listened, then frowned and Evelyn asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

He looked at her still frowning, "It doesn't make sense Evie. Why not all of them?"

She shrugged, "Maybe that's all they had?"

He shook his head no, "If someone was going through all that trouble, it would easier just to have all of them rigged."

Then his eyes opened wide as a thought came to him. "Damnit." He said loudly.

The others looked at him and the colonel asked, "Something to add Lieutenant?"

Lucas blushed, but replied, "No sir, sorry, but I have a question. The twelve you found that had the bad ones, where were they headed?"

The colonel looked at a screen off to the side, "Then were coming to moon base."

Lucas paced liked he always did when he was trying to think. Then said, "Look sir, none of this makes a lot of sense. If someone was going through all that trouble, it would be easier just to have done it to all of them. So why just those twelve? Because their heading to the moon base is the obvious answer, but why now?"

"The only answer I could come up with and why I said damnit, was that the Phoban's are planning something. It had to been them that coerced or outright paid someone to do this. The moon base is earths front line of defense, so what would happen if all of sudden our best and newest fighters are crashing and killing pilots left and right. We'd ground all the fighters like we did, so we can figure what the hell is wrong and it leaves earth more open to attack."

He took a breath, then continued, "When I came up with it might be sabotage originally, it was because I heard talk about something like that when I was visiting the Vagan I knew to, talk shop, if you will. But now it all makes sense; they have to be planning an attack on either the base here or earth or both. I've always read that all warfare is based on deception, maybe they have the same type of book I've read."

The colonel's eyes went wide as what Lucas was saying sunk in. "Son of a bitch. Coms, get me Space Command right the fuck now if not sooner."

The colonel looked at Lucas, "Good thinking lieutenant. Or maybe I should say captain, I might just make good on the captain threat."

Haruki smiled, "And now colonel, you see why I refer to him as my best student. He stands there and quotes the famous Chinese general, Sun Tzu to prove his point. Hai, I believe you are right Lucas. But, wouldn't they realize we'd find the problem and fix it?

Lucas shrugged, "It's my understanding that they are very arrogant, or least that's what my friend said about them. Maybe they though we wouldn't find it in time, or not at all." He grinned, "After all, we are just a bunch of stupid Earthers."

The colonel nodded, "I think your right Torson, it makes perfect sense, all of it does. Now, how do we proceed? That's what space command will tell us hopefully."

They all talked together for a few minutes, then Lucas said, "Sir, if I'm right and it's true, why don't we turn it around and do it to them. Act like were still trying to figure out what's wrong. I'm going to paraphrase a bit, I don't recall it word for word, but the book kind of went; "All warfare is based on deception."

"Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable"

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy."

"Feign disorder. "

"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

"We should have enough replacement cards for them, I've already fixed the ones here, but we didn't want to use them until we found out what was going on. So, we do that, but hide it.

He paced a little, then said, "Keep up like we don't know what's going on, we can't find the problem. That's takes care of the first three steps. For the last, talk to the Vagan's, hopefully they know more than we do where they are. Then we wait to see what they do and when they start, we show up with our advanced fighters they think are unusable and the Vagan's and attack them from all directions."

The others in the room look at him in amazement, and on the monitor, Haruki Nakamura bowed with respect.

The Colonel looked at him, "Tell me something Torson, how is it that a man, that was only a Sergeant about thirty minutes ago, comes up with a strategy like that, that a general would be proud of?"

Lucas blushed slightly, "Well sir, you see, until recently," He looked over at Evie who grinned at him, "There wasn't much to do around here, so I read and study things a lot."

The colonel grinned back slightly, "So, you got this from a book?"

Lucas blushed again and nodded.

Then Nakamura grinned and said, "Excuse me colonel, but yes, you can get it from this book. The "Art of War" was written in the 5th century BC. It's as valid today as it was then, it was said as long one followed what was laid down in it, you would always triumph."

The colonel nodded, then they heard over the speaker, "Sir, Space Command on line."

The monitor split into two screens and the head of Space Command came on. He addressed the colonel, "Ok Colonel Thorson, what's going on?"

The colonel briefed him all that had been discussed and a possible solution.

The general smiled, "I like it Colonel, let's get going on that. Thank you for thinking this up."

The colonel smiled, "Well sir, to tell you the truth, it's not my plan. The Sergeant that found the original problem that started all this, came up with it."

The General looked at him eyebrows raised, "A Sergeant you said?"

The colonel nodded, "Yes sir, Sergeant."

The general smiled again, "Then he's a Lieutenant now."

The colonel grinned back, "Excuse me again sir, I already made him a Lieutenant for finding the original problem."

The general nodded, "Fine then, he's a now a captain. Is he about?"

The colonel nodded, "Yes sir, Captain Torson, would you please come on screen."

The others smiled as he hesitantly came forward, then grinned as Evelyn pushed him forward.

"I'm here sir." He replied.

The general grinned, "Congratulations Captain, and I commend you for reading and learning the "Art of War." I read it also when I was your age, it's never wrong. So, tell me, do you really think it can work?"

Lucas took a breath, and nodded, "Yes sir, it should. Though it might help it along if we can find the person responsible, then make him tell whoever got him to do it that we still don't know shi... Uh, anything." He blushed as he almost said shit to a general.

It was all the general could do not to laugh. "I agree son. It's a good plan." Then he grinned, "But if it doesn't work, your busted back to Sergeant."

Lucas smiled, "Yes sir, thank you very much sir." They all laughed for the first time in days.

The general left the discussion to get things going at his end and they talked about it on theirs. The Colonel said, "Why don't we break this off for now. We'll be back tomorrow and we can finish. Oh, and Doctor Nakamura will be coming with me."

The all nodded and started to get ready to leave when Nakamura asked the colonel, "Sir, before we shut down the link, can I have a word with Torson and Saito?"

The colonel nodded, "Yes Doctor, I see no problem with that. Everyone else is dismissed."

Evelyn and Lucas waited until the others left, then Nakamura grinned. "I saw the way you two were looking at each and interacting. Can I assume, that you two have come to an agreement?"

Evelyn grinned, "Yes doctor, we have, a permanent one."

He smiled, "I thought so, that is wonderful, my favorite student and adopted niece together. I'm very happy for you both. Hopefully, when all this unpleasantness is over, things can go back to normal and you both can work with us."

Lucas smiled, only Haruki Nakamura could refer to what was going on as unpleasantness, and get away with it. "I'd like that a lot, though Evelyn might be tired of flying by then."

She hugged his arm, "Never happen love."

The Lucas asked, "So, why are you really coming all the way to the moon? I'm sure it can't just be what's going on."

Haruki smiled, "You know me to well Lucas. I am coming for that, but also to ask Evelyn a question. We've developed something new, and we've tried it here, but I was wondering if you'd be interested in trying it."

Evelyn grinned, "If I knew what it was, I could give you a better answer."

Haruki smiled once more, "How would you like to be able to taste food and drink again my dear?"

Evelyn's eyes went wide, "Are you serious? I could taste once more?"

He nodded grinning, "Yes dear, it's not perfect yet, we're still trying to fine tune it. That's one of the reasons I'd like to get you upgraded. Between you and Lucas, we can try to improve it."

Evelyn smiled, "I'd be more than happy to help and I know Lucas will as well." The she frowned, "Will I be able to turn it on and off?"

Haruki nodded a little confused, "Yes you can, but why would you want to?"

Evelyn made a face, "This way when I have to eat one of the nourishment bars, I shut it off. I have no desire to taste warm turds." She visibly shuddered.

Haruki and Lucas both grinned and then Lucas hugged her.

Then Haruki said, "Ok then, I will bring the components with me and between Lucas and myself we can upgrade you."

They logged out of the secure link, and headed to get some dinner. Even though it wouldn't be official until the CO came back tomorrow, word had already passed among the crew that he'd been made a captain by the General of Space command. He was both congratulated and busted on by the crew. Jonesy, as he figured, was the worse, he teased and joked with him unmercifully.

Lucas had finally had enough, and told him, "Okay Jonesy, one more word and you'll regret it."

He smiled, "Oh, so your gonna put me on report?"

Lucas grinned, "No, worse. I'll tell them you helped and recommend you for Lieutenant also."

Evelyn's grin had gotten wider and wider with each person joking with him. Now she laughed out loud seeing the look on Jones face.

Once they finished, they went back to her quarters. He flopped down on the couch, and Evelyn sat in his lap facing him and put her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Lucas, I'm so happy and proud of you. You deserved it, the plan you came up with was simple and wonderful. I just know it's going to work and this way there will be less chance of anyone being hurt or worse."

She gave him another kiss.

He stroked her face, "Thanks love, but I wish they hadn't promoted me. I was happy like I was."

She smiled, and shook her head. "Tell me, what is going to change? Your still in charge like you were. They're not going to let you do something else, nobody's trained for it. So really, the only thing that I can see that will change, is they're going to call you sir now. The joking will wear off in a couple of days. And we get bigger and better quarters since I'm a captain's woman now."

She grinned and kissed him. He laughed back, "I guess your right, I think I would be okay with it if it was just the promotion to Lieutenant."

Then he grinned and said, "And I think our quarters will be better because I'm the man of the most wonderful and beautiful pilot. Actually, I need to see if you outrank me."

He hugged her as they both laughed, then he asked, "So, what would like to do now?"

She smiled, "Well, I think we should stay here for a bit and make out like a couple of teenagers again. Then you take me to bed and make love to me."

She giggled, "I've never made love to a captain before."

So, that's exactly what they did. Numerous times.

The next morning came around, and Lucas woke up once more spooned up to the love of his life. He smiled to himself and snuggled a bit closer. He knew she was powering up to normal levels herself as she snuggled back to him and he heard a slight, "Ummmm."

Like he had since they started sleeping together, he kissed her neck and breathed in her scent. "Good morning love."

She stretched like cat as she did every morning, and turned slowly to face him. She smiled back at him and gave him a kiss, "Good morning to you also. Sleep well?"

He smiled back and returned the kiss, "Yes I did, I always do when I sleep holding you." Then he grinned, "I love the way you always stretch in the morning; you look like a cute kitten waking up."

She giggled, "I don't know why I do it, I guess my brain is so accustomed to doing it, I do it automatically. My father used to laugh when he saw me do it and always called me his kitten."

He grinned back at her, "Well then kitten, I guess we should be up and about doing things. Do you have anything special to do today?"

She hugged him close not really wanting to get up yet, "No flights or anything that I know of, we probably won't until they figure out what we're doing. I do have a training class to help with though. How's your day look?"

He yawned, "Normal things I guess, I don't know if anything will change once the CO gets back or if I'll do anything different now that I'm an officer. I'm going to talk to Lieutenant Cassidy and see about better quarters for us though."

Then he grinned, "I don't know how this going to work really, technically I outrank him now."

She giggled, "That's true, but then were not very rank conscience around here." Then she grinned, "Which is good, since technically I still outrank you.

The both laughed and finally got up to get ready for work. Once they were all cleaned up and dressed, they headed down to breakfast. The kidding wasn't as bad this morning as the ones that didn't know last night had a shot at him. Then, once they were done, they walked out and kissed each other and headed their separate ways. Lucas headed to the lab to meet with his people first to check the muster and see if anything had happened over night. The door slid open and he walked in and heard, "Attention." He looked around and groaned as he saw his entire staff lined up at attention, with a grinning Ellie leading them.

She took a step forward still grinning, "Good morning Captain, Cybernetics department all present and accounted for sir."

He came up to her, "I'll get you for this."

She grinned and asked, "Moi?"

He nodded, "Vous."

He turned around to address the others who were also grinning like idiots.

"Morning people. I see you've all heard about the sad state of affairs. As far as I know, nothing is going to change, but I have to talk to the LT first."

The he looked at each of them, "In here, nothing will change, we treat each other like normal. We don't have time, nor do I have the inclination for anything else. Past that door, is another matter, so no one gets gigged. I know you've all heard about things going on, once some decisions are made, I'll let you all know what's really going on. Till then, just don't discuss it please, once I tell you, you'll know why I'm asking that. So, unless someone has a question or problem, lets be out an about doing things before someone accuses us of fucking off. Dismissed."

Then he said, "Oh, and one more thing, the first one of you that salutes me or calls me sir in here, will be cleaning out and adjusting waste tanks on the cargo and transport ships."

They all grinned, then like normal, they all talked a little bit as they looked up their assignments for the day, then they headed out. Soon, it was only him and Ellie left in the lab.

She came up and grinned "Does that apply to me also sir?"

He laughed, "Especially you, but instead of the tanks, I'll advise the CO you should be promoted also."

She laughed and hugged him, giving him a kiss. "I'm very happy for you Lucas, both for the promotion and getting together with Evelyn. I'm gonna miss our time together, but that's how it works I guess."

He smiled, "So will I. I enjoyed our time together a lot. But I really love her Ellie."

Then he said, "Let's get some coffee, then come and sit with me a minute. I'll let you know what's going on.

They got a cup of coffee, then sat at his desk. He told her all he knew about the problem, what had been discussed and what was tentatively planned.

She shook her head, "That's unbelievable Lucas, but makes more sense then other things I've heard."

He nodded in agreement. "I agree, so, like I said, once I know more, I'll let you in on it or you'll be with me when they tell us."

Then he smiled, "Now, for some better news. My professor, Doctor Haruki Nakamura will be here this afternoon, he's coming with the Colonel. He's helping with the plan as he's Yamato's rep. Also, which is slightly more exciting, he's bringing some upgrades that we'll be installing on Evelyn. They've finally come up with a way for cyborgs to be able to taste again and I want you here with us when we do the procedure so you can learn some more."

Ellie's eyes went wide, "You're kidding, really? Wow, I read where they were working on it, but I didn't know they were that close."

Lucas nodded, "Yeah, neither did I. They've done it on a couple of people on earth, but he wanted to try it with Evelyn because she's really good at knowing what's right and wrong, so she'll give them good feedback. And I'll keep track of it for him, as well as helping him with the upgrade."

He looked at the clock, "Well, I need to go see the LT, keep an eye on things Ellie. I'll be back."

She nodded and started taking care of things she had to do. Lucas grabbed his coffee, and headed to the main office. He nodded to various people along the way, then headed into the office saying hi to people he knew there. He rapped on the door jamb, and Cassidy looked up and smiled waving him in. Lucas walked in and closed the door and Cassidy's eye brows went up as he asked, "Problems Lucas?"

He shook his head, "Ah, no, I just figured it wouldn't be right for them to see a captain asking a lieutenant about what to do, when he has no freakin idea what he's doing."

Cassidy started to laugh, "See, you just made your first command decision as an officer. And you did it well."

Lucas nodded, "I suppose so, but between you and me, you have to admit it's slightly insane to have a captain working and reporting to a lieutenant."

Cassidy grinned, "I suppose it does, and I don't mean to laugh. I know this got shoved on you kind of quickly, but we'll help you. It's not your fault, just take my advice and keep doing what you did before. Your job really isn't changing, you were in charge before and you still are."

Lucas nodded, "That's sort of what I told the crew this morning. But what about all the other things that go along with it?"

Cassidy looked at him as he figured out what he was really asking about. He lifted a finger up, and turned his chair around to look in the bookcase behind his desk. Finding what he was looking for, he pulled a worn looking book out and tossed it to him. Lucas caught it and read the title. It read; "Division Officer's Guide, | U.S. Naval Institute".

Space Force was made up from all branches of the military. Any personnel that were slated as ground troops, were made up of men and women that enlisted for that, along with active Army and Marine troops that volunteered for it. The pilots were mainly Air force and Navy/ Marine aviators. The Cybernetic people were mainly people from outside that enlisted, with some other members that showed aptitude who were already in the military. Besides the pilots, the Cybernetic people were also required to be trained extensively, going to school anywhere from 9-18 months or slightly more depending on what they were trained to do. For example, Lucas's entire training took close to two years since he specialized in Cyborgs. And typical pilot training was 18 months, unless they came from a space craft pilot background, such as Evelyn.

Cassidy had come from the Navy originally. He had run a shore side repair shop before he transferred to Space Force when the human race found out about everything and they requested volunteers.