Warrior One - Fleet Action Pt. 07

"I do... but... "

"And is that little voice in your head still yelling as loudly as it used to, to get out?"

Gillian cocked her head once more. It had been a while since it had made an appearance.

"No, not lately. But... "

"And you enjoy having all us girls and one guy, under you?"

"I do."

"And when the Admiral puts Marines under you, you like it?"

"I do."

"Born leader. The first time I tried to meet you, you remember? You almost ran away, but you were trapped and looked like a trapped animal so much, I backed away as fast as I could. You nodded at me and took off down the passageway."

"I remember. I was so grateful to you for not pressing me. I did apologize later."

"You did. I bet that took a lot of courage. Remember, I'm from the NAD too. There were plenty of us in the class. It looked like they put every volunteer from the NAD in that class."

"It seemed so." Michelle leaned in and brushed her lips across Gillian's. "Don't, please. Not now. Maybe later."

"Okay, sweetie. I'm here if you need me. We all were, are, whether you knew it or not."

"I knew you were. I didn't about the others."

"They hated me, but they cared about you."

"Go, go get some sleep. That's an order."

"I will. I will. Good night sweetie."

"Good night Michy."

Michelle smiled and left Gillian standing in the corridor.

Chapter 161

Gillian sat in the middle of the open space in the lotus position, her combat gear laid out in front of her. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow. Her black leather singlet clung to her figure. She sat humming softly to herself. Thesses came and sat across from her without making a sound. Then assumed the same position, closed her eyes and hummed softly. Gillian's eyes flew open, took one look at Thesses and closed again.

A short while later Anna Duff joined the two. Then Becky Miller took the fourth compass point and added her soft hum to the group. For the next hour more and more people, mostly women joined the four on the floor, sitting absolutely still, humming softly. Men started to come out of the cabins down the hallways. Gillian could hear the Marines telling them to be quiet and move back. More and more women joined the circle. Some men joined. Others started to ridicule, but the Marines put an end to it quickly.

Thesses' voice startled everyone. "If you can't join in or just stand quietly and enjoy, go back to your rooms or just shut the hell up!"

There quickly followed quiet. A quiet so profound that everyone now heard the thrum of the engines as the Progenitor flew through hyperspace. Gillian began her hum again. It took on the exact rhythm of the engines. The rest in the circle followed. Gillian dropped her head and peek at her timepiece on her wrist. A half hour to go. She also saw Cass Pól sitting not all that far from her. She smiled as she continued to hum, closed her eyes and raised her head. Their journey was coming to an end and those who left long ago would be returned home.

Thirty minutes later the hyperdrive engines shut down. Gillian stopped humming. Everyone stopped humming. The spell was broken. Gillian opened her eyes to see Thesses staring at her, with a smile on her lips.

"Toward the end, I was actually one with the engines," Thesses said in awe. "Do you do that often?"

"First time. It seemed proper bringing you all home. One more small jump and we will make orbit for Earth."

"Can we see Earth from where we are?"

"No. Staff Sergeant, make sure no one leaves, we have one more jump."

"Yes, Ma'am," Glen shouted from across the room. She heard other Marines answer her too.

"Candle how long 'til the next jump," Gillian asked in her shoulder mic.

"Ah, Miss Gillian. Warrior and Tór are gathering data as we speak. Half an hour at the outside. I will alert you before I do jump."

"Thank you, Candle."

"Half an hour at the longest, Staff Sergeant," Gillian yelled even though the Marines had heard the exchange on their radios.

"Yes, Ma'am," Glen shouted back.

Gillian smiled as his voice echoed about the room. She sat where she was, still in the lotus position. Wrists on her knees, shoulders relaxed, back straight. She was comfortable. She watched as Thesses tried to emulate her.

"You have no trouble sitting like this for long periods of time?" Thesses asked.

"At first, yes. But after a while you just relax into a position that is easy to maintain."

"Ugh," Thesses grunted.

"It's only another twenty minutes or so... "

"Candle to Commander Saraid, we jump in ten seconds."

"Thank you, Candle. Ten seconds to jump," Gillian shouted.

"How long will this jump last?" Thesses asked.

"Seconds. Five seconds to jump."

"Good."

"Jumping," Candle said.

"Jumping," Gillian shouted.

The jump lasted less than a second.

"Securing from jump," Candle said. "Orbit in twenty minutes."

"Secure from jump," Gillian shouted. "Thesses, everyone can move around if they wish. You can look out a port... hold on a second. Candle, which side of the ship will Earth be?" Gillian asked.

"It is currently on the starboard side, but will be on the port side when we achieve orbit, Miss Gillian."

"Thank you. It will be on the left side of the ship when you are facing the bridge."

"Thank you," Thesses said.

She tried to unwind her legs to no avail. Eliot was there to help her. He pulled her up so her feet could untangle. She giggled as she was able to touch the floor. Gillian just pushed up and was standing, with her ankles crossed. She then knelt and started to put her combat gear back on.

"You won't need that back on Earth will you?" Thesses asked.

"Need, no. It is part of the uniform though." Gillian winked at Thesses.

"Will you be leaving us now?"

"No, I'm assigned to you until you are settled Earthside. Ten days. After that, there will be some NAD people assigned to help you with things. I will ensure they are the right people and not just political appointees."

"So, things haven't changed that much... "

"Yes they have, I...I just know some things will never change without a little prodding. I will prod to get you the best," Gillian said interrupting.

"Well, I thank you in advance for that. What about the rest of your squadron, did I get that correct?"

"You did. They remain with me. We, along with the Marines, will be your protectors until you can mount your own defense."

"You think that will only take ten days?" Thesses asked.

"By the end of ten days, there will be at least a division of NAD troops to provide you protection until every one of your people is out of cold sleep and has had time to adjust. They will provide that protection for six months. No longer. And they will expect you to pay for that protection."

"How will we pay?" Thesses almost screamed.

"You have a treasure that surrounds you. Everything on this ship is yours. The only thing you can't use to pay for goods and services is the fighters or those two freighters. Those you will have to keep to either use or scrap. The shuttles are worth a fortune. Three shuttles will pay for what they provide. They will try to tell you, you owe more, but three shuttles are worth more than they will ask in cash or gold. And you have gold. Lots of gold."

"Will you negotiate for us? You know the worth of things, we don't."

"I will. They will try to disqualify me, but they can't."

"Thank you. We will owe you. I don't know how I will repay you."

"When I get leave, would it be okay to come visit you."

"Of course we will be happy to have you I'm sure. But I don't know if I will still be in charge... "

"That won't matter. I will be coming to visit you."

"Ah, I see, yes, I see. Of course, you will be welcome in my home. Wherever that may be."

"That's all I ask. Now let's go find a place to watch Earth," Gillian suggested.

Thesses nodded, took her arm and push her toward a corridor. Eliot followed at a respectful distance.

Chapter 162

They were in a large cabin on the port side of the ship as it swung around to finalize its orbit. Thesses and Eliot both oo'd and ah'd when the Earth came into view. Gillian had goosebumps as she watched through the eyes of her new friends. Michelle even groaned as the night side of Earth shone brightly. The NAD was almost completely dark, while Brazil was lit up like a Christmas tree. Cuba was the only exception in the NAD. It was lit up like Brazil.

"Where is the NAD?" Thesses asked.

"That large mostly dark mass of land straight down, that's the NAD."

"Why so dark? No money?"

"That's the lifestyle. My cabin had a light just outside the door that only lit up if the motion detector detected something. The inside was brightly lit. There are very few cities in the NAD. Those pinpoints of light are them."

"Ah, I see Cuba is all lit up... "

"Cuba is an exception. It is a vacation spot for the whole world. It and Brazil are the hot spots this season," Gillian told her.

"Oh, my. They won't bother us on our little island, will they?"

"No. The rule is to leave you alone unless you ask for help or say you're open for business."

"Business?"

"I'll explain tomorrow." Gillian was looking at Michelle. "What are you doing Lieutenant?"

"I thought I saw lights on the island, so I borrowed one of the Marines helmets. There are lights down there. Someone is doing something on the island."

"Let me see... "

"You can only see there are lights there with the helmet." Michelle was handing it back to the Marine she had borrowed it from.

"Shit," Gillian swore. "Let's get to the bridge," she added heading for the door.

On the way, she told Bridget she was in charge and informed Staff Sergeant Glen of the situation. They were down the corridor and waiting for the elevator within minutes. The doors opened and the car was full of Marines and Admiral Nichols.

"Sir? What are you doing here?" Gillian asked almost running into him.

"Where are you going?" he asked back.

"To the bridge. I need to get up there... "

"Great. Marines, out," Ezra yelled. The Marines hurried out of the car.

Thesses and Gillian piled in. Thesses held her hand up, indicating that Eliot should wait here with the Marines. He nodded, knowing she would be safe with Gillian and Ezra.

"Why the bridge?" Ezra asked.

"There is something going on down on the island, Sir."

"And the bridge will give you the use of the telescopes."

"Yes, Sir."

The doors opened on the bridge level. Two Marines stood with rifles at the ready, until they saw who was in the car. Then snapped to attention.

"At ease, men," Ezra told them as he and the two women swept by them on the way to the bridge.

"Sir," Candle said, a little surprise in his voice, as Ezra, Gillian, and Thesses entered the bridge.

"Candle. We need the telescopes pointing at the island."

"Sir?"

"The island the Progens will be going to... Isla de la Juventud."

"Yes, sir," Candle replied as he typed into the console in front of him.

As the screens above his station lit up, you could just make out the dim shadow of the island.

"The Airport. The light at the Airport, Candle," Gillian said.

"Yes, Miss Gillian."

The screen shifted and zoomed in. There were lights. Big lights and little lights. The little lights were moving around. The big lights were shining on a single area on the tarmac.

"What the hell are they doing?" Ezra muttered.

"Getting the place ready for visitors?" Gillian ventured.

"Maybe we should go down and see," Ezra said.

The Marines that had come with Ezra slowly entered the bridge.

"Good, you're here," Ezra said. "You, you and you, with us. We'll take your ship Saraid. Thesses I must ask you to remain aboard the Progenitor."

"Of course Admiral."

"Ezra."

"Ezra."

"Ready to go Saraid?" Ezra said heading for the door. Gillian and the Marines he chose hurried to catch up.

They were in the shuttle bay rushing to Caster within five minutes of leaving the bridge.

"Will we all fit in there," one of the marines asked.

"Yes, we'll all fit," Ezra told him as the ramp lowered for them.

"Cass, we're going dirtside."

"Yes, Ma'am."

The ship started to move before the ramp was closed and the Marines settled into the cabin.

"Who's flying the ship?" one Marine asked as he sat down hard on the deck.

"Never mind that. Give me your sidearm and rig," Ezra told him.

"Yes, sir."

Caster was now out the lock and headed down to Earth.

Chapter 163

The ride down was rough but within safety margins.

"Well, that'll get the old heart pumping," Ezra said as Caster swooped in for a ditto landing at the edge of the tarmac, close to the lights. "Arms on safe, don't fire unless fired upon."

"Aye, aye, sir," the Marines answered.

"Let's go," Ezra said leading the way down the ramp onto the dark tarmac.

"Cass, lights. Light up everything but us."

Lights snapped on, lighting up the tarmac in all directions. The dark shadows that had been creeping toward Caster were now lit up to show N.A.D. Soldiers. Ezra took the lead stepping out into the light. His uniform displayed his rank and his affiliation. The NAD Soldiers stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of an FOP Fleet Admiral. They didn't snap to attention, but they didn't shoot him.

"If you would get your commander, I need to speak with him," Ezra said softly.

"She, sir. I'll go get her," a Master Sergeant said, turned and left.

"Thank you, soldier."

"Cass bring the brightness down a little."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Two people were walking toward them along with the soldier that went for them. A man and a woman. The woman was in combat gear. The man in a suit. Civilian, went through Gillian's mind.

"Politician," Ezra croaked. Gillian just nodded.

"Who are you?" the civilian shouted as he came up to them.

Ezra signaled Gillian to step forward. She was an imposing figure in her black singlet with full combat gear. The shiny black of her rifle drew everyone's attention. The rifle was well known, it could be set to stun or to take out a one hundred fifty ton tank.

"Federation Navy, Rear Admiral Ezra Nichols, Admiral Fleet One, at your service," Ezra said.

The soldier, a Captain, gasped at his introduction. The civilian just grunted as if it didn't mean a thing to him.

"I am... "

"You first Captain," Ezra said cutting off the civilian.

"Captain Eileen Jefferies, 101 Armored Division... "

"Shut up Captain... "

"You shut up sir," Ezra stepped up to him, stopping before knocking him over. He shut up but was on the verge of saying something else until Ezra unsnapped his holster. Ezra stepped back. "Please continue Captain."

"... on assignment to protect Assistant to the Assistant Director of the Interior on a survey of the planned meeting site of the Progenitor crew and the Assistant to the Assistant... "

"That's enough Captain, thank you. You," Ezra said, turning back to the civilian, "must be the Assistant she is talking about."

"I am Assistant to... "

"Just tell us your name," Ezra said exasperatedly.

" Buchanan Carlyle... "

"Bucky Carlyle? Is that really you," Gillian asked giggling the whole time.

"Buchanan... "

"Bucky, it's me, Gillian," Gillian said flipping up her visor.

"Buchanan... "

"Bucky!" Gillian said laughing. She could see the Captain smiling along with the other soldiers with her. "Bucky, they put a fuck up like you in charge of this shindig? You better call your boss to have him get the Prime Minister on the horn or tomorrow never happens! You got that Bucky?" Gillian was pissed now.

"You can't talk to like that," Bucky shouted, his voice rising up the scale until it was nothing but a squeak.

"She can if I say she can and she can," Ezra said stepping up to Bucky once more.

"Captain! Do your duty, arrest these... "

Suddenly, the entire airfield was lit up. Lights so bright as to turn the night into day. Behind, Caster, hovering silently was Warrior One.

"You're the diplomat, so be diplomatic," Captain Jefferies told Bucky.

"Uh," grunted Bucky.

"Sir, I have the Prime Minister on the line," Candles voice whispered in Gillian's ear from her radio.

"Put him on Candle."

"Prime Minister, Admiral Nichols... "

"Ezra!"

"James."

"Listen, I'm sorry for Bucky, but I needed someone to be there to clean up the place where we will meet tomorrow and he was the only one available. He'll be gone tomorrow."

"Will you be here?" Ezra asked.

"Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good. Good. We were just wondering what was going on. I'll leave some of my Marines here to make sure nothing gets misplaced."

"Sure, Ezra, whatever you think is best. I'll see you tomorrow at eleven."

"We'll be here. Oh, Gillian says hi."

"Tell her hi for me Ezra."

The radio went dead.

"Candle have Major Owens report to me here with two squads of Marines, soonest."

"Yes, Sir."

"Captain, does this person really need to be here for what you will be doing?"

"No, sir."

"Does he have his own transport or did he come with you?" Ezra asked.

"He has his own transport."

"Good. Bucky, leave this island and never come back here. Ever."

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"By order of the Federation of Planets, you are hereby ordered to depart Isla de la Juventud and never return, said island being the property of the Federation until such time as it is turned over to the citizens now residing on the deep range space ship Progenitor. After they take possession of said island you may petition to return if you wish."

"You can't... "

"Mister Carlyle, I must inform you that you are in violation of an FOP order. If you do not leave, I will be forced to arrest you," Captain Jefferies told him stoned-faced.

Bucky growled but headed for his transport. A few minutes later it was streaking for the mainland.

"That won't get you in trouble will it Captain?" Ezra asked.

"No, sir. But I will tell you something that could... the Prime Minister wasn't going to be here tomorrow. He felt it was beneath his station."

"No one will hear it from my lips," Ezra said. "Nor anyone else's lips," he growled looking at every soldier with them. They all nodded in response.

Two shuttles landed just behind Caster. Running footsteps approached.

"Major," Ezra said, just as the Major skidded to a halt next to Gillian.

"Sir."

"This is Captain Eileen Jefferies, Eileen, Major Lafferty Owens my Marine Commander. Laff, you are to see that nothing bothers these troops while they perform their duties."

"Yes, sir. Uh, sir, tomorrow... "

"I'll have... "

"Dirkson, sir."

I'll have Dirkson relieve you in an hour. That should give you enough time to get things coordinated down here, shouldn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Gillian you can go back to Progenitor, I'll take the Marines with me to Warrior."

"Were you finished... "

"It can wait until tomorrow. See you and your group at nine hundred hours."

"Yes, sir. See you then." Gillian turned and headed back to Caster.

Chapter 164

Cass woke Gillian up at five hundred hours, an hour before she usually gets up. It seemed the Admiral was knocking at her door.

"Let him in, please," Gillian told Cass.

"Hello, hello, oh... I'm sorry, you're not up yet... "

"I am now Ezra, what is it?"

"I wanted to go over... it can wait. You wake up, shower, eat, get dressed and I'll be back in an... "

"Hour."

"An hour. Sorry. But today is an important day for our charges."

"Yes it is, sir."

"Yes, it is. Be back in an hour," he said backing out the hatch and closing it behind him.

"Should I wake the rest?" Cass asked.

"No. I know what he wants and I can handle it just fine. He wants... "

"To really impress the groundhogs."

"He does," Gillian replied chuckling as she got out of bed and headed for the 'fresher.