Warrior One - Fleet Action Pt. 07

Breakfast was ready when she came out. She was in just her undergarments when she sat down to devour her breakfast. When she was finished she placed her dishes in the sink and turned to her wardrobe.

"Any word on what we are to wear?" Gillian asked Cass.

"Probably what he wants to talk about."

"Probably. Oh well, a singlet will do for now."

Gillian pulled on her singlet, just finishing closing it up when there was a knock at the door.

"I have twenty minutes yet!" Gillian growled.

"It's Bridget... "

"Let her in."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"Get enough sleep?" Bridget asked as she entered.

"Just barely. The Admiral woke me up forty minutes ago."

"Yeah, Finder told me. Listen we're all wondering as to dress?"

"Me too. Probably one of the things we will be discussing when he gets back. Why don't you round up the rest of the group and go over to that first transport ship? See what you can make of the controls... "

"I can fly it, if that's what you want," Cass said.

"What?" both Gillian and Bridget said.

"I've been sitting here for a month, staring at that ship and took a look inside. Controls are standard controls and there is a radio hookup so it can be flown remotely if needed. Everything is shipshape and the tanks are full."

"Hello inside," Ezra called out.

"Come in," Gillian shouted. "Hold on a minute Bridget," Gillian told her as she turned to leave.

"Oh, good morning Lieutenant Carlin," Ezra said a little surprised by her presence.

"Good morning, sir." Bridget snapped to attention and saluted.

"At ease Bridget," Ezra said.

"Yes, sir."

"Are you ready to discuss... "

"We are. Here or... "

"Out on the deck," Ezra said looking around the cabins smallness.

"Sure, go ahead."

Out on the deck under Caster, Ezra looked around for someplace to... lean, sit, anything.

"Cass, any chairs close by."

"A meter to your left, blue foot pedal."

"Thank you, dear."

Gillian moved to where the blue foot pedal was and pressed down hard. Six chairs rose out of the deck, along with three side tables, one between each pair of chairs. They were clean and looked brand new.

"Nice," Ezra said as he sat in one of the chairs. "Sit, ladies, please."

The women sat, Gillian sat across from Ezra, while Bridget took the chair next to his. Ezra cleared his throat.

"Now, let's talk about uniforms," Ezra started.

"My squadron will be dressed in combat utilities with full combat gear," Gillian answered him.

"Now, wouldn't dress whites be in order?"

"For you and maybe Major Owens and any other FOP dignitary, but for the Marines and my squadron, combat dress will be in order. The NAD won't expect it and will be impressed enough to except a lot of our conditions."

"Are you sure Gillian?" Ezra asked.

"Yes. I know Jimmy. We went... it doesn't matter. He knows I'll kick him in the nuts if he doesn't give in on those conditions."

"You do and you'll start an international incident," Ezra growled.

"Don't worry I won't, but if I have to, it will be somewhere private and he'll never be able to prove it. It's been a long time, but I'm pretty sure he still wants something from me."

Ezra cleared his throat while shaking his head.

"I better not hear anything about it," Ezra said.

"You won't, sir."

"How do we get the Progen's down?" Ezra asked.

"I suggest they use one of those transports... "

"Are they operational?"

"They are sir. Caster has scanned the ships and I took the liberty of commandeering a couple of engineers to look it over."

"Who's going to fly it?" Ezra asked.

"Caster will. She will be parked in the cargo hold and linked to the ship via remote access. She will fly it. I will be on the bridge. And if I can borrow Candle... "

"Of course. That just might set the stage. The Progens coming down in their own ship. Kind of show the NAD they could go elsewhere if they chose. What about me and the rest of our contingent?"

"I say you come down in Warrior and have it hover just behind and above the Progen ship. You then come from one of the visible shuttle bays on two shuttles and park them on either side of the transport."

"You do know they will be screaming bloody murder for us to ground elsewhere?"

"I do. I also suggest both ships be escorted by... uh... let's see... two fighter squadrons. One that lands just behind your shuttles and one that stays airborne, making the occasional high speed pass over the airfield," Gillian replied.

"You know there will be NAD fighters overhead? And what about your squadron?"

"So what? The FOP can deploy anywhere on the planet without the approval of the hosting nation. And my squadron will deploy off to the side."

"True. But we try not to antagonize... "

"The NAD needs a little antagonizing. They have gotten a little big for their britches."

"You are a citizen... "

"As are you, but we are now, for as long as our enlistment lasts, FOP," Gillian said.

"Yes, and whatever we negotiate for the Progens will be good for them and the FOP, not the NAD."

"That's the way I see it."

The three, even though Bridget didn't contribute all that much, talked for another half hour, when Thesses and her people showed up. Ezra greeted her then made his excuses that he had to be elsewhere. Gillian went over the plan with Thesses who approved it wholeheartedly. Her group was ready to go, so Gillian had Bridget show them to their ship. Gillian went inside Caster to change. It was close to show time.

Chapter 165

Gillian sat in the captain's chair of the transport vessel. The radio was squawking loudly telling her where to go and how to get there. She ignored the radio. Caster was flying the ship. And Lieutenant Carol Ryan was doing an excellent job of telling the NAD controllers where they could put their orders. Ryan was the fighter squadron leader escorting the transport down to Earth.

"I don't care who you think you are, this is a FOP deployment and we don't take orders from an NAD hack."

Her language was harsh but did the trick. The air controller shut up and the rest of the flight dirt-side went smoothly. The transport slowly lowered its tremendous weight onto its landing jacks in front of the small canopy set up to protect people from the hot sun. Smiling, Gillian, cranked up her armors air conditioner another notch. She would be cool during the negotiations. Her opponents, she didn't know about them and when it came down to it, didn't care. The ship lurched as the jacks took the total weight of the ship for the first time in a long, long, long time.

"Lock it down Cass. Do you want to leave the ship?"

"No, I'll wait here, just in case," her ship replied.

"Good. Thesses, get your group ready by the front hatch please," Gillian told them as she left the bridge.

Gillian could hear the fighters as they made their high speed passes. She could feel the vibration of Warrior's hover field as it slid into place over them and just behind them.

"Candle are you coming?" Gillian asked.

"No, I'll stay here, also, Miss Gillian."

"Very well."

Gillian met Thesses and her group of sixty adults at the hatch. The children were on Progenitor being cared for by a platoon of Marines. Out of the hatch port, Gillian watched the shuttles from Warrior land. Then the one squadron of fighters landed.

"They have grounded," Cass whispered in Gillian's ear.

"Thank you, dear. Thesses, you and Eliot first... I know, but trust me. Do you have your earplugs in... good."

The hatch opened and Thesses and Eliot stepped out and down the stairs. When her foot hit the tarmac, the loudspeakers on the ship started to broadcast.

"Her Highness Thesses King, Princess of Progenitor and the heavenly realms and her husband Eliot King."

Cass and Gillian had gone over what was to be said the night before. If the NAD excepted the title, they would have a lot of leverage in the negotiations. Gillian was next down the stairs. When her foot hit the tarmac the speakers roared again.

"Lieutenant Commander Gillian Saraid, Squadron Commander of Scout Squadron One, of Fleet One of the Federation of Planets Naval Operations Command."

No, that's exactly how it read in the FOP rolls. Of course, all personnel were out of the FOP Naval Operations Command. But the NAD people didn't know that. Besides, it sounded more impressive this way. Gillian watched as the Admiral stepped down on the Tarmac.

"Rear Admiral Ezra Nichols, Admiral Fleet One, Captain of Warrior One of the Federation of Planets Naval Operations Command."

Gillian almost broke up in laughter as she watched his face from behind the viewport of her helmet. She switched her gaze to Thesses who was in front of Gillian heading for the canopy and the tables set up inside. Gillian quickened her step to catch up and make sure Thesses didn't enter the space. Thesses and Eliot stopped just outside the canopy and waited. Gillian stood just to their rear and to the right of the pair. She watched the Prime Minister through slit eyes. He sat looking at Thesses, waiting, rubbing his ears. Gillian smiled.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spied her squadron walking over. They lined up behind Gillian. Admiral Nichols now stood beside Thesses, waiting. Major Owens stood just behind Ezra. The Marines poured out of the transport and started to spread out around the enclosure, facing out. Another shuttle landed and two squads deployed to parts unknown, disappearing into the jungle that had all but reclaimed the island.

Jimmy finally stood and walked over to where the Admiral was standing. He spoke softly to Ezra. Ezra shook his head and pointed to Thesses. Jimmy scowled and shook his head. Ezra shrugged his shoulders. Jimmy walked over to Gillian.

"Gillian, what's going on?"

"Mister Prime Minister... "

"Gillian... "

"The people you came to see are here, waiting to be invited in by the leader of the North American Directorate."

"Princess? I can't... "

"Then we will have to go elsewhere... "

"No! I can't let that happen."

"How will you stop it? Force? With eight warships of the FOP present?"

Jimmy stood there staring into Gillian's visor, seeing himself, as he mulled over what she had just told him. He was fuming, but he was a level headed sort and would soon come to the conclusion he was beaten. But he might need a little push.

"I have," Gillian said, pulling envelopes from her thigh pocket, "three letters offering land and other concessions to the Progens to settle in their territories."

"Fine. Have it your way," Jimmy growled stepping over in front of Thesses. "Princess, if I may escort you, with your permission sir, to the table so we can begin our talks?"

"Of course Prime Minister," Thesses replied taking his offered arm.

Gillian smiled as he stepped off toward the tables. She gave way to the Admiral Nichols but sat at Thesses' left hand. As Jimmy sat across from her, she smiled at him and removed her helmet, setting it on the table facing Jimmy. Now Cass had a perfect view of him. Jimmy looked at Thesses, then at Gillian, his shoulders sagged.

"Who will I be negotiating with?" he asked.

"Gillian will speak for us." Jimmy's shoulders sagged even more. He knew he was beaten.

Negotiations went quickly after that. Jimmy gave in on everything until it came time to negotiate for payment of the security forces.

"How much?" Gillian asked surprised by the number he had uttered.

"You heard me, 100,000 NAD or two pounds of gold."

"They will give you two of the Progenitor shuttlecraft," Gillian countered.

"I will need to see them," Jimmy said.

"Of course. Cass, bring down two shuttlecraft, please," Gillian told her ship.

"On the way. Five minutes ETA," Cass replied.

"They'll be here in five minutes, Jimmy."

"Will you have that drink now, Gillian?"

"I don't drink anymore, Jimmy."

"Those gold oak leaves going to your head?" Jimmy chided her.

"No, I quit the day I joined up. I couldn't do my job if I drank. I like my job. I want to do my job the best I can."

"Good. You know I'm proud of you.?"

"It's nice to hear it," Gillian said softly.

Jimmy smiled at her, then raised his hand. A staff member was at his side with a glass. Jimmy took it and drank deeply. Thesses and Eliot were over by the table with all kinds of food with the rest of their people. They all were sampling each item. Thesses and Eliot had both retired there early in the negotiations, knowing Gillian would do her best for them. The roar of fighters passing overhead heralded the arrival of the shuttlecraft.

Chapter 166

"Jimmy, they're here," Gillian yelled getting up and heading for where the shuttles would be landing.

They came in on a smooth approach, cutting in the belly thrusters at almost the last minute and settling to the ground in a roar. The doors opened and more Marines disembarked. 'Marine pilots,' Gillian thought as she continued to the shuttles. The two pilots came to her, saluted and stood at attention.

"At ease, how did they perform?" she asked.

"They were lively," one of the pilots offered. The other nodded.

"Good. Any warning lights?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Okay, thank you," Gillian said, turned just as Jimmy walked up behind her.

"Did you get the skinny on the craft?" he asked.

"I did. You want to go for a ride."

"Sure, why not," Jimmy responded.

"Let's go. Which one?" Gillian asked.

"This farthest one," Jimmy said.

Gillian nodded her head, turned and led the way to the ship. Jimmy followed her. Once inside with the hatch secured, Gillian sat in the pilot's chair, while Jimmy took the co-pilots. Once they were belted in, Gillian started the main engines, pushed the throttle forward, turned the wheel to the left. The shuttle slowly made the turn.

Once the ship was lined up with the runway, Gillian pushed the throttle to full mil-spec. The shuttle leaped into the air. For the next half hour, she took the ship through a series of maneuvers that had her head spinning. She caught the color of Jimmy's face out of the corner of her eye. He was green. Laughing she eased off to level flight. The fluid in her inner ear settled down and Jimmy's color returned to his face.

"How old are these things?" Jimmy asked.

"Two hundred years. These are more collector items than daily use shuttles."

"But they do... perform."

"That they do," Gillian said chuckling.

She headed back to the airfield. The shuttles did perform, even better than a new one. She landed gently alongside the transport ship.

"I would really rather have one of those," Jim said pointing at the transport.

"You can't and you know why," Gillian told him.

Jimmy just groaned as he unstrapped and climbed out of his seat. Gillian followed.

"Well, do we have a deal?" Gillian asked.

"Yes, we do. The Island is theirs and we will start providing security ten days from now."

"Good. Let's go over and you and Thesses can shake on it, we'll get the papers drawn up and send them to you for your signature."

"Of course," Jimmy said sullenly. "I sure wish you would have joined me when I was elected. It would have been so nice to have my daughter standing by my side all these years."

"You know that would never have happened, even if I didn't join the Fleet."

"Yes, you are as stubborn as your mother is, she won't join me either."

"She does visit."

"Yes, she does. I wish you would visit once in a while."

"Maybe I will. Although from what I hear, the Admiral has me busy for the next couple of years."

"Yes, I'm sure he does. And congratulations on your promotion. I should have said something when I first saw the gold on your collar."

"No need, I could tell by the glint in your eyes that you were proud of me. But thank you."

"Will you have time to stop by your mothers?" Jimmy asked.

"I don't know. I may take Thesses for a tour of the planet so she can see what I told her is true."

"I see."

"They also have over two thousand people in cold sleep."

"I know. We will be providing medical help and counselors, at no charge, to bring them back and get them acclimated."

"Well, thank you."

"Gillian, we, the NAD, are proud to have them return and live in the Directorate."

"I know. I am too."

"Good."

They had made it to the food table. Jimmy shook Thesses' hand on the deal. And that was that, except for the signing of the paperwork. Jimmy's word was good enough for Gillian, so it was good enough for Thesses.

"News helicopters approaching," Cass whispered in Gillian's ear.

"News copters?" Gillian scolded Jimmy. "Now?"

"Someone jumped the gun. They weren't supposed to be here until I talked to you about them. Shit. Harold!" Jimmy shouted the last turning to find his aid.

"Staff Sergeant Glen, don't let anyone off those choppers until I say so," Gillian said into her mic on her shoulder.

"Roger, Ma'am," came Glen's reply.

Gillian could see Jimmy berating his aid. She looked around and found Thesses standing just behind her.

"What's the matter, dear?" Thesses asked concern in her voice.

"What's going on here?" Admiral Nichols asked coming up behind Gillian.

"Reporters," Gillian spit the word out like it was dirt that had somehow had gotten in her mouth.

"I'll handle them," Ezra said.

Gillian felt relieved.

"Should I go with him?" Thesses asked.

Gillian shrugged. Then thought better and nodded. She took Thesses' hand the two of them hurried to catch up to the Admiral. Jimmy joined them.

"Glen, let them out," Gillian told him over the radio.

And so it went the Admiral handled the reporters, along with Jimmy and Gillian. Thesses was astounding with the way she handled them. She was an excellent politician when she needed to be. After an hour, the Admiral cut the interview short. The Reporters were herded into their helicopters and off they flew.

Chapter 167

"Well Jimmy that was really nice of you," Ezra said to the Prime Minister of the NAD.

"Yes, it was, wasn't it," Jimmy replied puffing up his chest in mock pride.

"Dad, knock it off," Gillian said to Jimmy, her father.

"He's your father?" Thesses asked as they walked back to the tented area.

"I didn't tell you? I thought I told you. I'm sorry. Yes, he's my dad," Gillian replied smiling at revealing to Thesses the family connection.

"And he took all the guff from you?" Thesses asked an incredulous look on her face.

"Of course he did, I was the FOP negotiator and he was the NAD negotiator. We were adversaries, we did what we thought best for who we were negotiating. I was trying to get you the best possible deal I could, no matter who was across the table from me," Gillian told her.

"That's the truth and she did a good job for you. I'm proud of her for being so stubborn. She is an excellent negotiator. I trained her well," Jimmy said smiling at Gillian.

"Oh, I'm going to like living here. Is the rest of the world like this?" Thesses asked.

"No. The rest would rob you blind. But then they all hire NAD negotiators to dicker for what they want," Gillian told her.

"Then I am going to like living here." Thesses smiled at both Jimmy and Gillian.

Ezra cleared his throat. "You thinking about getting into the negotiation game, Thesses? he asked.

"You bet. There is nothing that gets my blood pumping than a good dicker."

Everyone laughed.

The NAD people were cleaning up the tent, tables, and chairs. The Marines came in close but were ever vigilant. They would be staying the night, as would Gillian and her squadron. Gillian would make the trip to Progenitor and then back down to Earth. Tomorrow she would do exactly the same. Cass would fly one of the transports down, while Chaser flew the other, loaded with all the Progen's things and livestock.

Later in the afternoon, Three massive NAD transports landed at the airfield. Men and machines began to unload the modules of the six huge Quonset huts they would be erected during the night. By the time Gillian was sure everything would be okay in her absence, three of the huts had already been set up. The transport was loaded and Cass was just waiting for Gillian's word.