Fleet: Forgotten Worlds, #5

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Chapter 1

Salvage

Allissandra Morgenstern sighed as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror of her small quarters.  She wasn’t old, but not so young anymore either.  "Well, now what?  You’re single again, or should I say still, because it’s felt like that for a long while now.  So, today you finally got that promotion you’ve wanted for years, why aren’t you happy?

Oh, just shut up, Alli.  Go to sleep and wake up happy, start the new life tomorrow.  With another deep sigh, and self-admonition, she dimmed the light, softened the music, then climbed into the small bunk and closed her eyes.  Sleep was a long time coming, the tears weren’t.

* * * * *

The last starship, Reacher, began to slow down as she neared her destination.  Both Admiral Suvi-jean Sorenson and Reacher’s new captain, Captain Rhonda Moore, were on the bridge.  Jeannie smiled as she listened to the voices of the bridge crew.

We’ve dropped to sub-light speed, Captain.

Shields.

Shields are up, Captain.

All stop.

All stop, aye.  Ship has stopped, Captain.

Sensors, is there any sign of life anywhere in this system?

None so far, Captain.

Anita, can you identify the remains of the Wrax ship? asked Admiral Suvi-jean Sorenson.

It’s in close orbit to the first planet in the Goldilocks Zone, Admiral.  No life signs on it, and no indication it has power.

I don’t trust those bastards, muttered Jeannie, as she reached for her comm unit.  Sorenson to Captain Singh.

Here, Admiral.

Ready your crew, you’re going back to the Wrax ship to see what’s what, I’ll bring Fighter One and ride shotgun for you.

Understood.

Sorenson to SUVI 9.

Here, Five.

Ready F1, we’re going out.

Understood.

Rhonda, hold your position until you hear from me.  I want to make doubly certain that damn ship is dead, and there are no nasty surprises waiting for us.

Understood, Admiral.  I’ll ask Anita to poke around with the sensors, see if there’s anything else interesting out there while you’re gone.

Suvi-jean smiled as she left the bridge, heading for the launch bay.  Rhonda turned back to the big forward screen and gazed at the sea of wreckage slowly orbiting that planet.  Commander Jones, warm up the forward cannon and target that Wrax ship, you know, just in case our people need to make a fast exit.

Aye, Captain, replied the second officer.  He motioned with his hand and the gunner flipped the switch to arm the weapon. 

A few moments later the man spoke.  Weapon is armed, target acquired, Commander.

Well done, gunner.  Maintain status until further orders.

Aye, Commander, maintaining status.

All set, Captain.

And now we wait, said Rhonda, as she locked her gaze on the forward screen.  They watched as the two small ships appeared on screen, streaking toward the derelict ship.  The two ships buzzed around it for a few minutes, then one disappeared inside.

* * * * *

The ship, Retriever, settled to the partially buckled deck of the Wrax warship.  Ship has landed, Captain Singh.

You’re up, Hal.  Go see if there’s anything interesting on this thing.

Aye, Captain.  Kumar, anything moving on sensors?

Not a thing, Commander.

Good to know.  Suit up, people.  We’ll move in two teams; Sessas, you’re with me, we’ll take point.  Billy, Rayla, you’re with Twenty, you guys watch our backs.  With that, he fastened down his helmet then led them into the airlock.

They were back in the cargo bay of the Wrax ship, but there were plenty of new damage signs, not there when they’d last entered that warship.  Retriever, there’s no atmosphere, so unlikely there’s anybody left alive over here.  Looks like maybe a dozen of their fighter ships left we could salvage.  On our way to check out the cryo room now.

Understood.  Be careful, Hal.

Roger that, came his reply.  A short while later he reported in again.  Retriever, cryo room empty, everything powered down, no life signs anywhere.  Moving on.

Understood. 

A long while later he checked in again.  Retriever, much of the ship is inaccessible due to damage, the bridge is still intact, but no signs of life and no power anywhere.  I’d say she’s clear for salvage.

Understood, Commander White, return to the ship.  Retriever calling F1.

Sorenson here, what’s the good word, Sheila?

No signs of life, and no atmosphere, Admiral, maybe a dozen small fighters intact and Hal says the bridge survived.  They believe she’s ready for salvage if you want.

I do want.  Sheila, have your people watch over the salvage crews, just in case.  I’ll go home and send Olga over.

Understood, Admiral.  Retriever out.  Captain Sheila Singh turned to her crew and smiled.  All right, crew, might as well relax, it’ll take her a while to get things organized.  We’ll catch a rest while we can.

* * * * *

On the admiral’s personal fighter ship, F1, Suvi-jean was smiling.  Six, take us home.

Homeward bound, Five. 

The Earalith ship, F1, moved swiftly away from the huge wreck and returned to Reacher to make a soft landing in the cargo bay.  They barely touched down when Jeannie threw open the hatch and headed for the bridge, already on the comms.  Sorenson to Captain Volkov.

Olga here, Jeannie.

Sheila says it’s ready to salvage.  I’ll ask Rhonda to send Moira over with you to have a look.

Recovery One ready for flight and standing by, Admiral.

Sorenson to Captain Moore.

Here, Admiral.

The wreck is ready to salvage.  I’d like Moira to have a look at it, see what we can learn from it that might be useful.  I’ve got Recovery One standing by if you’re okay with this.

I’ll send her on her way, Admiral, replied Captain Moore.  Bridge to Engineering.

Moira here, Rhonda.  What’s up?

Recovery One is standing by if you want to go over and have a look at the Wreck of the Wrax.

On my way, Captain, came the excited reply.

Moira, maybe take a few extra hands with you, you know, just in case you find anything useful.

Understood and appreciated, Captain.  Moira out.

The Wreck of the Wrax? grinned Jeannie, as she entered the bridge where Rhonda was watching the screen with Emmet and First Officer Brandon Hoffman.  Did I hear that right?

Sorry, Admiral, but it was too good to pass up, chuckled Rhonda.  Admiral, while you were gone I had a thought.

Oh?  Care to share?

We’re here on a salvage mission, correct?

Absolutely.

So, how about I temporarily assign Moira and some of the engineering department to you so they can oversee the main salvage operation, and you don’t have to route everything through me.  The main areas of Engineering could be designated to them as a salvage area under your direct command as well.

I like it, Rhonda.  Do it, and as soon as we’re done here, I’ll give them back.

Rhonda chuckled as she turned to Brandon.  First Officer, when the chief engineer returns, confer with her and get this set up for the admiral.

Aye, Captain.  With your permission I’ll head down to Engineering and scout out the situation.  She nodded, he grinned and winked at Jeannie as he walked off the bridge.

Rhonda smiled then spoke again.  Gunner, I believe we can stand down the weapon now.

Disengaging weapon, aye.  Weapon at rest, Captain.

Jeannie quirked an eyebrow at her.  Rhonda?

We had the Wrax ship targeted, just in case.  I admit I like a bit of excitement, but I’m a cautious woman nonetheless.

Jeannie smiled brightly at her.  I knew you were the right one for the job.  So, is there anything else moving out there?

Rhonda turned to the woman on sensors.  Anita?

Nothing moving under its own power, Captain.

Then we’re set to go, said Jeannie, reaching for her comm.  Sorenson to Captain Drake.

Amanda here.

You’re clear to go, Mandy.  See if you can find me something good.

Explorer Two is on the hunt, came her reply.  Jeannie smiled at the excitement in her lover’s voice.

Admiral, how long do you expect us to be here? asked Rhonda.

Months, maybe years, Rhonda.  It’s hard to say.  Come on, let’s go to the mess and I’ll give you an overview of what I hope to accomplish here.

Rhonda followed her to the mess where they each picked up a mug of the Earalithian tea and a snack.  When they’d settled at the table Jeannie picked up the thread of the conversation. 

"The Wrax taught us we’re vulnerable, we need to up our defenses.  This system is a unique gift in that there are literally dozens of ships for us to salvage.

"We can learn so much here, improve our tech, learn new designs, new types of weaponry, defensive shielding, ways to improve engine speed, ship mobility, and so much more.  With luck, Amanda will find us a battleship we can repair; if not, then we’ll have to build our own.

We won’t leave this system until we’ve picked it clean of useful information and material.

Rhonda sighed and lowered her mug to the table.  So, we’re here for the long haul, now hit me with the bad news.  You’re going to pillage my crew, aren’t you?

Jeannie chuckled at that.  Somewhat, yes.  I want you to work closely with me on this.  That ship will need a full crew, and that crew will need ways to return to Reacher to spend time with friends and family.

Jeannie?

"Think of Reacher as the home planet.  We have small ships for exploration and defense, but we need something more, a big sister to watch over Reacher.  Sadly, the crew of that sister ship will not get home like the crews of the small ships do, they’ll be living on the new ship.

For example, she’ll need a captain.  I can’t send Jake; his wives are here and not easily transferred.  Carla is your chief of medical and I want her there, so Jake can’t be offered the post.

How about Hal?  He’d be good.

Lilly is attached to EX2.

So, no Hal?

I won’t separate families unless there is no other choice, replied Jeannie.

What about Sheila, her new love interest could go with her.

I like it.  Sheila is a strong possibility, and Hal could captain Retriever.  Yes, I like it.  Okay, you’ve got the idea, mull it over for a while, talk to your senior staff about it and I’ll do the same with the captains.  There’s no hurry.  It could be a couple of years before we get to that stage.

But we will get there, mused Rhonda, "so we might as well start grooming people for the new positions.  For example, the new ship will need a security department.  That team will have to be mined from Jake’s crew.  He’ll need to start training people for those positions.  Carla will have to start grooming people for the medical staff.

I was right, you’re going to rob me blind.  How many people do you think you’ll need?

Jeannie chuckled.  Let’s wait and see what we come up with for a ship.  With that she rose and left the mess hall.

Rhonda stood, took the trays to the rack then leaned across the counter to thank the kitchen staff for the meal.

Chapter #2

A Work in Progress

Jake White, chief of security on the Reacher, sat gazing at his captain.  Rhonda had walked in and sat down but hadn’t said a word.  She’d spent a couple of days mulling things over in her mind.  Finally, she spoke.  Jake, promise you won’t shoot me.

With a grunt of resignation, he leaned back in his chair.  You’re going to rob me blind of people for Jeannie’s new ship, aren’t you?

Yes.

Dammit, Rhonda, she’s already moved most of our top people over to the small ships, now she’ll want a whole crew?  When?

Who knows, could be a couple of years, could be tomorrow if Amanda stumbles onto the right ship.

Aw, crap.  He sighed deeply then accepted the inevitable.  Okay, what do you want me to do?

"Put some thought into who you think would be the best for the job, say ten people to begin with.  Start grooming them for the positions you expect them to get.  Also start grooming replacements, and you’ll need at least two dozen new recruits to fill in all the holes. 

I’ll send Commander Hoffman down to give you a hand organizing the whole thing.  Maybe you can cherry pick a few off the small ships.  Oh, and there’s more.  I know the admiral would love to have you as captain of the new ship, but she won’t offer it because ...

Because I have two wives attached to this ship and she won’t split us up.  Jake smiled and relaxed.  I love the way a SUVI mind works.  Okay, I doubt this will happen any day soon, so we’ve got some time.  Let’s do this the way Jeannie would.

Rhonda arched an eyebrow at him, and he grinned.  We look for the bright eager young people with a world of potential then promote them, right?

She laughed at that.  You mean like she did with us?  Damn fine idea, Jake.  Does this mean you’re going to lose another second-in-command?

We both know Ellen’s got the experience.  If she gets the job as chief of security, do you think SUVI 19 would go with her?

Nineteen?

You don’t need him anymore, everybody’s accepted you as captain and I, for one, can say I’m happy to have you in that role.

Jake ...

I’m serious, Rhonda.  Look, I’ve found my happy place, I have my dream job, two amazing women to love, and I’m happy right where I am.  Ellen will need Nineteen, at least for the first few months.  I’ll be here to watch your back.

All right, Jake, I can see the sense in that.  I’ll talk to Nineteen, you start the process here and we’ll see how it all works out.

He’ll go, grinned Jake.  The big guy is still a security man at heart.

* * * * *

Later that day, Jake's recruitment efforts brought him to the guard room in the brig.  Hey, Marcus.

Morning, Commander.  What’s up?

Jake chuckled.  Marcus, why haven’t you gone back into retirement?

In truth, Jake, I find I like it here.  I was always content here; I like the job.  I come in first thing in the morning, have coffee with the night guy, make up the crew schedule for the next week, check that the locks and doors are working properly, feed anybody we might have as a guest, then relax.  I can deal with busy, you know that, but I enjoy the down times too.  Marcus paused a moment before continuing.

"I had a midlife crisis, got tangled up with a wild woman, it got competitive between us, I got my ass kicked, physically and otherwise.  I ended up on Recovery One, a job I didn’t really want, developed issues with Sheila, then split with her, quit my job, and sulked for a while.

I ended up back here when Rhonda was short-handed and realized this is where I belonged in the first place.  I’d like to keep the job.  I’ve got another ten or more good years in me; will you consider it?

Actually, I came down here to ask you to stay on a few more years, grinned Jake.  Marcus, when the admiral gets her new ship, they’ll raid the hell out of us for crew and security.  I’ll need to train a lot of new people, and I’d really like to keep a few experienced people in key places, people I can depend on.  Job’s yours if you want it.

I really do.

Then I’m a happy man.  Carry on with whatever you were doing, the brig is your baby.  Jake grinned and walked away.  One down and six more to go, he mused as he turned his steps toward the mess