Authors notes:
This is a story from the Universe of Wing commander with a Battlestar Galactica crossover. It starts just after the destruction of Kilrah, and the end of the Terran-Kilrathi war with the signing of the Torgo treaty. Wing Commander is an Origin Game, and Battlestar Galactica was written by Glen Larson.
There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis There are some who believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens.
2669.299: TCS Victory Briefing room. As he walked toward the door to the briefing room, Col. Chris Blair wondered why Captain Eisen had ordered him to report at so early an hour of the day. His head was still fuzzy from the 'Hells Kitchen' drinks he had had at the party just a few hours ago. When the door opened, he saw General James "Paladin" Taggert, and Captain William Eisen awaiting him. Paladin looked at him with a smile and said in his soft brogue, "Ah Chris, sorry to wake you up so early laddie, but I have some news you might wanna hear.".
He then handed Chris a bottle of aspirin. Captain Eisen looked at Chris " It seems that you and your flight are to be honored on Earth in a ceremony that will be seen live all over the Confederation.".
Blair looked at them as he swallowed a few of the aspirin, "A ceremony Paladin, what kind of ceremony?".
Just then the door opened and in walked Major Todd "Maniac" Marshal, and Lieutenants Winston "Vagabond" Chang and Robin " Flint" Peters. All of them looking more than a little hung over from the party in the officers lounge the night before.
When the 3 pilots saw who was in the room, they came to attention as best they could. Maniac spoke, "Sir, Maj. Marshall and Lts. Chang and Peters reporting".
The 3 of them swayed just a bit as Paladin, biting back a laugh, said "At ease pilots, please be seated".
He motioned for Chris to join the 3 pilots as they sat in the first row of chairs. Chris handed them the aspirin bottle as he sat down.. Paladin then pulled a mini-comp out of his pocket and read from the screen in a very professional voice.
"Attention to orders, Col. Christopher Blair, Maj. Todd Marshall, Lt. Winston Chang, Lt. Robin Peters. It is my extreme privilege to inform you that you have been awarded the Confederation Medal of Honor with Platinum cluster, by the Confederation Council and Grand Assembly.".
The silence was deafening as the 4 of them just sat there. Blair looked up, "Did I just hear you right Paladin? The Medal of Honor?"
His face beaming , Paladin walked over "Aye Chris ya did".
Just then it finally clicked with Maniac, and he grabbed Vagabond's arm "Do you know how many babes I can get with a Medal of Honor." he looked at the other pilots " Man, were set for life when it comes to chicks."
Just then he looked at Robin and blurted out "Oh, uh sorry Flint."
Stifling a smirk, Captain Eisen looked at him, "At ease Major, sorry about that General". Paladin just looked at Maniac for a moment and began a belly shaking laugh, which started the others laughing as well. After a few minutes, Paladin his smile still beaming, said as seriously as possible "Maniac, only you could get away with that line.".
As they finished laughing and giggling, Paladin began to tell them the plans for the ceremony on Earth. He warned them that they would be meeting various Senators , Council members and high ranking fleet officers. Then the photo-ops for the press, with a brief period of questions. He looked at Maniac and then at Blair,
"Try to keep him in line Chris.",
"I can only try Paladin".
Paladin continued, "The ceremony begins at 1700 local time, and will be over by 1900, followed by a formal dinner at 2000. Any question?"
Robin raised her hand, "General, will we be in class A's or formal dress uniform?".
"Formal dress Lieutenant, with all medals and citation ribbons.".
" And Maniac, a real bow tie this time".
Vagabond and Flint looked quizzically at Blair, "When he received his last medal, Maniac was wearing a clip on tie, that popped off and flew into Admiral Tolwyn's face, just as he was pinning on the medal."
The thought of that incident started them all laughing again, while Maniac's face got more and more crimson.
The news quickly spread over the ship, and for the rest of the trip to Earth the 4 pilots were being congratulated by every one on board. As the Victory was returning to the Sol system, Chris was in his office. As wing commander of the Victory, he was one of the few officers that had a private office/quarters on the ship. As he looked around the room, the reality of what was happening finally started to sink in. For the last 25 years he had been a fighter pilot, and he was about to receive his governments highest award. But what was next after that, back to the family farm on Nephelle-2, maybe teaching at the academy, he just didn't know. As he sat there, he began to remember the people that he had known over the last 25 years. Some were good friends, some were even closer. He then pulled himself together and began to finish the paperwork that he had been putting off. Soon he had finished, and he decided to hit the rack.
Just then his door chimed, he answered the door and saw Lt. Peters standing there. With a nervous smile on her face she asked, "Permission to enter sir",
"Come in Lt., what can I do for you?" he said as he walked over and sat down at his desk. Robin turned and secured the door lock, and then turned around slowly toward him. "I never really thanked you for not only saving my home world back in Locanda, but for saving my life as well.".
"I was doing my job as your wing commander Flint",
"I know that sir, but you could have come down really hard on me, but you didn't.". Flint had never been so scared in her entire life, than she was right now, she was about to lay it all on the line.
"Col. I know that we are getting a medal from the assembly for ending the war, but I have something for you to."
Robin slowly walked toward him, and began to unbutton her tunic.
As she neared him he stood up and started to say something, but before he could speak, she leaned forward and their lips met. He felt her against him, and all thoughts of the regulations disappeared from his mind. The softness of her body against his and the passion of their kiss was more than any man could've endured, so he gave in to the passion. As they kissed and tasted each other, their hands moving over each others body, he knew this was right. Their uniforms quickly discarded, they made their way to his bunk. They made love the first time like two teenagers, their kisses were rushed and the foreplay was minimal, and soon they climaxed. As they lay together, Robin rested her head on his chest listening to his heart. She felt calm in his arms. "Thank you Chris" she said softly. "No, thank you Robin" he whispered. Soon he felt a new stirring, and they spent the rest of the night going more slowly, fulfilling all of each others desires.
The next morning Robin awoke to the smell of fresh coffee, and the sight of a tray of cheese and crackers on Chris's desk. "Good morning sleepyhead, it's about time you woke up."
He poured her a cup of coffee and sat on the bunk. She sat up and took the cup from him, inhaling the aroma. She then took a sip, and relished the warmth of the beverage. "MMMM, you make pretty good coffee, or did you get this from the mess?"
He just pointed at his 3 cup brewer, "Rank does have a few privileges."
He looked at his watch then, "You better get moving Lt., your on Port Patrol in about an hour" She looked up at him as he dressed, and reluctantly nodded her head. "Besides you wouldn't want Vaquero flying alone out there. And Robin, you made me promise to keep treating you like all the other pilots on board, remember?".
"Yeah I did tell you that.".
Chris watched her dress as he finished dressing himself, and then sat at his desk and turned on his computer, to begin his daily paperwork. As she was leaving, Robin looked at him and asked him, "Uh Chris, do you know how to dance?"
He looked at her for a second, then smiled and just nodded his head. As she walked toward the pilots quarters, she began to formulate a new plan.
A few days later the Victory jumped into the Sol system and was met by 3 escort destroyers for the rest of the trip to Earth. As they moved into orbit, a shuttle arrived on board, with various dignitaries. There was even a package for Maniac from Admiral Tolwyn himself. When he opened it, he found a black silk bow tie with instructions on how to tie it. There were also protocol officers on the shuttle to help prepare the pilots for the ceremony. Two days later, the 4 pilots were given 24 hours leave to relax before the ceremony so they wouldn't appear frazzled when they received their medals. Chris found Robin on the flight deck about to go planet side, and asked her if he could join her.
"Chris, I need to pick up something before the ceremony tomorrow."
The look in her eyes told him that it was supposed to be a surprise, so he just nodded, and gave her a hug. She whispered, "You won't be sorry", and hurried onto the shuttle.
He stepped back as the shuttle took off. He was headed for the lift when he saw Maniac standing there with a smirk on his face.
"So she dropped you already, damn that's a new record for you." Chris thought for a second and jokingly replied,
"No, she just wants to get a pre-tied tie for you, we wouldn't want a repeat of the eagle incident now would we."
Maniac just looked at him and opened his mouth, then turned and walked away.
The next day was a whirlwind day for the 4 Pilots. First all the meetings with more dignitaries and then the meetings with the press. The ceremony felt the longest to Chris, but he stoically made it through all of the speeches. Afterwards, he met Paladin on the terrace of the capital building. "So laddie, how are ya holdin up?".
" As well as can be expected Paladin, but I could sure use a drink about now."
Paladin pulled a small silver flask from the inside pocket of his formal jacket, " That's what I was thinkin laddie."
They each took a quick swallow, and Chris was surprised at how smooth the Scotch was. "So what happens now Paladin?",
"What do ya mean Chris?",
"I mean with the war over, the grand assembly will surely push for military downsizing. It happens after every war.".
" I know Chris, but the admiral has assured me that the Victory will not be mothballed. In fact he has already assigned her to be the academy flight tour training ship. The TCS Puma is even older than the Victory, and is scheduled for decommissioning in two weeks."
Paladin looked at his watch, " Time to go Chris, the dinner will be starting in a fifteen minutes".
As they entered the entry hall, they saw Eisen, Vagabond and Maniac waiting for them. As he approached, Chris noticed that Robin wasn't there. "Has anyone seen Lt. Peters?".
As they were wondering were she was, Chris noticed a Commodore approaching them . "General Taggert, its good to see you again" ,
" Ah Commodore Peters, I'm so glad you could make it today.".
"I wouldn't have missed it for anything, seeing my little girl receiving the Medal of Honor. If we didn't make it my wife would have pushed me out of an airlock.".
The group laughed at that, and Paladin introduced everyone. When Chris and the Commodore shook hands, Chris asked him were Robin was.
The Commodore just looked at him, "Well she told me to meet her and her mother here at 1950 hours. I was hoping she would already be here.".
Just then Chris saw Maniac's jaw drop, and even Vagabond had a look of surprise on his face. When he turned around, his heart felt as if it skipped a beat. Robin was wearing a full length sky blue formal evening gown. Her hair was pulled up off her shoulder in a modern style, except for a small loose curl on either side of her face. Her mother was wearing a similar gown but it was a few shades darker blue. Robin walked up and hugged her father, then looked at the others.
Paladin put his hand on Maniac's and Vagabond's shoulders. "Shall we gentlemen?", the others quickly turned and headed for the door to the assembly hall.
Robin then walked up to Chris and kissed him on the cheek, "So are you surprised?" .
He just stood there for a moment, and then he looked over at the Commodore. "Sir, I'm about to break at least a dozen regulations, would you mind?".
Robin's dad just looked at him, and smiled, and her mom took his arm, "Come along David, the kids need a moment."
Chris and Robin just smiled, and watched her parents leave. "Well are you surprised Chris?". He looked at her and smiled, then he kissed her. After a minute, they stopped kissing and started to head toward the door, he leaned over and whispered "You can surprise me like this anytime."
