Chapter 21

Midshipman James Abernathy, youngest son of two career Army officers stood off to the side watching his sister take control of the specialized team for some field maneuvers and felt a little pang of jealousy. As much as he loved his sister, sometimes he felt like he played second fiddle to her. It wasn't as bad as it used to be when they were kids, but, right now, it was as present as an elephant sitting on his chest. He purposely chose the navy so he didn't have to try to live up to some crazy ideal that had been set in stone because of his parents. Well, that and he wanted to command submarines, not be a surface warrior. No, he didn't harbor any ideas of even considering being on a surface ship or being a SEAL or even being a soldier. He didn't talk about this team day and night, not like his sister who's been obsessed since she was fourteen. At least he hadn't wanted to until he came here and he saw some of the men and women his father had under his command. Now, he wondered if his dad would consider adding a sub force to the team. Since he'd been here, he'd learned the team had an aircraft carrier*, a fleet of hovercraft which the Academy said were still in development and even a few nice attack boats as well as a few Navy SEALs. What was adding a submarine to the force, right?

As he watched Kerry take control of the ground forces, he felt that pang of jealousy rear its ugly head again. Cutter, the Coastie officer that had been assigned to mentor him along with the SEAL Wetsuit whom he was bunked with, had been showing him some pretty great ideas he couldn't wait to take with him to his summer courses. Even the infantry courses he's required to take this coming summer, the summer before his second class year. He was most excited for the time he'll spend crewing the nuclear sub, but, these guys were making him interested, just a little in the SEALs and even the frigates and aircraft carriers. Even that crazy Marine Leatherneck, the one Wetsuit was constantly arguing with and the really insane sailor, Shipwreck had him looking at new opportunities. He wanted to see what he could do now that he was watching Kerry. Granted, he knew she was about to graduate and was about to move into the active air force and he still had two years at the academy to go, but, still. He sighed slightly.

"Midshipman" Cutter's voice broke through his thoughts like an icebreaker through the Antarctic ice shelf in winter.

"Sir" Jamie popped to attention. Unlike his sister, he was known to keep his nose clean and not really challenge anyone. He just never really saw the need to. Whatever will be, will be was his motto. He'd seen too many times the toll his sister's strong will took on her and their mother who often butt heads like rams vying for property and a mate.

"Today the team is headed out to the Flagg and we're going to run through some attack drills. You're coming and you're going to be in charge of a small detachment of attack boats."

"Sir?"

"You heard me Midshipman. If you're going to be a Naval officer, you need to get your feet wet."

"Yes, sir." Jamie just looked at the Coast Guard officer, dumbfounded. He wasn't even remotely ready to command a dinghy, let alone an attack boat or a detachment of attack boats. He hadn't even been given a chance to command a small group of other midshipmen at the academy, now this officer wanted him to command a group of boats in an attack drill.

"Is there a problem, Midshipman?"

"Sir No Sir" Jamie said unconvincingly.

"Why do I not believe that, Midshipman?" Cutter narrowed his eyes. "Speak your mind."

"Sir, I've never been in a command position. I'm a bit worried I won't do a good job, sir."

"Well, that's understandable. We all feel that way the first time. But, you need to work on your leadership and you need to see how to command operations and this is the perfect place for it. You'll have myself and Wetsuit there to help you along, so, you're not going to be completely alone."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir." Jamie popped to attention again and saluted Cutter as the older man walked off.

"Hey, Short stuff!" Jamie heard his sister call him by his nickname. He was hardly short, standing six two to her five eight.

"Hey Graceful." He retorted referring to her tendency to break a leg simply by walking.

"Did ya hear? Ace is letting me fly one of the skystrikers in the drill today."

"Cool, just don't crash it." He laughed.

"Cute. Too bad you're not getting the chance to take part."

"Wanna make a bet? Cutter's got me commanding a detachment of attack boats in the drill."

"What? How come you get to command a unit and I only get to fly?" She stood there looking like a petulant spoiled child causing her brother to burst out laughing.

"That's why Kerry. You act like a child when you don't get your way. I just do what needs to be done and get over it." With that, he walked away leaving his sister standing there gawking, her mouth agape.

Two hours later, the team, including fifteen greenshirts and the Abernathy family, except for Kerry, who was flying herself to the military training area, boarded the cargo plane to the Flagg. Cutter, Wetsuit, Leatherneck and Shipwreck were each assigned an attack boat under Jamie's command and all were discussing what kind of armament the boats had with their young commander. Caroline and Doc were preparing the plane for the influx of potential real and definitely simulated casualties along with Lifeline and the nurse who continually tried to flirt with the General. Hawk, Flint, Duke and Beachhead were each discussing their gameplan and doling out their teams like playground kids choosing the baseball teams in a quick, unscripted game. Naturally, Flint tried for Lady Jaye, but was quickly overridden by Beachhead. Duke did manage to get Scarlett on his team while Flint managed to secure SnakeEyes, Ripcord, Short Fuze, Zap, Breaker, Cover Girl, Low-light and Airborne. Duke's team was rounded out by GungHo, Snowjob, Torpedo, Spirit, Mainframe, Roadblock and Mutt. Beachhead's team was filled out by Footloose, Steeler, Recondo, Alpine and Barbeque and Kerry, who still had yet to have a code name assigned. Ace, as lead pilot had, Slipstream, Wild Bill and Lift Ticket along with several greenshirt pilots.

"Alright people, I want to go over the goals of this exercise and everyone's role in it. This is an exercise to test some of our new tactics as well as the new attack boats we've just acquired. Our goal is to take a destroyer being held captive by hostile forces being played by half the crew of the USS Dashiell[1]. The main force commanders will be: Flint, Duke, Beachhead and Short Stuff, previously known as Midshipman Abernathy." Jamie turned six shades of red and cringed when he heard the nickname his sister always used for him. That was between them, like Graceful or Grace in heels were his for her. But, he guessed it was better than 'sport' or slugger which always made him feel like he was ten years old. "The medical team will be headed by Osprey, formerly known as Colonel Abernathy and Doc. Now, you are all fitted with electronic devices that will activate if you are hit. Once that goes off, you are to report to the medical team immediately and you are taken out of the game until they decide how badly you're injured." Hawk continued. "Is that clear?"

"Sir, yes sir!"

[1] The USS Dashiell (DD659) was commissioned as a Fletcher class Destoyer on 20 March 1943 and decommissioned on 29 April 1960.