Fresh Beginnings #2

Episode 8: Permission to Come Aboard

Leadership is action, not position.

- Donald H. McGannon -

0945 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

She was almost ready to sail. In the month that had elapsed since he assumed command, work on the Fantasia had gone on around the clock. Most of the major construction work had already been completed even before Captain Andy Ho had set foot aboard her and the bulk of the remaining work had been the seemingly endless diagnostics and checks that had to be run on all the newly installed systems.

Still, there was no true substitute for actual space trials, which was why the crew were busy readying the ship for its foray into space. He had been given two months to prepare, but he was not content with that. Instead, he had halved the time, driven his crew to its limits and now they had earned the right to begin Fantasia maiden voyage. As soon as all the required supplies and her full crew complement were aboard, she would head out into space.

Captain Andy Ho was looking at the marines who had been drawn up in formation before him now, standing in neat rows on the docking platform where his new command was moored. There were thirty of them in all, a blend of faces that varied from grizzled stoicism to cherubic eagerness.

The detachment commander, one Warrant Officer Sean Yeo, fell into the latter category, the man looking about the same age as his own son who was still schooling. Fresh out of officer training, this one was a career officer – a man who had been selected to be an officer from the start without having to serve through the ranks first. If all went well, this marine would be able to earn his commission to lieutenant sometime within the next four to five years.

It was times like these that Captain Andy Ho found the JAF rank structure to be somewhat bizarre. While enlisted men had to work their way from Private all the way to Master Sergeant and then getting a shot at Warrant Officer, men and women who were earmarked for an officer's career during basic military training were accorded that same rank upon their completion of their cadet course at Officer Training School. Confusing matters even further was the fact that the next higher rank for enlisted Warrant Officers was Chief Warrant Officer which represented the pinnacle in an non-commissioned officer's career. However, WOs in an officer career, as well as certain outstanding enlisted Warrant Officers would receive a commission as their next phase of advancement, pushing them to lieutenant which was the most junior of the commissioned officer ranks.

Thus, WOs in the JAF were either highly experienced enlisted soldiers turned NCOs, or very young and green cadet graduates out on probation and waiting for a commission. The only difference was in the color of the rank tabs. Warrant Officers (Enlisted) wore silver tabs whiles Warrant Officers (Officer) wore golden tabs. Despite the subtle difference, there had always been a certain degree of discomfort and tension between the two 'castes' of Warrant Officers.

Normally, a WO(E) would be addressed as Warrant 'So-and-so' or 'Mister/Ma'am' while a WO(O) was addressed as 'Sir/Ma'am' or Officer 'So-and-so'.

"Sir! Marine Detachment Fantasia, reporting for duty!" Officer Yeo said crisply as he came up to the captain and saluted. Captain Ho returned the salute smartly, amazed to see that Sean looked even younger up close. And he was short, for a marine.

"Glad to have you with us, Officer Yeo." Ho allowed himself a smile as he lowered his hand. "I'm sorry my XO couldn't be here to meet you. She is somewhat tied up at the moment."

"Sean seemed slightly taken aback by the captain's politeness. "Sir, I'm honored to have you come meet us in person. Please, allow me to introduce my Sergeant Major, Master Sergeant Ron Foo."

"Sir!" The dark, muscular marine came to rigid attention and ripped off a parade-perfect salute.

"Well, it's good to see you all at any rate." Ho nodded in acknowledgement. "We'll be heading out for trials in a couple of days so I'd like you to get settled in as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir. You can count on it, sir." Sean nodded eagerly. "We've brought as much of our kit on our backs and I'm told that whatever we couldn't carry should be arriving sometime this afternoon."

"That's good to hear." Ho stepped aside to reveal one of his own officers standing behind. "This is Officer Jeremy Kiew, my quartermaster. He will oversee the transfer of your exo suits and stores as well as the accommodations for your troops. I suggest you tie down whatever you need to with him."

"Thank you, sir. Most kind of you." Sean replied stiffly. "We'll get moving right away. With your permission, sir?"

"Very well, Officer." The captain was about to turn but stopped himself just short. "I'd like to introduce you to the rest of my officers later today if that's alright with you. Say, 1500 in the officer's mess?"

Sean knew that warship captains, by nature, did not make suggestions and so he nodded vigorously. "I'll be there, sir." And the his hand came up again.

"Carry on." Ho waved before he turned around and stepped back into the tube that led into his ship. Behind, he could heard the young marine commander and his Sergeant Major barking out instructions to their charges.

0958 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

"Thanks for seeing me on such short notice, Lieutenant Chang." Lieutenant Adelene Chan said as they climbed through the hatch that led 'up' into the cavernous flight bay. The Olympian Thunderbolts had been assigned to the Fantasia for little less than a week and she was still finding her feet as a commander of a squadron now based aboard a carrier.

"Look, Ade . . . can I call you that?" Chang waited until the squadron leader nodded before continuing. "Those tabs of yours may be brand new. But they're still the same as mine. At least for now. So you can call me Kallie."

"Ok . . . Kallie." Adelene said somewhat hesitantly. Kallie was after all the second most powerful member of the Fantasia's crew. Even though Fantasia was tied up to a dock, they were still in microgravity so they floated easily into the hangar bay, which was empty for now. A modern spaceship was built pretty much like a skyscraper, unlike their seagoing counterparts. Thus, the forward part of the ship was normally 'up' while the stern normally housed the 'bottom' or 'basement' while a ship was under acceleration. Moveable fixtures allowed rooms to be reconfigured should the arrangement of 'up' and 'down' be changed during a cruise. "I'm really new to all this," Adelene admitted.

"That makes two of us then." Kallie replied as she sealed the hatch behind them and stood at the 'bottom' of the hangar deck, held firmly in place by magnetic boots. "My last assignment was with the JSS Ithaca and the only carrier I've ever served on was the Valiant, unless you count the old Courageous as a carrier."

"I see." Adelene replied as she gawked at the grand expanse of the hangar deck. It may have been empty at the moment but it would soon change when they started to slot in fighters and exo-armors. It wouldn't be long before she'd be complaining about the lack of space. "I was aboard the Valiant too. During Kurtzenheim."

"Head she took some nasty hits in that battle." Kallie shot the younger woman an inquiring look.

"That she did. But she managed to hold together. Somehow." Adelene felt the memories of the Valiant's most recent combat flooding back to her now even after so many months. She could see the damage in her mind's eye, the carnage that had resulted for that great clash in the skies over the Red Planet. She sighed nostalgically at the memory. "She's a damn fine ship."

"So is the Fantasia." He words were cold when they left the XO's mouth.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean . . ."

Kallie's features softened. "Nah, it's ok. Just remember that the Fantasia is your home now. And Captain Ho takes crew loyalty very seriously." Without waiting for the younger woman to reply, the Fantasia's XO disengaged her magnetic boots and began to move up the hangar bay, 'swimming' up towards the hatch that would lead them to the launch deck. Adelene disengaged her own boots and leapt after the XO.

It took almost half a minute to cross the expanse of the hangar. By the time Adelene had completed her journey, Lieutenant Chang was already waiting by the open hatchway. They were about to go through when Adelene's personal communicator chimed.

"Lieutenant Chan," she said as she accepted the call just short of the hatchway.

"Ma'am, it's James." The youngish voice on the other end said. "I just wanted to check . . . about the ATMPs for our Lancers. How many Lightning pods was it again?"

"Two, James." Adelene sighed in mild annoyance. "Two."

"Oh."

"What's wrong, Mister Wong?" There was a guarded note of suspicion in Adelene's voice now.

"Um, looks like the Log people might have made a mistake."

Adelene rolled her eyes and made a frustrated sound. "Well, go get it sorted out then!"

"Uh, yes, ma'am. Right away ma'am." And the connection went dead.

She was the XO watching her patiently. Adelene shrugged and tried to smile. "Never though it'd be this much work."

"It'll get better once we get out into space." Lieutenant Chang said knowingly. "Less nonsense to deal with once we get out there."

"I guess so. Well, I certainly hope . . ." The personal communicator sounded once again and she fumbled for the answer button before thumbing it savagely. "Yes?"

"Lieutenant. This is Officer Kok."

"And what is it this time, Officer?" Adelene sighed, pressing her forehead as if she were nursing a bad headache. "More bad news?"

"Uh, no, ma'am. I was over at Comms. There's a shuttle on the way over from Joshua's Station carrying more pilots for the squadron. ETA is 1100 hours."

That got Adelene's attention. So someone had finally remembered the Thunderbolts and the rest of her squadron's missing complement was finally on its way. "Alright, noted." And the squadron commander disconnected the call without waiting for a reply. She was about to apologize to Kallie when the chime sounded yet again.

"Who the hell is this?" Adelene snapped into transceiver, her patience with the persistent calls finally and utterly spent.

"It's James again, ma'am . . ." The voice replied shakily. "Uh, about the Pilum ATMPs . . . how many . . ."

"You are so dead, mister! Just you wait till I get there!" Adelene killed the connection and looked over apologetically at the carrier's XO. "Damn it, why can't they do anything right?" She shook her head in exasperation and saw that Kallie was still waiting patiently to bring her to the launch decks. "I'm sorry, Kallie. Could we do this another time?"

"I think our Deck Commander should be arriving later today. You can liaise with her then." Chang replied with a nod.

"Thanks." And then Lieutenant Adelene Chan was 'swimming' back the way she had just come.

1034 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

Lieutenant Alvin Ng tried to relax in the passenger seat of the shuttle. The trip from Joshua's Station to Khannan Base was not a particularly long one – about two hours by shuttle. And he had been trying fruitlessly to sleep for the last ninety minutes.

As an exo pilot, he absolutely hated being a passenger, despising the fact that he could not be in control. All his adult life, he had enjoyed being at the helm. First as a pilot of his own exo, then as a flight leader and then as the skipper of his own squadron. But much of that had changed after Kurtzenheim.

Though largely acquitted at his court martial, the JAF, a purely volunteer organization with no shortage or qualified candidates, was not known for giving its failures and washouts a second chance.

And so he had not been expecting this new assignment when it came through. Immediately after the court martial, he had been transferred to the Exo Replacement Department where he had the dreary task of collating the consolidated damage reports from each squadron in Gamma Division that had fought at the Battle of Kurtzenheim.

He then had to assign each squadron a priority rating for equipment replacement, developing a plan for re-equipment and upgrading of the JAF's numerous exo-armor units, subject of course to the approval of his boss.

He had spent much time at the Jovian Armor Works Headquarters on Joshua's Station where he had frequent contact with the bureaucrats and accountants from the Confederations primary builder of exo armors. It had been a maddening experience for a former warrior and it didn't helpd that his work did allow him to get close to the cutting edge JAW designs without the hope of ever flying one. In fact, he had not flown an exo since the time he had been shot down during at Kurtzenheim.

Commander Metcalf, his direct superior, was a logistics officer who had never flown an exo before and thus did not appreciate the inputs of a combat veteran – particularly one who had apparently screwed up and cost the Confederation a squadron's worth of those precious machines that he was tasked with replacing.

For slight more than a month, Alvin had languished at that post, resigned to his fate of trying to convince his boss of the merits of each exo armor design while the man was more interested in simply filling up the gaps with whatever was available 'now and cheap'.

If there was ever a dead-end posts for combat exo pilots in the JAF, he had found it. On numerous occasions, he had considered resigning his commission and returning to civilian life. He had done his share of fighting and with the influx of new recruits flowing in after the declaration of war, the JAF wouldn't be missing one former squadron commander. In fact, he had already drafted the letter and had been ready to submit it when fresh posting orders were cut for him.

Contained in those orders was the most pleasant and unexpected of surprises. In effect, he had been ordered to leave his post on Joshua's Station and head out to Khannan Base, the primary military base in Olympus and home to Gamma Division. He had packed his bags as quickly as he could and requested for permission to leave immediately upon the receipt of his orders. His superior, who had no love for him, was just as glad to be rid of him as Alvin was glad to go.

It had taken some time to find transport to Joshua's Station though some good connections that he had maintained through his years in service managed to get him on a shuttle bound for his destination.

As the shuttle continued to hurtles towards Khannan, Alvin noted that the only other passengers, two privates wearing the golden wings insignia of interceptor pilots, were still chatting. They had been going on incessantly about their new assignment even before boarding and launch. They were speaking with the enthusiasm of new pilots bound for their first ship assignment.

He had not bothered to acknowledge their presence, preferring to be alone with his thoughts as he made transit to Khannan. Ever since his widely-publicized court martial had turned him into something of a celebrity (albeit a notorious one), he had strove to minimize whatever contact he had with strangers. It just didn't pay to socialize anymore when all everybody seemed to want to do was share their opinion on Kurtzenheim, offer their condolences for the demise of the Deathwings or deliver their own condemnation for his actions during the battle.

The Olympian Thunderbolts . . . They were a new squadron. Formed in the aftermath of Kurtzenheim and in response to the outbreak of war with the CEGA. The Jovian Confederation and Central Earth Government and Administration had been involved in an arms race since the Battle of Elysée and Kurtzenheim had simply given the Confederation's war industry even greater impetus that before. New ships were coming out of the yards every month by the dozen, exos were being constructed by the hundreds while training facilities churned out fresh personnel by the thousands.

The only good thing about a new squadron was the fact that it had no reputation to maintain. Of course, that meant that one had to be built. And that was always something easier done in peacetime than in the crucible of war.

"What do you think our new CO's going to be like?" The fairer of the two enlisted pilots sitting in front of him was asking her companion, a diminutive woman with the complexion of dark honey.

"Let's hoe he or she is nothing like Lieutenant Ishigawa." He couldn't see the look on their faces but Alvin could sense the distaste in the way that name was mentioned.

"Yeah, that man was such an idiot!" The fair, pony-tailed pilot nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, he was just biased against us enlisted pilots." The other pilot was saying. "I'm sick and tired of being treated like a second-class pilots just because I don't have a commission! Let's hope our new skipper isn't some stupid jerk with delusions of grandeur."

"Well, I don't think the JAF makes officers any worse than Ishigawa."

"For our sakes, I hope not." The darker woman sighed. "Let's keep our fingers crossed and pray he or she isn't some psychotic glory-seeker either."

"Alvin smiled at that last comment. Well, that does remain to be seen, doesn't it? There was a time when he would have probably made the same comment about one or two of his superiors. Of course, that had been back in the days when he was still a green private. He would have loved to have thought that he had matured since then. He continued to listen to the two privates swapping their gossip and he was really amused by some of the things they had to say. A part of him felt sorry for them. If only they knew who it was sitting two rows behind them.

1059 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

Lieutenant Adelene Chan checked her wristwatch for what seemed to be the twentieth time in five minutes. She had just come back up from the docking platform after giving Officer James Wong hell for screwing up the acquisition and loading of the ATMPs for the Lancers. That had done little to improve her mood before she went back aboard the ship and headed for the shuttle bay.

She had already summoned Warrant Officer Winnie Kok to the shuttle bay at the last minute since she felt the woman would best amount to her XO for now. The younger woman had tried to protest but Adelene was having none of that.

So far, the junior officer hadn't showed. She tapped her foot impatiently as she stared at her watch again. She knew that the notification had been pretty last minute but Adelene still believed that her subordinates ought to develop a real sense of urgency. After all, weren't officers supposed to set examples for the enlisted personnel to follow?

That young officer had arrived less than a week ago and already the two had not got along as well as they should. To Adelene, Winnie was just another exo pilot. One of the JAF's pampered. And she despised most exo pilots. A Lancer, with it's quick-change Advanced Tactical Mission Pod could easily achieve a host of missions that would require several purpose-built exos to achieve. It had always annoyed her. Fighter pilots were supposed to get the glory. It had been that way for centuries, since the dawn of aerial warfare.

That Winnie Kok was good at her job despite her inexperience was immaterial. In fact, it probably made it worse. She was still prone to making the kind of mistakes that junior officers would and Adelene wasted little time in pointing those out.

Placing her in temporary command of the exo element of the squadron because she was the ranking officer had been done out of necessity. Adelene was certainly hoping for someone more experienced with a little more seniority and competency to handle the exo armor haf of the squadron.

She heard the hatch behind her opening and she turned to see Warrant Officer (O) Winnie Kok coming through the hatchway, clad in grease-stained overalls. Adelene took a step back, making a face as the tall officer drew herself to full height before the Thunderbolts' CO. Where Adelene was compact and confrontational, Winnie was gangling and pensive.

Winnie was almost too tall to fit into the cockpit of the Pathfinder ST that she flew. In the few simulated battles that they had flown so far, she had proven herself to be an able pilot but only a mediocre combat leader. In Adelene's own opinion, the other exo pilots weren't very exceptional either. The quality of leadership amongst them was nothing to shout about and the same could be said for their teamwork and flying abilities.

Of course, the fighter pilots weren't all that better though she was confident in her own ability to mold them into a deadly fighting team in the days to come.

"What the hell are you wearing, Winnie?"

"Ma'am?" Winnie looked puzzled, unsure as to what her commander was asking. "It's my work suit, ma'am."

"I know what it is, damn it! Why the heck are you wearing it? We're supposed to be greeting the rest of the squadron." Adelene shook her head. "Why aren't you in uniform? What kind of impression do you think you're gonna give the new arrivals?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I was in the launch bay when you called. I didn't think . . ."

"That's right! You didn't think." Adelene interjected. "What were you doing there anyway?"

"Winnie looked at her dirty overalls and bit her lip. "The rail calibration unit on my Pathfinder ST was giving me some trouble so . . ."

"That is a job for the enlisted deckhands, not officers like yourself." Adelene said coldly, cutting Winnie off, unimpressed by the effort that her subordinate was putting into readying her machine for action.

"But ma'am . . . "

"The rank tabs on your collar stand for something, Officer." Adelene went on as if Winnie hadn't spoken. The only other person in the shuttle bay was Officer Joshua Wong, the ship's Damage Control Officer, who was waiting to receive the new arrivals on behalf of the ship's company. He was shifting uncomfortably within earshot, suddenly interested in his magnetic boots.

"I understand that. But . . ."

"No 'buts', Winnie. If you have trouble keeping your distance and being an officer, perhaps you'd like to go back to being in the ranks?"

Winnie paled slightly at that veiled threat and swallowed. "Lieutenant Chan, I did now . . ."

"Now hear this. Now hear this. Standby to receive shuttle." The overhead speakers sounded. "That is, standby to receive shuttle."

"We shall discuss your . . . attire and duties as an officer later." Adelene said as she looked out the entrance to the bay. Since the Fantasia was in a pressurized dock, there had been no need for them to suit up for the shuttle's arrival.

She heard the rumble of engines and then the tired-looking wedge that was the shuttle appeared before them, rising through the bay opening. For a moment, the utility craft seemed to hover, then with a touch of thrusters, it rose up into the gaping maw in the Fantasia's hull, magnetic catches and clamps securing it in place before the pilot cut the power to the engines.

Adelene noted that Officer Wong had covered his ears at the clamorous roar of the engines before they died down. The man looked really green and she was convinced that this was his first deployment.

As soon as the engines were fully powered down, Warrant Officer (O) Joshua Wong stepped up to the shuttle, trying not to look too nervous. There was a grating sound as the access ramp began to lower itself and the Fantasia's Damage Control Officer made a show of adjusting his uniform before standing at parade rest, waiting for the passengers to disembark.

1105 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

The two privates had disembarked before him. Normally, that would have been considered a breach of protocol since etiquette called for the most senior passenger to be the last to board and the first to leave any craft.

But Alvin had forgone that privilege today, taking the extra time to make sure his gear was in order before taking the steps down the ramp that led into the interior of the Fantasia's shuttle bay, some three minutes after the two women had disembarked before him – which might have explained why the young officer at the bottom of the ramp had not looked like he was expecting him and had in fact been turning away from the ramp.

The young man took one look at Alvin's rank tabs and service ribbons and did a double-take, snapping to rigid attention before his hand came up in a vigorous, cadet-style salute. "Good morning, sir!"

Might as well make a good first impression now . . . Alvin sighed inwardly. "Morning, Officer." Alvin nodded curtly as he came to attention and placed his duffel bag on the ramp. Only then did he returned the junior officer's salute with sharp precision. "Permission to come aboard?"

The man looked almost ready to burst as he nodded his head jerkily and replied almost breathlessly. "Permission granted, sir! Welcome aboard the JSS Fantasia."

"Glad to be aboard." The exo pilot replied in his flat monotone. He then turned to the national emblem pained against the bulkhead in front of him. Below it was the crest of the JSS Fantasia. Lieutenant Ng made a show of saluting the national colors before looking back at the man who had welcomed him. "And thank you, Officer . . ."

"Wong. Joshua Wong," came the halting, excited reply. "I'm the DCO. Um, that stands for Damage Control . . . "

"Yes, I am quite aware what a DCO is, Officer." Alvin cut the younger man off with a stern look, secretly enjoying making the newbie officer sweat.

"My apologies, sir." The DCO said desperately. "You must be one of the exo pilots here to . . ."

"Right." Alvin answered disinterestedly. Then he spared a look back into the cavernous interior of the shuttle before looking back to the junior officer once more. "I'm the last one off. You may return to your duties, Mister Wong."

"Ah, sir. Um. Yes, sir!" The younger man looked almost deflated but he puffed himself up again to snap off another salute which Alvin returned with matching crispness. Then the DCO excused himself, suddenly remember that he had to be somewhere else in a hurry.

Alvin could see that the two pint-sized privates were already reporting to an equally petite lieutenant who was accompanied by willowy woman in heavily stained overalls. He knew he ought to go over and join them but he decided to take his time since they weren't calling for him yet. He decided that he could afford to take his time.

He was back on a carrier again. Even though he had thought his career ended. He had been given a second chance and standing there in the shuttle bay, he felt born again. He was aboard the only place where he had ever felt truly alive and he took in the sights, the smells and the sounds of a Jovian carrier and savored them.

He felt at home.

1107 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

"Your friend there having a problem?" Adelene asked the two privates who stood before here. The newcomers spared a glance over their shoulders, exchanged puzzled looks and shrugged.

The fairer of the two new arrivals replied. "I don't know, ma'am. He's not with us. At least, as far as I know, he's not."

"I see." Adelene stared at the man who stood at the bottom of the shuttle ramp, admiring the view around him. She felt the beginnings of an ugly scowl as she closed the gap between them. I'll sort him out . . . She had requested for more officers to make up her squadron complement and one had been sent though he apparently seemed awe-struck by the idea of being aboard a carrier. That would soon have to change.

"Bloody exo pilots . . ." She muttered under her breath as she stormed over. The two female privates who had just reported to her were interceptor pilots so this man had to be one of the exo jocks.

As the CO of the Olympian Thunderbolts, she had to ensure that the officers would set a good example for the others to follow. As she crossed the shuttle bay towards him, she secretly wondered what she had done wrong to be saddled which such lackluster personnel.

"Lieutenant." She spat, noting the insignia denoting his status as an exo armor pilot. She felt a skyrocketing dislike for the man who turned to look over at her. There was a slightly bemused expression on his face and she responded immediately by fixing him with on her sternest glares. Standing with arms akimbo before him, she growled, "Anything I can help you with, Lieutenant?"

"As a matter of fact, no. I think I can find my way around this tub." The pilot officer smiled pleasantly and she felt a wave of heat passing through her. What kind of insane stunt was this idiot trying to pull?

"Well, I am waiting, Lieutenant," she told him bluntly and coldly. The newly-arrived lieutenant had already begun to life his bag when he stopped and stared back at her with puzzlement. Then he set the bag down and came to attention once more, saluting.

"Permission to come aboard?" He said briskly with a quizzical look on his face.

The frown lines on her face deepened. What in the world is this moron up to? It took every last ounce of self-control in her being to keep her voice level so that she could still speak. "You've already been granted permission by Officer Wong. I was wondering when you'd report to me."

The man squinted at her. The frown was more puzzled than annoyed. It was then that she began to notice the decorations and service ribbons that adorned his chest. He was one hell of a veteran pilot if those were anything to go by and the lines on his hardened face and the keen look in his eyes spoke of genuine combat experience. Still, she wasn't going to let his extensive decorations or experience be any excuse for lack of discipline and decorum.

"Do you have any idea who I am, lieutenant?"

"Again, as a matter of fact, no." The smile had faded as he studied her face in an attempt to make some form of recollection. "Should I know you from somewhere?"

"I'm your squadron leader. We may be of equivalent rank, but I think I should still be accorded the respect that comes with my post, don't you think?" Part of her was really wondering if he was being serious or simply making her the butt of some elaborate joke.

"You're Lieutenant Adelene Chan?"

"That's right." She tried to glower at him but it didn't help that he stood a good head taller than her. "About time you figured that out."

He eyed her skeptically, then undid the topmost fastener on his uniform jacket, reaching inside and fishing out a sheaf of thin plastic data sheets. "Then I believe I am here to relieve you."

Despite her apparently supreme effort, Adelene still felt her eyes go wide in shock. She suddenly felt breathless, as if she had just been sucker-punched in the gut. "Is this . . . some kind of . . . joke?" She gasped as she took the data sheets from him.

"You mean you didn't know?" There was no malice or smugness in the man's tone, only mild impatience. "I mean, it was pretty short notice for me but I though they would have told you . . . They didn't?" He bit his lip awkwardly when he caught the look on her face.

She shook her head mutely. She had not expected this at all. For a month, she had tried to bring the Thunderbolts together as a squadron and had done a pretty good job at it and now she was being relieved of command. By a man of equivalent rank. This is a bad dream . . . But she had to look at the sheets that were grasped firmly in hand.

The letter was addressed to a Lieutenant Alvin Ng and she skimmed the contents. It was true. This man had indeed come to replace her, the order taking effect the very moment he set foor aboard the JSS Fantasia.

Adelene felt herself going weak in the legs as she stared at that damning piece of information in her hands. So it had all been too good to be true, too good to last. She felt the urge to scream and just lash out at someone. And the name Alvin Ng had a nagging, familiar ring to it. Wasn't he the . . . yes, she had recognized him from all the news coverage in the aftermath of Kurztenheim. The shock and disappointment inside her gave way to a rage that boiled inside her, igniting into a white-hot, searing flame.

"You . . ."

"Captain on deck!" Winnie shouted, interrupting them before Adelen could utter a single word in anger. They all turned to see Captain Andy Ho stepping through the airlock that led into the shuttle bay and their hands came up in salute.

"At ease, people. At ease." Fantasia's skipper waved at them airily and surveyed the scene before stepping up to the newly arrived officer. "Alvin Ng?"

"Yes, sir. I am indeed." The incoming squadron commander said stiffly without even showing any traces of a smile despite the captain's own warm smile.

"Welcome aboard the JSS Fantasia." They shook hands.

"Glad to be here, sir." Despite the lieutenant's impassive face, one could tell that he was sincere.

Captain Ho turned to Adelene who was clearly having a hard time disguising her emotions. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier, Ade. I received news of Lieutenant Ng's transfer only a few minutes ago and I came down as soon as I heard that he was aboard."

"That's fine, sir," she lied, struggling to remain standing even in the microgravity of the shuttle bay. "I take it that this means I'm being posted out?"

"No, lieutenant." There was a slightly stiff quality to Alvin's tone as he spoke. "On the contrary, you will remain here as my XO, commanding the fighter flights."

Adelene felt ready to kill someone. This man had not only come to take away the command that had been hers. He had inherited what she had been building up and would have her endure the mortification of having to serve as his Executive Officer. Just how much was she expected to take?

"I see . . ." she managed. It was a very bitter pill to swallow. She gave the data sheets in her hands one last look before handing them back to the man who had come to replace her.

"Lieutenant Ng, your reputation as an exo pilot has preceded you." The Captain said, providing a useful diversion so Adelene could regain her composure and find her breath.

"Not as well as my notoriety as a squadron commander, I'm afraid." He shot Adelene a glance as he spoke. "It appears that I'm remembered more for my perceived mistakes than any of my past achievements."

"Be that as it may, lieutenant, you are on my ship now. It's a new ship, with a new crew. You should have the opportunity for a fresh start here aboard the Fantasia." Ho pointed out. "And you can count on us to help you along should you require any assistance. Isn't that right, Ade?"

"Yes, sir," she answered reluctantly, pushing the limits of insubordination.

"Well, I believe the two of you will have some matters to discuss. I'm pleased to have a pilot of your stature aboard though." Captain Ho said to Alvin as they shook hands again. Then he was stepping back towards the hatchway that led deeper into his ship. He stopped and turned just short of the hatchway. "Oh, and lieutenant, I'd like you to meet the rest of my officers in the mess at about 1500 hours. Think that's ok with you?"

"Certainly, sir." Still there was no smile, no hint of emotion on the younger man's face. "I would be pleased to."

"Excellent. Lieutenant Chan, I hope you can be there too. In the meantime, please do see to it that Lieutenant Ng feels at home." Ho spared her a look that she almost recognized as pity and she felt her anger flaring white-hot once more. Then the gangly carrier captain was gone.

As soon as the captain had departed, Officer Kok had come up with the two privates in tow, wearing a slightly puzzled expression on her face. "What do you want me to do now, ma'am?"

"Don't ask me, Winnie." Adelene scowled at the officer but found she couldn't quite hold it. Sighing, she let her shoulders sag and gestured to Alvin. "He is your squadron commander now."

Winnie looked at Adelene and then to Alvin and back to Adelene once more, not quite understanding what she was hearing. Alvin helped by clearing his throat and coming to attention, reading off the orders which he held in hand. "JAF Posting Directive 1303-2214-008 dated 29th March, 2214. To: Lieutenant Alvin Ng, Project Supervisor, Exo Replacement Department."

He looked up and noted that Winnie and the two privates were already standing at attention though Adelene was still hunched over in a poor approximation of the posture held by the others.

"One. You are hereby direct to proceed to the JSS Fantasia, currently docked at Khannan Base, where you are to assume command of the exo/fighter squadron, the Olympian Thunderbolts. Two. Your posting as Commanding Officer, Olympian Thunderbolts, will be considered effective immediately upon your arrival. Three. You are required to relieve the provisional squadron leader, Lieutenant Adelene Chan upon your arrival, after which she will serve as your Executive Officer. Four. You are directed to make every effort to prepare the squadron for wartime operations failing this only at your peril. Signed, Colonel Keith Taliaferro, Commander GamDiv Exo/Fighter Forces, for General Koudriopoulos, Commander, Gamma Division."

The silence in the shuttle bay was palpable and the shocked looks on the four women's faces greeted him. For Adelene, the fact that the posting directive had referred to her as the 'provisional squadron leader' had only made her feel worse. So they had planned to replace her all along. It had been too good to be true – her assignment as commander of the Thunderbolts had been a stopgap measure until someone else could be found. She felt as though she had just been stabbed in the back with the blade twisted in.

"Ma'am, I relieve you." There was no malevolence in his words as he addressed her. Regardless of the outgoing commander's rank or status, he or she was always considered superior to the incoming commander, at least on the day of the changeover of command.

"I stand relieved." Adelene looked over at Winnie. "May I present my . . . provisional Executive Officer."

The wispy warrant officer seemed to panicked. Clearly she had not prepared to meet her future squadron commander. From the look of the overalls she wore, that was certainly more than likely to be the case. "Officer Winnie Kok, at your service, sir."

"You are the squadron leader?" The private with the ponytail blurted out.

"You have a problem with that, Private . . .?"

"Uh, no, sir. None at all, sir. Uh . . . Private Candice Yap, sir. At your service." She exchanged a hesitant look with her buddy.

"I see. And your friend?" He directed his gaze over to the darker of the two.

"Private Adora Cheong, sir!"

"Well," Alvin fixed the two privates with a critical eye. "As to whether I'm a stupid jerk with delusions of grandeur, or a psychotic glory-seeker, I think you will be finding out in the days to come."

Candice's face flushed red with embarrassment while Adora seemed to blanch with undisguised terror as they both realized that every word they had uttered aboard the shuttle had been heard by him.

"Sir, we . . ." Adora began, sputtering like a fish out of water. "We . . ."

"No apologies are necessary." Alvin waved her off. "Though I'd be a bit more careful when airing my comments and opinions next time."

"Sir, yes, sir!"

"That goes for you too." His gaze was redirected at Candice.

"Understood, sir!" She answered as she snapped to even more rigid attention.

"Lieutenant Chan will be Executive Officer now, Officer Kok. Henceforth, you are relieved."

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Winnie replied sharply and sincerely, looking genuinely relieved.

"Lieutenant Chan?"

"Sir?" The short, dark woman grated.

"What were you intending to do before you were interrupted?" He spoke as if everything that had just happened was no longer of consequence to anyone.

"I was going to get the two privates settled in to their quarters." There was a note of incompleteness to those words, as if she had stopped herself from addressing him as 'sir'. "Looks like I'll have to make room for you too."

"Very well. Detail someone to show these two to their quarters then."

"Winnie," The XO's tone was brittle as she addressed the woman. "Have James come up here ASAP to show these two to their quarters. You will see to Lieutenant Ng's needs."

"Yes, ma'am." Adelene could see no delight on Winnie's face despite the fact that her own chagrin at having been so ignominiously replaced by Alvin. Maybe there was some relief, but Winnie was taking no pleasure in seeing her tormentor replaced. At least she wasn't showing any glee outwardly.

"I shall be vacating my quarters to make way for the lieutenant here should there be a need for anyone to locate me." Adelene looked at her replacement, struggling against the urge to glare. "With your permission?"

"Carry on, lieutenant." Alvin said without a trace of emotion.

And without another word, Adelene turned sharply on her heel and left the shuttle bay before anyone had the opportunity to see the tears rolling down her burning cheeks.

1112 HOURS – 04 APRIL, 2214

"So that's the new squadron leader." Private Christina Lai said as she looked at the video screen that displayed the shuttle bay's interior. An inquisitive person by nature, the communications operator had switched on that video feed as soon as she heard about the new arrivals so she could get a glance at them. "He looks pretty sharp."

"Isn't that the guy who was court-martialed or something . . ." Officer Janice Chan squinted at the screen, trying to make out the face of the only man who stood in the shuttle bay now. Winnie was offering to help with his duffel bag. "Now what was his name . . . Alan? Albert?"

"Alvin Ng." Lieutenant Kallie Chang, the Fantasia's XO said frigidly from her bridge station that overlooked theirs. "That's him, alright."

"Ah, yes. That's his name." Janice nodded inn the affirmative. She caught the look on the XO's face and could not resist the urge to ask. "You know him, ma'am?" It was really more of a statement than a question.

"In more ways than one." Lieutenant Chang exhaled nosily as she stared at the display. There was little mistaking the loathing in her tone.

"Ma'am, if I may . . ." That was Christina who spoke, looking back from her station.

"No, Christina. You may not." Chang's gaze didn't shift though her features were now hardened and her eyes frosty.

"Oh . . ."

"Must have been something really bad, huh?" Janice chimed.

"I said drop it, Officer." The XO didn't quite snarl but it was as close as she had ever come to doing that since she had been aboard and the navigator was taken slightly aback, falling silent and quickly averting the senior officer's gaze.

"Ma'am," It was Christina who finally broke the uneasy silence on the Fantasia's bridge. "Captain's on the line. He wants to know if you can make it to the mess later at 1500 hours."

"Tell him I'm tied down with paperwork and we'll be running a tracking and interception problem at that time."

"Uh . . . ok. Yes, ma'am. I'll let him know."

"As the communications operator relayed the XO's response to the Captain, Lieutenant Chang stalked out of the carrier's bridge without saying another word.

"We're having a tracking and interception exercise later?" Christina looked to Janice in mild surprise once she was done talking to the Captain.

Warrant Officer Janice Chan checked her forecast of events for the day and looked back, making a face as she shrugged. "I guess we do now."