Chapter Sixteen
"So, Matt, you looking forward to seeing Erin again when we get to SB-93?" Amanda asked before taking a bite of the meal that was before her. Matt, Amanda and James were having lunch in the Majestic mess hall.
"Yeah, I'm worried about her. The Black Rose took heavy casualties when it was ambushed last week; they've been at SB-93 since then for repairs. She seemed pretty distant the last time we spoke. Has she ever acted like that before, Amanda?" he asked, showing genuine concern for his fiancé.
"War changes people, Lieutenant." A different voice said from behind Matthew's back.
"Captain!" all three of the marines said at once, standing up out of respect for their senior officer.
"This seat taken?" Robert asked, pointing to the last vacant seat at the table.
"No sir, go right ahead." James said as all four of them sat back down.
"As I was saying, Lieutenant, war changes people. It's something I've seen happen too many times in my career. Anyways, from the report I read, the Black Rose took severe damage and lost a lot of good people. Their morale is shattered at the moment. My advice to you, is just lend a listening ear."
"Thank you sir." Matthew said, sounding a bit at ease.
"Now, to the reason I'm here. I've just received orders that I'm to temporarily re-assign two of my officers too Generals Lance and Rah'Phon when we arrive at Star Base 93. Major Soul, Captain Harrison, you two are the most experienced for what they need."
"What's the assignment?" James asked.
"Starfleet and the Klingons are planning a ground assault on a Dominion mining facility that supplies their ship building effort here in the Alpha Quadrant. You're both to be assigned squads and will lead them into battle."
"If Lance is in charge of this, we should succeed." Amanda commented.
"You know of him? I haven't met him yet."
"He taught ground tactics at the academy when the three of us were there." Matthew explained. "What role will the rest of the Knights have?" He asked.
"They will be piloting drop ships and providing fighter support for the ground offensive." Robert explained, taking a bite of his meal.
"Captain Matthews to the bridge." Announced the ship wide intercom, and the Captain dropped his fork loudly onto his plate and scowled.
"This better be good. Major, Captain, Lieutenant, enjoy your meals." And he walked out of the mess hall at a brisk pace. James looked over his shoulder out the view port to see the ship slow to impulse and a Galaxy-class star ship pull up along the Majestic's port side. He caught the name of the ship to be the USS Triumph, and then picked up his napkin and wiped the small bits of the stir fry he was eating and cleared his table.
"That's General Lance's ship. C'mon Amanda, we got to get our gear packed, I have a feeling our ride just came and picked us up.
- - -
"General Lance, It's nice to finally meet you. Three of my senior Marine officers speak very highly of you." Captain Matthews said, greeting the General.
"As they should, they'd know better to do otherwise." General Jerry Lance said with a wry smile on his face, but there was something in his tone that had a hint of seriousness. Robert got the impression that one did not want to make this man angry.
"Permission to come aboard, Captain?" The General requested.
"Granted, I'll meet you in…"
"We don't really have time; I'll be beaming directly to your ready room."
"Alright, I'll see you in a few minutes. Majestic out."
Captain Matthews let out a sigh, and then walked into his office, and just before he could sit down, the blue glow of the transporter effect filled the room, and the surprisingly short General was standing before him.
"Welcome aboard the Majestic. What can we do for you, General?" Robert asked.
"Well, I'm here to pick up Major Soul and Captain Harrison, but before that, Starfleet wants me to take care of something. Has the ranking Starfleet officer in this sector, I obviously can't command both the fleet that is making the assault on the planetary defences and lead the ground forces at the same, so, if you would follow me." The General said, turning around and walking out onto the bridge. Robert's heart skipped a beat. He knew what was about to happen.
"Attention on Deck! Captain Matthews, front and center." Lance ordered, and the crew present snapped to attention. "Captain Robert Emanuel Matthews, by order of Starfleet command, I, Major General Jerry Lance, hereby field promote you to the rank of Commodore, effective immediately. I also turn over Command of Starfleet Taskforce 43 over to you. Congratulations." The General said as applause erupted from the bridge crew. "Here are your orders from Starfleet Command. Good luck Commodore." He said, shaking Robert's hand and turning over a padd. He then paused. "What deck is Major Soul's office?" Lance asked.
"Deck twelve, just off the main hanger bay." Robert answered.
"Thank you." The General said, showing himself off the bridge.
- - -
Lance walked down the corridor towards the main hanger bay and into James' office, finding it empty. He ran his finger across James' desk and inspected it. Wow, it's actually clean! Lance thought to him self, with a small inside chuckle. Looking at the wall next to his desk was a display case that housed James' ceremonial sword and the various medals he'd been awarded during the war. There were two purple hearts and a silver star.
"Can I help you, sir?" James asked, standing in the door way of his office with a duffle bag over his shoulder, looking a bit out of breath.
"I was just waiting for you, Major. No doubt your captain as told you about your assignment."
"He has; I'm looking forward to serving with you again, sir." He said, setting the duffle bag in a corner. "Have a seat sir."
"It's been along time, James. I've read about the things you and your men have done." Lance said, sitting down on the small couch, and then something caught his eye. "Don't tell me you still have that picture." He said, pointing to one of the many pictures that James had displayed in his office.
"Yeah, about that." James said, scratching the back of his head. James had hoped that he would get down there fast enough to take it down. The picture that the General was referring too was of the General soaked to the bone having had a bucket of water dumped over his head has part of a tradition at the academy.
"You have no idea how annoying that little tradition is. Pulling pranks on your instructors on your last day of classes…" Lance said hiding the smile that was appearing on his face in his best attempt to stay serious.
"Who's to argue with centuries old tradition, sir?" James said, trying doing the same. "While it would be nice, I bet that catching up on the academy days is not why you are here." He said, changing the subject.
"No, that's not why I'm here. You're Captain; He's a Commodore now, by the way, has filled you in with the basics." Lance said. "Captain Harrison and you will be accompanying me on the Triumph in preparation for the mission. 1st Lieutenant Soul will be in command of the Black Knights, who will be providing drop-ship and fighter support."
Lance, who got up and started pacing like he always does, shot me a sideways glance as I paused on what the he told me.
"Or do you think that you're brother isn't ready for this task?" Lance asked
"He's ready, although he is a bit head strong and cocky. But he's been itching for his own command for awhile now. He'll be fine." I answered.
"Good. We leave as soon as you relay your orders to your squadron. I'll leave you to your work, Good day Major." And with that, the general left. James tapped his comm-badge.
"Major Soul to Lieutenant Soul."
"Matt here, sir." He responded.
"Please report to my office."
"Yes sir."
James sat back down behind his desk and let out a sigh. This is going to be a tough week I think. James thought as he started to come to grips with the facts of his current situation.
"Did I just hear you correctly, James?" Matt asked as I told him his current orders.
"Yes, you did. I want you to take this seriously, brother. I'm going by the General's orders on this one, if it were me, and I hope you don't take this the wrong way, I wouldn't be giving you this command." James said sternly and Matt grew silent. "Matt, you do realize what this assignment means. You will be responsible for the entire operation's logistics and fighter support. That means until every last Marine has their boots on the ground, you're responsible for their lives. Are you ready for that?" I asked, looking him straight in the eyes. He paused for a moment.
"Yes sir."
"Good, now go tell the rest of the knights, you'll receive further orders later. Dismissed." I said. Matt saluted and left the room. James couldn't see it, but he knew his brother had the biggest smile on his face right now.