CHAPTER FIFTEEN
01, July 2454 Aboard the Tenacious 10:00 hours.
It took more than the few hours that Kate was hoping for but the announcement finally came: "Now hear this, prepare to get underway. All personnel prepare for plasma power operations in one minute." Four hours later: "All personnel prepare for transition to fold-drive operations in one minute."
01, July 2454, Officer's mess. 18:30 hours.
"That was a nice thing you did, Rick, selecting Delacroix to command the training company."
Coming up from the ranks, through warrant officer, Captain was the most he could hope for in normal circumstances. Now, as a major, he'll retire as lieutenant colonel." Del said.
"I didn't do it to be nice. He's the best fit for it. He's older, more patient than the rest, including you and I. He's a great teacher. I learned a lot from him
back on the Belleau Woods."
Kate put her hand on his arm.
"It was still a nice thing to do. I'm going to teach you to admit it when you're nice. It's not a weakness, you know."
"Speaking of nice, Captain Wayne said, when are you going to hold that engagement party that you promised us?"
"That's pretty much up to Kate. She'll have to plan it. I don't know anything about parties."
"Three days, then. Kate said. That should be enough time, especially if Lanie helps me."
"I'll be glad to help and so will Lily and Nancy."
"I'll even pitch in, said Captain Wayne. An older and wiser head will keep you from overdoing it
. Del said;
"I'll get the Sergeant Major to provide some bodies to help fetch and carry."
"We'll have to limit the guest list or every booze hound in the ship will be after a free drink." Rick said.
"That's normal, even if we were on a planet, you'd still only invite your friends and family." Captain Wayne said.
"A little more, here, I think. We'll have to invite the Admiral, Captain Rogers and senior staff, also my company commanders, the first sergeants and the Sergeant Major." Rick said. "Don't forget the Master Chief."
"This is already getting out of hand." Rick said
. "Don't worry, Darling, we Ladies will handle everything. All you have to do is pay for it. Simply reimburse the quartermaster when we reach home."
"Let's start planning tonight. May we use your conference room, Darling?"
01, July 2454 Marine conference room, aboard the Tenacious 19:30 hours.
The Sergeant Major walked into the conference room. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"
"Yes, I did, Top. We're planning the Major's and Commander Beckett's's engagement party; we could use your help." Del said.
"I'm well ahead of you, Sir. We, the NCO's started working on it as soon as you told me about them. We'll combine our plans with the Ladies' plan. You and the Major can go have a couple."
"Speaking of that, I don't know if there's enough alcohol on board for a good party."
"We already took care of that, sir. We got quite a few cases of wine and a couple of whiskey from the locals. We didn't even have to pay for the wine. The Governor gifted us with it. The whiskey's our gift. Kate got up and kissed the Sergeant Major on the cheek.
"Thank you, Sergeant Major, you're a jewel." The Sergeant Major blushed.
"You're welcome Commander.
How many years do you have in service, Sergeant Major?"
"I've got twenty-five in with five more to go to a full pension."
"When you retire, I want you to go to work for us. At Green Shores. Your official title will be Chief of Security, in reality, Rick 's bodyguard and advisor."
"What will the Major think of that?"
"He'll agree to it. As long as my requests are reasonable, he will do what I ask of him." Just don't use the term bodyguard. He'll bristle at that.
"I will never get an offer to beat that or could make me prouder. You have got my services."
They worked on planning the party until 22:00, then Kate said;
"I think we've got this all planned out and it's time to retire for the evening."
04, July 2454, Aft assembly hall, 20:00 hours.
Kate 's friends and the Sergeant Major's men had done a magnificent job of decorating.
Small tables were scattered around the room, leaving plenty of space for dancing. Hologram projectors gave the hall the look of a country club. A small bar was set up next to tables holding a variety of snacks. The guests were arriving and the room was filling with laughter and light conversation. Everyone was glad of a chance to relax and enjoy themselves after the strain of the campaign.
Several members of the crew were eager to earn a little extra money acting as stewards and bartenders.
Admiral Petrofsky and his wife were among the first guests to arrive. Captains Rogers and Wayne came as a couple. Lanie was shocked to see Cheryl Cristobol arrive on the arm of the chief engineer. To Lanie 's surprise, Cristobol was in her dress uniform and it was cut as conservatively as hers.
"You invited her?" Lanie almost yelped.
"I had to, she's senior staff but I'm surprised that she came." Kate replied.
As soon as everyone was seated, Rick stood.
"I want to welcome you to a celebration of the most important and wonderful event of my life, to date. Most of you have heard already but tonight I want everyone to know it, officially. Kate has consented to be my wife and we will be married when we reach home. I have put this beautiful lady through a lot and I know that I am the most fortunate man alive that she loves me anyway."
He lifted Kate to her feet and slipped the engagement ring on her finger. Then they kissed, a long, passionate kiss.
"Hey you two, come up for air." Del called out.
They broke apart to a burst of friendly laughter.
Kate smiled and said;
"He did put me through some mental torture, though I did my share of it to him. That we are together and always will be, speaks to the plans of a higher power. "I truly believe that I was born for him and he for me."
Del said;
"The stewards will now charge your glasses." He waited a minute, then said,
To Kate and Rick, may their life together be long, joyous and prosperous."
Everyone drank to that. Admiral Petrofsky and his wife came over to congratulate
Kate and Rick. Anna Petrofsky was, like her husband, tall and slender but opposite him in coloring. Olive skinned with dark hair and warm brown eyes. Anna Petrofsky said;
"My warmest congratulations to both of you. I am so happy for you. But what took you so long? I could see your love for each other from the very first time I saw you together. Never mind the question. All that matters is that you are together."
The Admiral said
"It is said that you are one of the most beautiful women in the galaxy,
Commander, I could certainly see that tonight. You are a very lucky man, Major.
I wish you many happy years together."
"Thank you, Sir, Ma'am." Captain Rogers and Captain Wayne approached, together.
"Congratulations to you. Captain Rogers said. Gloria and I are taking a page out of your book but since neither of us has a family to please we're not going to wait. We'll have the chaplain perform the ceremony here on board, next week. Keep it quiet till it happens."
"Congratulations go both ways then." Rick said.
Kate smiled and said, "I'm really happy for you."
Captain Wayne grinned.
"Well, we're not as hard headed as some people are, it took a couple of blows to the head to bring both of you to your senses."
Rick laughed. "I guess I got knocked sensible instead of senseless."
Del came over and said;
"The people of Green Shores are going to be elated when they hear about this. Dumonon said that they prayed that Rick would choose wisely. He has. You think that the welcoming party was something? Just wait for the wedding celebration!"
Both Kate and Rick were wary when Cristobol came up to them. Kate had told Rick about her confrontation and Lanie's.
"First of all, let me offer my congratulations to both of you. Secondly, I want to apologize to you Commander, for my conduct. In Major Castle, I saw something I wanted and I went after him, in a bad way. Major, I owe you an apology too. You are so much more than a trophy stud."
Kate decided to be gracious.
"Your apology is accepted and thank you for the congratulations." Rick merely smiled and nodded.
"May I ask you a question, in private, Commander?" Rick stepped away.
"I tried very hard, to get Major Castle in my bed. I couldn't even get a kiss from him.
That's never happened before. Why was it so easy for you?"
"Believe me, Commander, it wasn't easy. But in the end, it was very simple. Underneath that fearsome reputation is a very sensitive man. You merely wanted him. I love him."
After everyone had congratulated Kate and Rick, they went to the tables and sampled the various food items, some savory, some sweet and happily raided the bar.
Kate raised her hands and asked for attention.
"My friends, in a few minutes, my favorite part of any party will be starting, the dancing. Before we do, there is something I want to say. Just before we left Alpha Centauri, there was a farewell party. Rick 's sister, Julia, sang a song. The last lines of the song are these.
One enchanted evening, when I heard my true love, when I heard him call me, across a crowded room, I flew to his side and made him my own. Now that I have found him, I'll never let him go.
The music for dancing started. Rick led Kate out on the floor. She pressed in against him and let the music flow through her. After three dances, Del cut in.
"You're going to have a hectic month when we get home."
"Other than the obvious reason of planning my own wedding, why?"
"Lairlene and I are getting married she is going to want you as one of her maidens so you'll have to be fitted for a gown.
She will want to be in your bridal party. When you and Rick marry, the Emperor and Empress going to want to be in on it as Rick is now a kinsman to the Emperor.
Then there will be at least four, maybe five formal dinners. And I know that mother will want a wedding ball. That's part of our culture. Remember that Rick is now her son by our laws. So, she's going to have two sons marrying two of the most beautiful women in the galaxy."
Kate laughed.
"Are you trying to scare me off, Del? It won't work. As the song says, now that I've found him, I'll never let him go."
Admiral Petrofsky tapped Del on the shoulder.
"Rank has its' privileges Captain. I would like to dance with our beautiful comrade." The Admiral smiled at Kate. "Do not worry my dear My Anna is keeping your Major safe from the predators."
"I must thank her for that."
"Oh, there is a charge for her services we very much want to dance at your wedding ball."
Kate smiled back.
That's a charge I'll gladly pay. In fact, we would be honored if you would attend all the festivities, especially the wedding."
"We gladly accept. My bank account won't be happy though. Anna will want at least three new gowns."
"With respect Admiral, how about letting a mere Captain have a dance. Captain Rogers was waiting his turn.
"I really have to thank you and Major Castle, again for inspiring us. We both were so into our careers we ignored our feelings. You two made us look at ourselves."
After a couple of Marine officers danced with Kate, Sergeant Major Esposito came to her. "May I have a dance, Commander? I promise not to step on your feet."
Kate smiled and said;
"Absolutely, Sergeant Major."
To her surprise, the Sergeant Major was a better dancer than she thought he would be.
The Sergeant Major said; "The men want you to know, Commander, that they
Think the Major is the luckiest man alive and they have voted you the darling of the battalion." Kate flushed with pleasure.
"Tell the men that I am honored by that and I will treasure that honor, all my life."
Rick tapped the Sergeant Major on the shoulder.
"Sorry to cut you off, Top but I want my lady back." The Sergeant Major grinned.
"By all means, Sir."
Kate slid into Rick 's arms.
"This is where I always want to be." She whispered.
As the musicians took a break, Del said;
"The party's in full swing now, you two can get out if you want."
"In a little while, there's something I've wanted to do for a while, now I'm going to.
My friends, if you'll indulge me for a few minutes, I have a little show that I've prepared. It's mostly for my Darling but I want you all to share it. Come on, ladies. Lanie, Lily and Nancy joined her. They left the room for a few minutes, then came back in. Their hair down and all dressed in short skirts, tight fitting tops and high heels. Kate cued the musicians. There was a long drum roll, then a fast-paced beat. Kate began to sing.
"You're the thunder rider, master of the storm, the night is cold and dangerous, in your arms I'm safe and warm.
You go riding on the thunder, gambling with your life, laughing at the danger, thriving on the strife.
When you go riding on the thunder, my eyes are full of tears, my heart is in my throat, my mind is full of fear.
You're the thunder rider, master of the storm, you're the thunder rider, master of the storm.
When you ride out on the thunder, wagering your life. I cannot bear to watch it; I want to be your wife. Can't you see that I love you? I want you safe with me, stop riding on the thunder, set my spirit free.
You're the thunder rider, master of the storm, you're the thunder rider, master of the storm.
Come home thunder rider, come out of the storm. Take me in your arms and keep me safe and warm. Come home thunder rider, keep me safe and warm."
Rick was the first one to react.
"I'm stunned, Baby that was fantastic!"
The Sergeant Major put his holographic camera away
." If she lets us post that, he thought, we'll have a pin up nobody can touch!
Cristobol's mouth hung open. Where did that come from? She thought. I never had a chance!
"Let's go, Darling I want some private time." Kate said.
Later as they lay in bed, Kate said; "Now that it's official, will you please order a wider bunk. I want to move my things in here, tomorrow."