Chapter 15
Tragic Affairs
The press conference was a crowded affair with reporters from every mass media outlet vying for General Bowers' attention. He was announcing the five finalists for the pilot's position. Professor Robinson chose not to attend as he wanted to avoid any discussion of his daughter's love life in front of a live television audience.
"All of the pilots have proven to be exceptional flyers. It has been a difficult task to narrow the list down to the final five. Competition has been stiff and all the men and women who volunteered for this program possess the highest character. The following pilots will remain in the Jupiter program: Major Thomas Bryce, Lieutenant Jack Jackson, Lieutenant Rosalind Perry, Captain James Miles and Captain Donald West."
Questions were immediately thrown at the general who raised his hands for quiet. He pointed to a reporter.
"Is it true, general, that there have been hard feelings between the pilots because of the personal relationship between Captain West and Professor Robinson's daughter?"
"I will not take questions of a personal nature," General Bowers answered.
"Let me rephrase that, general. Will their relationship affect the outcome of the competition?"
"The selection process is based on skill and talent, nothing else."
Another reporter, thankfully, changed the course of the questioning. "What can you tell us about the rumors that there is a plot to sabotage the mission, General?"
"You know as much as I do. I can tell you that measures are being taken to insure the safety of the Robinson family as well as the security of the facilities where the Jupiter is being built. Nothing will stop the goal of this mission."
"Isn't it true that a romantic relationship between the pilot and the Professor's oldest daughter would be an advantage since the goal of the mission is to colonize a distant planet?"
"This is only the first flight, which is exploratory in nature. True colonization will not take place until after reports are returned. Romantic relationships have no place on this mission."
"Then why wasn't Captain West eliminated from the group?"
"Because he has earned his spot. This press conference is over."
"I'd like to know how he earned it…" one reporter commented to another.
T Minus 10 Months and 29 Days…
The invitation came in a silver trimmed envelope. The National Symposium on Space was a yearly event and Professor Robinson was to be the keynote speaker. That event, along with the Annual Air Force Ball, was taking place at the Beverly Wiltshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California the weekend of November 17th. The hotel was a classic art deco building that was a remnant of the heyday of Hollywood. The five pilots, who had also received their invitations, chose to stay at a motel outside of the Hills, since they couldn't afford the grand hotel.
Professor Robinson had been given a suite for the family, but Judy and the children decided to stay with Colleen and Jim, allowing John and Maureen to enjoy a few nights of luxurious privacy, which they desperately needed, for they were hounded by reporters whenever they were in the public areas of the hotel.
Colleen had invited Don to stay with them, but he thought it best to stay with the pilots. He and Red would be sharing a room and Lieutenant Perry, of course had her own. Major Bryce was stuck with Lieutenant Jackson who still harbored a grudge against Don for the fist fight they had had a few months ago.
Don and Judy planned to keep a low profile throughout the weekend. He attended his workshops and Judy spent time with Joan. She and the children were obligated, however, to attend the Saturday morning keynote address by her father and sit through the usual publicity photo shoot, as did the pilots. Don and Judy would be attending the ball together. They decided that there was no reason not to, since it was expected.
Penny and Will hoped to escape the formal luncheon that followed the photo session, but they had no such luck. Professor and Mrs. Robinson were sitting at a table with General Bowers and other Air Force officials. The children were placed at the table with the pilots and Judy prayed that Jackson and Don would be on their best behavior.
"Hey, Don. Can you come over to play some volley ball in the pool tomorrow?" Will asked.
"Sure. I'll come and spend the afternoon at your Aunt Colleen's house," Don offered.
"And night too, Captain West?" Jackson asked.
"I didn't hear that Lieutenant," Don retorted.
Judy intervened before more could be said. "You are all invited over tomorrow afternoon for a swim and barbecue. My Aunt Colleen and Uncle Jim wanted to meet all of you."
"Thank you, Judy, but I'm leaving early to see my parents in Tucson on the way back," Major Bryce stated.
"And I'm flying back tomorrow, but thank you for the invitation, Judy," Lieutenant Perry added.
"I'll be there," Red said.
"Since I'm your ride, you don't have much choice, Red," Don laughed.
"Lieutenant Jackson?" Judy asked.
"Sure. Why not? I'm not flying back until Monday," Jackson answered. "Oh, by the way, Captain West, I ran into an old flame of yours this morning, a Lieutenant Lynn O'Hara."
Don flushed the tiniest bit, which, of course, Judy noticed.
"Wanted to know where you were staying. Said something about stopping in for old times' sake. She was a real looker. You really know how to pick them."
Don glanced at Judy and said, "She's an old classmate from the Academy. I haven't seen her since I joined the Jupiter program."
Judy took Don's hand and squeezed it.
Jackson wouldn't let it go. "From what she told me, she was a lot more than just an old classmate. Came really close to marrying you. Let's see you have a blond, and had a redhead… Got a brunette in your past?"
Judy saw Don's jaw twitch and intervened. "I think you've said enough, Lieutenant Jackson."
He was undaunted. "Wait, I think you did. Lynn said something about replacing a Mia. Sounds like a brunette to me."
Don wanted to threaten him with bodily harm, but the presence of Judy and the children kept his anger in check. "You know what, Jack, you're absolutely right. I went with Mia my first year at the Academy, but dropped her because she was a superficial diva. Then I went out with Lynn until I left the Academy. Lynn was a great girl, but I was never in love with her. Any thoughts of marriage were on her mind, not mine. Satisfied?"
That shut Jackson up, at least for the time being. Don breathed a sigh of relief and hoped that he hadn't hurt Judy with his revelations, but he had never claimed to be a monk.
Having never attended a prom, this was Judy's first formal event and she agonized over what to wear. Maureen had told her not to worry because she would look beautiful in anything she chose, but she wasn't so sure, especially after hearing about Don's old flame. Her doubts about not being mature or experienced enough for him resurfaced and refused to stop nagging her.
Joan was putting the finishing touches on Judy's hair when they heard Don's car pull-up to the house. She pulled a few more tendrils out from the up-do and curled them with her finger and said, "He's here."
Judy panicked. "I'm not ready!"
"You're as ready as you're going to be, so relax, Judy."
"Joan, suppose we run into his old girlfriend?"
"So? The key word is 'old', Judy. You have nothing to worry about. Now, come on. Don't keep him waiting." Joan ran down the steps and greeted Don with a hug. He was relating some story or other about his and Red's trip out to L.A. that had Colleen and Jim in stitches.
"Is she ready?" Don asked.
"I hope so," Joan replied.
Judy came down the steps wearing a thin strapped gown that hugged her bodice and was a rich shade of blue that gradually changed to green as it flared towards the hem. There was a long piece of chiffon that was attached to the shoulder straps that could be used as a wrap or pushed back against her neck as a scarf or removed. Don was mesmerized.
"You look ravishing," he commented as he took her hand at the bottom of the step.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Captain," Judy stated as she admired him in his mess dress uniform, which was the military equivalent to a black tie tuxedo. He wore a blue waist length coat that accentuated his shoulders with the double bar Captain's insignia. A blue bow tie and cummerbund completed the attire.
"Have fun, and do everything I would do, Judy," Joan called after them as they left.
Judy was quiet as they drove to the Wiltshire. Don knew that Lieutenant Jackson's remarks during the luncheon were probably still on her mind.
"Are you okay, Judy?" Don asked.
"Of course," she replied.
"Sure you are. That's why you haven't said a word since we left your aunt's house."
"I'm fine."
They were a few miles from the hotel when Don pulled over.
"Okay. We're not going anywhere until we talk about this. What do you want to know?" he asked.
She fidgeted and didn't answer as she looked out the window.
"Come on... out with it," Don stated.
She sighed and stared down at her hands as she asked, "Do you... do you think we'll run into your old girlfriend?"
"I don't know, Judy," he answered, "and I don't care. I'm with you now."
"But… if she wanted to marry you… you were… intimately close, weren't you?"
He sighed. "I won't lie to you, Judy. Yeah, we were that close, but..." He hoped she would understand his attitude. "It was understood that there was no commitment, at least on my part."
Judy was uncomfortable with that answer and remained silent.
"Look, Judy, she's the one who pushed for the intimacy, not me. Maybe I should have held her off…"
"But what man would?" Judy finished for him.
This time he was uncomfortable. "That's probably true. I… I don't really have an excuse. I didn't love her and in a perfect world I wouldn't have given in, but I'm far from perfect, Judy."
"I know. I don't expect you to be. I'm the weird one, not you."
He took her hand and held it. "No, you're not, Judy. You and your family are exceptional, not weird. You have your principles and you live by them. Not many people do these days."
He hated valet parking, but he didn't have much choice in the matter. He handed over his keys and watched his beloved Datsun be driven away. Turning to Judy, he offered his elbow and they smiled for the cameras that seemed to be everywhere. They decided to simply ignore the attention and enjoy themselves for the night.
The grand ballroom was lavishly appointed in 1920's style with Palladian windows and a terrace that ran the length of the room accessible by several French doors. Both Don and Judy were impressed, but they didn't have much time to admire the architecture as her parents came to greet them. Before long they were separated and pulled in opposite directions, much to their displeasure.
Lynn O'Hara watched their entrance with envy. She had seen the newspapers and knew that Don and Judy made an exceptionally good-looking couple, but the chemistry they exuded was undeniable in person. She wished that she could have come out of uniform to give Judy some competition, but as it was, she wore the same waist length jacket as the men, but over a long blue skirt rather than trousers. What she would have given to show some cleavage. She spotted Don by the bar and took the chance to greet him.
"When did you make Captain?" she asked.
He smiled. "Lynn, it's good to see you again." He reached out and shook her hand.
"So?"
"Oh, I made Captain last spring. Where are you stationed these days?"
"Edwards Air Force Base. I'm in Public Relations."
"Happy?"
"Relatively… and you?"
"Very."
"So you're still intent on traveling the galaxy?"
"Still in the running."
Captain Miles and Major Bryce walked up next to them. After introductions were made and drinks purchased, Tom suggested to Don that he might want to save Judy from her parents. Dinner would be in a few minutes and she hadn't been allowed to take a breath since she entered. Don picked-up a club soda for Judy and went to search her out. He found her trying to back away from a group of officers who were vying for her attention. She smiled in relief as he handed her the drink and saluted the officers. He looped his arm around hers and led her to their table.
The night did not turn out as Judy had expected. It seemed that every officer in the room wanted time with her and her parents. She had been on the dance floor for five dances and had yet to be in Don's arms. It seemed to her that her parents were encouraging their separation, and she was beginning to get flustered. She ducked away from all the attention by excusing herself to use the ladies' room. There she ran into Lieutenant Lynn O'Hara. She didn't need to be introduced to her as one look at Lynn's expression told her all she needed to know.
"You must be Lieutenant O'Hara," she said.
"I am. And I know that you're Judy Robinson," Lynn replied.
"Don has told me about you."
"Has he? Not too much, I hope."
"Enough. I know that you two were… close when he was at the Academy."
"Yes, we were. How about you and he?"
"We get along well."
"Is he the reason you're still in the mission?"
"Not the only one."
"But the main one?"
Judy didn't answer that question. It really wasn't anyone's business, but her own.
"Well, it was nice to have met you, Miss Robinson."
As Judy watched her leave, she realized that Lynn had never recovered from Don and prayed that the feeling wasn't mutual. Don knew that Lynn and Judy had ended up in the ladies room together and was sweating it out until they left. Lynn immediately ran outside to the terrace and Judy was nabbed by yet another officer for a dance before Don could get to her. He took the opportunity to follow Lynn so he could question her on her conversation with Judy.
"Lynn?" Don called. Her back was to him as he approached her. She continued to stare out at the night sky, so he turned her around to face him and immediately felt guilty. Tears ran down her face and he knew it couldn't have been from anything Judy had said. "I'm sorry, Lynn. I was sure that you must have moved on by now."
"Moved on? I see that you have and I have to say that I don't totally understand it," Lynn commented.
"What don't you understand?"
"I never took you for someone who could be taken in by looks alone. I mean, she's beautiful, but you have to admit that she is rather vacuous."
"That's where you're wrong, Lynn. Don't underestimate her. She's got a good head on her shoulders and a strength that still amazes me."
Lynn wiped her cheeks. "Are you in love with her?"
Don looked away. "That's between her and me."
"I see." She turned away towards the stars again. She wished she could be angry, but the emotion just wasn't there. "Don, I hope things work out the way you want them to." She faced him again. "Just because I'm not happy doesn't mean you shouldn't be."
"Lynn," he placed his hands on her shoulders. Judy had been searching for Don and stopped at one of the French doors when saw them together. He bent to kiss Lynn on the cheek, but she turned her lips towards his and held him close.
Jackson appeared behind Judy at that moment. "Uh-oh, two timing you already. Let me be your knight in shining armor, Miss Robinson. May I have this dance?" he asked. She let him lead her to the dance floor as if she was in a trance. She never saw Don back away from Lynn nor heard his parting remark.
"Lynn! Don't! Look, I'm sorry you think you're still in love with me, but give it up. You don't need me to be happy."
Lieutenant Perry, Captain Miles and Major Bryce were watching the entire scenario and devised a game plan. "Miles, get Don back in here. Perry and I will cut in on Judy and Jackson. Do you mind, Ros?" Bryce asked.
She rolled her eyes. "Only because I like Judy and Don."
"Okay, to your posts."
Lieutenant Jackson had no choice, but to relinquish Judy's hand to his superior officer. Besides, Perry didn't give Jackson a chance to hesitate as she pulled him in the opposite direction.
"Thought you needed to be rescued, Miss Robinson," Bryce stated.
"Thank you, Major. I'm not quite sure what happened, but I suppose I did," Judy replied.
"You seem to be upset. Care to share?"
She had no desire to be seen as an immature, desperate young woman, and so lied that she was fine and turned her spine to ice.
"Don't jump to conclusions, Judy. What you saw on the terrace wasn't what you thought," Tom stated.
Red strode out to the terrace and exclaimed, "There you are! You need to get back inside, Don."
"She saw us?" Don asked.
Red nodded.
"Damn! Good-bye, Lynn, and remember what I said."
He hurried back into the dance floor and caught Tom's eye who led Judy right to him. After he tapped Bryce on the shoulder, he took Tom's place and Judy was like cardboard in his hands… stiff and straight with a corrugated brow. "You saw us," he said.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Captain," Judy replied.
"Come on, Judy. Please don't play games. Not now. I know how it looked."
"If you're talking about holding Lieutenant O'Hara in your arms, it is none of my business."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Then why were you watching?"
"I wasn't watching, I was…"
"You were what?"
She found her resolve to play it cool crumbling. "I was looking for you."
"Because…"
"Because I missed you."
He grinned. "I'm holding onto you for the rest of the night."
That wasn't quite possible. John requested the honor of dancing with his daughter and Don, of course couldn't refuse. General Bowers took the pilots aside as John whirled around with Judy. He had received a report that two men had been arrested for attempting to enter the ballroom posing as waiters. Rumors had been circulating for weeks that the Air Force Ball was going to be a target for an increasingly violent sect of colonization protestors. "Professor Robinson wanted to keep this quiet, but I thought you should all know," he reported.
"General, if there was one attempt to infiltrate the building, there could be more," Roz Perry stated.
"Is the professor at least telling Maureen and Judy?" Don asked.
"He's told Mrs. Robinson, but not Judy. He didn't want to ruin her evening," the General replied.
Don shook his head. He wasn't sure he agreed with the professor's over protection policy regarding his daughter, but wasn't about to overrule him.
The evening was finally coming to a close and security was increased as the crowd started to collect their cars or escape to their rooms. Judy had gone to bid her parents good-bye while Don and the other pilots waited for the valets to deliver their vehicles. Judy ran into Lynn, who was hurrying out the door, and nodded to her. Lynn returned the gesture. Don walked up to them and shook Lynn's hand as he put his arm around Judy's waist. "Be happy, Lynn," he said as she gave him a wry smile and took a step towards her car that was waiting.
Before she reached her car, a taxi cab careened directly into the waiting crowd and up the steps of the hotel. Screams and shouts of "Hit the deck!" were heard and Don shoved Judy to the ground and lay on top of her. The taxi exploded, sending shrapnel in all directions.
"Are you all right?" he asked her before he stood.
"I think so." She touched his cheek. "You're bleeding."
"I'm okay."
They both stood and Don surveyed the carnage. Lieutenant Perry was pinned under a fallen column, and Jackson was trying to remove it. Don joined him. With the column lifted, they saw that her left arm and leg were crushed. Tom and Red joined them in freeing Roz and others from the rubble.
Judy found Lieutenant O'Hara lying on the ground several feet away, bleeding profusely from her leg. Judy ran to her and tied her long scarf as a tourniquet above the leg wound, but blood was also trickling from her ear and Judy guessed that Lynn had a serious head wound. Lynn moaned and Judy took her hand and searched for Don. Their eyes met and he stepped over debris to reach her. Judy moved so Don could take her place. He leaned close to Lynn and whispered, "I'm here, Lynn." She caught his eye and was gone.
John and Maureen picked their way through the destruction, looking for their daughter. They found her standing next to Don who was kneeling beside Lynn. Don took off his jacket and placed it over Lynn's face. Then he stood and took Judy in his arms, burying his head in her neck. A photographer came near to take their picture and John grasped him by the collar and shoved him away.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and the injured were triaged and taken to the hospital. Judy's gown was blood stained, but she hadn't sustained any injuries, other than a few scrapes and bruises from when Don had shoved her down. Don was treated for superficial wounds and refused to be taken to the hospital.
Air Force security would not allow the Robinsons to remain on the scene, and they were hustled away to an undisclosed location, deaf to Judy's protests that she needed to stay. The pilots were immovable. General Bowers himself had to threaten them with insubordination to get them to leave. The general allowed one exception. One look at Don told him that he was cemented in place. He refused to leave Lynn's side until her body was taken to the morgue.
The pilots were taken to Edwards Air Force Base and debriefed. Don called Lynn's parents to inform them about what happened. It was the most difficult moment of his life. He then spoke with his own parents to reassure them that he was fine. After the phone calls he searched for Judy, but all he knew was that the family had not been taken to the base. He sought out General Bowers and demanded information.
"Where is she, General?"
"That is classified information given out on a 'need to know' basis, Captain West."
"Exactly." He stood fast.
"You are dismissed, Captain."
"General…"
"I said you are dismissed!"
Don stood there a moment longer, saluted and left.
General Bowers' heart went out to him, but he reminded himself that romantic relationships had no place on this mission. He wished that he truly believed that.