Chapter 7 – The Handover
With her eyes closed, the world was a soft mattress. And there were the smells of the room. The smell of blankets, sweaty socks and dozens of other things. But that was not all. For the world was not complete without the sounds. The footsteps in the corridor, the talking of people and distant humming of machinery. All in all, it was a nice universe. As long as she kept her eyes closed. So she didn't want to open her eyes. She just want to lie here and let the moment continue. Alas, the universe had other plans.
"Colonel Leyton ?" A voice said. "The Commander send me to get you, ma'am."
She sighed and opened her eyes.
(Battlestar Xanthi – Duty Locker 47 – Day 2004, 0805 Hours)
Colonel Theresa Leyton swung her legs out of the bunk and got up. She recognized the owner of the voice as Ensign Ralph 'Dodger' Wallace, a nugget Raptor ECO.
"Lead the way, Ensign."
"Yes, ma'am." They walked out of the room. "May I ask you something, ma'am ?"
"What on your mind, Dodger ?"
"Well, ma'am, you're the XO. You have your own quarters…"
"….so why am I still sleeping in my old bunk ?" She smiled. "Somebody once told me that this war is crazy. And he was right. So I've developed a habit or two to keep me sane. Lying in that bunk reminds me that there are some things the toasters can't take away. No matter what happens."
As they walked, her mind drifted to all the things that had changed since the Battle of Hades and Misery. The Air Wing had been expanded to two-hundred and forty Vipers and ninety-six Raptors. But that wasn't the big tactical change. Before the Battle, Xanthi had been a lone wolf. Now, she had four support vessels. And Colonel Mitchell had been promoted to Commander of one of those ships one-hundred and fifty-four days ago. Which was how Leyton had ended up as XO. (Mitchell had taken the only candidate - Major Miller - with her to serve as her XO.) Her old job as CAG had gone to now-Major Dan McIvers, with Captain Pete Aurellius as his second-in-command. As for McIvers' old co-pilot, Tyler Williams….he had made full Lieutenant and now the ranking LSO for the starboard flight pod. It had not been a willing assignment. On day 1985, he had lost his left leg. So Williams had been forced to chose between retirement or becoming an LSO. He had – angrily – picked the latter. They reached the Commander's quarters, ending her time to ponder. Wallace announced their presence.
"Come on in, Colonel." Magnus said. "You're dismissed, Ensign."
Wallace left, while Leyton followed Magnus into his quarters. They sat on the bench.
"I'm afraid I've got a good news, bad news situation."
"Let's hear it, sir."
"I just new orders from the Admiralty."
"And ? How bad is it ?"
"I've been promoted, but not in rank…I'm being transferred to the Atlantia."
The Atlantia had seven support ships, which made it a highly desired command. It was a high profile post, and her last two Commanders had both become Admirals.
"And Xanthi ? Who's the new…" He gave her a look. "No, no, not….me ?"
"I'm afraid so."
She took a deep breath.
"I was hoping for a little more time as XO to be honest, sir."
"That's how I felt when they made they plucked me from being XO on the Archeron."
"When are you leaving, sir ?"
"That's the really bad news. The shuttle is already here, and I'm already packed."
Leyton felt her blood grow old. She looked around and realized that he was telling the truth. All the Commander's personal things were gone. Then a smile grew on her face. This was typical of Magnus. He hated brass, protocol and most of all, being the center of attention. He simply wanted to leave in silence. Leyton nodded.
"I understand, sir. But I'll need an XO. Have you got anybody in mind ?"
"There are a lot of good officers. Use your instinct to pick your XO." He reached into his pocket and took out a note, which he gave to Leyton. "But here are five names my instincts tell me you should put on your short list."
"Thank you, sir." She put to the note away. "Any other tips, sir ?"
"When you can, get some R and R. It rarely happens and nobody has any use for a burnt-out, Commander." Magnus got up and went to his desk. He opened the drawer and took out two boxes. For a moment, Leyton thought back to the last time Magnus had done that. It had been when she had promoted to CAG. Then she pushed the memory away. "And now the last thing. To begin with, your pips." Magnus gave her one of the boxes, which she opened to find her new rank pips. She closed the box. "But those can wait." Magnus said.
"Sir ? I don't understand."
He handed her the second box, which she opened to find a one cubit-coin.
"I got that from the guy who oversaw the construction of the Xanthi. It's a lucky charm."
"Do you really believe that ?"
"To be honest, I don't know. But with the way this war is going, do you really want to risk ?"
"Good point."
Leyton put the coin in her pocket. Magnus nodded and closed the drawer.
"That's it. Good luck, Commander." Magnus said.
"Good luck, Commander."
They shook hands and Magnus walked out. Leyton looked around, realizing it was now hers. It suddenly felt huge. She took a couple of deep breaths and then removed her old pips. She opened the box and put on her new pips. Her shoulders suddenly felt like somebody had put a heavy weight on them.
She put her old pips in the box. Soon, she would be offering them to somebody else. But for now, there were other things to do. To begin with, she would have to tell the crew.
"No time like the present."
And so, Commander Theresa Leyton walked out of her quarters and went to work.