I pull the stick to the right and the Aero space fighter turns easily, lining me up for my attack run. I love this fighter the VAF- 4, Variable Atmosphere Fighter, it can fly in both the atmosphere of a planet or the vacuum of space. [Titan 17, light is green.] HQ gives me the go sign. "Roger that light is green." I line up releasing the safety on the stick getting a clear lock on target, a hard point that the enemy has been using to stop the advance of our ground forces. I pull the trigger and the missile flies off hot, ten seconds to impact; I had no thought then of who might be in there, it was my target, so I veer off. I watch the screen as the missile closes in and then it hits.
I begin to climb fast, suddenly the fighter rocks all the lights go red, what the hell! I start to lose altitude and the eject light comes on! It must be the stolen stealth missiles; the ones the Russian counsel was talking about in the security tac brief. I enter a flat spin, I pull on the stick but there is no response, the fighter is dead! The G forces pin me to one side of the cockpit, as I try to reach the eject handle! I reach for it and miss, reach, miss and again miss! With all my might I reach once again and I grab it and pull it...
I sit up on the bed with a start! Breathing heavily and covered in sweat. Instinctively I reach for Mandy, but she on duty tonight, so she's not with me. I remember that day, when I was shot down. It was early on in the Africa campaign, even before Mandy and I got together. It was one of the major pushes in Morocco, where the enemies forces had concentrated. It was a line of fortifications that had stopped our troops cold, in its tracks literally. Just remembering everything that happened is...
I look at the time I really don't have to be up for another three hours; I'm not sleepy though, not after that dream. It's been a while from the last time I had that one. I get up and out of bed heading straight for the shower and jump in, and finish in five minutes. I shave and then sit down for breakfast, since I'm not going back to sleep. Instead I review more of the ships manuals; particularly the weapons sections. This system has been under development for some time, although this is the first of this size and wattage.
I shut down the monitor; rising from the chair I grab and put on my uniform, and walk out of my room. I start to stroll down the passage way taking a circuitous path to the bridge, which is where Mandy should be. We're only three days out from Mars; in the last two weeks we've been able to test the Cherenkov drive and the weapon systems. Thank God we did cause our main guns needed some adjustments, to the targeting computer or Lord knows what we would've hit.
Before I know it I'm entering the bridge and I spot Mandy sitting in the Captains chair, viewing some info or report. "Captain On the bridge!" Calls out the young ensign at the security station.
Mandy looks up and smiles then frowns a bit, with worried expression. "What's wrong?" She asks without betraying emotional closeness, yet showing concern. There is no rule stating that officers can't have relationships, but when in uniform they must maintain their level of professionalism.
"Nothing." Is my reply, but I know it hasn't fooled her one bit.
She nods. "Well, I've been reviewing the reports on the Helios readiness for action, and you've done an incredible job." Our eyes make contact for an instant and I watch as Mandy moves her right hand to her thigh; she make a slight gesture with her index finger. She moves it side to side then two taps, which the one of the hand signals we developed. A personal form of communication she and I worked out, so we could communicate during meetings, when direct contact is not possible. She wants to talk later. I scratch my right cheek with my finger twice acknowledging her request with the yes. The corners of her mouth ever so slightly curl up, giving me the faintest smile.
Mandy remembered. I should've had no doubts that she would. We had a lot of fun coming up with those hand signals, and then using them right under the noses of our COs. I move right next to her. "All seems to be clear. If you like I could take the COM now."
"You shouldn't even be up yet."
"Yeah, well. Sometimes you need to get up early."
Mandy chuckles a lightly. "I understand. However, I'm on duty for the next two hours." She shuts down her monitor, which surprises me. Secrets. There's something she doesn't want to know at this point. She turns towards me. "So, what got you up this early?" She asks trying to act as if I didn't notice what she just did.
I look around the bridge, at all the fine young men and women who are serving on the Helios. "Is it alright if we go into the Captains office?" She nods her agreement.
"Lieutenant Isly, you have the bridge." Mandy commands. We head to the office which is off to the right just outside of the bridge. I walk in and Mandy follows. She stops by the door as it closes and locks it; as I turn Mandy comes up putting her arms around my neck. "Couldn't wait till tonight?" She whispers.
I put my arms around her. "Well I just couldn't sleep any more and you weren't there." I give her a peck on the lips, but I can't feel good about Mars. This ship is not for this purpose. "I read a message yesterday, which is probably why I had that dream."
Mandy looks at me with some concern. "The one about when you were shot down?" She puts her hand on my face.
"Mandy." I look her in the eye. "My gut is telling me that we're headed to a bad situation here." I feel things are not were they should be. "I'm sure you know, who is in command of the troops on Mars." I pull away from Mandy and walk to the port window watching the stars. "I have my suspicions, of who the ground forces commander is. That's why The briefs have been missing some info."
Mandy sits on one of chairs in the office and leans back looking at me. Analyzing what kind of reaction I might have, if she confirms my suspicions. "Your right. I did leave that out of the briefs, and I did so intentionally." She lets out a short breath. "You left Africa... me. Because of that man; I couldn't let it happen again. Not now - not ever."
I nod understanding what she means, but this changes somethings. Especially the strategy that I have to assume to go against General Artemis. "Does He Know that I'm in command of this ship?" I ask
"No."
"Does he know that I'm on board? Does he even know that I'm back?"
"No." Well maybe we can have a turn of events in our favor.
I smile slightly. "He thinks you're in command of this ship doesn't he?" I turn my head and look at her; Mandy nods in confirmation. "Lets keep it that way for now. He won't expect it and he needs to be shaken up a little bit." The butcher himself. That's why they sent him, because he has no qualms about using any means necessary, to gain the military edge.
**************************
We arrive on station assuming a geo synchronous orbit above the ground forces HQ, on Mars surface. This way we can keep a clear line of communication. I'm on the bridge looking down onto Mars wondering if this is really a good idea, at least the moon is close. With our current resources... Mars is far from Earth. The Helios made here with no problem, but that is the ships design; ISV, Interstellar Vessel. Mandy sits in the Captains chair, as we agreed to do, so the good General doesn't throw a hissy fit immediately.
"Sir." I turn to my left rear and ensign Velada our com officer is waving me over.
"What is it ensign?" I ask.
"Message from Mars ground force commander. He wants to the ships Captain Sir." Ok, it's time start the show. Turn to Mandy and nod; she smiles shaking her head. "Patch it to the Captains monitor."
"Aye Sir." I walk toward Mandy careful not to be spotted behind her. It has to this way or the effect will not work; we need to catch him flat footed, and let the shock confuse him. While he recovers we will cooperate on the surface of things, since I know exactly how he will want to use us.
I stand to the front of Mandy and she gives me that look, when she's no sure if this right. I smile and wink at her, seeing some of the tension come off her shoulders. Mandy hits the button. "This is the ISV Helios, Major Mandy Roberts speaking." She looks at the monitor and smiles when the General appears.
[Major Roberts, it's good to see you once again.] He sounds confident. [We have a situ here that requires the fire power of your ship; I'm going to send you the coordinates and I want you to lock on Target and fire.] That SOB hasn't changed one bit. I motion to Mandy to find out what the target is. What are we shooting at.
Mandy nods, as if she going to give the order. "What is our target sir?" She ask nonchalantly. I need to know beforehand, but knowing this man it's an emergency refuge bunker.
[The rebels are hold up in a blast bunker, so I need you to target the doors. Then we'll take care of the rest.] Just as thought. I give Mandy the nod, to let me take over.
She scratches her cheek twice acknowledging my request. "I see." She responds. "Being this the situation I will now have the ships Captain take command of the tactical side the of the equation." She says and though I can't see the General; I can definitely picture the look on his face.
[Wait... aren't you in command?] Mandy glances towards me nodding, for me to take my place in the Captains chair. She rises and gets out of the way, and I step in sitting down looking at the General's face on the screen.
I can't help but smile slightly, as recognition lights the General's face. "This is Captain Antonio Valdez commanding the ISV Helios."
[What... is this some kind o joke!] sputters Artemis.
"No sir. This is not a joke." I respond. This is exactly what I knew would happen.
[What in all the hells is going on here! You resigned!] This is better than I expected. [You can't be I command! You don't follow orders as they are given!] he shouts.
"I beg to differ General, with all due respect." I say calmly. "I do follow orders; except for those that are ilegal and unethical." I keep my face straight as I speak, though one glance at Artemis and I know that he is about to explode. The vein in his temple is throbbing and he is clenching and unclenching his jaw. Boy oh boy, this is going to be interesting.