Good. If Nichols’ log passed muster after being examined by the JAG, it would be enough to make sure the ship’s commander never held another command again.
“I have two questions.” Ash handed the datapad back and waited until Nichols nodded. “First, what would you say to returning to the Devil Dogs?”
Now it was Nichols’ turn to say nothing. For several long moments, he simply stared at some point over Ash’s head. Finally, he looked back at Ashlyn, a million questions reflected in his expression.
“Ma’am – Major, I meant what I said earlier about feeling like I hit my head too hard and this is all some sort of hallucination or something.” He ran a hand over his hair and shook his head. “I don’t understand how you can be here. But, to answer your question, I would like nothing more than to return to the Devil Dogs. I never wanted the transfer out.”
“I know and that’s one of the reasons why I’m here.” She climbed to her feet and moved around the battered desk so she stood before the man. “Consider yourself back to the battalion, Mr. Nichols.”
She produced her datapad. A few moments later, Nichols’ datapad beeped. Ashlyn watched as Nichols checked the new message. Seeing the smile that slowly spread across her companion’s face, Ash nodded slightly. Good. One hurdle cleared. But that was just the warm up.
“Now for my second question. I have received orders to take temporary command of not only the Marines onboard but of the ship itself, at least until Admiral Tremayne’s aide arrives to relieve me. Starting with the Marines in the gym, who can I trust?”
Ash had to give it to Nichols. He didn’t answer instantly. Instead, he glanced out into the main area of the gym, his expression thoughtful. Ashlyn waited, not wanting to rush her.
“Each of those present are solid, Ma’am. I would trust them at my back in a firefight anytime.”
“Very good.”
She smiled slightly. This next part would be tricky, but at least Tremayne and Okafor had been quick about making sure she had copies of her new orders. But before she announced them to the rest of the ship, she needed to see how the handful of Marines in the next room reacted. Orders or not, if she got the feeling things could go south, she would hole up here in the gym with Marines Nichols said she could trust until time for Captain Jareau to arrive onboard.
“Ten-hut!” Talbot snapped as she returned to the gym a moment later.
Instantly the Marines obeyed. Ashlyn left them braced to attention. Before she could say anything, Nichols quickly took his place at the end of the line. Good. There was still pride in these few men and women and that was something she could work with. At least she hoped so.
With Talbot on her heels, Ashlyn moved down the line of Marines, her eyes missing nothing. Even in PT gear, there was an air of confidence and strength about them. Despite the concern and curiosity they had to be feeling just then, they didn’t move, they didn’t so much as let their eyes follow her as she moved past them. It was as if they were recruits at Basic and she was the meanest, baddest drill sergeant, the one they hated in the moment but who they thanked for giving them the skills that would one day save their lives.
“Stand easy,” she said as she finished her inspection. “As I said earlier, for those who don’t know me, my name is Ashlyn Shaw. I am the commanding officer of FirstBatt, the Devil Dogs. Since it is becoming all too clear that there is a problem onboard this ship, let me start by telling you what you should have learned two months ago. At the behest of President Harper, a full investigation into the events surrounding the court martial and conviction of myself and the six surviving members of my unit more than two years ago, all charges have been dropped, our records have been cleared and we have been reinstated to active duty. That is the short version. The long version is that the JAG is investigating the circumstances that led up to our convictions, looking not at us but at other members of the Navy and Marines. That is all I am at liberty to tell you at the moment. However, if you check your datapads, you will find copies of not only our pardons and orders reinstating us to duty but also statements from the President and from General Okafor.
“As for the Devil Dogs’ former commander, Major Pawlak is now Lt. Colonel Pawlak. He has been transferred to Second Division. He left a pair of very large boots for me to fill but I will do my best to do so, starting with carrying out my orders from FleetCom to hold this ship until Captain Jareau arrives.
“Until FirstDiv’s CO and the Commandant’s Office can review the disciplinary actions that have been taken by the ship’s CO, I am brevetting Mr. Nichols to his previous rank of captain. So, Captain Nichols, put three teams put together. One is to go to Engineering. Another is to go to Life Support. The third is to come with me to the Bridge.
“Understood, ma’am.” He stepped forward and then turned to face the other Marines. “With the Major’s permission, you have three minutes to get dressed and fall back in. Move!”
“Yes, sir!” they answered as one and raced to the locker room to do as he said.
Ashlyn nodded in approval. No matter what the ship’s CO thought, it was obvious the Marines respected Nichols and that, as far as Ash was concerned, was all that really mattered.
Less than five minutes later, the Marines had once more formed up. Each looked as if they could have stepped right out of a recruiting poster, unlike the two in the bay. That reassured Ash. So did the way they snapped to attention as she and Talbot approached. As they neared, Nichols moved forward two steps and then braced to attention. His right hand snapped up in a salute.
“Orders, ma’am?” he asked once she returned his salute.
“Get me those three squads, Captain.”
Nichols nodded and then turned to face the waiting Marines. Quickly, he split them into the three squads. As he did, Ash nodded slightly in approval. Nichols put the senior non-com, a staff sergeant, in charge of the squad heading to Engineering. A young second lieutenant would lead the squad going to Life Support. Nichols left himself to lead the squad escorting Ash to the bridge.
Nor did she blame him. By acting as her escort, he would be able to show the ship’s CO that not all officers had such little regard for his abilities as a Marine. She understood Nichols’ need to get a little of his own back. She’d been hoping for the exact same thing since learning she had been pardoned and then cleared of all charges that had been leveled against her after the Arterus mission.
“Squad One, you are to take up positions inside Sick Bay and guard all entrances to it and to Life Support. As soon as you hear the ship-wide announcement of my orders from FleetCom, you are to secure the databanks there. You are to hold position until relieved,” Ash said as the squads formed up. “Any questions?”
“Negative, ma’am,” Nichols answered for his people.
“Then let’s get moving.”
With that, Ash moved toward the gym exit. As she did, Talbot quickly signaled to Nichols and his hastily formed squads. Instantly, Nichols barked out a series of orders and the squad designated as Ashlyn’s escort fanned out around her. Ashlyn didn’t know whether to feel flattered or worried when the largest of the Marines other Marines ranged down the corridor in front of her while the others brought up the rear. Nichols was all but stuck to Ash’s side, sandwiching her between himself and Talbot. Obviously, they were preparing for the unexpected.
As they moved through the corridors, those they met quickly came to a halt and looked on in disbelief. Orders were quickly snapped out that they were to report to their duty stations and await further instructions. Before the onlookers could react, one or more of the Marines would growl out a warning of dire consequences if they should attempt to warn the bridge or the captain of Ashlyn’s presence onboard.
As the lift doors slid open, Ash instantly pushed passed her Marine escort and stepped onto the bridge. The moment she did, Talbot barked out “Officer on deck!” Heads turned in surprise, eyes wide and mouths open. Two of the Marine escort peeled off and relieved the current watch. As they did, Ash moved purposefully toward the command chair in the center of the bridge.
“Major Shaw, this is Lieutenant Commander Archer Denman, the ship’s second officer,” Nichols announced as the small, whip thin man all but jumped to his feet.
“He is the officer to log in your arrival, Major,” Talbot added softly.
“Very good.” She paused long enough to look around the bridge. Then she shook her head, her expression serious. Even here, there were too many signs of neglect, both of the equipment and of the personnel.
Without another word, Ashlyn reached out and activated the comm-link on the command chair. Instantly, the chime sounded throughout the ship, demanding that all hands pause in what they were doing to pay attention. Datapad in hand, Ashlyn glanced at the orders she had received from General Okafor and FleetCom and then she drew a deep breath.
“To: Major Ashlyn Shaw, commanding officer, First Battalion, First Division, Fuerconese Marine Corps.
“From: General Helen Okafor, Commandant and Admiral Miranda Tremayne, commanding officer, Second Fleet.
“Major Shaw, you are hereby ordered to take temporary command of the
Aisling
and you are ordered to hold said command until relieved by Captain Justin Jareau. Until that time, the
Aisling
is to remain in its parking orbit. You are further ordered to have the commanding officer of the
Aisling
as well as all senior officers made ready for questioning by Captain Jareau upon his arrival. Failure by any member of the
Aisling
’s crew to obey your orders will result in appropriate disciplinary charges being filed.
“Signed, Admiral Miranda Tremayne, commanding officer, Second Fleet and General Helen Okafor, Commandant.”
She paused briefly before continuing. “All hands, you will find further information pertinent to this action in the ship’s databanks. It has now been cleared for all onboard to access it. You are under orders to review it immediately as we are now at war. I repeat, Fuercon and its allies are once again at war with the Callusians.
“At this time, all senior officers are to report to the ready room. Shaw out.”
“Major, if –“
“Mr. Denman, I may not know what’s going on here, at least not yet, but I do know you are a part of it.” Her voice might not have betrayed what she felt but the way her eyes flashed angrily surely did. Denman might not be the cause of the problems onboard the
Aisling
, but she had a feeling he’d done nothing to prevent them. His actions by not making sure the CO knew of her presence confirmed that. “You are dismissed to the ready room. Master Guns, make sure he has an escort please.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Talbot signaled to one of the Marines who quickly peeled off and waited patiently for the Denman to salute and leave the bridge.
“Mr. Nichols, you know the rest of the bridge crew. Who would you put in command while we meet with the senior staff?”
“Major, because we are in docking orbit, any of them can do the job. However, if you’re asking who is in the Commander’s pocket and who isn’t, all of the current crew look to the lieutenant commander.”
That wasn’t any better, as far as she was concerned.
“Very well. Captain Nichols, you have the conn. As you said, we are in docking orbit. You are also a certified LAC pilot. I think you’ll be able to handle the job.” The look she gave the others on the bridge as well as the inflection in her voice spoke volumes. She had faith in the young man and woe unto anyone who tried to buck that faith.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ashlyn had to give it to Nichols. He gave her one very quick look of surprise before squaring his shoulders. A moment later he took his place in the command chair.
“Master Guns, I believe it’s time for us to report to the ready room as well.”
With that, Ash turned and almost sedately left the bridge. Only those who knew her well realized just how much she looked forward to the upcoming encounter.
* * *
“Relax, Ash,” Okafor said with a smile as she motioned the major to a chair.
“Ma’am, I hate to say it, but whenever you tell me to relax, things tend to get
interesting
pretty soon afterward.” She smiled slightly, hoping the general understood she didn’t mean to be insubordinate.
“I understand completely, believe me.” Okafor’s smile matched hers. “I’ve been in contact with Admiral Tremayne and it seems you walked into a situation she’s found on several of the smaller ships assigned to Second Fleet. Apparently some of those officers who should have been cashiered out years ago but who managed to hold onto their ranks through political or other ties had been assigned to her Fleet. From what Tremayne said, these officers aren’t nearly the cancer Sorkowski or O’Brien turned out to be but they are a danger nonetheless because they aren’t keeping their ships and their crews in fighting trim.”
Ashlyn nodded, her expression troubled. Why would any officer, especially a ship’s commander, allow his crew to become lax?
“So she is reviewing the staffing of all ships in Second Fleet to make sure she’s caught all the bad seeds.” Okafor leaned back, her head cocked to one side as she studied Ash for a moment. “FleetCom has been apprised and has issued orders for all units of Second Fleet to return to the home system. That’s going to impact your mission to some degree.”
“Ma’am?” Ash leaned forward, suddenly alert.
“The initial plan was to use ships from Second Fleet to comprise the task force that will be part of your mission. However, with what you found onboard the
Aisling
, FleetCom has decided to send ships from First Fleet on the mission.”
Ashlyn opened her mouth to interrupt only to snap it shut. There would be time later – she hoped – to voice her concerns. The thought of removing even a few of the ships currently assigned to protect Fuercon and the rest of the home system worried her, especially after the attack on the capital not that long ago. It didn’t matter that the attack had been a diversion by the enemy, designed to keep FleetCom’s focus on the home system, making it easier for the Callusians to attack the Cassius System. What the attack had proven was that Fuercon’s defense systems weren’t as good as everyone had assumed. Worse, now the enemy knew it. Did they dare risk another attack with a weakened First Fleet?