What a difference a few hours could make. Then she’d been sitting at the table, eating breakfast and studying her orders one last time. Her only thought then had been figuring out the best way to make sure the Devil Dogs were ready to ship out. After that, she’d hurried to her briefing with Admiral Collins and reps from FleetCom. Her mind had been reeling as she thought of all she needed to do to get the Devil Dogs ready to ship out when her comm sounded. A moment later, the world looked a lot better than it had in a very long time.
Now she stood at the head of the conference table and looked at her company commanders, their XOs and her own senior staff. Their expressions ranged from mildly curious to concerned. Not that she blamed them. They knew enough to realize she had their orders, even if the grin on her face was at odds with going to war.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before we get started, there is one bit of news I want to share with you,” she began as she was seated. “This morning, at approximately 0700, JAG officers, accompanied by Marine MPs, executed arrest warrants for Alec Sorkowski, Thomas O’Brien and approximately a dozen others. Charges range from treason to interference with an official investigation to bribery and accepting bribes to official oppression and more.”
She leaned back and watched as the news sunk in. Ortega nodded, a satisfied smile on her face as she pounded the tabletop with her fist. There were a few none too quiet comments about how it was about time. Adamson punched Talbot in the arm and grinned almost as broadly as Ash. Best of all, no one, not a single officer present appeared to be anything but pleased with the news.
“JAG has assured me they will be sending over more information shortly. Once I’ve reviewed it, I’ll release it so you can let your people know. I want every member of the battalion to understand that FleetCom and the Commandant’s Office are fully behind the Devil Dogs and our upcoming mission,” she continued. “Captain Ortega, let’s start with staffing needs.
Before Ortega could stand, the door to the room slid open. Surprised and a little alarmed that the newcomer had managed to get past the two Marines standing post outside the door, Ash swung to face them. Instinct had her ready for anything.
Or almost anything.
“Ten-hutt!”
Her voice rang out as she shoved to her feet at the sight of both her mother and Okafor standing in the doorway. As she braced to attention, she knew the others did so as well. What she didn’t understand was why the women were there. Her mother hadn’t said anything earlier about sitting in on the briefing she the last she’d heard from Okafor, they weren’t to meet until the next day.
Was it possible there had already been a change to their orders?
That possibility worried Ashlyn. If the Callusians were already escalating the fight, they had managed to build up their military more than suspected during the years of the so-called truce. Either that or they had help from someone. That possibility worried Ashlyn more than a possible buildup because it meant there was a player Fuercon was unaware of. It could be someone thought of as an ally or it could be one of the systems that had stayed neutral during the previous war. Hell, for all she knew, if there was a third player involved, it could be a group based out of Fuercon. That might, just might, help explain away officers like Sorkowski and support personnel like Hines.
“As you were,” Okafor said as she approached the conference table, Elizabeth just behind her. “Major, have you had a chance to brief your people yet?”
“Negative, ma’am. I was just telling them about the latest from JAG.”
Okafor nodded, a slight smile touching her lips. “Then I guess I ought to let you know that both Sorkowski and O’Brien are now in custody and are being processed into the brig. There will be other arrests made as well over the next few days.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Ash’s voice was soft and full of emotion.
“Well, you might not thank me when you learn that the President will be making a statement tonight, after the arrests have been made.”
Now Ash groaned, the thought of what the media hounds would be like spoiling the pleasure of a moment before.
“Major, before we let you get back to your briefing, there is one matter that needs to be taken care of.” She motioned for Ash to step forward. Then she glanced over her shoulder at Elizabeth.
“Major, stand tall,” was all Elizabeth said but her eyes twinkled and Ash swallowed hard. They were definitely up to something. But what?
“Major Shaw, I hope you know just how much the Corps, FleetCom and the current administration value all you have done and sacrificed for Fuercon,” Now she accepted a flat, black leather case from Elizabeth. “Events have not really given us a chance to do this formally. Besides, I know you prefer as little fanfare as possible where you are concerned. However, we aren’t going to let another day pass without you receiving your due.
“Major Ashlyn Shaw, it gives me great pleasure as Commandant of the Fuerconese Marine Corps and acting at the behest of President Derek Harper to present you with Distinguished Service Medal for the actions you took not only during the Arterus Campaign but also during the time of your false imprisonment at the Tarsus Military Prison. You acted above and beyond the call of duty to protect those under your command, often placing yourself in danger to do so. You are a credit to the Corps, Major. Thank you.” Ash managed a slight nod as Okafor opened the leather box, revealing the medal nestled against black velvet, before handing it to Ortega who now stood to the right and slightly behind Ash.
“President Harper sends his regrets for not being here to do this himself, Major,” Okafor continued as she took a second box from Elizabeth. “But he said that he figured you would probably try to jump out a window if he suddenly showed up. There was something about you being a suspicious sort who doesn’t like being the center of attention.”
Snickers came from several of those gathered and Ash closed her eyes, counting to ten. Jumping out a window sounded pretty good just there. There were only two problems. One, there was no window in the room. Two, she doubted any of her people would let her make a break for the nearest window. So all she could do was stand there and take whatever Okafor had up her sleeve.
“It is my great honor to award you the Fuerconese Medal of Honor, Major, not only for your actions during the last war but for those upon your return to the capital. You did not have to act but you did and you did so without thinking. Because of your actions, numerous lives were saved.”
“Ma’am.” She couldn’t help it. This was too much. She didn’t deserve either honor but especially not the Medal of Honor. She hadn’t done anything any other Marine wouldn’t have done. If anyone deserved to be honored, it was all those people who had died as a result of the phony intel they’d had on Arterus.
“I know, Major. You think there are others who deserve this more than you.”
Ash could only nod.
“I assure you, they are being recognized as well.” She waited until Ash reluctantly nodded. Then she handed over the leather case she’d been holding.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
What else could she say? Then, seeing how her mother looked at her with pride, she had a feeling the two of them would be having a very long talk about this before the day was over. Obviously Elizabeth had known about this when they left the house but had chosen not to say anything. Well, she would learn that it wasn’t wise to pull this sort of a surprise on her eldest daughter.
“There’s one more bit of business to take care of before we let you get back to your briefing,” Okafor said and Ash groaned. From the amused look on the general’s face, she’d been heard. “A battalion commander is almost always a colonel’s billet. There have been a few exceptions where the Corps has put a lieutenant colonel in command. With the Devil Dogs about to ship out, it is time to correct that oversight.”
Once again, she reached back to Elizabeth. This time, Ash watched as her mother placed a small box into the general’s palm. As Okafor took one step forward, Ash unconsciously squared her shoulders. Her heart fluttered and she felt her face flush. Now she understood what her mother had meant earlier that morning when she’d said that soon everyone would know that the administration as well as the Corps and FleetCom had full faith in her.
“As of this morning, your proper rank is that of lieutenant colonel. Congratulations.” Okafor smiled again. As she did, Elizabeth stepped forward. Ash stood at attention, wondering if this was all a dream, as they removed and replaced her rank insignia. “Now, before you say anything, Lt. Colonel, the only reason you aren’t being promoted to full bird colonel is I figured you would either implode or kill your mother and me or both.” A bigger smile this time before the women stepped back and braced to attention. Ash returned their salutes and then shook their hands, not quite trusting herself to speak yet.
“Captain Ortega, I think you were about to begin your part of the briefing when we interrupted,” Okafor continued, a devilish glint in her eye. “Perhaps you’d be so good as to continue now. I have a feeling your CO needs a moment to catch her breath.”
“Ma’am, if I might be so bold, I’d suggest you and Brigadier General Shaw get on your way before she recovers. She doesn’t particularly like surprises and this has been a humdinger of one.”
“Respectfully, ma’am, you and my mother pulled a fast one on me and I do promise to return the favor one day,” Ash managed to say.
“I’m sure you will. But until then, you have an op to plan, Lt. Colonel. We’ll let you get on with it.”
And, with that, they were gone, leaving Ash to stare after them, wondering why she couldn’t wake up from what was definitely one of the oddest dreams she’d ever had.
C
HAPTER
N
INE
A
SHLYN
STOOD
ON
the observation deck above the main landing bay for the
Cassin Young
. Below and to her right, heavy armor was being unloaded and checked. Directly below her, attack shuttles had been brought onboard and carefully locked into place. Their flight crews were now scouring them for any damage that might have occurred during the landing process. To her left, LACs, the newest in the Corps, were being checked. Everything looked to be in good order but she wouldn’t relax until she’d seen the final reports for herself.
Not that a problem with any of the equipment would delay their departure. FleetCom had made it very clear that they had to depart on time. If the latest intelligence was right, they had a very tight window in which to arrive at their destination and execute their mission before enemy reinforcements arrived. That added pressure to everyone involved but it was nothing new to the Devil Dogs. Most of their missions seemed to have similar restrictions.
Ash winced slightly as a high pitched screech filled the bay. For a moment, all activity halted as everyone looked around to see what had happened. Then, before she could say anything, she saw Ortega stalking through the crates of weapons that had just been offloaded from one of the shuttles, her expression thunderous. Even though she couldn’t hear what her Exec had to say to the hapless private she had honed in on, it was clear she was giving the young man the dressing down of his life. Then she turned and called one of the NCOs over. There was a calmer discussion and, as the Exec walked off, the sergeant laid a hand on the private’s shoulder, his expression speaking volumes. Yes, the private had screwed up but now he knew better and would never do it again. Apparently he’d said just that to the younger man. The private nodded and looked at the sergeant with an expression that mirrored both relief and a determination not to repeat the same mistake. Good. Ortega had done her job and the sergeant had reassured him. Hopefully it would be enough to keep the young man from second guessing himself on the battlefield.
“Ma’am, Captain Nichols reports that Delta Company is now squared away,” Corporal Nolan reported from her side.
“Send my compliments to the captain. Tell him to get his people settled into their quarters now that their gear and equipment has been stowed.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And let Captain Jareau know we should be finished here in the next hour.”
A loud crash sounded below her almost before she’d finished speaking and she bit back a curse. Talk about “famous last words.” She didn’t need anyone to tell her what happened. She’d recognized the sound and had a pretty good idea who was responsible. Frowning, she scanned the area, looking for the source of the sound.
“Ripper, what the devil do you think you’re doing?” she yelled. As she did, Ortega, as well as Adamson and Talbot, stalked across the deck in the direction of the power armor that lay on its side on the decksole.
“Sorry, Ma’am. The controls on this piece of shit are dodgy as hell,” the burly Marine replied.
“Don’t give me that, Rip. This is the second powered suit you’ve managed to drop today. Next one you drop, I’ll assign to you. And make sure someone gives this suit a thorough going over ASAP.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
“I’ll make sure of it, LC,” Adamson called up, her expression as serious as Ashlyn’s.
Ash nodded and turned away. Much as she wanted to stay and supervise, that was no longer her job. As battalion CO, she had to trust her command staff. If she didn’t, the rest of the battalion wouldn’t. Even if she did, if she gave the impression she didn’t by always looking over their shoulder, the battalion would suffer. Besides, she knew Ortega was more of a stickler for details than was she.
If that wasn’t reason enough for her to move on, she had a briefing with Admiral Collins soon.
“Are the latest status reports uploaded?” she asked Nolan.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Then, Corporal, let’s go see what the Admiral and his staff have to tell us.”
She managed to take a couple of steps toward the lift when the sounds of another crash filled the bay. Cursing softly, Ash turned and hurried back to the edge of the platform. Anger and frustration spiked to see another powered armor suit laying on the deck.