Commanders and Viewpoints

Five days later, Anna had disembarked from her transport at Star Base Gagarin and had headed immediately to the appointment with Vice-Admiral Grover that she had arranged on route back.. Once there she waited in the office of the administrative assistant to Vice-Admiral Grover. Her appointment had been for 14:00. It was now 15:30. She looked over at the Warrant Officer who sat at her desk ignoring Anna then looked at her watch again. It was 15:31. At 16:00, the Warrant Officer stood and told Anna that she could now see Vice-Admiral Grover. Anna gritted her teeth. She was pretty sure that Grover could have seen her on time and this was just some of his nasty, little games. She had arrived planning to be as conciliatory as she could now she was so annoyed that she didn't give a damn what Grover thought.

“Commordore Cyborn, Sir.”

Introduced, Anna came to attention and saluted her commanding officer. Grover ignored her.

“Sit down,” he commanded, as he busied himself pouring a coffee. Anna was not offered one.

“Alright, you've had your leave time and been given your new assignment by ISC. I have no idea what sort of shit they are playing at keeping me out of the loop but I don't like it. My opinion is they are taking a renegade cyborg and making it a prima-donna. You are just fortunate that for the moment the Giganteans are supporting you. Without their pressure you'd have been out on your ear after your last mission when you disobeyed orders and entered that dark mass.”

“Yes, Sir. I think I understand your position quite clearly.”

“Do you now? Good. Because I'm watching your every move and sooner or later I'll have your ass in a sling.”

“I doubt that, Sir. I have a fine crew and I'm a capable officer.”

“You're an arrogant machine.”

“I'm cloned human, Sir, with cybernetic implants.”

“Yeah, yeah, I've heard this crap. Tell me about this damn mission and that is an order.”

“Yes, Sir. The Mariner is being sent to Section 4876 to investigate the disappearance of Scout Ship 782 captained by Lieutenant Braun. It had some navigation problems and entered the large dark mass in that region by mistake. Braun last reported at 27940.56 RST. Admiral Ito does not leave personnel behind, he tells me, and wants every effort made to find out the fate Scout Ship 782.”

“It probably hit something and blew up. Didn't they scan for debris?”

“Yes, Sir, but the dark matter is quite dense and the readings inconclusive. Also there are the anthropology reports from the local star system that has caused rumours that Admire Ito is not too happy about.”

“What reports?”

“It's a pre-space flight culture that believes in angels that take people away if they are not good.”

Grover looked at her in stunned silence. Then shook his head slowly. “They are taking that seriously at ISC? Haven't they got bigger issues to worry about?”

“The Mariner, Sir, doesn't get to investigate the big issues.”

Grover laughed. “That's good to hear. If I find out that you've lied to me, Cyborn, I'll make things damn difficult for you.”

Like you aren't making things damn difficult for me now. “Everything I've told you is accurate, Sir. Or at least what they chose to tell me.”

“You think they are holding out on you?”

“Probably. The ISC hands out information on a need to know basis. I'm sure, Sir, you know more than I do.” Anna had meant this last line to be sarcastic but Grover nodded and smiled knowingly.

Anna gritted her teeth. The old bastard was going to pretend he knew all along and was only testing me or maybe he does know and I'm being played. Shit, I hate these games.

Grover stood. “Okay, Cyborn, that is all. Good luck to your crew. Make sure they come back alive.”

Anna stood at attention although probably not as quickly as she should. She didn't respect this man. She didn't even like him. “Yes, Sir.”

“And, Cyborn, if I find that unauthorized supplies have been stowed aboard your ship again there will be hell to pay. Get out.”

“Yes, Sir.” Anna left quickly before she lost her commission for knocking her commanding officer's block off.

Anna took a elevator to the docking area and walked along the main corridor to where The Mariner was docked on a secondary arm beside its much larger mother ship, The Explorer. On route to Space Station Gagarin, she had received communications from Justice her Deck Captain, Carlos the Captain of The Explorer and from Jill, so she knew her crew and ship was ready and standing by.

For a second, she stood looking at her little ship through a viewing portal on the main corridor. It had better lines now than the first time she had seen her. Toda, her engineer, was a Gigantean and an accomplished designer as were many of his species. He'd made cosmetic changes that had taken the converted SP-950 deep space probe that the Dark Mass Corps had originally been assigned and changed her into a small but sleek craft. She did look a bit more like a shark than a space ship, but Toda had done a great job for them. The Giganteans had promised two more craft for their service making Anna the Commodore of a fleet of three small vessels. The delivery date on the other two craft, however, was another year off.

Anna didn't mind. She'd been embarrassed by the converted probe she'd been assigned. It was insulting. Just like forming a special service for her and others that Grover didn't want in the ISC was an insult. Still, The Mariner had made a name for herself and her crew of misfits and proven that they were a significant and elite service. In only one mission, the Dark Matter Corps had become a bit of a legend. Anna smiled. She was damn proud of what she'd accomplished and damn proud of her crew and the vessel they served on.

Anna straightened her shoulders. She couldn't stand here enjoying the success of a past mission. They had a new assignment and they needed to deliver. The Dark Matter Corps had to prove that it wasn't beginners luck that they really were a special service. Anna headed down the docking arm and arriving at the entrance hatch, she punched in her code to open the port door. She walked along the gang plank corridor and then grasping onto the rail she stepped down the conning tower ladder into the small but functional common room aboard The Mariner.

“Commodore on deck!” came Captain Moshapa's voice. Her crew were all there and standing at attention when she stepped off the ladder.

Anna returned, Justice Moshapa's salute and then stepped forward and gave him a quick hug. “Hi Justice, is great to be back aboard.” Justice Moshapa, a Botswanan, had worked his way up the ranks and won a field commission. He was a decorated officer and had made the rank of Captain on their last mission despite the fact he lacked a degree and wore a prosthetic having lost his right arm in a lab explosion. He was an experienced officer and Anna knew to trust and rely on him.

She went on and shook the hand of each of her crew in turn. Lieutenant Adam Wiseman was her deck scientist. He'd given up a prestigious position in the ISC main labs to stay aboard The Mariner. Once a loner, anxious to escape space missions, he had been accepted into The Mariner family and had decided that being on the cutting edge of exploration was better than the fame of lab research.

Toda didn't wait for a hand shake. The massive Gigantean picked Anna up so that her head was touching the ceiling like his and gave her a hug. “Oh its wonderful to see you again, Commodore. I have so much to tell you about the construction work that is going on with our new vessels,' Toda gushed in his soft, high voice.

“But me down, Lieutenant. Commodores can't be seen with their feet dangling.”

“Oh dear, sorry. I forgot myself, Sir.”

Anna straightened her uniform and went on to shake Sub Lieutenant Barron Eveen's hand. Surname first as was the tradition of the Trodians. They were a slender almost bony species with a mottled pink skin and little round ears that stuck out. They wore their hair like a mane down their neck. Trodians were known for their acute hearing and ability to pick up languages and communicate in may forms. As the ship's communication officer, she was a real asset, more than that, she had appointed herself as the ship's moral officer. She just seemed to know how to make the crew feel at ease and at home, a skill that Anna was trying to learn, if slowly.

Next in line was Chief Petty Officer Sue Lai, an American. She'd been a veteran of the Hydronian Crisis and had suffered a break down after returning. She'd proven herself up to active service on their last mission. She was a fine paramedic and her war time experience had given her the knowlege to turn her hand to almost any task.

Crewman Aja Sur, from Bengal India, shook Anna's hand with quiet sincerity. He was political active in the environmental cause on Earth and had joined the ISC at his father's insistence. He had found, though, that space too needed environmental champions and that Anna would support him in his work.

Anna went on to shake Crewman Jill Fairfax's hand. Then thought better of it and pulled her close for a quick hug. “Missed you.”

Cheers and claps resounded around the common room. “About time!” “Way to go, Commodore!”

Anna turned to her crew, her arm still around Jill's shoulder. “New rules. In a short time we've experienced a lot together. We are more than a crew, we are a family. I hope you won't mind if Justice and I address you by your first names. Justice will answer to Captain, of course, and I can be addressed as Com. Ah, I think probably you guys knew before I did that there was an attraction between Jill and me. I think you know that its very inappropriate so I hope I can rely on your discretion. Jill and I realize that aboard ship we are astronauts first.”

Anna moved away from Jill who was still blushing and speechless by Anna's surprise greeting. “We need to have a conference to discuss our next mission. Why don't you lot get coffee and I'll stow my gear. We'll meet back here in thirty minutes. Justice, could you invite Captain Garcia and Commander Hamilton to join us?”

“Aye, aye, Com!”

Anna headed for the cabin that she shared with Jill Fairfax, assigned originally due to the lack of adequate quarters aboard The Mariner. Jill followed her in a few seconds later and closed the hatch.

“What did you just do? Didn't we discuss the need to be discrete?” she demanded.

Anna looked up from stowing her bag and smiled. “I hadn't planned that. It just happened. I guess Carlos taught me the importance of family and this is what I've got, the crew of The Mariner. It seemed stupid to keep an open secret from them. Are you upset with me?”

Jill hesitated and then came over and wrapped Anna in a hug. “No, just surprised by your about face. I guess its another sign that you really are human. You can change your mind and be illogical. You're right, they all knew or suspected and they will keep our secret. But Anna, we don't have a commitment, right? This is just a relationship.”

“Sure, sure.” Anna reassured although her heart was not in it.

“I missed you. It was a long five days.”

They kissed, then kissed again. Jill stepped back first.

“You are wanted in the common room in five minute, Com.” Then she gave Anna an affectionate push and headed back out to the common room. Anna stood looking at the closed hatch. It had been Jill who had come on to her now it was Jill who was backing off. Anna just couldn't understand. Jill's reluctance to make a commitment confused her and hurt. She pulled herself together and followed exactly five minutes later, a stew of emotions bubbling inside her. She could feel a blush rising up her neck as she saw her crew and Carlos Garcia and Jane Hamilton all standing by the table waiting for her with grins on their faces. A quick look told her that Jill was blushing red too. Are we in love or aren't we? The messages are all confused.

Anna forced herself to settle down and switched to her command mode. “As you were.”

She waited while there was a clatter of chairs as everyone seated themselves around the table.

“First of all, be notified that this mission is classified as top secret and anything that happens on it will probably be a closed file. You have all been given priority one clearance with the exception of Jill who is on this mission by Admiral Ito's reluctant consent. Because Jill does not have clearance any information gathered should not be discussed with her. I'll make the decision to inform her on a need to know basis.”

There was a murmur of protest from the remainder of the crew. Jill sat stiff and white.

“I understand how you feel, and I agree, but frankly we are lucky that Jill got to be aboard at all. Hopefully, by the end of this mission she'll have earned the trust of the ISC as much as she has earned our trust.

“That said, I need to state up front that this mission is considered high risk. I won't insist that anyone ship out if they feel that the risk is too high. One anthropologist described it as a suicide mission.” Anna shrugged. “I don't think that is the case but I'm not going to pretend that the danger isn't high.

“We are being asked to investigate the disappearance of Scout Ship782 from Section 4876 with a crew of three aboard. It went missing on 27940.56 RST after a navigation malfunction caused them to enter a large dark mass in the area. The local planetary system is pre-space travel so we will need to be careful about not revealing our presence. There are rumours based on the legends of the hominoid culture, that there are dark angels that cause people to disappear. This information you may share with the remaining crew of The Explorer as they have probably already heard.

“What is not known and will remain a secret, is that Lieutenant Braun of the Scout Ship sent a message just before disappearing that he'd encountered a large, alien mass. Admiral Ito and ISC believes that a hostile race is living in the dark mass and the regular disappearance of individuals from the local planets might be an act of violence. I want to note for the record that I talked to one anthropologist who maintained that the local people had seen dark angels about and that night she had disappeared for over two weeks local time. She had no memory of the occurrence at all. She went to bed that night as normal and woke the following morning only it was in fact two weeks later. Why she was taken and then returned we have no idea.

“Our primary mission is to enter the dark mass and recover the scout ship crew and vessel if possible. Our secondary mission is to make contact with the alien race, if it exists, and establish relations with them. Questions?”

Anna looked around the table. No one spoke until Carlos smiled and leaned forward in his chair. “When do we leave?”

“Can we be ready to depart by 8:00 hours tomorrow?”

“The Explore can,” stated Jane.

“So can The Mariner,” confirmed Justice.

Anna nodded. “Departure at 8:00 hours then. There is a lot to do. Let's get on with it. Carlos, Justice, Jane, if I could meet with you. There are a few administrative issues that need to be discussed.”

The crew took its leave and the four senior officers rearranged their seats to form a tight group. Privacy was at a premium aboard the small vessel.

“I'm evenly divided on how to handle this mission. If we run into trouble, I'd like to know that The Explorer is at our backs. The Mariner can't defend it's self against any force bigger than a D class barge. On the other hand, a show of force might appear threatening to this entity and undermined any chance of us establishing positive communication.”

Carlos stirred. “The Explorer is not going off on manoeuvres this time, Anna. We'll be at your back. All you need to decide is how close.” He looked over at his Number One for support and Jane responded.

“We're not missing out on the fun. Aboard The Explorer, the crew has started to call themselves the Support Task Force of the Dark Matter Corps.”

Justice smiled. “We couldn't have a better mother ship or crew than yours.

Jane spoke up then. “Anna, Carlos and I would like to offer the crew of The Explorer the chance to wear the navy uniform and badge of the DMC. What do you think?”

“We're a team so it seems appropriate if they would like to do so. The closer the bond between the two crews the better. When our two new ships join the fleet, we'll certainly be looking for Explorer personnel to man the crafts when needed.”

Carlos grinned. “I'll put it to our junior officers and have them feel out the crew but my reaction is that you'll be seeing a lot more navy uniforms in the near future.”

“Good. It's agreed then that The Explorer won't be far away from us. Just how close we'll decide when we have gathered more data and have surveyed the area.. Anything else?”Anna asked.

Jane responded. “It's been a tradition to have a social in the cargo bay so the two crews can meet and talk before a mission.”

Anna blinked. “ A tradition?”

The others laughed and Jane explained. “Well, it happened once and in the DMC that makes it a tradition. Sue Lai mentioned it, didn't she, Justice?”

“She did. She and Eveen, wanted permission to make plans once The Mariner is docked in The Explorer's Cargo Bay but Carlos and Jane suggested that it was The Explorer's turn to host.”

“I think I've been ganged up on,” Anna smiled and stood. “Okay, we'll be honoured to be there.”

“Good.” Carlos said, as the others got to their feet. “Is ten hundred hours tomorrow night in our mess hall satisfactory?”

“Sounds great.” They shook hands and Carlos and Jane took their leave.

They had barely climbed out of The Mariner and Justice had only just gone to check the stations on the command deck when Toda appeared in the hallway beyond the common room.

“Can I have a word with you, Com?”

“Certainly, Toda. What is it?”

“It's about Toronado, Trigger, and Silver. I named them after horses in ancient TV shows from Earth. Horse's were much loved on Earth at one time.”

“I've ridden a horse,” Anne interjected proudly.

“Oh my! How wonderful. Then I've picked good names. What was yours called?”

“Jennet. She was named after an old Spanish breed of horse. Please tell me you haven't smuggled horses on board.”

“No not horses but Jill and I had discussed the importance of having ISM - individual space modules. I was able to do some redesigning of ones that we use on the Gigantean system. It was just a matter of making them smaller and more organic. I did make, Toronado, bigger for me. I hope that's all right. It can still be used by other crew members with some adjustments.”

Anna held up her hand to get Toda to stop. “Where are they?”

“In the cargo bay of The Explorer.”

Anna's lips tightened. She headed off down the hall to the engineering section in the stern of the ship. “I want to see you and Crewman Fairfax in engineering immediately.”

Anna paced around the engineering area of The Mariner trying to calm herself down before she talked to her crew. The more she thought about Jill and Toda going ahead without permission to design axillary craft for The Mariner the angrier she got. Not only had they designed and built it but they'd actually shipped it to The Explorer. With Toda, she was willing to be a bit tolerant. He had come from the royal family of Gigantean and he was the first of his kind to serve aboard a ISC ship. He had to learn there was protocols that had to be followed but Jill had no such excuse. She had acted high handed. They had agreed that their relationship had to exist outside of their careers. This wasn't their first offense. Jill clearly did not respect her as a commanding officer.

Anna turned, hands on hips as the two renegade crew members entered the engineering area. “Close the door.”

Toda did so. With Toda's looming bulk , the three of them filled just about all the available space in the aft part of the room.

“On our last mission you two designed and built a probe without my knowledge and consent. I over looked the lack of respect for my command because you are new to the ISC and because your probe was a great asset to us. I warned you then that this high handed manner in engineering was not to continue. Now I find the two of you have designed not one but three new apparatuses without permission, and shipped them aboard The Explorer no doubt at ISC expense.

I warned you last time that this was never to happen again. There are protocols to follow and they damn well will be followed! You both are on report. One more high handed move from either of you and you'll be off this ship. Dismissed.”

Toda was so upset and left in such a hurry that he bumped his head going through the hatch. Jill stood her ground.

“Anna...”

“That's Commodore, Crewman!”

“Yes, Sir. Commodore Cyborn, permission to speak.”

“Granted.”

“Toda saw these craft and realized that they would be a big asset to our service. The breach in our hull on our last mission showed the need for just such craft. Yes, we acted without permission. You were out of touch. No one knew you were on holiday with Carlos. We acted for the best of the DMC with no senior officer to contact.”

“Then you should have contacted Vice-Admiral Grover.”

“Oh sure, liked he'd have given us permission.”

“Crewman, it is not for you to decide what a commanding officer will or will not do. Vice-Admiral Grover did not get the position he is in by making poor decision. You had plenty of time to tell me last week. You never mentioned it.”

Tears were making Jill's eyes shimmer. “It wasn't the time or place.”

“Then you damn well should have waited until it was before you and Toda did anything.”

“Then we wouldn't have had the craft. They are good craft. They could save our lives

someday.”

“I don't care if they are the best thing that has happened to the fleet in the last thousand years. Don't EVER question my authority again, Crewman, and don't ever do anything without my permission. Is that understood?”

Tears were now dripping down Jill's face. “Yes, Sir.”

“Dismissed.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Jill slipped out of the engineering section and Anna closed the hatch. She needed time alone to get her emotions and thoughts under control. She thought she could make this thing with Jill work but they'd barely been aboard a few hours and already the lines between their relationship and Anna's command had been crossed. She didn't know what to do.

She didn't return to her cabin, instead, she filled in the afternoon aboard Space Station Gagarin obtaining last minute supplies. Later, she sat in the common room of The Mariner studying star charts and committing them to her data banks. She hadn't seen Jill since their fight. She wasn't sure she wanted to see Jill even though her heart ached to do so.

Justice slid in beside her. “We haven't had time to talk. Did you enjoy your leave?”

“Yes. What about you?”

“I did. After I arranged for my certification, I went home to Botswana. My family had a big feast and I was made very welcome. I have over 5,000 cows now. The men I left in charge of my herds have done a fine job. It was good to touch the earth and feel the sun on my face again.”

Anna nodded. “I didn't know that there would be such varied texture on a planet surface or that the air would smell of vegetation not species. I could look at the texture of the ground for hours. I went and stayed on Carlo's family's cattle ranch for a few weeks. I rode a horse.”

“Ahhh, yes, Carlos and I have discussed cattle. But they raise beef and sell them to the slaughter house. It is not that way in Botswana. Cattle are money in the bank. It is our way.

“I understand that Toda and Jill are on report.”

Anna nodded and fell silent.

Justice got up and poured two coffees and slipped one in front of Anna. “In my country we say that a chief may have many wives and children but he is always alone. That is leadership. Only one can command.”

“I don't like starting a mission with bad feelings. I needed to discipline the two of them but it was hard. Their idea is a good one and by the sounds of it the ISMs will really be useful but they need to know that they have to follow protocol.”

“Yes.”

“Its complicated to - with Jill.”

“Yes. It will not be easy but you two will work it out. This I believe. I have talked to Toda and I think your lecture got through. He's very embarrassed about being put on report and is really sorry that he disappointed you.”

“And Jill?”

Justice shrugged. “She didn't want to talk about it.”

Anna sighed. This was no way to start a new mission or a new relationship.