Audrey said, “Lt. Bartolo, belay that order. I’ve been looking for you and just found out that you’ve been transferred.”
“Yes Sir. I now report to Fifth Fleet.”
“No you don’t.”
Katy said, “Yes she does, Sir.”
Audrey looked at Katy and said, “Admiral Greenwall, since when are you in the position of telling a superior officer that they are wrong?”
“But she has been transferred to my command, Sir.”
“Orders for her to report to Fleet Operations for special assignment were approved by the First Commander immediately after her medal presentation. When were her transfer orders to your fleet signed?”
Kate knew she was trapped. A sailor could not be moved until they served six months after a transfer. “They were signed at ten hundred hours this morning.”
“It appears you’re ten hours late.” Audrey looked at Josey, “You will pack your things and report to Fleet Operations immediately. Your initial commander will be Commodore Averel.” Josey stared at the screen and Audrey said, “Get moving.”
The screen went dark and Josey went to attention and saluted Admiral Greenwall. Katy’s anger was clear to see but then her anger turned into the sweetest smile she had ever seen. Before she returned Josey’s salute, she pressed a button on her desk and said while looking directly into Josey’s eyes, “Lt. Keller. Get back in here to receive your orders.”
Josey knew why this venomous bitch had transferred Jan. Katy returned Josey’s salute and looked at Jan as she entered. Her expression was almost pure evil. She looked at Josey and said, “I’ll make sure to take good care of your friend.” Josey shook her head and Katy said, “Get out of my office!!”
Josey left and knew there was nothing that could be done to save Jan. She was certain that no orders had been written for her and now she was stuck for at least six months and probably longer. This cast-iron Admiral would never allow her to leave as along as her vengeance wasn’t done.
Josey arrived at Fleet Operations and was taken directly to Ship Development where she was introduced to Budge Blaine. She had to get to the First Commander but she wouldn’t see him now. She cried herself to sleep that night knowing what Jan was going through because of her actions.
Three weeks later, Michael showed up in the ship lab and saw Josey working on a simulator. He walked over behind her and saw the score in the top right corner of her monitor. He looked at Budge, who nodded. “She’s incredible, Sir.”
“I won’t interrupt her. I just wanted to check and make sure she was ok.” Michael turned to go as Josey looked at her monitor and saw his reflection just as the screen went dark. She whipped around and said, “SIR!”
Michael stopped and smiled, “Hello, Lieutenant. I didn’t want to interrupt your training. I’m glad I was able to save you from cleaning bathrooms.”
“But you didn’t help me at all!” Michael’s eyes narrowed and Josey said, “Admiral Greenwall transferred my best friend along with me and she’s punishing her for what I did.” Michael starting slowly shaking his head and stopped when Josey said, “You gave the medal to the wrong person.”
“What?”
“You didn’t really look at what happened; it wasn’t me that won the battle; it was Jan! And she’s living in torment because of that crazy Admiral.” Michael’s expression hardened and Josey said, “You think I’m lying to save her. Look behind the heavy. Just take a look!”
Michael looked at Budge who shrugged, “She’s never been dishonest about anything, Sir.” Michael stared at Josey and left the room.
Josey put her head in her hands and started crying, “He doesn’t believe me!”
Budge put his hand on Josey’s shoulder, “Trust me on this, he is going to look.” She lowered her hands and looked at him through her tears. Budge looked at Michael walking out of the lab, “His anger is not toward you.” Josey looked at Michael as he disappeared through the door and prayed Budge was right.
“Jinks.”
“Yes Sir.”
“I need you to bring the entire recording of the battle at the Legends’ Vessel to my office.”
“When?”
“Immediately!”
“Give me an hour to collect all of it into one data-block.”
“See you in an hour.” Michael sat at his desk and thought about what Lt. Bartolo said. By the time Jinks arrived, he was all business. Jinks inserted the data-block into the reader and Michael said, “I want you to follow the ship frequencies of Lt. Josephine Bartolo.”
“Sir, you’ve already seen that.”
“And Lt. Janice Keller.” Jinks turned to his panel and began entering codes. “I also want you to see if there is any other ship frequency that’s near them on a consistent basis during the attack.”
Jinks entered the instructions and pressed the enable button. They watched the monitor and after fifteen minutes Jinks said, “How did you know about this?” Michael remained silent and Jinks watched the recording and knew his department was woefully unprepared to fully understand the newest battles the Alliance was fighting.
Michael pressed his panel, “Audrey, report to my office.”
“Sir, may I…”
“YOU MAY NOT! REPORT HERE IMMEDIATELY!
Audrey saw Michael’s expression and said, “Yes Sir, I’m on my way.” Audrey arrived and found Michael and Jinks staring at the wall monitor. Michael motioned her to a chair and she sat down and looked at the monitor. She immediately recognized the gigantic black vessel in the distance and knew this had to be a recording of the battle. She looked at Michael who was intently staring at the monitor. She turned back to it and started getting into the rhythm of the battle. Then her eyes began getting wider and then wide open. The monitor finally went dark and she looked at Michael and Jinks. Michael looked at her and said, “I want four armored guards called in and all of Fifth Fleet’s communications blacked out until further notice.”
Audrey nodded and lifted her wrist. Jinks shook his head, “I’m sorry, Sir. We just…”
“No need to apologize, Jinks. I know the current technology isn’t up to doing what you need.”
Jinks nodded and stood up, “Thank you for understanding, Sir.” Michael nodded and Jinks walked out of the room as four armored warriors walked in.
Michael pressed his panel and said, “Lt. Bartolo, report to my office immediately!”
Katy pressed her wrist unit and nothing responded. She stepped out of her office and saw Commander King running up the hall, “What’s going on?”
“Sir, all communications have been ordered blacked out and all ships grounded.”
“Who made that order!?”
“It came from Fleet, Sir.”
Katy heard a bump on the ceiling and looked at Commander King, “What was that?”
“I have no way of knowing, Sir.”
Katy turned as she heard metallic sounds coming down the steps from the landing port on top of the building. She grabbed her neck as she saw Fleet Admiral Stone followed by four armored warriors. Audrey walked up to her and said, “Admiral, you are confined to your office until further notice.” Katy looked in Audrey’s eyes and shut her mouth quickly. She turned and walked toward her office and two of the armored warriors followed her inside. She heard Admiral Stone say to the other two armored warriors, “Find her!” Katy stopped at the door and a warrior pushed her inside.”
“I’ll have you court-martialed for this!”
“File the charges but do as you’ve been ordered, Sir.” Katy went to her desk and sat down as the two warriors stood on each side of the door. She looked at her panel and all the systems were dead. What was happening? She looked up and saw Lt. Bartolo walk in followed by Michael. She looked in his eyes and for the first time in her life felt fear grip her heart and squeeze it. A moment later, Lt. Keller was ushered into the office by the two armored warriors sent to find her. Fleet Admiral Stone stepped in behind them and closed the door.