Two days later Lieutenant Michael Alexander and Major Nikolai Vargev were invited to attend their medal giving ceremony, which was being held at none other than the E.O.C. A Presidential building in Geneva. A forty four storey glass building that rose high into the Swiss skyline.
A large crowd of E.D. F personnel and members of the general public alike were in attendance of the event; especially since both Michael and Nikolai had become famous almost overnight; which unnerved Vargev a little, to him he was just a commando doing his duty, all this pomp and ceremony was unbecoming of him.
As the crowds awaited the official beginning of the ceremony, the two men were stood in a small quiet side room, and were informed to wait there until called out. Both Michael and Nikolai were dressed in their ceremonial outfits. Which for Michael was the standard white uniform, with gold braiding, black trousers. In addition to the symbolic naval sword in its scabbard attached to his belt on his right side.
And for Vargev it was the traditional red overcoat, black waistcoat and black trousers, with a red stripe running down the length of the leg. His Majors rank slides were inlaid in gold on his epaulettes and on his upper arms.
“It’s been a long time since I last wore this,” Vargev said with a smile.
“Don’t worry I had to borrow my uniform from another Lieutenant. My own was in my quarters on Delta base,” Michael replied. “It’s a shade small,” he said as he adjusted it for the umpteenth time.
The main hall grew very quiet, and the two men strained to hear anything at all.
Suddenly over a microphone a voice called out, “may we present to you; Major Nikolai Vargev, first battalion E.D. F commandoes, and Lieutenant Michael Alexander formerly of the E.D.F. S Ulysses.”
Both of them began their march, and as they entered into view, the crowd gave out a great cheer. Before they stopped and stood at attention before the president of E.O.C. A, James Rushfeldt no less.
“Lieutenant Michael Alexander, for your bravery, courage, and selfless determination; I hereby award you with the Navy star for valor and gallantry beyond the call of duty.” The president pinned the medal to Michaels’ uniform, together with a whisper of, “you deserve it son.”
“Thank you Mr. President,” Michael said smiling before taking a pace backward and saluting, pride surged within him.
“For you Major Nikolai Vargev; for your determination, courage, and valor despite overwhelming adversity, I hereby award you with the Military Cross.” The president also pinned the medal to his waistcoat, before he in turn took a pace backwards and saluted.
“These two men are shining examples for us all to follow, their deeds are a ray of light in the dark times we find ourselves in, and should inspire courage in every last one of us.” Rushfeldt said to the crowd who gave a huge cheer as the two men marched across the hall and sat down in a row of seating just in front of the throng of people.
In the evening there was a small ball, where the high ranking Admiralty of the Navy and the select generals of the Military gave their appreciation for what the two men had accomplished.
Admiral Mason managed to get Michael’s attention to have a small chat. “There are a couple of things I just wanted to speak to you about Lieutenant,” the Admiral said informally.
“What’s that sir?” Michael replied; a little puzzled.
“Well, I applied for special dispensation from E.D. F command for the Liberty to have a proper commission, and be officially applied to the fleet register; which was approved this morning,” he said before pausing for a short breath.
“She can now be officially called the E.D.F. S Liberty, however we have a problem.”
“Which is Admiral?” Michael asked again, not really understanding the Admiral’s point.
“Well, with the Liberties systems and design so vastly different from any other ship in the Navy, we don’t have crew trained highly enough to crew her, and with you ranked as a Lieutenant, you cannot officially command a ship, unless it’s an emergency,” he paused to allow time for Michael to mull this over. “However you are the only officer in the fleet with any command experience of the Liberty. I have reported the situation to E.D. F command, and they have also granted me special dispensation to give you a field promotion to Captain, and place you in full, permanent command of the Liberty. Congratulations Captain.”
Michael felt another surge of pride; he was finally going to command a ship. He had waited so long and tried so hard for this moment; there was also a deep feeling of regret that Jana and Theo weren’t there to share this.
“Thank you Admiral,” he beamed.
And with that they returned to the ball.
A couple of days later Michael was sat outside a coffee shop near to the presidential building; it was a sunny day with an ever so slightly cool breeze which felt refreshing against the heat of the sun.
He was poring over his selections for the new crew roster for the Liberty, and wasn’t really paying much attention to what was happening around him.
“May I sit here comrade?” A familiar Russian voice said.
Michael looked up and it was indeed Vargev, “of course.” Motioning for him to take a seat, as well as catching the eye of a passing waiter, “another coffee here for my friend please.”
The waiter nodded and disappeared towards the counter.
“So what brings you here?” Michael asked with a smile putting down the data navigator.
He pulled out a cigar from his shirt pocket, lit it, and began puffing, “nothing really, I just saw you out here and thought I would chat to you.”
Strange, Vargev is not normally this nice to anyone, Michael thought.
“Besides I heard you had been promoted to Captain and placed in full command of the Liberty.”
“That’s right yeah; I’m just going over the crew roster now.”
“I got a promotion through too, I got promoted to Colonel. I am now second in command of the E.D. F commandoes, under comrade General Mc’Cree.”
“Excellent news; I heard Mc’Cree is tough, they don’t call him the bull for nothing,” Michael replied as the waiter handed Vargev the coffee.
“Kind of, but he’s okay, I’ve worked with him once or twice in the past. He’s tough but a good General, besides you have to be tough to be a commando, it’s kind of in the job description,” he said with a laugh, almost choking on his cigar in the process. “So where is the Liberty heading off to next then?”
“Well, our first mission is to form up with a Solarian fleet to take back Delta base, and to destroy any Krenaran ships in the vicinity. Beyond that who knows, this war is changing day by day. What about the commandoes?”
“My platoons have been ordered to reinforce the colony at Barnards star, in case it comes under Krenaran attack again. The Troop division thinks that since Barnards star is so close to earth, the Krenarans will throw the book at it; try to win the war quickly before the new Solarian Alliance can really start ripping into them.”
“And what do you think?” Michael asked, listening intently.
“That if they did the Krenarans would be foolish,” he paused, thinking. “The Solarians pouring over the border has put them on the back foot, if I was them I would be consolidating what I’ve already got instead of pushing further forward, especially as they are now fighting a war on two fronts,” he said as he took a puff from his cigar. “But I’m just a commando, what do I know eh, comrade,” he said with a rueful smile.
“Yeah I suppose, you think this war will be over soon?”
“I doubt it; the Krenarans are going to fight like dogs to keep hold of those water sources, so I can see it running for a while yet at least.”
Vargev checked his watch, “Anyway comrade; I shall have to bid you farewell for now, I hope to call you amongst my friends. And it would be an honour to fight alongside you on the battlefield once again in the future, should we meet again.”
He stubbed out the cigar.