“So you’re a ‘probationary’ Lieutenant and I’m an ‘Acting’ Ensign?” Sophia said, shaking her head. “Is there a difference?”
“Not that I can figure out,” Faith said, shrugging. “I still don’t get most of this military stuff.”
“How was the Iwo?” Sophia asked.
“Compared to the Voyage it was a walk in the fucking park,” Faith said, shrugging again. “We went straight for the food supply areas after the first day of upper deck clearance and found about half the survivors. Most of the Marines, Gunny Sands and a couple others being exceptions, were in good shape. The rest of it was mostly training Marines on the Wolf Way of clearance. And once we found a big, beautiful store of.45 and double-ought… then it was just a matter of rolling hot. Not to mention frags make a dandy compartment clearing tool.”
“Sounds like you had fun,” Paula said.
“Buttloads,” Faith said. “It wasn’t the Voyage. There was just something different about it. There was way less finding people who’d just died for one thing. Or people who might as well be dead. It was pretty much long dead, zombies and survivors in pretty good shape. And most of the long dead had either been chewed up pretty good or were, basically, mummies. And no kids and it wasn’t a fucking play palace that had turned into a horror movie. So, yeah, mostly fun. Fucking Voyage still gives me nightmares. How was your float?”
“Found a family that was uninfected,” Sophia said.
“The Lawtons,” Faith said. “Need to bring up the dad in a bit.”
“Why?” Paula said.
“Just will,” Faith said. “He wants to see you. Has a present for you. All of you.”
“That’s sweet?” Sophia said, puzzled. “Any idea what? It’s not like they had zip on that boat when we found them.”
“Yeah,” Faith said, grinning. “He gave me the same present. But it’s a surprise. Anyway, adventures. Something about a Russian mobster?”
“Oh, that,” Sophia said, grinning. “Not mobster, exactly. Except that anybody Russian with money was basically a mobster. No real big deal.”
“Hey,” Paula said. “It was pretty tense at the time.”
“Sort of,” Sophia said. “We found another mega. Smaller than the Alpha but not much. Bunch of survivors.”
“The big one with the Russian writing,” Faith said, gesturing with her chin.
“Long story, ’nother time,” Sophia said. “Any clue what’s next? We’ve been sort of out of the loop.”
“Local area rescue and clearance is what I’ve got,” Faith said. “Dad sort of hinted that he’s going to stick us together but I’m supposed to ‘manage’ the operation as a good officer should. Have no clue what operations.”
“Well, we could use another clearance guy, that’s for sure,” Sophia said. “I don’t know how it fits in but we’re supposed to go over to the Grace tomorrow for ‘refit.’ Not sure what we’re being refitted with.”
“I’m wondering where we’re going to hide the stash,” Paula said.
“Stash?” Faith said. “Oh, salvage.”
“That,” Paula said. “Yeah.”
“So I just found out that as a Naval officer, I’m no longer on shares,” Sophia said. “On the other hand, the crew is… ”
“Pat and I opted to stay civilian,” Paula said.
“… and we resupply first from ‘salvaged stores.’ So what if we keep the good stuff? Besides, I figure Da probably needs some stuff for entertaining.”
“And boy do we have some stuff,” Paula said. “Is Sari still cooking for him?”
“Yes,” Faith said.
“She’s so going to like what we’re bringing in… ” She paused and grimaced. “Speaking of chefs, how’s Chris? We were going to spot him some of it, too.”
“I’ve only run into him a couple of times,” Faith said, shrugging. “Lost his girl, found his girl, lost her again. Gwinn and Rob are married. Got hitched by Captain Geraldine in a really nice ceremony on the Alpha. Gwinn’s doing admin on the Alpha right now. Rob’s doing survey and salvage. They’re good people. Chris just ended up as odd man out.”
“I need to stop by and see him,” Paula said. “He’s got to be heartbroken. I think I was the only one on the boat he’d talked to about Gwinn.”
“It’s Chris,” Faith said, shrugging again. “He just cooks his way out of his misery.”
“He’s been doing ferry work,” Sophia said. “So he hasn’t been doing salvage. Why don’t you make up a little care package for him and take it over? Dinghy’s worth. Say I’ll be by when I can.”
“Okay,” Paula said. “That’s a good way to get rid of some of the stash.”
“Not the Grand Marnier,” Sophia said. “Or, no more than a bottle. I was planning on making that a gift to Da.”
“No Tan Lines, Squadron Ops, over.”
“Hang on,” Sophia said. “Squadron Ops, No Tan Line, over.”
“You have got to change that name,” Faith said.
“Think ours is bad,” Sophia said.
“Lines scheduled to come alongside the Grace Tan at fourteen-thirty for off-load and refit. Crew will be shuttled to the Alpha for pinning ceremony, Master, scheduled for sixteen-thirty. Master will, say again, will be in proper uniform. Reception to follow.”
“Oooo… ” Sophia said. “I need to get some stuff back to Da for the reception.”
“You’ve got time to drop it by before you’re scheduled to go to the Grace,” Faith said, looking at her watch. “I’m sort of at loose ends. Drop me on the Alpha with it, I’ll get it to Sari.”
“Works,” Sophia said, keying the radio. “Lines alongside Grace fourteen-thirty, aye. Pinning ceremony, sixteen-thirty, aye. Reception to follow, aye.”
“Squadron ops, out.”
* * *
“You know I’m really proud to do this,” Steve said, pinning one side of Sophia’s collar while Stacey pinned the other. The pins were gold circles rather than the single bar of an ensign.
“Still not sure why I said yes,” Sophia said. “And while this is not in any way an official bitch, Kuzma has been running our ass ragged.”
“I know,” Steve said. “He wanted to see if he could get you to complain. Congratulations,” he said, shaking her hand.
“I figured that much out,” Sophia said. “I can hack it. But it’s not fair on my crew.”
“We’ll talk,” Steve said, stepping over to Faith.
“Faith, Marine uniforms are always supposed to be spotless and perfect,” Steve said.
“Is there something wrong with my uniform?” Faith asked, panicking. She didn’t like being in front of a crowd, anyway.
“No, but there is something ‘wrong’ with these,” Steve said, showing her the pins. “These were recovered from the body of Midshipman Lin Wicklund, in the CIC of the USS Iwo Jima. Midshipman Wicklund, whose intent after the Naval Academy was to be a Marine officer, was found with a clocked-out forty-five by her body. Wicklund was, as far as we can determine, the last remaining officer fighting for control of the ship. The pips have a discoloration on them. Do not clean that discoloration off.”
“Yes, sir,” Faith said, her chin tightening. “Understood, sir.”
“Sophia has already been officially sworn in,” Steve said after putting on the pins. “She just didn’t have the pins. You have not. Raise your right hand.”
“I, state your name… ”
“I, Faith Marie Smith… ”
“Lieutenant Smith,” her father said when the ceremony was complete. “There is not a bloody word in there that says ‘I’m only an officer to kill zombies.’ A Marine officer’s oath is to faithfully discharge her duty to defend the Constitution of the United States. That’s it. Period. Dot. There is also nothing in that oath that has a time limit. It is an oath for life. Clear, Lieutenant?”