Chapter 31

Finally, we were there. All lights were green. It was time to launch. But first, we needed to celebrate the occasion. The ship’s congressional meeting room had again been converted to a dining room. We couldn’t fit all of the crew and the contractors in there, but most of the division heads and all of the department heads were in attendance. Throughout the ship, parties were being held in housing plazas. The wardrooms and taprooms were also busy with the singles crowd.

Paul and I were on the bridge, waiting for April and Paul’s mother.

Paul was becoming impatient. “Sir, does it usually take this much time? I mean, Mom said they’d be ready in 10 minutes. That was 30 minutes ago.”

I looked up from the reports I had been reading on my tablet. “I’m sorry Paul. This is something you’ll need to learn about women. They work on their own schedule. Ten minutes could mean anything. My best advice is to be patient and find something productive to do while you’re waiting.”

Paul did not look like he believed me. He’d have to learn just like I did.

About 5 minutes later, April stepped into the room and got my attention. I nodded, and she escorted Paul’s mother, Cynthia, His little sister Mary, and Grandmother Seward.

April was dressed in her dress whites as I was. We each had all of our ribbons and badges. We both looked like we weighed 10 pounds heavier. Cynthia was dressed in a very nice powder blue cocktail dress. Little Mary was as cute as a button in a pink pinafore, white knee socks, and black shoes. Agnes was, as usual, dressed in the kimono symbol of her office.

As Agnes came onto the bridge, I called “Attention on deck, Grandmother arriving.” all of the bridge team stood and faced the women. Mary giggled.

As they came towards Paul and I. His eyes were bulging. This could have been the first time he saw his mother dressed in true finery. I nudged him with my elbow and whispered, “Say something, boy.”

Paul gave a little shake. And stammered, “Gosh, Mom, you’re beautiful.”

She smiled down at him. “Thank you, Paul. And you’re looking mighty handsome in that uniform.”

I could see the blush climbing in his cheeks. That’s when April spoke up. “Captain, I have to tell you this. Your orderly is seriously out of uniform.”

Paul’s blush immediately turned to horror. He started looking down, trying to see what the problem was. “You know XO, you’re right. Sub-Ensign Holt, stand over here, please.”

I stood on Paul’s left, and Agnes Seward stood on his right. I nodded to April, and she started.

“Attention to orders. On the orders of Captain Henry Sullivan of the IMS Seward’s Folly. It is confirmed by Agnes Seward, Grandmother of the IMS Seward’s Folly. Sub-Ensign Paul Holt is promoted to Ensign. With all pay, privileges, and duties.”

I pulled two small cards from my pocket and handed one to Agnes. The cards had the rank pins of an Ensign. Both of us pinned the full pip onto his lapels.

Paul was stunned. His mother had a look of pure parental pride. Little Mary, who had gone through the whole ceremony barely containing her excitement, let loose. She started bouncing up and down. Squealing and clapping her hands. Meanwhile, the rest of the bridge crew started applauding.

Agnes patted Paul on his shoulder. “Good luck Ensign, I’m sure you’ll do the Seward’s Folly proud in the future.”

I reached out my hand and shook his. “Good luck Paul. You deserved this.”

After that, a few of the other bridge crew stepped up and shook his hand also.

Once the crowd thinned out, and people were returning to their work stations, I spoke up. “Normally we would have a small party for the new Ensign, but we’ve got a much bigger wing ding waiting for us. So, I suggest we relocate. April?” I held out my arm. April took it and gave me a little squeeze. Paul copied me with his mother. Mary had attached herself to her big brother’s other hand. Then following Agnes and her ever-present security, we headed towards the launch party.

As we entered the room, David called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, our Grandmother Agnes Seward and Captain Henry Sullivan.”

The room erupted in applause. We stood for a moment, soaking it all in and then started towards the stage on the other end of the room. I had tried to talk Agnes into using the stage door. But she refused, and this was the reason. As we walked through the room, Agnes would stop and talk to people. Sometimes individuals, sometimes groups. Her security team had faded into the background. But they were never very far.

It took three times what was needed for the short walk. But the people had been given a chance to be up close and personal with Agnes. While they may not have had actual contact, they all felt they had been included.

When Agnes climbed the three steps to the stage, she greeted Captain now Commodore Alan Greene. Commodore Greene was looking fit and in shape. Much better than he had when he had left the Folly. With him was a younger version of himself and a woman of the same age. Commodore Greene introduced them as his son and daughter in law.

Also, on the stage was Major Simpson, who had his wife with him. She was a much shorter woman, barely reaching his shoulders. She had the rolly polly body of someone who enjoyed life. Her red cheeks and broad smile confirmed a person comfortable, if not amused, with life and the people around her.

Also, on the stage was Mary, Agnes’ former secretary. She was there representing the Mother’s Council. David Barth and his wife were there. Cyrus Holmes representing the ship’s congress, was there. He was a housing and accommodations coordinator that had been elected to congress and then worked his way up to the president. He was an unobtrusive man. Slight of build and quiet. He was a person that could be standing alone in a room and still not be seen. Doc Holland also joined us with his wife, Della. Della was a nurse and ran the medical command with an iron fist. She was one of those nurses that took no guff. But could start an IV line without you noticing.

Agnes and I greeted everyone, and introductions were made. When we took our seats, David stepped up to the podium. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we all know why we are here. Rather than clutter up our evening with a speech that just repeats the obvious I’ll turn this over to the one person whose voice we really want to hear.” he turned and motioned to Agnes “Grandmother Agnes Seward.” he stepped back from the podium and started applauding as did the rest of the room.

I knew that the speech was being broadcast, both audio and video, throughout the ship. Each housing plaza, day room, club, and taproom was showing this. I could almost feel the applause from the whole ship shaking the deck plates.

Agnes slowly stood and walked to the podium. She stood tall, her back straight, head up, and shoulders back. She looked around the room. A smile slowly came to her lips.

“My children, friends, crewmembers. Tonight, we celebrate the passage of another milestone in our history. We have been here many times in the past. We stand at the beginning of a path and course that will once again take us into the unknown. We will go down that path, follow that course, bravely with pride in our hearts. Proud of our ship, our family, our crewmates.”

“During that journey, we will have trials and tribulations. Losses and gains. But as we have in the past, we will go through them together. Just remember that no matter what, we are family, we are the Seward’s Folly. As long as one of us stands, so stand all of us.”

During the past months, we have lost friends and family. But we have also made new friends. And new members have joined the family. We lost a Captain. Some despaired when Commodore Greene left us. But we now have a fine new Captain as well as his wife. He has pushed and pulled us to the place we are today.”

She paused, and there was applause. I stood and gave a short bow.

“We have also made new friends. People who, even as we were being threatened, joined us. Helped us defend ourselves. Even rescued family members from danger.”

Agnes had asked if she should introduce Major Simpson, but both David and I told her it would be a bad idea. Major Simpson’s life was best left in the shadows. He knew what he had accomplished, and as long as he had done his best, that was all he needed.

“And now children we stand once again at the end of one adventure and at the beginning of the next. We will look at it with excitement and wonder. We will see things never before seen by human eyes. We will go to places never visited. And before we are finished, we will have shoved the unknown back, just that much more. Be assured there will be others following behind us. Following in our footsteps. But we, the family and crew of the Seward’s Folly, will be there waiting for them.”

Again, there was applause. Agnes turned and walked back to her seat. The others may not have noticed, but I could see in her eyes that she had pushed herself too far. I motioned Mary over and whispered that it would be best to get Agnes back to her quarters. Mary looked closely at Agnes and agreed. I also told David what was going on, and had him cut the audio and video.

Together with Mary and Elisabeth, Agnes’ new secretary and the security team, gently moved her to a transport chair and took her out the stage door. Doc Holland had watched all this and whispered something to his wife. Together they rose and followed the group from the hall.

While I was helping with Agnes, Paul came up on the stage with his mother and sister. They were making a beeline to Major Simpson. April saw where they were heading and decided to make some introductions. She also wanted to know what was on Paul’s mind, why Paul wanted to talk to Major Simpson.

Everyone arrived at just about the same time. Before Paul could say anything, April spoke, “Major Simpson, I’m April Sullivan. Henry’s wife and the XO. I’d like to introduce you to the Holt family. This is Cynthia, little Mary, and my husband’s orderly Ensign Paul Holt. Paul just received his Ensign pips today. We are very proud of him.”

Simpson looked down at Paul. “Congratulations, Ensign. I still remember my first promotion. When was that, Dezzie?” He looked over to his wife.

She looked thoughtful for a Moment “15, no it had to have been 17 years ago now. My, it’s been such a long time.”

Simpson looked pensive. “Yes, I think you’re right, dear. 17 years sounds about right. But you seem to want to say something to me. What’s on your mind, young man?”

Paul was standing straight and tall. “Sir, I’d like to ask you about the situation 5 years ago. The situation where a corridor’s atmosphere was vented. My father died in that corridor.”

Simpson didn’t look surprised or concerned. He did have a look of sorrow on his face. He turned to his wife. “Dezzie, could you take Ms. Holt and her daughter over to the dessert cart. I need to talk to Mr. Holt about some serious details.”

After Cynthia and Mary had been led away, Simpson started. “Paul, Commander Sullivan, please sit down. Paul, I remember that event. I think of it every day. I still have nightmares about it. You must have gotten some of the story from Marshall Barth. He was there that day. But he wasn’t, and still isn’t, aware of all the details. I knew your father, Paul. He was a very good friend of mine. We went through the academy together.”

“After a couple of years on the job, we got involved in an investigation. An investigation of human trafficking. People were being promised high paying jobs here on Mars. Then when they arrived, they would disappear. We thought they were being shipped to illegal mining operations or worse. But we didn’t know who was working at this end of the pipeline.”

“Winston, your father’s name was Winston, volunteered to go undercover. At first, the brass denied his offer. They stated that the traffickers were targeting families, and no female officers were available. We were disappointed but determined to continue on the best we could.”

“It was when we found the murdered kids that things changed. There were 3 of them, two girls and a boy around your age. Your father was the investigating officer, and it affected him deeply. It might have been because those kids were so young or just finding out that your mother was pregnant with your sister. Whatever it was, Winston went a little crazy. He started beating suspects trying to get information. The brass finally had to fire him. That’s when you all disappeared.”