Jordan's Dilemma
Copyright© 2022 by SW MO Hermit
Chapter 4
Norman’s first action upon returning to his office was to call LT Jeremiah Jones to his office. Jones had been the original XO for the Lewis & Clark and was promoted to captain of Elsie when Norm left to command Finger. Now, once again, he was following in Norm’s footsteps and would assume command of Finger. During their discussion, Norm asked, “Who do you recommend to succeed you in command of Elsie? They need to think outside the box, be nimble and on their feet, and have tough skin and a titanium backbone. I plan to run Elsie to Earth once, and then send her to other colonies to generate trade.”
Jeremiah looked thoughtful before saying, “I don’t think any of the officers on Elsie meet that criterion. There’s only one anywhere near ready for promotion, and he needs more seasoning before assuming command.”
“I was afraid that would be your answer. I had the same feelings based on the OERs (Officer Evaluation Reports).”
Jeremiah developed the signature look of someone conversing with an AI before saying, “Admiral, I had a thought, and Louie agrees with me. I met one of the new sponsors from Finger’s last pickup who might be a good fit. Her name is Karen Smith. I ran into her in the park a few days ago. She approached me after overhearing one of the crew address me as Captain, and we chatted for several minutes. She spent several years in the U.S. Coast Guard and commanded one of their cutters. Her cutter was apprehending a drug runner when the drug runner fought back. They hit the bridge with an RPG, injuring the entire bridge crew. She lost her leg and was retired on disability.”
“Louie says she is one of the volunteers for either the Navy or the Naval Auxiliary. Why don’t we put her to work now, assuming you think she’ll fit, rather than holding her in reserve while we wait for new construction? Later, after she gains command experience in space, we can move her to command of a man-of-war.”
Norman checked with Louie for a quick review of Karen’s record, then said, “Louie, please invite Karen to my office as soon as possible.” He and Jeremiah continued their meeting, discussing Jeremiah’s new job, until Louie announced Karen’s arrival. When she arrived, she snapped to attention and reported as if she had been on the parade ground.
Norman was shocked at first, but returned her salute and said, “Please sit, Karen. Jeremiah tells me you and he had a chat in the park a few days ago. He also says you used to command a Coast Guard cutter.”
“Yes, sir. During a drug interdiction, we took RPG fire to the bridge, and I was retired on disability.” She looked at her right leg and continued, “I’m just now learning to walk on my new leg. May I ask why I’m here, Admiral? How can a one-legged has-been help you?”
“You can’t, if that’s your attitude. We’re looking for go-getters, self-starters, not people who feel sorry for themselves.”
“I’m sorry, sir. It still hurts, and sometimes I let it get to me. I miss my ship, sir.”
“I understand that. I used to be a part-time shrimp boat captain, and when I was in college, I missed it. As for what you can do for me, Jeremiah here thinks you could step into his shoes and command the Lewis & Clark. What do you think?”
Karen turned pale and gasped. After she recovered from her surprise, she said, “Really? Just like that? Admiral, I don’t know a thing about starships.”
“I would have been surprised if you had. Many of us didn’t either when we took command, and we succeeded. What you do know is how to command, and hopefully, how to interact with civilians and other senior officers. We’ve reviewed your Earth records and the AIs’ Confed records about you. It appears you’re what we’re looking for, and we have sleep training to teach you about starships. Now, are you interested?”
Karen was almost dancing in her chair when she said, Yes, sir. Absolutely. When do I start?”
“Tomorrow morning, Lieutenant. Report to Jeremiah, here, on Elsie. You can shadow him for a week or two while you take the sleep-learning courses before we hold the change-of-command ceremony.”
“Elsie, sir?”
“The Lewis & Clark. The AI prefers to be called Elsie.”
“Aye, aye, sir. Do you have a list of courses for me?’
“You can get them from your Pod’s AI. Now, if there’s nothing else.”
Karen stood, still favoring her newly grown leg, and departed with a mile-wide smile on her face. When she entered her pod, her two concubines met her at the door, their expressions worried. Thomas, her male conk and ex-husband, asked, “Is everything okay, love?”
Karen hugged him, then her female conk before smiling and saying, “It’s better than okay. I’m in the Naval Auxiliary now. The Admiral interviewed me and appointed me captain of a K’Treel ship, the Lewis & Clark.”
After the congratulations and hugs, the three excitedly discussed the new position before Karen excused herself and began her first sleep-training lesson. An hour later, she almost staggered out of her office with a splitting headache, yet a pleased expression. At last, she felt useful and contributing again.
The morning after her meeting with Norman and Jeremiah, Karen dressed in her new uniform and met Jeremiah aboard the Lewis & Clark. After a tour of the ship and an introduction to the crew, she and Jeremiah sat in the wardroom to discuss her familiarization with Elsie. Jeremiah said, “The Admiral has ordered Lewis & Clark to Earth on a mission to collect some sponsors. We decided I would remain in command for that voyage, and you would shadow me. The trip will be considered a training cruise for you.”
“Yes, sir. When do we depart?”
“Tomorrow morning. Expect to be gone for about two to three months.”
The trip to Earth was uneventful, and by the time they arrived, Karen was comfortable with Elsie, the crew, and her new duties. Once they slipped into orbit, Jeremiah and Karen met with the senior Marine to finalize their extraction plans.
There had been several discussions about the credentials for the Director of Artistic Expressions. Some argued in favor of an art professor. Others thought a museum curator or a gallery manager/owner would be better. The final decision was left to Elsie’s command team, who were working from a short list of names provided before they departed. The list included two professors, one gallery manager, and several artists, though no one knew their CAP scores. Most of the names on the list came from recommendations by the ‘artsy’ concubines.
They decided to fill the G1 position first, using a list provided by several sponsors. The first name on the list was Maryellen Rodriguez, the Vice President of Human Resources at the University where Harold taught and Jordan graduated. This selection was almost a no-brainer because Harold knew she had a 6.9 CAP Score. The only difficulty was getting in to see her. They finally decided to approach her at her home after work.
Elsie tracked her via her CAP card. When she arrived home, Jeremiah, Karen, and Sgt. Brown teleported to her backyard after a drone delivered the disc. They walked around the house and rang her doorbell. Her husband opened the door, and his first words were, “Who are you, and how did you get past security?”
“Sir, if we could come in for a moment, I’ll be glad to explain,” replied Jeremiah.
The three visitors dodged around the man, assuming he agreed. As they entered, he reluctantly stepped aside enough to let them pass. “Stop,” he said. “What do you think you’re doing? Get out of my house.”
“Sir, I’m sorry, but we need to speak with Mrs. Maryellen Rodriguez about a matter of great importance. Please, sir. We mean no harm.”
“Why couldn’t you see her at work? We have very little free time, and you’re intruding on it.”
Maryellen came down the stairs and said, “Who is it, dear?”
“I don’t know, Mary. These people pushed their way inside and insisted on talking to you.”
Maryellen looked at the visitors and asked, “I don’t recognize any of you. What do you want?”
“Ma’am, we’re sorry to interrupt your evening, but we decided it would be best to conduct business here rather than in your office,” Jeremiah said.”I am Captain Jeremiah Jones, commanding the Confederacy ship Lewis & Clark. We’re here to offer you an extraction. We desperately need a G1, a personnel officer, on Cay, and your name is at the top of our list. Both Governor Stotts and his father, Harold, speak highly of you. Would you be interested? Do you have a prepack if so?”
Almost before Jeremiah finished speaking, Mr. Rodriguez turned to Maryellen and said, “This is great. You go pack, and I’ll call Shirley.” He grabbed his phone from a small table beside a chair, dialed, and said, “Shirley, this is Raoul. Get over to my house NOW. Some marines are here to pick us up.”
Maryellen stood, listening to her husband, then said, “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to take you, asshole. And when she gets here, you can tell your bimbo secretary she can have you now, and she doesn’t even have to sneak around any longer.”
Raoul stepped toward Maryellen and clenched his fist. There was a buzz, and he fell to the floor. Maryellen merely looked at him, then asked, “Am I allowed to take anything, or do we have to travel light?”
Karen smiled and said, “We have time for you to gather a few keepsakes if you want. Nothing that won’t fit in a carry-on bag, however. Do you have a prepack, or will we need to find you some concubines?”
“I have two friends I’d like to take, but they’re not an official prepack. We’ve played what-if, but nothing official. I’m sure they’d go with me if we could pick them up.”
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