Chapter 358

Selina and Diana's Mission

..."So, what is it?" Diana asked, extremely curious.

"Ah," Selina said as she leaned back in her seat. "Have you read anything concerning what the Commonwealth has awarded past heroes historically?"

"Well, no. I guess not. I mean, they've already bumped us up two ranks. As far as I know that's unheard of."

Selina called for stim for both of them. Getting up, she took the tray as it slid out of its slot. Returning to her seat, she placed one of the cups in front of Diana. "I ... sometimes have excess time on my hands..." she began.

"Selina, I am well aware that you're a genius, your mind is a sponge and you read everything you can find."

Selina's face flushed before she went on. "Well, I became interested in a detailed history of the Space Navy, and while browsing, I read about how the institution of rewarding outstanding bravery began. Anyway, over the many years we have been voyaging among the stars, there have been many, many ... engagements. Some we won, and others we lost, but a little over five hundred years ago, a particularly wealthy Admiral took it upon himself to reward a Lieutenant Commander who had led his ship and crew against high odds and won. And because of his victory, the overall engagement was won. His reward was not just a promotion in rank, but a substantial monetary reward, also. Eventually, the Commonwealth copied the Admiral's reward system, establishing it as SOP for major acts of bravery in war. The key word being major, and even then the act had to result in a marked difference in the overall engagement. Bravery was not the only criteria. The act itself had to make a significant difference."

"I'm vaguely aware of that," Diana commented, "but I guess I never cared enough to research the details, after all, it is something that is very rarely done."

Selina took a sip of her stim before continuing. "True. At any rate, eventually, brave acts during battle were divided into categories, and if the bravery was major enough, it would be rewarded accordingly. Now, keep in mind that this was bravery beyond the call of duty, and that bravery had to cause a significant difference, also. There appeared to have been some political involvement too. If a politician could tie himself or herself to some gallant act, even if the politician's only involvement was in just presenting the reward, then he/she gained good publicity. The populace loves heroes, so it caught on. But to emphasize, monetary rewards were given only for very pronounced acts of bravery that resulted in major outcomes toward the war or significant conflict, and they were sometimes fairly large rewards, but ... those rewards are clearly stated and can only be initiated by the unanimous approval of the two top Admirals."

"But we had no idea that gravity mine was going to become a black hole," Diana protested.

"But, I think they did, and it is far too late for them to back down now. The whole Commonwealth watched the presentation on vid. And ... as Fleet Admiral Brunner commented, no one has ever destroyed an entire major supply base, not to mention a whole fleet. Then there is the matter of the enemy capitulating because of what we did. I suspect that the Fleet Admiral is in a quandary as to what to offer us. Too little and he will be ridiculed. Too much and he will receive a backlash from the politicians. I imagine that he and the Vice Admiral are in conference with leaders of the Commonwealth as we speak."

"So, do you think he will tell us at dinner tonight?"

Selina blew on her stim, sipped and turned fully to Diana. "No. Before they tell us what they have decided, we are going to suggest something that will not cost the Commonwealth unduly and at the same time will allow the politicians as well as the Navy to walk away from this with everyone being pleased. In addition, what I had thought to ask for has already been done – or a variation of it – two hundred years ago. However, we must present a united front. Either what we ask for, or nothing ... while remaining respectful, of course."

"So, are you going to keep me waiting forever?" Diana asked with a grin.

"It will not be a major monetary reward, well, not immediately, anyway," she cautioned with a sly grin, "but in the end it will be of much greater value."

Diana chuckled. "Another of your retirement plans?"

Selina held her cup up in both hands, her eyes teasing as she looked over the rim and said, "Perhaps it is more of an expansion of our retirement plans. Now, providing you agree, here is what I think we should do."

As Selina and Diana walked up the steps of the Fleet Admiral's residence, Diana whispered to her partner, "I know Brunner is the top officer in the Space Navy, but if the inside is half as ostentatious as the outside, his home must be palatial."

The escorting Commander, having overheard, commented, "The Fleet Admiral's position is a very political one. In addition to the military aspects of his position, he often has to entertain dignitaries from various world governments – hence the regal aspect of his quarters."

"This is getting out of hand," Diana complained. "I would rather be assigned to another mission in enemy territory than to go in here tonight. I don't think I'll do very well with chitchatting with Admirals and their wives."

The Commander chuckled. "I suppose I would have felt the same way a while back, but I have been his aide for a couple of years now, and he's easy to get along with – for an Admiral," he amended. "He expects near perfection, but he came up through the ranks, so he's usually fairly realistic in his expectations. I have had some problems, but he's backed me because I was carrying out his orders, which sometimes requires that I make decisions instead of bothering him over the little things. I suggest that you two be straight with him, and I suspect he will return the favor."

As they neared the front door, the house AI recognized them and ushered them inside.

"Luck, Commanders," the aide said as he turned to leave.

Inside, they were escorted by a servant through the elegant foyer and down a long hall to what appeared to be a formal living/receiving room where the Fleet Admiral, the Vice Admiral and their wives were seated with drinks in hand.

"Ah, there you are; right on time," Brunner said as he and the Vice Admiral came to their feet. After introductions, Brunner asked, "Would you like a drink first, or shall we eat? I am told the meal is ready to be served."

"Sir, we," Diana began, but Brunner motioned for her to wait.

"Ladies, neither the Vice Admiral nor I are in uniform. This is an informal dinner in order for us to get to know each other. After we enjoy what should be an excellent meal, we will retire to a sitting room where we would very much like to hear about your feelings, expectations and so forth as the mission unfolded. I have the official story from the message torp, but we want to hear the unofficial one."

Turning to his wife, "Melinda, if you will lead the way, please?"

The Fleet Admiral was an accomplished politician as well as an equally competent tactician. Within minutes, both young Commanders were at ease and enjoying themselves. The wives, accustomed to entertaining high-level officials, also seemed to go out of their way to make the two new Commanders feel welcome.

After the meal, they gathered in a small sitting room where the Admirals expertly drew out the story from Selina and Diana, and as time passed, the two Commanders, now relaxed, unfolded their mission in detail. After numerous questions from the Admirals, and some by the wives, Brunner offered yet another round of refills. When Diana and Selina indicated that they did not want anything more, the Fleet Admiral got down to business. "Ladies, the Vice Admiral and I have made a decision..."

"Sir," Selina spoke up. "Might I make a request before you go on?"

A frown passed over the Admiral's countenance for a second before his face cleared. "Certainly."

"I expect that you are going to offer us a monetary reward, per procedure. Correct, Sir?"

The Admiral's expression remained blank, but he nodded.

"Since, as you have already mentioned, there is no precedent in the rules to accommodate our ... problem, Commander Matthews and I have a suggestion that might well benefit all parties involved ... and save the Commonwealth a substantial amount of credits in the process."

"Commander Albright, I assure you that my suggestion for your rewards will be well received by both of you."

"Oh, we have no doubt of that, Sir," Selina quickly returned. "But please allow me to continue." At the Admiral's nod, Selina went on. "We are due to re-up or else muster out of the service in two months. As you are aware, we were forced to warp away from the black hole with matter too near for a safe exit. As a result, we were lost for a time. Our recent experience and our subsequent exploration to find a suitable planet where we could obtain materials for our converter and oxygen for our vessel has provided us with a ... substantially different outlook concerning our galaxy as well as our own lives.

"To state it otherwise, we have decided that we want to be explorers, but we do not have a ship or the wherewithal to purchase one, not to mention the necessary equipment needed for exploration. However, with some modifications to our scout, we could have all that we need, and it would wind up costing the service less, unless I have completely misunderstood the reward system. And ... should you be concerned about our request, the precedent was set almost two hundred years ago, when..."

"I am familiar with Commander Nargosoto's reward," Brunner interrupted to say.

Fleet Admiral Brunner's poker face gave away nothing, but Selina knew he was weighing the cost advantage as well as the political side of her request.

Selina broke into his meditations with, "There would, of course, have to be a complete refitting of our vessel as well as our sensor suite."

Brunner eyed the tiny Commander sitting across from him, everyone in the room now quiet.

After a moment, his face cleared. " ... And your weapons suite as well. Wouldn't do for the most famous Commanders in the Navy to be taken by pirates."

"And our AI's core and memory expanded in order for him to become fully sentient," Selina inserted.

The Fleet Admiral locked eyes with the Vice Admiral for a couple of seconds. When he nodded, Brunner turned back to the two Commanders. "Done, and since the two of you have refrained from making undue demands of the Commonwealth, I will add an operating fund sufficient to assist you with your travels. But ... there is one stipulation," he said with a wry grin.

With sinking hearts, the two Commanders glanced at each other. "Sir?" they said in unison.

"I will make certain your vessel receives a full refit and updating, which should take approximately one month if I put a priority on it, but ... the Commonwealth politicians must have their due. They already have a list of speaking engagements lined up for you as they show off the Commonwealth's newest heroines, and they get their publicity in the process."

At the sick look on the two young Commanders' faces, he said with a grin, "Sorry, Ladies. It's called politics. To make it up to you, we'll forgive the last month of your service. You will muster out a month from now with an updated and fully refitted ship." As he came to his feet and held out his hand to shake theirs, "You will go down in history, Commanders. Well done!"