Commander Ellen Solano, captain of the UNSAS Red Oriole, along with her exec, Lieutenant Commander Jean-
Jacques Mathys, stood in front of Fleet Admiral Hutchinson's desk. They were about to receive new mission orders.
"Your mission is to go to the last system visited by the Black Sparrow. Once there, you are to investigate the
system, looking for more debris similar to what they found. You are also to attempt to determine more about the battle that
took place, when it happened, and who the opponents were. Anything recovered would be useful.
"In case you find any more Erglash crystals, you are being provided a large quantity of stasis boxes, to store
them in. No more than one crystal per box. I know you're aware of what happened here last week, and what happened to the
Sparrow, so that's why you're to keep the crystals separated and isolated.
"You are going to be taking several specialists along, to help in your investigations. Any questions?" the
Admiral concluded.
"Yes, Admiral." said LCDR Mathys. "How many specialists?"
"Five. When they are assigned, I will let you know."
"Admiral, if I may ask, why were we selected for this mission?" asked CDR Solano.
"Your ship is only a year out of overhaul, and, your crew has the highest efficiency rating in the Earth Fleet. I
want the best people I can get on this job."
"How long will this mission last?"
"Well, it's four months out and four months back, plus time in system. Figure on a year, minimum.
"Once you're on station, I'll have Raul Cervantes swing by at least once every two weeks, to pick up
dispatches.
"When do you think you'll be ready to depart?" The Admiral asked.
Without hesitation, CDR Solano said, "One month, Admiral. If we are going to be away for at least a year, I
want to give my crew some leave time before we go. Plus, if there are any modifications to be made to the ship to enhance
mission success, let's get it done now."
Admiral Hutchinson smiled. "Agreed, Commander. I'll have the full mission files downloaded to your ship
before I leave this office. Also, you and your ship will have immediate priority at the Condorcet Yards for refitting as well as
provisioning. If J. J. gives you any static, let me know. Wristcomp Channel 1111 to call me direct at any time, understood?"
The two officers nodded agreement. "Good. Dismissed." the Admiral ordered.
Three hours later, back on the ship, Ellen and Jack looked over their mission orders, courtesy of the ships
mainframe, Ripken.
"Looks like an interesting change of pace over our usual patrol missions, Jack. We get to look for alien relics
and remains. Good to stretch our capabilities." said Ellen.
"We're a scout ship, not an Owl or Sparrow series craft. Why couldn't the Old Lady send one of those? Why
send us?" Jack muttered.
"Jack, don't be so pessimistic. She chose us because we are the best crew in the Fleet. Because she wants us
to get back here, to Base, with the data she wants. Besides, while you were flying the shuttle up here, I was checking Fleet
availability.
Black Sparrow won't be out of the Yards for eight weeks, minimum. White Owl left two weeks ago on a survey run, and Orange
Owl isn't due back for another six weeks." Ellen told her exec and friend for the past seven years.
"Well, I take it all that's left are the warships, eh? Why not a cargo craft converted to carry survey equipment?
We only just got back from an extended deployment two months ago! I was looking forward to some down time at home!" Jack
said with some heat, then, he got control of himself.
"We better announce this mission to the crew immediately. I'm sure some of them would want to transfer off,
and I want the replacements on board and training started before departure." he said.
Ellen had been watching her exec carefully while he ranted. It was typical of him to do so in private. She didn't
mind that, because he always kept his ranting out of sight of the crew. However, he could, and would, deliver an ass-chewing to
whoever deserved it whenever necessary. Once bit, few people would risk the exec's displeasure again. "I agree, Jack. I'll have
Ripken post the orders, and I'll make an announcement to the crew at afternoon quarters.
"By the way, where are you going on your two weeks? Back home to Trois-Rivi�res?" she asked, once again
mangling the French.
Jack winced at her mispronunciation, but was resigned to it. "Yes. You going to Lost Wages, or to South
Island?"
Ellen smiled. Jack never approved of her gambling. "I think I'll be heading to Las Vegas, but I haven't decided
yet. I'll let you know when I do.
"Well, time to get to work. See you at dinner, exec."
When the mission orders were posted, fifteen people decided to transfer off, either because their enlistments
were up, they were due for reassignment, or they didn't want to go on another extended deployment. Of the fifteen people, two
were officers- the Weapons Officer and Supply Officer. The two informed the Captain of their desire for transfer at dinner.
"While I will miss the two of you, I will not block your transfers. Start packing your bags, and I'll get started on
getting replacements for you in the morning." she told them.
Thanks to the priority nature of their orders, replacements were quick to arrive. LTJG. Kane Keirin, the new
Supply Officer, came over from the Fleet Base, while LT. Patricia [Pat] Price, the new Weapons Officer, transferred over from
the Grey Vulture, where she was Missile Officer. The new officers, as well as the other new crewpeople, went willingly to work.
The ship was moved from parking orbit to the Condorcet Yards, for a mini-refit and installation of a new
sensor suite. The sensors are an experimental type, promising gains in both range and sensitivity. One of the Special Team
members, Dr. Thomas B. Bastille, Jr., arrived early to oversee the installation of the new sensors. [After all, he invented them.]
Two other Special Team members, Drs. Arthur and Ramona Thorne, also arrived early, to set up their equipment in the lab
spaces. The other two Special Team members, Dr. Anne Hall and Jackie Cannon, were not to arrive until just before departure.
Being telepaths, and the fact that Jackie is only 11, argued for a late arrival.
About a week after she arrived, LT. Price managed to speak with the Engineer, LT. Arne Lindstrom, alone in
the Wardroom. "Couple of questions for you, Arne." she said, pouring herself a mug of strong tea.
"What? Having trouble settling in?" he asked.
"No. This is my fourth ship. That's not bothering me. I like this ship and crew.
"What I want to know is, how many crewpeople are Sagans?"
"Six. Myself and Dr. Tim among the officers, and four of the enlisted people. Why do you want to know?" Arne
asked, a little guarded. He did not like anti-Sagan prejudice from anyone- it was one of the few things that would raise his fur
involuntarily.
Pat laughed. "Calm down, Arne! I'm a Sagan, too! In fact, our grandmothers served together years ago, back
in Phoenix. My mother's mother is Diane Northrop."
Arne visibly relaxed. "Then, you know what my talent is." he said.
"Yes. You're a werewolf. For the record, my talents are quick reaction times and a keen tactical sense. I've
had training on tactics from General Somers, after he entered politics.
"What I really want to know is, how many of them consider themselves Saganians first?"
"All of them. They answer to me, since I'm the senior Sagan aboard. Are you ranking me?"
Pat quickly said, "No, Arne! You're senior to me, officially!" She paused then, considering. Coming to a
decision, she then asked, "Is your cabin vacant now?"
"It should be. Why?"
"I have something you should see. Privately. Come on."
They went to his cabin. As he hoped, it was vacant. Taking a videodisc from her pocket, she gave it to Arne.
"Play this." she said.
Arne took the disc and inserted it into the player port. On the monitor, the Velvet Shadows emblem appeared,
with classification markings appearing under it. Then, the logo faded and two people appeared. Specifically, the Black and Gold
Roses, Raven and Christian Somers.
Raven spoke first. "Blood Rose Four, your mission is to assist the captain and crew of the Red Oriole in finding
out any and all information about the Erglash. You are cleared to show this mission briefing to the senior Sagan aboard, and
no one else."
Christian then spoke. "We want you to preserve the ship in case of combat. You are one of the best students I
have ever trained. We know that the Erglash are hostile, and we want you there in case others of them show up.
"In case of dire need, you are authorized to dragoon any Sagans on board to assist you in either extracting
information about the Erglash, or destroying them if needed. This includes the Special Team members as well."
Raven spoke again. "Arne, this bit is for you. You will still be ranking Sagan aboard, but, in case it becomes
necessary, Patricia can pull rank on you. Don't be insulted, and don't get your fur in an uproar. Come see us when you come
down on leave before you go on the mission- I want you to teach my grandson some battle lessons!"
Chris spoke again. "The rest of this is for Patricia's eyes only. Hurry down, Arne. I haven't seen you since you
bit my ankle when you were a puppy!" The monitor blanked.
Arne grimaced when Pat said, "Bit his ankle?"
"Yeah. I was a kid then, before I learned to control my shapechanging ability. I was hoping he had forgotten
about that."
"Don't feel bad. Sometime, I'll tell you about the one time I administered his Gold Rose qualifying test." she
said.
Then, Ripken chose to interrupt. 'Lieutenant Price to the Captain's quarters, Lieutenant Lindstrom to Control.'
"Well, duty calls!" Pat said with a laugh. They left the cabin and went their separate ways, Arne taking the
stairs to Control, while Pat took the axial lift to Deck Six.
The mini-refit went smoothly, if a little long. [Dr. Bastille was a little persnickety about the sensor installation.]
Captain Solano managed to squeeze a week in Las Vegas, enjoying herself immensely at the resorts and the gaming tables.
Three days before scheduled departure, CDR. Solano and LCDR. Mathys welcomed the remaining members of
the Special Team, Dr. Anne Hall and Jackie Cannon. They had been dreading this, because her initial reports showed that
Jackie was a fat, arrogant girl who incessantly snooped, using her cyberpsi abilities to get whatever she wanted. They were
surprised when Jackie arrived, 30 pounds lighter than her records showed, and on her best behavior.
Looking the officers as straight in their eyes as she could, Jackie declared, "I promise not to probe into your
ship's computer under any circumstances while I am awake. I request to be not put into hibernation until we are ready to
enter hyperdrive, so I can get familiar with the ship and your regulations before I have to go to work."
Captain Solano was surprised by the statement, but hid it well. "I accept your promise, Miss Cannon. Just
remember, if we catch you breaking it, I'll personally put an inhibitor collar on you."
"I understand, Captain. I will not give you any reason to do so. Can we go to our cabin? I'm tired." Jackie said.
"This way." said LCDR. Mathys, as he guided everyone into the axial lift. As the gate closed, he ordered, "Deck
Six."
On the way up, Dr. Hall asked, "Will we have a cabin to ourselves?"
"No. Dr. Bastille and his cat will be sharing the cabin with you." said the Captain.
"A cat?" asked Jackie.
"Yes. Dr Bastille wouldn't come on the expedition unless he was allowed to take it with him. He says that it
talks to him." replied the Captain.
"Is the cat's name Galileo?" Jackie asked.
"Yes, it is. How did you know?" asked LCDR. Mathys.
"I've spent just over a month with Galileo's grandfather, Salem. Galileo does talk, but he's choosy about who
he talks to. Salem says that Galileo's his smartest grandchild." Jackie replied.
"Looks like you're going to have to reconsider your objections to the cat, Exec." said the Captain. The rest of
the elevator ride passed in silence.
After they had shown the Special Team members to their cabin, the Captain and Exec went to the Captain's
cabin, which is located on the same deck. Once they were alone, Jack began to rant a little.
"A talking cat? What has this world come to?" he ranted.
"If he keeps Dr. Bastille stable, then I have no objection. You know how much the crew loves him already. You
can't object to having something that boosts crew morale, can you?" Ellen said.
"Pets are not allowed on warships, because of the potential of them being harmed in combat! The crew would
try to save the pet at the expense of the their own lives, and possibly the lives of everyone aboard!"
"Face it, Jack, you just don't like cats, do you?"
The accusation took Jack by surprise. "No, I don't. I always preferred birds, myself." he said.
Ellen thought for a few seconds, then said, "Tell you what. Why don't I approach Dr. Bastille and ask him to
have Galileo speak to you? If he can talk, maybe you'll change your opinion, at least concerning him. Personally, I like him-
he's friendly, obedient, and stays out of the way in that big pocket of Dr. Bastille's smock most of the time."
"I'll think about it." Jack muttered, his rage dissipating.
Looking at her exec, Ellen came to a quick decision. "Jack, when will the ship be ready to depart?" she asked.
"Three days, Captain."
"Once we're ready, we're going to move ship to a standby pad, then I'm ordering a two day stand-down for all
hands. Have the crew split into two sections. Each section will have 24 hours off at the rec centers. I'll speak to the Old Lady
about funding."
As Jack headed to his cabin to issue the necessary orders to the division officers, Ellen added, "Jack, put
yourself in the first section. I want you calm and relaxed when I come back on board."
"Yes, Captain." he said, impassively. Yet, he was smiling inside. Some tricks always work.
During the intervening five days, all work was completed on the sensor suite, stores load was finished,
missiles loaded, fine-tuning done, and the Exec made friends with Galileo. Captain Solano found that Jackie Cannon was true to
her word, much to her surprise and contrary to her file. She warmed to the girl enough to give her a tour of the entire ship,
from stem to stern. She also used the tour as a reason to do a post-refit inspection.
Jackie asked a lot of intelligent questions about the ship on the tour, about how things worked. She declared
that she had not probed into Ripken at any time, but she was tempted.
When they were at Deck 26, the Captain asked Jackie, "May I ask you a personal question?"
"Sure. What about?"
"Your file shows you to be very different than the way you are now. Why is that?"
"I spent the five weeks before I came here in Sagania with Mrs. Somers. She taught me a lot. She's a good
lady. She taught me about getting what I wanted in ways that wouldn't hurt other people. She also helped me lose a lot of
weight- before, food was my friend, but I was too fat for my own good.
"In short, she gave me something I never had before."
"What was that?"
"Love. My parents always sought to use me and my talents, without caring about me. I felt that if nobody else
cared about me, I would have to. I've learned my lessons now. Please, Captain, if I ever slip off the right track, shove me back
on it. And, you don't have to be gentle."
"I'll do that, Jackie. If you ever need to talk to me, if I'm not busy with the ship, don't hesitate."
Ellen, on her day off, flicked over to Armstrong City. There, she spent her 24 hours at Gaylord's Resort and
Casino, in the high-rollers section. [She had enough comp points on her club card to make the cost of the room reasonable,
plus all meals were free.] She just let herself forget about the ship as much as she could, losing herself in the games, the fine
foods, and the luxurious treatment she received from the staff. Winning enough to turn a little profit on the trip helped matters
along as well.
Rested and sated, Ellen returned to the ship. She found that pre-departure checks were well under way. Yes,
she has a well-trained crew, who didn't need micro-managing. Six hours after she returned, the Red Oriole lifted from Pad 3,
heading out.
The Captain and Exec decided to take it easy as they headed out to hyperdrive distance, allowing two weeks
to get out far enough. That time was spent mainly on drills, to get the crew back in condition. The Special Team adapted well
to life on board, with Dr. Bastille drilling the crew on the new sensors, the Drs. Thorne working on one of their private projects
on the lab deck, Dr. Hall working with LT. Hennessee, the ship's doctor, and Jackie being a well-behaved girl, learning
everything she could about the ship and its procedures. The only spaces she didn't go to were the missile and gun spaces,
that being her choice.
A day before entering hyperspace, Ellen and Jack were in her cabin, discussing crew reviews. "Our new
Weapons Officer is simply the best I have ever seen." reported Jack. "She manages to get the most out of both the weapons
and the crew, at least on simulation. She's even better than her evaluations indicate."
"I noticed. I also did a little research on her background, while I had the chance. I found out that she's a
member of the Saganian Security Forces, the Velvet Shadows. She's well-trained in tactics, and I'm glad to have her aboard.
From the reports, if we encounter an Erglash ship, we're going to need the best we can get." Ellen said.
"How did you manage to find out she's a Velvet Shadow? I always thought that they always keep that a
secret!" Jack exclaimed.
"I did a little research in Archives, using my command codes. When I asked her about it, she admitted that
she was. She told me that I could tell you, but to not tell the rest of the crew. She treats her VS commission as a convenience,
but the Navy is her life."
"That's good to hear.
"Next, the new Supply Officer. He proved to be an absolute wizard in obtaining provisions. Do you know he
managed to acquire a shipment from Donati's big enough for the crew, as well as enough raw material from them for us to
use on our own?" Jack said.
Ellen smiled when she heard that. "I've tried Donati's take-out once. How did he manage that?" she asked.
"He wouldn't tell me. But, he managed to bring along enough special foods for the crew to have special
meals. He might be young, but he's smart, eh?"
"That he is. If he continues his smarts on the trip, I think he might be carrying a full ring instead of a half
when we get home."
"Good. Of the other new crewmen, the chiefs report no difficulties with them. In fact, most of them have to be
counseled to take some down time, and to not push too hard. After all, we're going to be spending four months in hyperspace
for them to qualify." Jack reported.
"Excellent. Let's try to keep that enthusiasm going.
"Now, time to put the passengers into hibernation.
"Ripken, alert Dr. Hennessee to ready the hibernacula. Also, alert Dr.