The fleet admiral, doctor, and marines stared for a few moments before Holstrom snapped back to reality. “Doctor,” he said, looking at Tormen, “why don’t you get back to work.” He then looked at the marines. “Gentlemen, I think you can wait outside.”
The four marines saluted, then stepped into the corridor, while Tormen plunged into the chaos of the medical center. Holstrom waited a few more moments after that then cleared his throat. “Vice Admiral, Lieutenant, I don’t mean to sound harsh, but there may be a better place for this reunion.”
Vice Admiral Pikisi opened her eyes in surprise and broke the kiss from Senior Lieutenant Merua. She was wagging her tail like crazy as she tried to regain her composure. “Um…Yes. Admiral Holstrom.” She took a deep breath and exhaled. “Please lead the way.”
Holstrom nodded. “Of course.” He looked to Merua. “Lieutenant, an non-commissioned officer ought to stop by soon with discharge papers. Sign those papers then step outside – a marine will be waiting to take you to the flight deck. Thank you.” He turned back to the Admiral. “I would bring him, mam, but the chief medical officer would be very angry if the Lieutenant without signing that form.”
Senior Lieutenant Merua nodded. “Yes, sir!” He saluted Holstrom who returned his salute. He then waited for the discharge papers as both admirals left.
As they left, Vice Admiral Pikisi felt like something was bothering Admiral Holstrom. “Fleet Admiral Holstrom, if I may ask, is something bothering you?”
The Fleet Admiral sighed as the two walked through the corridors, preceded by the honor guard. The marine fire team now contained only three members at the request of Holstrom, who wanted a marine to stay behind with Merua. But it found no trouble pushing its way through the crowded bulkheads, not while carrying assault rifles, and definitely not when clearly followed by two flag officers.
Holstrom clearly encountered more difficulty with his thoughts than the marines with their assignment. “Admiral, I do not normally interject myself into the personal affairs of others, and I mean no disrespect. But as a peer, I must ask: do you feel it wise to be in a relationship with a subordinate?”
“To be honest Admiral, I originally had no desire to start a relationship with one of my subordinates. However, before I started…this relationship with Senior Lieutenant Merua, I was basically a 32-year old virgin who had no social life outside of her military career. I had tried a blind date, but it went south before the night began and I got drunk at the bar. Someone offered to drive me home as I was too drunk to drive. I accepted, and long story short, I discovered that the person I slept with was Senior Lieutenant Merua. We are still trying to work things out.” Vice Admiral Pikisi had been careful not to mention that she had been dating Merua for at least two and a half months, and that they’ve been sleeping with one another for the past month.
The Fleet Admiral nodded. “I can certainly understand that things happen,” he said, “and I’ve nothing against officers dating other officers. But while I am certain of your ability to command any officer in combat, could you live with it if you gave an order that led to his death?”
Vice Admiral Pikisi’s tail wagged nervously behind her as her mind and heart began to search for an answer. She couldn’t find one. “I…I don’t know, Admiral. I don’t know.” She knew she couldn’t keep Merua on the sidelines, but if she gave him a mission and he got killed, she just couldn’t live with herself. She almost lost it when she thought he had died, saving the Independence. She had a lot to think about their relationship.
“Well, just something to think about, Admiral,” Holstrom said. He decided not to pursue the subject further – partly because he felt he had made his point, partly because the two had just reached the Admiral’s Bridge.
A dozen hurried officers saluted quickly as the two Admirals entered the command center of the fleet. Holstrom saluted back then led Pikisi to a large chart of the surrounding area. The chart lay on a table near the center of the room; the positions of nearby ships and aircraft formations were projected onto it.
The Fleet Admiral sighed as he looked at the chart. “On a more strategic matter,” he said after a moment, “I present only bad news. The Third Fleet is at half strength right now – one ship sunk during battle, five were too badly damaged to do anything but limp back to port, and no ship got away without taking a few hits. We are in no shape to continue at this point, as a result and it will probably take a few weeks to get back to the strength to be able to do so.”
Vice Admiral Pikisi studied the chart. “Hm…Fleet Admiral, while I do agree that the Third Fleet’s strength has been reduced, there may be so hope.” She pointed to the northeast. “The Vulshainian Confederate Eastern Fleet is located here. It is led by the Lance of the West, and don’t ask me why the flagship of the Eastern Fleet has a ship named the Lance of the West. Nobody knows why. Anyhow, our combined forces, consisting of the Vulshainian Eastern and Northern Fleets, your Third Fleet, the Rygardi defectors, and the Rezielian fleet, may have enough strength. But as you just mentioned, your Third Fleet has been badly damaged, including your fighter wing. While we can do nothing to restore the ships, the Confederacy maybe able to ‘patch up’ your fighter wings, for lack of a better way of saying it. We might be able to loan you some our MiG-29Ks, of course, we’ll have to train your pilots in how to fly them.”
“That is an honorable offer,” Holstrom said after a moment, “but not one that I feel comfortable accepting. The Rygardians took out five of eight missile ships, which leaves us in horrible shape, and decimated our air wing. We’ve got a lot of pilots left, yeah, but most are going to be recovering from the physical trauma related to ejection for the next couple weeks. And the ship we lost was our fleet tender – which means we’re in horrible shape, supply wise. Not to mention that no ship got away without damage – there’s a giant crater on the front deck of this very carrier.”
Holstrom shook his head. “No, I don’t think I can commit us to another battle so soon, and I know the Commander of Northern Command will overrule me if I try.” He sighed. “I’d not count on much from the Rezelians, either. They exited neutrality to help us out but they’ve got nothing invested in this war.”
Vice Admiral Pikisi nodded. “I see. Well, then, if possible, it might be beneficial to train those pilots who didn’t eject on how to pilot MiGs and Sukhoi Su-33s. As for the fleet tender, three carriers that were on patrol have been ordered to meet up with us. The flagship, the Lance of the West, is a Ulyanovsk-class supercarrier. There is probably an extra tender which is often used just in case of emergencies, which I suppose this counts as such an emergency.”
The Fleet Admiral pondered the offer for a moment but then shook his head. “Again, I’m very thankful for the offer, but even the surviving ships of my fleet are pretty well damaged. We were taking fire from aircraft, missile, and gun fire when you showed up. We’re thankful for your help but we are in no condition for offensive combat operations. I’m sorry, Vice Admiral.”
The Vice Admiral nodded. “I understand Fleet Admiral Holstrom. How long will it take for the Third Fleet to be back up to full strength? We will escort you to whatever base or port you are heading to.”
The Admiral smiled. “We thank you for that, Vice Admiral. We’re not heading far, thankfully – the Third Fleet is stationed at the Free Pacifican military base in Reziel. But it will likely take a few weeks to get everything back in order.” He sighed. “Under normal conditions, of course, it’d take shorter. We could have new ships here in a few days. But, with the Pax standoff continuing, the President isn’t willing to commit anything more than the Third Fleet to this operation.”
“I understand. Besides, it would give our forces the chance to stock up on supplies and refuel in order to better prepare so we’ll be ready to attack again.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m afraid I must be returning to my ship now, Fleet Admiral Holstrom, but I can ensure you that the Third Fleet has the full support of the Confederate Navy.”
“Of course, Vice Admiral,” Holstrom replied. He shook Pikisi’s hand, then saluted her. “It was a pleasure meeting you, mam, and I wish you the best. If it is okay, the marines will show you back to your helicopter, and we’ll have your Senior Lieutenant meet you there.”
Vice Admiral Pikisi returned the salute. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Fleet Admiral.” When offered the marines to show her back to the helicopter, she nodded. “Thank you, Fleet Admiral.” She followed the marines back to the Hind.