Fiction: The Girassian Debacle Chapter 9: In a Numb Haze

Picture Sunset Cape May Point Beach, NJ, July 2022 by quigonjinnojiisan

Previous Chapter 8: A History Changing Cruise: https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2023/01/20/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-8-a-history-changing-cruise/

After ten hours of ragged sleep, interrupted hourly by Dr. Gladman’s neurologic checks, Captain Maureau awoke and sat on the edge of his bunk. He did not know why he was so  restless. He just knew he needed to get to the bridge and assume control of the ship from Commander Gray.

Dr. Gladman appeared as uncomfortable as Maureau. An absence of sleep, together with worry, stressed him to the point of exhaustion. Only twenty-four hours had passed since the concussion. Maureau would have to lean on the Doctor and use his desire to be part of command operations to get medical clearance against Gladman’s better judgement.

“I’m concerned your restlessness is part of a post-concussion syndrome. Do you have a any other symptoms? Headache? Blurred vision? Numbness, or a sense of unsteadiness? Any spinning of the room? ”

“No, Doctor. My vision is clear. I’m feeling all right.  Am I checking out all ok on your exams?”

“The exam I do is basic. It does not test your cognitive functioning much beyond simple orientation. Your exams have been normal except for some briskness in your reflexes.”

“I’m just jumpy,” Maureau said. “Being confined to my quarters, or having to sit in the Medical Bay, with all the things going on, will drive me nuts. Trust me, it will be very stressful. And we are not going to use sedatives. I have to be ready for command.”

“Sedatives would not be appropriate unless you become frankly agitated. But your resting heart rate and blood pressure are elevated from your usual baseline.”

“I think that is due to my anxiety to attend to the events happening to us,” Maureau said.

“Protocol says I need to test your neurocognitive domains by the computer battery of neuropsyche tests. You remember we all did them before our escort voyages. They need to be back to your pre-injury baseline before I can clear you for duty.”

Maureau knew that Doctor Gladman liked being on the bridge. Just as at the debriefing on the Poseidon, Gladman wanted to be viewed as more than a clinician working in the Medical Bay. He wanted to be seen as part of the command structure of the ship. 

“I’m not a fighter pilot needing to have superior perception and reflexes. Look, I will prove that going to the bridge will not tax me. Come to the bridge with me and check my cardiovascular metrics. If I don’t relax, I will leave the bridge. I can turn over all operational matters to Lieutenant Gray. She will be enthused to take control.”

Taking the concussion seriously, Gladman looked conflicted as Maureau continued to push him to approve his return to duty before he had a chance to document everything was back to normal. “Look, I need to plug into what is happening on the ship. I will undergo the testing before we get underway so that my decisions and actions are sound when part of the Task Force.

“All right. But shortly after we arrive on the bridge I’m going to personally check your cardiovascular metrics out. You won’t mind the crew seeing you examined like that?”

“They know me, Doc. They will be impressed with the care you are giving me.” That compliment seemed to work.

“I guess everything happening to us right now is quite unique,” Gladman sighed. “These times call for special responses.” 

Three hours later, Maureau plopped into his captain’s chair, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. He paid attention to his breathing and relaxed. So much so, he almost fell asleep again. With a start, he opened his eyes, relieved Gladman had not noticed his near descent into slumber.

“All right. Let’s get to work. He turned to the Communications Lieutenant who handed him a computer pad. Scanning the list of postings he saw two confidential ones for him with Admiral Rankin’s name attached, one an order, the other a voice message. First he read the order he had expected. It was a brief order officially promoting Lieutenant Gray to Lieutenant Commander and XO of the London.

Doctor Gladman came over to him and checked his pulse, his blood pressure, and vascular resistance measurements. He smiled. “You were right about being relaxed on the bridge. I should have expected this from you. All your measures are  improved from earlier. ”

“Doctor. You allow me to read one order and then feel you should  check me out? I trust I won’t need continuous monitoring as I work.” Maureau smiled.

“I hope I won’t need to recheck you often. I’ll give you a little bit more time between now and the next check.”

“Commander Gray. It is official,” Maureau said loud enough for all the bridge to hear. “You are promoted to Lieutenant Commander and are to serve as my XO for the London. Congratulations. He stood up and strode up to her to shake her hand. He was prepared to match her vise-like grip and pumped her hand vigorously in return. 

“Nicely deserved, Commander” he said and started to applaud. The rest of the bridge stood and applauded with him.

“You deserve a formal ceremony, and we will set one up to celebrate. But right now, I need you to function as my XO.” He looked over at Gladman and nodded. “I know you are ready.”

“Thank you, Sir. It is an honor to serve as XO for the London.”

When Maureau stopped applauding, the bridge stopped immediately with him. There were no cheers. 

After ten hours of ragged sleep, interrupted hourly by Dr. Gladman’s neurologic checks, he felt disembodied, in a numb haze. He immediately sat back down. It was a good thing that Gladman had checked him before he listened to the message from from Rankin. Expecting it to be an order regarding Commander Song, he listened to it in disbelief. The Admiral wanted him to call the Poseidon immediately. It was timed six hours earlier.

__________

 Commander Song sat in the Action Information Center reviewing videos and accompanying data of her action to save Anthony Maureau. Song knew she may very well be relieved of duty and thrown into the brig on Alpha One Station while waiting for a general court-martial. It had not happened yet. She would know as soon as Maureau returned to the bridge and complied with Admiral Rankin’s orders. With a great deal of luck, her rank would be no lower than “Lieutenant” and she could remain on the London. One could only hope.  

Commander Gray, as acting-XO, could execute any order from Rankin before Maureau returned. Gray took satisfaction in exercising her authority, but sending her to the brig, even just demoting her, might be a step too far for her relation with the rest of the crew.  

As she studied the video of the London stopping just shortof Alpha One Station, she realized the ship  had technically collided with the Station as the retrorocket blast slammed into the plastiglass viewing port. That is how it looked on some of the video.  And that is how High Command would view the incident in their assessment of her decision to risk the safety of the Station for her Captain.  

A security officer, Master Chief Petty Officer Hall, prevented a catastrophe by rapidly responding to the damage of the plastiglass, anticipating its collapse and moving to save many dignitaries who would not have been able to evacuate the observation deck without his help. She watched his reactions over and over, relieved to her very core that not a single dignitary lost their life. At least she had not caused any fatalities. That would have unequivocally resulted in her dismissal from Star Force and a likely prison term.

In one video, it was clear that one of the attendees of the Task Force Review Party panicked and tried to close the hatch of one of the bulkhead doors.  Hall’s rapid action dramatically prevented him from sealing the hatch with Hall dropping the delegate  with an uppercut punch. Song recognized the dignitary as Rance Yeoman, whom Rankin had introduced to her and Maureau at the reception. Song detested his divisive politics and his contemptuous manner.  Watching his actions confirmed her dislike.  Had he been able to close the door, many people would have joined Hall after the plastiglass broke and he was pulled into space . These untrained civilians most likely would have held their breath as they were pulled into space, the pressure inside their lungs rapidly expanding and fatally rupturing lung tissue. With the door closed, it looked like at least thirty would have joined Hall in space.

“Commander Song, please forgive my attention to what you’re doing,” said one of the officers in the AIC.  “But that is at least the third time you’ve watched that video. I can’t help but notice. Is their any analysis I can help you with?” She was turned away from her monitor towards Song.

Song appreciated the concern in the officer’s voice. Her round face was earnest and intense. 

“No, Ensign Artmore, I don’t require any help. Your weapons control duty must be pretty slow. Come over and watch this with me. Again. For the third time.” Song smiled.

“Ooh,” the ensign said when Hall hit Yeoman. “He doesn’t fool around.” 

“He had no time for negotiation,” Song said. They watched Hall save dozens of delegates. It was sickening to see him get pulled out of the observation deck with the rush of air after the plastiglass broke. But the London loomed just outside the port.

“We picked him up immediately. Unconscious for less than a minute, with negligible hypothermia.”

“God, he saved us, didn’t he?” Artmore said.

Song looked at the ensign’s name tag. “That, Gillian, is an understatement. I hope he is still in the Medical Bay. I need to thank him in person.” 

As Song got up to leave the AIC, Ardmore said, “I can call ahead for you, Commander, and ask that he not be discharged until you’ve had a chance to see him.

Song flinched and hesitated. “Excellent, Ensign. Tell them I will be there in less than five minutes.”  As she started out of the AIC she received a secure call on her earpiece.

“Commander,” she flinched and hesitated. “Song here.” 

“Song. This is Alpha One’s Security. We have some urgent information for you.”

__________

Listening to Rankin’s message, Maureau jolted alert.  Admiral Rankin’s urgent request for Maureau to contact him had sat unattended for six hours.  He became aware of the pounding of his heart. Gladman would be unhappy if he were to check his cardiovascular signs now. Maureau called the Action Information Center. “Communications. I have a directed message from the Admiral that came in six hours ago. Can someone explain why this sat without any response? It is classified as critical.” 

“This is Ensign Mugler. Captain, I took this call, a priority one call from the Admiral himself. I got to speak to him directly. He directed it through the AIC because he did not want you to get the message unless you were on the bridge. He made that very clear, Sir.”

“Thank you Ensign. You just allowed me to breathe again.” Maureau read the message from Rankin. It demanded a private, secure channel. As soon as he was available. Rankin stressed “available.” 

“XO, you have the bridge. I have a call to make with Admiral Rankin. He went into the ready room and secured the door. A calmness washed over him. He was resigned to whatever came next.

Rankin was not available immediately. Maureau would have to wait at least an hour. How do I kill an hour when I’m awaiting a dismissal from my career? Well, I have plenty of things listed on my pad. Nothing is more important than going over the video of Song on the bridge when she made the decision to try and save my life. 

In reviewing the video, Maureau appreciated that there was mayhem on the bridge with an explosion of communications accompanying the blast inside the Poseidon scattering debris and bodies. Song acted instantly, working with Yoshi. Rankin’s shouted order to stop the pursuit came in before Yoshi stopped accelerating the ship. The London had just passed him and Gray and started to decelerate to match their velocity. Yoshi rotated the ship to catch them in the airlock bay. Song had security ready to secure them as they entered the bay. 

Yoshi warned the bridge he would decelerate hard and Song immediately gave the general alert for emergency deceleration. Not every crew member was strong enough to maintain their grip on whatever handhold they had time to grasp. Some of the crew were thrown against bulkheads. She was able to concentrate through the havoc of every station sounding reports at once. Song stayed focused on the ship’s maneuvers and on  commanding Yoshi. The chaos swallowed Rankin’s order.

A wave of pride washed over him. How did Yoshi execute the maneuver? He needed to review the injury report again to see how the injured were doing.  Her incident report had not been filed. That was not like her. Anger mixed with his pride. Rankin should not take final action before considering her report. It was easy to understand how his roaring was filtered out by her as she focused on the rescue that Yoshi said he could execute.

Admiral Rankin’s call came through. Once again, he looked calm. Hair flared out, he did not look fierce, just tired. “Captain Maureau. We have some issues to resolve. First, I want to get this out of the way. What are we going to do with Lieutenant Commander  Song?”

“Admiral? Sir, it is impossible for me to support any severe disciplinary action against one of my officers who saved my life. That’s not going to happen.” Maureau spoke in a low voice.

“Speak up, Maureau. That is not a wise position for an officer in your position. I asked ‘what  are we going to do?’ How are we going to handle this? Conventional wisdom tells me I should send her to general court-martial for disobeying a direct order and endangering a space station, plus her own ship.” Rankin tented his hands in front of his face, as if praying. 

Maureau expected the worse would happen. “I will resign if she goes to court-martial and participate in her defense in any trial she is under.”

“God damn it! I expected this from you. I will not let you do that. I will not accept a resignation from you. What is there between you two? I trust it’s professional. Now, for the third time, ‘How are we going to handle this?’ I am not going to have others outside of the Star Force tell me how to treat an officer under my command!” Maureau could see Rankin grit his teeth. Rankin referred to someone other than Maureau. 

He thought before he spoke, carefully considering which of Rankin’s remarks to respond to before he started speaking. “The situation with the collision and explosion on the Poseidon was complex.  One can fault her decision. But there was great disorder. Her response was exceptional, her command commendable. Having watched the bridge videos, I can argue, I will argue, that she performed admirably. In the confusion it is probable that any officer would miss your order.” 

“I think a demotion with loss of her position as XO is a significant disciplinary action,” Maureau said. “I would like to have her remain on the London for our mission. You could give summary judgement with her agreeing not to contest her demotion.”

Rankin frowned. “Sounds like a plea bargain.”

“You asked what I would recommend. For us. We’re all fortunate no life was lost. Given this, I believe my solution answers your need for discipline. It’s plenty punitive and fair, all things considered.”

“How low a position?” Rankin said.

“I need her to be a lieutenant to use her leadership skills.”

Rankin smiled. Maureau had never seen him smile. “Ok. Now to what we really need to go over. Orders will come immediately after we talk. They are simple. I am giving your London a special assignment. Senator Connor Mitchell should arrive at the London. You are to transport him to the Mars Portal in as little time as possible. Set a speed record. Get that BDP cranked up.”

“We go alone?”

“You will leave the Task Force and go alone. You seem to fly the shit out of your ship, so use it to help the League.”

Maureau wanted to exclaim in relief but stayed stolid, mirroring his Admiral’s stony look.”

“Sir, am I to know why we need to transport the Senator as fast as possible to the Portal?”

“We can not figure what the Emissaries are about. They were made aware of our accident and the delay of our departure. They want us to  have a carrier with our Task Force, so we have to wait for the Athena to get here and outfit. They know that, but will not respond to our request for a delay in the departure of the Joint Force with the Martians and themselves. It’s not acceptable if we get left out of the Joint Force exercises.”

“So, the Senator is being sent as an ambassador,” Maureau said, noting that Rankin did not appreciate the interruption.

“Good for you. That is right. We need to get him there with as much time left before their Joint Task Force is scheduled to leave. He has worked with them before. He needs to make sure Renewal leaves with them.”

Maureau waited to be sure Rankin was done speaking. “I trust I am authorized to maximize our velocity.”

“You have carte blanche,” Rankin said. “Kick that BDP into overdrive.”

They looked at one another silently, studying one’s another eyes. So much was left unsaid. Maureau felt Rankin’s support was behind him on this mission.

“I trust your XO will make the Senator more comfortable aboard the London than your previous one did Plotkin.”

“I trust so, Admiral. You selected her.”

“Shit, Maureau! You have me on that.” He almost looked amused. “One more thing. Take care of Song for me. I don’t want to deal with her anymore.There isn’t the time to deal with the court-martial administrivia. I already intervened enough changing your XO. You take it from here.”

“Thank you, Sir. The issue will stop with me. I appreciate your decision to let her remain with the London.”

Rankin let out a tired sigh. “We all need good officers under us.”

__________

Kristina Song had friends in Alpha One’s Operation Center. Lieutenant Walter Shaw was aware of what had happened to her after the incident of London’s rocketsblasting the Station. He had been on duty and commanded the Master Chief Petty Officer Hall’s company.  

“Kristina, can I talk to you about a personnel issue,” her asked on a secure channel.

“I am not XO. Still a lieutenant commander, until I hear otherwise.”

“Then I can speak to you about this. Nicholas Hall, the officer you rescued from space. This,” Shaw stifled saying something next. “This delegate he restrained has filed a civil complaint against him. Says he was acting reflexively to save the Station and that Hall struck him unnecessarily.”

“I watched the video and recognized Rance Yeoman. Hall did make sure he wasn’t going to try closing off the observation deck again.” Song heard the overhead announcement by Captain Maureau that Madelaine Gray was promoted to lieutenant commander and serving as XO. He did not mention Song.

“I can drag my heels. For a couple of days. Administrative work translating this into a military judgement is hardly a priority right now. The Station is in an uproar. But given the political environment around here, Yeoman’s charge will come to a general court-martial unless handled well. Summary judgment can’t occur because of the status of the complainant.”

“What a waste,” Song said. “What are you asking?”

“Yeah, I cannot stomach this bullshit. Do you need someone on your team? I know you lost some security people in the blast.”

“We sure do need replacements. What do we do?”

“I know Hall would love to be on the Task Force. Talk to him ASAP. Get his consent and I’ll start the transfer process saying that helping Renewal is a priority for the Star Force. You should be on your way by the time this comes through to the London.  Give me time and I can take care of things.Legal actions against him can calm down while you’re gone.”

“I was just going to see him,” she said.

“Good. Gray commands them right?”

“Not any more, except as XO. They don’t have anyone right now. Put my name on the transfer and you can claim it was a mistake.”

“Great, Kristina. You want to make me into someone inept!  No. I’m kidding. I have not seen anything about new command at the London. By the time it sorts itself out, you should be on your way.”

“Gentleman’s agreement?”

“Kristina. I can tell you, you are anything but a gentleman.”

__________

A corvette is not large enough to accommodate an all-officer briefing room. London’s ready room off the bridge contained a desk facing the door and two chairs. Two more people could stand. Maureau used it to think and have private conversations off the bridge. 

After studying the orders from Admiral Rankin, Maureau invited Doctor Gladman in to check him out. Exhaustion spun Maureau, but Gladman reported his vital signs held steady at an unstressed level. Maureau felt elated for many reasons.

He brought in Commander Gray and Chief Freihoff to go over the mission parameters. “I want us to maximize our speed. Is there anything special Yoshi can do to enhance our shields?”

“I will go over that with him,” Freihoff said. “Hopefully he has some solution to allow us to tolerate faster velocity than standard.”

“Shouldn’t we keep the stress of the shield at standard specs?” Gray said.

Maureau looked over to Freihoff who answered. “Commander, we need to keep the ship at standard exposure, but maybe Yoshi can enhance the shields so we can keep accelerating while protecting the ship from debris.”

“The mission calls for us to try whatever we can,” Maureau said.

“What about the Senator? He may be a limiting factor in our initial acceleration?”

“As XO, I’ll let you take care of that. He’ll need a g-suit and Yoshi’s telemetric monitoring. Hopefully, we won’t have another Plotkin-incident with the Senator getting sick.”

After dismissing Freihoff, Maureau dropped the bomb on Gray. “Commander Song has been demoted to lieutenant and will remain with the London. She will take over your command of Security.”

Gray was speechless. Finally she recovered. “The Admiral has not removed her from duty? I am surprised.”

“You think she should be?”

“It’s just that her actions seemed serious enough for her to lose her officer’s commission.”

“Apparently, the Admiral considered many things, including that you and I are alive to have this conversation.”

“Sir, I think she will undermine my authority. She is not qualified to command the marines.”

“First, you should be confident in your own authority and she will not work against you. With regard to qualifications, you are speaking without knowing her background. She is qualified.”

Gray was wary of saying anything more. “Is that all, Sir?”

“Commander, you have to be my right hand. We have to work together for the London to be a good ship. “I know we can do it. So, yes, that is all. Get the London ready for this run to Mars. I will take care of the Security team and Lieutenant Song.” She said no more and left with a salute.

“That is not necessary,” Maureau said as she went out through the door. 

That should not have been so hard. Now, for the challenging meeting. 

Maureau called Song to the bridge. Suddenly, he realized what he was about to do, demote his Lieutenant Commander to a lieutenant. And he had to present this as a win.

He was brief and direct. “You know your decision lost you the XO position. Rankin felt he was in a position where a general court-martial was called for. He also recognized the skill with which you commanded the London to rescue me and Commander Gray. He also recognizes how valuable you are to this ship. And to me.” He paused, hoping that she recognized what he had just said about her value. 

“So, we found a solution that puts the entire matter to rest. You will be demoted to lieutenant. I want you to command our marine security platoon. You stay on the London and we move on.

Whereas Gray looked stunned and angry, Song looked to be confused, her emotions fleeting across her face from shock, to relief, then to anger, back to relief.

“Thank you, Sir. I expect you helped make this happen. I could not have expected, no, hoped for, a better resolution. It will be difficult to serve on the London as Lieutenant Song.”

“I know that and after the Task Force Renewal Mission, we can consider together a move. I just expect you will be needed as the Security Division’s commander during this mission.” 

He stood and she followed. “I will give you some time to process this. In two hours I will bring the Security Division together and let them know they have you as their new commander. You can decide when to meet with them.”

They stood looking at one another, Song’s eyes welling up for a moment. She blinked hard and cleared them. Maureau achingly wanted to embrace her, hug her. 

“Is that all, Sir?”

“Yes it is. For now.”

Song saluted. He saluted back.

Go to Chapter 10 Everything We Abhor https://onthebeachatnightalone.com/2023/02/18/fiction-the-girassian-debacle-chapter-10-everything-we-abhor/