“What happened, Steve?”
“Total mission failure, Sir.”
Scarecrow’s countenance was stone. He stood at attention, staring straight ahead, unmoving as Rear Admiral Reynolds sat behind his desk. Reynolds waited for him to continue. Scarecrow turned his head to look his CO in the eye.
“Admiral, if you haven’t lost confidence in my leadership, the Oleander CAG and I have studied the engagement and here’s what we’ve learned.” Scarecrow outlined the sensor data from the mission. “I’d like to discuss what to try next.”
Reynolds’ expression was grim. He relaxed as he sank back into his chair and offered a conciliatory smile. “I’ll never lose confidence in you, Commander. In fact, while Hutch is recovering, you’re temporary CAG. Whatever resources you need to overcome this enemy are at your disposal.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“However, I don’t want you to neglect our ongoing preparations for this potential invasion. Find a balance between the two.”
“Sir, this enemy is a clear and present danger. He needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.”
“I understand that. But you’re not only squadron leader, you’re CAG until Hutch recovers. Right now, you have a lot of plates to keep spinning. Don’t neglect one for the other.”
“Yes, Sir, but–”
“No ‘buts,’ Commander. That’s an order.”
“Aye, Sir.” Scarecrow stared off into the ether for a moment. “I suppose I could promote Nutcracker to squadron leader while I’m acting CAG. That would ease things a bit for me. I’ll conference-call with Shere-Khan to finalize our strategy, and maybe I’ll get Bad Boy to join us …”
“Now you’re thinking like a group commander. A CAG. Bring Wilkes in on your planning as well.” Reynolds smile morphed to a somber expression. “Louise contacted me this morning. She requested I give her two of our birds–”
“Please don’t give her mine. I’m going to need it.”
“Don’t worry. Command is aware of the situation, and the four new TR-3Bs will go to shore up Oleander’s air wing. They just need to find pilots to fly them. Command will pull some more experienced pilots from other carriers to fill those slots.”
The room was silent for a moment.
“I’m worried about Hutch and Williams –”
“They’ll pull through.”
“The doctors aren’t so sure.”
“Have a little faith, Commander.” Reynolds offered a sanguine smile. “I read the Oleander CMO’s report. I’ve known him for years. He has a tendency to offer the worst-case scenario. That way he looks good when a patient recovers. Hutch will be fine. So will Williams.”
“But–aye, Sir.” Scarecrow saluted. “Permission to be dismissed. Shere-Khan and I have a mission to plan.”
“Before you go, there’s one more thing.”
“Sir.”
“I hate to bring this up, especially with what you’ve just been through, but …”
“Sir?”
“There’s been another incident … with Major Cooper.”
“What?” Scarecrow rushed Reynold’s desk. “What happened? Please tell me she’s not in sick bay. Not back in another regeneration pod?”
“No, she’s fine. She’s just a little shaken up is all. Someone broke into her quarters and scrawled a message on the mirror in her head with one of her tubes of lipstick. It read, ‘Die, Major Bitch.’”
“Ah man. It never rains, it pours.” Scarecrow threw his hands in the air. “Where is she?”
“She’s on duty. I’ve moved her quarters temporarily to Captain Carter’s in-port cabin. Turns out it’s one of the most secure rooms aboard this ship. She’ll remain there until we can install a more secure lock on her stateroom hatch. I’ve also assigned a security team to watch her. She flatly refused to let me assign her any of her Marines. She’s chafing at it, of course. Said something about not needing anyone to protect her.”
“Been there …”
Yeah,” Reynolds said as he chuckled. “She’s a real little cayuse when she wants to be. Probably what makes her such a good Marine. Y’know, Steve, you’re going to have your hands full when you two get married.”
“Putty in my hands, Sir.”
“Yeah, right! Said the fly to the spider!” Reynolds could see Scarecrow lighten up with his remark. He wanted to keep his new CAG’s focus off his recent failure.
“Do you have anyone in custody?”
“Not yet. We’re still investigating.”
“Any suspects?”
“No, and I’m a bit confused. Sandy mentioned in her report about her assault that her attackers kept calling her ‘Major Bitch,’ the same as the message on her mirror. I’ve checked, and both the surviving assailants are currently incarcerated at Solar Warden Consolidated Brig on LOC, awaiting their court-martial. There’s no way it could have been one of them. Yet whoever vandalized the major’s cabin seems to have been privy to the details of her assault. It’s all rather confusing.”
“And there’s no way that scumbag Watson could have risen from the dead?”
“Not a chance. He was buried with dishonor in an unmarked grave, in a cemetery that we use just outside of Nellis. It’s definitely not him.”
“Any video surveillance?”
“There are no cameras in any of the crew quarters, so nothing inside her stateroom. The internal sensors didn’t pick up anything, either. The funny thing is, all the passageways are covered by CCSS, but they show no one entering or leaving the major’s cabin but her.” Reynolds smiled, knowing Scarecrow needed a bit of levity. “I guess that’s especially good news for you, since it proves she’s not stepping out on you.”
“You’re a funny guy, Sir,” Scarecrow replied with a sardonic smirk.
“Anyhow, I’ve got security going over the system to make sure it hasn’t been hacked. Someone may have deleted their own entrance and exit. Bottom line is, someone got in, scrawled the message and got out without being detected, and I’m determined to find out how. I refuse to allow this sort of behaviour to take place onboard my ship. I will not have it. I assure you CAG, the perpetrator will be caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the UCMJ.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Scarecrow’s demeanor softened. “For all of your efforts on the Major’s behalf. And mine as well. Permission to speak freely, Admiral?”
“Always, Commander.”
Scarecrow turned to look Reynolds in the eyes, his sincerity telling. “You’re a good friend, Sir. And a good CO. The best. I’m honored to have the privilege of serving under your command, Admiral.”
Major Cooper entered sick bay and found Scarecrow in the same room where a short time ago, she herself lay entombed in a regeneration pod for an entire day. Before she stepped into the room, Sandy glowered at her security detail. They said nothing. Instead, they ignored her as they took up positions on either side of the hatch.
As she entered, Scarecrow’s back was to her. He was standing between the pods containing Hutch and Williams as they glowed softly in the diminished light of the room, dog tags hanging from a clip on the end of each. The pod containing Lieutenant Jones was on the opposite side of Williams.
Scarecrow didn’t hear Sandy enter as much as he sensed her. She stood behind him for only a moment, quiet. He looked up, turned his head to one side, and spun around to see her in the hatchway, staring at him with an expression of sorrow and compassion. He almost leapt upon her, throwing his arms around her.
“Oh Sandy! I’m so relieved you’re safe. The Admiral told me what happened.” He pulled away and gazed into her eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done if you were injured again.”
“I’m fine. It was nothing, really. Just some prankster is all. The worst thing that happened was the intruder ruined a tube of my best lipstick. You know–the kind you like.”
“Can you get more?”
“Of course I can, silly.” She chuckled at his feeble attempt at levity. “For you, anything. But Darling, I heard you suffered a mission failure. I’m so sorry for y–”
“I don’t really want to talk about it,” Scarecrow said. He stepped back and turned aside. “Not here. Not now.” He motioned to the trio of regeneration pods. “I need to focus on–”
“Don’t push me away. Don’t you dare push me away! Against my better judgement at the time, I let you in when I was grieving. If you love me like you say you do, you’ll offer me the same consideration I showed you.” Cooper’s biting tone was augmented by her expression.
Scarecrow was shocked at her aggressiveness. He stood in silence for a moment. “I’m sorry, Sweeting.” He turned back and hugged her once more. “You’re absolutely right. I was wrong to react to you that way. I won’t push you away, I promise. It’s just that right now, that topic is a bit of a raw nerve, especially when I look down at my three friends and realize I’m responsible for their current condition.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re no more responsible for their injuries than I am. If you want to blame someone, blame that slimy snakehead that shot them up. You had nothing to do with it.”
Cooper reached over and took Scarecrow’s face in her hands, staring into his disappointed eyes as she did. “Don’t let pride be your downfall, Lover. Hutch will recover. So will Vince and Jones. They’re all going to be fine. Look at what that contraption did for me …” She smiled, stepped back and waved her hands down the sides of her body.
“Well, since you put it that way …”
“And you’re going to be fine, too. I’ll to see to that. I certainly don’t want this sad-sack face staring at me when I say ‘I do.’” Sandy grabbed his chin with one hand, squeezing it and shaking it with a gentle motion. “You’ve told me I need to move forward in order to let go of my grief, and I’m telling you right now you need to do the same.”
“In my entire career as a pilot, I’ve never been defeated in aerial combat. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
“Welcome to the human race, Lover. You know we all suffer defeat in some form or another in our lives. My father once told me that there’s always going to be someone better than yourself. You need to get over it. I know that may sound glib, but I mean it in the most sincere, therapeutic way. Just make sure it never happens again.” She winked at him.
“I suppose you’re right.” Scarecrow sighed.
He wasn’t there yet, but Cooper was patient. “I’m always right, and you know it. Now,” she said as she grabbed his arm and guided him out of the pod room, “I just got off duty, and I’m hungry. Let’s go see Frank and ask him if he can whip up one of his famous picnic baskets for us, and then I want to show you the captain’s in-port cabin. It’s a dream! Plus, you’ve been away for a few days, and I want to have some serious ‘face-time’ with you.
“If you get my meaning.”