smiling.
"I'm afraid I mentioned to a couple of people that you were coming and the word got to the press. When they pressed me for confirmation I admitted that you were coming for a very brief visit. They're still waiting for you to talk to them now that most of the crowd has left."
Jenetta turned and saw that the Marines were now letting the press approach the stage. She sighed and returned to the podium where she answered questions for about half an hour. A couple of reporters asked repeatedly when the official vid logs of the Milori actions were going to be declassified and she kept referring them to Supreme HQ on Earth. When she decided they'd pretty well covered everything, she took one last question, thanked them for coming to greet her, and then waved to them as she walked off the stage. The reporters reluctantly turned to face their own 'oh-gee' cameras and wrap up their stories as Jenetta, Admiral Vroman, and Lt. Commander Ashraf walked to the base commander's office.
As they entered the Admiral's office, Jenetta was surprised to find it already occupied by eight warship captains. The entire group came to attention and saluted.
Jenetta returned their salute and said, "As you were."
"Everyone who was in port wanted to welcome you back, and I felt it would be better to meet in here instead of doing it in front of the press."
"I agree," Jenetta said, just before she circled the room, stopping to say hello, shake hands, and exchange a few pleasantries with each officer.
As with Captain Hyden, everyone wanted to hear about Jenetta's tactics against the Milori, and she spent about two hours telling the officers about the campaign. The captains would have liked to stay for hours and discuss every aspect as they used to do over dinner in Jenetta's dining room, but Jenetta hinted she was anxious to get underway. Everyone understood and, almost as a group, took their leave, giving Jenetta a little time with Admiral Vroman.
"That was a remarkable feat, Jen," he said.
"We never could have done it without the Colorado and Yangtze. I love those little ships. I wish I had a dozen more of them."
"Have the Milori on the space stations given you any problems?"
"Not yet. The Viceroy told them to comply and they're complying. A Milori warrior would never disobey an order. They will happily fall upon their own sword if ordered to do so by their commander."
"What's going to happen to their world now?"
"They're working to rebuild their infrastructure. I'm afraid I made quite a mess. I regretted doing it, but Maxxiloth's refusal to surrender made it necessary."
"It had to be done. We couldn't have them attacking us again in five or ten years after they'd had a chance to rebuild their warship fleet."
"We'll keep an eye on them and make sure they never threaten their neighbors again." Standing up, Jenetta said, "I guess I'd better get going. Steve Powers told me he ordered Christa to report to the Colorado by 0900 hours, so she should be aboard by now."
"I was hoping you'd stay for lunch."
"I'd love to, but I don't have the time today. On my return trip I promise I'll stay for dinner, if I'm invited."
"You have a standing invitation for dinner anytime you're in the area."
"Thanks Thad. And thanks for arranging for my sisters to be available for the trip."
"My pleasure, Jen. Have a safe trip."
* * *
Christa was conversing with Eliza in Jenetta's quarters when Jenetta returned to the ship.
"Christa!" Jenetta said excitedly as she entered her sitting room. The two women hugged warmly for a few seconds before pulling back to arm's length and looking at one another. "You look good."
"So do you, except your shoulders are drooping a little."
"Yeah, the four stars are a little heavy— a bit ostentatious, aren't they?"
"On you, they look good. I was surprised when I heard the news. I wondered if you'd accept them."
"I gave the matter a lot of thought after I received the message from Admiral Moore. It's going to be five
"I'm afraid I mentioned to a couple of people that you were coming and the word got to the press. When they pressed me for confirmation I admitted that you were coming for a very brief visit. They're still waiting for you to talk to them now that most of the crowd has left."
Jenetta turned and saw that the Marines were now letting the press approach the stage. She sighed and returned to the podium where she answered questions for about half an hour. A couple of reporters asked repeatedly when the official vid logs of the Milori actions were going to be declassified and she kept referring them to Supreme HQ on Earth. When she decided they'd pretty well covered everything, she took one last question, thanked them for coming to greet her, and then waved to them as she walked off the stage. The reporters reluctantly turned to face their own 'oh-gee' cameras and wrap up their stories as Jenetta, Admiral Vroman, and Lt. Commander Ashraf walked to the base commander's office.
As they entered the Admiral's office, Jenetta was surprised to find it already occupied by eight warship captains. The entire group came to attention and saluted.
Jenetta returned their salute and said, "As you were."
"Everyone who was in port wanted to welcome you back, and I felt it would be better to meet in here instead of doing it in front of the press."
"I agree," Jenetta said, just before she circled the room, stopping to say hello, shake hands, and exchange a few pleasantries with each officer.
As with Captain Hyden, everyone wanted to hear about Jenetta's tactics against the Milori, and she spent about two hours telling the officers about the campaign. The captains would have liked to stay for hours and discuss every aspect as they used to do over dinner in Jenetta's dining room, but Jenetta hinted she was anxious to get underway. Everyone understood and, almost as a group, took their leave, giving Jenetta a little time with Admiral Vroman.
"That was a remarkable feat, Jen," he said.
"We never could have done it without the Colorado and Yangtze. I love those little ships. I wish I had a dozen more of them."
"Have the Milori on the space stations given you any problems?"
"Not yet. The Viceroy told them to comply and they're complying. A Milori warrior would never disobey an order. They will happily fall upon their own sword if ordered to do so by their commander."
"What's going to happen to their world now?"
"They're working to rebuild their infrastructure. I'm afraid I made quite a mess. I regretted doing it, but Maxxiloth's refusal to surrender made it necessary."
"It had to be done. We couldn't have them attacking us again in five or ten years after they'd had a chance to rebuild their warship fleet."
"We'll keep an eye on them and make sure they never threaten their neighbors again." Standing up, Jenetta said, "I guess I'd better get going. Steve Powers told me he ordered Christa to report to the Colorado by 0900 hours, so she should be aboard by now."
"I was hoping you'd stay for lunch."
"I'd love to, but I don't have the time today. On my return trip I promise I'll stay for dinner, if I'm invited."
"You have a standing invitation for dinner anytime you're in the area."
"Thanks Thad. And thanks for arranging for my sisters to be available for the trip."
"My pleasure, Jen. Have a safe trip."
* * *
Christa was conversing with Eliza in Jenetta's quarters when Jenetta returned to the ship.
"Christa!" Jenetta said excitedly as she entered her sitting room. The two women hugged warmly for a few seconds before pulling back to arm's length and looking at one another. "You look good."
"So do you, except your shoulders are drooping a little."
"Yeah, the four stars are a little heavy— a bit ostentatious, aren't they?"
"On you, they look good. I was surprised when I heard the news. I wondered if you'd accept them."
"I gave the matter a lot of thought after I received the message from Admiral Moore. It's going to be five
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