Commandant (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 8) by Jonathan P. Brazee Page B

understand.  You are an honorable man, and I will not hold that against you.  And no hurry, if you are going to leave.  You and Fiona are welcome on Tarawa for as long as I’m in charge,” Ryck whispered back.
    A single tear formed at the corner of the commandant’s left eye as he pinned the first bar of four stars on Ryck’s left collar.
    “Uh, I’m dreadfully sorry that Hannah isn’t here, but who do you want to pin on your other stars?” the commandant asked.  “Bert?”
    Ryck wanted to say yes, and he broke his position of attention to glance at Bert, who was already starting to move forward.  His friendship with Bert was strong, and it would mean a lot to him.  But Ryck had to think beyond personal interests now.  Whether he liked it or not, he had to learn politics and learn it fast.
    “Sir, I’d be honored if General Huckmaster would pin them on,” Ryck said with a sure voice.
    The assistant commandant was taken by surprise, if the look on his face was any indication.  He gathered himself and hurried forward.
    For a moment, Bert also seemed surprised, and the look on his face was not as pleased.
    Please understand me, Bert , Ryck silently implored.
    Whether the ESP vibes were working that day or not, Ryck didn’t know, but Bert seemed to stop, and with a grudging smile and nod, settle back into his position of attention.
    Within moments, both sets of stars were on his collars.
    “Congratulations, General,” the commandant said as the others in the room broke out into loud “ooh-rahs.”
    “Wait, there’s one more thing,” General Ukiah said as Marines started to move forward to shake Ryck’s hand.
    “Attention to orders!” he said, stopping the men in their tracks.
     
    From:  Commandant of the Marine Corps
    To:       General Ryck Lysander, United Federation Marine Corps
    Subj:    Marine Corps Special Order 4-21, effective immediately, you are ordered to report to duty as the Commandant, United Federation Marine Corps.
    Signed, Hank K. Ukiah, General, United Federation Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps
     
    The order should have come from the chairman of the Council, but that wasn’t likely to happen, so Marines adjusted when they had to.
    “It’s official, Ryck.  You are the 92 nd Commandant of the Marine Corps,” he said, shaking Ryck’s hand.
    Once again, the men started pushing forward as General Ukiah held up his hand.
    “You need to relieve me, Ryck.”
    “I don’t have any orders.”
    “Just say it.  You’re the commandant now.”
    Ryck cleared his throat and said, “General Hank K. Ukiah, I hereby relieve you of your duties.”
    Nothing then could have stopped the press of men coming forward to shake Ryck’s hand.
    “Good move there, sir,” Bert whispered as he shook his friend’s—his commandant’s—hand.
    Ryck was relieved to know that Bert understood why he chose the assistant commandant to pin on his stars.
    After the last hand was shaken, the last congratulations given, the 92 nd Commandant of the Marine Corps cleared his throat and shouted out, “We’ll have a wetting down when all this is over.  But right now, we’ve got work to do.  Lieutenant Colonel Trondheim, please get Major Pohlmeyer and have him in my office in 20 mikes.  The rest of you, get home, get fed, and get cleaned up.  I want all of you back here at 0600, and plan to stay for a long time.  Thank you for your confidence, but let’s get our butts in gear!”

Chapter 8
     
    “So you’re feeling strong?” Ryck asked Sams.
    “Like an ox, sir.  I’m ready to come back.”
    Ryck looked at Master Gunnery Sergeant, (Ret) Bobbi Samuelson as the man sat nervously across from him, hand fidgeting along the brim of his bush-cap.  Sams was one of his closest friends in the Corps, a man he trusted implicitly.  But after so many years together, he knew Sams was lying. 
    Like Ryck, Sams suffered from BRC, Boosted Regeneration Cancer, the bane of too many Marines