Talosian Chronicles 1: Olympus (36 page)

“We’re ready for your testimony; please proceed.”

“Before I begin, Cadet-Lieutenant Williams, do I have your permission to offer information from your personal file as testimony relevant to this decision?” Star asked Talena.

“Only for the purposes of this conclave, and only relevant to this decision, please,” Talena replied. Star nodded acceptance of her restrictions, turned back to the assembled, and began.

“During my maiden voyage, we were to make a port call at Alpha-ca Station to pick up some colonists and more crew. A very pregnant, Honors-Graduate of Engineering was one of the people waiting there for us to arrive. However, as we were docking, the ensign gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Talena and I both arrived at Alpha-ca station at roughly the same time. I guess it was her maiden voyage as well.” Star smiled down at the girl.

“As she grew up, it was commented on many times that young Talena seemed much farther along than other children of her age group. Beginning about six months before the attack on Talos, my records also show that her mind absorbed, and still absorbs, knowledge at a rate slightly faster than an average adult human. The lack of change in her personal learning rate would be consistent with a physically mature mind, indicating that she had indeed reached adulthood. Much of the decision to allow her to join the Flight Acadamy was based on that fact alone.

“Since reaching the current learning plateau, her actions, even in private, have been consistent with those of a playful adult and not a teen-aged young person.

“I feel that I should mention that during her time at Talos, instructing the young ones there, she was also subtly guiding them to respect and help each other, as well as to accept the way of life we all now have. I feel that because of her guidance, those young people were able to actively participate in the discussions that took place the night of the Commander’s broadcast. By doing so, they in turn helped their parents to make the final adjustment to our current situation. I do not believe an immature young person would be capable of the required subtlety,” she finished.

“I thought ‘IQ’ never changed?” Bill asked, curious.

Janet stood up from her seat. “It’s a common fallacy that IQ measures intelligence. It doesn’t, it measures our ability to learn; nothing more. I believe that what Major Star was referring to was how fast Talena’s mind was absorbing the data offered it. While the two are close, they are still not the same. IQ is the measurement of how well she CAN learn verses how well she IS learning. A person with an IQ of 150, which is genius level, can be dumb as a box of hammers if they don’t have data available to learn,” Janet seemed about to continue on when John cleared his throat.

“That really is a very interesting topic, but not actually relevant to the decision before us at the moment. Thank you, Counselor. Major Dancer, do you have more to add?”

Star straightened to attention. “No sir. It is a given that there is far more available data, but all of it supports my statement. If needed, and with the Cadet-Lieutenant’s permission, I can keep the data available for further inquiry.”

“Thank you Major, that won’t be necessary. We’ll be voting on this issue in a few moments,” John replied, thanking her, and excusing her at the same time. Star ‘walked over’ and ‘took a seat’ next to Jenny.

“Ladies and Gentlemen; I would like to recommend we break for a few moments to consider the evidence brought before us. I remind everyone that regardless of our personal feelings, this is a very serious matter. This decision is irreversible and has the potential to destroy this young woman’s life,” John said sternly.

“I’ll second that, Mr. Chairman,” Dr. Punjab said.

John nodded. “Motion carries. We’ll reconvene in ten minutes.”

Talena and Ian joined their lovers, while the rest of the panel got up to stretch their legs. Talena had just finished hugging the ladies, and Ian was about to ask Jenny about the new titles when someone cleared their throat behind him.

“Begging your pardon, Commander.  Cadet, this is Bosun Arnold Grossman. Since he’s literally fresh off the boat as it were, he’d like the opportunity to make your acquaintance before he adds his mark,” George Myers said. He turned to the older-looking man. “Arnie, this beautiful young lady is Cadet-Lieutenant Talena Williams.”

Talena saluted, and after he returned it, she offered him her small hand. The contrast between the two was almost absurd. “Certainly! What would you like to know, sir?”

As the Bosun led her off a few feet to talk quietly, Ian leaned in to speak quietly to George. “He does know that no matter what, he should be sure to let his own conscience guide him, right? I really don’t expect anyone to suck-up or vote the way I want them to.”

George nodded. “I explained it to him. That’s the reason he wanted to talk to her. He doesn’t know her from Eve. Even with the testimony, which was pretty one-sided by the way, he said he’d feel better about casting an honest vote if he could at least talk to her.”

“That makes sense, he did get dropped into this on pretty short notice,” Ian said.

“I don’t remember meeting him, when did he come aboard?” Beth asked.

Jenny grinned. “The Bosun and part of his team arrived on the red-eye from Talos early this morning. I doubt he’s even been to bed yet.”

“Somehow, I think you might be right. I wonder if he saw Andrea while he was in Talos,” Beth replied.

George looked a little chagrined. “No he didn’t. I believe his reasoning was,” He switched to a gruff sounding imitation of Grossman’s voice. “If they make me younger, none of these kids they gave me will listen to me. ‘tis part o’ th’ job to be a gruff ol’ bastard! It took my whole life to get like this, and I think I finally got there. A Bosun needs to be intimidatin’; who’d be scared o’ some scrawny kid?”

About that time, Bosun Grossman burst out laughing at something Talena told him. ‘So much for the gruff, old bastard image,’ Ian thought.

Distracted, Ian forgot to ask Jenny about the titles, and instead fell into a discussion about the arrival of new personnel. He noticed that John was about to call the meeting back into session, but Ian nodded to Talena and the Bosun now in an animated, but quiet, discussion. He held up a hand with his fingers splayed to indicate five more minutes. John nodded understanding.

No one seemed to notice the passing of the extra time when John finally called them all back to the table.

“Does anyone need more time to consider this decision?” John asked the room at large. He did look at George and Arnold since they were the new guys. Both shook their heads.

“Very well. Major Dancer?” John sat down as Star once again approached the table.

“Since this is a personnel issue, the vote must be kept private. The program will even keep the information of who voted yes or no from me. I will however be tabulating the votes. In order to remain anonymous, the computer will use each of your ocular devices to display the question along with the options in front of you. Be very sure to read the three option buttons because ‘yes’ will not always be on the right. If, after five minutes, you still have not cast your vote, the computer will record ‘abstain’ as your vote,” Star finished the instructions.

“What if someone hits the wrong button, or changes their mind before the five minutes are up?” Ian asked.

Star looked at him to answer his question. She knew that he was asking for the benefit of the rest of the assembled. “There is a confirmation ‘screen’ that clearly asks if that is your intended answer. As for changing a vote after its cast; it’s not an option.

“The belief is that one’s first instinct is the most correct one based on the evidence presented. Once cast, a vote cannot be changed.” Star paused to see if anyone else had any questions about the process. When no one spoke up she continued.

“The display will be presented on the table or desk top before you. Remember only you will be able to see it. Simply touch the place where you see the button for the answer you want, and it will be recorded. The question before this conclave is whether or not to emancipate Cadet-Lieutenant Talena Williams. Please cast your vote now.” She clasped her hands in front of herself, and waited for the decision of the conclave.

––––––––

G
iven the seriousness of the situation, Ian was surprised when he had to stop himself from humming the tune from the old TV game show, ‘Jeopardy’.

The five minute time limit had not yet expired when Star spoke again. “The vote is concluded. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. The decision has been officially recorded and the results of the vote are now being displayed for each of you in the same manner as the ballot was.”

“Thank you, Major,” John said. Star bowed slightly to him and returned to her place beside Jenny.

John looked down at the table in front of him, and couldn’t help but grin a little. “Would the Petitioner and her Sponsor please stand?” Ian and Talena quickly rose. “With the exception of the abstain votes from the Commander, the Executive Officer, and the Chief Medical Officer, the vote was unanimous in favor of emancipation. Congratulations Cadet!”

Everyone applauded and congratulated Talena. Ian let it continue for a few minutes before winking at his diminutive lover, and nodded his head toward his wives. As Talena joined the small group of women, Ian shook John’s hand and thanked him for mediating for him.

Once John and Ian had retaken their original seats, Ian spoke. “Earlier today, Major Dommer and his team of miracle workers reported ‘ready to lift’ to the command section. Not only have they done the impossible by getting this lady ready to do something she was never built to do in the first place, they did it ahead of schedule!” Ian led the room in applause for the Engineer and his team. Major Dommer grinned and bowed his head in acceptance of the gratitude for himself and his team.

“So, now that we’re physically ready to go, I want all stations and departments ready to lift by seventeen-hundred tomorrow. Ops, I’m still waiting for that patrol schedule. Be sure to include the CAP (Combat Air Patrol) we discussed.

“Flight, did you get the ceremony scheduled?” Ian asked.

John grinned. “Yes, sir. The parents should start arriving on the next shuttle from Earth. The graduation itself is scheduled for eleven hundred tomorrow.”

Ian nodded agreement. “We can turn the reception afterwards into a luncheon. I know that might cut into the time some of you need in getting ready to lift; so, other than the ceremony itself, I won’t require attendance. No tours this time. We’ll need those folks off the ship before we lift. Any questions?”

“Yes sir, I thought we were trying to be stealthy about our presence here. Won’t launching a CAP be counter to that policy?” MCPO Reynolds asked.

Before Ian could answer Major Brighton spoke. “Yes, it’ll pretty much tell anyone in the system that we’re here. But that’s not what’s going to be the worst thing, Master Chief. The amount of energy we are going to use getting off the moon will be like sending up fireworks or turning on those big spot-lights they use in New York and Hollywood. Once we lift off the moon, we’ll need the CAP to help warn us of attack.”

Barb grinned a thank you at Chloe. “Sure, I just get all the hornets overhauled, and now you’re gonna go start getting them all messed up again!”

“Think of it as job security,” Ian said and winked at Barb, making her blush.

“Sair, I only have ‘bout half the knuckle-draggers I’m a-gonna need. I’d like tah have more afore we lift, just to man the DC (Damage Control) and ESAR (Emergency Search and Rescue) stations,” The Bosun said.

Ian nodded agreement; he’d been worried about the same thing. “Get with Major Dommer, and the CMO to see if they can loan you some people. I’ll assign what Marines we have and any other crew we can spare to you for the lift. I also believe that Mrs. Laskar has more people for you waiting for a ride down at Talos. Considering the number of people that want to be here for the graduation, I’m sure we can get them up here too.” The Bosun nodded, and Ian continued. “Either myself, the XO, or Major Brighton will be available to answer questions. Don’t be afraid to wake me up. We’ve got a busy couple of days ahead of us, people, let’s get to it. Dismissed.”

––––––––

I
an and family headed for their quarters. “So, since Talena is an adult now, does that mean we can give her a ring, and add her name to ours?” Cindy asked.

“It does, but I was planning on asking her in a more romantic way. I don’t think talking about her in the third person while she’s here with us is very romantic, do you?” Ian replied, smiling at the excited looking Talena.

“No, you’re right, Ian. But the bonding ceremony is just a formality anyway; we all know she’s as much our wife as any of the rest of us!” Cindy replied.

“Be that as it may love, she still has to be verbally asked, and she has to verbally accept, as do we all. Then we have to have at least the same small ceremony the four of us had on the shuttle. That’s the only way the bonding will be accepted and officially recorded,” Jenny explained. “It’s a safeguard against accidental bonding.”

“So... Let’s get home so Jenny and I can plan a romantic supper, while you and Ian help this beautiful young woman get ready,” Beth injected, winking at Talena.

“Considering the love you all share with me every day, I’d have to agree with Cindy; the rings are a formality. I don’t know how, but I love you all more every day. Sometimes I feel like I’m going to burst with the power of the emotion,” Talena said. “But I’d still be up for the romantic dinner!”

That night the newest member of the Williams family officially became their bondmate. They’d gone to bed early, but they didn’t collapse into sleep until after the soft tone announcing the beginning of the midwatch.

Ian and Beth were the last to get to sleep, and as was becoming their routine, they moved out to the couch to snuggle and talk.

“You know, when she first awoke in Cindy’s bed, she seemed so sad that I didn’t think we’d ever be able to get her over the grief from her loss. But tonight that young woman is glowing with happiness. Even in her sleep you can see it,” Beth said as she leaned back on Ian’s bare chest.