Ultimate Warrior (The Fight for Creation (Book Three)) (14 page)

“How do you know that?”

“I was going to challenge him on their use and he informed me that it is standard wear in his battalion. He also asked me to show him the rules where the uniforms were restricted. He was right.”

Tgon-nah said, “I suspect we would have lost even if they didn’t use them. My Warriors couldn’t match their speed. He deserves the victory.”

Admiral Dennis nodded and said, “Major Callaway says your Warriors did not make it easy and were the best he’s seen.”

Tgon-nah smiled, “They really are good, Admiral. But what does that say about his battalion?”

Dennis smiled, “It says quite a bit.” Tgon-nah nodded.

“S
upremacy, the Grey Creatures have attacked one of our future farms.”

“Did they damage it?”

“Another strange species stopped them.”

“What did they do afterwards?”

“They assisted the inhabitants and then left.”

The being considered the information and said, “It’s too late to do anything about it now. How many of the inhabitants were killed?”

“Only a few thousand.”

“Notify me if the Grey Creatures attack another farm.”

“I will, Supremacy.”

• • •

“Private Clarke.”

Ken Clarke turned around and saw Captain Slade. He immediately jumped to attention and saluted, “Yes Sir.”

Russell returned his salute and said, “At ease. I’ve been going over the recordings of the exercise and I’ve noticed that you moved beyond the range of my ability to allow music to be heard but your armor didn’t change in its capability.”

Ken wondered how the Old Man had seen him, “Sir, I pretty much hear the music wherever I am.”

“You do?”

“Yes Sir.”

Russell looked at Clarke’s armor that was open in front of him. “What are you doing?”

“My leg activators are not performing at maximum levels. I went to the armory to find replacements.”

“And?”

“I’m twenty miles per hour faster now, Sir.”

Russell said, “Carry on, Private.”

“Yes Sir.”

Russell went to Mitch and discussed the new development. After thinking about it, Mitch gave Russell Major Dinter’s contact number. He punched it in and saw Dinter on his wrist unit, “Sir, Major Callaway suggested I give you a call and see if you have an opening in the class starting tomorrow.”

“Did I hear you say Callaway?”

“Yes Sir.”

“I don’t, but if he has a candidate I’ll make room. Can you get him here by tonight?”

“Yes Sir.”

“I’ll send you the information your candidate will need after this call. I expect this to be interesting.”

Russell smiled, “I’m really hopeful it will be, Sir.” Dinter nodded and ended the call. Russell called Clarke in and gave him his orders to report to Officer Training. Ken started to protest and Russell said, “Private, now would be a good time for you to remain silent and follow your orders.” Ken closed his mouth and stared at Russell. Russell said, “To those that are given much; much is required.”

Ken stared at Russell and saluted. Russell returned his salute and he did an about face and left the office. Russell could tell that a lot had gone through the Private’s mind in a very short time. Maybe this was a jewel given by the Creator. He would know in a few weeks. In the meantime he was going to leave Semy in charge of the second platoon. He almost felt bad for Clarke. The Regiment was getting two weeks off the next day and Clarke was going right into class without a break. He sighed and planned to give him a few days off if he completed the course.

• • •

Ken arrived at the training facility and was given three books he was supposed to complete before the next day’s class. He slowly shook his head and knew that his karma had finally caught up to him. He had managed to stay under the radar in every endeavor he had ever been in. School was simple; he only scored grades that would go unnoticed. He had a photographic memory so getting a good education required no effort. He liked being able to take things easy and maximize his chill time. Now the Captain had caught him. He didn’t want to be responsible for anyone’s life but his own. Now it appeared he was not being given a choice. He suspected his freedom of choice was going to be severely limited in the future.

He looked at the books and decided that he had his way so far in life and things had a way of balancing out. “Karma.” He decided that he owed it to his fellow Warriors to at least learn as much as possible. He picked up the first book and saw it was eight hundred pages. He began reading and twenty minutes later picked up the second. He finished the third by midnight and went to sleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

• • •

The next day Major Dinter passed out tests on the study material and Ken was the first one to turn his in. Dinter was shocked that he had not made one error. He looked at Clarke and saw he was sitting up but sleeping in his desk. He started to get his attention when Clarke’s eyes flew open and looked at him. Dinter smiled and shook his head. Clarke smiled and closed his eyes again.

Two weeks later, Dinter wondered if the Officers were going to lose another exercise. He knew that Callaway had sent a very special Warrior to his class. He wondered how the service had missed him in its testing. He looked at Clarke’s files and found the answer. He didn’t want to be found. He wondered why.

The last two days of class were to get the trainees up to speed on sending information to the members of their command. Dinter looked at the class and said, “I am going to send each of you a tactical scan of an enemy’s positions. You will send assignments to the other members of the class. We’ll start this with Gendle.”

The trainee received the tactical scan and in forty five seconds had assignments sent to the others in the class. The assignments were put on the display and critiqued by the class and Dinter.

Dinter deliberately put Clarke at the end of the exercise. The fastest time was Gendle’s. Dinter looked at Clarke and said, “Are you ready, Mr. Clarke?”

“Fire away, Sir.”

Dinter sent the tactical and two seconds later everyone in class had received their assignments. Dinter looked at the computer and couldn’t believe it. This was impossible. He put the assignments on the display and matched them up to the ones prioritized by the computer and found a perfect match.

Dinter looked at Clarke and said, “Are you able to see what’s in our computer?”

Clarke got a confused look and said, “I’m not sure what you mean, Sir.”

“Let’s do this again. I’m sending you another tactical scan.” Dinter pulled a scan from his wrist unit and sent it to Clarke. A second and a half later the assignments were made. Dinter contacted Fleet Headquarters and requested the optimum assignments in their main frame. They arrived and Dinter compared them to Clarke’s and again found a match. Dinter said, “Very good, Mr. Clarke. You have done this in the fastest time we’ve ever recorded.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Dinter knew the next day’s exercise was not going to be fun for the officers; he was right.

• • •

Mitch and Pixie went to Earth for their liberty and toured the planet. No one recognized Pixie and the time was special for both of them. On the last night, Mitch looked at Pixie over the candles on their table and said, “I’ve been reluctant to allow myself to start having feelings for you because of who you are.” Pixie started to respond and Mitch put his finger on her lips. “I’ve found I’ve fallen in love with you because of who you are. I can’t have it both ways. I choose to love you.”

Pixie smiled and reached across the table and took his hand. Their last night was the one that both of them would remember for the rest of their lives.

• • •

Russell went home and spent the first week reuniting with his family. He would frequently stop and see Ana during the day and on the eighth day he managed to work up enough nerve to see if she was open to a suggestion. He went to her office and waited until she finished with a tourist, “Hi, Russell.”

“Hi, Ana. I was wondering if you would ever be interested in visiting Ross?”

Ana looked at Russell and smiled, “Are you asking to take me?”

“Uhh, yes, I suppose so…if you are interested in going.”

Ana smiled, “Russell, I’d love to go.”

“Great, I’ll set it up.”

“Let me check with Lacy and see if she can watch Genia.”

Russell turned and said, “You can take her if you want.”

“She’s too young to remember the trip and I don’t want to disrupt her schedule.”

“Ok, let me know.”

Thirty minutes later Ana appeared on his wrist unit, “Lacy will take care of Genia. When do you want to do this?”

“Is tomorrow too soon? I only have five days left before I report back.”

“I’ll be ready to leave in the morning.”

“Great!” Russell’s smile was huge but then he thought about where he was going to stay on Ross. He thought a moment and punched his com. Mitch appeared on it and Russell said, “Sir, I’m taking Ana to see Ross and I remember you said you stayed there after training. Could you recommend a good place?”

“I had some help finding my room but Pixie can set it up for you. When will you arrive?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll get back to you.”

“Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it.”

Ten minutes later his unit buzzed and he saw Mitch on the display, “Alright, go to the Rose Hotel and when you arrive ask for a manager by the name of Ben Gemini. He has all the details and will direct you where to go. I’ve also set up a tour for you on the next day so don’t make plans that day.”

“Thank you, Sir. Thank you very much. Do you know how much the room rate will be?”

Mitch smiled, “I know what you make, Captain. You can afford it.”

“Thanks.”

• • •

The next morning, Russ provided his personal ship to transport Russell and Ana to Ross. They arrived and landed at the space port. A transport was waiting for them and took them to the hotel. Russell went up to the front desk with Ana and waited in line. Ana said, “This city is unbelievable. It extends over the horizon.”

“We also have a great view of the Castle from here.”

An orderly was moving down the line of those checking in and said, “Do you have a reservation?”

“It was set up by someone else and he asked me to ask for Ben Gemini.”

The orderly looked at his list and said, “Please come with me.” Ana looked at Russell and he shrugged. He also wondered what was going on. The orderly took them to a station next to the main check in area and a young man stood and said, “Are you Russell Slade?”

“I am.”

The young man said, “George, take their bags and show them to their room.”

Russell said, “We’re going to need separate quarters.” The young man saw Ana smile at Russell’s comment and he said, “I really don’t think that is going to be an issue. However, if we need to make any changes we will accommodate your wishes.”

Russell nodded and they followed the orderly to the elevator. When the elevator stopped the orderly walked forward and put the electronic key next to the lock and opened the door. Russell stepped aside and Ana walked in and stopped ten steps into the giant room. Russell ran into her and also looked around and was stunned by the size of the suite they were in. The orderly said, “There are ten bedrooms in the suite and you can use any of them.”

Russell looked at the orderly and said, “There has been a mistake. I can’t afford a room like this.”

“The bill has already been paid. Enjoy your stay.”

“Wait a minute! Who paid the bill?”

The orderly smiled and turned to Ana, “The Hotel has comped the stay. The Bristone Star means a lot to us here on Ross. Enjoy your stay.”

Ana looked at Russell and sighed; he saw her expression and said, “Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. If you want to go home, I’ll understand.”

Ana shook her head, “This is Joe’s way of telling us to have a good time, Russ. We’re right where we belong.”

Russell smiled and said, “Let’s change and go see Colony Park.”

“Give me a few minutes.” Russell nodded and went to the far bedroom to clean up. Ana went to the room in front of her and cried. Finally she found peace and said, “Thank you, Joe.”

The day literally flew by and after eating in the Hotel’s restaurant they went to their room and found a note on the table in the entry. “Your tour will begin at nine in the morning.” They were exhausted and went to sleep quickly.

• • •

The next morning, the chime sounded and Russell found a striking man dressed in formal wear at the door. “Good morning, Sir. I hope you’ve not had your morning meal.”

“We haven’t. Ana, our tour guide is here.” Ana came out of her room and Russell was stunned by how beautiful she was. She was wearing a yellow sun dress and it matched the flower in her hair.

“What’s wrong?”

Russell said, “Nothing, you’re gorgeous.”

Ana blushed and said, “Hello, I’m Ana Tarver.”

“Just call me Gregory. Are you ready?”

Ana smiled, “We are; where are we going?”

Gregory smiled, “There are some things that are best left to be a surprise.”

Ana smiled and said, “Well, lead on.”

Gregory smiled and escorted them to the elevator. The elevator rose to the roof and they boarded a small white ship. It lifted from the roof and Russell squinted and said, “I thought traffic over Castle Grounds was prohibited.”

Gregory leaned back and said, “Your sense of direction is phenomenal. We’ve been given clearance to save time.”

Russell nodded and looked at Ana. She moved closer to him on the seat and put her hand on his arm. Russell was surprised when the ship landed. Gregory said, “I’m leaving you here. You’ll be teleported to your hosts and I hope you enjoy your visit.”

Russell started to ask who their hosts were but he and Ana suddenly appeared in a large room with a fire place. He looked around and saw The Duke and Duchess of Ross. He immediately bowed and Ana seeing him turned around and turned white. She couldn’t move.

Jixie ran forward and said, “Please rise and relax. We’re excited about having you visit us and we didn’t mean to frighten you.”