CHAPTER TEN

Milton’s warning about each member of the crew being very involved in one function was no exaggeration. He really needed each one to focus intently on what he had asked them to do, in order for this plan to work. He, for that purpose only sent them their specific part of the plan. Only he, and the commander had the full plan. The commander showed restraint as he read through what Milton had laid out. Based on what he and all the crew had seen Milton pull off recently, the commander knew everyone had complete trust in Milton’s abilities. However, what was now laid out before him was a plan that made his last trick, look like childs-play.

 Commander Ratmire concluded that he really did not have any choice but to approve the plan. He entered the room where all the other officers had gathered. Before he gave his official approval, a message came in from the Exon.

 “Sir, the Captain of the Exon says that they may have found a way to boost their signal. They are trying to set it up now, but it will take several hours before they can test it.”

 The commander looked at Milton.

 “Time is of the essence sir.”

 “Tell them we are proceeding with our plan, anything they can do would be a help, but we are seriously running out of time!”

 The Commander now addressed the crew.

 “All of you have your assignments. Speed and accuracy is vital! Now proceed,” he ordered, and the officers went to work.

 The Commander pulled Adaria off to the side.

 “Make sur you have your sharpest understudy monitor the defenses when you are not able to.”

 “Expecting trouble sir?”

 “Always, especially since I am sure we are now not only labeled as rebels, but also dangerous.”

 “Yes sir. Adaria responded with a concerned look on her face.

 “Look Adaria, what Milton is attempting to pull off is off the charts difficult. I know you have your hands full with what he asked you to do alone. However, there will be several critical areas, where I would feel it would be good for him to have a qualified assistant next to him.”

 Adaria expression changed from concern to pride. She smiled big and replied.

 “Thank you, sir, I will do my best sir,”

 She returned to her station, and Commander Ratmire began reviewing Milton’s plan again.

 “Come on Captain Majors, give us something that will lower the risk factor in this mission.” The Commander mumbled.

 Milton had made through checks into the backgrounds of each of the officers in order to make his assignments. When doing so he discovered a skill that the commander had that was unique. It was early in the Commanders career and was no longer needed do to the advancement in technology. However, in this particular situation that they would be facing, his ability might be the difference between success and failure.

 “Milton, I have not done anything like this for a long time. I am not sure I even remember everything, yet I realize my duty to give my best effort, if necessary.” The Commander mumbled.

 It was at that moment that it dawned on the Commander that almost everything about Milton’s plan was old school. He carefully looked over the details again and began to smile.

 “You know, this just might work.

The main part the commander was to play in Milton’s plan, was to make sure, all the assigned parts were proceeding as planned. His first stop would be research. As a Commander he was required to know all of his officers jobs to a reasonable degree. It was not that the Commander didn’t know the ins and outs of the research department, it was just that research was his least favorite. He looked over what had been done thus far and was satisfied that it was coming along. He certainly, at least at this point, not going to offer a helping hand. His next stop was the engine room. Commander Ratmire’s favorite room. Unfortunately, as a Commander, he never could make the time to visit it. The engine room was the only position that was not run by an officer. In all other Carrier ships, it was, but this ship had a crew member, that could have easily made officer years ago, but refused. None-the -less the crewman known as “Grunt” was the best in the fleet. Because of not being an officer, he answered to Milton.

 The Commander barely got the door open when he was hit hard and loud with the words,

 “If you want to live to see another day, you’ll turn your $%^%$ around and not come back for another two hours!”

 “You must be Grunt, I have heard a lot about your use of colorful metaphors.” The Commander stated.

 This of course brought on another long sentence of “colorful metaphors".

 The commander simply laughed.

 “Grunt, I am Commander Ratmire, and I have come to see the legend that I have heard so much about.”

 Grunt had been called many things, but legend was certainly not one of them.

 “So, you run this tub?” Grunt asked with an air of disbelief.”

 “Yes, it is a tuff job, but someone has to do it.” The Commander said with a sarcastic sigh.

 This set Grunt off on another tirade, that among other things had the words about white uniforms, and not getting hands dirty.

“Grunt, let me ask you something. If the Lexton converter in a state of flux, but the Seetrap is stable, how do you fix that?

 Without thinking, Grunt fired back,

 “That’s simple, you lower the Roton fluid until everything a lines.”

 “Yes, but what if you don’t have the two to three hours that might take?”

 Grunt, now a bit tired of this game, looked at the Commander and said in a slow and deliberate tone,

 “Then, Commander…you re-calibrate the quills, and flood the Beaker.”

 “Hum, Interesting. I would have tightened the Rudder stops and reset the Mixt,” the Commander stated and turned to leave.

 “That is crazy talk! If you were to tighten the rudder stops…That would… Hey wait a minute. You are the Commander?”

 “That’s right.”

 “You sit up there in that chair with that white suit?”

 “Most of the time.”

 “Then how do you know so much about the inner workings of the TXX301? From some fancy computer I bet.” Grunt ended on a sour tone.

 The Commander stopped and faced Grunt.

 “There is not a computer simulation out there that can replace hands on experience. No Grunt, if I was not pushed into being a commander, I would have never left the engine room. Keep up the good work!”

 The Commander was one of the few people that ever had the last word with Grunt. He was speechless. He finally shook his head and went back to work.

 The Commander continued his rounds. His next stop was to check on the ships defensive upgrades. Next to running the engine room, working on all aspects of the ships defenses was his next favorite position. He was well aware of all the technical expertise that was needed to be the officer in charge of this important role. He also was well aware that the Defense officer must surround themselves with well qualified technicians, However, what Commander Ratmire prided himself on, and looked for in this position was someone that when all “procedural options failed, this officer was able to think “out of the box.”

 As far as the Commander was concerned, there was no finer officer for this job then Adaria. The Commander had to pull a number of strings in order to get her, and fight off several begs, deals, and threats, to keep her.

 He did his best to observe the workings of Adaria and her team from a distance. He did this because for one, he knew they were very busy and in the middle of a critical upgrade. He also knew that no matter what happened at the end of this mission, he, as a proper Commander, needed to continue to promote those deserving. So, this gave him a firsthand look at those involved in her team. After observing long enough to know that not only would there need to be promotions of Adaria’s officers, but Adaria herself showed herself in line to take the Commanders exam if she so desired.

“Adaria? A moment of your time please.” The commander requested.

Adaria finished giving a few last-minute instructions, and then made her way over to the Commander.

 “Is there a problem sir?”

 The Commander asked her to step into his small planning room that was off the Bridge. Adaria was now really concerned.

 There is actually a big problem, that I am not sure that I can correct.” The Commander paused.

 “I have been making my rounds and have had reinforced in my mind what a gifted crew I have. The hard work and dedication I have seen not only makes me proud, but also a little sad.”

 “Sad sir?”

 “Yes, I have seen several crew members, and officers carry out tasks in such a way of deserving of a promotion yet. My actions have now put all of them in jeopardy of never receiving that promotion.” The Commander said with a sigh.

 “Permission to speak frankly sir.”

 “Of Course.”

 “Sir every crew member, including your Officers, knew the risks involved with pursuing this rescue mission. We all realize that we might have to give up everything, including our lives. I feel confident that whatever fate befalls us, there will be no regrets.”

 Commander Ratmire went and stood in front of Adaria and saluted her,

 “Spoken like a true Commander.”

 Adaria was shocked, but finally managed to return the salute and state,

 “Thank you, sir.”

 “If nothing else, I will see to it that all on my list will at least receive field promotions, seeing as there can not be two Commanders, there will now officially be one second in command,” he said with a smile.

 “Now you need to get back to your station,” he added with another salute.

 “Yes Sir!”

 After she left, the Commander turned his attention back to his part of Milton’s plan. In order for the ship to navigate through an auxiliary time conduit, the entire ship would need to be operating on manual, no computer assist anything. This is why Milton assigned the Commander to control the thruster engines that would have to be powered the very old-fashioned way…by steam.