ALTERNATE
TALES OF THE STAR FORCE
STAR BLAZERS—RADNAR’S
GAME
Being the sixth part of THE
NEW COMET--- BY: Frederick P. Kopetz
This Act is being completed with the
Cooperation and Assistance of Derek A.C. Wakefield (as usual)---Freddo
ACT FOUR: STRANGERS IN
THE NIGHT
I.
FREEDOM
Planet
Earth
The
Great Megalopolis
April
26, 2207
1130
Hours: Earthtime
In what was now a familiar ritual, Nova was lying in bed in her
room in
She hoped this would be the last one for a little while, because,
as Derek stood there beside her bed holding her hand, she was hoping she would
get the word that she could be released today.
“Hmmmh,” said Doctor Sane as he ran a portable scanner over her
bare stomach. “This is very good. The babies are now completely out of
distress.”
“I could have told you that,” teased Nova. “I’ve been feeling them
kicking away in there again today.”
“Everything we’ve been picking up indicates that you shouldn’t
have any more problems with your pregnancy…as long as you don’t catch more
poisoned daggers in your shoulder, that is,” said Dawn.
“”You’re now five and a quarter months along in that pregnancy,”
said Doctor Sane. “And, your shoulder wound is fully healed now, thanks to our
plastic surgery techniques and growth factors, along with your generally
healthy constitution,” he added as he poked Nova’s bare shoulder.
“All I can see there is a small dimple,” said Derek. “That’s
really amazing.”
“I’m going to discharge you today,” said Doctor Sane as Nova
smiled. “I will want to see again you in two days on an outpatient basis. For
the next week, just be careful, Nova, about lifting heavy loads, and I’d wait
about two more days until I resume being physicially initimate with the
Commodore, just to be safe,” he added.
“Okay,” she said as she began to get dressed in her undergarments,
followed by a sailor-style maternity dress her mother had dropped off for her.
She finished off by stepping into a pair of sandals and putting on a cute
wide-brimmed hat.
“You look good enough to eat,” teased Derek as he gave his wife a
kiss after he helped her zip up her dress.
“The papparazzi are out by the main entrance,” said Homer as he
came in with Wendy Singleton. “I found a side door that we can slip out at.”
Commodore Wildstar pulled his flight jacket on over his white
turtleneck sweater and jeans. “Well, let’s get home before they get wind of
us.”
“Good idea,” said Nova.
The press was either tipped off by someone else, or they were just
good at finding their quarry, because a bunch of photographers and reporters
were waiting for the Wildstars, Glitchman, and Singleton on their way out of
the hospital with Doctor Sane.
This was the media’s first sight of Nova pregnant, so a lot of
pictures were taken. The questions were equally silly.
“Mrs. Wildstar, how many children are you having?”
“How far along are you?”
“Were the babies geneticially enhanced?”
“Will they be born in space?”
“No comment,” said Nova. “I really don’t want to talk now…thanks…”
Their security helped push away the reporters as the two couples
squeezed into a borrowed EDF staff aircar that Wildstar had brought. Soon, they
drove off.
The Wildstars were going home.
Later, at home, with their shoes kicked off, the Wildstars were
looking over both their paper mail and e-mail with their guests sitting in
their living room.
Nova’s eyes went wide as she found an envelope with the return
address: EARTH FEDERATION CENTRAL MEDICAL COLLEGE.
“I wonder where this
came from?” said Nova. “I don’t remember applying there…or writing them…I was
going to apply there when the war hit…but never did it.”
“Isn’t that the Federation’s top medical school?” said Homer.
“It is,” said Derek as he looked at the envelope.
“That’s my fault,” said Doctor Sane with a toothy laugh. “Nova,
while you were in that sleep tube, I transmitted an application, your test
scores from a year ago, and letters of recommendation for you. You might like
the answer…open the envelope!”
Nova did so, and she read:
Lt.
Cmdr Wildstar:
We
are pleased to inform you, after a due consideration of your application, that we
are offering you admission to the Class of 2211 of the
You
admission is contingent upon your acceptance of this offer, and also upon your
availability for duty, pending a release from your Commanding Officer. This
offer may also be deferred for one year, placing you in the Class of 2212, upon
your request, given the current war emergency…
Nova looked at Derek. “I have no idea what’s going to happen next,
so, I’ll have to defer the offer.”
“Defer it?” said Derek.
“Yes. After our leave, aren’t we going out again on the Argo? I can still serve…”
Derek had to think hard about this. Finally, he said, “Nova, if
you feel well enough to serve…”
“Thanks,” said Nova as she kissed her husband. “But, for now,
while the Argo’s in refit, I’m
looking forward to a vacation.”
“Where were you going to go?” said Wendy.
“Maybe
II.
Space
Battleship
Saturn-Titan
Space Station
April
27, 2207
2130
Hours: Earthtime
The
While the ship was on Titan, Deke Wakefield couldn’t wait to get off
the ship to get to a comm booth.
When he found a comm booth, he called Lynn Westland.
As he waited for the connection to be established,
Lynn Westland came through on the screen a moment later. She
looked surprised to see Deke on the screen.
“Deke?” said
“You look shocked,” said
“Where are you?”
“Saturn-Titan. We’ll be back on Earth sometime tomorrow. How are
you?”
“I’m fine. You look even more mature than ever. How’s the service
been treating you?”
“Fine. I’m a squadron leader now, Lynn. Where’s Dawn? Is she in
“No, Deke.”
“No?”
“She’s not in
“I thought she wanted to work at
“No. She went into military training, Deke.”
“Military training?”
said
“She was sent to Pensacola Space Naval Station to learn how to fly
medical boats to become a flight nurse.”
“How did that happen?”
“She was drafted, Deke,”
sighed
“Okay,” said Deke, who shook his head as he took all of this in.
“Where did she get assigned?”
“I’m not sure, honestly,” said
“So, where is she?”
“I have no idea,” said
“Thanks,” said Deke as they shared some more small talk and then
cut off while he hoped that her hunch was correct.
III.
THE BEST OF TIMES: THE WORST OF TIMES
Space
Battleship
The
April
28, 2207
0800
Hours: Earthtime
Deke
He and the rest of the crew were mustered for one last time on the
foredeck, looking up at Captain Mark Venture, who stood up on top of the Number
One main gun turret. The ship was already docked under the lights in a huge
underground spacedock right next to the Argo,
which also sat there under the lights undergoing a refit.
Venture was speaking to the crew about what a fine crew they were,
and what a great job they had done in the past few months, and how much he
looked forward to serving with them again. But,
Part of him was thinking of Sasha and meeting up with her again.
Another part of his mind was thinking about Dawn and what they
might have to say to each other when they finally met again, as he was sure
that they would.
Part of him was just thinking of getting out of the Megalopolis
ASAP (after staying in the BOQ overnight) to get “home” to San Diego for
several days’ or weeks’ worth of leave in the sun, waves, and surf. Deke heard
cheers as his mind switched to listening to Venture for a moment.
“In light of your fine service,” said Venture. “All of you are
granted four weeks’ worth of leave, commencing now. Ladies and gentlemen, it
has been a tough cruise, and we have earned
it. You are free to go as soon as we are mustered off the ship. All in all, I’d
like to say…”
Applause filled the docking bay as the crew couldn’t wait to get
off the ship.
Ninety minutes later,
He took an airbus to the Bachelor Officers’ Quarters, checked in, and
went to get a late breakfast as he thought about
If only he knew what Dawn was up to that afternoon….
Dawn Westland couldn’t quite beleve where she was at 0800 Hours on
the previous day, local time in
She was in
The sun and breeze blew against her legs as she appeared before
Hardy and the preacher in a long white wedding dress, wide-brimmed hat, and
pumps. She took Hardy’s hand as he stood there in his blues and his navy blue
peacoat, smiling as he squeezed close to her before the priest.
“Do you, Jefferson Davis Hardy, take this woman to be your
lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, until death do you part?”
Hardy gulped a little and then said to Dawn and the priest, “I
most certainly do.”
“Do you, Dawn Westland, take this man to be your lawfully wedded
husband? To have and to hold, until death do you part?”
“I do,” said Dawn with a shy smile as Jeff slid a wedding band
onto one of her fingers.
“Then, with the power vested in me by the State of
Jeff smiled at Dawn, and the two of them shared a long, sweet,
searching kiss. The little group of waiting couples applauded. Then, Dawn and
Jeff left, running hand in hand to a waiting aircar. They got in, and then drove
off together to a hotel-casino at the city limits where they would enjoy a long
lunch as the first part of what would be a wonderful honeymoon.
Dawn was incredibly happy. And Deke Wakefield hadn’t crossed her
mind once today.
Considering her attentive new husband, it wasn’t hard to see
why…until it crossed her mind, just briefly that…
It
was five years ago today I broke up with Deke, she thought. And I thought we were going to get married
like this, sooner or later. Well, that never happened…and it never will happen,
now…
“Dawn?” said Jeff. “What was on your mind?”
“Nothing,” said Dawn. “Nothing at all…”
Early that afternoon, after they had visited Doctor Sane together
(and Nova had gotten the OK from him to resume all of her normal activities
“within reason”), Derek and Nova sat eating lunch together at an outdoor café’
in the Megalopolis to celebrate her recovery and the beginning of their shared
leave. Derek wore his peacoat, Command whites, and brown boots, while Nova wore
a pink and white sundress and exercise sandals.
“I have a lot to do today, Derek,” said Nova as she smiled at her
husband over a cup of tea and a dessert that Derek noticed was a bit larger
than her usual after-lunch dish. She’s
eating for three, he remembered.
“I know. I’ve got a lot to do, myself,” said the Commodore as he
finished up his pie.
“When are you meeting up with Mark?”
“Within the hour by Headquarters,” said Derek.
“I’ll be meeting Holly downtown,” said Nova with another little
smile. “Then our little conspriracy will start up.”
“I like conspriacies,” whispered the Commodore.
“So do I…when we’re helping out our friends,” said Nova. She waved
to the waitress robot and said, “Check, please?”
“Of course,” said the “female” robot.
A little later that afternoon, just as Deke Wakefield was
beginning to settle down to read a book in his room at the BOQ, someone began
banging at his door.
“Whatthehell?” he cried,
startled as he dropped his book. “I’m coming!”
The banging came again as Deke got to the door. An annoyed-looking
“Uh…what brings you two here, sirs?” said
Derek and Mark grinned at each other.
“What’s going on?” said
“This,” said Wildstar as he handed
Deke did so, and he pulled out an elaborate invitation marked with
the Presidential Seal that read:
To Lieutenant Deke Wakefield
Greetings
Your presence is requested
tonight at the Presidential Palace for a reception at 2100 Hours with the
Federation President and his staff.
Uniform of the Evening will be
full Mess Dress Whites for male military personnel, and appropriate formal
dress and Mess Dress White jacket for female military personnel.
Appropriate Formal Dress for
civilians, please.
Please RSVP our automated
telephone system at 2-(673)-802-5533 by 1600 Hours.
I anticipate your arrival.
Best wishes,
James R. Mendellsohn, President
of the Federation of Earth Governments
“Dress Whites?” said
Derek said, “We can take care of that. And bring your medals and
decorations. You’ll be buying a dress uniform today.”
“I don’t know if I can afford to lay out that much, sir.”
“I’m buying,” said Wildstar. “It is very important that you be
there tonight…for more reasons than one…”
“The conspiracy,” whispered Mark.
“Conspiracy?” said
“Something interesting,” said Wildstar. “Get your medals, Deke.
Don’t make me make this an order.”
Then, to his shock, Nova showed up in her civvies and she said to
Derek, “My preparations are almost complete at my end, Operation Princess is
about to be initiated.”
Derek kissed her and said, “Good job.”
Nova winked at
Deke found himself in front of an tony-looking store known as
“Marks and Westland”.
Marks
and
A while later, after a robot tailor worked on him, Deke found
himself in a new set of Mess Dress Whites. The men’s version of the uniform
looked a bit like a white tux, with his medals worn on the small white
high-collared tux-like military coat that had a bright red collar and lining.
“How do I look?” said
“You look good,” said Venture. “I didn’t own that kind of uniform
until recently, myself.”
“And I didn’t own this kind when I married Nova,” said Commodore
Wildstar. “I got mine after I got my flag rank in late 2202. Mark, did you
reach Holly, yet?”
“I did,” he said as he put away his portable phone. “She says that
Nova is there and the operation is going well.”
“What kind of operation is this?” said
“You’ll find out,” said Wildstar as he dialed a number again on
his phone. “Venture, I still can’t reach Hardy. I have no damn idea where he is.”
“Things’ll work out, Wildstar. Chill out,” said Venture.
“Well?” said the proprietor of the uniform shop.
“Wrap it up, we’ll take it,” said Wildstar. “I’m paying, of
course.”
“Yessir,” said the proprietor.
Sasha found herself surprised that morning when Nova Wildstar and
Holly Venture showed up at her dorm room inviting her to go shopping. Nova also
gave her an invitation to attend the reception at the Presidential Palace.
“How did I get invited?” said Sasha as she looked over the
invitation.
“You know why,” said Nova with a wink. Fortunately, her roommate
was not around to hear this, and Nova had just let Holly in on Sasha’s “secret”
with Derek and Mark’s permission. “We need to get you a formal uniform jacket,
gown, and shoes today, along with a facial, manicure and pedicure, and we need
to do a little something with your hair.”
“Do you have any medals?” said Holly.
“Yes, this Good Conduct Medal; that’s it,” said Sasha.
“Bring it,” said Nova as Sasha got up from her desk in her dorm
room; she had on shorts, a t-shirt, and was padding around in her socks. Nova
said, “The shorts are OK, but put on a nicer top, and take your socks off and
put on a pair of sandals.”
Sasha nodded, getting the necessary things out from her locker.
Finally, after putting on a sailor-style top and a pair of white sandals she
had just bought the other day, she said, “This is OK?”
“Sure is,” said Holly. “Let’s go.”
“But I was supposed to go to class today?” said Sasha. It was a
Tuesday, so this was a legitmate concern for Sasha.
“I’ve arranged for you to have an excused absence from class and drill
today,” said Nova. “Let’s go…”
Sasha was then dragged to a number of places; she was taken to a
hairdresser’s place, first, where her long hair was washed, trimmed,
blow-dried, and carefully brushed out while Nova and Holly also received
similar treatment. Next, Sasha was taken to another place for a careful facial
and manicure and pedicure; she sat laughing as she got her nails polished.
Then, she was taken to another shop where Nova and Holly purchased long ball
gowns and matching heels for themselves and Sasha.
Finally, Sasha was taken to Marks and
When she was finally dressed up in her blue ball gown, matching
high-heeled sandals, and dress jacket, Sasha looked at herself in the mirror
and thought, I really look like a
Princess, now, while Nova and Holly look like royalty with all those medals. Nova
and Holly had similar outfits, with Nova wearing a pink gown and heels and
Holly clad in a green gown and shoes.
On the way out, Nova ran (running as fast as she could run in her
heels) into a jewelry store nearby and came out a few minutes later, smiling to
herself like a cat that ate the canary with a very small bag.
Nova then left them for a time to meet Derek at home while Holly
took Sasha to the Ventures’ house in her gown, where she and Mark met and
prepared to go.
Sasha wondered why she was tagging along (even though she had an
invitation like the others) but Holly caught the quizzical look on her face and
told her “Sasha, you are here tonight for a very good reason.”
“Oh,” replied Sasha. “What is it?”
“You will find out soon enough,” said Holly. Then, Holly and Mark
smiled at each other, but Sasha’s senses were weirded out. Even a
half-Iscandarian like her had no idea what to make of this.
A few minutes later, Sasha was driven to Presidential House. When
she arrived there, she had to pass through many checkpoints before reaching the
East Room of the Presidential Palace, where an elaborate ball was in progress.
Sasha gave up her invitation to a uniformed Special Services
Guard, who scanned it and let her pass. Sasha looked around. Most of the people
here were far older than she was, and the women looked (to her) even more
elegant than she did. It seemed to Sasha that she was the youngest one there.
Sasha again looked down at her outfit; blue gown, open-toed blue
heels, white dress jacket. I feel weird
in this, she thought. I feel like a
fish out of water here tonight. Why am I even here? I wish I knew why I was
here tonight…
Then, she looked over. Derek and Nova had come in together, followed
by another young man who was also in Dress Whites like her uncle was. Sasha
looked at him, and then she realized who it was.
Deke?
Sasha thought in confusion. You were
going to be here tonight, and you didn’t even tell me? You didn’t call, or anything?
What is going on?
IV.
THE DARKEST OF PLANS…
Pariantha
House
Planet
R’Khelleva
April
28, 2207
2045
Hours: Earthtime
Piper Sandberg, long-time traitor to Earth, had been living on
R’Khelleva for about five years now.
It was his adopted home, since he knew he could never return to
Earth under the current government without being arrested and then put on trial
for his life…but he hated the place.
R’Khelleva had been, for many centuries, the home of the priestly
caste of Ekogaru, fanatical psionics, fanatical warrior-priests as cruel as the
harsh, stinking air of the planet.
Sandberg knew that R’Khelleva had once been a pleasant, green
world like Earth. But, many centuries worth of mining, building, and fleet
production on this world when it had been a cornerstone of the Rikashan Star
Empire had defiled the air and water of the place.
It had become even worse in the five years since R’Khelleva had
refused to listen to the Rikashan edicts that banned the Cult of Ekogaru and
had decided to simultaneously secede from the Rikashan sphere of influence and
to declare itself the true capital in exile of the Rikashan people, which it
had then declared a holy war upon. The R’Khells considered the now
somewhat-peaceful Rikashans of the Rikashan Federation heretics and traitors
since they had broken free from Ekogaru’s influence, and the Rikashans
considered their terroristic one-time brothers enemies and killers of the worst
sort.
Sandberg sat with Marshal Lecha Voton, leader of the R’Khells, in a
meeting in Voton’s
What he heard was quite interesting.
Voton said, “I have a unit on its way to Earth now to join up with
the Josiahite cultists to assassinate some people.”
“Earth?” said Sandberg. “Who’s leading this mission?”
“The clone of Yvona Josiah created by the Lord Ekogaru. His son,
Erugar, is the second-in-command of the mission. Arrogant lad. I wish he had
died at birth.”
“That is a vile wish, Marshal.”
“He, Sandberg, may grow enough in power to supplant us.”
Voton mused into his cup of wine and said, “I wish we had an assassin
there to assasinate the assassin, Sandberg.”
“These things have a funny way of playing out, Voton,” hissed
Sandberg. “See how the boy does in this mission. If he survives, maybe I could
arrange an…accident for him when he comes home?”
“An accident,” hissed Voton. He laughed and said, “Aye, Sandberg.
I like that! An accident! Ha ha ha ha
HA…”
V.
A NIGHT OF HOPE AND DESPAIR…
Presidential
House
The
April
28, 2207
2105
Hours: Earthtime
Sasha continued to sit mystified as Deke Wakefield and Nova
Wildstar walked up beside the President’s podium together.
There, Deke finally had his Navy Cross pinned to his jacket by the
President after he pinned the Federation Medal on Nova’s dress jacket. Both
officers saluted the President as the dance orchestra played the EDF March and
everyone applauded.
A few minutes later, Deke and Sasha were dancing together.
Then, Sasha finally got the opportunity to speak with Deke as they
danced close in each other’s arms.
“Deke, why all the secrecy? Why didn’t you let me know you’d be
here?”
“I wanted you to be surprised,” he replied.
“Well, you sure did surprise me,”
said Sasha. She stumbled a second.
“Are you all right?” said Deke.
“Sorry, I’m not the world’s best dancer,” she replied with a
blush.
“Neither am I,” said Deke.
They smiled at each other and laughed as they continued dancing.
Not far away, Derek and Nova were dancing sweetly with each other;
Nova had removed her dress jacket, and was dancing in her husband’s arms with a
protective hand of his on one of her bare shoulders.
“This will be a night to remember, Derek,” whispered Nova as she
snuggled close to her husband.
“It sure will be. You were decorated, honored in public for your
sacrifices at the conference…sacrifices that almost cost me your life…” said
Derek with a hitch in his voice. He stroked Nova’s pregnant chiffon-clad
stomach as they danced. “I’m so glad they’re fine…”
“Me too,” said Nova. “But…this gown…it’s beautiful, but it is
feeling too tight. I just want to burst out of it when we get home tonight…”
“And?” whispered Derek.
Nova just smiled back as she kissed Derek on the nose. “I think
you can guess what I want tonight…”
“Me too…about time I gave you a very belated birthday present…”
Nova then blushed and whispered in Derek’s ear. “Yes. The kind I
can accept only in my birthday suit…” Then, Nova kissed Derek’s earlobe and
nibbled at it.
The feeling of his wife’s sweetness made Commodore Wildstar
shiver. He responded by sliding his hand down his wife’s back to her bottom as
she danced. The touch of his hand there sent shivers down her spine that made
her toes curl up with delight as they danced.
And so it went as the song played on…and another one began as Deke
and Sasha and Derek and Nova danced again…
After their dance, Deke was surprised again when Nova grabbed him
and led him off to a far corner of the room through a crowd where high
Government officials and legislators, judges, bureaucrats, and industrial
bigwigs were smoking, laughing, and drinking wine, brandy, sake, and other such
refreshments. Nova was avoiding those; she had a glass of fruity punch in her
hand (although it was garnished with a little paper Japanese umbrella stuck in
a pineapple slice).
“Nova, why did you drag me away from Sasha like that?”
“I have something to give you,” she said as she quickly put a
small box into his inner dress coat pocket. “Derek and I were hatching a plot
while we danced.”
“What is it?”
“Oh, nothing much. Just a gift from us to give Sasha?”
“Sasha?”
“Of course. You were away…we could spare it….and…well…I think you
and Sasha have a future together. A very bright one.”
“I…the….”
“Deke.” Nova said. “She is crazy about you. Don’t deny it. You
feel the same way about her. I saw the way you were holding her when I was
dancing with Derek. Getting a little harder to dance for long because..mmm…”
Nova paused to pat her stomach. “They’re throwing me off balance a bit tonight.
And they’re letting me know they like the music. Anyway…I have a vested
interest in you and Sasha. After all, Sasha and I are related, so….”
“Related?” said Deke.
Nova blushed and put up her hand. “Oops. You weren’t supposed to
know that….uh….she’s a distant relative on Derek’s side of the family. Very long story, but I’m sure Sasha will
tell you soon..if she hasn’t already. Has she told you where she’s from yet? Just say yes or no…”
“Uh…no….not really….she said something about it being interesting,
but…there’s some mystery involved. Nova, what is she keeping back from me?”
“Long story….nothing really bad….just….different.”
“Nova, is she gay or something?”
Nova Wildstar looked at Deke with a look similar to the sort she
might have given her Federation Medal if it had started talking to her. “No,” said Nova, who then hid her face in
her hands and giggled nervously. “It’s not that at all. I swear, you and
Derek…you should get together sometime…”
“Uh?”
“I had a talk somewhat like this with our dear Commodore back in
2199 when he could not figure out I
was wishing on the Voton Star that he’d fall in love with me! You men, you
pilots, are so dense at times! No, Sasha
is very attracted to you.”
“And I’m dating Derek Wildstar’s ninth cousin to the nth degree?”
Then, Sasha turned up. “Nova, Deke, my ears are burning. Like mad. Are you talking about me?”
“Yes, but it’s good,” said Deke. “Just weird..”
“Weird?” said Sasha. “Deke, what are you and Nova talking about?”
“You,” said Nova. “All right, Sasha, the cat?”
“Yes.”
“He got out of the bag.”
“What?” said Sasha, who was looking very annoyed. “Nova, do you
have brandy in that damn drink?”
“Can’t, I’m pregnant. I slipped because I’m getting stupid in my
old age.”
“What old age, you’re just twenty-nine! You were sort of asleep
when it happened…”
“You’re not much older than I am, and you know what I mean,”
snapped Nova. Deke was feeling like he was at a tennis match as the two young
women argued.
“I may be younger than you but I have more sense, even if my mind
feels that this whole night is weirder than my dress,” said Sasha. “Nova, how
much does he know?”
“That you’re Derek Wildstar’s ninth cousin to the nth degree or
something like that and I think you’re not from either
“Derek has relations all over the place, scattered to the four
winds,” said Sasha. Then, she decided to use the “Purloined Letter” tactic
(expose the truth in plain sight but do not point it out) as she said, “I have
family in St. Petersburg, the Tokyo Megalopolis, Boulder, Colorado, Seattle,
Washington, Iscandar…”
“Iscandar?” said Deke. “Whaaat?”
“A relative of hers is assigned to Iscandar,” said Nova in a
smooth voice. “It has to do with scientific research and diplomatic relations.”
Sasha giggled hard at that one. “Liar liar, pants on fire!” she said,
sticking her tongue out at Nova for emphasis.
“I’m not wearing pants, I’m wearing a gown,” snapped Nova.
“Sasha…remember…”
“Oh…yeah,” said Sasha. “Trying to…”
“What is going on?” said Deke.
“Lots,” said Sasha as she grinned at Deke. “Want another dance?”
Deke nodded dully as Sasha pulled him away from Nova, who was
shocked and surprised to see her own father there. Nova and Karl Forrester
began an animated talk while Derek Wildstar showed up to listen as Deke and
Sasha danced again.
Sasha and Deke ended up back at a table a few minutes later.
Whatever apprehension and strangeness Deke had been feeling about Sasha’s
possible distant relationship to the Wildstars was alloyed a little by her
talking with him and using the sweet spell of her eyes on him as she held him
close while they had danced. Deke felt intoxicated by just looking at his
girlfriend as they sat there talking while Nova and Derek showed up again at
their table. Mark and Holly followed, while Sasha said to Deke, “I will take
you where I come from…not too long from now. There’s beaches there with lots of
white sand. I think you’d like it.”
“Is there surfing?” said Deke.
“Plenty of it, although the idea is still catching on,” said Sasha
as she felt something digging hard into her toes under the table (the heel of
Nova’s dress sandal as she tried to get Sasha to stifile it). “Uhh…what about
our future together, Deke?”
“You mean?” said
“Possible early graduation at the end of the semester or sometime
in the summer,” said Sasha. “They haven’t made it clear yet. I’m supposed to be
doing my summer cruise aboard a space battleship with part of the Fleet, and
when I know which ship it is, we can and will keep in touch. And you?”
“I think I’ll probably be reassigned back to the
“None of us do,” said Derek. “We have no idea where the war is
taking us…although it seems to have slowed down…”
“Maybe the war will just end with a whimper, not a bang?” said
Sasha.
“I hope so,” said Nova. “I’d love to have my children at home on
Earth, maybe after a short patrol cruise with Derek. I’ve been feeling…romantic
lately…”
“Me, too,” said Sasha as she lo