I nodded at her, pleased the general had confirmed that our new roles were secure. “Thank you, General.”
“Graves will show you to your new quarters. While I’m sure you would like to take some time to learn about your new home, I need you both in my office within the hour. We have a situation.” She smiled in direct contrast to the chill that raced down my spine at her words. “Starfighter Pilots Jamie and Alex intercepted another IPBM less than three hours ago. I apologize, Mia Becker, but you are not going to get a chance to rest.”
Mia had remained silent up to this point, and I wondered exactly what she was thinking. It was not like her to hold her tongue. At least she had never minced words during training. But she was on a battleship. In space. There was nothing here remotely similar to Earth. I could imagine how overwhelmed she was. The only familiar thing was me.
“Thank you, General,” she murmured. “I don’t sleep much anyway.”
Mia’s words made the general chuckle. “Very good. Congratulations on completing the Starfighter Training Academy. You are the second from Earth to do so.”
“Starfighter Jamie Miller and I are friends. We trained together.”
The general nodded. “Excellent.” She looked to me. “We are eager for you both to join us.”
Meaning she didn’t give a shit about Sponder. She wanted Starfighter MCSs and now.
“Thank you, General,” I said, offering hera respectful nod.
“Lieutenant Remeas’s transfer to Starfighter MCS is denied, General,” Sponder snapped, moving to stand at my shoulder. “I think you should know that this shuttle pilot hacked into the training program and entered himself into the system against my direct orders.”
“Captain Sponder, I assume,” Jennix replied. While she was shorter than Sponder, she looked down her nose at him. Her clipped words and steely stare indicated she was not impressed by my previous superior.
Sponder dipped his chin, although I doubted he had a deferential bone in his body.
The general opened her mouth to respond, but Mia beat her to it. “If he hacked your security, Captain, that is more proof of exactly how talented an MCS he will be. Either that or you badly need a lesson in security protocols.”
“No, sir.” Sponder might challenge me but even he wasn’t stupid enough to disrespect or disobey an unknown Starfighter MCS in front of General Jennix. He was a spiteful, bitter man, but he was not suicidal.
“Both excellent points, Starfighter,” Jennix agreed as she returned her attention to Sponder. “I’ll send an audit team to Eos Station first thing tomorrow to review those protocols.”
“Yes, General. Thank you.”
I bit back a laugh. Mia had basically just blamed my hacking on Sponder and made known that he was at fault for having lax security. And now he would have to deal with the bureaucrats. Velerion auditors would pick apart his entire system, interview everyone under his command, rewrite his programs, and reorganize his access controls. Sponder was going to be in a living hell for weeks.
Captain Sponder’s security was excellent. Hacking the system had taken concentrated effort over a span of days. His system was top-notch. I was better.
“Starfighter Kassius Remeas is required to report for duty immediately,” General Jennix advised, then looked at me. “In fact, I need you to confirm acceptance of the pair bond now so I can transfer control of the Phantom immediately.”
Mia looked confused. “The Phantom?”
“Of course. That is the name of your ship, is it not?” Jennix asked even as she shoved a tablet toward me.
The smooth screen split to show one half with my face and the other half of the screen displayed what looked like part of the training program. Mia’s avatar and her training stats were listed as well as the fact that the training had been completed, she’d graduated, accepted the role as MCS, and accepted the pair bond with me.
My stomach dropped as if I’d been sucker punched. Mia had said yes—obviously, since she was here. I’d known she was mine, but seeing it on the screen? Her acceptance sent me reeling. All that was required was my final confirmation. I placed my palm on the screen, and certainty settled over me. This was real. Final. No one could take Mia or the Starfighter rank from me. Ever.
Sponder snatched the tablet away. “General, I beg of you. Please listen. This recruit entered the training program without approval. He should be in the brig, not promoted to Starfighter MCS.”
I smirked as Sponder continued his ill-advised rant.
“I will return to Velerion, to Eos Station with the pilot and take care of him for you,” he continued. “He will be demoted for his blatant disregard of a direct order as well as a long list of other infractions.”
Other infractions? I refrained from rolling my eyes, but it took an act of will. No doubt this “long list” would be created on the shuttle ride from BattleshipResolution back to the surface.
I wanted to punch the asshole in the face, but doing so in front of General Jennix wouldn’t be a smart move.
“How he entered the system is irrelevant,” Jennix said, and I inwardly sighed in relief. “We need Starfighters now. You’re aware of the current state of affairs with the Dark Fleet. The IPBMs and where they are made needs to be discovered immediately. We need fighters like Kassius and Mia or Velerion as we know it will not survive. Captain Sponder, Starfighter Kassius Remeas is no longer under your command. I expect you to return to the surface, to Eos Station, and await further orders.”
“Yes, sir,” Sponder grumbled, recognizing he could do no more.