Chapter 56

0001 - Tempro
0003 - Conner- Thomas
0097 - Ace - Zimmel
0098 - Lucy
0101 - Shelby (mother ship) - Derrick
0125 - Lars
0200 - Ellen
0301 - Rodrick
0403 - Johnathon
0667 - Marco - Brown
0778 - Jan
0798 - Celeste - Shelby (human)
0908 - Tara - Mara
0999 - Zan
1000 - Sherry - Lucie (for the moment)

Mara was clutching Daniel Norman, a full Colonel as desperately tight as she could. Sobbing into his chest she was terrified that if she let go he might disappear as if he were made of smoke. Pulling him tighter to her, her sobs increased in volume as everyone in the chow hall was quiet.

Daniel Norman could only stand there holding his daughter. It was too good to be true she was here, she was alive. Wait! She was a Captain? A fleet captain? A look of shock then surprise crossed his face as he nodded. He knew his old commander; if he’d promoted her to Captain then he knew she more than deserved it. Looking at the monitoring cameras Daniel nodded again then mouthed the words, ‘thank you commander.’

Derrick was nodding when he saw the Colonel say this. He figured Daniel would probably know what he had done. He also figured that Daniel knew that he did it where it was deserved. Smirking Derrick thought, perhaps he should have made Daniel a General after all.

Still unable to move Mara never wanted to let her father go again. She had suffered long and hard thinking that he was gone, that he’d never know how proud she was of him. She had done all that she had trying to behave as brave, half as much of a hero that he was.

“I ... I can’t believe that you are here. That you are alive! My god I have dreamed of the day that I would find out it was a lie. That I would see you walk through the door and hold me. I never gave up the hope that you were somehow alive.” Mara said her sobs finally quieting.

Daniel still in a state of shock could only kiss her head. He’d missed his precious daughter more than anything than he’d ever had. “I also thought to never see you again; I took that job to make it home sooner to you. You were always the world to me. I would have done anything for you my precious girl.”

Whispering into his chest still Mara said, “Please father, and please never leave again.”

“Oh baby girl,” Daniel started. “I have no intention of doing that at all!”

Suddenly Mara looked at the table where Greeson was sitting. “Father! Please I want you to meet someone who is just as dear to me!” Pulling her father to the table Greeson arose and snapped off a salute.

“Sit son, no need for that right now Warrant!” Daniel said quietly.

Greeson sat as did Mara and Daniel. “Father, this is David Greeson.” Here Mara dropped her voice and eyes. “My fiancé.”

Both Greeson and Daniel’s heads snapped around to stare at Mara. “I am?” Greeson said a moment later in shock.

A wide smile broke out on Daniel’s face as he nodded. Just like her to go after what she wanted as aggressively as she was.

Daniel looked at Greeson and nodded no, then smiled. “Don’t argue son, I know my little girl. You wouldn’t get very far I know.”

Greeson’s face still held shock, and then a slow smile crossed his face. “Ok, so when did WE decide this?”

“Did you forget?” Mara started. “If we both survived we would meet up and get together. At least I thought that was what you meant. What!? Now you saying you have no interest in me?” Mara said a slight look of anger on her face.

Greeson’s eyes opened wide then a smirk appeared on his face. “I thought it was the other way around. I had showed interest, you on the other hand seemed to show no interest.”

“I ... but ... I,” was all Mara seemed to get out.

Daniel’s eyes went wide as he saw his daughter tongue tied for the first time in his life. Looking at Greeson a new respect grew as he nodded this was a man to be reckoned with. Then he looked closer seeing that the man had the stance and readiness like Dempsy. Hmmmm, picking up a fork Daniel threw it at Greeson. Nodding when the man snatched it from the air too fast to follow.

“So I see that Dempsy has finally taken a student. So I take it the both of you killed her?” Daniel stated. Greeson started to speak then snapped his mouth shut.

“If you really wanted to know that which he isn’t supposed to speak. This one should speak to the teacher not a poor dumb student!” Daniel heard a voice from the past speaking behind him.

Turning around Daniel nodded as Dempsy was leaning against the doorway smirking at Daniel. “This one might if the teacher was not hiding away not wanting to be seen by friends.” Daniel said with narrowed eyes at Dempsy.

Narrowing his eyes back at Daniel Dempsy replied, “One’s friends should have known that this one was waiting.”

Daniel got up walking half the distance to Dempsy who met him. “That’s if you gave a shit about letting me know you were alive damn it!” Daniel shouted.

“This one had been trying to let you know. Unfortunately you were dead. Though I still tried to let you know!” Dempsy said starting to get rather animated.

Greeson was watching the exchange with at first mild interest then more as their discussion became more heated.

Daniel’s eyes were wide as he responded. “How in the hell would you let me know!? I was dead for god’s sake!”

Dempsy looked straight into Daniel’s eyes saying, “Being the warrior you are, I expected you to be in Ame. I expect no less of any of us when our time comes upon us.”

Daniel sighed shaking his head. “Again you spout that mythology, I...”

“No not mythology the truth, as I said I expect all of us to go there.” Dempsy said bowing low to Daniel.

Greeson’s mouth was hanging open seeing his teacher do this. Daniel sighed then bowed low to Dempsy. He then grabbed the man hugging him, “Damn it, it’s good to see you again. You I think I have missed far more than any other.”

Dempsy straightened up replying, “Of course! The fact that you were far more intelligent than you let on always bothered me.” Dempsy was about to turn away when he turned back. “I haven’t forgotten the many favors you did for me my friend. Nor do I think will I ever be able to truly pay you back.”

Daniel shook his head, “I told you before damn it! We were comrades there is no paying back. I did what I did because we depended on each other no more no less. We had to or we’d have been dead after the first week.”

Dempsy was nodding his head then held up a hand. “I can understand the comradery between the team. What you did went far beyond that. It is one of the main reasons you will always be my best friend,” Here Dempsy stopped and saluted. “Sir!”

Growling Daniel started to shake his head, “Stop that right now or I’ll talk to the commander about you being a full colonel!” Daniel said.

Dempsy’s face held a grimace for a moment before he replied. “I hope not. He’s already threatened to make me one for almost a month now!”

Daniel smiled he’d might have to after all, then he thought knowing the commander he’d promote him to General right after he made Dempsy a full colonel. Sighing he was shaking his head at these thoughts.

Dempsy’s eyes went wide as he started to smile, “Ah! I see you have seen what I think that the commander would do if we started on that path.” Leaning close Dempsy smiled more than whispered, “He has become even more sneaky lately we might have to watch each other’s back as it is now!”

Suddenly there was the clearing a throat as both men turned to the doorway to see Derrick standing there. He had both of his arms crossed as he seemed to stare a hole in both men. “I heard that Colonel! Don’t think I’ll let it go that easy either General!”

Both men swallowed hard as Derrick handed Daniel a star for each shoulder. Dempsy he handed a bird emblem for each of his. Both men looked at Derrick with a heated look then at each other. They both smiled and bowed all the way to the floor, “As you wish your Majesty!” Thus causing Derrick to groan loudly.

“Alright both of you asses! We have an assault to plan against that little ass Risen. According to information that Hartwell found the little shit is hold up in another bunker. It also appears that he has the redoubler technology that Kimison and Rayburn developed.” Derrick said irritated about the whole situation though keeping his voice low.

“Sire you think that we have a traitor in our midst?” Dempsy asked.

Derrick was quiet a moment then nodded. “I’m afraid we might. I think it’s about time you both took a tour of the ship. Look around see if there is anything I missed if there is try to let me know before you execute them.”

Both men looked at each other smiling then snapped off a salute making Derrick groan again. “Get the hell out of here I have a hell of a lot more to do.

Again both men saluted as they moved toward the door stopping to watch what Derrick was going to do. Derrick continued on to where Greeson was standing with Mara.

“Chief Warrant Officer David Greeson.” Derrick said as he stopped before both Mara and Greeson. “I apologize for taking as long as I have for this.” Reaching in his pocket Derrick produced two sets of double silver bars, “For the risking of your life in service to me and the empire. For the bravery and commitment you showed those under you. I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain in the empire special forces.”

Greeson could only stand there in shock as he saw his teacher by the door smile largely nodding to him. Then he saw Dempsy mouth serves you right! Bowing to Derrick, Greeson replied, “I thank you sire. I’ll do my best to serve you with honor.”

Derrick smiled as he looked back at Dempsy, “Well,” Derrick started. “I guess the teacher could learn from the student for once!” This of course caused a groan from Dempsy. Then he and Daniel were moving out the door.

Greeson was about to turn toward Mara when he was tackled to the floor. “Good! Your finally starting to advance! Now I won’t feel as bad when you salute me!”

Greeson groaned as Mara started to kiss his whole face. Derrick could only smile as he shook his head no when Greeson looked at him for help. Holding up his hands he backed away. He had enough to do with the Empress already demanding his attention. Sighing he knew he couldn’t put it off forever as they were going to need an heir one day.

Moving out of the room Derrick made his way to the command deck. ‘I might as well get this out of the way before they started to make a move against the Duke.’ Walking in Shelby stood and bowed to Derrick drawing a small groan from him.

“I welcome you my emperor, I have missed your company, as well as your wisdom.” Shelby told him.

“Thank you Empress Shelby, I have also missed you. At present I am staying onboard Tempro ‘til Shelby is re-gened.” Derrick told her.

Shelby’s smile quickly disappeared then she nodded. “I almost figured that you would do this. I am hoping that Rayburn and Kimison are able to resurrect the other parent brain box. Though as they said, they were having trouble with the personality circuits. With the last boost that they had I am sure they can get it finished.”