The Lost Fleet – Dauntless

“Because you all think I am Black Jack Geary!”

“But you are that man! If you weren’t, then any of us who’d survived would currently be on our way to Syndic labor camps. You know that’s true. If you hadn’t been there, the fleet would’ve been destroyed.”

Geary made a face. “You’re assuming no one else would’ve risen to the occasion. You, or Captain Duellos, for example.”

“Captains Faresa and Numos are both senior to me in length of service, and to Captain Duellos as well. They wouldn’t have followed us. Maybe a few of us would’ve thought to try fleeing through the jump point, but not enough to have a chance of surviving the long trip home. No, the fleet would’ve fallen apart and died ship by ship.” Desjani grimaced, then smiled again. “You prevented that.”

Geary shrugged, avoiding directly responding to what she’d said. “You told me you had something for me?”

“Yes. You’ve received a message from Commander Cresida on the Furious.”

He gave her a confused look. “Transmitted just before we jumped?”

“No. A means to transmit messages in jump space was developed quite a while ago. We can’t run high-rate data streams, but we can send simple messages.”

“Oh.” He pondered “quite a while ago” for just a moment before recalling what had prompted the question. “What does Commander Cresida want?” Desjani passed Geary a notepad. He looked down at it, reading the short message. “She’s offering her resignation?”

Desjani shook her head as Geary looked at her. “I didn’t read the message, Captain Geary. It was ‘personal for’ you.”

“Oh.” I’ve got to stop saying that. “Well, she is. She’s offering to resign because of Repulse.” Saying the name made the very recent memory hit him like a blow in the gut.

“But you ordered-”

“The Captain of the Repulse volunteered,” Geary stated, his voice sounding bleak even to him. “No. Because the plan she developed required the sacrifice of another ship to ensure Titan made the jump.” Geary slumped, staring at the notepad and wondering if he needed another boost of meds or if he was just reacting to the stress of thinking about what had gone wrong and what that had cost. She tried. When just about everyone else was sitting around planning their funerals, Cresida offered to work that plan. Michael Geary liked her, I think. And I approved that plan. Me. “I don’t think there was any other way to get Titan out of there. Not with what she had to work with.” Desjani watched him, saying nothing. “Can I write my response on here?”

“Yes,” she replied. “The shorter the better, of course.”

Geary took the stylus and wrote. To Commander Cresida, ASN Furious. Request denied. You retain my full confidence. Respectfully, John Geary, Captain, ASN.

He handed it back to Desjani, who looked a question at him. Geary indicated she should read. She did so, nodded, then smiled slightly. “Just what I’d have expected of you, sir.”

Geary watched her, feeling an emptiness inside. Everything I do, they interpret as being what they’d expect of Black Jack Geary. Or someone even better than the legendary Black Jack Geary! Ancestors help us all. Why can’t they just know me, as I really am?

But, then, how much do I know them?

He took another look at Captain Desjani, trying to see her as if for the first time. “What’s your first name, anyway?”

She smiled briefly. “Tanya.”

“I don’t think I’ve known anyone named Tanya before.”

“The name became fairly popular at one time. You know how that goes. There’s a lot of women in my generation named Tanya.”

“Yeah. Names do come and go, don’t they? Where’re you from?”

“Kosatka.”

“Really? I’ve been to Kosatka.”

Desjani looked disbelieving. “In-system or landfall?”

“Landfall.” The memories tumbled out and left a pleasant glow in their wake. “I was just a junior officer, then. My ship got sent to Kosatka as part of an official Alliance representation for a royal wedding. Some really big deal. The whole planet went sort of manic over it, and they fell over themselves being nice to us. I’ve never gotten so many free drinks and meals.” Geary smiled at her, then saw the lack of recognition on her face. “I guess it didn’t make history.”

“Uh, no. I suppose not.” Desjani smiled politely.

“Kosatka doesn’t pay nearly as much attention to the royal family as it used to.”

Geary nodded, trying to keep his own smile in place. “Yesterday’s unforgettable pomp and circumstance got forgotten pretty quickly, I guess.”

“But, still, I’m not sure anyone remembers you were on Kosatka. That’s something special. Did you like it?”

His smile turned genuine again. “Yeah. I don’t remember any spectacular scenery or anything like that, but it seemed like a real welcoming, comfortable place. Some of the crew talked about going back there to live once they’d retired.” He forced a laugh. “I bet it’s changed, though.”

“Not that much. I haven’t been home in a long time, but that’s how I remember it.”

“Sure you do. It’s home.” They sat silent for a moment, then Geary exhaled heavily. “So, how is home?”

“Sir?”

“Home. The Alliance. What’s it like?”