CHAPTER 29
PRIORITIES
A month after the Titans were routed, an aged pilot flew a tiny spacecraft from the Repulse toward Jupiter Station. The pilot flew the craft to minimize the worst of the solar radiation blanketing the area. His communication channel was animated with chatter about various ship movements and personnel transfers. He maneuvered his ship to avoid the brisk shuttlecraft traffic coming from the many warships in orbit, also on their way to Jupiter Station. Adding to the local congestion were the trade ships coming from the Ganymede settlements.
Aboard the tiny spacecraft, sitting in the co-pilot seat next to Jake was Gallant. He thought, A semblance of normalcy is returning to the Jupiter frontier.
In the next row, Red sat with Elizabeth Bolton. They, along with the dozen other passengers aboard, were planning on attending the award ceremony on Jupiter Station.
“We’ll dock in a few minutes; best to stay strapped in your seats,” said Jake.
Red nodded and then remarked loudly, “Do you know Kelsey arrived on a transport ship from Mars, yesterday?”
Elizabeth said, “Yes, she called me. She said she would be arriving for the ceremony on the noon shuttle. That’s right after us.” She stared at Gallant and added, “I thought you’d be interested.”
Gallant tried to conceal a smile and responded, “Thanks.”
Red puffed in exasperation, “Well?!!”
“Never, you mind. I’ll find her as soon as she disembarks.”
That seemed to satisfy Red and he went back to chatting with Elizabeth.
Red said, “I’ve been to award ceremonies before, but this one is going to be extraordinary. Admiral Collingsworth is to receive an award. Colonel Ridgewood will be decorated for the bravery of the 7th Marines. Of course, there are plenty of fighter pilots and members of ships’ crews to be honored, but Henry will undoubtedly be the star of the show.”
Lost in his own thoughts, Gallant wasn’t listening.
When the spacecraft docked, its passengers disembarked and scattered on individual missions. Realizing that he had a few minutes before the noon shuttle arrived, Gallant walked past the auditorium where the preliminary formalities of the award ceremony were beginning.
A narrator was delivering opening comments. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we are honoring members of the UP Space Force for their courage and dedication to protect the frontier. We are pleased to have Governor Anderson of the Jupiter colonies presiding. We welcome family, friends, and colleagues of our award recipients. We are delighted you could join us in recognizing their contributions.”
Gallant watched as Admiral Collingsworth stood stone-faced before the political leaders of Jupiter frontier. The governor was introduced and he began delivering a speech extolling the virtues of the UP Space Force that drove off the Titans. The colonists applauded loudly and repeatedly.
Though the opening ceremony was underway, the presentation of awards wouldn’t start for an hour yet. So at noon, Gallant slipped out and went back to the passenger terminal looking for someone special.
* * *
Gallant saw Kelsey for the first time in months at the Jupiter Station passenger terminal. He watched her approach with a resolute stride. The fringes of his vision grew hazy as he ignored all others; only Kelsey’s slender figure appeared in focus. She wore a fashionable robin-blue civilian ensemble, the exact color of her eyes. Her hazelnut brown hair was pulled up and back, exposing her creamy white complexion and the warmth of her smile.
Gallant was resplendent in his newly tailored full dress uniform, which he had donned for the award ceremony. A single tangled lock of brown hair fell across his forehead. He self-consciously ran his fingers through it.
Outwardly, it might have appeared to be a mundane meeting of any two passing strangers possibly ending with fleeting eye contact and a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Inwardly, at least for Gallant, it was a very different story.
On the inside, Gallant was reeling, gasping, and churning. It was like seeing a ghost out of his past, a figure that was not fully registering on his psyche. He had expected to meet Kelsey, and yet now, his heart was pounding and his hands were moist.
His mind drifted back to his vision of her nearly lifeless body in her bloody uniform in the asteroid belt. The contrast jarred him. He wanted to reach out and grab her in order to reassure himself that she was real and whole, but he was frozen in place. Their past professional relationship had become awkward by their shared personal confidences and experiences. They were now confronting a new reality.
He stood there looking at her, hoping she would speak first, but she didn’t. The mist slowly cleared from his eyes and he wanted to say something to ease the unbearable uncertainty. He was able to stammer a few words “Are you well?”
Kelsey said, "Never better.” She waited, and then added softly, “It’s good to see you. I’ve missed you.”
You’ve missed me? I’ve missed you too, Gallant imagined himself saying, but no sound came forth.
Kelsey put her fingers to his lips, as if they contained some special healing power, to give voice to his thoughts. The intimacy of the touch established an emotional connection. It was vexing for Gallant to feel this deluge of emotional impulses. He was still uncertain and could only speculate on where they might lead, but blind instinct took charge now.
He moved closer and put his arms around her. Their lips touched.
But their reverie was shattered when the XO’s voice boomed from across the compartment, “Gallant! Mitchell!”
They jumped apart, as if they had been shocked by lightning. They looked stunned as the XO came running toward them.
“I’m so glad I found you,” he said, panting for breath. “The governor wants to meet you before you receive your award. Mitchel, why aren’t you in uniform? Gallant, come with me.”
Just like that, they were being torn apart, leaving so much unsaid.
The XO began walking away. “Move it, you two. Besides the ceremony, there are still the Titans to deal with. You need to get your priorities straight.”
Gallant and Kelsey looked at each. With a glint of mischief in her eyes, Kelsey asked, “Just what are your priorities, Henry?”
Placing his hand under her chin, Gallant tilted her head up and kissed her.
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