“Write up the request, and present it to Lady Hawthorne,” Millie said. “I think we can make that happen. Oh why?”
“Sir she is an example that all of us should be.” Mitch said, she had met Lady Wilson a couple of times over the last few weeks, and had spent a weekend with Jill at the palace. “Besides she is one classy lady!”
“That she is,” Millie Green said starting her vehicle and leaving.
A week or so later Mitch in her full dress uniform presented herself at the public gate to the palace, “Cadet Sergeant Major Valerie Mitchum with a message for Lady
Wilson.”
“Okay,” the guard said. Sergeant Green had given the palace a heads up. They didn’t know when she would show up; but the word was to treat her as a VIP. He called the Wilson residence and got Francine, “Cadet Mitchum is here with a message for Lady
Wilson.”
“I’ll be down in a moment to pick her up.” Francine said. The personal secretary and aid to Lady Wilson left her office and got into one of the small electric carts that they used around the palace grounds. Soon she was at the gate. There she found cadet Mitchum standing at, at ease waiting for her. “Hello, you have a message for Lady Wilson?” “Yes Ma’am,” Valerie answered.
“Hop in then,” Francine replied and the cadet got into the electric cart. It was only a few minutes to the Wilson residence. Francine escorted the young woman into the study where Georgia and Lady Wilson were going over some photos they had taken earlier in the week.
Valerie came to attention, Georgia nudged Lisa who stood up and said, “Stand easy
Mitch. Are you here for Jill? Did something happen at the academy?”
It was then that Jill entered the room. Lamile had called her to let her know that Mitch was coming to the palace for a presentation and she might want to witness it. Jill had no idea what was going to happen. Her friend Lamile wouldn’t tell her.
“Yes ma’am!” Valerie who had been carefully coached by Sergeant Green said. “I have a message from the Queen’s Owns Royal Corps of Cadets for Lady Lisa Wilson.” She handed the sealed envelope to Lady Wilson.
When the lady opened the envelop, Valerie said in a nearly conversational voice, “The Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets request the honor, and privilege, of passing in review for Lady Lisa Wilson, wife of Knight Commander Lord Michael Aaron Wilson, the Marshal of the Trena Constabulary on Sunday next before midday rations.”
Lisa was speechless. She didn’t know what to say. She was fully aware of the honor that was being bestowed on her. Usually it was reserved for members of the alumni of the academy who had gone on to greatness. VIPs, or the Queen or the King, not someone such as her. A bioengineered human being. Deep in thought Lisa didn’t say anything until Francine cleared her throat.
“Oh,” Lisa said coming back to reality, “I would be honored and privileged to review the cadets of the Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets.”
“We look forward to your presence.” Valerie saluted turned on her heel and left.
“I’ll take her to the front gates.” Jill said.
In the cart Jill turned to her sergeant major and stated, “You kept this under your hat Mitch.”
“I know.” Mitch asked, “Mad at me?”
“No,” Jill replied, “just want to know why?”
“I don’t know if I can say it as elegantly as Gene said it.” Mitch answered.
“Gene?” Jill said remembering the mast where Gene had been disciplined, “the same Gene who…”
“The very same,” Mitch chuckling, she had been very surprised by Gene’s statement, “but he said that Lady Wilson, because of what she did for other kids, and for other people, is the role model we should all be striving to follow.” “Gene said that?” Jill asked.
“She is something special,” Mitch continued, “but so are all you Wilsons!”
“But…” Jill said. But Valerie interrupted here, “Jill things just happen around you. But the cadets think an awful lot of you, your father, and the entire group of adults who are making things happening for us. Your father and mother have so much going on that for them to take time to help us is something special.”
“But Mom hasn’t done much,” Jill retorted.
“She has done more than you think,” Mitch replied, “She gave us our cadet commander, has made sure she is able to do her job, I saw how she looked after your father. I also saw the look on her face when Least asked her about your father. She is the one person who is not officially on anyone’s staff but she does more for us than anyone else. I saw how she and your father are.”
Jill was quiet she hadn’t realized that Mitch was that observant. She was finding out more and more about her officers. Learning the same way cadet officers had learned since the beginning of time; by observing the work and behavior of their officers and cadets.
###
When Lisa showed Mike the request he was stunned as he commented, “You know
this is their first parade?”
“No! I had no idea,” Lisa fully surprised, “Shouldn’t this honor go to the Queen?”
“It should,” Mike said, “But it’s been decades since a military academy has had its first pass in review. The Trena Military Academy had their first pass in review three centuries ago.”
That brought Lisa up short, then she asked, “But why all of this. The academy was just a device to keep these kids out of our hair. It wasn’t designed to be a full-fledged academy.”
“Things have a way of moving on their own.” Mike replied, Joyce who was nearby chimed in, “they always do.”
###
Next Sunday at 1100, the cadets began assembling for their pass in review. The cadet officers were inspecting their cadets ruthlessly. Jill was about to say something to Lamile when she noticed that Lamile was already saying something to her junior officers.
“Look! I know you guys want no mistakes when we pass in review.” Lamile was saying to her officers, “I know you want the kids to look as good as Imperial Marines, but they are kids, just like you and me. We need them to be their best. Help them be the best by showing them; not by yelling at them. You have five minutes to get your guys ready to go. They are either ready to go or they are not.”
“Yes ma’am,” the cadet officers replied. Rhonda who was still adjusting to being a company commander nodded. Since they had gotten to the academy she hadn’t seen much of Lamile; but when she had it had been to help get her settled in. She went to her company and did one more walk through, satisfied that the cadets were as best as they could, she made ready to move out. She had the first company. Jill, Lamile, and Mitch took their places in front the colors. Jill called, “Corps of cadets! Atten-hut!”
The entire corps of cadets nearly a thousand kids ranging in age from just about twelve to just about eighteen came to attention.
“Right shoulder arms!” Jill called and the sound of the cadets shouldering their arms was almost uniform. Only one or two cadets were a little later than the others. She looked up and saw Georgia quietly taking pictures of her cadets. Now feeling very self-
conscience, Jill called, “Corps of Cadets! Pass in review!”
With that command, Mitch called “Forward March. Silent Cadence!”
With that, the cadets moved out. The only sound was that of their foot falls on the walkway leading up to the parade ground. They filed into the parade ground that had been the old boarding schools main athletic field where they normally did their morning PT and roll call. As the colors passed the reviewing stand, where her mother, father, the Queen, and the adult officers of the academy sat in review Lisa stood up and placed her hand over her heart. The colors made one round of the parade ground and came to stand before the reviewing stand with Jill, Lamile, and Mitch standing attention. As the cadets filed pass her mother, the cadet officer in charge of each company called, “Honors Right! Hand Salute!”
When the entire corps o
f cadets was assembled, Jill with Lamile, and Mitch in unison approached the reviewing stand where Jill called in a clear crisp voice. “The
Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets reporting for inspection Lady Wilson!”
Lisa stepped down off the reviewing stand and walked with Jill and her party through the cadets. Several months pregnant she stopped here and there to talk with the cadets. She was very honored that these kids would do this for her. When she was finished reviewing the cadets she climbed back up to the reviewing stand, and spoke.
“Thank you for the great honor you have bestowed on me. I am honored that you would hold your first parade and pass in review for me. I am humbled that you would choose me for this honor.
“As humble as I am that you, the first cadets of the Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets would choose me as the person to inspect and review you,” Lisa continued with mischief in her voice she continued, “I wondered why you choose me? Could it be that you wanted someone easy to fool? Who didn’t know what she was looking at maybe? Someone who isn’t say the Marshal, or the XO, or possibly General Qoum? Did you forget that my husband, is the Marshal, and my daughter is your cadet commander? So I have a good idea how to inspect you!” The brought some chuckles. “However since this was your first pass in review I didn’t hand out demerits! However, Colonel Wilson and I will have an err conversation about the outstanding appearance of her cadets.
“Gentle souls of the Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets,” she continued with a more serious tone of voice, “never forget that you are the first of a long line of young people who will make up the corps of cadets. That what you do from here on sets the precedence and traditions of the Queen’s Own Royal Corps of Cadets. Thank you for this honor of being the first to review your parade. It is the start of a fine tradition that I hope you will continue. I only ask that you never pass in review for someone who requests the honor, that you continue to choose who you wish to honor! Corps of Cadets! Dismissed!” With that Jill did an about face and called, “Corps attention!” The cadets came to attention.
“Dismissed!” Jill called and then walked to where her parents were standing.
“Jill,” Her father said, “They looked really good.”
“Thank you,” Jill replied, “But if it wasn’t for Sergeant Green and several of her cohorts we wouldn’t look that good.”
“Well they did most of the work,” Sergeant Green dressed in her splendid marine dress uniform came up. “But they look good Colonel Wilson.” “Thank you Sergeant,” Jill said.
“The cadets have the afternoon off.” Lady Hawthorne said, “Would you care to dine with me?”
“That would be fine,” Lisa said, “Let me tell Maggie…”
“Uh Lisa,” Lady Hawthorne said, “She already knows!”
“I see,” Lisa said, she turned to her mother in law, “I thought that the sergeant’s network was military only!”
“I guess not,” Joyce said, “I always did wonder how my noble friends managed things.”
With that they went to the house that had at one time belonged to the school’s head mistress but now served as Lady Hawthorne’s quarters.
###
Though Jill was busy with the academy, she was never too busy to catch the news. She made a point to listen to a news cast at least once a day. The evacuation still continued on. It was amazing how isolated the academy was from what was going on around Trena. Her father had reluctantly decided that the cadets couldn’t be of use to the evacuation force. It was getting too raw. She watched a news report of a food riot in one of the small towns. She saw with mixed emotions the death of Lord Ramsey. Duke Horton, who had been questioning everything about the evacuation, had criticized the pass in review for her step mother. The evacuation command was making great progress of getting people off world. About twenty-five million people had gotten off world so far. Ten million had gone to other worlds and around fifteen million people to Home. The news reports from Home were both grim and not so grim. She had seen the episode where a couple of nobles had tried to take over on Home, but the people hadn’t wanted them. She had read with great interest where a woman named Suzy Gabriel had talked down a Lord Jenkins. Now as she studied with the Holo on, she heard that the people of Home were starting to talk about forming a government. She wasn’t too concerned about it as the contract she signed with the Crown allowed exploration of Home and administration by crown representatives. She was almost certain that when it was all said in done that her family would still own a portion of Home in trust for the people of Trena but they wouldn’t be the rulers of the planet.
The news media was reporting the fallout from her mother’s interview. It was being felt inside and outside of the Empire. The interview had given the Empire what it needed to start reining the company in. As the Empire began to round up the company officers, those persons who the Imperial Bureau of Justice felt had committed crimes against humanity, were getting more and more people to turn states evidence. Princess Carroll was received briefings from Emperor Maxell of Earth with every courier from Earth. She had been home when the Princess had brought in two sealed imperial decrees that had come from the Court of Columbus. She was with Lady Gray. They had asked to see her parents.
“By order of his imperial majesty,” The Princess General began, “Maxwell, Emperor of the Earth Empire, Michael Aaron Wilson the third, Chief Master Gunnery Sergeant of the Imperial Marine Corps, Knight Commander of the Empire is here by pardon for any and all actions he may have committed on behalf of the Imperial Earth Empire.”
Princess Carroll handed the decree to her father. She then turned to Jill’s step mother. Smiling deviously, as she began to speak.
“Lady Wilson,” the princess said, “Raise your right and repeat after me.”
Lisa looked at heir then to her mother in law. Her mother in law was dressed in her Interstellar Rescue Service uniform. She obviously knew something was going on. Her grandmother had not worn her uniform except on Fleet Day, for the last three years. Joyce nodded. Lisa did as she was asked.
“I, Lisa Wilson Clone Delta 1984 Alpha Omega Sierra,” the princess began, and Lisa repeated what the Princess said, “Do solemnly swear to protect the people of the Earth Empire against all enemies foreign and domestic. I swear to obey the officers placed over me and to carry out such duties assigned to me to the best of my ability. Having sworn no other oath or affiliation to any foreign government I freely join the Imperial Marine Corps.” “What going on Carroll,” Mike asked.
“Well my father has decreed that Lisa be inducted into the Imperial Marines.” Princess Carroll said, “Now to continue. Based on your service to the Empire attempting to bring justice to individuals that have suffered at the hands of the Corporation known as Earth Biologicals, I as commandant of the marine corps do hereby promote you to the grade of Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Imperial Marine Corps Black Guard.”
With that she uncovered a plague that had Lisa’s name and grade on it with the insignia of a Master Gunnery Sergeant. On the plague was the seal and crest of the Black Guard, a laser gun, and knife held by space suited eagle, a ribbon in the bird’s mouth with the inscription, “we pay the price of freedom so others can remain free.” Under the crest was her date of grade. Lisa looked bewildered but accepted the plague from her friend as Georgia quietly took some pictures.
The Princess continued, “By order of his imperial majesty Maxwell, Emperor of the Earth Empire, Lisa Wilson, Clone Delta 1984 Alpha Sierra, Master Gunnery Sergeant of the Imperial Marine Corps, is here by pardon for any and all actions she may have committed on behalf of the Imperial Earth Empire.”
She handed the pardon to her. Then turned to Lady Gray, the ambassador to the court of Trena, who took out the final piece of paper, “Lisa here is your retirement papers.
Please sign it at the indicated spot and you will be retired from the Imperial Marine Corps.” Lisa signed the paper work and handed it to the am
bassador.
“Now will you tell us what’s going on?” Lisa asked.
“After my father saw your interview he had a conversation with the JAG, and the Attorney General. They decided that they had to protect you from imperial law enforcement authorities and from civil suites. That’s why Mike got his pardon. We decided to make you an imperial marine so that everything you did while on the run could be said to be under the auspices of the Black Guard. Since those missions and assignments can be very black, no one needed to know that you were actually on them. Since you have nearly twenty years of service to the empire, we couldn’t let you be anything less than a Master Gunnery Sergeant, and then since Mike had retired we thought you wouldn’t want to remain in service. The pardon was to give you the same immunity that Mike has.”
Lisa smiled and said, “Gee, I might have wanted to stay a marine!”
“I am not sure that the marines could deal with two Wilson’s being Master Gunnery Sergeants.” Joyce commented.
“Me either,” General Alphine agreed.
“Oh Lisa,” Ambassador Gray said handing Lisa a pay card. “Here is your back pay and your first retirement check.”
“You can’t be serious!” Lisa asked.
“Oh I am afraid she is,” Princess Carroll said, “With interest.”
“But I don’t need it!” Lisa exclaimed, “Mike’s income and with the Crown providing our living expenses. We’re in good shape.”
“We looked into it Lisa and the AG and the JAG said that if we didn’t’ pay you we would put you in jeopardy.” The ambassador remarked.
“How so?” Lisa asked.
“If we didn’t pay you then the back ground work we did to cover your activities for twenty or so years would all be for naught.” The ambassador answered.
“Wow Michael,” Lisa interrogated the card via her implant and gave low whistle and said, “I might be able to keep you now!”
“That would be nice. Then I wouldn’t have to work!” Michael said. “But seriously. Isn’t there a charge of jail break and fleeing prosecution on both me and Lisa? As well as theft. Then there’s Lisa’s activities.”
“The pardons are effective for anything you might have done.” Princess Carroll said. “It includes all known crimes and anything you both might have done to save other’s lives. Lisa’s orders in particular cite she was to go as deep undercover as possible and that she was to hunt down and bring to justice the murderers of Marines and other Imperial personnel by people working on behalf of EBio. We have covered our bases very well and have made sure that no harm can come to you.”