The Phoenix Conspiracy

  ***

  Summers had only been to Special Forces Headquarters once, when she’d toured the ship that first day. She really liked the atmosphere there. The rigid discipline. The soldiers with crisp, unwrinkled uniforms and proper salutes. A place where structure and order prevailed. How the military should be. Seeing the gray sliding door guarded by two perfect soldiers made her smile.

  “Commander.” The leftmost soldier had acknowledged her, and they both saluted and let her pass.

  “I need to see the major right away. It’s urgent,” she said to the attending soldier, a busy-looking female in gray fatigues. She paged the major.

  “Commander Presley here to see you, sir. She says it’s urgent.”

  The major’s husky voice could be heard over the comm speaker in reply. “Send her in.”

  The major’s office was not as brightly lit as the HQ’s main room, but the hazelnut paneling made it feel warmer. Behind a matching brown desk the major sat up straight, hands curled together on his desk. He looked at her with deep brown eyes that made him seem younger than his graying hair let on.

  “What can I do for you, Commander?” He waved for her to sit.

  Summers accepted and slid her folder of notes across the smooth table. She cut right to the chase. “I have proof here that Lieutenant Commander Cross has illegal drugs in his possession. He is therefore unfit for command.”

  The major didn’t seem the type to show his emotions, but she could see surprise in his eyes as he flipped through the lab results and photographs, shaking his head. “This is very alarming, but, I don’t have the authority to relieve the captain of command. You should take this to Dr. Blair.”

  Summers knew this was protocol, and she hadn’t come here expecting the major to relieve Calvin of command—her goals were slightly different. “I’ve already spoken with the good doctor,” she said. “And he refuses to declare Calvin unfit despite this evidence. My opinion is that Dr. Blair is putting his friendship with Calvin ahead of the well-being of the ship.”

  The major frowned and leaned back, his chair creaking. “I’m not sure what you expect me to do,” he said. “The regulations are very clear. I don’t have any jurisdiction over the ship’s command.”

  She liked that the major was a man who operated by the book. “I am aware of your position,” said Summers. “The usual procedure here is to contact Fleet Command and present this evidence. But Calvin has locked out all outside communications. Only you have the security access to override that lockout. I’m asking you to do that so I may contact Fleet Command and present them with this information.”

  The major hesitated for a moment, looking conflicted. “Calvin said the lockout was a necessary precaution … that outside communication represents a security threat.”

  Summers looked him squarely in the eyes. “I have every reason to believe Calvin is using that as an excuse to keep the fleet from revoking his command.”

  The major stroked his chin for several seconds. Summers was about to speak again, to strengthen her argument, when the major nodded his assent. “Yes, I think you’re right. Fleet Command should have this information, and they can give us further instructions. We can also ask them whether or not they authorized Calvin to lockout communications.”

  Summers felt a rush of excitement. “I believe that is the right course of action.”

  The major turned his attention to his computer and typed a series of codes, including one that required voice recognition. “System Override Alpha Victor One Whiskey Bravo Niner.” The computer confirmed his order with an affirmative beep. He nodded to Summers. “All yours, Commander.” He moved aside so she could use his terminal.

  Without hesitation, she walked around his side of the desk and input the proper command lines to linkup with Fleet Command over a secure channel. Before long, Commodore Yitzen’s sparsely bearded face appeared.

  “We’ve been having trouble contacting you, IWS Nighthawk. What is your status?” He seemed tense.

  “That’s because Lieutenant Commander Cross locked out all outside communication. Major Jenkins overrode Cross’s order so we could give you this report.” Summers pulled a disk out of her pocket and plugged it into the major’s computer. At her request, the lab had given her a digital copy of all the information that incriminated Calvin.

  As she forwarded it over the kataspace connector, she continued to explain. “In addition to the fact that Lieutenant Commander Cross disobeyed a direct order by not engaging the Harbinger, it’s also been discovered that he has in his possession a controlled substance which he has been using. It is my opinion that it is impairing his judgment and he is unfit for command. Dr. Blair does not agree. I am, therefore, appealing to you.”

  “This is a matter of serious concern,” said Commodore Yitzen.

  His eyes scanned back and forth, and Summers knew he was reviewing the notes she’d sent him.

  After a few seconds he said, “Did Lieutenant Commander Cross provide a reason for locking out communications?”

  “He said he was under orders from Intel Wing. That incoming kataspace messages were a security threat.”

  “There was no such order.” The commodore’s eyes lit up. “We have no other choice but to relieve him of command. As of this moment you, Commander Presley, are the commanding officer of the Nighthawk. I am sending this notice to all senior staff. Is Major Jenkins nearby enough to hear what I’ve just said?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “Good. Your new orders are to proceed directly to station CC-Platform B in the Xerxes System where you will be given further instructions.”

  Summers felt a wave of confusion. Xerxes System? “Shouldn’t we follow the Harbinger to Zendricun Alpha?” she asked.

  “Not yet. Proceed to Xerxes with all speed. Fleet Command out.” The screen winked off.

  “You heard him, Major,” said Summers.

  “Yes, and I just logged it.” He looked up from the computer screen. “You have command.”

  “Time to spread the good news.” She couldn’t hold back a broad smile.

  The major nodded and opened a channel to the whole ship. “Attention all hands, this is Major Jenkins. As of this moment, Commander Presley has command of this ship. Calvin Cross has been officially relieved of duty by order of Fleet Command. That is all.” He released the button and looked at her. “I’ll send two soldiers with you to make sure the transition on the bridge happens smoothly.

  “Thank you.”

  “And, Commander,” he said as she turned to leave.

  She looked back at him.

  “Would you like Cross detained?”

  She felt a stab of guilt as she imagined Calvin knocked out in his quarters and how she’d used him. And, technically, she was guilty of battery against him. It had been necessary, and he had deserved it. But, now that she had command, there was no need to add more insult to injury.

  “No,” she said softly. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”