Friday. 12:35 Co-Ed Dorm

John was standing in front of the mirror put on his dress coat. He felt the buttons weren’t lining up and kept buttoning them up and then undoing them. Alice watched this farce take place and smiled over the absurdity.

“For the love of all that is holy. Stop fidgeting,” Alice said as she fixed them for him, “There, it’s done.”

“Thanks. Still feels off somehow.”

Alice was caught off guard with that comment, “What the hell is going on with you. Normally you are brimming with confidence. You are a totally different person this morning.”

“Confidence, that I have in spades. Being officially recognized for what I do though is new to me.”

“You have been recognized before. And lord knows how much you’ve done with us around,” Alice was almost exasperated with her husband.

“No, you don’t get it. I have gotten recognized internally. But this is the first time I’ve been publicly recognized for what I’ve done. I’m used to getting my hands dirty and then you know…” John trailed off.

“Yeah, in Manchester you were in pretty rough shape and admittedly you weren’t all there during the ceremony there. I keep forgetting how you didn’t have a normal childhood. Hell, your life, in general, has been anything but normal.”

“Truth,” John said chuckling.

“We’ve wasted enough time getting ready. We need to go,” Alice said as she gently stroked John’s cheek.

“Aye aye, ma’am. Lead the way.”

13:00 Grand Auditorium

Classes that afternoon had been canceled because of the awards ceremony. Unfortunately for them, attendance for this ceremony was mandatory. Though the vast majority would get to leave without needing to mingle with the various different dignitaries from the fleets. They were however required to change into their dress uniforms which was a bit of an annoyance for everyone in the audience.

There was a group of seats in the front for the cadets involved in the defense of Sol during the Alliance attack. John and Alice weren’t the last of those that were to be recognized to arrive. As they walked towards their friends John noticed another group of chairs and people. The enlisted that served on their ships were all grouped up together and kept to themselves.

“Did you hear?” Kevin asked.

John shook his head, “Nope, what’s up?”

“Civvies voted for sanctions. We aren’t going to war.”

“Thank god,” Andern said, “I don’t want to deal with any wars.”

“It’ll happen sooner than later,” Kristin said joining the group, “The saber-rattling is going to cause something that the civvies won’t be able to overlook or avoid calling for war.”

“How long do you think it’ll be John?” Theresa asked.

“Two, maybe three years tops,” John said without emotion, “That’s if we’re lucky. We aren’t going to serve without at least one war.”

“Thanks for that Debby Downer,” Thomas said slapping John’s shoulder.

Just then a Second Lieutenant walked on stage and began scanning the cadets. He seemed happy with his scans he typed in some things to a data slate. They walked over to the side of the stage and clicked on the intercom.

“We will begin in five minutes. Cadets, please take your seats. Those that will be recognized please take your assigned seats.”

“Tally ho,” John said sarcastically.

Alice elbowed him in the ribs, “Stop being an asshole. Besides, better you sit up there on stage than us.”

“Especially near that asshole Patrice,” Andern said quietly.

The others shared a quiet laugh with one another. John squeezed Alice’s hand lightly. She looked back and gave him a look that reassured him. That was enough for John, and he walked up to the stage and found his seat. John didn’t see Alice begin giggling at his discomfort.

Five, exceptionally slow, minutes later several officers walked onto the stage and took their seats on the right side of the stage. John and Patrice both looked on from the left side. There were two rear admirals, five captains, and at least ten commanders in the gaggle of officers.

John groaned inwardly. It was amazing public relations for the Navy, and they were going to milk it for all its worth to hit their recruitment targets. He didn’t exactly feel enthused at being used in this way. Such propaganda was pure bullshit because most cadets wouldn’t be able to do what they did. It was also highly unlikely that the cadets would ever find a situation like that ever again.

Of course, that didn’t stop John from being in not one, but two such high profile events in the span of a year. Although the first event has caused no shortage of frustration from him. He lost his powers and gained a highly enamored princess for his efforts, much to the great annoyance to his wife. John wondered what he had done to upset the galactic balance so much for the equation to come out like that.

Just then Admiral Dickinson walked into the auditorium. Everyone, cadets and officers alike, rose to attention.

“At ease, you may be seated,” Dickinson said, “We are gathered here today to recognize the heroic efforts the cadets of this great academy undertook during the recent Alliance attack. I do not mince words; without your efforts, we would assuredly be in a war on a horrific footing.”

The admiral paused for a moment, the names of all cadets and enlisted crewmembers that took part in the attack displayed in the various screens that could be found within the auditorium. John found it curious that the academy liaisons were excluded, yet the medical officers weren’t.

“We will first recognize the enlisted crew that was assigned to these ships. You all served with unproven crews, yet you gave your all and performed your duties above and beyond that which you were expected to do. For your heroic actions, you will be receiving the Naval Commendation Medal.”

Admiral Dickinson then motioned to bring them on stage. The same second lieutenant was down in the seating area and pointing out where to walk to get on stage. They found their way on stage where one of the rear admirals read their name as Admiral Dickinson placed the metal on their uniform.

“John, why are we up here?” Patrice asked quietly.

“We’re being called out separately. Me for leading that motley fleet and you for basically organizing it.”

“Jesus…” Patrice said quietly.

Admiral Dickinson then walked over to the right side of all the enlisted, turned, and spoke to the crowd, “Let us give our congratulations and thanks to these fine members of the Navy.”

Admiral Dickinson was the first to start clapping. John and Patrice were amongst the first cadets to stand and clap. The rest of the audience began to follow suit quickly thereafter.

“Thank you all once again for your service. You may now take your seats,” Admiral Dickinson then returned to his podium before speaking again, “I would like the Academy’s medical staff along with the cadet crew, except their captains, of all ships to please take the stage at this time.”

The cadets, less the captains, began to file up on the stage. Ironically it was like herding cats to get the cadets to line up in order and get on the stage. Eventually, just before a minor breakdown, the lieutenant managed to get things lined up and they were lined up on the stage behind the admiral.

“It is not difficult to say that each one of you is directly responsible for ensuring the safety of Sol and the continuation of life and business as normal here today. The Navy, the solar system, and the Confederacy itself cannot thank you for your service enough. We are expecting great things for every last one of you as you finish this year and become fully commissioned officers.”

John chuckled quietly at that last comment internally. His best friend would actually need to stop acting the fool when they graduated. Though whether or not Andern would actually live up to his true potential was anyone’s guess. John figured it’d take a special kind of captain to get Andern motivated to be all that he can be.

“Therefore, each of you will be awarded the Naval Medal of Commendation,” Admiral Dickinson continued.

Their names appeared on the screen. One by one names were called and medals were pinned on the cadets and officers. John was still wracking his brain, why were the liaisons left out?

It seems John wasn’t the only one thinking that as Patrice asked him, “What about the liaisons?”

“It’s weird that they are being left out, isn’t it? I’m in the dark as much as you are on that one.”

Eventually, they reached Andern, who was the last one in the long line of cadets to receive the award. Another round of applause was then made to celebrate and congratulate them. They then left the stage and found their seats.

“I’d like the seven captains of the corvettes to come up on stage at this time,” Admiral Dickinson said but didn’t wait for them to all get on stage, “All of you, including these two over here, will likely be commanders or second officers of your vessels in the very near future You will be responsible for decisions that could put the ship in danger, to destroy or kill other ships, or even sacrifice yourselves and your ships for the greater good. The mantle of command is a heavy one, and it pleases me greatly that so many of you wore it not only effectively but as if you had decades of experience in doing so.”

The seven commanding officers of the corvettes were now on the stage to Admiral Dickinson’s right. He smiled as looked at each one step on stage. He then turned to face the crowd once more.

“I am convinced that the next generation of captains will be a great one and I, along with the rest of the fleet commanders, look forward to seeing what all of you can achieve in the future. This applies not only to those on stage but all of you who are in the audience today.”

Dickinson paused to take a drink of water, “You were all forced into the uncertainty of battle. Something none of you had any experience in. Yet you did so valiantly, expertly commanded your crews, protected your crews, and reaped a heavy tally against our enemies. For this reason, you are awarded the Navy Distinguished Service medal.”

Just after the first name was mentioned Patrice once more spoke, “John, there’s only two awards higher than that.”

“Three, technically, though you need to die in action to receive one of them,” John said quietly back.

Admiral Dickinson read each name aloud, took the medal, and placed it on their chest. He then shook their hand and thanked them for their service. He spent noticeably more time with each one from John’s standpoint. On one hand that felt a bit unfair, but on the other, these were the future commanders, who Dickinson himself may want in his fleet. Aside from Kristin that is, she was destined to the Second Fleet.

The seven received a thunderous round of applause from the crowd. When that died down, they took their seats. Admiral Dickinson walked over to his podium one more time.

“And this leads us to our final two cadets to receive medals today, would cadets John Lief and Patrice Vernon please stand and take a step forward,” Dickinson paused for John and Patrice to comply, “Here we have a tale stark contrast of command cadets, “On one hand you have a cadet who represents the prototypically desirable command cadet. On the other, you have someone that comes from a rougher mold yet has honed an edge that is more capable than anyone could have assumed.”

Admiral Dickinson paused to take a drink of water before speaking again, “Patrice Vernon you are awarded the Navy Cross both for your actions during the battle but also because of your network of contacts with fellow cadets. Without your actions in convincing your peers to go to battle the counterattack would not have been successful.”

One of Dickinson’s rear admirals then presented him with the Navy Cross medal. Dickinson then took the medal and pinned it on Patrice’s chest. Patrice had been standing there stoic, but a great big smile formed. Admiral Dickinson slapped his shoulder, nodded, and congratulated him.

“For Cadet Lief you are also receiving the Navy Cross for your actions shown during combat and for uncovering the conspiracy. Your unique background has enabled the Navy to process and handle situations in unexpected ways that increase our overall effectiveness. Despite your aloofness to the norms, which we had been overly accustomed to, the intangibles you bring can no longer be dismissed or disregarded out of hand. It is not hyperbole to say that without you, it is very possible that the heart of the Confederacy could have been torn out from our empire that day.”

The same rear admiral then handed Dickinson a second Navy Cross medal. Dickinson was smiling as he placed it on John’s chest. Unlike Patrice, John stood there without showing any hint of emotion. If an outside observer didn’t know any better, they would presume John was a statue.

Dickinson turned off his mic and whispered to John, “Well done son. We may not have gotten off to the best of starts but I’m looking forward to what you can do next year.”

Dickinson then turned to the crowd and said, “Please give your hearty congratulations to these two cadets.”

The auditorium burst into cheers and clapping. John didn’t feel at all comfortable with what was happening. Alice was clapping and enjoying the hell out of John’s discomfort. But there was nothing that he really could do about that. John wanted so desperately for all of this to be over, yet this was but the first event of the day for the award winners. For the rest of the cadets, their weekends would start earlier than expected.

14:30 Reception Hall 101B

For the last fifteen minutes, the cadets had been going through and meeting all of the officers that had attended the ceremony. To simply say that John was equal parts bored out of his damned mind and highly uncomfortable would be a gross understatement.

“You can smile now my robot husband,” Alice said grabbing John’s hand.

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?”

“Immeasurably,” Alice winked and smiled at John.

“Ahh, there John is,” the couple turned to look at who said that, “Pleasure to meet you.”

The short, slightly round, individual grabbed John’s hand and shook it vigorously. They also shook Alice’s hand though did so in a much more dignified manner. John stood there clearly confused with the encounter.

“Oh, good heavens, my apologies. I’m Rear Admiral Timothy Dufresne, headquartered at St. Mary’s Station over Manchester. I’ll be your CO next year.”

“Sir, pleased to meet you,” John said with a smile.

“Son, the pleasure is all mine. And I will try my best to keep the royal family away from you. But as I suspect they don’t really play by the normal rules of the land,” the admiral chuckled, “Then again neither do you.”

“I view rules as a guide. They often are meant to be bent or stretched to their maximum sir.”

Alice snickered, “This one seems to do the right thing though his methods can be, explosive.”

“Pleased to meet you as well my dear,” Dufresne smiled as he shook Alice’s hand, “My only request is that you don’t do anything too out there. Paperwork is not my favorite thing to do.”

Andern walked over and invited himself to the conversation, “His methods are usually exceptionally violent and deadly too.”

Alice and John both looked and glared at Andern. He shrugged and gave them a ‘what’ kind outlook back at them. John pinched the bridge of his nose then spoke.

“Andern, please meet Rear Admiral Dufresne, my CO after I graduate.”

“Oh. Pleased to meet you, sir. I speak only the truth.”

Andern then walked away slowly. Alice was plotting five or six ways to kick his ass. John stood there with his mouth slightly agape. The admiral on the other hand appreciated this faux comedy routine.

“It’s always fun to be around cadets that speak the blunt truth without knowing when or where to be quiet and keep their opinions to themselves.”

“I’m still learning that game, and admittedly am terrible at it. That one though has the social graces and tact of a rabid ape throwing its fecal matter at everyone,” John said unflinchingly.

“I am going to kick his ass,” Alice said quietly.

The rear admiral chuckled and then waived over Admiral Dickinson.

“Congratulations once again to both of you. I’m glad that your CO was able to attend this ceremony,” Dickinson said as he shook both of their hands.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, though the paperwork ahead of me will be a bit frightening when I return.”

“Sir, am I correct in presuming the other VIPs are from the Second Fleet?” John asked.

“All of your friend’s new COs are here. I thought it wise to get them introduced to who they will be reporting to. Though neither of your direct commanders couldn’t make it. The others are connected to the Academy.”

“I’m sure we will meet or be contacted by them sooner or later,” Alice said.

“How are the recruiting quotas, sir?” John asked.

“Wonderful, Manchester has seen a twenty percent increase in new troops. The royal family, especially the crown princess, are really helping with efforts. Alpha Centauri is up well over forty percent.”

“Thanks to you and yours, the academies will be full in the fall. You’ve given us five to six years of solid recruiting we believe. Couple that with good performance in the fleets that may get us some more time too.”

“Pleasure to be of service,” John said sarcastically.

“I’m sure your aware of how propaganda works son?” Admiral Dufresne asked.

“I am, and I’m not bitter by it. Never expected to be used as part of it though. We’re going to need all those people, aren’t we?”

The two admirals looked at one another. They weren’t sure how much John knew, but the look on their faces spoke volumes. Alice looked a bit confused by this, though this was primarily because she hadn’t been keeping up to date with all the war talk.

“Best estimates are under two years, though fully expanding the theatre of war will take upwards of three to five years,” Dickinson said quietly, “Though obviously, we’d prefer not to go to war at all.”

“Wonderful. I don’t suppose the core fleets are upping their training?”

Dufresne smiled, “The third attack wing has been reorganized and is training much more diligently than we have in the past. You weren’t wrong during the inquest. And it wasn’t just the First Fleet that was found to be grossly deficient.”

Dickinson then said, “Measures are in place and all the fleets are working towards a common goal. The wing commanders are reassigning any ship commanders that cannot get their crews to a passing level.”

John smiled, “Hopefully for all our sakes we’re ready when shit goes down for real.”

“Well son, you should go mingle with the others. I won’t be the only one following your career with a keen eye.”

“Thank you, sirs.”

John shook both admiral’s hands and then walked over to Alice and their group of friends. He was waylaid by a pair of captains that wanted to chat briefly with him. Thankfully, the conversation was short and they let him go on his way. John picked up a glass of champagne from a server as he walked to his friends. He slapped the back of Andern’s head.

“Dumbass. Anyways, here’s to everyone for a hell of a job!” John exclaimed as he raised the glass.

“Cheers!” the group exclaimed.

The group continued to congregate amongst themselves. Spirits were high and everyone was in a good mood. When the officers began leaving the cadets took that as their cue to vacate the premises as well.

Not wanting to waste any alcohol, John managed to convince a couple of servers to let them bring back some champagne. Their haul was eight opened bottles and seven unopened bottles. The open bottles were quickly finished as they walked back to the dorms. The cadets would change into some more comfortable clothing. Eat dinner and then finish the remaining bottles. Tonight was truly time to eat, drink, and be merry. Tomorrow they could deal with champagne hangovers and whatever else came their way.