========================================================================== THE NEXT STEP (MARTINDALE EPIC) Michael J. Pfeffer ========================================================================== Timeline: Years later Author's E-Mail: vjmx39@cris.com ========================================================================== THE NEXT STEP June 29, 2048 1600 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni Martindale was relaxing on the leather couch in the study room. She had her red-gold hair tied back, and her sea green eyes shined as they always did. The study was comfortably furnished in modern leather, with couches, chairs, and an olden-style wooden desk. She glanced toward the desk, noticing the UEO-issue dress uniform hanging over the back of the chair, and the hand-crafted model of the seaQuest DSV-4600 on the table. The name listed on the engraved brass plate read "Lieutenant Commander Michael Jameson Martindale," and she knew that it was a gift for her father, from Captain Nathan Bridger, on his 15th birthday. Taking a break from the marine biology book, she stood up, stretched, and walked over to her computer terminal. Calling up a vidcomm program, she logged into a vid-mail system to check for any messages she might have. A message showed her father's face, clad in an Armani suit. He had left earlier, promising to leave a message. He started to speak. "Hi, sweetie, sorry I had to get out of the house today." She smiled. Her father still acted and spoke as if he were still a young man, belying his 31 years of age. "Damned defense budget appropriations committee needed my opinions and statement on some good ol' budgetary affairs. Fun, fun, fun!" His vid-image smiled. "If you want to head out, I left you a 20. Just one thing- don't blow up the house, your mother will be mad at me." A wide smile broke out on her father's face. The vidcomm message board disconnected, and an incoming call came on, displaying her friend Jenna McGregor's face. "Hey Jen," she said. Jenna spoke up. "Guess who's now available!" she exclaimed. Loni slumped down into a chair, putting a hand to her forehead. "Hmmm let me exercise a little Wendy Smith-ism here." she acted as if she was psychic-probing her friend's mind. "Is it Danny Smithhaven?" Jenna's expression lifted. "His girlfriend Sandy just dumped him because the long-distance relationship wasn't working out, so he's available! Plus, there's a really nice romance-comedy at the Cineplex! It's perfect for a date!" Loni rolled her eyes back. "I don't know, Jen. He's cute and all, but there's more than looks." Jenna ignored the last comment altogether. "I'm bringing Andy too, so we can double-date. Take the pressure off, y'know?" Loni retained the old Martindale stubborn-ness. "Didn't you hear me? He's an idiot!" Jenna must have had a stubborn gene in her too. "I'll make you a deal if he acts like a jerk, I'll owe you dinner. If not, you have to apologize to me." Loni thought for a second. "Deal, but I'm getting choice of restaurants. Pick me up at seven." 1800 hours Zulu Nimitz Building UEO Base- New Cape Quest, Florida Captain Michael Martindale picked two glasses of champagne off the waiter's tray, and walked over to where Melissa was standing. She was wearing a shimmering silver dress, reflecting her face and others. Her shining dark hair was worn up, and her eyes still sparkled like the day they both met, so many years ago. Mike handed one glass to her, and downed half of his in one gulp. "Thank God that ordeal is over," he mumbled. Melissa took his arm. "Was it really that bad?" she asked. Mike looked at his wife. "Let me put it this way, honey picture the teacher from Ferris Bueller's Day Off, then try, if you will, to imagine a boardroom full of them, discussing budget and politics." He shuddered from the earlier memories of that day. Melissa winced, realizing how boring that guy was. "Relax, sweetheart. It's over. Let's just try and relax, okay?" Mike took her hand. "Today sounds a lot better now." he said with a grin. They walked around, mingling with some old friends. More people were still to come a delegation from the old crew of the seaQuest had yet to arrive. Old buddies, most now married, or divorced, whatever had happened in the last sixteen years since they first saw each other. The first of which was now arriving. "Loni!" Mike almost rushed to greet his friend. They exchanged a handshake, but he was not satisfied until he gave her a friendly hug. Commander Loni Henderson, of the U.S.S. Chester W. Nimitz, had changed very much since she last saw Michael. She was married, had two kids, and had fought with her sub-fighter carrier through many battles, including the defeat of the Macronesians. The decisive actions of the Chester W. Nimitz had shattered the Macronesian Alliance, leaving fragments scattered over the Pacific, with individual leaders fighting for control amongst themselves. "It's great to see you again!" she exclaimed. "How's things with Nathan and Miguel?" Mike was referring to her kids, 7 and 10, respectively. "Well, they're adjusting to things at home. Jon is still ruling the corporate business world. Ford Defense Manufacturers is rocking the market- I'm sure you know firsthand." Loni grinned. Mike's command was an FDM Orion-class defender submarine, incorporated as a "mini-Quest" style design. Practically priced and well-armed with a full suite of labs and weapons, it filled in the gaps that the seaQuest couldn't get to. After introducing her to Melissa, an amiable conversation started. Much later, most of the other patrons had vacated the cocktail party, but most of the original crew had arrived. Dr. Wendy Smith was talking up a storm with Lucas Wolenczak on marine topography, Lieutenant Tony Piccolo and Lieutenant Ben Kreig were engaged in a shouting match over poker for toothpicks, Commander Hitchcock, Vice Admiral Oliver Hudson, and Jonathan Ford were debating tactics and strategy. Mike and Melissa were catching up on old times with Nathan Bridger and his son, who had finally sought out his father. They all continued, leaving the outside world behind and having a good time. 1900 hours Zulu Cineplex Odeon, New Cape Quest, Florida "Loni! Glad you could make it!" Andy Smythe greeted Loni Martindale as she walked into the movie theater. "Hi, Andy. What's up?" she responded. "Of course, you know Danny." Andy extended his hand to the right, revealing a handsome guy about Loni's age. He was quarterback of the high school football team, and showed it. He had a muscular build, Fabio-style blond hair, and deep brown eyes. Loni's gave a cordial "Hello." Danny's eyebrows arced upwards, and a Leisure-Suit-Larry smile came up on his face, and he said, "You must be tired, baby, 'cuz you've been runnin' through my mind all day." Loni rolled her eyes back. "Oh, please." He put his arm around her shoulders gruffly and tried to pull her closer to him. She was able to avoid his grip and step away from him. I can tell this is going to be sooo fun, she thought to herself. 2110 hours Zulu Sunrise Peak Overlooking New Cape Quest, Florida "I swear, Danny, if you touch me one more time, I'm going to throw you off the cliff!" Loni was sitting in the front seat of Danny's car, trying vainly to get out. Danny was playing the old hustler's routine, trying to move in to where he wanted. "Just relax, baby! Y'know, it's gotta be hot. Why don't you take off your shirt, cool down a bit!" With that, he pulled her head close and tried to nibble at her ears. With a protracted struggle, Loni extracted herself from his grasp and slapped Danny. "Stay away from me, you jerk!" Danny backed off for a moment, regarded her, and got the old hustler's grin. "Oh, a feisty one, eh?" he said." All of a sudden, he was all over her again, trying to undo her T-shirt. Loni, belying her dancer's figure, was very strong, and she proved this by kicking open her door and executing a perfect judo-style throw. Danny went flying out the door, stopping only a few feet from the edge of the cliff, mouth hanging open in awe. Loni pulled out her backpack, extracted a thin board, and pressed a button on it. The board expanded to a small one-person airbike. She climbed onto the bike, put on a flight helmet, turned on the engines, and sped away back to the New Cape Quest base housing. 2130 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni walked into the house, took off her helmet, and combed out her long hair. Letting it loose, she walked to the vidcomm terminal and dialed Jenna. Her face came up on screen. Let the victory begin, she thought. "Jenna, Jenna, Jenna. It looks as if you owe me a meal at Casa del Cubano." Her eyes sparkled in delight. "Okay, so I made a mistake about Danny. But I don't think he was that bad, was he?" Jenna raised her eyebrows and smiled, trying to lighten Loni's mood. "Tomorrow night. Six o'clock. Bring your checkbook." Loni grinned and shut off the vid. She changed out of her T- shirt and shorts into a pair of flannel pajamas, and clicked on the TV. Just as she did this, the vid rang again. She checked herself to make sure she was decent enough to answer, then pressed the "accept" button. The image onscreen was of her good friend, John Arlyn. She smiled at seeing him, needing a friendly face after her terrible night. "I couldn't reach you for a while. What happened?" he asked. His dark eyes, though hidden behind glasses, radiated interest and wisdom. "Well, to put it in a nutshell, I really need to reconsider my taste in guys." She then proceeded to recount her unsuccessful date that night. John was following along with every little detail. "I'm never even considering going out with any guy for looks alone, ever again." Loni spoke with conviction, brushing aside some loose hair that had fallen over her forehead. John listened well, having known that experience. One date, he had been stood up by Vanessa Daniels, one of the prettiest girls in the school. "I understand it seems as if I've got the same situation. I know how you feel." On the other side of the vidcomm, John was thinking as well. He had always had a "thing" for Loni. They shared many interests, she knew him well, and they did many things together. He treasured every moment they spent together. She knew him as a friend only, but he felt ready to move up. Loni continued on. "I knew there was more to a guy than looks. There's still more sensitivity, personality, and understanding Danny had none of that. I just wish there were some well nice guys out there." Loni sighed. "But I guess they're all gone." John spoke up. "They're out there maybe closer than you think." Loni sighed. "Well" John filled in the gap. "Just meet me on the beach in, oh, say, an hour? It'll help to talk about this. Keeping it bottled inside will do damage." Loni smiled. John was studying up to become a psychologist. She thought it was mostly because his parents were real jerks and it helped him out on the home front. Loni smiled. "Sure, I'll be there." John smiled back. "Great, see you then." He reached out and disconnected the comm. 2200 hours Zulu 31 Lysander Drive UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida John Arlyn was getting ready for anything that might happen later on. He knew that tonight was the night. If Loni didn't know how he felt, he had to tell her. He changed into a pair of Levi's shorts, a T-shirt, put on some extra deodorant and debated on applying cologne. Nah, he thought. I want her to like me for who I am, not what I smell like. He grinned, stepped outside and onto his airbike, then set off for the New Cape Quest public beach. 2210 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni had changed out of her pajamas to regular street clothes, and was washing her hair as her parents walked in. Mike heard the water running and knocked on the bathroom door. The faucet shut off, and Loni walked out, toweling her hair dry. "Hi, Dad." She hugged her father. "Well, someone's looking nice! What's the occasion?" Loni kept toweling as she turned around. "Well, I had a pretty bad date earlier on. Thanks for the cash, by the way. Anyway, John's meeting me on the beach in twenty minutes." Melissa, in the kitchen, walked out to where they were standing. "Do you mean your friend John Arlyn?" Loni nodded. Melissa looked to Mike and asked, "Should we tell her?" Melissa was worried. She worked as a therapist, and knew John as a patient. She had sworn confidentiality to her patients, but in one session, John had confided in her his feelings about Loni. Melissa didn't feel very comfortable doing this, but she had to tell. She took a deep breath, then spoke. "Loni, you and John are, to your knowledge, just friends, right?" Loni nodded. "Yeah, we're pretty close. Why?" "He's head-over-heels in love with you, hon," she said. "He told me how he felt towards you in a therapy session. We were talking about how lonely he was, and how you're the only girl he likes more than a friend." Mike chimed in. "He's a nice guy, sweetheart. I mean, look at him. He likes science and marine life, reading, and you! How close is that?" Loni was stunned for a moment. She never knew he felt this way! Sitting down in a chair, she pondered for a moment or two. Her parents understood the situation and exited the room. Staring up at a poster of Albert Einstein's famous visage, she tried to make some sense of whatever was going on. Okay, kid, she thought. You can't let him go without shattering his heart, but you're not sure what will happen with the friendship. On the other hand, he loves you! You don't have to change anything. He probably thinks I look like an angel even right after I wake up, she grinned. He's not all that bad. Besides, he needs someone. Just as much as I do. She nodded, stood up, tied some of her hair into a braid, cleaned off her makeup from the earlier date, and walked out to the kitchen, where her parents were searching the fridge for some food. "I swear, they can't have a cocktail party without anything to eat!" her mother was exclaiming. She emerged with a bowl of Mesculine salad with vinaigrette dressing. "Mom? Dad?" they both looked to Loni, who had a smile on her face. "I'm going to do this. I need him, and he needs me." Mike walked over and hugged his daughter. "I knew you'd make the best choice," he said. "Good luck, sweetie!" Her mother blew her a kiss as she walked out the door. Mike slipped his arm around Melissa's waist. "This is so romantic, don't you think?" she whispered. Mike kissed his wife. "Sure is," he said, pulling a bottle of Lancers Rosé and two chilled glasses from the freezer. "It only gets better," he said with a smile. 2230 hours Zulu New Cape Quest Public Beach John Arlyn was looking westward towards the setting sun when he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. He turned around slowly to look into Loni Martindale's shiny green eyes. "Hi, John," she said softly. John smiled and spoke back. "Hi, Loni. Care to sit down?" He motioned to a wooden bench nearby. They both sat next to each other. Loni looked out to the sunset. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked. John, not truly hearing her right, said "Yes, you are really beautiful." She glanced back toward him. "I meant the sunset," she said with a grin. John looked toward her. "Oh, yeah the sunset's nice too. It looks just like the color of your hair." Loni smiled, blushing. "Aww, John, that's so sweet. You're such a romantic." John looked at her and smiled as well. "Just call me Don John," he said. After that, he assumed a semi-serious look. "Look, Loni, we have to talk." Loni held up a hand. "Don't I know what you're going to say." John had an incredulous look on his face. "So you know how I feel about you?" Loni nodded. "And how I treasure all the time we're together?" She nodded again. "And how I'd do anything for you?" Loni nodded. John was speechless, so he did the first thing that came to mind. He put his left hand on Loni's cheek, pulled her close, and kissed her. Softly at first, then just right when they both got the hang of it. And then they held each other, deep into the night, until John broke the silence. "I want you to have this. I was saving it until the right moment came with the right girl." He pulled a long velvet jewelry box and opened it up. Inside was a pearl necklace. On the end were two tiny solid gold dolphins circling a large diamond. John clipped the necklace on Loni's neck as she fingered the dolphins and the diamond, eyes wide in surprise. "John this is the greatest thing anyone has ever done for me. You're the only guy I could ever like you're just perfect." John chose not to respond, so he kissed her again, and they were forever in each other's arms once again. June 30, 2048 0030 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Mike and Melissa were out on the back porch, the same place where he had originally given her an engagement ring, so many years ago. They still wore their clothes from the cocktail party, but were sipping champagne from crystal glasses and sitting on the deck. "Remember the last time we were like this?" Melissa whispered in Mike's ear. "Like the back of my hand," he whispered back. She treasured that moment above all, so much that she still wore the beautiful ring. The inscription in the diamond was still present, and the jade, gold, and silver still glimmered like her soft hair. They were both gazing up at the stars. Mike took another sip of champagne, then shivered a bit. "Want to head inside? It's a tad chilly." Melissa rolled her eyes. "Are you kidding? I'm the one with the evening gown." Just as they opened up the large French doors, Loni walked in, a dreamy look on her face. "Hi, dear. How'd it go?" Melissa asked. Loni did not respond, keeping the blissful look on her face. Mike nudged Melissa. "Looks like love to me same look I had after I got back to the boat that first day." Melissa's eyes shined. She loved him even more every day since then. Loni proceeded on to her room, changed into her PJ's, and fell asleep before her head hit the pillow. 0700 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida The knock on Loni's large picture window startled her from a dream about John. She had dreamt that they were swimming together in the pristine waters of the Caribbean, dolphins all around, and he was just about to kiss her. Rubbing out her eyes, she glimpsed out the window to see John, smiling, carrying a tray with a rose in a vase. Her face lit up as she slid open the window to let him in. Kissing her, he set the tray down. "Have a good sleep? I couldn't. I was thinking about you all evening." Loni blushed. "Oh, you make me feel so loved," she said. "I can't believe that there really are some nice guys out there." John grinned. "It gets better." He lifted the cover off the tray to reveal a hotplate, a few eggs, some chopped peppers, onions, and grated cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. "Breakfast in bed, for my love." 0730 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Michael Martindale was rapidly dressing in his shipboard uniform. Message had come over the vid that the Theodore Roosevelt, his command, that an incursion by the remnants of Macronesia was going on near Choadai borders. He and the Roosevelt, an Orion defender, were needed to rattle the saber, so to speak. He had rapidly shaved and showered, and was now getting ready for combat. He walked out. Knocking on Loni's door, it swung open, revealing his daughter eating an omelet with John Arlyn. "Excuse me, am I interrupting anything?" Mike asked. "Er..morning, Dad," she said. "Hello, Mr. Martindale," John said with a nod. "Not to break up the moment, but I have to be going, hon. Something with the Macs and the Choadai." "Okay, bye Dad," she responded. While he walked out, he turned around and said "By the way, John, in the future, some flowers will work wonders with breakfast." Chuckles were shared all around. 1000 hours Zulu USS Theodore Roosevelt Panama Canal "Canal control answers okay, sir. We're cleared for transit." The comm officer, Lieutenant (j.g.) Janet Kimura O'Neill, daughter of Lieutenant Timothy O'Neill and Lieutenant Commander Kimura, reported. "Very well. Helm, take us through the channel." Captain Michael Martindale stood on the bridge of the Roosevelt, taking it through the famous Panama Canal en route to the Choadai-Macronesian border. The helm officer, Warrant Officer Jon J. Jamesdale (J.J.J. to his friends), set the boat's course to two-seven-zero, speed twenty knots, riding on the surface. The Roosevelt resembled a scaled- down version of the seaQuest, which was now in the UEO Museum in New Cape Quest. Small pleasure boats formed an informal escort, while UEO aircraft made a protective curtain over the boat. Shortly afterwards, the Roosevelt cleared the canal, engaged its impellers, and headed out for open ocean. "Okey-dokey, J.J.J., you know the drill." Captain Martindale was known for easygoing attitude toward his subordinates and crewmen. All the young officer hopefuls put down the Theodore Roosevelt as their first billet request. "Mr. Bice has the deck and conn. You all know the drill. And give the Domino's delivery guy a good tip- they make a killer pesto crust." Mike saluted his XO, Commander Paul Bice, and walked off the bridge. He had to put in a call to Melissa and see how Loni was doing. He always tried to call whenever possible the last time he had been incommunicado was almost a disaster. August 28, 2022 1300 hours Zulu Somewhere off the coast of Libya "General Quarters! General Quarters! Code Red. All hands man your battle stations!" Communications Officer Lieutenant Tim O'Neill's voice rang throughout the seaQuest. A battle group of five Libyan and Cyprus attack submarines were acquired by the WSKRS at twenty kilometers and closing, very fast. Klaxons went off, watertight doors were sealed, and unnecessary systems were shut down. Lieutenant Michael Martindale, still at the age of fourteen, was manning the weapons console. "Tubes Able One through Five are flooded and ready, sir. E-Plasma torps are set to seventy percent charge. Awaiting solution from fire control." Mike flipped up five red-colored switch guards, revealing five small metal levers. Captain Nathan Bridger nodded, acknowledging the requisite commands. At the console, Mike was sweating bullets. He was nervous and afraid. Melissa's face flashed through his mind. Her eyes sparkled, and her hair shined as if inlaid with bright silver. Would he ever see her again after this? Oh God, he thought. I can't go through this. As soon as this is over, I'll send her flowers and a vidcomm. The intercom flashed from the launch bay. Lieutenant O'Neill pressed the button and Lieutenant Jim Brody's face flashed onto Bridger's secondary comm screen. "Sir! My team is ready for launch on the capture mission! Requesting final departure clearance!" Bridger was preoccupied. He was shouting orders left and right. "Sensors! Transmit all WSKR data to fire control! Fire control, send data to weapons when you acquire a solution! Weapons, you are cleared to fire upon complete solution!" Bridger, slumping into a chair, composed himself and gave Brody the nod. Outside the seaQuest, at its circular midsection, a set of doors opened and a sea speeder leapt out. Running under communications silence, Brody kicked the engines to full speed and rocketed towards the V-96 heavy transport sub which was carrying Libyan dignitaries. Green lights lit up under the FC SOL indicators, registering that the first salvo of five E-Plasma torpedoes had received valid fire control solutions. Still sweating, Mike flipped up the five switches. Five doors opened up under the bow of the seaQuest and shot out five bright points of light. Emitting a tracking signal back to the seaQuest, they armed the plasma cores and began their death run. Each torpedo collided with a Libyan sub and exploded right on the propellers, a high-tech kamikaze. The subs engaged back-up systems and limped towards the shores of Libya at a turtle's pace. Brody's speeder was rapidly approaching the Libyan official sub. They were rocketing towards the coast of Cyprus at speeds a large sea launch had never achieved. Activating the weapons on the speeder, Brody fired an ion torpedo at the launch. Exploding near the launch, the torpedo disabled the systems of the Libyan sub. Brody's sea speeder flitted up to the hatch of the large craft. Engaging the docking doors, Brody turned around to brief his team. "Okay, guys, we have five minutes to find and capture President Khamal! I want pulse rifles set for stun! Do you get me?" The team of ten elite UEO Marines responded with a gruff "We get you, sir!" Metal on metal clicked and clacked as safeties were unsafed and weapons were primed. The doors opened up, revealing an empty corridor. Using hand signals, Brody directed two combat engineers to move ahead, checking for booby traps. Detecting none, they gave an all-clear signal. A group of Marines split up, checking left and right. A point man periodically walked to the rear for a few yards to make sure nobody was following them. Brody and his team had the specifications of the sub memorized, and knew where the President would most likely be. A few moments later, in the cargo compartment, contact was made with outlying Libyan Presidential Guards, and the first real fighting began. Brody opened up on sight, taking down two Libyan troops. He took cover behind a metal crate as a storm of pulse bolts blazed past him. He readied a fragmentation grenade. Pulling the pin, he tossed it over the crate towards the pocket of guards. Seconds later, a loud explosion resounded throughout the chamber. Five more Libyan guards were down. The pulse-rifle fire from across the chamber ceased, and the remaining troops stood up, hands in the air. One of the Libyans was wearing a custom-tailored Armani suit. Libyan President Khamal. Back on the seaQuest, Mike was standing down. He immediately went to a vidcomm to call the nearest FTD distributor. June 30, 2048 1010 hours Zulu USS Theodore Roosevelt Panama Canal The vidcomm screen lit up. Melissa Martindale had been expecting the call from her husband. "Hi, honey. How was Loni doing?" "She's fine, dear. Been floating around the house on Cloud Nine all morning." Mike was so happy for her. Loni had been looking for a considerate guy for a long time. Now that she had found John, he felt young again. Just like when he and Melissa first met. Melissa broke Mike out of his reverie. "How long are you supposed to be out?" she asked. Mike checked the tempo list and the deployment orders from the UEO. "Some time next week, I think." Melissa nodded. "I have that psychologist's convention, so I'm going to be out tonight. Call my cellular line if you need me." Mike nodded. 1030 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni had finally stopped floating long enough to call Jenna. Despite Loni's convincing attempts, Jenna was trying to have Loni settle for someone better-looking. "Listen, Jen, I'm not dating for looks, ever again!" "Look, Loni, he's a nerd! I mean, the guy wears glasses and has short hair! What are you going to do when people gawk?" Loni was taken aback by her so-called best friend's comments. Composing herself with fire in her eyes, Loni spoke back. "I don't care what you think! It's always what you want that manifests itself through me!" Daughter of a psychologist and a soldier, she knew how to speak to people, as well as how to deal with them. "We love each other for intellect, personality, and compassion! Three things that you are not at all familiar with!" And with that, Loni disconnected the vidcomm. She sat down on her bed, put a few CDs in her multi-disc stereo, laid down, and pressed the play button. Guitar riffs and smooth vocals came on. Duncan Sheik. Perfect. She closed her eyes and immersed herself in the music. Before she knew it, she was asleep. 2100 hours Zulu USS Theodore Roosevelt On the Choadai/Macronesian border "Attention! All Macronesian vessels! This is the UEO Defender Theodore Roosevelt. You will heave-to and cease combat operations immediately!" Lieutenant Kimura-O'Neill was vainly trying to contact the vessels making incursions into Choadai borders. "If you do not stop immediately, we will be forced to fire without further warning!" The leading Macronesian ship responded by firing two torpedoes at the Roosevelt. "Warning! Incoming torpedoes!" Ensign Yani Watanabe exclaimed. "Time to impact, thirty seconds!" "Fire intercepts!" Captain Mike Pfeffer shouted to weapons. Two high-speed darts leapt out of tubes under the boat, rocketing towards the deadly weapons speeding towards the Roosevelt. Two fires blossomed where the torpedoes once were. The sensors and fire-control teams plotted out the logical solution, and transmitted the data to targeting computers. The actual weapon firings were handled by computers now, and the requisite targeting information was relayed to the MIRACL laser turret at the midsection. Within milliseconds, the laser was fired, and its multiple targeting capabilities disabled five of the many Macronesian war subs in moments. The remainder of the Macronesian ships turned around and headed for shore-based air cover. The WSKRS, still held as main sensor platforms in the UEO, did not register the many hundreds of small forms rising up from the sea floor. Large manta-ray shaped objects rose up and moved off at blindingly high speeds for sub-fighters. The Choadai Yangtze-class sub-fighters raced after the last Macronesian ships with a vengeance. On board the Roosevelt, the sudden appearance of the Choadai raised a panic, until their leader came on the comm. "UEO vessel Theodore Roosevelt, this is Admiral Huang of the Choadai Navy. We thank you for your assistance, but the Macronesians are not to leave alive. Please remain here, we would like to speak with you." The communication ended abruptly. "Sir, should we comply?" Commander Bice asked. Mike nodded. "What else can we do? They probably can blow us out of the water if we don't. Helm, all stop. Dive, keep us level. Miss Kimura, please take us off general quarters." The Choadai sub-fighters did an incredible job. The first contact was a tail chase, more of an advantage for the hunted than the hunter. But in this case, the Choadai had the advantages of both. The sub-fighters converged from three different points of the compass on an ex-American Navy Los Angeles- class attack sub. A few rapid-laser blasts from each fighter shattered the pressure hull in many places. The Los Angeles exploded in a brilliant ball of fire, but the Yangtze-class fighters were ready. Pulling out, the swarm then focused on a more modern Avenger-class heavy assault craft. The first few shots missed the evading sub, but a few Choadai craft activated tail-firing rockets, so when the sub-fighters overshot, they were able to re-attack. The Avenger broke apart into three large pieces and sank to the bottom. All of the remaining Macronesian subs were beginning to re-organize in preparations for a counter-attack, but efforts proved to naught when the fleet of twenty Choadai capital subs moved into the area. A simultaneous laser and E-plasma torpedo attack finished off the rest of the Macronesians, and that ended the insurgence in the region. Admiral Huang came back on the Roosevelt's vid. "Theodore Roosevelt, please prepare to receive dignitaries via launch. They will be instrumental in the Choadai joining the UEO." July 1, 2048 0030 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni Martindale was catching the Late Show with David Letterman, Jr., when her mother burst into the TV room. "Loni! Loni! Your father's in the papers!" Loni's eyes widened in excitement. "Really? What did he do?" Melissa grabbed the remote and put on the 24-hour news channel. "Continuing our report, with ongoing coverage. We have just received confirmed reports that the Choadai are officially and unconditionally joining the United Earth Oceans organization. This decision was precipitated by a UEO decision earlier yesterday to stop a Macronesian border incursion into the area. The Ford Defense Manufacturers Orion-class defender sub, USS Theodore Roosevelt, commanded by Captain Michael J. Martindale, was the first ship in the area. After stopping the first Macronesian assault, the Choadai countered, destroying the fleet. We go live to an exclusive interview with Captain Martindale now." The vidcam cut to Mike, in his formal dress uniform, sitting at a table. "Captain Martindale, it is to our understanding that you were drafted into the UEO Navy as a result of a failed time-warp experiment after your ninth grade education, in the year 1997. Is this true?" "Well, it's a hell of a summer job though, isn't it?" Mike grinned. "Is there anything you'd like to say to the world right now?" The sparkle in his eyes belied a serious statement. "Actually, yes. You all probably know how the Choadai sub-fighters busted those Macronesian war subs see what happens when you don't check your blind spot?" Loni turned off the TV. She was taken aback. Just as she put down the remote control, the vid rang. John was on the other end. "Loni! Did you just see that?" She nodded. "I can't believe it! My father's a world hero!" John was smiling widely. "Congratulations! I'll be right over!" 0650 hours Zulu 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Captain Michael Martindale stumbled in through the door of his house. All the lights were off, so it was tricky until he found the night light. When he was able to turn on the small bulb, he saw a note on the table. He picked it up and read. Dear Dad, Congratulations on your big win! We were debating a surprise party but Mom thought you'd be tired and all from the interviews, ceremonies, et cetera. We're asleep, and if you're hungry, John cooked up some of his special salmon Teriyaki. Yes, he is here. He's sleeping on the couch, and it's best if you don't wake him up without coffee. Better get some sleep! We'll stay quiet in the morning. Congrats again! By the way it's tricky for me to say this, but I'm proud of you, Dad. I think it's an honor to be your daughter. Love ya! Loni's signature was at the bottom. Mike was beaming in the low light. Never before had he been complemented so much, from someone so special. Feeling a rumble in his stomach, he decided to open up the fridge and have some of that salmon. Noticing a Saran-wrapped plate of fish, he took a fork and started to eat. A few minutes later, all that remained was a porcelain dish. He put them in the sink and walked into the bedroom. Melissa had fallen asleep in her street clothes, on top of the covers. Mike changed into pajamas, kissed his wife, covered her with a light comforter, and laid down in bed. He was asleep even before his head hit the pillow. June 2, 2048 1200 hours 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Mike woke up to the sound of sizzling, coming from the kitchen. Dragging his head off the pillow, he looked for Melissa, but she was not in the bedroom. Slowly waking up, he smelled fresh cappuccino brewing, with the scent of chocolate mixed in. Inhaling deeply, he connected it in his mind. Mocha Java- his favorite whenever he was having fancy coffee. How did they come across that? It must have been hundreds of dollars per ounce! Putting on a red velvet bedrobe, he pulled open the door and walked out to the kitchen. John was cooking up a sea bass omelet with fresh Muenster cheese, Melissa was carefully brewing up the coffee, and Loni was taking fresh cinnamon buns out of the oven. Spotting him, Melissa kissed Mike softly. "A hero's breakfast," she said with a grin, waving her arm theatrically, revealing the ensemble. John was up next with an emphatic pat on the back, saying "Hey, way to go, sir!" Then Loni gave her father as close to a bear hug as she could. "Dad, you're the best!" Still half-asleep, Mike mumbled his thanks as best he could. Eyes squinting, he took his favorite mug and poured himself a mocha. Taking a sip of the incredibly rich, flavorful coffee, he sat down with his family plus John and indulged. 2000 hours 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Loni and John were curled up on the leather couch in the den, watching a movie. Two empty bowls of pasta, with fresh Filetto di Pomidoro tomato sauce cooked by John earlier, sat on the table in front of them. Loni's favorite old afghan blanket covered them both. It had been a long day. Her father had been requested to do countless interviews, attend review boards, and accept congratulations. He and Melissa were at yet another UEO cocktail party- this time with food. Loni and John had been appointed event planners and had booked Mike and Melissa for a long time to come. They were snuggled close to each other, concentrating more on each other then on My Best Friend's Wedding. "It's been pretty strenuous, hasn't it?" John asked. Loni nodded. "I was up at 2 A.M. when Mom heard the news. We were trying to stay up until he got home, but I guess it was real late." John kissed her forehead. "Let's just try and relax, OK?" Loni sighed. "Yeah I remember relaxation." Loni pulled John's hand around her and laid down using John as a pillow. She was getting real tired, very fast. John was stroking her hair. "Life doesn't get much better than this," John said. "Yeah," Loni replied. Very soon they were both asleep. Mike and Melissa came back a few hours later, to find the young couple still on the couch. Melissa sighed. "Remember when we were like this?" Mike nodded. "Best years of my life. 2022 to right now." Melissa took his hand. "I guess this is our legacy now. Our own Next Step." THE END ==========================================================================