Hey everyone this is Dave the Miracle Maker. It is another hot day up here in the high desert of Southern California. I had to have some work done on the Harley and it is costing me a bit of money, but the universe will provide. I can’t wait to get in the wind. I have a book to recommend. It’s called The Lost Super Foods. In this day and age with all the things that they put in our food that is not healthy for us, it makes you want to get back it the basics. I recently read that the government has approved lab-grown meat to be sold to the public. I want no part of that. The Lost Supper Foods describes long-lasting foods that can be stored without refrigeration. The book list 126 forgotten survival foods and storage hacks that you can use in case of an emergency or natural disaster. “The Lost Super Foods” is a vital book to place in your survival stockpile. In today’s uncertain times, it might not be a bad idea to be prepared. Click the link below to check it out. I hope you all are having a wonderful summer. Peace Out.

The Lost Super Foods.

Now for your reading pleasue check out chapter 21 of my science fiction novel, the Battle for Europa. The Battle for Europa is the first book in my science fiction series, the Space Corps Chronicals.

Chapter 21

Captain Chambers and Nicole Allison sat across from each other. They were enjoying a late supper in the captain’s quarters catered by two Navy stewards. Nicole wore a black evening gown and the captain wore his dress blues. While he poured Nicole a glass of red wine he smiled. The massive viewscreen on the port side bulkhead caught his eye. He stared out at Saturn in all her glory, his eyes widened and Nicole grinned. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?”

“That she is my dear.” Chambers looked out the viewport at Saturn’s colorful rings and breathed in the sweet smell of Nicole’s perfume, noticing flakes of hazel in her dark brown eyes.

Nicole watched a group of small vessels flanking the fleet. “Those ships. How long will they follow us?”

“That’s a new batch. The ships from Europa turned back a month and a half ago and a small fleet from Saturn took their place. This batch will follow us halfway to Uranus. After that, they’ll let us be.” Nicole took a drink from her wine goblet while the steward set down two plates of roast duck. “Thank you,” he said to the steward.

“They don’t think that we plan to attack them, do they?”

Chambers shook his head. “I don’t think so. They’re being cautious. They’ll have their hands full dealing with the main battle fleet. How do you like your new job?”

A big grin crossed Nicole’s face. “I love it. Thank you for talking with Jennifer. I love working in the PX and thank you for setting me up with my new quarters. I love my new cabin.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like your new place. The PX can’t pay as much as you made in the Comfort station.”

Nicole shrugged her bare shoulders. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve invested a lot of money. Plus, I’m good with numbers. Jennifer is going to let me do the books. It will mean more money.”

A smile crossed the captain’s face. “I can’t have my girlfriend servicing half the men in the fleet down at the comfort station.”

Nicole reached across the table and took his hand. “Doesn’t it bother you? What I used to do.”

Chambers shook his head once more. “No. You know I’m no angel. Word gets around. I’ve had lots of women. Sometimes two and three at a time, but I’ve never met anyone like you. When I first laid eyes on you, my heart stopped.” He took a small black box out of his coat pocket and set it on the table. A ball of nerves formed in his stomach and his hands shook, so he set them on his knees under the table. Nicole picked up the box. She opened it, stared down at the diamond engagement ring for two seconds, and dropped the box on the table. She put her hands to her face to stifle a squeal. “Let me do this right.” His heart hammered inside his chest. He climbed out of his chair and dropped to one knee. “Ms. Nicole Allison, will you marry me?”

Nicole launched out of her chair. She wrapped her arms around the captain’s neck and smothered him with kisses. “Yes! Yes of course I will, but do you think the Navy will allow it?” She turned the captain loose, and they returned to their seats.

“Under normal situations, no. But this is not a normal mission. I’ve spoken with the admiral. He gave us his blessing.”

Nicole took a bite of her roast duck. “When? When do you want to have the ceremony?”

He took a drink from his wine goblet. “As soon as possible.”

Nicole looked up and smiled. “But not too soon. I have so much planning to do.”

“We can set the date later after you’ve had time to think about it.” They finished their dinner. Chambers thought that Nicole’s continence looked radiant. I can’t seem to keep this silly grin off my face either. He pushed his plate away from the table. “I’m stuffed. The roast duck was delicious.”

Nicole stood to her feet, grabbed the captain by his arm, and gave him a mischievous grin. “The dinner was great, but I hope you saved room for dessert.” She led him toward the bed.

***

Chambers stepped onto the bridge of the Port Royal at zero seven hundred hours the next morning and sat down in the captain’s chair next to First Officer Bannister. His console beeped. He logged onto the system and Bannister swiveled in his chair facing the captain. “Good morning, Captain. How’s your morning going? I trust you slept well?”

Chambers grinned. “I slept like a baby, and it is a wonderful morning.”

Banister’s eyes widened. “What’s got you looking like the cat that ate the fat canary?”

Chambers ignored the question. He looked at the forward viewscreen and saw the ships of the fleet forming up for their approach to Saturn. The New Republic vessels took up positions flanking the federal fleet. “I take it that we’ve received permission from Saturn spacedock to enter Saturn’s orbit?”

Banister nodded. “Yes indeed. We received orders from the admiral. We’ll make one orbit around the planet and use her gravity to send us on our way out of here. Stop avoiding my question. What’s got you in such a good mood?”

Chambers grinned. “I asked Nicole to marry me last night.”

Bannister slumped down in his chair. He gripped the chair’s arms with his hands and his bottom jaw dropped. “Good Lord. I almost fell out of my chair. It shocked the shit out of me when you quit playing the field and settled for one woman. But I never thought I would see the day that you would want to get married. What did she say?”

Chambers blushed. “She said yes, of course.”

Banister reached over and laid his hand on the captain’s shoulder. “What did the admiral have to say? It’s kind of frowned upon for its officers to marry. Seeing how much we’re away from Earth.”

“He gave us his blessing. The REGs are up for review. Because of the duration of this mission, the admiral signed a waiver. He said that there’s a move underway to abolish the ban completely.”

Banister smiled. “When will this glorious event take place?”

Chambers’ shrugged. “We haven’t set the date yet. I’ve left that up to Nicole.”

Bannister slapped Captain Chambers on the back. “I hope you will do me the honor of letting me, be your best man.”

Chambers smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Good. I’ll buy the drinks at the officers’ pub when our shift is over. We have some celebrating to do.”

“Captain, we’re cleared for our approach to Saturn,” the communications officer said.

The captain glanced at his helmsman. “Mr. Walker, let’s take a cruise around the neighborhood and set a course for Uranus. What the hell. Let’s go see Neptune as well.” The deep-space fleet entered Saturn’s orbit. It increased speed taking one revolution around the planet. Breaking orbit they head for the outer reaches of the solar system.

Chambers and Bannister entered the officers’ pub at sixteen hundred hours ship time. They crossed the crowded barroom and took a seat at their usual table. The sound of a dozen conversations and the smell of alcohol wafted across the room. Bannister motioned to the nearest waitress, and she sashayed over to take their order. They breathed in the strong fragrance of her cheap perfume.

“What can I get for gentlemen?” the waitress asked shooting them each a smile.

Banister grinned. “The captain and I are in the mood to do some celebrating. We’ll have our usual. A Jack and Coke for the captain and a Scotch on the rocks for me.” The waitress swished away shaking her ample behind. “What possessed you to pop the question?”

Chambers paused for a moment. “I don’t know. Nicole is different. I’ve never met anyone like her before.”

“This calls for a toast. To a wonderful life.” They raised their glasses in a toast. “But don’t you think you’ll miss not being with any other woman? You’re used to having more than your share.”

“No. I had my share of women, but none that I cared for until now. Nicole’s special.”

“She has to be, to land an old boy like you. I wish you a long happy married life,” Banister said when the waitress came back with their drinks.

Chambers smiled at the waitress. “Serve a, round to everyone in the pub including all the bartenders and waitresses. I’m buying.”

“Thank you, Captain.” The waitress went back to the bar and a cheer went up when the pub’s patrons received the news of their free drinks.

Captain Chambers drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “I’m glad we’re heading out beyond New Republic space. The last three months have been boring. The admiral will schedule a few more training events.”

“I’m getting tired of slowing down for these training scenarios. I’m looking forward to leaving this solar system behind. Out there in the galaxy, that’s where the real excitement lies.”

“Yeah, but the training is important. We don’t know what to expect once we get out there. The training makes us more prepared.”

Bannister nodded, glancing at the viewscreen behind the bar. A Solar One News bulletin flashed across the screen. The image of a female newscaster in an EVA suit appeared. She stood in front of the federal military installation on Europa. Chambers looked up and motioned to the bartender. “Would you turn that up please?” The bartender nodded and turned up the volume.

“Citizens of the CEU. I’m here at the new federal base on Europa. The federal forces suffered a minor setback this morning. They tried to make a frontal assault on mining site, A, the seat of government of this so-called New Republic. A company of federal forces approaching the mining colony walked into an ambush. They suffered minor casualties. The Council of Economic Unions called an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. The federal forces, for now, have pulled back to their base camp. This crisis, which has drug on for at least six months, appears nowhere near a resolution. With the fleet running low on helium three and hydrogen, they’d better get something done soon. I am Christy Bower with Solar One News.”

“I can’t believe they finally got off their ass and did something,” Bannister said.

Chambers nodded. “You know that if the news is calling it a minor setback, it had to be a lot worse than that. Solar One caters to the party line.”

“I’d say they lost at least a company of marines. A minor scrimmage wouldn’t have even made the news.”

“It’s unbelievable that this is even happening at all, but these miners out in the colonies are a tough lot. Things will get a lot worse before they get better. Who knows what the political realities will be when we come back from our mission?”

“If we come back. But you’re right. Either way, it goes, the ice on Europa is going to turn red with blood.”

Chambers nodded in agreement. He motioned to the waitress and bought the next round. They drank for the next six hours, and then stumbled off to their separate cabins.

***

Chambers gazed out at a sea of faces gathered in the main assembly hall at the Fleet Marine’s HQ. A sense of pride shot through him. Eager young officer cadets jumped to their feet. The political realities in the solar system were changing rapidly. Their mission remained the same. Who knows what these young officers will find out there in the galaxy? And who knows how things will be when we get home?

They had been in space for over a year. The fleet was making its approach to Uranus. They would stop here to unload a science team that would establish a science station. It would be a prelude to colonization. The past three months since leaving Saturn had been busy. Nicole was preparing for their wedding and Chambers couldn’t believe that he could be this happy. The situation on Europa was at a stalemate. When they left Saturn, the New Republic vessels turned back.

Two weeks after leaving Saturn, the admiral transmitted orders. He announced a new training event and transmitted a computer program to each ship where. A computer simulation would run where the ships would deal with an enemy attack. There would be a simulated hull breach and a meltdown in the ship’s cold fusion reactor. Chambers sat in the captain’s chair next to Bannister the day they ran the simulation. He flipped on the com-unit on his console and spoke into the ship’s PA system. “Training event six five seven will begin in five seconds. On my mark, five, four, three, two, one. All hands report to battle stations.” The image of several evil-looking spaceships filled the screen. “Bring the shields up and fire laser cannons,” the captain said to his weapons specialist. Arcs of laser fire filled the screen, and green beams of light arched from the enemy ships to the Port Royal.

“They’re firing torpedoes!” the weapons specialist yelled. The captain gripped the arms of his chair. Sweat beaded up, on his forehead. The bridge shook and a massive simulated torpedo barrage hit the ship. “Captain! Our shields are down and we have hull breaches on levels, five, six, and seven!”

“Return fire!” Chambers said and turned to the helmsmen. “Take evasive action! Make a forty-five-degree turn to the port side at a thirty-degree down angle!” Chambers turned to his engineering specialist. “Mr. Reynolds. Evacuate decks five, six, and seven. Seal off all sections venting atmosphere.” He let out a slow breath trying to calm his nerves. This is only a drill. The com-link on Chambers’ console beeped. He flipped a toggle and took the call. “Report.”

“Captain. The fusion reactor shut down. We’re dead in space. I have all essential systems running on, backup power,” the chief engineer said.

“Shut down everything nonessential. Keep me appraised.” The captain’s console beeped once more. “Report.”

“Captain. This is sickbay. We are, flooded with simulated casualties,” the chief medical officer said.

“Yeah. I suspected that the admiral might have contacted some of our shipmates on the sly. He must have given them orders to roll play as casualties. Treat them as if they were the real deal.”

“Aye Captain. This is good training for my medical personnel. Sickbay out.”

The exercise lasted for eight hours. The engineering found a computer glitch that shut down the reactor. All systems returned to normal. Chambers left the bridge. He headed to his conference room and logged onto the VID-net and sat waiting for the admiral to grade their performance during the drill. A text message scrolled across his screen ten minutes later. The captain read the message and sent a text message back to the admiral thanking him for his praise. He logged off the computer and stepped onto the bridge. Chambers sat down in the captain’s chair and activated the ship’s PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen serving on the Port Royal. I would like to congratulate you on your performance during the recent drill. The admiral gave us a ninety-eight point five performance rating. You people make me proud. Keep up the good work.”

Bannister swiveled in his chair to face the captain and a big grin crossed his face. “Now that sounds like a good reason to celebrate. It’s almost time for us to turn this dog and pony show over to the second watch. I’ll buy the first round at the pub.”

“Good. I could use a stiff drink, but I only have time for a couple. Nicole and I have a late dinner planned. She has some things she wants to go over about our upcoming wedding.”

***

Chambers’ mind danced back to the present. He stepped up to the podium watching the cadets jump to attention. He couldn’t help but admire the snap, in their step and the flash in their eyes. These men look proud. “As you were.” The cadets sat down, the captain looked out at the assembled marines, sailors, and airmen. “Ladies and gentlemen. We have been in space for a year now. It has been a rough class. You’ve put in a lot of hard work, but today you are cadets no longer. Today you become officers in the Federal Defense Force. You are the cream of the crop. The best of the best. I have spoken with the admiral and he has decided to expand these training classes across the fleet for the duration of our mission. The next class should be much larger. We face a daunting mission. In the words of one of the old regime’s former science fiction shows, we plan to boldly go where no man has gone before. You are the pride of the federal system. Who knows what we’ll find out there in the galaxy? I hope for new friends. But we could find new foes.”

The captain paused to clear his throat and continued. “Some of us might not make it back, but I know; that you will do whatever it takes to complete our mission. If we die out here, it will be in the presence of brothers. What more could a military man ask for? But we will complete our mission. We will return to Earth as heroes: the pioneers who opened up the galaxy to the people of Earth. It is an honor to be your captain.”

Chambers stepped back away from the podium. Commander Dawson, the Fleet Marine commander, stepped up to the microphone. “Step forward when I call your name to receive your diploma and your second lieutenant bars.” When the new officers filed by to receive their diplomas, Chambers stood next to Dawson. He gave them each a salute and shook hands with the new officers.

Louis Martin stepped up to Chambers. He fired off a snappy salute and Captain Chambers smiled. “How’s the leg, Mr. Martin?”

Louis grinned. “It’s healed wonderfully, Captain. Thank you for asking.”

Chambers laid a friendly hand on his shoulder. “I trust that if the gravity generator should go out again, you won’t repeat that same mistake.”

Louis smiled. “No sir, I won’t make that mistake again, but I can’t promise that I won’t get involved in some other sort of bloody foolishness. It’s my nature, sir.”

Chambers laughed. “Yeah, I expect that it is. You remind me of myself in that way. Good luck, Lieutenant Martin.”

“Same to you, sir,” Louis said and shook hands with the captain. The marine cadets received their commissions. A naval commander stepped up to the podium. He handed out the graduation certificates and rank insignias to the cadets from the Navy. A commander from the Air Force stepped up to the podium. He handed out certificates and rank insignias to the airmen cadets. After the graduation ceremony, they held a banquette honoring the new officers.

***

Three days later, the fleet entered orbit around Uranus. Several ships launched shuttle flights to the surface of Uranus and her moons. Cargo vessels descended to the ground of the various moons. The science officers were the first to set their feet on the planet’s moons. They were there to supervise the construction of their habitats and science labs. Chambers and Bannister headed down the main corridor.

“Would you care to take a jaunt down to the surface of Titania?” Chambers asked. “I’d like to check and see how our construction crews are doing.”

Bannister shrugged. “Why not? It’s been a while since I set my dogs on solid ground. It’s also been a hell of a long time since I did any serious EVA work. I don’t know if I still remember how to use the suit?”

Chambers slapped his first officer on the back. “It’s like riding a hoverbike back home. Once you learn, you don’t forget.”

They went down to the turbo lift and rode the lift to the shuttle bay. Fifteen minutes later, with Chambers at the helm, they shot down the launch tube and out to space. They descended toward the surface of Titania and flew in low over the surface. The cratered landscape consisted of a mixture of water ice, and rock. Some of the craters contained pools of liquid methane gas at their bottoms. They passed over several small valleys. Chambers set the shuttle down one hundred yards from the construction site. Work lights lit up the surface of Titania. Construction crews assembled prefabricated science labs and living modules. Chambers and Bannister put on their EVA suits, checked their seals along with their air supply, and headed to the airlock. Chambers passed through the airlock. He stepped out of the exit hatch and lumbered down the exit ramp. Banister followed. They crossed a rocky surface covered with a thick layer of ice. Chambers gazed about watching the progress. Bannister looked out across the moon’s surface taking in the surrounding countryside. Feeling a slight chill, Chambers adjusted the temperature setting on his EVA suit.

“This sure is a God-forsaken hunk of ice,” Bannister said. His voice reverberated through the speaker in the captain’s EVA suit.

Chambers nodded. “Yeah, it’s barren, but there is beauty in its ruggedness.”

The NCO in command of the construction detail sauntered their way. “Do you hooligans plan on lending a hand, or are you going to stand there looking?” the sergeant said in a strong Irish brogue.

Chambers laughed. “We’ll lend a hand. Tell us what you want us to do?”

The top sergeant fired off a snappy salute. “I’m sorry sir. I didn’t recognize you in your EVA gear. Please accept my apologies. That goes for you too, Mr. Bannister.”

“Think nothing of it.”

The captain laid a hand on the sergeant’s back. “I thought we’d check up and see how things are coming. It’s been a long time since Craig and I did any EVA work.”

“Things are coming along. We’ve got the living modules set up. The oxygen pumps and gravity generators are online. We’re setting up their science labs now.”

“How soon until you’re through?” Chambers asked.

“We should wrap things up and be back on board the ship in eight hours.”

“Good. Keep up the good work.”

“Seen enough?” Bannister asked, looking across the barren landscape.

“Yeah. Let’s head back to the ship.”

Twelve hours later, Chambers and Bannister stepped into the officers’ pub. They took their usual table and Chambers bought the first round of drinks. On the viewscreen behind the bar, the image of a Solar One Newscaster appeared on the screen. The words: Breaking News appeared over the woman’s head.

“We’ve received unconfirmed reports of a major setback for federal forces on Europa. But the Council of Economic Unions has imposed a total news blackout. When we know more, you’ll hear it first here on Solar One News.”

“Now that sounded scary,” Bannister said.

Chambers sighed. “Yeah. It makes you wonder what kind of world we’ll come back to when the mission is over.” The tiny com-link on the lapel of Chambers’ uniform beeped. “Chambers here.”

“Captain, the construction crews have left the moons of Uranus. We received word from the admiral. We’re breaking orbit, now sir,” the third watch communications officer said.

Chambers grinned. “Now that is good news. I’ll be in my quarters if you need me.” Chambers stood to his feet to call it a night. The deep-space fleet broke orbit with Uranus and headed toward the outer edges of the solar system.

***