The man wandered back to his group with a subdued expression. Wills stepped closer to another large group, “Gather your families, and walk to that ship. My people are ready for you now and all through this coming night. Do not bring your farm animals or any big tools; new tools and animals will be provided later.”
The crowd continued to mill around and talk; some headed for town and some sat on the edge of the field.
“Sir, Ames, Twisst, and I have been pushing that message since we got here, and all we have accomplished is loading two ships and, maybe, a third. You will notice there is no stampede for the Weasel.”
The three of them sat on the grav plate lip of the floater and CeCe took one of the puppies; Hayes introduced its mother who was now looking a bit worried about the new alien holding one of her babies.
“This is BA for Bad Attitude; she really didn’t like me at first.”
Eva was still at Hayes’ knee and pointed at CeCe, “Female monster”
And Hayes had to explain that again.
“Kellogg to Santana.”
“Hayes here.”
“Lieutenant, over the last couple of hours we have seen something of a surge in arrivals at the Gregory Falls. If it keeps going this way, they will have a full load in around three hours.”
Hayes and Wills exchanged surprised looks, “Very good, Kellogg; put as many of your crew members as possible to work flying the Gregory Falls floaters. When the ship is full they are clear to leave. After that, put your people to work transporting people from the towns to the Weasel. Have them land in as close to the loading ramps as they can.”
“Will do, Lieutenant.”
“Has our message gotten through?” asked Wills.
An image of Weathers’ reconstituted collection of everything bad about a military uniform burned its way across his mind, “In a way; I think Captain Weathers is making campaign stops. I sort of gave him a bit of inspiration and told him he could leave as soon as he was loaded. I guess it’s working.”
#
Four hours later, the three of them had been joined by Stoker and Treelam in the game field’s seating area. The sun had set, the Santana’s lights lit the field, and a large delivery of cinnamon rolls had been made; they proved to be a big hit with the locals including BA and her puppies. Wills had to put in an order for a second delivery.
“Who’s this?”
Hayes looked where CeCe was pointing to see a floater making an approach to the path into town, “Given where he’s landing and the Gregory Falls logo on the nose, I would guess that Captain Weathers has arrived.”
The floater settled, the hatch opened, the stairs lowered, and Captain Weathers stepped out.
Wills was unable to avert his gaze, but he managed to grab Hayes’ arm. “Hayes, before I go blind, could you tell me what’s about to cause it?”
“Sir, I believe your suggestion that his glorious triumph in the rescue operation on the planet Forest leading to a sector command has had unintended consequences.”
Wills got slowly to his feet as the glittering Captain Weathers marched toward him with his left hand on the hilt of his sword. He stopped two meters from Admiral Reynolds, came to rigid attention, and presented a textbook salute. Wills returned it with an incredulous look on his face.
“Sir, I beg to report that my ship is loaded, and I request permission to leave orbit and return to Archer.” He swept his left hand in the direction of the floater he had arrived in, “My floater is piloted by a crewman from the Rance so that it may remain here. I have been informed that all of my floaters will be carried back to Archer on the Weasel.”
“Ahh . . . permission to depart is granted, and, yes, all floaters will be returned on the Weasel. I love that sword.”
Weathers acquired a huge grin, “The blade is made of the finest compacted steelite with full heat and cryo treatments. If the blade was sharpened, you could cut down a large tree with it. The gemstones are synthetic but the best available.”
Weathers opened the buckle of the scabbard’s belt, and held the sheathed sword horizontally in both of his hands with the blade edge toward himself in the traditional Samurai style, “Admiral, I would like to present you with my sword as a memento of this day and this mission.”
Wills was more than surprised, but managed to accept the flashy antique weapon, “I . . . ahh . . . well, thank you, Captain Weathers; I . . . I’m overwhelmed. I should give you something in exchange, but I . . . wait.”
Wills handed the sword to Hayes--who almost dropped it--and reached up to his collar where he removed one of his two stars, “Captain, when you get your sector command, I would be honored if this star was the first one on your uniform.”
Weathers’ eyes widened in obvious pleasure and he folded the star into his hand, “Thank you, Admiral; this will be the first symbol of my new position. Now, with your permission, I will return to my ship and get my group of refugees to Archer.”
Once again, Weathers braced to rigid attention and saluted. Wills returned the salute.
As the floater rose toward the Gregory Falls’ orbit, Wills took the sword back and partially withdrew it from the scabbard so he could see the gleaming blade. He looked at Hayes with a childishly happy expression, “I’ve never had a sword before.”
#
Hayes, Wills, CeCe, Stoker, Treelam, Ames, and Twisst stood
