Second Chances

By Leighton W Vary, Jr

The story, “Second Chances,” is about a group of good people many of whom have lived and worked to a point in their lives that the end seems to be near, in one way or another. One old Fleet Admiral who had buried his second wife, and who suddenly desired one last voyage on the one active duty Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser in the United System Space Navy. Two people, who had been close friends since the sixth grade, who were battle proven ships’ captains, court-martialed and broken down in rank. A soldier who had been lost in suspended animation for almost five hundred years, leaving behind his fiancee, walking in his future in extreme pain and loneliness. An US Air Force Sergeant who tried to accompany her love into the future. An entire crew of four-hundred-nineteen people who were thought of as a bunch of troublemakers, convicts, and reprobates that the System Navy seemed to want run out of the service. One beautiful courageous young woman who believed she was the only survivor from her world. These Space adventures takes us through the possibilities of these people’s “Second Chances.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leighton W Vary, Jr
• Release date: Nov 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463149768

Book preview

Second Chances

A Story of the United System Space Navy

And a Five Hundred-Year-Old Soldier

By

Leighton W Vary Jr

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2018 by Leighton W Vary Jr

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other Books by this Author

Root for the Underdog

To Protect and Serve in Mountain View County

Carry On Constitution To Save the Galaxy

Cover Design by Joleene Naylor

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One - Fleet Admiral Timothy Holoran

Chapter Two - John and Beverly

Chapter Three - T’Vas

Chapter Four - Sergeant Stella Black

Chapter Five - Sergeant Major David Stevens

Chapter Six - Area 51

Chapter Seven - The Five Hundred-Year-Old Soldier

Chapter Eight - The USS Enterprise

Chapter Nine - The USS Constitution

Chapter Ten - Sherry

Chapter Eleven - Alteris

Chapter Twelve - The Devastated World

Chapter Thirteen - The Investigation

Chapter Fourteen - The Board of Inquiry

Chapter Fifteen - Back on the Mission

Chapter Sixteen - A Quiet Mission

Chapter Seventeen - Good Friends Forever

Postscript

Introduction

A note from the author

I had never considered becoming an author, being a more hands on kind of guy. Then, I had surgery on my neck. Doctors have this thing, they don’t want their work messed up; so, I had to wear a neck brace. It was a heavy, rigid, plastic, monstrosity that held my neck absolutely motionless, they call them Philadelphia collars. That collar kept me from the kind of things I have liked doing all my life, including sleeping. At two in the morning, I would sit and throw the collar across the room, crying out in rage.

My frustration really boiled over one night, and so, later my wife suggested that I write a story. That would be some distraction. This is the first story I wrote. Initially, I wrote it in the Star Trek universe, not intending to publish it. But then events led me to think about publishing the tale. I have revamped the story, taking out any reference to anything Star Trek.

Since the stream of the story originally centered on Star Trek characters, I have had to make some changes in my original tale. However, you might notice some of the characters are quite reminiscent of your favorite Officers from the USS ENTERPRISE. NCC-1701.

The first few chapters are intended to introduce some of the main characters, their background and the reasons why they are in their particular situation, relationship, and role.

It is my hope that you enjoy my efforts.

Chapter one introduces Fleet Admiral Timothy Haloran, United System Space Navy.

Chapter two introduces John Self and Beverly Slater, the USS Constitution’s First and Second Officers.

Chapter three introduces Air Force Sergeant Stella Black.

Chapter four introduces Doctor T’Vas, the USS Constitution’s Chief Surgeon.

Chapter five introduces Sergeant Major David Stevens, eventually Captain of the USS Constitution.

This is a Buck Rogers kind of story, David Stevens survives five-hundred-years in suspended animation to awaken and experience adventures in The United System Space Navy, the USS Constitution, and deep space.

Chapter One

Fleet Admiral Timothy Holoran

United System Space Navy

A very old man sat in his apartment and wept because of the death of his wife and companion, Helena. Before him on the coffee table lay several photo albums, the pages stained with his tears. Pictures of his first wife, Judith, and he resplendent in their dress uniforms, two very happy Naval Ensigns, just graduated from Annapolis, married, and beginning their careers in the United System Space Navy. He and Judith smiled out from the holograph having been assigned aboard the USS Enterprise, the newest Constitution Class Heavy Cruiser in the System Navy.

On the table next to the sofa was a holograph of a handsome woman in a naval uniform wearing Captain’s stripes. Laying next to the picture and draped over it was the Medal of Honor.

Another album lay open to holographs of his two brothers, again stained with his tears. It seemed that everywhere he looked today, memories of loved ones haunted him. He grieved and felt guilty that he still lived.

A Naval Lieutenant entered the room and waited to be recognized. Lieutenant LW Gibson cleared his throat and then spoke, Admiral, its time!

Fleet Admiral Tim Holoran looked up, Thanks LW. I’m ready, I guess. With that statement Admiral Holoran stood, straightened his uniform and followed his aid to the waiting staff car to take him to the mortuary and cemetery to honor his second wife as they conducted the rites of Christian burial. The honor guard folded the flag that graced the coffin of Captain Helena Holoran, USSN and presented it to the Admiral. Just before the final words were spoken, the honor guard fired a twenty-one-gun salute, to honor a naval officer that had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Because of the courage of Tim’s wife, the entire crew of her ship, the USS Hope, was spared a terribly painful death.

The crew of the Hope attended both the funeral and the graveside. They had arranged for a skeleton crew to be lent to the Hope from the Academy so that every man and woman could attend the services. At the funeral, every member of the crew greeted the Admiral and expressed their concern and affection for him and their deceased Captain, and their personal grief.

After the graveside ceremony, the mourners began to leave the gravesite. Tim stood and walked to the stone bench that was nearby and there he sat, tears flowing down his rugged face. The crew of the Hope stood behind the bench at parade rest, determined not to leave the cemetery until Tim was ready to go. His aide stood beside him for a while and then he began to urge the Admiral to leave, but Tim still sat there quietly grieving. Then, Captain R. Karry Johnson, the chaplain that had conducted the funeral and graveside came and sat next to him. After a short while, the chaplain put his hand on Tim’s shoulder and said, Admiral, its time to go, I’ll walk with you. Tim stood and walked to the waiting staff car and then bid the chaplain good-bye.

In the car, Tim spoke to his aide, LW, I would like to spend a little time at the officer’s club. You and Al call it a day. I’ll call a taxi when I’m ready to go home.

LW turned and spoke, Admiral, are you sure you’re going to be OK?

Chief Petty Officer Al Broker, the driver, spoke up, Admiral, I can wait for you.

No, Al, LW, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but I am able to take care of myself, besides if I get soused, the club manager will see that I’m taken care of. There are VIP suites in the club in case I can’t walk. You two have got families to take care of, I’m just an old sailor.

Aye, aye, Sir. As you wish. Both Al and LW answered their boss.

Oh, LW, would you take her flag to my quarters, please.

Yes, sir.

And, tomorrow, please find a frame for it. I would like it framed along with her Medal of Honor.

Yes, sir.

Al pulled up to the officer’s club. The doorman opened the Admiral’s door, and he exited, Good night, Al, LW.

Good night, Admiral. With that Al drove away and Tim entered the club.

In the club, Tim found the crew of the Hope quietly waiting. They had arranged an excellent meal and a little entertainment to help ease the pain they all felt. As the night wore on, no member of the crew left until Tim finally called to Helena’s First Officer, George, I’m going home, my best to all of you. Good Night.

The entire crew as one man replied, Calm seas and fair winds, Admiral.

Tim was overcome and could only choke out, Calm seas. And with tears streaming down his face, he asked the club manager to call him a taxi.

In his quarters, Tim slowly showered and prepared for bed. But he could not sleep, just too many years with a woman on the other side of the bed. Then he remembered the times he was in port and Helena was on the Hope, light years away. He moved to the center of the bed, prayed a short prayer and finally fell asleep.

Just as the alarm went off, there was a knock at the bedroom door. It was oh-four hundred, and his aide stepped in, Admiral, you didn’t leave a note for the cook, and he needs to know what you want for breakfast.

LW, I have eaten the same thing for breakfast for my sixty years in the service and certainly the same thing for breakfast for the six years that Harry has been our cook. Two eggs, bacon, and toast, with biscuits and gravy, and lots of black coffee.

Admiral, Captain Holoran always told us never to assume anything. She always left a note for the cook.

At the mention of Helena’s name, a tear ran down Tim’s face. LW apologized, I’m sorry, Admiral, I wasn’t thinking.

Don’t be. I loved her very much. LW, do you love your wife?

Yes, sir.

Did you kiss her this morning?

No, Sir. She was asleep. I didn’t want to disturb her.

My boy, your wife is a precious gift. You need to kiss her and hug her as often as possible. Tomorrow morning when you are ready to come to work, you wake her and give her a big, sloppy kiss. She’ll go back to sleep. Happier for the kiss, I’ll bet.

Well, that’s not very considerate, Sir.

LW, you mark my words, she will not think of it as inconsiderate. Now, as your superior officer, I strongly suggest that you kiss your wife before you leave every morning and as often during the day as you can. I could make that an order and you’re good enough a sailor that you would obey. I won’t order you, now, only strongly suggest. OK?

Yes, sir.

Tim got up and began to shave, LW, I want my whites this morning.

OK, Admiral, whites it is.

Tim finished his shower and shaved and began to dress, LW, after this morning’s briefing, I want you, Al, and Harry to take the rest of the day off and spend it with your wives.

LW stopped and stared at his Admiral, But, sir.

No buts, this is an order. Understood?

Aye, aye, sir."

Good.

LW and Tim descended to the dining room where breakfast was waiting. LW gave the cook the Admiral’s order to spend the day with his wife, and then they ate quickly and got into the waiting staff car. Al drove the two officers to the Admiral’s office and prepared to wait until Tim told him and LW to start their day off.

But, Admiral . . .

No arguing. You have my orders, execute.

Al and LW replied, Aye, aye, sir. And they departed.

Tim entered the briefing room at precisely oh-five hundred and sat in his usual place. The Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Darien Merovitch, entered immediately after Tim and sat beside him. Several other senior officers were already in the briefing room, and they sat at the CNO’s direction.

Rear Admiral Joseph Self nodded, the lights dimmed, the projector came on, and he began his intelligence briefing. As Joe Self ended his briefing, Tim spoke up, Joe, how is your family?

My family, sir?

Yes, Joe, your family. Your wife Abby, your son, John, you know, your family.

Well, sir, they're fine.

Joe, I don’t want to take a lot of time now, could you give me about half an hour after the briefing?

Joe was surprised. He had never had such a high-ranking officer be so, so, engaging and considerate, Of course, sir. I’ll be in your office waiting.

No. This briefing usually takes several hours. I’ll call you when it’s over. OK?

Yes, sir.

The briefing dragged on and on until the last person to brief the group entered the room. Tim and all the rest of the officers sat up straight and watched with great interest as a robot began his introduction. I am R. Franklin. I was constructed by the Naval Laboratories in Norfolk, Virginia to assist individuals who have been found in cryogenic sleep in the project Deep Silence laboratories at the Groom Lake facility in Nevada. The robot waited for any reaction and then continued.

We have found an Army Sergeant Major who had been in suspended animation for four-hundred-ninety years, three months and two days, give or take an hour or two. This man is Sergeant Major David Stevens, and he has requested an appointment to the Naval Academy. The president has granted his petition, and he will join the next class this coming fall.

R. Franklin went on to explain the circumstances surrounding this David Stevens and his status as a student at the Academy. Tim became aware of some grumbling around the briefing room. The CNO turned to him, Tim, I don’t like the grumbling I’m hearing. How do you feel about this Stevens being allowed into the Academy?

If what Franklin said is true, and I believe what he says, then this Sergeant Major deserves a chance. I’m going to monitor him in the Academy. I’ll keep you posted.

After the briefing, Tim called Joe Self. In his office, Joe told Tim about John having been engaged in combat and the way he conducted himself and commanded his ship. But, now there seemed to be some trouble. He had incurred the wrath of Admiral Chavez, and it was possible that he would be court marshaled. John’s longtime friend Beverly Slater was in much the same place, having incurred the ire of one Admiral Long.

Joe, did you kiss your wife this morning before you came to work?

"Yes, sir. I kiss my wife every morning, and I kiss her every evening and some other times. Why?

I just buried my wife, Helena. It reminded me of just how important our relationships in this life are. I just wanted to know that you realize their importance, too.

Yes, sir. I know how important they are. Will there be anything else, sir?

No, thanks, Joe. Why don’t you take the day off and spend it with your wife?

That’s a good idea, but my inbox is overflowing, and my staff is waiting. But I’ll spend a day next week with her. Have a good day, Admiral.

As my very good friend would say, ‘Live, laugh, and love, Admiral.'

Calm seas and fair winds, Admiral.

Tim sat there for a moment and then called his secretary, Marge, would you please call me a taxi, and arrange for me to visit the Academy next month?

Are you leaving, Admiral?

Yes, I am.

Alright, I’ll call a taxi and make your arrangements. Have a nice evening.

With that, Tim rode to his quarters and rested.

Chapter Two

John and Beverly

Fleet Captain Joseph Self had been reassigned to become an instructor at the Naval Academy, so as a consequence he brought his family to live with him at Annapolis. Although they lived in the Naval quarters, Joe’s son, John, attended school with the children of the citizens of Annapolis. John was eleven years old and was placed in the sixth grade.

John was large for his age, muscular and robust, so he was not bothered by the school bullies like many other kids in school. Because his name was Self, John sat near the back of the classroom. On his left side was a boy named Peter Rogers and on his right was a girl named Beverly Slater. Peter was small for his age, bookish, shy, thin, and plagued with having to wear very thick glasses. As a consequence, Peter was often the object of the school bully’s meanness. Peter was also very often the butt of many practical jokes from his classmates as well.

One day during the lunch hour, the school bully, an eighth grader named Charles, but called Tiger by the simpering tagalongs that constantly orbited such people, began pushing Peter around yelling that he was a wimp and a waste of skin. John had had it, he grabbed the bully by the front of his shirt and slammed him up against the cafeteria wall, Look, Chuck, Peter’s my pal, and if you ever touch him again, I’ll shove my fist up your nose.

One of the male gym teachers came around the corner about that time, and he started to intervene, but when he saw the whole picture, he backed off. John had Charles by the shirt pressing his forearm against the bully’s throat, And if I find out you have tried to bully anyone else, you’ll get the same fist up your nose. Got it?

Charles could only croak out, Got it.

John let him go and told him, Get out of my sight. And be scarce when I’m around.

The gym teacher then came and took hold of John’s arm, Young man, you’re going to see the principal, Mr. Robertson. And with that, he led John off to the principal’s office. John stood quietly while the gym teacher told Mr. Robertson what had happened. Then the principal turned to John, Well, John, what have you to say for yourself?

No one else would stand up to Chuck, so I did.

I’m going to call your father. Then you’ll see what happens to little boys who get into fights.

I don’t care what you do. It’s too bad when a sixth grader has to do your job and protect those who can’t defend themselves. You go ahead and call my dad. I did what was right.

Mr. Robertson was taken aback, no one had ever talked back the way this boy had. He needed time to think about what he was going to tell Captain Self, Go back to class. We’ll deal with this later.

John walked into the classroom to utter silence. He went back to his seat and Peter smiled at him. The teacher spoke up, Well, Mr. Self, what have you got to say for yourself.

John stood and walked to the front of the classroom, stopped and turned his back on the teacher to face the class, I did what no one else in this room had the guts to do, he turned to the teacher, including the teachers. I did what was right, and I’d do it again.

With that, John went and sat in his seat again. The room was silent for a long time, and then Beverly Slater stood up and walked over to Peter’s desk, Peter, I’m sorry I never had the courage to take your side. If you’ll forgive me, I promise to always stand up for the right.

Peter looked at Beverly, tears welled up in his eyes, I forgive you, he said in a whisper.

When the bell rang, Peter, John, and Beverly walked out of the school three abreast, John on one side, Beverly on the other and Peter in the middle. Everyone in the school watched the three very closely. Then as they approached the bus, a little fifth grader by the name of Elisabeth Grader approached the trio, she said shyly, Hi, Peter. And she giggled.

On the bus, the three took over the back seat, John on one side, Peter in the middle and Beverly on the other side. Peter was the first to get off the bus, but John and