"Ma'am I can't, I am the designated driver."
"Nonsense, you will need it. My driver will drive you and your friend's home." That drew the attention of many in the area including the bartender. Kathy slid a ring box over to Jim. It read, 'Keys to the new car. Jim opened the box to see a key blank that went to a car, on the side was a sticker that read The Firebrand.
"Is this a joke? If it is, it's not very funny."
Kathy dug into her breast pocket and said, "Hot off the press." She slid the envelope over to Jim. Jim had to read the piece of paper three times. "You want me to be the captain of The Firebrand?" The bartender yelled, "Next round is on the house. Jim is the new captain of The Firebrand.
"What will happen to Captain Lesly, is she retiring?"
"Ha, you will have to carry her out in a box. She most likely will be a two-star Admiral, and when my appointment is over, I will be a one-star again. That is how it should be."
"You see there are only four, four-star Admirals on active duty at any time; the job is a temporary position, most retire before retirement age to let new blood in the ranks. The only reason I got the job, was because Lee groomed me to think like her. Report for duty at The Firebrand at 08:00."
Jim got pats on the back all night long. All around the base commanders yelled, "The Admiral wants you to report to duty at 07:00 at 'The Firebrand," in your dress whites. What the Admiral wants, the Admiral gets. The chow line will be open an hour early. You better look sharp."
When Captain Jim reported for duty at the dry dock at 08:00 there was a mass of humanity there. "Reporting for duty as ordered Ma'am," said Jim.
"Jim, I want to introduce Captain Marcia of The Champion and Captain Steve of The Guardian and their XO's Joan and Harry. They will be joining you to make an awesome strike force. The Phoenix will be joining you later. We will surround the enemy, instantly."
"This is your crew, except for Hope and Lee. I think the funeral for Lyle is tomorrow. I thought we could do an inspection together. We merged both crews."
Kathy and Jim walked row by row and column by column to inspect all 6,000 sailors. Jim stopped to say hello to all he knew, the others were just name and position.
Kathy stopped and looked at a woman with long hair. "When you get your hair cut, make sure you donate it to 'Locks of love'; nine inches is the minimum I believe. Always think of ways to help our community. Tell your friends. Ask how you can store it, if you are out at sea."
"Yes Ma'am, thank you, Ma'am."
The funeral was like nothing Hope had ever seen. Marine 1 and 2 flew low overhead of the funeral procession. Maria, Hope and Hope's friend were in Marine 1 and Lyle, and the color guard in Marine 2, so he did not disturb Maria. The first five cars had friends and family. The following five miles of vehicles were military, to pay respects to their comrade in arms. The funeral went off with militaristic precession. As the funeral ended, Hope pointed out to Maria her friend that was in a meadow about fifty yards away. She played Taps and was pitch perfect, the best Hope ever heard. Her friend walked fifty yards the other direction, turned around and played Revelry.
Afterward, Hope's friend said to Hope, "Thanks for the invite. It was an honor for me to play today for Maria. How is Maria holding up? I never flew in a fighter before. He took me to Mach 1.1 then slowed down and let me fly it for a bit."
"Alright for now. Lee gave me a few more days of Liberty to make sure she does not do something crazy."
Hope said to little Hope, "Hope, do you see a flag near your house?"
Little Hope shook her head
"I think we should fix that don't you?"
Little Hope nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Let's buckle you in your car seat, and we will go get one. I need to talk to you."
"Hope did you see all those people in uniform yesterday?"
Little Hope nodded.
"They were there because they wanted to show respect for what your Daddy did. You see your Daddy went to heaven a little while ago. He was courageous. He saved many people that day. This country owes your Daddy a debt. You see he did it to protect your Mommy and you by fighting for America. One day, your Mommy will tell you stories and show you pictures about him. Now once the flag is up, and you are sad, or just want to think about your Daddy, I want you to look at the flag."
Hope pulled into a hardware store to get a flag; it had embryoid stars and military braid. Hope pulled into a mall and upon entering the store she asked where purses were.
"Excuse me, we have a little girl here who needs a small purse to keep a picture of her Daddy safe and sound. Hope doesn't want it to get crumpled up in a pocket."
The saleslady said, "Indeed not, a treasure like a picture of a Daddy can't be stuck in a pocket, follow me."
Hope said, "Do you have something with two pockets, like a coin purse, that snaps shut. She can then have the picture safe on one side and something else on the other. Naturally, Little Hope selected a pink one, not much bigger than an adult's hand. "Hope this is a picture of your Daddy, it is yours now. Put it in your purse, so you don't damage it." Little Hope just stood and gazed at the picture of her Dad for several minutes and then put it in her purse.
The Naval Lieutenant from next door put the flag bracket on a front porch column, then he hoisted Little Hope on his shoulders, and they slid the pole in together. "This is for you Lyle. We will protect your family." Hope went to attention and gave the flag a salute followed by the next-door neighbor. Maria picked up Little Hope and taught her how to salute a flag; they both did it together.
"Thank you, Hope. I didn't know how to tell her."Hope said, "It was the flag that inspired me. I just had to tie her Dad to our flag, and it transformed the symbolism of our flag in her mind. "I bought her a coin purse and gave her a picture of Lyle because she will need it far more than I will. I can always get it scanned. Maria, she will be a Naval officer one day, hopefully during peacetime. Please don't discourage her because of Lyle, encourage her because of Lyle and all the others that never made it back."
Hope said, "We need to celebrate getting our new flag. Who's up for some ice-cold lemonade?"
Everyone raised their hands, including all the families that had gathered to watch the flag raising. Three parents went out to get supplies for the impromptu party. One for party supplies, another for gallons of apple and orange juice and lemonade with ice; and lastly, one to get two sheet cakes with flags on them. Soon all the children demanded their parents buy flags just like Hope had. The flags transformed the base. However, their flags were only flags, Little Hope's flag was special.
When Hope reported to Mayport, she decided to make a little show of it to her dear friend. She walked into Jim's office and declared: "Medical CPO Hope reporting for duty, Captain." Hope was at attention and saluting her superior.
Captain Jim returned Hope's salute. "At ease, sailor." Captain Jim was still coming to grips with being the captain of The Firebrand. Hope was the first who reported to duty to him.
"How is Maria doing Hope?" Hope reported, "Much better after our flag raising. I told Hope her Daddy went to heaven fighting for that flag. I think the concept is a little out of reach now, but one day she will understand. She will make a fine Naval officer, but we need to get this war over before then."
Lee was sick about what was happening in Northern Belarus. She decided to make four beachheads in Estonia and Poland and land men and supplies across Europe. They would meet 200 miles behind ally lines and march onward to bolster the line.
The enemy had traveled so fast; it went past its supply lines. They were cut off, and the men had been there six months, and food supplies were dwindling. Australia had been a damaging defeat.
In September, when the weather was getting colder, and the ground was harder, this allowed the tanks to travel on the roads. Lee made her move. The white knight to capture the black queen, check.
Lee made a four-prong attack, two middle columns, the right column which made the feint attack and the left who would push the enemy into the right side. The two interior columns moved forward and to the flanks, but still curved to squeeze the enemy. In mid-November with the snows coming, the enemy forces were depleted, and gave up en masse. Millions had died during the conflict; the only difference was that whole countries were rubble. Now, Lee had to focus on other parts of the world where the enemy was gaining strength because the enemy would learn from Australia and Belarus. The Army and Marines will play a big part in the war. Boots on the ground is the only way of controlling an area. The game will take a long time to finish. However, it will be a draw as there is no winning in war.
