We popped back into real space, and I started making my calls. 'Orbital Control, Castle 02 with you on primary, single ship, requesting priority Trajectory and Insertion over.' I said. The response was nearly immediate. 'Castle 02, Orbital Control, Good morning, Sir, please squawk 5491 and ident, over.' They said and I brought up the correct code. 'Castle 02 radar contact, you are clear for priority T and I, take up heading 127 by 044 to the Amber marker and contact planetary control on D 16 apon reaching the Amber marker. Over.' They told me. I made the minute adjustments and answered them. '127/044 to the Amber PC on Delta 16, 02 Roger that and thank you Orbital.' I read back as Sam updated my Nav screen and
my new time on the ground now read 0827.40, 78 minutes from now.
I looked at the monitor that let us see each other and I could see she was still bouncing around looking out each side. It was one of the good things about flying a fighter, good visibility and plenty of time to think when you were out here. We spent some time talking about what we could do while she was here, I knew that Angala would be more than happy to take her, Karen and Flower out and about and I would be able to do things during the afternoon, evening and weekends. 'So, John what are you going to do with Karen and Flower when you have to deploy?' She asked and I had to think about that. 'Hell, I don't know, neither one can really take care of themselves. I'll have to set something up for them both, Hell I may have to call my mom up, she knows all about this crap. It's not like I could march into Legal and say, 'Excuse me, I need to set up a safety net for my slave and daughter who just might be the long-lost grandchild of Admiral Klingman.' It would open several cans of Glorian ground crawlers that I know several movers and shakers would rather not see the light of day, just yet. Though it may be nice to let her know she's a grandmother.' I said. Lori came unglued. 'WHAT! YOU HAVEN'T CALLED YOUR MOM YET?' She screamed at me. 'WHAT THE HELL IS THE MATTER WITH YOU JOHN.' She screamed at me and the auto dampers in my helmet kicked in to save my hearing. I flexed my jaw trying to relieve some of the pain. 'Easy there killer easy.' I said as I shook my head. 'Yes, I love my mom, but I haven't told her yet because I just know she'll be on the first thing smoking out here. And seeing how she owns her own personal Yacht; she could be there in under 4 days. I have enough headaches without her adding to them.' I could see Lori sitting there with her mouth open. 'If she shows up, I swear I'll grab the kids and head up to the Zepplin where I know she won't be allowed aboard.'
Lori sat there with her mouth hanging open staring at me, then started laughing her ass off as it was my turn to stare. 'I fail to see just exactly what so fucking funny Ms. giggle bones.' I growled out as she slumped in her seat. 'Oh John, this is just too funny.' Lori managed to gasp out between bouts of laughter. 'You're a highly decorated fighter pilot with 3 of the top 5 awards for bravery, including 2 of the top 3. Hell, you've led several high-risk missions and even as a marine you were decorated several times. And you're afraid of your mother, oh god John that is too funny.' I simply stared at her with a blank look on my face and growled at her which just caused her to giggle even more. 'I still fail to see what's so fucking funny woman.' I said. I just let her laugh, I had plans for her happy ass.
I passed the Amber marker and adjusted my descent speed. 'Planetary Control, Castle 02 with you at the amber marker at this time.' I said. 'Castle 02, Planetary Control, good morning, sir, squawk 4412, over. They replied. I switched over and looked at my event clock. I was little behind on time. 'Castle 02, Planetary control, radar contact, continue your reentry decent on the 127 radial, contact Castle Tower on Alpha at 60,000, state souls aboard over.' They told me. '127 through reentry, Castle Tower on Alpha at 60, 2 souls aboard, 02 roger that PC.' I read back and pushed on through. 9 minutes later I popped into blue sky and switched over to Tower control and just a few minutes later I passed through 60K and called them. The cleared me the rest of the way down and told me to land on 14R.
I touched down 2 minutes behind the time I had set, not bad but not the greatest either. I taxied up to my spot and Billy was waiting on us as he placed my usual platform against Sam and scrambled up before the engines had fully shut down. I opened the canopies as he waited to bump fists with me. 'Hey Boss man, I see you brought her in.' He said and went to unhook her. 'Ms. Lori, this wild man didn't spin or twist you around too much I see.' Lori gave him a quick hug. 'Hey Billy, good to see you again. My crew has finally stopped complaining about all the credits you took from them.' She told him as he smiled at her. 'I did warn them, but hey, they didn't listen. The Boss is about the only one who can take me in poker. Well, him and Master Chief Knuckles that is.' He told her and helped her stand up.
I looked back and saw him smiling his smooth smile. 'Okay Mr. Smooth operator, you've got yours, that one's mine so paws off bub.' I told him as I stepped out and took her hand from his. 'My place at 1100 and bring Cindy with you bub.' I told Billy as I helped Lori down the ladder. He nodded and hopped into my seat and started post flighting Sam. 'Cindy's getting ready right now and I even told asshole to be sure to show up Boss.' He said as I popped open the pod and pulled out her bags. The van showed up and hauled us to OPs. were we quickly changed, and I checked in to close out my flight plan. It was just 2 minutes before 0900.
The ride home took just 10 minutes, Lori was bouncing around in the back seat as we got closer to my place. Pulling into the drive Karen and Flower came pouring out of the door, both in night shirts that went to their knees. while I didn't mind the sight of both of them running around the house naked wasn't new to me, I drew the line at them running outside naked. I watched the 3 of them hug and bounce around some as I got her bags out of the front seat. 'Be sure to show up for the
open house.' I told my driver. 'No problem, Sir.' He replied as I closed the door and guided the 3 of them inside. They were talking a mile a minute and holding each other out at arm's length Karen dragged Lori into her room as I placed her bags in my room. Coming out Flower was letting Angala in who handed her a few items.
'Well Mr. Casa Nova, where is she?' She asked raising an eyebrow at me. I opened my mouth to answer as Karen drug Lori back in smiling from ear to ear, obviously Lori had given her high praise for her bedroom selection. 'Lori, Angala. Angala, Lori.' I said as the two of them shook hands and I went into the bedroom to change into comfier clothes. Coming back out I could see the 4 of them huddled together and just knew Lori and Angala had become the ringmasters to this little circus and I was going to be little more than a roustabout. for me the next 90+ minutes were a wild ride as I set up the rented tables and chairs for people to both sit at and to serve themselves from. Lori had gone all out with the staples for these kinds of parties, she had even hired someone to man the grill and do the cooking so that I could mix and mingle. Billy and Cindy had shown up early and lent their hands to help me get the final stuff out, just as Lori, Karen, Angala, and Flower all came outside in nice flowing sun dresses and sandals and started greeting the early arrivals. This allowed me to duck inside and do a quick 3S and change into the light shorts, shirt and sneakers, then stop at the door to the backyard, take one last deep breath and step into the lion's den.
I went around shaking hands and greeting those I hadn't meet yet, most of these were ground crew personal who don't normally get invited to these kinds of parties. I believe that your enlisted personnel are the very muscle of any command, and if you don't keep them happy and well taken care of, they won't go that extra mile for you when then really should. Between 1200 and 1300 the instructors and new chicks started coming in, for most of the new kids this was a new experience. For most of us we had been to several of these, and this was my 3rd having thrown 2 before, 1 as an XO and the other as a CO. The downside of being a high-ranking officer, is that the higher you go the more you have to seen and make connections.
Other young Officers from the "A" school and those who worked on base showed up to make their connection. I spent some time talking to the new pilots 1 on 1, or 2 on 1 depending on who it was. For them it was a chance to see the big bosses in a relaxed setting where they could speak freely. These things were generally uniform free and only those who would be going in duty shortly were allowed to show up in uniform, as squadron XO, I like Karl were never off duty, but we didn't stand a duty day watch so to speak.
The first of the big movers and shakers was LCDR. Brenda Stahl who was the XO for the maintenance "A" school which was close the west side if the field and the hangers in that area. Her husband, Keven, was a GS-13 and worked in the AI center on base. Her boss CDR. Stewart Jacks and his wife Anna showed up next and Karl was close behind them. The 4 of us went into my study and held a quick meeting, we agreed to a program where new Mechanics could study with trained POs and Chiefs to get the feeling for what life aboard a ship or other base would be like. Luck for us Knuckles had shown up and was brought in and agreed to be the POC for the trial program. Brenda and Stewart found out that Knuckles really didn't care what you wore and was always 100% honest. A knock at the door brought our little meeting to an end as Angala stuck her head in. 'John, they're here.' She said. I nodded and excused myself to go great the real mover and shaker on the base.
Coming out I stopped just before going outside and made sure my brain was in gear. Exiting I could see that he was talking with a small group of young JOs who normally wouldn't get to see the Admiral up close little lone speak with him when in uniform. Susan was speaking with Lori and Karen as I walked up and greeted her. She did the air kiss near my cheeks as we chatted for a few minutes. 'Lori and Karen were making sure I was taken care of John and I see that my husband has drawn the youngsters to him.' She told me as we walked over to them. Harry, come meet our host.' She called out as we neared. 'Admiral, thank you for coming.' I said. He shook my hand and smiled. 'Thanks for inviting us, Commander.' He said and Susan smacked his arm. 'I do happen to know the Commander quite well Honey, he's been checking me out on the new E/F version of the Warhammer.' He told her. 'He is a good student and a good pilot Ma'am.' I said. 'Oh John, please it's Susan.' She said and smacked his arm again. 'The boss has spoken.' He said.' I to shall call you John, and you may call me Sir.'
