Cold Warriors Page 7

  Hollis balefully eyed the cryos for the last time and nodded at Keegan. She exited the room while shaking her head. She heard her footsteps echoing throughout the silent room like a gavel banging on a desk.

  * * * *

  Keegan pursed his lips and remembered himself. “You have your orders ... dismissed."

  The cryos spoke in hushed tones while slowly filing out the briefing room. Beller and Caitlin tailed the group wearing different expressions. Beller's worn features were smite with cynicism while Caitlin's were full of anxiety.

  "Driskoll!” Keegan barked in her direction.

  She and Beller stopped and turned.

  "I'd like to speak to you, alone.” Keegan stared at Beller.

  Caitlin nodded at Beller. “I'll talk to you later."

  "Sure.” He smiled and walked out.

  She approached him with a smile, “Caitlin."

  Keegan could tell her pleasant expression was not genuine. Her deep brown eyes lacked their usual glow. He felt sorry for her. “What?” he asked craning his head.

  "You called me, Driskoll.” She stopped a few feet away from him. “My first name's Caitlin. Hardly anyone here addresses me by that name. I'm usually addressed by my number."

  "Perhaps,” ill at ease, Keegan cleared his throat, “considering your wounds..."

  She held up her hand. “Colonel,” her voice quivered, “no, this isn't necessary. Why delay the inevitable? I'll be going anyway, better sooner than later."

  Keegan pursed his lips and furled his brow. He scratched his short cropped graying head. She had a bad habit of talking too much.

  "You are not going,” he stated.

  "But it's not necessary—"

  "Are you stupid or just mouthy?"

  Caitlin peered at him shocked. She looked as if she tried to speak but thought better of it.

  "You have second degree burns. They are not going to take you. You'll remain here until you are well enough to go and then you will be transferred to your new assignment,” he pronounced sternly.

  "Thank you?” She shrugged her shoulders.

  Bewildered by her response, Keegan continued, “I'll explain it to the general."

  "Colonel, may I ask you something?"

  Surprised by the request, he assented. “Yes, go ahead, speak."

  "Why are we all being punished? I was in my room. Presumably the people involved died."

  "Did they?"

  She appeared hurt by his response.

  "I don't know who did what or when it was planned. I just know what happened."

  "Maybe somebody should try to find out instead of making blanket accusations. Isn't there something in the UCMJ about these things?"

  He admired her convictions and naiveté. “How do you know about the UCMJ?"

  "My husband was a JAG."

  "Oh.” He answered dryly, “Well, it doesn't apply to you guys."

  "I forgot we're not people."

  Irritated and annoyed, Keegan had enough of hers and the other cryos’ self-righteous attitude. “Well excuse the Hell out of me for doing my job! Ms. Driskoll, I did not ask for you to be put in this situation and I'm real sorry that you think life is treating you unfairly. I've got news for you; it is unfair to everyone. So deal with it."

  "The beauty of being in charge is that no one else can tell you what they really think,” she shot back.

  "You don't seem to have a problem with it!"

  "No. Sir."

  He felt his shoulders and neck tighten.

  "Okay, speak plainly,” he placed his hands on his hips.

  "Why are you being nice to me?” She held up her bandaged hands, “Is it because of these?"

  He reflected upon her words and answered sincerely. “I believe people should be treated with dignity. I believe in tolerance not permissiveness. And if you equate that with being nice then that's your problem."

  "I never said it was a problem."

  He smiled in spite of himself. She was a roller coaster of emotions and for some reason he wanted to continue riding.

  "Okay, I'll bite ... what is the problem?"

  "Up until this very moment, my future was open, uncertain. Now my fate is clear—

  I'm being sent to basic training ... for combat."

  She does catch on quick, he mused not happily. “Yes."

  "And from what I gather, this has been happening for quite some time, so in actuality this was inevitable."

  "For some."

  "Point taken."

  "Nothing is inevitable Ms. Driskoll, there are always options."

  She smiled at him. He responded likewise.

  "Look, it's just training. Like boot camp except not as intense."

  "Have you ever been there?” Caitlin asked accusingly.

  "No."

  "Then how do you know?"

  "I don't.” He chuckled, feeling exposed.

  She turned to leave. “Thanks anyway."

  "If there's anything I can do..."

  Caitlin shook her head and continued walking. She paused and then turned. “Actually...” Caitlin started

  "What?"

  "I was wondering if I could find out what happened to my family."

  "We don't have listings for civilians on record here."

  "No, he was an officer,” she answered quietly.

  Keegan nodded his head knowingly. “Oh. Umm, you can use the database in the officer's lounge, it's more thorough and the room will be empty around this time. Give you some privacy."

  "Will I need clearance to use it?"

  "No. There are no classified listings within its data banks. You just sit down and talk to it."

  "Thanks.” Grateful, she smiled.

  "Don't mention it.” He exited the room wanting to stay longer but knowing he shouldn't.

  Chapter Nine

  Alone in the officer's lounge, Caitlin quietly lamented as she read her late husband's personnel record. There wasn't much but it told her enough.

  First wife: Catilin Craig-Driskoll Deceased

  Second Wife: Megan Smith-Driskoll

  Two Children: Andrew, Karen

  She stopped reading. Her mouth opened wide as tears streamed down her face. She had nothing left. Her last hope—the one that fueled her every move—that he had loved her so much as to somehow save her so that they could be together, died before her eyes.

  He didn't wait. He had moved on with his life and she was left behind to pick up the pieces.

  She slammed her fist against the keyboard. Her tears flowed freely. All she had were pieces. Like old pictures left out in the sun too long, they were faded and of no use.

  She sobbed uncontrollably falling onto the keyboard. Her wails echoed throughout the empty room, amplifying her loneliness.

  "Why!? Jason, why did you do this to me?"

  Images of her husband danced in her mind. She tried to fight them, but they crept forward into her thoughts. His dark hair and boyish good looks, that incredible smile which always made everything seem okay. He always had everything under control.

  He was the man she had wanted to spend the rest of her life with, the man with whom she wanted to have children. She thought they would be together forever.

  She recalled the first time she and Jason met in Chicago; she was a high school English teacher and he a JAG Lawyer in the Naval Legal Services Office at the Great Lakes Base. They began dating on the insistence of mutual friends who kept putting them together. It didn't take long for their relationship to blossom.

  Caitlin remembered the glorious two years she and Jason spent together as boyfriend and girlfriend and then their brief yet loving marriage.

  They had an open and honest relationship, where they spent many hours talking to each other about their lives, both work and personal. Before they were married, Jason had warned her about life as a military wife; specifically a navy wife and the sacrifices that went along with it. Caitlin was quite ready to make them for she wanted to be with him. And he said he wanted t
o be with her.

  Because Jason was a navy lawyer, and an ambitious one at that, they moved around a lot. Then one day she caught a cold and couldn't shake it. She vaguely remembered being rushed to the hospital. Then she remembered being tired and falling asleep. The next thing she knew, a century had passed.

  The immensity of her loneliness weighed on her shoulders like a wooden beam. She wondered why he had done it. Why did he freeze her and then re-marry?

  "I'm sorry but your time is up,” a deep voice said quietly.

  "Huh?"

  Keegan stood in the doorway. She hoped he hadn't seen her crying. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

  "I can't...” He shifted his weight, “you have to return to your quarters."

  "I ... Oh, okay.” She responded barely maintaining her composure. She stood up and walked toward him. All she had in her life now were questions. Caitlin needed answers.

  "What do you know about what's happening?” she asked.

  Keegan shook his head, “Nothing I can tell you."

  "Great,” Caitlin retorted.

  "What?"

  "More good news.” She scowled.

  "Feeling sorry for yourself?” He folded his arms

  "Past that ... more resigned than anything else.” She was in no mood to battle. She wanted to lay in bed and cry.

  "Oh ... victimized then,” Keegan stated derisively.

  Caitlin thought for a moment, “A little bit of that, too."

  "But mostly feeling sorry for ourselves.” Keegan pejoratively answered.

  "Well I'm not exactly sure what you're feeling, but it's somewhere in the neighborhood of sanctimony I'd guess,” Caitlin retorted.

  "I've been where you are."

  "I don't believe so, Colonel,” Caitlin snarled.

  "Yes I have ... Caitlin,” he remarked moving his shoulders reflexively. “I know what it's like to lose everyone dear to you and still have to face life on a regular basis."

  She sighed barely holding back the tears, “Really."

  He answered huffily, “Yes, really.” Keegan rubbed a bead of perspiration that formed over his upper lip. “I lost my wife. Now I have the Corps."

  She folded her arms protectively. “What if you don't have the Corps?"

  "Then you dig deep and you find something."

  Caitlin looked at the floor with a pained expression. “I wouldn't know where to look."

  * * * *

  Keegan brushed several strands of hair out of her face and wiped away her tears. “I know it's tough, but you can't give up."

  The awkwardness he felt was overshadowed by his desire to be close to her. Caitlin nuzzled his hand as he pulled her closer. He caressed her satiny skin causing shards of electricity to shoot throughout his body, setting his senses on fire. Ever since she barged into his quarters there was something about her he could not deny. She was breathtaking. He had not been moved like this in years. Her eyes were like fire; her hair was a beautiful raven mane flowing over her shoulders. Her body was delicate yet strong, fragile yet full of life. She radiated a positive energy he had to be near.

  Keegan raised his right hand moving it slowly through her hair. His hand swept it behind her shoulders. He leaned forward placing his nose inches away from her hair, closed his eyes and nestled it.

  Caitlin's gaze moved up his chest to his neck and then his eyes. He tensed beneath the look in her eyes.

  "I just don't know...” she whispered

  His dry mouth and racing heart caused him to quiver. He gazed into her brown eyes ignoring the voice protesting in the back of his mind. Their lips met slowly pressing firmly together. His mouth parted, and he gently met her velvety tongue with his, unleashing a passionate kiss.

  The voice in the back of his mind changed from a whisper to a scream pulling him away from the moment. Don't do this! Stop this now!

  Keegan continued kissing Caitlin, holding her tight. He could feel her pulling him close, gripping the fabric of his shirt.

  You can't do this. She is a cryo, you are an officer in the United States Marine Corps. It's against regulations. You have your duty to the crew and to the Corps.

  Keegan pushed her away and straightened his posture.

  Startled, she gasped.

  He adjusted his uniform and cleared his throat. “Ms. Driskoll you should be getting back to your quarters,” he said, embarrassed.

  Flustered, Caitlin nodded. Keegan glanced at her briefly and quickly exited the room. He stopped in the hallway some distance away and sighed.

  What the Hell is wrong with me?

  Keegan shook his head.

  * * * *

  He pulled his favorite blue tee shirt over his chest and adjusted his green sweat pants preparing for bed. He then stretched his arms, working the day's kinks and stresses out of his body. The Chief of the Watch had the Comm and was now in charge of the ship, which allowed him and Hollis a chance to rest. He ambled over to his immaculately neat cot. Instead of lying down, Keegan sat on the edge and leaned forward. He put his face in his hands and sighed.

  He grappled with his embarrassment over his behavior with Caitlin inside the officer's lounge. He felt like a rutting pig, his conduct unbecoming of a man of his rank and command. Why dammit? Why her? Why now? What do I want with her?

  Keegan sat up straight knowing full well what he wanted. He wanted to make love to her.

  A knock on his hatch interrupted his thoughts.

  "Who's at my hatch?” Keegan demanded.

  "Max,” the CAG answered.

  "Enter,” Keegan said composing himself.

  The CAG entered wearing a brown tee shirt and green camouflage pants. He made sure the hatch closed behind him before grabbing a chair from Keegan's desk. “Did you hear? We're going to port; since the big explosion we have no choice."

  "How is it that you know before me? Do you want my job?"

  "Hell no, and lose all the perks of mine?"

  "Pay is better."

  "Fringe benefits my friend. Fringe benefits."

  He smiled. Max always knew what to say. They had been friends since before he was married and somehow his old friend always knew how to lighten the mood. They had some things in common, a love for the Corps and an even bigger love for flying, after that their interests, like their personalities diverted.

  Max played the field, Keegan was a one woman man. The CAG lived life on the border of insubordination and separation from the Corps, Keegan played by the rules. But still, they managed to be friends and rose through the ranks together—he as an XO on one the largest carriers in the 2nd Fleet and Max, the Commander of an Air Group—the CAG.

  When Max thought it would be cool to serve under his friend, Keegan thought it would be a disaster. Again, they somehow made it work. He decided at this moment he could use a friend.

  "So you wanna talk about it?” Max asked placing the chair in front of Keegan's bed.

  Keegan frowned and shook his head. What was his friend talking about this time? “It's late. Can't this wait?"

  Max grinned slightly and shook his head.

  "No it can't wait. I saw you in the officer's lounge earlier. You wanna talk about it?” The CAG's icy blue eyes peered at Keegan.

  Keegan glared at his friend. “Talk about what?"

  "Her, the cryo I ran into earlier, the one you were getting cozy with."

  Keegan inhaled sharply. He wasn't even sure about his own feelings much less being able to express them to someone else.

  "Why? Are you interested in her?” Keegan quipped hoping to pull the conversation away from himself.

  "Obviously not as much as you.” Max shifted his weight and leaned forward. “Medoro, I've known you for over twenty years ... and in all that time you have never taken a dumb step. Don't start now."

  He eyed his friend pensively. Although flattered by his friend's concern, Keegan believed he was the last person to give career advice to anyone. Max regularly lived by the seat of his pants and was prone to making command
decisions the same way. Luckily for him, it had worked in his flying career.

  "And what's that suppose to mean?” Keegan asked, slouching forward.

  "All told, you've been in the employ of our planet for over twenty years, all of which you have served diligently and loyally. When you lost Margaret, you stuck it out. Even when you lost your wings you didn't throw in the towel. And because of this you have made, and deservedly so, the fine rank of Colonel on the extraordinary Space Carrier, USS Blanchard."

  Agitated, the CAG stood and began pacing, “You are the friggin’ XO,” he growled. “You don't have the right to act like a jackass. Mister, you are a hop, skip and a jump away from your own command. Don't mess it up for a piece of frozen ass."

  Keegan's expression hardened as he sat up. “Done?” he asked dryly.

  "No, I'm not. If you're so damn horny, go to Rizard or better yet, we'll be putting in soon, I can arrange...” the CAG gestured grandly.

  "Wait, just wait.” Keegan interjected. “I'm not a boot on his first tour. I don't need you to get me a girl!"

  "Well you're sure as Hell are acting like one!” The CAG inched closer to Keegan. “For ten years, you act like a damn choir boy and now all of a sudden you need to be hosed down after every fucking briefing."

  "Mind your tongue, Lt. Colonel.” Keegan warned. “You've said your piece."

  "For now."

  "For ever,” Keegan retorted.

  The CAG stood up and replaced the desk chair to its original position.

  "You think about what I said. You know I'm making sense.” Max excused himself from the room.

  Keegan turned off the light and laid in his bunk staring into the darkness. He knew the CAG was right; he just didn't like hearing it.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, Caitlin awakened to silence and emptiness. The remaining cryos that had been living in her area were already gone. She sat up and looked around. Why didn't some one wake me? When did they leave?

  The events of yesterday seemed like a bad dream. She closed her eyes and sighed briefly. In a few days, her life went from being dreary to hopeless, and now to too complicated for words.

  "Hey! Out your rack!” The sailor swung opened the door. “The doc wants to see you ASAP. Move it!"