Valor At Vauzlee Read Free Page A

names?"
    Jenetta smiled. "Okay, Zane."
    "Do you prefer Jenetta, or something else?"
    "My friends call me Jen."
    "Jen it is. I have seventeen years of commissioned service, Jen. I graduated from NHSA in May of 2250."
    "2250? Then you must know my brother, Richie. He was in the NHSA class of 2250."
    Commander Spence stopped walking and turned to face Jenetta. The look of unbridled surprise on his face made her giggle. "I don't believe it. Richie Carver is your brother? We roomed on the same floor in Wilcox Hall. I didn't even know that he had a younger sister. I only knew about his older brother, Billy, who was an upper classman while we were there, and about Andy and Jimmy who were two years behind us."
    "It's understandable that he never mentioned me. Lots of older brothers would prefer to forget all about their kid sisters; and my brothers are no exception to the rule. As the baby of the family, and the only girl, I spent most of my childhood years trying to prove myself and be accepted as an equal. It was an uphill battle all the way, and I never really succeeded."
    "I can appreciate that, somewhat. I have an older brother and I followed him around like a little lost puppy dog, always hoping he'd allow me to play with him and his friends. They rarely did." Commander Spence turned to continue walking and Jenetta followed his lead. "So you're one of those Carvers? I think that I understand you a bit better now. Your brothers never do things halfway. I'm sure you know that they were all linebackers on the football team at the Academy, but did you know that the coach at the Academy even named a play after them. It was a defensive blitz designed for situations where we expected the other team's offense to execute a pass play. It was called the Carver Charge. Your brothers are all so tall and strong that they could penetrate almost any offensive line like it wasn't there. If they couldn't go through it, they went over it. If the opposing team's quarterback was the least bit slow in getting the ball off, he either had to eat it or lose it. You take after them."
    "I rather think that we all take after my father. He's retired now, but he was a frigate captain when he was separated from service at the mandatory space retirement age. Actually— we come from a long line of Space Command officers. My great-great-grandfather was a lieutenant on the Severance, the first ship to break the light speed barrier, during its space trials and first several years of FTL service. We're just following along in the family tradition. Andy and Jimmy are lieutenants, but both are on the selection list for lieutenant commander promotions. Richie's a lieutenant commander, and Billy's just recently made commander."
    "That's great. I hope to make commander myself within the next few years. The exposure from your court-martial defense should put me in good stead with the Promotions Selection Board."
    "I hope so; you did a wonderful job. I was most impressed, and I appreciate everything that you did for me."
    "It was my pleasure. Ah, here's the restaurant. I think that you'll like this place."
    The retro appearance of the restaurant compared favorably to the other dining establishments lining the promenade. Instead of the usual collection of floating ‘oh-gee' geometric lights, glitzy chrome, and flashing fluorescent colors currently in vogue, Gregory's had the subdued but elegant look of expensive restaurants from Earth's twentieth century. Real wood veneer had been brought to the station for the construction of the interior, and then stained to a red walnut color. The earth tones of red, yellow, and brown were pervasive throughout the establishment. One of the few visible concessions to modernity was the opposed gravity seating, but the upper assembles of the floating chairs still retained a traditional twentieth century appearance.
    Upon entering the establishment, Jenetta and Zane observed that a couple of dozen people were waiting to be seated. From