Jack Campbell - Victorious

“I have to be miserable?”

“If you say that again—”

“Yes, ma’am.” Geary smiled. “I agree. We can do that. We have done that. I was sort of hoping to get married on Kosatka, though.”

Desjani grinned. “We can honeymoon there, until your orders catch up with you. Which means it might be a very brief honeymoon. Our ship is leaving soon. Where’s your baggage?”

“Baggage?” Only then did it occur to Geary that he had rushed off Dauntless with nothing but the uniform he was wearing.

Desjani’s smile grew. “Just like when we pulled you out of that escape pod. You’re not very good at packing, are you? We’ll pick up a few things for you in the ship’s store. I don’t suppose on the way here you bothered trying to get a ticket for this ship to Kosatka?”

“Uh … I was actually just focused on getting to you and, uh … what to say, and …”

Desjani laughed. “That’s okay. I’ve got a private cabin. I hoped against all reason and against all of my own doubts that I’d need it, that we’d need it, and it seems we do. We just have to add your fare on to it.” She laughed again. “I think my parents are going to be a little startled. They thought I was married to Dauntless . Instead I’ll be bringing you home as a son-in-law. Oh, that reminds me. There’s one other nonnegotiable condition on our marriage. If someday we’re blessed with a daughter, she must be named after Jaylen Cresida.”

Geary smiled and nodded. “Of course. Did you think I’d have a problem with that?”

“No, but unlike you, I don’t spring surprises on people. Except my parents in this case.” She paused and gave him a serious look. “What about after Kosatka? If we have the time, do you want to go to your home world, to Glenlyon? The people there will want to see you.”

Geary shook his head. “Someday I’ll have to go back there, but right now it scares the hell out of me. Glenlyon was my home world a century ago. Now my home is the fleet, and wherever you are.”

“Lucky you. Since my home is also the fleet, you won’t be torn between two places.” Desjani looked up as a commander came forward through the ranks of sailors. “Yes?”

The commander saluted, his face a formal mask, and held out a standard fleet duffel bag. “Captain Geary, sir, with compliments from Captain Tulev.”

“Thank you, Commander.” Geary took the duffel and looked inside, seeing it neatly packed with spare uniform items and other travel necessities. “Am I the only person in the fleet who didn’t realize what was going to happen today?”

“No,” Desjani replied. “You and I seem to be the only two people who didn’t know. But then we’ve been the only two people in the fleet who couldn’t talk about it.” A flight attendant was standing at the boarding hatch, vainly trying to get people moving. “Shall we lead the way or wait for someone else to show up with a minister and a marriage certificate?”

“I think we can handle that part ourselves.”

“Yes, we can.” Desjani linked her arm in his and started them both toward the hatch. “Even if the living stars aren’t done with you, and the Alliance certainly isn’t done with you, for now you’ve earned a short respite. Welcome to the rest of your life, Black Jack.”

“I’m not Black Jack,” Geary protested. “I could never be him.”

“You’re wrong, John Geary. You’ve been him every time it counted.”

The sailors broke their wall as Desjani and he, arms still linked, walked toward the flight attendant. Then the sailors and the officers among them began cheering. Desjani flushed slightly but kept smiling, raised her chin with pride, and winked at Geary. Geary brought up his free hand to wave to the sailors, feeling pretty damned proud himself of the woman who’d chosen to link her arm with his.

The past would never be gone, but it no longer hurt, and no matter what challenges tomorrow held, today it was good to be Black Jack.

Admiral of the Fleet John Geary, Commanding

As reorganized at Varandal Star System prior to offensive actions against the Syndic home star system.

Ship names in bold are those lost in action, with the name of star system of their loss given afterward.

SECOND BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Gallant

Indomitable

Glorious

Magnificent

THIRD BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Paladin (lost at Lakota)

Orion

Majestic (lost at Lakota II)

Conqueror

Dreadnaught

Dependable

FOURTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Warrior (lost at Lakota II)

Triumph (lost at Vidha)

Vengeance

Revenge

FIFTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Fearless

Resolution

Redoubtable

Warspite

SEVENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION(Reconstituted)

Indefatigable (lost at Lakota)

Audacious (lost at Lakota)

Defiant (lost at Lakota)

Sustain

Encroach

Resound

EIGHTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Relentless

Reprisal

Superb

Splendid

TENTH BATTLESHIP DIVISION

Colossus

Amazon

Spartan

Guardian

FIRST SCOUT BATTLESHIP DIVISION(Disestablished)

Arrogant (lost at Kaliban)

Exemplar (lost at Heradao)

Braveheart (lost at Cavalos)

FIRST BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION(Reconstituted)

Courageous (lost at Heradao)

Intrepid (lost at Heradao)

Renown (lost at Lakota)

Formidable

Brilliant

Inspire

Implacable

SECOND BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Leviathan

Dragon

Steadfast

Valiant

FOURTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Dauntless (flagship)

Daring

Terrible (lost at Ilion)

Victorious

FIFTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION(Reconstituted)

Invincible (lost at Ilion)

Repulse (lost in Syndic home system)

Furious (lost in Varandal)

Adroit

Auspice

Assert

Agile

Ascendant

SIXTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION

Polaris (lost at Vidha)

Vanguard (lost at Vidha)

Illustrious

Incredible

Invincible (new construction)

SEVENTH BATTLE CRUISER DIVISION(Disestablished)

Opportune (lost at Cavalos)

THIRD FAST FLEET AUXILIARIES DIVISION

Titan

Tanuki

Witch

Jinn

Alchemist

Goblin (lost at Heradao)

Thirty surviving heavy cruisers in six divisions

(Thirty-seven when Geary first assumed command, minus sixteen lost in battle, plus nine reinforcements at Varandal)

First Heavy Cruiser Division