Marco Domici: Delayed Lifter

"I still say Jones has the hots for you, Marco." Grishom grinned until Jones' punch to his arm sent him sprawling.

The three of them were gathered around the loading pallet. Marco's hasty orders and funeral attendance had precluded him from doing a full check on the inventory. Jones and Grishom had stepped in to make sure everything was present and functional.

"Do not." Jones replied. "But someone does. Marco, that lady in the natty blue coveralls has been glancing your way more than once. If Irene were here someone would get a talking to."

"Yeah. Still no word from Irene?" The others shook their heads. "I'm a bit worried. Normally she's not out of comm for this long."

"Yeah, well, you'd make her jealous, Marco." Grishom said. "With this loadout you could have taken Steel all by yourself. I didn't even know the brigade had some of this stuff!"

"Well, thanks for going over it for me, guys." Marco said. "It's not been a great day. I appreciate the help."

"Hey, we're the ones who are grateful, buddy." Grishom lifted up his arm. "I wouldn't have a job, much less an NCO stripe, if you hadn't lied about how much we did on Steel. I was surprised at how awesome I was when the CO read the commendation. You lied like a Daeglan grouter!"

"Did not." Marco balled his fist in their traditional punch routine. "I just emphasized how much you guys did. Every word of it was true."

"Yeah." Jones rolled her eyes. "I read your report too. Total fabrication! Grishom can't hit the broad side of a super destroyer at fifty meters with a fusion gun. He probably closed his eyes the entire time. I'm sure he wet his pants."

"Did not!" Grishom replied, and punched her. "Suns!" He glanced at his crono. "This stripe carries its burden, buddy, I gotta get to the barracks for my NCOD shift. You bust heads and come back quick, clear?"

"Clear!" Marco replied and hugged both of them. "Tell Irene she is in serious trouble for not making it. I may have to take up with several women of ill repute while on such a dangerous and lonely mission."

"You can tell her, buddy, I wouldn't dare!" Jones said. "All clear!"

"Sergeant Marco?" A voice came from the other side of the equipment stack. Marco looked up from checking the cargo harnesses.

"Yes? Can I help you?" It was the lady Jones had referred to earlier. Marco didn't get any danger vibes from her but noticed that several of the other transport techs were watching them.

"Alex." The woman was in her fifties Marco guessed. She had a strong frame but a definite limp. Like most of the techs she wore grime on her face and coveralls. She reached out to shake hands and Marco felt a firm grip.

Then he felt the tap.

She looked square at him, it wasn't an accident. His dad had taught him that right about the time his voice changed and he started to see girls as not so dumb after all. "A man must know a few things, Marco." His dad had said. "And one of them is who his family is. Family takes care of family, Marco. They will take care of you, and you will take care of them."

"Who's family?" he had asked. His dad had reached out, shook his hand, and tapped his wrist oddly. "Anyone that does that, son. You look after them, they will look after you. Here, try it."

Marco returned the tap and answered as his father had taught him. "Marco Domici. How can I serve the family?"

"Alexandria Domici. Be at docking bay 94 at 2345."

"My transport leaves at 2315." Marco replied.

"Boats don't float till the loadmaster says go." She replied. "And I'm the loadmaster for your lifter. See you then." She shook his hand again and left. Others went back to their work, leaving Marco alone again.

Marco had been there for several minutes before Alex made it in. He noted that the other load techs deferred to her and filed in behind as she approached.

"Hey Squirt, we all heard what happened to your pa."

"Squirt?" Marco replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, well, you probably don't remember. Your pa used to bring you around to the bar when you were real little. Everybody called you 'Squirt' back then because you always carried a little water squirt gun around. Used to drive Tommy back there nuts! Seems like every time he found a cute dame you'd ambush him and squirt the heck of him."

Marco blushed. "Uh, sorry?"

"Hey, no worries Marco! Your dad always bought me a beer afterwards." Tommy called back.

"Yeah, well, you ma didn't much care for the bar so you had to stop showing up. Tommy finally did get lucky, some dame was dumb enough to marry him. Anyway, your lifter is in pre-flight and some of the boys need to have a word with you."

"Your dad was proud of you, Marco." Tommy stepped forward. "He never quit saying how glad you made him. You made us glad for him, Marco."

Several other men came forward and shook hands, or hugged Marco. "We'll help get them that did this." Others said.

One made stepped forward and bobbed his head. "Your dad loaned me a bit of money, Mister Marco. I'll keep up the payments, I promise."

"What's your name?" Marco looked at the man. Years wore him and dirt filled deep lines save where the tears had washed away.

"Kane, Mister Marco. Kane Domici."

Marco reached out and they shook. And tapped. "Kane, let the debt rest with my father. I appreciate your honesty."

Alex looked at Marco. "You'll find more than one here who owes you, Marco. Your dad wasn't one to let family be in need. You're the family holder now. What was his is now yours."

Marco seemed at a loss for a moment, then replied. "Then the same goes for them, Alex. Let the debt rest with my father."

"You are Aldo's son, that's for sure." Alex said, grinning. "Stop by the bar when you get back, there's a few more who want to shake with you but couldn't get away from work. I..."

Alex had glanced behind Marco and stiffened. "Room!" she said loudly. Everyone straightened up as Marco turned to see the Brigade commander and Sergeant Major Todd striding toward them.

"As you were." Colonel Domici said to the room. "Alex, are you holding up my lifter?"

"Sure am, Charlie. Some of the boys needed to talk to Squirt here."

"Squirt?" Colonel Domici said.

"Long story, sir." Marco replied. "My apologies. I'll head to the lifter right now."

"Hang on. Sergeant Major?"

Todd stood forward and pulled out a data comm. "Attention to orders!" He said and those who had relaxed snapped to. Marco saw some pretty good drill positions here and there. Marco himself stiffened, though confused.

"For personal heroism and superior leadership against heavy enemy odds, in the defense of the Steel system, Lance Sergeant Marco Domici, is hereby recognized for conspicuous gallantry. Details redacted because most of you louts have grown soft since mustering out. Suffice it to say that Brigade Sergeant Major Domici, rest his soul, would be proud to know the details."

A loud cheer went up and people started clapping Marco on the back. "Huzzah!"

"Marco, a word?" Colonel Domici said, motioning them off to a corner. Everyone seemed happy to be celebrating even if Marco was elsewhere.

"Marco, keep this under your hat until you get back." The colonel said. "Certain Force Commanders need to be dealt with."

"Yes sir."

"Also, the usual promotion that comes with such recognition might prove difficult, given medical bills incurred. Clear?"

"Clear, sir. My apologies."

"Well, I really wish you had a comm corder on at the time. Anyway, something else to keep under your hat. Prince Al's Jump Light Brigade is being disbanded."

"Sir?" Marco paled. "If I did anything to cause that much of a problem, let them take it out on me. Sir."

"No, Marco." The colonel stepped back to salute range. Marco obliged. "Because one company defended Steel against a reinforced Hofud Commando brigade we're being reformed as a division. Seems like the Star Confederation brass like our style and want more of us around."

They saluted. "I'll be needing good leaders, Marco. Maybe with a bit more even temper, but definitely ones who get the job done. Let's talk when you get back."

"Clear, sir!"

"Marco, got a moment?" Sergeant Major Todd said as they prepared to leave. "Here's the case for your medal. You might want to give it some study later. There are more where that came from and I think you might be earning them."

"Yes, Sergeant Major. Thank you."

"Make time for me at the bar, when you get back, Marco. There are some stories I think it's time you know. Clear?"

"Clear, Sergeant Major!"