Chapter 11

USS Beowulf

Hyperspace

"So how far are we from the home system now, Admiral?" Selina asked as she and Bruce walked onto the bridge.

"We're currently five minutes out and NASA and Space Fleet Command confirm that the anomaly is still present which means we're still a go for Operation Homeward Bound."

"That's wonderful news, sir. But I'm really gonna miss you guys."

"Me too, I'm also gonna miss this ship and everything on it. Especially the wide assortment of food you guys have. And thanks for letting Bruce and I take a ride in one of your Space Hornets."

"You're welcome, Cat and one more thing."

"Yes?"

Unfortunately the CNO rejected your idea of changing the Selene's name to Selina. But since you're really into cats judging by your alias, he thought you would like to have this."

"Roberts unzipped one of the pockets on his BDU jacket then pulled out a patch and gave it to Selina.

"That's the patch worn by Space Hornet pilots assigned to the Hades," Bruce commented.

The patch consisted of an image of a red snarling cat with a pair of devil horns and the top banner said Hellcats and the bottom one said SVFA-229.

"I really like the image, thank you."

"You're welcome, Cat."

"How did you get it sir?" Bruce asked.

"I simply had one of the guys in the clothing department make it."

"Well they did a very good job," Selina replied.

"Hey Bruce, we got something for you," Captain Steinbeck said as he and Commander Emerson ran onto the bridge.

"What is it?"

"Due to your flawless flying during the joyride and the combat scenarios we went over in the simulator room. I've decided to make you an honorary Spaceking member."

Bruce snapped to attention then Steinbeck pinned a Spaceking patch to his shirt along with a nametag that with a pair of wings on it. Since Bruce wasn't a member of the United States Navy, his wings had a circle in the middle containing his initials instead of a shield and anchor.

"And this album is for you guys as well. And not to worry, Selina. There's a Spaceking patch in here for you as something to remember us by along with all of the photos you and Bruce took."

"Okay, thanks Commander Emerson."

"We'll be exiting hyperspace in ten seconds," Lieutenant Petit said.

"Womack, what's the status of the marine combat teams?"

"They're standing by on all decks as per your orders sir."

The Beowulf dropped out of hyperspace and headed towards the anomaly.

"Sir, my sensors are detecting another battlecruiser a mile out from the anomaly's position. It's the Aegis and they're hailing us."

"Put it through, Womack," Roberts ordered then she pressed a button on her console.

"Beowulf, this is the Aegis, welcome back."

"Thank you Aegis. What are you doing around the anomaly?" Roberts asked.

"Just enforcing a little quarantine so that nobody else gets too close to it and have unexpected guests drop in. SFCs orders," Admiral Angelo Hernandez replied.

"Understood, we're about to cruise on up to it and get Bruce and Selina home.

"Copy that, just don't get sucked through to some other dimension. Aegis out."

"We're in position, sir," Petit reported.

"We got some activity here," Major Gordon shouted from down the hall way.

"That must be your ride out of here kids," Roberts said then Bruce and Selina ran from the bridge with him, Steinbeck and Emerson right behind them.

They made it down the hall just in time to see a fully formed portal before the group of marines and crewmembers who had their weapons trained on it in case something hostile came through.

"Make way for Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. Roberts ordered.

The defense team made a path in the middle for the two kids to walk through, but they still maintained a defensive posture.

Bruce and Selina walked up to the portal then turned around to deliver some parting words.

"Admiral Roberts. I wish to thank you and your crew for the hospitality you showed us during our time here."

"You're welcome Mr. Wayne. The presence of you and Ms. Kyle was quite enjoyable."

Bruce nodded and Selina simply smiled.

"Major Gordon, thank you for letting us join you and your men on the planet during the mission."

"I'm glad it went well for all of us, Selina. Now you two best to get on home before the portal closes."

Bruce gave a salute then Selina did the same and everybody else saluted back.

"Good luck back in Gotham kids," Lieutenant Ackerson said.

"Farewell everyone," Bruce replied then he and Selina stepped through the portal.

A few seconds later, the portal vanished.

"Admiral Roberts, this is Commander Womack. The anomaly just vanished from our sensors. Did Bruce and Selina make it through the portal?"

"Affirmative. Tell Space Fleet Command and NASA that Operation Homeward Bound was a success."

"Yes sir."

"Major Gordon, you can tell your MCTs to stand down."

"Roger sir."

Roberts returned to the bridge and told Petit to continue on to the International Space Base in Earth's orbit.

Wayne Manor

Alfred Pennyworth stood ready with a sword he grabbed from the study, ready to take a swing at the first sign of trouble.

But instead of wretched creature coming through it was just Bruce and Selina.

"You can stand down Jeeves, it's just us."

"Ms. Kyle, Master Bruce, my apologies," Alfred replied after lowering the sword.

"Why do you have sword, Alfred?" Bruce asked.

"I just got back from a lovely evening in the city and then I heard a noise coming from this cave and came down here to see what the bloody hell was going on." Judging by that patch on your shirt Master B, you and Ms. Kyle went off on some sort of adventure through that thing behind you."

"It's a long story, Alfred. But we'll be glad to tell you all about it."

"Well then I guess I better go make some tea and sandwiches," Alfred replied then headed back upstairs as Selina leaned in closer to Bruce's ear.

"Judging by the way your butler was smiling when he said lovely evening in the city, I think he might be seeing somebody."

"Hmm." Bruce thought to himself.