The aftermath of the attack on the station was a hectic one. Every able-bodied person had been put to work. Volunteering to help treat the wounded, Jessica Sarath was not ready for what awaited her. Her studies of medicine were not what most called normal, but proved invaluable.
Part of the group to bring better relations between wizards and humans on earth, Jessica began to learn that not everyone was void of magic. During her work with the wizard kind, she learned methods of healing no normal person had seen. She was not alone, however. The witches and wizards on the station, as well as those aboard the Corellia all helped.
Using magic, as well as technology, the team of Jessica and the wizards proved very valuable in saving lives. There were many that lost blood in vast amounts that were healed very simply by magic healing methods.
Unfortunately, magic cannot cure everything. Many had taken blasts or rubble to the head and neck, killing them instantly. Technology may be able to bring back the dead, but magic could not.
Jessica worked hard over the next few days, not only with wizards, but also with some of the aliens who had been in system at the time. She found that most non-humans were better candidates than most humans for heavy work, as well as manning the technology available to them. One in particular, a Selonian named Malruush, had become a good friend over the days of hard work.
"Lady Sarath, please aid me in deciphering your tongue." Malruush requested while she had to file a report on a damaged computer system.
"I told you before, you can call me Jessica. Let me take a look."
Jessica looked down to see scratches of ink and burnt paper that seemed to say "broken." Jessica smiled weakly as she looked at her furry companion and replied, "Looks...good. Really, keep up the good work."
Malruush spoke again, showing her sharp teeth, which Jessica assumed was a grin. "I can see the sight of humor in you face, lady Sarath. You do not have to hide my talents in distorting your native tongue. Perhaps you may one day teach me in the art of Eengliesh."
"Well, I know basic. English isn't the formal name now that the language is interplanetary.
"Ah, I am learning already. Basic is much more difficult than Selonian. Perhaps I teach you sometime?"
"I'd like that Malruush. But for now, let's get back to work."
John and Ben, for their efforts during the attack, were promoted and transferred to the USS-Pennsylvania docked at Earth. The Corellia was their designated transport, and Commander George himself greeted the duo and gave them a brief tour.
They got settled in within the afternoon. Soon, the Corellia was at warp, but the travel time got longer when the extent of the damage from the battle was examined. John spent most of his free time outside the city, taking part in whatever help the crew needed. He was surprised at how welcoming the crew was to him. He made friends very quickly, and learned much in engineering. The Corellia's chief engineer was Lt. Commander Robert LaForge, who was the son of the famous Jordi LaForge, the chief engineer of the USS-Enterprise E. He spent hours learning about the Corellia's many systems, and even got to do maintenance on one of the warp coils on deck 125. Ben, being assigned Captain of the Pennsylvania, spent his time on the bridge learning basic starship command techniques with the ship's second officer, Edward Fuchs. He even sat in the center chair, which was usually reserved for the acting captain of the ship. George didn't seem to mind much. In fact, George was not around much at all. He spent a lot of time in Engineering, using his famed technical skills. He wasn't seen for weeks on the bridge by anyone, including the First officer, Commander John Lorenz. John and Ben had Lunch with Lorenz two weeks into the voyage. Lorenz, who became great friends with George during their childhood, spoke highly of him.
"Commander George has been my best friend since high school," explained Lorenz, "And he has always been somewhat of a loner, even if he interacts with his staff all happy the way he does. Once the war with the Empire started, he had already been admitted to the Alliance's Special Forces program. I didn't see him for a few years, although we did exchange holo-mail now and then."
"Special Forces" That doesn't go well psychology for anyone." Mathews said, "He must be another special force rough ass, right?"
"I don't know much, John, although he can be if you make him mad. He came back a Jedi Knight and, as far as I know, he's the first Earth born human to become one. He wasn't the same, all these new abilities and talents he showed, he is really dark. Most think he's some sort of Military prophet."
"Wait, you don't mean," Ben cut himself off. "....Isn't that impossible?"
"I don't know. He said something about getting some donated Saiyen blood during an accident on Corellia. He also talked about getting to travel with Master Skywalker for a few years. Other than that, unless he is giving orders or working aboard the Corellia, he doesn't talk much."
"Sounds like a loner, alright. What did you two do when you were younger?"
"Before I met him he never had many friends. He was different...like, mystical. He never interacted with anyone if he didn't have to. People in general didn't sit well with others, almost as if he hated all people. He isn't much different today now that I think of it. As a kid he was picked on, and sometimes he was even beat up. He isn't like that now. I never see anybody question him, let alone threaten him."
"He is incredibly talented in different respects. He is an amazing pilot and tactician. He also learned, I assume through the secret training, how to use computers. He can hack into anything, including the old Menthas mainframe."
"That was George? That's incredible."
"Indeed, now that he is some sort of meta-human, with those powers and all, he secludes himself even more. Fearing that he will be rejected like he was as a child, he just does his job and lets all else slip right by him."
Ben finished his steak, which by request was not synthesized, and stood up. "Well, I guess I won't have to worry about having to deal with him again then. Thanks for lunch. I hope to see you again commander."
Lorenz smiled and called a transport back to the bridge. "My pleasure. Enjoy a fine night on the Corellia gentlemen."
Ben and John toured the lower city all night, stopping at bars and museaums, and even casinos. They played everything from earth poker to sabbacc, which Ben was already a quick hand. He came back that night with a $400 profit. He planned on attending the next game which was on the following Wednesday.
The war seemed so distant that night...
"Where is the commander now sir?" asked the cloaked man.
Rodney Frost, the chief security officer of Corellia's the south city, was startled by the man. As he turned around to face him, he realized whom he was answering.
"Master Jedi, The commander is currently on the bridge. May I direct you to the nearest turbolift that will take you to his ready room?"
"I believe I can find my way there. Thank you for you assistance. Come on galvan."
The Jedi bowed and turned to leave, and the man that seemed incredibly nervous followed him away.
"Uh, yea. Anytime sir."
Rodney turned back to his work. He was attaching a new computer terminal to his desk. The power manifold for his old one exploded during the battle at J'P'Tan. He had filed three reports to the commander before about the lack of power distribution during a red-alert status aboard the ship, but he was never replied to. Now his department had to pay for new terminals whenever they were damaged. He loved to blame the commander for the power problem, but he also knew that the Corellia was so large that he would never have been able to afford an upgrade to the network during the war.
"Computer?"
The computer responded with the usual LCARS prompt sound.
"Activate power manifest for new terminal."
"Beginning power transfer process. Please Stand by."
The computer began to restore power to the room. The screen began to flicker and then turned on. It displayed the Security logo and began to load the former screen arrangements.
"Well," Frost said to himself, "Looks like tomorrow everything will be in good shape for the work day. Computer... Call an air taxi to the building dock. I will be there in five minutes."
"Affirmative"
Frost Stood up to leave, but suddenly the screen across the room shorted out. "Better make that in about an hour, computer," he said.
The computer beeped an affirmative.
"What a night," Frost said in disgust.
"This is the USS-Napoleon to the New York Dock control requesting permission to dock."
"We copy Napoleon. Transmit clearance code and stand by."
"Affirmative New York control. Napoleon standing by."
Captain Thomas Whitmer transmitted the docking clearance and sat back in his chair. His ship, the Napoleon, flew gently over the skies of the southern New York cityscape, circling Newark Spaceport. His ship just returned from the Orion Prime system, where the latest battle against the Empire took place. The ship had been badly damaged, and needed dry-dock time.
"Napoleon this is Newark control, you are cleared for landing of pad eight. Your approach vector is being transmitted now."
"Copy that control. Beginning approach. Helm, follow approach vector settings."
The helm officer, Ensign Alice Williams, typed on her control pad. "Course laid in, beginning landing sequence. Stand by Newark control."
The Napoleon flew gently over the landing pad and did a mid air turn into position before lowering and igniting its repulsor lifts. The landing pad began to extend the docking latches as the Napoleon lowered its landing gear. The latches attached to the lower side of the Napoleon's hull and secured with a loud hiss.
"Docking procedures complete captain. Disengaging engines."
"Very good ensign," Whitmer said. "All personnel are now dismissed. Report back here at 0400 hours on Monday."
The bridge crew headed for the turbo-lifts, and Whitmer entered his ready-room. He was closing all files on his computer when he got a transceiver message. He patched the transmission in and Admiral Gregory Shims appeared on his screen.
"Admiral, it is good to see you again."
"I am pleased to see your ship made it home in one piece. The Corellia is en-route to Earth to deliver the new captain of the USS-Pennsylvania and also to repair. Sadly, we will not be given enough time to repair any ships. Both you and Commander George are being shipped to the Deneb system to confront a massing Imperial fleet."
"Hold on a second Admiral, the Napoleon is in no shape to fight. We have a barely operating warp drive, most of our decks have hull breaches, and or structural containment field is gone. We would be lucky to lift off this landing pad let alone join the biggest battle in the sector."
"I will have your core systems repaired before the Corellia arrives captain, but the remainder of the repairs will take place inside the Corellia's docking bay. You will be in good shape to fight by the time you reach Deneb."
"Admiral, with all do respect, my crew is in no condition to fight either. They have been serving in combat situations for three months without any resting. My crew deserves a break."
"I am sorry captain, but this is a direct order from allied command. You leave on Saturday when the Corellia arrives. Shims out."
The screen went blank, signaling the end of the transmission.
"How am I going to lead a tired crew into battle?" Whitmer thought out loud.
The Corellia warped into the Earth system early saturday morning and was immediately hailed. "Admiral Shims on screen Commander," The acting Comm. officer announced.
"Admiral Shims, to what do I owe the pleasure?" George asked.
"Commander, you are ordered to transport Captain Sika to the Pennsylvania. Both he and Captain Whitmer of the The USS- Napoleon will dock in one of your bays and you will then travel to the Deneb system. You will be briefed en-route. Shims out."
"Commander," Sika asked, "I am anxious to board the Pennsylvania but, aren't you going to have the Corellia repaired before you leave the system?"
"I was, captain, but an order is an order. Prepare you things. You are to be transferred to your ship as soon as possible."
"...Yes sir..."