2669.318: TCS Victory Briefing room. Lt. Robin Peters was giving her mission report to Captain Eison, along with the memory card from her scanners. He handed the memory card from Flint's scanners to Lt. Col. Taylor. She placed it in the data reader and began to sort through the data. Captain Eison then turned back to Flint.

"So Lt., do you think that they had you and Vagabond targeted when they opened fire?".

"No sir, the turret fire appeared to be random fire. I believe that the shot that hit Vagabond was just an unlucky hit sir.".

The Captain could see that this wasn't easy for Flint to do, but he knew that it had to be done.

"After you and Vagabond got away from the base-ship, what were the damages to his ship?".

"Well sir, he had a lot of armor missing, and he said his power systems and shields were badly damaged. Also his jump drive was not responding, and his ejection system was fried.".

"I wanted to stay with him sir, but Lt. Chang ordered me to return to the Victory. As I was coming back I saw 4 of the raiders going after him, but he took them out with his IR's sir."

"Then he started to fly away from the jump point sir."

Flint was almost in tears again, and Captain Eison put his hands on her shoulders.

"You did the right thing Flint. Besides, with his luck, Vagabond will probably find a gambling house in the system to land at.".

Flint smiled a little, "Yes sir.".

Captain Eison looked at Flint again, "Dismissed Lt. go and get some rest.".

As Flint left the briefing room, Chris looked at Captain Eison. "Col. Taylor, will you excuse us for a moment?".

"Yes Captain.".

Col. Taylor left the room. "Captain, let me send a rescue mission after Vagabond. He may still be alive out there sir.",

"I'm sorry Col.. But I can't let you do that. Confed wants us to stay put until they have a chance to go over this data in detail. So I've given Rachel orders to lock down all jump capable ships for now. I'm sorry Chris.".

"Yes sir, I understand. I don't like it, but I do understand.".

"Believe me Chris, I want to go after him as much as you do. But we can't just go off half-cocked on this one. We've both seen what can happen when people rush into an unknown situation. There are more lives at stake here than just one pilot.".

Chris looked at the Captain for a second, "How should I list Vagabond on the roster Captain?".

"Missing Chris, just missing. But I promise you Chris, that were going to make them pay for this".

As Chris was leaving, the captain asked him to send Col. Taylor back in.

When Chris came out of the briefing room, he nodded at Col. Taylor, she went back inside. Then he saw that all of the senior pilots were waiting for him in the observation room. Maniac walked up to him,

"Well Col.. When do we leave?",

"We don't Maniac, we don't.".

The pilots just stood there with rather disgusted looks on their faces, and were grumbling among themselves.

"Now listen up people, you know that we all want to go find Vagabond, even the Captain. But Confed has ordered us to stay put until they can analyze the data that Flint and Vagabond got for us. I know that most of you have known Vagabond longer than me, but would he want what happened to him to lead to a mutiny. I don't think so. So for now we wait, and when the time comes, we make the enemy pay very dearly for what happened to Vagabond.".

The pilots were shaking their heads now in agreement. Chris then looked at all of them. "You might want to check out programs UNK 6 and 7 on the simulators. And have the cadets run through them as well for the next few days. That is all. Dismissed."

Chris was glad that he had the Tech and Intel sections make up the two flight Sims of the unknown ships, might as well get the people as ready as possible.

When Chris got back to his quarters, he found Robin sitting there in the dark. She was still in her flight suit and was sitting on his bunk just softly crying. Chris turned on his desk lamp, then walked over and sat down next to her.

"Why did he do that Chris? Why wouldn't he let me stay and help him?".

Chris just held Robin softly. He listened as she softly cried, and he kissed the top of her head. They both knew that what Vagabond had done was the right thing to do, now they just had to try and get through this hard time.

"Winston knew that his ship was badly damaged Robin. He also knew that one of you had to get the Intel back here. So he did what you, me or even Maniac would have done in that situation.".

"I know that Chris, but why him? Why him?"

Robin started to cry again. The two of them spent the rest of the night just holding each other.

Chris woke up the following morning and listed Lt. Winston Chang as missing on the flight roster. He looked over at Robin who was still asleep. He decided to let her sleep. Then he headed for the flight deck to see Rachel Coriolas. She saw the Col. walking over to her,

"So how's Flint holding up sir?".

"As well as can be expected Rachel.".

Chris was looking at her seriously now. "How many IR's do we have on board Rachel?",

"About 800 Col., why?".

"From now on Rachel, I want all ships to be loaded with IR's, until further notice.".

"Yes sir Col.. Does that include the Strakha?".

"Might as well Rachel." he said as he walked away.

When Chris got back to his quarters, he heard the shower running and saw Flint's flight suit on the floor. He could see Robin's form through the mist on the shower door,

"Are you OK in there Robin.". She opened the door and just pulled him in with her.

At noon, Flint was on her way to her locker, to put away her flight suit. She ran into Maniac as he was coming down the hallway.

"How are you Flint?",

"I've been better Maniac.",

"If you need anything Flint, just ask.",

"Thanks Maniac, I will.".

As he started to walk away she gently grabbed his arm. "There is one thing Maniac.",

"Just name it Flint.".

Robin hugged him, and whispered "Thank you for yesterday.".

"Hey, your like my little sister. It was the least I could do.".

She let go of him and continued to her locker. Maniac then went on his way, a small grin on his face. He met with Col. Blair in his office, he had a serious look on his face.

"What's wrong Maniac?".

"Chris, do you think Robin will be alright?".

The question surprised Chris a little, but then he looked at Maniac.

"Robin will be OK, Todd. She just has to work through this. You know what it's like to lose a close friend on a mission.".

"Yeah your right. She'll bounce back.". They then sat down and started going over the training schedule for the cadets.

For the next few days, everyone on the Victory was kept busy by Col. Blair and Captain Eison. The cadets had it the worst. They had their classes, and their time in the Sims. They were also put under the charge of the techs on the ground crews for part of their day, so they could help overhaul all of the ships on board. The senior pilots as well were put to work on the overhauls. The only pilots that were excused where the ones flying patrols. In less than two days, the ship was at a war level status. Captain Eison called Chris to his office.

"Ah Col., how are the kids handling all the extra duties?",

"Surprisingly well Captain.".

"Just one thing Chris, don't overwork them.".

"Don't worry Captain, we won't. Any word from Confed sir?".

"Admiral Terrell has been keeping us updated. They're putting together a task force. They're scheduled to arrive here in 3 or 4 days.".

"Chris, how is Robin holding up through this?". "She's getting there Captain, I think that she's going to be just fine.",

"That's good to hear Chris.".