Eternal City, Crystal Tokyo

Chapter 80

The 'main' military station for Crystal Tokyo's Navy was out by the planetoid Pluto's orbit, a massive, snowflake like design that could support over a hundred ships and their associated crews. As well, it was armed enough to repulse a similar sized fleet. It teemed with small craft flitting about, along with many incoming and outgoing transports.

Captain Ruri Hoshino (clone) of the cruiser Nadesico was waiting to dock, her bridge crew busy around her.

"Looking forward to some time off, boss?" Miyuki asked, her second in command of the powerful Swordbreaker vessel.

"Well, yes," Ruri admitted, "It's been a few months since I've seen May."

"You two are so cute together," Miyuki added warmly then said, "I'm SO jealous. Maybe I can hook up on leave."

"Ahem," the ship's navigation officer, Miku, cleared her throat.

"Ah, yes," Ruri continued, "hail traffic control."

"Hailing traffic control," Rain, the older fellow on communications, said as he gracefully worked the controls.

"Hello, Nadesico," the perky communications officer smiled. "Lt Cheng here. We have a spot opening at rung 3, dock A23."

"Thank you, setting coordinates now," Ruri nodded as Miku imput the data.

"Welcome back to Sol," Cheng added and signed off.

The ship docked smoothly, and all breathed out a sigh of relief. "Miyuki, start running the crew through shore leave," Ruri instructed, "I understand some want Earth leave, others on Aqua or Venus?"

"Correct. I understand the station runs Liberty Shuttles on the hour for all three destinations," Miyuki agreed. "It's all sorted."

"Very well. I'll need to report in to the Admiral," Ruri nodded, getting up. "Miyuki, you have the bridge."

"Aye aye," Miyuki nodded, taking the Captain's chair.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Admiral Harrington looked up as her aide ushered Ruri into her office. "Welcome back from border patrol, Captain," Honor smiled. On her shoulder, the treecat Nimitz waved cheerfully.

"Glad to be back, ma'am," Ruri saluted.

"Take a seat, I'm just finishing up something," Honor sighed. "Does paperwork multiply as you go up in rank?" she mused.

"In my experience, yes," Ruri noted wryly, and Honor chuckled.

"Bleek," Nimitz agreed.

Honor was from a local region Earth colonized system called Manticore, who ended up being troubled by pirates from the League. They developed their local navy enough to beat back the pirates, then ended up restoring contact with Earth. After some political back and forthing, they agreed to join Crystal Tokyo.

"Thanks for waiting," Honor said wryly. "How was the border tour?" she asked. "I got your report," she added, "but give me the summary."

Well, we swung by the Jurai, Khanite and then League borders before swinging back here," Ruri said. Seriously she continued, "There's been some border issues, specifically a few upstart Jurai lords who want to claim more territory."

"Skirmishes?" Honor asked.

"Not yet, but it could happen," Ruri said.

"I'll forward it to the diplomatic service," Honor nodded. "We do NOT want a shooting war with Jurai."

"I think once Emperor Tenchi gets involved, it should be fine," Ruri noted, then blinked as Honor gave her a look. "Ma'am?" she asked.

"Just amused by how casually you bring someone as powerful as him up," Honor said.

"Well, we've had some adventures together," Ruri admitted.

(A long story involving a poisoning, assassins, power dampers, and a team from the Nadesico caught in the middle. They got Tenchi out of the trap and kept him alive long enough for his wives to come rescue them all. Ruri got a Jurai medal out of it...)

"The Khanite was mostly peaceful," Ruri continued, "other than scrapping with League territories along their mutual border."

"As usual," Honor nodded.

"Similarly, supposed 'pirates' are trying to hit our planets along the League border we share with them," Ruri said flatly.

"Grrr," Nimitz sounded annoyed.

Honor made a face. "I hate to ask...," she started.

"Manticore was hit, but repulsed the raiders with no losses," Ruri said. "We assisted in giving the attackers a black eye."

"Good," Honor said. "Captives?" she asked.

"They self destructed any ships too damaged to escape," Ruri said, shaking her head.

"Helps them maintain deniability that it's pirates," Honor sighed. She shook herself, "Good work, anyway. Please pass that on to your crew as well."

"Thank you, ma'am," Ruri nodded.

"Enjoy your leave," Honor added, "dismissed."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Welcome to Ten Forward," the pretty attendant in a Battle Bikini smiled.

"Hey, Shasti," Captain Justy Tyler waved as he entered the bar.

Sometimes it just wasn't practical for ship crew or officers to go away from the station for leave. Transport times might be too long, their break too short, or other reasons. So the station offered facilities for crew who were on leave but couldn't go home.

"Justy," Shasti smiled,. "hiding out from your wives?"

"Busted," Captain Tyler admitted. "All three are pissed off with me."

"You need to stop two-timing women and settle down," Shasti chided, walking him to an empty table. "What'll it be?" she asked.

"Beer to start," Captain Tyler said, "and some chips."

"Be right back," Shasti agreed.

"Shasti!" Cory Emerson waved as she came in.

"Oh, YOU again," Shasti frowned as she finished delivering Captain Tyler his food.

"That's just mean," Cory pouted.

"YOU were the one who got me in trouble with Commander Toren," Shasti pointed out. She changed the subject, "I thought you were off station with the Public Relations teams?"

"I was," Cory admitted, "but I'm on leave, thank goodness."

"They had you helping out Iris and Molly again?" Shasti teased.

"I like them, but GEEZE are they lovey dovey," Cory complained.

Shasti just laughed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Her day of work finally over, Honor Harrington headed to her quarters. As a flag ranked officer she got a suite, large for a station like this, but small compaired to a planet side post. Not that that bothered her, as she didn't need THAT much room.

"Honey, I'm home," Honor called as she went in.

"Welcome back," Michelle Henke-Harrington answered, smiling at her wife warmly.

"Meerk," Nimitz noted.

"Hello to you too, stinker," Michelle chuckled.

Nimitz was put down then Honor kissed Michelle lingeringly. "I've wanted to be back here for HOURS," Honor complained.

"Duty calls," Michelle teased. "It's why I went to a desk job, too."

"Yeah, yeah," Honor smiled.

"Come on, dinner's nearly ready," Michelle added. She cheerfully added, "Get out of that uniform and get comfy."

Honor grinned, "Yes dear."

Michelle fed Nimitz a mix of meet and nutrient rich veggies, and set his bowl aside. "Eat up," she ordered.

"Bleek," Nimitz noted.

"I'll give you some celery for desert," Michelle added.

"Meep!" Nimitz sounded happy.

Honor emerged in loose trousers and a blouse, and smiled, "Thank you for feeding Nimitz too."

"I don't want him interrupting us, later," Michelle teased.

Honor blushed.

To be continued...

Notes: NOT canon Honor Harrington. If you've read my Tenchi Muyo fanfic Conquest, it's BASICALLY that version of her. That's Justy Tyler of The Irresponsible Captain Tyler. Shasti & Cory are from the comics version of Dirty Pair. Toren is named for Toren Smith, the manga pioneer who co-wrote the DP comics and helped start Studeo Proteus & Dark Horse translating manga.