CHAPTER EIGHT
18, January 2454 Military side, Karolain City star port, 08:00 hours.
A brisk breeze blew across the pavement on a chill, cloudy day. Only a small group of people had braved the weather to see the mission depart, as most had said their good byes the night before. A platoon of Imperial Guardsmen formed a hollow square. Inside the square stood the Emperor, Empress, the Duke and Duchess, Celienne, Jason and Julia, Jake, Felicia, The General, Marlene and Kate
Most of the crew was already aboard the Tenacious as were the Marines' vehicles.
The senior officers of the medical department, stood waiting by their shuttle. Kate
Hugged and kissed each member of her family. "A safe trip and a speedy return, Honey."
General Frasier said. "Thank you, Uncle Alex."
Julia hugged Kate. "Be careful, we want you back safely."
"I will be."
Just as she reached her shuttle, Kate heard the sound of marching men. The Marines were the last to board.
. "Nobody loves us; we know that quite well. Alpha Company Rah! But we'll follow our Major through the gates of Hell! Bravo Company Rah! We don't expect to see Heaven's scenes. Charlie Company Rah! But Hell doesn't scare us; we're Castle's Marines! Delta Company Rah!
As they passed the Emperor's group, Rick commanded, "Eyes Right" and rendered the saber salute. The marines were in service dress but carrying their weapons.
"Ready, Front, Double Time, march. The Marines jogged to the shuttles. "Quick time, March! Battalion, Halt! By company board shuttles." The Marines boarded.
All the women were sobbing as the shuttles lifted off. Julia leaned against Jason's chest.
"As big as he is, he's still my little brother, will I ever see him again?"
Rayene Kevan came over.
"Julia, they will be back. The Gods are not so cruel We need Del and Rick so badly."
"I pray that you are right but I fear for Rick. The Castle men have marched off to war for a thousand years and so many have fallen. So many times, a Castle piper has played the Lament for a Fallen Chief."
"We don't know that there will be battle. But even if there is, Rick has many people praying to our Gods as well as your family praying to your God. The Kevan Family, the Frasiers, the entire population of Green Shores, they are happy to have a valiant, kind, compassionate lord. They want him safely home. Especially the girls.
There is a story that one of the maids spied on him in the bath and told her friends.
That got a chuckle out of Julia. "I'm not surprised."
The Empress came over.
"Lady Julia, please come with us, the Ladies are gathering in my chambers, to pray for those we love."
18, January 2454 aboard the C.S.S. Tenacious 15:00 Hours.
Assembly bay 10. "Seats." The Sergeant Major said. Major Rick Castle took the podium.
"You will have the rest of the day and tomorrow morning to get settled in your quarters and familiarize yourselves with the layout of the ship. Meals are at standard times. We will work to the same schedule as we did on the planet. The Sergeant Major will be working with the ship's Master at Arms to integrate our personnel with the ships' security personnel. Crews from our artillery battery will train on some of the ships' batteries and be assigned there during alerts and battle stations. We break orbit at 13:00 tomorrow. We will be at our first check point and star base in two weeks. There is something else I wish to address. Most of you know that I was ennobled on Alpha Centauri. A couple of you have addressed me as my lord. That may have relevance on the planet. It has none here! I am Major Castle, nothing else. Battalion, Attention!
Dismissed!"
The two weeks spent traveling to the star base were a very busy time for everyone,
Training and adjusting to ship's routine, Rick was working 16-hour days, eating at his desk allowing 2 hours for his workout.
They finally reached the base where they were joined by the rest of the task force
The Heavy cruisers C.S.S San Diego, and C.M.S Wolrain two light cruisers, the C.S.S. Sheffield and the C.S.S. Ontario. Two destroyers, C.S.S . Audacious and C.M. S. Remorseless and the electronic warfare ship, C.S.S Silencer*
1 February 2454 Star base 105 15:00 hours.
Rick Castle was working at his desk when his desk when his communicator lit up.
"Priority message Sir."
"Very well."
Admiral Petrofsky's aide appeared.
"The Admiral presents his compliments, Sir. There will be a senior officer's social in the main assembly hall, tonight. It will be an opportunity for all the ships' captains' ,senior staff, department and division heads to meet and greet. Your presence is requested and required. The uniform is service dress with decorations. Time is 20:00 hours."
Damn it, Rick thought. Just what I needed! At least there won't be any airheads present.
The main assembly bay, 20:00 hours
As promised the meeting was more social than a staff meeting, Admiral Petrofsky did call attention to the front of the room where a stage had been set up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I will be introducing the captains of our escort vessels as well as senior staff of the Tenacious.
"Permit me to introduce myself. I am Rear Admiral Sergei Petrofsky. I have thirty years of service in Fleet. I am from Saint Petersburg in the Russian sector of Earth.
My wife, Anna, Captain Petrofsky serves as my Chief of Staff."
Admiral Petrofsky was a tall, slender man, his silver –blonde hair cropped short.
"The captain of Tenacious Captain Geoffrey Rogers, also my Flag Captain is from England,
European sector, Earth." Captain Rogers was tall and of medium build, his dark hair graying at the temples.
"I will ask Captain Rogers to introduce his staff.
"Thank you, Sir. My Executive officer is Commander Landon Lee, from Korea, Asian sector, Earth." Rick generally noted, but dismissed the officers he wouldn't be working directly with. "My intelligence officer is Commander Cheryl Cristobol from Nueva Madrid on Nueva Cordoba." Rick looked up. It was the same woman from the Christmas party. Average height, she wore her uniform as closely tailored as regulations allowed, emphasizing her voluptuous figure. Olive skinned with dark hair and eyes she projected a sensuous beauty. This could prove to be an interesting mission. Rick thought. "Our senior medical officer Captain Gloria Wayne."
Wayne introduced Kate, Lanie and her chief nurse.
Admiral Petrofsky said, "I'll take it again, Geoff. Some of you have asked why I specified decorations tonight. One of our officers is very young for his rank and position. He is our ground force commander Major Rick Castle. Major Castle, Front and center!"
Rick Castle marched forward, came to attention and snapped;
"Major Castle reporting as ordered, Sir."
"Major Castle is one of the most highly decorated officers for his length of service that I have ever heard of, most of them for valor. You may return to the group, Major."
"Yes Sir."
As Rick walked back, Cristobol said to one of her friends;
"I want him. He's just the kind of man I've always wanted."
"You and every other single, straight woman on the ship. Including me."
"I've never had any trouble getting any man I wanted."
"Then why have you gone through so many of them?"
"Gayle, Shut up! You really don't want to cross me!"
After all the introductions had been made, the officers began socializing.
Kate came up to Rick.
"Just because it's winter, you don't have to hibernate."
Rick laughed.
"Hi, Kate, I've been busy, getting the battalion settled and integrated with the ship's crew."
"So, I heard, working sixteen-hour days and eating at your desk."
"Guilty as charged but I thrive on that!"
"Rick, you're talking to a doctor. Nobody thrives on that. Even tough guys have a limit. You don't work your men like that."
"Well, no I don't but I'm responsible for their well- being."
"Who's responsible for yours?
"We'll still be here, tomorrow night. Will you please take the evening off? Lanie and I would like Del and you to join us for dinner in the officer's mess and attend a concert in the base theatre. Light music, I believe."
"We'd like that, Kate. We'll be there."
"Your conquest might not be so easy as you think, Cheryl, you've already got competition and she's beautiful."
The Ice Princess? I'm not worried about her!"
"What do you mean, the Ice Princess, do you know her?"
"By reputation, she was on Alpha Centauri almost six months and not one serious date! She was also at the Christmas party and had several dances with Major Castle and got just one kiss out of him. If I'd had that much time with him, I would have gone home with him!"
2, February 2454 Star base 105., Officer's Mess 18:00 hours.
Kate, Lanie, Del and Rick met in the officer's mess, precisely at 18:00.
"Good evening, Ladies. I'm fairly sure that the food is much better than I've been that which I've been eating lately and the company is certainly an order of magnitude better."
Rick said.
Kate smiled. "Thank you, Gentlemen and for our part, having such handsome dinner partners is a treat for us."
"I'm afraid that the wine list is rather poor, just two reds and two whites." Kate said
"That's not a problem, for me, I'm not much of a wine drinker," Rick said.
"At least the menu selection isn't limited. There's a spicy ginger chicken I'll try that."
Del ordered a pasta dish and both women ordered fish.
While the food was acceptable, the conversation was light and all four enjoyed the meal.
"Thank you, for the invitation, Kate. Now I really must get back there are matters I should attend to."
"Not so fast, Rick. I meant what I said. Take the evening off, did you forget about the concert?"
"No, I didn't but there is so much work to do."
"Stop right there! That's why you have a staff.
It's a fact that after a certain point your efficiency drops off rapidly. Besides, a gentleman wouldn't want a lady to feel slighted, would he?"
"This gentleman wouldn't."
Kate was right. Rick needed the relaxation. The concert was performed by members of the star base's permanent staff, who did a very professional job. It was a mixture of some currently popular music and light classics. Kate wondered at the transformation as Rick got into the music. The hard planes of his face seemed to soften and she could see the young man that he had been before war and responsibility hardened him.
After the concert, Del and Rick escorted the ladies to their quarters.
"Thank you, Kate. You were right, I needed that."
"You're welcome but no more sixteen-hour days. I can ask Captain Wayne to make it a medical order if I must."
"You shouldn't worry about me, with all your other duties, it's too much. There are eight field medics assigned to the battalion. Our senior medic is a Chief Warrant officer, a physician's assistant."
"And not one of them is willing to cross you. Please ease up."
"All right, I will." "Thank you and good night"
The squadron left orbit the next morning, heading for the last star base before they reached the frontier.
09 February, 2454, Officer's mess aboard the C.S.S. Tenacious 18:15 hours
Major Rick Castle sat, alone at a table, just starting his supper.
"I see that you are dining alone, Major. May I join you?"
Lieutenant Commander Cheryl Cristobol was smiling down at him. Rick rose.
"It would be my pleasure, Commander. Please be seated."
"Thank you. I hate to dine alone."
"You dining alone seems rather improbable, Commander. You are a lovely woman."
"Thank you again and if you're going to be so charming, it seems rather silly to use our ranks. I'd prefer that you call me Cheryl."
"In that case, I'm Rick."
"It also seems very strange that you are dining alone, Rick."
"I usually do. I'm a reader, by nature and I usually read while I eat. Most evenings I eat when I get hungry, which may or may not be at the scheduled time."
"Then I'm fortunate that you got hungry at the scheduled time. I get to dine with a very handsome man, one that I would really like to know more about."
"There's not that much to know. I'm a simple man. I'm a professional soldier.
"That's not true, Rick. I hear that you're a rather complex man and a newly minted Centauran Lord as well."
"How did you hear about that?"
"I'm an intelligence officer, I gather a lot of data, some relevant to my mission, some not.
I'd really like to get to know you. All I know is what's in your record and that you really are a great dancer."
"There's not a lot to tell, I'm like most other career officers.
"That's certainly not true. You're not much like anyone I've met before."
Cristobol smiled and shifted in her chair so that the fabric of her uniform strained against her breasts
. "I'll tell you what I do know. You're the Son of a Fleet Admiral, you graduated at the top of your class, have both an impressive and unique combat record, the only man not a Centauran to ever win the Shield of the Blue Rose and the only one ennobled and a very handsome man. Tell me about the man, not the image."
"Well, to start off, you can't choose your parents. My father and I have not been close for a long time, before he ever made flag rank so being an admiral's son didn't mean much. My mother died when I was twelve. As whether or not I'm handsome, that's a matter of opinion and it's nothing I had anything to do with, anyway. It's all genetics.
I don't want to talk about my combat record. It's perspective. All I did was my duty.
What do I like? Dancing, music, art, sports, literature, a lot of things."
"You surprise me, Rick. Most men love to talk about their lives."
"I don't, we can, however, talk about yours."
They chatted over dinner. Cristobol was surprised at how easily Rick had evaded her questions and turned them around on her. She found herself talking about her own life!
"I enjoyed dinner, very much, Rick, would you like to join me for a couple of drinks in forward ten?"
"Thank you for the offer, Cheryl, but I have a meeting with my officers in our own lounge. I did enjoy dinner, another time for drinks, perhaps. Good Evening, Cheryl."
Cheryl Cristobol was both surprised and a little annoyed. She wasn't used to having her invitations refused, if even so politely. It was very early in the mission, though and she was sure that over time she would get what she wanted.
During the two weeks that it took to reach the star base at the frontier, the squadron trained extensively, the marines as hard as anyone else, rotating through the various security stations and damage drills as well as manning several of the ship's batteries.
Rick took the opportunity to get some time in the latest aerospace fighters and did several stints in the battle direction center as the gunnery officer.
16, February 2454, Frontier star base, 16:00 hours.
"Attention on Deck, Admiral Petrofsky."
"Seats, Gentlemen." The senior officers all sat down and looked, expectantly at the admiral
. "We will be here for three days, while the base maintenance personnel go over the ships and we restock all supplies to a 20% overload. The base is throwing a party for us, tomorrow night after the evening meal. I expect the entire crew to attend. It may be our last chance to relax for a long time. Dress uniforms are requested. Let's make this a real gala. That is all for now. You are dismissed."
"Dress uniform, what does the admiral think this is, a pleasure cruise?"
"We could all use the relaxation, even you, hard-ass."
"I know, but service dress is good enough, on mission."
"Technically we're in port. Liberty rules apply."
"Well, at least there's one good thing about it, in port I don't have to raid my private stock to get a good drink."
"See, I knew that you could find a bright side to it, if you tried."
17, February 2454, Frontier star base, 19:30 hours.
Rick and Del entered the large hall being used for the gala. Since either medals or ribbons could be worn with the uniform, Rick opted for the less flashy ribbons.
Del, naturally a little flamboyant, chose medals
. "I'm going to get a drink and circulate. "Del said.
"You go ahead. The admiral said that I had to be here, nothing more than that."
Rick went to the bar, got a tall scotch and soda and a plate of snacks, then found as secluded table as possible and sat, content to watch other people's antics.
The table was mostly in shadow and Rick thought that he'd found a good spot, when a soft voice sounded behind him.
"Julia was right. You avoid as much of the party as you can." Kate stood right behind him.
"You were talking to Julia about me?"
"Why not, she and I are close. Aren't you going to invite me to sit?"
"Oops. Sorry Kate. Please sit down. You threw me for a moment. I've asked Julie many times, not to talk about me."
Kate sat down. "Why not, do you have some deep, dark secret to hide?"
"No, I don't. It's just that I don't want to risk hurting anyone and it's easier, my way."
"You really don't understand women, do you? A man of mystery, to a woman, is like catnip to a cat. Besides, hiding back here won't do you any good. A whole lot of women saw you when the admiral introduced you. They will come hunting, so it's probably better to appear as if one huntress has already caught you."
"You?"
"Of course, me, I'm already here and you know that you can trust me."
"Oh, how do I know that?" Kate could sense the banter in his tone.
"Well, I'm a doctor, you trust doctors, don't you? Besides that, I'm your sister's friend."
"As if Julie doesn't have ulterior motives."
"It's too late to discuss it now, the cougars are already on the prowl."
"Very well, Doctor Beckett how's your bedside manner?"
"My what?" Kate blushed, until she saw the raised eyebrow and grin.
"Got you."
Kate couldn't suppress a laugh. "Julia was right. You can be wicked, can't you."
Kate 's predictions were right on the mark. Several women had spotted Rick but turned away when they saw that he had a companion. Likewise, several men had spotted Kate but chose not to test the temper of the big marine.
They did have two observers, Cristobol and her friend.
"You're going to have to do better, Cheryl. That's two marches she's stolen on you."
"I'm still not worried.
Look at them. No sexual tension. She should be sitting next to him, not across from him."
"So, you're not worried?"
"Hardly, that one is a real man. He needs and wants a real woman, not some ivory tower intellectual who doesn't have a clue on how to use what she's got."
As she said it, Lanie Parrish arrived at the table with a lieutenant from the astrogation division. They sat down. Cristobol laughed. "There goes any chance for intimacy or even romance."
Del arrived a few minutes later.
"That puts a seal on it," Cristobol said. "The fifth wheel shuts everything down. She'll get bored in a little while and go hobnob with her medical cronies and I'll move in."
The public address system came on. "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Captain Rogers. "As a result of numerous requests from the ladies there will be dancing tonight, as soon as we collect some music. In about thirty minutes."
"Damn it, she may lack in the romance department but she's an excellent dancer. So, is he? That's going to screw up my plans."
Cristobol said.
"Well, it appears that I'm going to be glad that I came, after all." Rick said. "That is if you will honor me with the first dance, Kate."
"I will be very happy to dance with you."
"Thank you. You will be barraged with offers after that first dance."
"As if you won't be? You asked for the first dance, granted. Now it's my turn. I want the last dance."
"I wouldn't dance the last dance with anyone else!"
They moved onto the dance floor as the music started. Kate nestled close, enjoying the feel of his arms around her and feeling a pang as the song ended and another officer claimed the next dance. Cristobol headed for Rick but was beaten out by one of the nurses. She finally made it on her fourth try. "What does a girl have to do, to dance with you?"
"It's all a matter of timing, if you'll excuse a bad pun."
This song had a fast tempo which precluded the closeness Cristobol wanted. Rick didn't seem to notice, moving with the beat. All too soon, for Cristobol, the song was over and another officer made her claim.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the next dance will be the final one, tonight. Please choose your partner."
Several men approached Kate. "I'm sorry, Gentlemen, this dance is already promised." She met Rick just as the music started. Once again, she was surprised at how good and right it felt to be in his arms but she still wasn't ready to call what she felt, love.
Nonetheless, she was disappointed as the music ended.
"Shall I escort you to your quarters?"
"Yes, thank you. I would appreciate it."
At her quarters, Rick said, "Thank you Kate. The evening turned out much better than I thought it would."
"So, did mine, Rick." She lifted her face and he kissed her, gently.
"Good night, Kate, sleep well."
Good night, Rick."
18, February, 245, Frontier star base, 0900 hours.
"All ship's captains, division heads and Ground force commander, commanders Call, one hour."
Promptly at 10:00 the admiral walked into the conference room.
"Take your seats, gentlemen. As you all know, we depart at 0:800 tomorrow. We will cross the frontier in approximately two weeks. The light survey ship Seeker has arrived to join the task force.
The main task force will cross the frontier cloaked. The Seeker will go in uncloaked,
to draw out any hostile forces if present.
If any attempt to capture or destroy her, Silencer will block all channels .and the warships
will engage the enemy."
The task force lifted at the specified time. The daily training intensified but along with the training, the evening socializing also increased to relieve the tension. Rick and Kate enjoyed several dinners together but Cristobol invited Rick a few times too but had no success in getting him to come to her cabin. Nonetheless, her dress became more daring each time.
05, March 2454 In deep space, 10:00 hours
After the heightened tension before crossing the frontier, the actual crossing was an anti-climax. Nothing happened. There were no black holes, gravitational storms, hostile ships, nothing! They were still ten days to two weeks out from Placida, past the limit of their long -range sensors.
05, March 2454. Officer's mess, C.S.S. Tenacious 18:15 hours
Kate and Lanie entered the mess, ready for the evening meal. Kate was disappointed to see that Rick Castle was already seated with Cheryl Cristobol.
Rick, as usual, wore service dress. Cristobol wore a low cut, short tight red dress.
Regulations permitted the wearing of civilian clothes, off duty but most people didn't.
Cheryl Cristobol was pushing as hard as she dared and not having the success that she usually did. Most men would consider her hot and she was highly intelligent but Rick was wary, not that he wasn't attracted to her but something kept him from trusting her.
"Thank you for your company, Cheryl, I enjoyed it."
"The evening doesn't have to end Rick. We could have drinks in my quarters".
"I appreciate the offer but I still have work to do."
Cheryl Cristobol put the best face on it, she could. "Another time then."
Rick didn't realize it, as he walked off but he was being watched by more than Cheryl Cristobol.
"Let's go to forward ten and relax, a little. Kate said.
"You go ahead. I'll catch up."
Lanie confronted Cristobol. "I didn't know that intelligence training involved acting like a courtesan."
It took Cristobol a few seconds, then she said, angrily,
"With you, intelligence training couldn't advance that far!"
Lanie, eyes narrowed, said;
"You know, intelligence training shouldn't negate being an officer and a lady!"
"What would you know about being a lady?"
"Far more than you do. I know my friend, Kate. She's ten times the lady that an under principled, over sexed, underhanded, conniving predator like you, could ever hope to be!"
"Well if your "lady" weren't such an over principled, under sexed, emotionally under developed girl, with such a romantically handicapped tag-along for a friend, I wouldn't have (Wicked smile) such a target-rich environment among the Marines, would I?"
At this point, Lanie 's eyes widen and her face is furious, as is Cristobel's. Their hands are clenched and they look ready to pounce on each other, when Kate arrives. She came in and heard just "Among the Marines", but she can tell by the look on both women's faces that trouble is there. She quickly steps in and says,
"Excuse me Commander, may I have a word with my friend?"
She pulls Lanie away as the women are restored by the word Commander."
"You'd better have a good word with her, Commander, she's on dangerous ground!"
"What was that about, Lanie, I heard among the Marines?"
"I don't want to talk about it!"
"You could get in serious trouble, Lanie, she outranks you!"
"Only by seniority. Let it go, Kate. She won't say anything about it, her conduct won't bear scrutiny."
"All right. Let's go on to forward ten."
15, March 2454 Aboard the C.S.S. Tenacious 13:07 hours. "Forward sensor scan to bridge."
"Bridge Aye."
"This is Chief Petty Officer Sukkot my sensor operators report unknown ships in orbit around Placida." The officer of the deck turned.
"Captain to the bridge, I say again, Captain to the bridge." Captain Rogers arrived on the bridge.
"What have you got, Renato?"
"Sir, sensors have detected unknown ships around Placida."
"Put it on screen." The range was still too great for accurate identification.
"All ships in full stealth mode, close to 50,000 kilometers. Inform Admiral Petrofsky."
"What have we got Captain?"
"Eight unidentified ships Sir. I've ordered all ships to close to 50,000 kilometers and hold."
Very good, Captain. I'll remain on the bridge."
Aboard the Tenacious, 15:45 hours.
"50,000 kilometers Sir."
"Scan them." Images appeared on the screen.
"The ships appear to be Crovanian Sir, two destroyers, two light cruisers, two heavy cruisers and two transports."
"Very well. Tell the Seeker to unmask and close. Let's see what they do. All ships advance, set red alert throughout the task force."
"They've detected her Sir. Unknown ships are approaching."
"All personnel, report to your battle stations."
The Crovanian flagship began hailing.
"Commonwealth ship, cease operations and stand by to be boarded. You are our prize. If you do not resist, you will not be harmed and begin useful lives under our benevolent authority." A tractor beam flashed out from the one of the light cruisers."
Following task force operating orders, the Silencer blocked all frequencies except hailing frequencies. "The Crovanian light cruiser is committing an overt act of piracy." Admiral Petrofsky said.
"Tenacious and San Diego unmask. Crovanian ships, this is Admiral Sergei Petrofsky of The Galactic Commonwealth of Planets, you are committing an act of Piracy. I order you to cease and desist immediately or you will be fired on."
"I am Galak Elant. I protest. You cannot do this. We are Crovanian Union ships!"
"Protest all you want. There has been no declaration of war between the Crovanian union and the Commonwealth. Your ships were caught in an open act of piracy. You will immediately surrender your ships and stand by to be boarded."
The Crovanian's only answer was to open fire, believing that his six warships could overcome two. It was a serious mistake. The battle ship might be old but had just gone through a refit and upgrade and her shields were brand new. So were her batteries.
Her shields easily deflected the enemy attack.
Her main batteries raked the light cruiser, lightly built for scouting and escort duty
She wasn't built to stand up to a dreadnaught. Her shields failed in seconds and she exploded. Released from the tractor beam, the Seeker turned around and retreated,
taking station well out of range,
The rest of the task force unmasked and spread out. The Crovanians, suddenly presented with multiple opponents, turned to run. It was far too late.
Unable to escape, the Crovanians fought like cornered rats.
Both heavy cruisers concentrated their fire on the Tenacious. The San Diego went after one the remaining light cruiser, The Ontario began firing on one of the heavy cruisers. The two destroyers engaged their counterparts. The continuous heavy fire from two ships was beginning to tell on the Tenacious. She shook from a heavy blow.
"Sir, damage control reports that shields were penetrated at sector G43. Repair party is on the way , there are several casualties."
"Sir, damage control reports breach sealed and only one serious casualty, he's in sick bay being treated as we speak."
"Very good Mister Rawlings," Captain Rogers said. "Keep me updated."
It wasn't long before the San Diego overwhelmed the second light cruiser. She lay dead in space; dozens of life globes being ejected. They were barely clear, when her scuttling charges went off and she blew up.
The San Diego joined the attack on the two heavies. The Crovanian heavy cruiser Disruptor took a hit in her engine room and she too, blew up.
Her sister ship, the Dominator was hit in the main power crossover and she went on emergency power, just enough for life support and communications.
The two destroyers, unable to escape and seeing the fate of the heavier ships, both surrendered.
"Major Castle report to the bridge."
"Major Castle reporting as ordered Sir."
Admiral Petrofsky said, "Major, you will organize six. boarding parties and have them stand by, in the shuttle bay. I don't know why those two transports haven't moved out
but I don't care.
We are going to capture them intact. Your men will board the enemy ships and secure the prisoners.
Once that we have taken the transports the prisoners will be transferred to one of the transports and locked into the troop bays of the transport. Ensure that officers are segregated from NCO's and NCO's from ratings.
They will be stripped of all personal communicators, tools and metallic objects and allowed only soft plastic spoons and cups. A prize crew will then take the ship to the star base. One destroyer will accompany them as an escort. Do you have any questions Major?"
"No Sir, your orders are clear."
Very well, major you have twenty minutes to get organized."
"Yes Sir."
In the shuttle bay, 16:30 hours
The Marines, in full space armor stood easy, awaiting orders. "Listen Up" Major Rick Castle was speaking. Each of you team leaders have your orders. When All the ships have been secured, Captain Kevan will take one large troop shuttle and transfer all prisoners to a transport. I am boarding the heavy cruiser with my team. These thugs are pirates and slavers. If there is any resistance, use your best judgment but do not hesitate to use lethal force if necessary."
*C.S.S identifies a Commonwealth Star Ship. A Fleet. ship. C.M.S.S. identifies a Centauran Majesty's Star Ship. S.S Star Ship. A civilian vessel