CHAPTER THIRTEEN
24, April 2454. Placida star port 10:00 hours.
Rick called his staff conference to order.
"This is the situation, Gentlemen. Those mercenaries that escaped are asking for quarter.
They had very little in the way of food, water or ammunition. The local militia will take charge of them. We'll back them up when they take them. After they inter them, our responsibility is over. There are a few renegades out there but they are citizens of Placida, therefore the civil authority's problem.
We'll give the men a week's rest and get some of our wounded back on duty.
Then we're going to take the mining facility. It's under constant surveillance so they can't escape or get their plunder out of there.
Are there any questions, comments or information I should know?"
The operations officer spoke up. "Sir, as you know, the Med people have set up a hospital, here in the port. The locals have asked for a temporary clinic location in a village about 5 clicks from here. Fleet shore patrol people will handle security."
"Noted. If there's nothing else, dismissed."
Placida star port, 12:00 hours.
"Come on, Brother, let's get some lunch." Rick looked up from the report he was scanning. "Good idea. I am hungry." After the two men sat down with their trays, Del said;
"Kate will be down with that clinic, tomorrow. That will be your chance to straighten things out with her."
"I told you, after this is wrapped up."
"So, she can suffer a little more? Enough is enough. Damn it, Rick, you could still lose her. Do you want that?"
"No, I don't but down here, like this?"
"She won't care what you're wearing. Dress blues, battledress or a towel and shower shoes! In fact, she'd probably like the last one, Ask her to dinner, tomorrow night, right here. We've got a damn fine kitchen at our disposal."
25, April 2454 Bountiful village, near the star port, Placida. 10:00 Hours
Lieutenant Commander Kate Beckett was glad to be busy. Concentrating on patients who needed her help, kept her from dwelling on the ache in her heart. Rick was so close and yet so far away. What was that, gunshots?
In the hills above Bountiful village, 10:00 hours.
Kurt Lange and William Curtis lay in the grass, watching the clinic. Their group of about 20 renegades lay behind them. "If we take those docs hostage, we can get enough credits and a passage off planet to live comfortably. If we don't old Hank Cordell will hang us all." Kurt said.
"Let's do it then", Bill replied "There's only 5 guards."
The first shots had been fired too early, from too far away. The guards had time to take cover and return fire. Kate ran to a window and looked out. She then ran to where a large portable com was
. "Any station, any station this is mercy Bird Six, detached. We are under attack! By good fortune, Rick was standing in the com shack when the call came in.
"Shit, that's Kate!" He grabbed his helmet and roared,
"First Platoon, Alpha Company.! With me! First platoon of Alpha Company was the headquarters guard, all carefully selected men. "Castle's Own!" they yelled as they ran to their carriers."
The renegades had already lost five men as they came down the hill. The shore patrol troops weren't as good as Marines but they were firing from cover. Kurt Lange armed and threw a demolition charge. It hit the base of the wall and detonated.
Inside, the violently collapsing wall hit and pinned Kate, knocking her unconscious.
Lange never heard the whining of the carrier's fans, through the ringing in his ears.
"Come on boys, we're in!" He yelled.
He did hear the "Like Hell you are!"
He spun around to see William, on his knees, shaking his head, blood running from his ears and nose.
His men were engaged with troops in the battle dress of Fleet Marines. Most of them were down already. Those who weren't dead or dying would soon be prisoners.
One of the biggest men he'd ever seen was advancing on him; the bore of the pistol in his hand looked as big as a water main. Kurt thought about going for his own pistol.
A savage grin on his face, the big man said;
"Please try it. Please do. It will save us the trouble of hanging you."
Kurt raised his hands. "I surrender. You can't hang me! I surrender!" Rick 's grin never wavered.
"No, I can't hang you but your government can and will. I can, however, use whatever force I need to in subduing you." The pistol crashed across the bridge of Kurt's nose, breaking it.
Rick pushed into the building, heedless of his own safety. The air was thick with dust, and the floor was covered with debris.
"Kate! Kate! Can you hear me?" No one answered, and Rick 's heart rate ratcheted up even more. He called for her again, and whirled at a sound behind him. A hoarse voice said,
"Over here, Major." Rick hurried over to the person who'd called to him.
One of the nurses lay on her side, her leg pinned by a roof beam. "She's under that wall, Major." Rick knelt and grabbed the wall, and strained to pull it away. It moved a few inches, but it wasn't enough. Rick gritted his teeth and then yelled as he lifted the section of wall, heaving it clear by main force. He looked down. Kate was still, looking impossibly small huddled there. She was breathing, however, and Rick didn't see any blood in his hurried examination He lifted his head and looked around.
"Medic, over here, now!" A dust covered young man crouched next to them.
"I'm a doctor, Major, let me check her."
"All right." Rick turned to the nurse.
"Hold still, I'll get that beam off of you." Rick lifted the beam and pushed it aside. He then lifted the nurse. "Can you put any weight on that leg?"
"I'll try." She put her leg down and grimaced. "Oh, that hurts, but I don't think anything's broken, just badly bruised."
Rick tapped his communicator.
"Sergeant Kelly, help this lady out of here!" He then turned back to the doctor. "How is she?"
"She's concussed, how badly, I don't know. She's going to have a lot of contusions and abrasions; she may have cracked ribs.
"Her blood pressure and perfusion are good and her heartbeat stable. Wait a minute, I want to do one more thing," he said, stalling Rick 's hands as Rick reached down towards Kate. The doctor ran the tricorder over her body.
"Okay, no cervical or spinal injuries. We can move her."
Rick gently picked Kate up and cradled her against his chest. Her head lolled against him, but she was warm and alive.
"I'm taking her to the hospital. I'll send our battalion medics and an extra carrier to help you with the rest."
Lily Warren hobbled forward
. "I'm coming with you, Major. She's my friend."
25, April 2454, Placida star port hospital, 11:30 hours.
Lanie Parrish came out of the exam room and met Rick 's anxious stare.
"She has a mild to moderate concussion, Rick, and cracked ribs on the right side. No gross internal injuries that we can detect." She let Rick let out a sigh of relief before she continued.
"I still want to get her up to the ship, where our diagnostic equipment is better. Thank God for that thick mass of hair she's got. It helped cushion the blow."
Rick scrubbed his face with his hands and took a breath
. "Okay, keep me informed."
"You could go up with her; you should have that contusion on your head looked at."
"I don't have the time. There's too much to do."
"You could be with her."
"She's unconscious. She won't know I'm there, anyway."
Lanie had no time to refute this remark before Rick strode away. Frowning faintly, she went back to her friend.
29, April 2454 Placida, Star port, 10:30 hours
It had been 5 days since Kate had been injured, and Rick had yet to visit. He'd been busy, but he was also unsure as to what his reception would be. He walked mechanically to the message center in Headquarters.
"Sir, there's a priority message for you."
Rick opened the message. "Request that you report aboard the Tenacious at your earliest convenience. Captain Rogers, Fleet."
Rick looked up to meet the gaze of the man in front of him. "One of the fighters is parked on the tarmac, sir, you could take that."
"Good idea. Captain Kevan to command center, please."
"What's up?" Del asked over the communicator.
"I don't know. I'm ordered aboard the ship ASAP. Take it until I get back."
"Roger that."
Captain Rogers' office, 11:15 hours.
"Major Castle reporting as ordered, sir."
"Welcome back, Major."
"Thank you, sir. What's this about?"
"I don't know. Captain Wayne requested your presence in Sickbay. She said that it's important. She's an old friend, Major. I trust her."
Rick felt suddenly uneasy. Was something wrong with Kate that they hadn't known about? Why else would Captain Wayne request him in Sickbay.
"Yes, sir. On my way."
Sickbay, 11:20 hours.
"What's this about, Captain?" Rick asked, a worried look on his face.
"Answer a question for me, Major. How do you feel about Commander Beckett?"
Rick was taken aback by the directness of Captain Wayne's question.
"With all due respect, Captain, I don't believe that's any of your concern."
Captain Wayne raised one eyebrow.
"Anything that concerns one of my officers is my business, Major. Ever since she regained consciousness, she barely eats. She just sits in her bed and stares at the wall or cries. I can't keep her in Sickbay any longer, since her injuries are mostly healed. But I don't want her by herself, either." She stepped closer to Rick and laid her hand on his arm.
"She's in love with you, Rick, and she thinks that she lost you and doesn't want to face it. So, I'm going to ask you again. What are your feelings for her?"
Rick flopped into a chair and passed his hand over his eyes. He sighed but faced Captain Wayne squarely. His voice, when he spoke, was low.
"I love her, Captain. I have for a long time. But loving me wouldn't be good for her. I'm Force Recon."
"She knows that Major, better than any other woman could. She saved your life after Tantalus. She knows that you're headstrong and foolishly brave and loves you anyway.
As you've been told before, you don't have the right to deny her the love she wants to give and the love she needs in return. She's a very special woman. I believe that if she doesn't get what she needs, which is you, she'll die inside. Can you be that cruel?"
Rick looked up. His face was, for once, clear of any deflection or sarcasm. It was open and faintly pleading. "What can I do?"
"If you really do love her, I want you to go in there and tell her!"
When Rick entered the room, Kate was sitting up, her head down on her arms. She was crying. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on her arm. He heard her swift intake of breath before her startled, tear-stained eyes met his.
"Rick?"
He smiled at her, a warm and comforting smile that was a far cry from his normal one.
"I'm glad to see that you're doing well."
She frowned. She was healing, but doing well? That was open to question. She swallowed hard around her sore throat and opened her mouth.
"What are you doing here? This is the first time you've come to see me since I got here." Her voice, though rough, was far from welcoming. Rick sighed internally. She was mad at him, but he couldn't let that stop him from what he needed to do.
"I needed to tell you something."
She leaned back and folded her arms.
"I'm listening."
He smothered a grin over her feigned nonchalance. Then he remembered the urgency of his visit, and his face got serious.
"When we were down there, and you got hurt, I didn't know what had happened for several minutes. I didn't know if you were dead or alive. And at that moment, I realized that the only thing I cared about was knowing if you were alive. That was more important to me than anything else. I needed to find you, to see with my own eyes that you were OK. I also realized something else." At that point, words failed him, and he stood up and paced.
Kate 's eyes were wide.
"Rick?"
He raked his hand through his hair. "What I realized was that nothing mattered more than you. Everything was centered around you. Kate …I love you." He'd turned away slightly, and his almost whispered words fell loud and clear in the silent room.
Kate gasped.
"Rick, what did you say?"
"What did you hear?"
"I heard you say that you love me. Is it true?"
He looked long and searchingly at her lovely face. He seemed to have found what he wanted, because he smiled and leaned down to take her hands in his.
"It's true, Kate. I'm in love with you."
Rick had been prepared for more crying, laughing, or astonishment. What he wasn't prepared for was Kate slipping her hands out of his and smacking him hard across the chest. Her eyes flashed, and a startled Rick could only watch as she launched into a loud and exasperated response.
"Now? After all the hints and opportunities, I gave you, I have to nearly get myself killed for you to tell me that you love me? Rick Castle, you are the most opinionated, arrogant, stubborn, short-sighted, bull-headed man that I have ever met!"
Taken aback, Rick blinked hard. He was amazed that the firebrand sitting in front of him had, just a few minutes before, been weeping into her knees. He said, in confusion, "What are you saying, Kate? Do you…do you want me to leave?"
Kate rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand, yanking him back to the edge of the bed and pulling him down to make him sit on it. She took his face in her hands and gazed at him. No, damn it, I love you too, idiot!"
With that, her arms snaked around his neck, and she laughed.
"I love you; Rick Castle and I've been in love with you for a long time, longer than I knew. I was afraid to admit it, afraid that you wouldn't love me."
Rick shook his head. "No chance of that"
With a smile on her lips, Kate pulled Rick 's head down and kissed him. The kiss was long, and left her breathless. As soon as she caught her breath, she said;
"I've been waiting so long for that. I was so afraid that I'd never get it. I mean, I know we've kissed before, but we've never kissed before."
Rick laughed, a little out of breath himself. He slid his arms around Kate and pulled her to him. She relaxed and laid her head against his chest as he stroked her hair.
"Well, I do love you, and I'm sorry that it took us so long to get here." He felt Kate smile against him.
"If you truly do love me, that's all past, and it doesn't matter anymore." She pulled back from him and cocked her head. "You said that you love me. And I love you. I will love you forever." She swallowed hard and bit her lip. "Will you prove your love to me?"
"How do I do that?"
Kate took a deep, fortifying breath. "Marry me."
Rick 's eyebrows shot up and his mouth dropped open. He quickly recovered, but not before a flash of amusement lit Kate 's eyes. He then said;
"I want to, but you don't know what you're risking, I don't want you to be hurt."
She cupped his face in her hands and stared into his eyes.
"Love, I can't be hurt any more than I already have been. I thought I lost you, and it broke my heart. I know the risks. For heaven's sake, Rick, I come from a military family! And my hands have already been covered in your blood. If I would have only one month after we're married, that will be a glorious month. I'll have more love and happiness in that month then most women have in a lifetime. But I'm not really worried. I know that our lives together will be long and happy."
He searched the limpid green depths of her eyes for a long moment before he slowly smiled.
"I will. I will marry you. When?"
She let out a joyous laugh.
"If it were really up to me, it would be tomorrow. But I don't want it to feel like something we're doing out of desperation. And I don't want to think what Julia or my brothers would do if we got married without them in attendance." Rick nodded. Julia would rend him limb from limb if he made her miss his wedding. Kate grinned as she watched him come to that conclusion.
"As soon as we can, after we get home, will be good. Arrangements have to be made. I also want you to ask me, in public, tonight."
"Okay. I'll be proud to do that."
"Next, I want you to renew your promise to me, to be careful. I know that I caused you to break it. I'll never be that foolish again."
He gently tucked a strand of her silky dark hair behind her ear.
"I promise you. I will be careful, now that I have a reason to be." She beamed.
"Let me get ready for dinner. I'll wear something nice, and you bring the ring."
She saw his eyes widen and smothered a laugh.
"OK, well, bring a ring, and you can get me the ring later." She leaned over and gently kissed him. She pulled back and studied his face.
"We're good, right? I mean, you're not just agreeing because I got hurt?"
Rick laughed and kissed her lightly.
"I wouldn't ever 'just agree.' I want this, Kate, I really do. Now let's have dinner so I can do this right. I do have to go back down tomorrow. The operation is ongoing."
Kate smiled. "I'll think about that tomorrow."
29, April 2454 Placida star port, 13:00 Hours.
"Captain Kevan, a call for you. It's Striker Six."
Del raised one eyebrow. That was Rick! He quickly responded.
"This is Striker one-six. Go, Six."
Rick 's voice came through the speaker.
"Is there any reason that I need to RTB tonight?"
Del grinned. He had a pretty good guess as to why Rick wanted to remain on board the Tenacious
"Negative, Six, I've got it, everything's quiet."
Del could hear the joy in Rick 's voice as he replied, and his grin stretched into a full-fledged smile.
"Roger that, I'm remaining on board, overnight. FYI, the situation is well in hand. Green Shores will be getting its lady."
"Roger, Six, One-Six, out." Del couldn't help himself, as he let out a whoop, to the startlement of the people around him.
"Sergeant Major!" Del called out.
"Sir?" The sergeant major replied. He wasn't sure why, but the Captain was suspiciously happy.
With a look of triumph on his face, Del said; "He did it, Sergeant Major. You owe me a case of ale." The sergeant major smiled. This was one bet he didn't mind losing.
29, April 2454 Medical Officer's Quarters, 17:30 Hours.
Kate was taking special care with her dress. She'd chosen a dark blue knee-length dress, shot through with silver threads, that perfectly showed off her pale skin and hazel eyes. Lanie had helped, brushing and styling Kate 's hair until it shone, framing her face, then cascading down her back. Her makeup was minimal, as she didn't need much, just a touch of lip gloss and eye shadow. She dabbed Enchantress behind her ears, at the base of her throat and her wrists then getting bold some between her breasts and on her inner thighs. Lanie eventually stepped back, looking at her critically, and with satisfaction pronounced her ready.
Lanie flopped down on Kate 's bed, watching her friend fuss with last-minute details in the mirror. She smiled and said;
"I still can't believe it. He actually did it! You've been laughing and smiling all afternoon so I know that it's true, but he sure took his own sweet time."
Kate raised one elegant eyebrow and said;
"What does it matter what time it took? That he did it is all that matters." She touched Lanie 's shoulder and said, playfully,
"If you don't quit talking and get dressed, you'll miss the confirmation!"
Marine Officer's quarters, 17:30 hours.
Rick too, was taking special care. Freshly shaved, in full dress with all his medals, and his boots gleaming like black glass, he looked every inch the officer. Tonight, would formally change his life, forever. Kate would take first place in his heart. The Corps, the mission, his men, all would pale in importance compared to her. He checked himself one last time, and took a breath. It was time to go.
He had sent invitations to Admiral and Captain Petrofsky, Captain Rogers, Captain Wayne and Lanie, with the following words: Major Rick Castle cordially invites you to a special dinner in the Senior Officer's Mess, honoring Lieutenant Commander Kate Beckett. 18:00 hours. Dress uniform is requested.
The Admiral, his wife and Captain Rogers were intrigued, wondering what Rick was up to. Captain Wayne and Lanie knew, but that didn't lessen their excitement one iota.
29 April, 2454. Senior Officer's Mess, 18:00 Hours.
Kate and Rick were standing awaiting their guests, both of Kate 's hands clasped around Rick 's arm. Her smile could have lit up the room. Everyone arrived within seconds of each other. Once they were all there, Rick escorted Kate to the table.
As they reached their seats, Rick gave Kate a loving look, took a deep breath and said, "Steward please charge our glasses. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to propose a toast to the most beautiful woman, I have ever met and the most gracious. I have put this lady through hell and she still love me. I give you Kate Beckett."
Everyone responded by raising their glasses, and Kate smiled. Rick continued.
"Now, with all of you as witnesses that I love her, now and forever,"-Rick took Kate 's hand and went down on one knee- "Katherine Houghton Beckett, will you marry me?"
Kate pulled him to his feet, her eyes glowing
. "Yes, my darling I will."
They kissed as the guests, not being able to help themselves, cheered. Rick laughed as he pulled away and reached into his pocket.
"I obviously couldn't get a proper engagement ring on this ship, and I didn't think you'd appreciate a spare part from Engineering." He waited until the laughter from that statement settled down, and then he pulled out a ring, hung on a golden chain.
"Will you wear my signet ring until I can?"
"Yes, my love," Kate said. She lightly kissed him again and slipped the chain over her head.
After accepting congratulations, Rick said;
"When everyone is back aboard, we'll have a proper engagement party. For now, I'm very proud that you all came tonight. Let's have a memorable dinner." The dinner was excellent, accompanied by laughter and gentle teasing of the happy couple.
The party quickly broke up after the meal was finished. Kate said; "walk me to my quarters, Rick."
Inside her quarters, he took her in his arms, and she closed her eyes and lifted her face for his kiss. Her mouth opened, and the kiss quickly became hot and demanding. They stayed locked together for several minutes. Finally, Rick broke the embrace and leaned his forehead on hers.
Kate smiled and traced his jaw with a feather-light touch. She said;
"You've been too much the gentleman for too long, my love. I am not waiting any longer. Take me to your quarters, where we won't be interrupted."
They entered Rick's quarters. Kate said;
. "Computer, lock the door and deny outside communication until further notice. Rick said: "Authorized."
She kissed him, not asking for what she wanted, demanding it. After a timeless moment, Kate said
They kissed again, Kate thrilling as his kisses traveled from her mouth, down her neck to the base of her throat, as he caressed the back of her neck and behind her ears.
Kate could sense the intensity of his need, one that matched her own.
She stepped away for a moment, unsealed her dress and stepped out of it, tossing it onto a chair.
She kicked off her shoes then took Rick's hand and pulled him down beside her on his bed.
With her mouth locked tightly on his, she worked the closures of his uniform
and slid it off him. Then she lay back and guided his hands to her breasts.
She marveled that those big callused hands could move so softly on her body.
Rick 's love making was slow and gentle bringing her to peaks of pleasure and letting her down, then back up again until her voice caroled in the joy of pleasure and release.
As she lay resting in his arms she said;
"Love, I never knew that this would be so all consuming.
"I've had sex before but until now, I'd never made love. Somehow, I always felt a little empty, unfulfilled. Not anymore. Now I know what it means to be a woman in love.
Before you I was only a girl who thought she was in love.
As happy as I am, I'm a little angry with you too."
He looked at her in confusion. "Why are you angry?"
"For making me wait so long. This could have happened months ago."
She gave him a naughty smile and a pinch in a very sensitive area.
"I am so going to make you pay for that and make up for lost time."
Make him -pay, she did. Twice more, that night.
30, April 2454 Marine Officer's Quarters, 07:00 hours.
Rick awoke to find Kate sitting on the edge of his bed, her eyes sparkling, a satisfied smile on her face. Rick smiled and said;
"You're something else, baby. When did the wild child kidnap the scientist?"
"When you kissed me and meant it. I've been deprived for a long time. Now I'm like the proverbial child in a candy store or more likely a teen-age girl with an unlimited charge chip. I can have all of you as often as I want!"
She grinned. "Go shower, handsome, I want to go to breakfast. I've already showered. I'm going to my quarters and change. I'll be back before you're reedy."
Rick 's eyebrows rose, but he grabbed his things and went into the bathroom. A short time later he came out, dressed in a fresh battle dress uniform and running his comb through his hair. Kate gave him an appreciative once-over and said, "Come on, let's go. For some reason, I'm famished." Rick grinned at her obvious innuendo and offered her his arm.
Officer's Mess, 07:30
Kate and Rick sat side by side, Rick consuming a large breakfast, and Kate a more modest one. However, she snuck pieces of ham off his plate. Rick noticed and set his fork down.
"What are you doing, you've got the same cut of ham!" Rick said.
Her eyes twinkling with mischief, she said; "I know, but it tastes better if I get some of yours. I used to do it to Jake all the time as a teen. It drove him up the wall." Rick suddenly got an image of a teenage Kate sneaking bites off her older brother's plate, and his lips quirked in a smile.
Captain Wayne came to the table.
"May I join you?"
Rick rose. "Certainly, Captain."
She looked at him with a critical eye as he sat down.
"I'd advise you to change into service uniform, Major. You need to visit sickbay."
Rick looked at her incredulously, the bite of ham poised on his fork suddenly stopped in mid-air.
. "Visit the sick bay? I don't have time. I'm going back down this afternoon!"
"No, Major, you're not." She gave him a very stern look.
"We had a similar discussion the last time you got careless. I want that head wound thoroughly checked."
Rick looked at her with a frown.
"What for? I don't have any symptoms, no headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision."
"There can be delayed effects from a head wound, even minor ones. I want a brain scan and x-rays. Even if they are clear, you are going to rest the remainder of the week.
You can't keep subjecting your body to repeated injuries without allowing time for it to heal. I have already discussed this with the Admiral. He agrees. The Crovanians aren't going anywhere."
"But-Jankowski cleared me!"
"Yes, he did and he and I are going to have a chat about it."
Rick scowled.
"No, you're not, Captain. He's one of mine."
Captain Wayne sighed.
"He may be assigned to your staff, Major, but he's Fleet Medical. He let himself be intimidated. By you! You need not worry about him; he's just going to get chewed out. I expect to see you in Sickbay at 10:00 hours.
"Now I'd like to drink some coffee with you two. I'm not really a villain, Major. I am a doctor. I know that you were back on your feet and active less than a day after being wounded. That's pushing the envelope way too hard. Furthermore, a clean bill of health will ease Commander Beckett's mind. The less stress she has, the better."
Captain Wayne proceeded to serenely sip her coffee, and Rick proceeded to keep scowling as he finished his breakfast. Kate, silently amused, could see what a job Julia must have had when the young Rick Castle didn't get his way.
Rick 's quarters, 13:00 hours.
"That wasn't so bad, was it, Darling? And look at it this way. We get more time together. I have promised myself this: Once you're back up here, I will never spend another night alone in my cabin. I want to go to sleep, every night, in your arms
And awaken every morning to your kiss. Speaking of your kiss."
Sometime later, Kate said;
"Now there is something that we have to talk about the operation." At the look on his face, she said; "No. I'm not going to try to talk you out of it, I know that you have to go. It's simply this. I'm going down with the forward trauma center. You have your duty, I have mine. I won't live through an agony of unknowing like the last time. I know that I can't be with you directly but I will be as close as I can."
"Sweetheart, you don't need to go. I don't want you in danger."
"No more than I want you in danger but I am a soldier in my own way as much as you are in yours. I can be as stubborn as you. Know this, My Darling, you pledged your life to me and I to you.
As it says in the Bible, whither thou go, I shall go. And you don't need to worry about my strength, I'm just supervising.
Put on some music, please, Darling, I want to cuddle before dinner."
06 May, 2454 Launch bay 1 of the Tenacious.
Rick Castle strapped himself into the cockpit of the Fighter. The other three fighters were preparing for launch as well. These four fighters would escort the Trauma center shuttle to the planet's surface.
When the fighters were orbiting, the shuttle pilot said;
"Flight ops, this is Mercy Bird One requesting launch clearance." "Roger, Mercy Bird, you are cleared to launch."
Kate Beckett watched the surface of the planet approach, in her view screen. How beautiful and peaceful it looks, from up here, I wish that it really were. She thought.
The shuttle landed at the assault base camp, about ten kilometers from the mining facility,
located behind a wooded ridgeline. Kate got out of the shuttle while her crew opened the access hatches and set up the equipment.
Del Kevan walked up to her.
"How's it going, Kate?"
"Except for this final action, it's wonderful. Thank you for whatever you did." She kissed his cheek. "I'm still worried, though. I wish that he'd let the locals handle this one."
"I don't think you have much to worry about, this time. He and I have gone over the plans, several times. He's letting Gillespie lead the final assault, if there is one."
He's trying to avoid a ground assault, if he can. After all, the Air Cavalry has been almost uninvolved. As have the attack shuttles."
Rick 's fighter circled once and landed. He got out and trotted over to them. He pulled Kate into his arms and kissed her. He then handed her a remote
. "That's keyed to a hologram feed set up on the ridge. You can watch from the trauma center. I promise that I won't leave my command carrier until they capitulate."
He checked the time.
"It's about time to open the ball. He kissed Kate again. Be careful, Sweetheart."
"You be careful. I love you."
"I love you too."
6, May 2454 Crovanian mining facility, Placida, 05:30 hours.
Enbar Duskat was shaken awake by a sonic boom. What was that? He hadn't slept well, at all. He'd heard nothing from the star port in almost two weeks and was unable to raise them. He'd also been unable to reach the star ships even longer. He still didn't know who had attacked the facility.
He still had nearly a regiment of troops here but their vehicles had been destroyed.
Aboard the U.S.S. Remorseless, same time. Lieutenant Commander Max Schiff grinned in anticipation.
"Deploy decoys." Four drones were specially modified to broadcast images that made them appear to radar as attack craft. On the ground, six anti-air/ anti space batteries unmasked and fired, which was exactly what the crew of the destroyer were waiting for.
"All tubes loaded and ready Sir." "Very well, ripple fire, Fire! Eight missiles leapt from the destroyer's launchers. As the Remorseless sped away, the Audacious took her place, targeting the troop barracks and the main processing facility.
Duskat stumbled as a series of explosions shook the building. He ran to the com center.
"Get me the Gul, Now! He screamed.
"I'm trying, he's not answering!"
The Gul couldn't answer. He was dead. They finally achieved a response.
"Dal Turok
here, Sir."
"Where's the Gul?"
"Dead, Sir. A direct hit on his quarters."
"Then you are in command, Dal Turok. Rally your troops and get them into defensive positions."
After the first attack, the four remaining aircraft had been placed in an underground shelter specially dug for them. Three were fighters and one was an executive transport.
The three fighters sortied, which was a fatal mistake for them, Fleet fighters were waiting, The Crovanians never had a chance, as they were outnumbered and outgunned.
06, May 2454 near the mining facility, Placida 05:45 hours.
The two drones orbiting the mining facility were sending back clear video of the ground inside the compound.
Rick Castle said;
"Artillery Commander, do you have a good feed?" "Yes Sir, as clear as you could want." "Very well. Fire two seeker rounds. Then two rounds of HEAP
(High Explosive Anti- Personnel) and two rounds of cluster munitions from each tube."
The seeker rounds opened at about 2000 meters above the ground, deploying small airfoils carrying laser designators. The HEAP rounds exploded from two to ten meters above the ground, spraying the area with shrapnel. The cluster munitions deployed mini-bombs that either exploded on contact or scattered mines.
Caught in the open, as they were assembling, the mercenaries suffered an unusually large number of casualties. Still, those that could ran to defensive positions.
"Striker Two-Six Begin the advance, remain mounted. Sabers on the flanks. Hawks, on high cover. Advance! Rick 's orders snapped out. The Marines advanced as they had at the star port in an inverted wedge formation. The artillery behind the tail of the wedge, ready to provide covering or breaching fire,
Enbar Duskat finally got a good look at his enemies. "Fleet Marines, I should have known! Get Dal Turok up here"
When Turok arrived, Duskat said;
"How many men do you have and how long can you hold them?"
"A little over six hundred, some of them wounded. The enemy has armor, air and artillery, I can't hold for long."
"You don't have to hold for long, just long enough for…"
"For what, Duskat, long enough for you and the Kalian to get away? I don't think so!" Before the Dal could react, Duskat drew a concealed pistol and shot him. He then shot his two aides and his secretary.
Folork, a Kalian, was one of a group of investors providing funds for this mission. He'd been chosen to oversee the Kalian share.
"Folork, Folork, come out, we have to leave."
"What is it?"
"Sorry Folork but you'd sell me to the highest bidder." He shot Folork, as well.
Duskat ran to his room and grabbed a satchel full of gold, silver and gemstones then ran for the underground hanger. He managed to take off and evade the patrolling fighters
But when he got into space, all the ships in his view were Commonwealth.
Knowing that he couldn't leave Placida and that Crovania would execute him, even if he made it home, Duskat decided that life in a Commonwealth prison was better than death; he turned the craft around and returned to the planet.
06, May 2454 outside the mining facility, Placida 07:15 hours.
The Marine advance had halted just outside small arms effective range.
They launched a message drone that orbited the facility, broadcasting a message.
"This is Major Richard Castle of the First Marine Combined Arms Force.
All Crovanian forces, you have 30 minutes to surrender unconditionally.
If you do so and avoid further bloodshed, you will have a fair chance in court.
If you resist, we will not take prisoners!"
It took about fifteen minutes until a flurry of shots was heard from inside the compound, then three white rockets burst overhead. An amplified voice was projected.
"We wish to surrender."
"Very well, come out in single file, holding your weapons upside down, by the butt, at arms- length. Anyone carrying a weapon in any other manner will be shot without further warning. As you reach the beacon, stop, eject the magazine or power cartridge, place the weapon on the ground. Remove any duty or weapons belt and place it beside your weapon. A Marine planted a blue beacon and stepped back. As the mercenaries came out, they were disarmed and directed to sit on the ground with their hands behind their heads. It took more than an hour for them to all be secured.
"Captain Gillespie, Take Alpha Company in and release the prisoners, bring them out."
"Striker Six to Mercy Bird Six, over"
"This is Mercy Bird Six." "Mercy Bird, we will have released prisoners here, shortly. Request that you contact Mercy central and request additional support to check the released personnel before transport."
"Copy that, Will request support, stat. Mercy Bird proceeding your position, now. Out."
06, May 2454, Mining facility, Placida, 13:00 hours.
All four Forward Trauma Centers were on the ground and operating. Captain Wayne had used additional shuttles to bring the majority of the medical personnel to the surface.
Temporary shelters were set up. Those who needed medical treatment were receiving it.
Others were being fed and issued fresh clothing. Alpha and Delta companies were searching the compound for any holdouts or renegades. Bravo and Charley were providing perimeter security.
Kate, Rick, Del and Lanie were sitting in Rick 's carrier, eating lunch.
"I can't say much about these field rations, except that they're filling."
Lanie said.
"You get used to them, after a while", Del replied.
"I hope that we're not here long enough to get used to them." Kate said.
"You won't be. You're going back up as soon as the medical tour here is over."
Rick said.
"Oh really? I told you that where you are, that's where I'll be. I meant it."
"It's safer on the ship. I want you safe."
"Darling, I spent the worst days of my life, up there, not knowing what happened to you, not knowing if you loved me. I shed more tears in those few days than in all the years since my parents died. I won't go through that, again. You're going back to the star port. I'll work in the hospital. How much safer can I be, than with a battalion of Marines around me?"
"Damn, you're a stubborn woman!" Kate smiled, sweetly, and gestured at Rick.
"Pot" Then herself. "Kettle. I know that you're perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. You simply won't do it. That's my job now.
They hadn't heard the Sergeant Major come in.
"You tell him, Commander! You'll save me a couple of bottles of analgesics a month!"
At that, they all started laughing, including an embarrassed Rick." Captain Wayne came over a few minutes later.
"How soon can you release my shuttles Major?"
"As soon as Commander Beckett authorizes it, Captain."
"We can finish up in about three hours Captain, the prisoners weren't treated that badly.
Captain, I want to stay on the surface, at the hospital."
"That's fine with me, Commander,
The hospital needs a director, anyway. Commander Parrish can handle shipboard duties."
"What are we going to do with the mercenaries?" Del asked.
"As soon as we get some force field generators down from the ship and the refined ore out of here, we'll leave them in the former prisoner's barracks and the headquarters building. The force fields will be set to lethal charge. We'll leave the mining facility intact, for now and let the local authorities decide if they want to use it, automate it or destroy it."