Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.

Let's get to it.

Chapter 10- New Home

(June 1, 2025)

In the streets of the capitol of New Callistan, it is nothing but celebration. Jubilant crowds line the streets, cheering, playing music, and throwing flower petals. And walking through the streets is Admiral Pellaeon and the crew of the TAS Hood as the battlecruiser itself is hovering just 20,000 feet over the city.

When the Hood had returned to New Callistan, Pellaeon had shown video and photos of the attack against the Bloodfangs to Sharlin and the leaders. Needless to say, they had been in total awe of the power at Pellaeon's disposal between the troops under his command, the air wing, and the Hood herself. News of the successful attack had been sent all across New Callistan, informings the Callistans that the Bloodfangs had been defeated and their attempted genocide against the Callistans was over.

Needless to say, the level of gratitude for their saviors amongst the Callistans was unmeasurable. They had insisted on celebrating and honoring the Terrans who had saved them from annihilation. Therefore, the parade through the capitol that Pellaeon and part of the crew were now taking part in.

The parade had been hastily arranged through the streets of the capitol. Pellaeon and some of the chief people in charge, including Moorhouse, Ronen, Strickland, Shevchenko, and Versio, were walking on foot at the front of the parade. The 6th Armoured Division was following behind, their Challenger 2 tanks driving slowly in straight, uniform rows along the streets of the capitol, many of the Challengers decorated with banners, the rest of the division coming along behind them. Then, several thousand crewmen of the Hood are marching behind the 6th. All the while, starfighters from the air wing are doing formation passes over the city, some trailing colored smoke behind them to the delight of the onlookers.

Pellaeon, being a modest man and one of integrity, is trying to enjoy the celebration and praise being cheered by the crowd although he would much prefer not to be the center of such praise. He waves politely to the crowd, who only cheer all the more.

"Get used to this, Admiral. We're going to be praised by this people even more than the Sith praised us for defending them," Moorhouse says with a chuckle. Pellaeon just shrugs in response.

The parade finally reaches the town square, where Sharlin and his fellow leaders are waiting for them. Pellaeon and his lieutenants wait as the front ranks of tanks from the 6th Armoured move into the town square and form up behind them.

"Admiral Pellaeon, you and your crew have saved us from certain destruction. We owe you our lives and our eternal gratitude!" Sharlin declares loudly. Then, after a moment of cheering from the crowd, he declares loudly, "I hereby declare that every year, on the anniversary of the day you destroyed our enemy, a grand festival will be held to celebrate the day that our people were saved from destruction. My people, what say you?"

The crowd cheers loudly in response. It is not even a question for the Callistans at this point, who have come to revere the people they had held with great suspicion only days earlier.

Sharlin smiles as he walks up to Pellaeon. Stopping in front of the admiral, he extends his hand, which Pellaeon takes and shakes. Sharlin then speaks up and says, "Well, Admiral, if you would like to come with me inside, we can discuss your future here on this planet, and what my people can do to help your people with your ship."

"Of course, Lord Sharlin," Pellaeon says with a slight smile. He and his lieutenants then follow Sharlin into the building.

Sharlin leads Pellaeon and his lieutenants to the same meeting room where he first met with Pellaeon after the Hood first came to New Callistan. As the group all sit down around the meeting table, Sharlin looks at Pellaeon and says, "Admiral Pellaeon, I meant what I said out there. We owe you our lives. We know that you came here seeking refuge and help in fixing your ship."

Sharlin pauses, then says, "We hold to your word, Admiral. You and your crew are welcome to stay here as long as you need, or forever if you desire. We will do what we can to help you get back home, or we will make sure you feel welcome here as your new home."

"We thank you for being such gracious hosts to us, Lord Sharlin. Your welcome has made it easier for us on this stage of our journey. However, I do not know if your planet has the resources we need," Pellaeon says.

"Well, we might. What do you require?" Sharlin asks curiously.

"Our ship was repaired before we left our last temporary dwelling. Our main problem at the moment is that our hyperdrive, the device that allows us to travel between the stars, is out of fuel. We have so far seen no signs of the fuel that the hyperdrive requires," Pellaeon says.

"What are the materials you require?" one of the other Callistan leaders, an expert in mining and natural resources, asks Pellaeon, already pulling up a mental index of the various resources he knows exist on this planet.

Pellaeon begins to describe in basic terms how the hyperdrive works, and then goes into the fuel requirements for the hyperdrive and what materials are needed to fuel the hyperdrive, describing in detail the materials required for refueling.

The leader who had asked for the materials to be described listens intently. However, at the end of the discussion, he frowns, which makes Pellaeon's hope fall even further. "I am sorry, Admiral Pellaeon. Nothing I know of on this planet matches what you have told me about the fuel you require. Nor can I think of anything you could use to create something similar. Now, you can still try and search our planet for signs of the resources you need. But I do not hold hope that you will find what you are searching for."

Pellaeon nods. "I agree. Preliminary scans we have already done have shown no sign of a presence of the elements we require. These scans are very effective, and do not often miss a presence of what they are searching for. I think it is safe to say that your world does not have the materials we require," he says. He pauses, then says, "I think that we will not be able to refuel our hyperdrive. I think that we will not be able to return home. We will be staying here for the foreseeable future, and possibly for the rest of our lives."

"If that is the case, Admiral, you and your people will be welcomed into our society as if you were born among us. As far as we are concerned, you are one of us now," Sharlin says. He smiles and says, "Welcome to your new home, Admiral."

And, I'll end the chapter there for now.

So, the Hood is stranded for the time being on New Callistan, and intend to stay here for a long time. And I will say that some of the crew will never leave this planet.

Next chapter will feature the biggest time jump of this story. It should be up soon. Until it is, please leave a review, and stay tuned!