Courage, Commitment, Faith: Tales from the Coalition Defense Force, Vol. 3 (Terran Diaspora Anthologies) by Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa & Gary T Stevens

Author:Daniel Gibbs & Steve Rzasa & Gary T Stevens [Gibbs, Daniel & Rzasa, Steve & Stevens, Gary T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

5

The shuttle ride back to the San Martin was an eventful one. No sooner had they cleared the hangar on the Albrecht than the vehicle began twisting and weaving to evade League fighters and the secondary weapons of the ships fighting with the San Martin and her group. The pilots got them to safety regardless, and once landed, they were rushed out and sent to combat stations.

An hour later, with the ship’s combat condition down to Yankee and his detail ordered to stand down, Henry finally had the quiet necessary to process what had happened. He’d only lost one man, but that loss was a severe one. Chief Petty Officer Guraya had been a Coalition hero, a veteran who would have trained another generation of enlisted soldiers in the art of keeping the Coalition’s ships flying and fighting. Now, he was gone, and Henry was responsible. As that realization hit home, Henry found it harder to grapple with the shame building within him. He hadn’t lived up to the creed. He’d saved his own skin and had sent a braver man to die in his place.

How can I face anyone now? My family? Felix? I acted like a coward, right when I needed to do the right thing. I let Guraya die for me.

Those thoughts dominated his mind when the stand-down order came from Ghali. He couldn’t bear to meet his subordinates’ eyes when he turned their way. “You all did well,” he said, knowing he hadn’t lived up to that. “Ross is standing us down. We’re still at Condition Yankee, but you’re off-watch for the moment.”

The PA system squawked. “Lieutenant J. Henry, report to the CO. Lieutenant J. Henry, report to the CO.”

Frobisher and Gutierrez flashed sympathetic glances his way. He nodded in acknowledgment before stepping out the door. As he began his trip through the San Martin, Henry’s apprehension joined the guilt and shame roiling within him. It should have been me. The thought echoed over and over. I let another man die in my place. That’s not how this is meant to work. I’m supposed to die for them! And now my career’s ruined. Already ruined. I’m such a disappointment. Such a waste.

He’d only been to the CO’s office once before, when formally presenting himself for assignment back when he boarded the San Martin with Felix at Churchill Station. Lieutenant Colonel Williams had been in charge at the time. Currently, his old XO, Ayodele Olajuwon, was in command. Ross stood beside the colonel’s desk when Henry entered. He nodded, but it was the colonel who spoke.

“Lieutenant Henry. Please come in and sit.”

Henry entered and immediately took one of the empty chairs in front of Olajuwon’s desk. “Second Lieutenant James Henry reports as ordered, sir,” he said simply, defaulting to protocol. I have to answer for Guraya’s death.

Ross spoke. “Lieutenant, I understand that you have not had time to write your after-action report, so would you be kind enough to deliver one verbally?”

Henry nodded. “Of course, sir.” With

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.