Relic's Dawn by JJ Benham

Author:JJ Benham [Benham, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14: Retreat

July 20, 2737 – Location: Aboard the UCS Verdure

The deck of the UCSC Verdure was awash with a leaden silence as Fireteam Odin returned, their silhouettes a stark contrast against the cold metal of the dropship's ramp. The Verdure, once a vessel brimming with the urgency of war, now seemed to mourn in hushed tones, the hum of its engines a sombre dirge for the fallen.

Vanguard's absence was an open wound — each team member felt the pang of loss, a void where once stood a Titan among men. Relic moved through the ship like a spectre, his usual vigilance replaced with a hollow stare that saw beyond the bulkheads and into the depths of space. Wraith's eyes, reddened not by battle but by grief, betrayed a fury she could not voice — a tempest caged within.

Locke kept to himself, his thoughts as shielded as the data on his tactical pad, while the marines, Berry, Finlan, and Jones, clung to the routine of weapons and gear maintenance — a welcome distraction from the haunting images of Jadid Madina's fall.

Admiral Zheng greeted the two Titans on the bridge, her demeanour softer than usual, “Excellent job down on Inti Titans, and my condolences of course. He will be sorely missed.” She said, looking both Relic and Wraith in the eyes.

After a moment Relic looked up to meet her gaze, “Thank you ma’am,” he said, his voice barely audible above the din of the bridge. Wraith stood motionless, staring out of one of the viewports into the lifeless expanse of space.

“We have secured the Xytheran you captured for study, in the meantime we have orders for a general retreat from the system,” the Admiral said in a matter of fact. “Altspace listening posts have detected the presence of a huge Xytheran fleet heading this way, it’s the largest fleet we’ve seen and it’s moving faster than we thought possible.”

Wraith stirred finally as these words settled on her mind. Her gaze levelled on the Admiral, her anger radiating through her silence, “What? We’re abandoning this system? It’s people?” Her voice steadily rising in volume, anger steadily seeping into her tone.

Relic cast a sideward glance at her, his surprise written on his face. Admiral Zheng remained stoic, her face concealing the shock she also felt. “Titan, we have orders. If we stay and fight, we will lose. Vanguard’s death will have been in vain. Not what we want is it?” She fired back sternly.

Wraith felt her emotions boil over, she began to snap back but was swiftly cut off by the Admiral as she spoke once more, “You are dismissed.” Wraith reeled, she turned to Relic who offered no solace for her feelings, his face a picture of concern. She spun on her heels without saying another word and exited the bridge. Admiral Zheng and Relic shared concerned looks as members of the bridge crew quietly muttered amongst one another.

“Keep an eye on her Relic, I’ll let her little outburst slide this once, but she won’t get a second pass.

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