Retribution (The Long Haul Book 2) by Geoff North

Author:Geoff North [North, Geoff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-04-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Ambition’s main forward mess hall was filled to capacity and then some. Her remaining crew of just over six thousand men and women had almost all filtered through the gigantic eating area during the last two hours to catch a glimpse of the three humans from Earth. Those that could get close enough to the officers’ table touched the faces of Commander Edmund, Dr. Strong, and Lt. Gertsen. Very few had much to say beyond obligatory greetings and generalized questions.

“You’ll have to forgive our people,” Rastaban Drac apologized once again. “Every single one of them can’t believe this day has actually come.” He turned in his chair at the head of the table and looked at the line of expectant faces still coming in through the entryway. The numbers were finally beginning to dwindle. “Generations of us have prayed that we would re-establish some kind of link with the home system… this has been so much more than most ever expected.”

“Believe me,” Gertsen said, “the pleasure has been all ours.”

“Indeed, it has been.” Commander Edmund dabbed at the corners of his mouth with a napkin, taking a second to shake the hand of a pregnant woman standing behind him. He placed the napkin on his empty plate, and pushed away from the table. “But now that Agle is receiving care, and with the majority of introductions put aside, we really need to find a place more private to discuss our situation, Captain.”

Drac stood with him, and addressed the crew still gathered in the queue. “It’s been a long day for all of us, especially our new friends from Earth.” The crowd started to groan disapprovingly. He held his hands up to settle them. “We’ll have plenty of opportunity to get to know each other better. You will all meet the crew of Retribution eventually, I’m sure. Please report back to duty if you aren’t already finished your shifts.”

His announcement was met with a few more groaning mumbles, but the line began to disperse. The mess hall was still full, but Drac, along with Vin Vir and their guests from Retribution, now had room to move through it. They exited out into a corridor where a few dozen more Ambition crew waited. Gertsen shook each of their hands heartily. Even after hours of pressing flesh, the young lieutenant was greeting each person with as much enthusiasm as he had Captain Drac. Edmund pushed him along.

“This way,” CS Vir said. She led them inside an elevator. “Captain’s quarters, Ras?”

Drac shook his head. “Too informal, and the window still hasn’t been replaced. Let’s try some place with a view.”

Vin nodded. “Main observation deck, level one.” The elevator door whisked shut silently, and the lift began to move upwards.

“Your ship has endured the rigors of interstellar space for hundreds of years,” Dr. Strong said. “But it seems most of the damage to its exterior was sustained during your run in with the Pegans.”

“They would’ve destroyed Ambition completely if it wasn’t for the resourcefulness of her crew,” Vin said.

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