Return to Earth by David McCahan

Author:David McCahan [McCahan, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-04T23:00:00+00:00

Jeff, Glory, Saoi and Helen were at the Central Command Facility in the L4 Lagrange point to meet with General Emerson. Lieutenant Pollack, the General’s aide, met them at the shuttle bay. He snapped to attention as they approached and held his salute until Jeff returned it. “Good morning Lieutenant. How are you today?” Jeff shook hands with him to help relax him.

“Good morning Sir. Uh, just fine thank you. If you’ll follow me the General and his staff are aware of your arrival and assembling now for the meeting.” The young Lt. indicated the direction and then began walking ahead of his superior officers.

Their destination was the Main Conference Room again, only this time instead of only 15 fellow officers, the conference table and the gallery area was packed full. Additional seating was also setup and filled except for 5 seats off to the side of the podium. General Emerson was standing at attention next to the podium facing them as they entered. Suddenly “Room! AaaTtenHut!” General Emerson then saluted them for the room. Jeff, Glory and Helen all snapped to attention and returned his salute. “At Ease!”

Lt. Pollack indicated for them to sit in the seats next to the podium and then Brad stepped to the microphone at the podium. “A little over two years ago, Columbia launched from these space yards on a, supposedly, ten-year mission.” He paused briefly as a signal for the room to laugh at his joke, whether they found it funny or not. “They not only completed the base mission, but also contacted a new sentient species who have become terrific allies. If that wasn’t enough they found a second sentient species, accepted them as allies, and setup a third unplanned outpost in addition to the two that were in mission parameters. All that while being attacked on the way out of Sol system by our known enemy states and then at two of the worlds they visited by the Basel Confederation. Additionally, they discovered a one light year per minute wormhole shortcut that moves our colonization timetable up immeasurably. Last but not least, they discovered a 100 strong fleet of Basel Warships bent on annihilating the population of the Earth, just because we are not Basel. This gave us 16 months to prepare and a very good chance at surviving, while hopefully providing a catalyst to unify Earth and heal old grievances. All this thanks to these five here before us today.” At that everyone stood to give them a long hearty standing ovation. Brad leaned over to Jeff. “Didn’t think I was going to leave Missy out of it and their contribution of the dino and the Basel boarding, did you?”

Missy perked up at that, looked at General Emerson and gave a short bark while tail wagging furiously.

“Well you and yours earned it.” Brad laughed while motioning for the room to settle. “Colonel Helen Montgomery, step forward.”

Helen stood at attention next to the podium facing the General.

“Colonel, under your leadership, you, your crew and your fleet distinguished yourselves in skill and valor.

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