Starcruiser Polaris: Omnibus by Tongue Richard

Author:Tongue, Richard [Tongue, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Publisher
Published: 2018-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

 Hudson turned from her station, a beaming smile on her face, and announced to the bridge, “The Acting Administrator of Sinaloa Station just issued a ceasefire and an unconditional surrender. Major Saxon has accepted in the name of the rebellion.”

 There was silence on the bridge, broken by Norton quietly saying, “We did it. I never quite believed it. We did it.”

 Settling down in the command chair, Curtis said, “Sokolov, connect me through to...to the whole flotilla. Cruisers and fighters.”

 “Aye, aye, Commander,” the grinning technician replied. “You're on, sir.”

 “This is Commander Curtis, on Polaris,” he began. “Our forces have secured Sinaloa Station. All hands, stand down battle stations. Revert to standby alert until further notice.” He paused, then added, “We've taken the first step on a long road. With ships and crews such as you walking with me, I know we'll reach the end. Thank you all. Polaris out.”

 He never knew who had started cheering, but the bridge was alive with the joy of her crew, Curtis sitting at the heart of the glorious chaos, allowing it to soak into him, through him, reveling in the victory. The last time he'd committed to battle on this ship, he'd been fleeing for his life. Before, it had been at Mareikuna. Somehow, it felt as though the stain of that atrocity had washed away, that he and his ship had at least begun to redeem themselves for all that they had done, decades ago.

 “Signal from Cygnus, sir,” Sokolov said, making himself heard with difficulty. “Lieutenant Rojek reports that the ship's engines cannot be repaired before re-entry, and requests permission to evacuate the remainder of the crew.”

 “Approved,” Curtis replied. “Have him get back here on the double.”

 Shaking her head, Hudson said, “We've got every rescue shuttle in the air, sir. Lots of drifting fighters, but no sign of enemy craft, no sign of approaching warp activity.” She paused, then added, “I'm getting signals from every installation in the system, Commander. All declaring for the Rebellion. Looks like we're not going to be short of recruits.” She paused, and added, “Squadron Leader Kani is on his way back to the flight deck now, sir. Expected to land in three minutes.”

 “Thank you, Lieutenant.” He turned to her and added, “The people we lost, from your ship. I give you my word that their deaths won't be in vain.”

 “It was a fair fight, Commander. Until Guerrero decided to shoot her way through my shipmates. That made it rather more personal.” She paused, and said, “My crew and I will see this through, sir. All the way to the end.”

 “Some nice bonus prizes, sir,” Hudson added. “Two freighters, interstellar-type. They must have been hiding behind the outer moon, keeping out of the battle.” She paused, then added, “Looks like a little bit of mutiny has taken place out there. Neither of the commanding officers calling in are listed in our database.”

 “Confirm them on my authority, and if you can spare anyone with a shuttle, get someone over there to take a look.

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