Present Time
Grendal Outpost
Sanders watched as the Pride of Stars slowly made her way toward one of the external docking posts. Sanders flipped a couple switches bringing internal cameras online that overlooked the airlock. Couple more taps on the screens before him and the outpost's external scanners began an in-depth scan of the docked ship.
One of the screens next to Sanders beeped and flashed, drawing his attention away from the scans. Large red letters scrolled across the screen; 'Docking port three, Authorized access. Unlock airlock doors?' Sanders tapped the stand-by key as he watched the scans finish.
"What's going on?" Parel said as he stepped up next to Sanders.
With a surprised look on his face Sanders replied, "Thank god you're ok."
"Yeah, took me a bit to recover, she is a strong telepath. So, what do we have here?" Parel asked again as he scanned over the various readings.
"Looks like a medium class battleship, major damage on just about all decks. Life sign reading show one-quarter compliment. I'm waiting for the registry check to come through before I contact them. But, I think she's one of ours," Sanders said.
Parel nodded as he glanced at the young woman that was passed out, "Any trouble while I was out?"
Sanders followed Parel's gaze and shook his head, "Nope I changed her patch a little bit ago."
Parel nodded as he turned his attention back to the screens, "Ah, there. Registry shows her as the Pride of Stars, Heavy Battleship Command Class. Registration BBCC-0121-2, assigned to the Kalisto Sector and the 35th Tactical Fleet. She is under the command of Captain Benjamin Jules of Kalisto Prime."
Sanders' looked up at his brother as he spoke, "We know him, he was our first training officer. The 35th Tactical is a raw recruit training fleet."
Parel looked back down at the cameras running the length of the docked ship, "They're not a training fleet anymore. I'll get the med kits from medical and meet you at the airlock."
Parel left the room and headed towards the medical ward.
Sanders watched his brother leave, worry crossing his face. There was something wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as he powered up the station back up and contacted the ship.
"Pride of Stars, Grendal Outpost," Sanders said.
Silence greeted him for a while before a female voice spoke, "Grendal Outpost, Pride of Stars Actual. Go ahead."
Surprise crossed Sanders' face as he spoke, "Where is Captain Jules?"
"Sadly, the Captain was killed when the main bridge took a direct hit. I'm in command of the ship now," the female voice said.
"If you'll excuse me, who might you be?" Sander asked. He picked up a portable headset and started for the airlock. He grabbed his rifle as he left the control room.
"I'm corporal Danna Itanis, who might I be speaking to?" Danna replied.
Sanders smiled as he replied, "Captain Sanders Nasin."
"Excuse me Captain, but do you plan on letting us in or keeping us locked out?" Danna asked.
Sanders' grin widened, he was starting to like her already. The computer in the wrist of his suit beeped quietly as he typed in her name. It reported she was a part of the original crew. "We're on our way right now Corporal."
"Thank you Captain," Dana replied. "I'll meet you at the airlock."
"Roger that," replied Sanders.
Sanders strapped his helmet on as he ran towards the airlock. Through the neural inputs in his helmet, he connected with the outpost's computer and started the emergency repair routines. They would stabilize the Pride of Stars stopping the air leaks and reinforcing her structure until they could start repairs.
Outside a shimmering field erupted around the Pride of Stars as the repair computers began to use force fields to stop atmospheric leaks and extinguishing the small fires fed by them. Two large arms slipped out as if to cradle the injured ship and repulsors fired. The Pride of Stars slowly rotated as the ship's list corrected and the final sequence for docking was able to complete.
Arms reached out connecting to points along the ships hull. They would feed the ship much needed oxygen and run diagnostics on her remaining systems. A small round globe floated out scanning the hull of the damaged ship. Every so often it would fire a marker that magnetically attached itself to the hull of the ship.
Arcs of energy leaped between the closest of these. Buckled hull plates strengthened and in some cases straightened themselves out. All ships used an old technology. The metal plates have a memory and the small devices read the imprint on the plate. It would then fire energy down certain circuits, this made the plates reform into their original shape. Sometimes it would fail, especially if the damage was severe. They also acted with micro force fields to apply pressure to bring the ships structural integrity up to acceptable limits. A temporary fix allowed people to work on the ship in safety.
The Pride of Stars groaned as if in protest of the treatment she was getting. Lights cut off through out the ship where they were not needed. Several guns that had still been active finally shut down and returned to their resting position. One of the open hangers shuddered as the dent in it flattened and it cycled closed. Already, the battered ship looked better.
Sanders reached the airlock just after Parel. Several med kits were stacked along the walls. The crew from the Pride of Stars had just started to emerge from the airlock. Several of them wearing insignia of the medical corps started to treat the badly injured. Sanders stepped up next to his brother and pulled his helmet off.
"How has everything been going," Sanders asked.
Parel stooped down and grabbed a med kit, "They just started to arrive, I going to toss in a hand and see what I can do. I'm dampening pain in the room to help out the med techs. But, I don't know how long I can keep it up."
Sanders nodded, "I'm going to find Corporal Itanis and find out what has happened."
Parel nodded, "Ok, holler if you need me." Parel turned to a man with severe burns and started to pull out various devices from the med kit.
"Parel," Sanders said quietly.
Parel stopped for a second, looked up at his brother, and nodded, "I know the Captains dead. I scanned for him the moment people started arriving. It's a very sad day when we loose such a talented Captain and friend."
"You know we have a promise to keep," Sanders said.
Parel nodded again as he turned his attention back to the man, "First let's help these people. Then we can figure out what to do."
Sanders nodded, "Ok."
Present Time
Kalisto Sector, Keteshed Battle Group 12
Admiral Laques sat fuming in his command chair aboard his ship. He wasn't happy about the out come of the battle. Six ships had escaped after the Pride of Stars had dispatched the Anchor. Laques sent out ships to track them down and destroy them. The main thing he wasn't happy with was the damage done to the Pride of Stars.
Laques stood up and stalked over to the gunnery station. As he approached the man sitting at the station started to shake. Once Laques had reached him, he reached down with and grabbed then man by his shoulders. Laques applied as much pressure as he could, his rage spilling over. A bone snapped in the man shoulder as Laques pulled the man from his seat. A howl of pain erupted from the man as Laques tossed him through the air. The man slammed into a bulkhead and slumped to the floor, dazed.
"What part of disable the Pride of Stars did you not understand?" Laques yelled as he stalked towards the dazed man.
The only noise on the bridge was the sounds from the computers as people watched their captain stalk towards the helpless man. The man moaned as he tried to gather his wits.
Laques reached down, picked the man up from the floor, and tossed him across the room again. Watching as the man slammed into another bulkhead. Blood now came from the man's mouth as he struggled to breath. Laques again stalked towards the man, anger filling his face.
"When I give an order I expect it to be carried out. I expect no accidents; I wanted that ship captured with everyone alive. Instead," Laques paused as he once again grabbed the man and picked him up. "Instead, one of my truest and dearest friends might be dead. I promise you, if he is, you are."
Laques dropped the man in a heap at his feet as he called for a medical crew. He turned and walked back to his command chair. Once the man was removed from the bridge Laques seemed to calm down.
"Con, plot a course along the last known direction of the Pride of Stars," Laques said. "Coms, relay to all ships. If the Pride of Stars is found, she is not to be engaged. They will relay her position and watch her until we arrive."
Both officers replied as one, "Yes Sir."
The Sword of Light slowly turned as she spun up her hyper
drives. When the last of her fighters had docked she formed a portal
and jumped.