The Wrath's Revenge tumbled past the Earth's Revenge, the hole bored through the ship exposing internal decks. Breq reached up with his lower arms and pushed the support beam off his chest. One of his upper arms was twisted in an unnatural position. Pain shot through him as he picked himself up from the floor. Blood poured from a deep gash on his forehead. Breq took stock of the bridge, it was in shambles. His con officer was dead, crushed from a ceiling support. The tactical officer moaned as she came around. A slender beam pierced her shoulder, pinning her in her seat. As she came around she reached up with her three working arms and started to manipulate her console.
"Massive damage on all decks, major causalities. Engines are offline, comms down, containment fields are holding but I don't know for how long. Shields and weapons are offline, maneuvering thrusters are down to 20%. Attempting to steady the ship, dampeners are working at 5%." Tactical coughed out.
Breq felt the ship shift as the uncontrolled roll slowed. Breq moved over and grabbed an emergency first aid kit, and started tending the bridge crew that was alive.
"Comms back online, backup systems are starting to kick in." Comm reported. The Comm Officer held a hand over the severed stump that had once been an arm as he typed on his console rerouting communications. "I have the Earth's Revenge back Sir."
"Admiral Breq this is Captain Hawkins please respond." Bill's voice said.
"Captain I'm here although barely."
"How bad is it Admiral?"
"I'm afraid we're dead in space at the moment. We're working on restoring essential systems."
"Roger that, the Hammer is moving to render aid."
"No, the Hammer needs to get those people off the station. This battle is over, if I can get some type of control I'm going to take that damn ship down with me. The Wrath's Revenge is finished, get our people out of here."
"Sorry Sir, you faded on the last, I'm afraid the connection is failing." Bill said as the connection died.
"Get them back." Breq told the Comm officer as he tended the young man's wounds.
"Sir, I still have a connection, it has to be their end that's the problem." Comm reported.
"Damn him, stubborn little man isn't he?"
Bill yanked the headpiece out of his ear and tossed it to the ground. The SAR team on the bridge stopped and looked at him. His own bridge crew continued to bring systems back online. Bill stood over the ruined planning table as he watched the Wrath's Revenge slow her tumble.
"Give me a SitRep, what are you people looking at? Get back to work! We don't have long if we plan on saving the Wrath's Revenge," Bill shouted.
The SAR team scrambled and intensified their work.
"Main engines are coming back online, secondary reactors are fully spun up. Secondary Main Reactor is still down but we have SAR and Engineering working on the problem. Shields are still down, weapons control is still offline. Maneuvering thrusters are at 30%, hull integrity is at 30% and climbing. Containment fields are holding, Launch bays Alpha, Baker, Delta, and Pi are down. Bays Charlie and Zulu are still functioning. Computer is back online and repair bots are working on the hull."
"Ok have the tugs release us and begin to move us towards the Wrath's Revenge." Bill said stepping back up and sitting in his chair.
Deatra once again sat at the table looking out among the crowd of people as Jon was escorted into the center of the room. He looked much better, his cast was gone although he walked with a slight limp. The bruises and cuts on his face were almost gone. He wore an ADF Dress Uniform, he seemed to hold his head a bit higher as he limped in front of the marines that escorted him. Not one of the Marines shoved Jon as he made his way through the crowd.
Deatra's cold calculating look silenced the room as Jon took the Defenders Platform. The Marines attached a cuff to his right wrist before they removed the shackles from his hands and feet. Jon's head hung a little lower almost in shame.
"Princess," Marc said addressing her. "I'm sorry for my earlier lack of manners."
"Noted and excused," Deatra said coldly. "I'll not have any court in the ADF become a circus. We're here for one thing, to find out the truth. Commander Hunter, as far as I know hasn't been convicted of any crime. Has he?"
"No he hasn't Princess, not yet but there is plenty of..." Marc started.
"Are you the prosecutor, Captain Anders?" Deatra asked.
"No your Highness..."
"Then perhaps we should let them handle things from here. Resume your post Captain" Deatra said in dismissal.
Marc bowed and walked back to the marine squad stationed behind Jon.
From the left side of Jon, Terri stepped out of the shadows, "Princess if I may."
"Captain Hunter, Terri, are you the prosecutor in this case?" Deatra said in barely concealed surprise.
"Yes your highness, I have asked for the privilege. I was appointed by the rest of the command staff to prosecute this man." Terri replied, waving offhandedly in Jon's direction.
Jon's head rose, as he looked at his sister, "Terri, how could you do this to m..."
"SILENCE!" Deatra yelled as she slammed the gavel down. Deep in her heart Deatra wanted to start crying. "How dare you speak before you are asked a question? I'll remind you this once, do not speak unless it's in reply to a question directed at you. If you can't abide by this rule I'll have you gagged. Do you understand?"
Jon stared at Deatra as tears fell from his eyes. Jon slowly nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Good, now please continue Prosecutor," Deatra said.
"As I was saying your Highness, I volunteered for this duty."
"You don't think your relation to the defendant might cloud your judgment of facts?"
"T... this man isn't my brother. My brother would have never done the things this man has done. I'm no relation to the man standing here."
A murmur ran through the crowd of people. Deatra let it last for a couple minutes as she stared at Terri and Jon. Deatra rapped her gavel and silence once again descended on the court.
"Ok, I'm going to allow this, but if I see even a hint you are protecting him and not doing your duty, you will take your place next to him."
Terri almost laughed, "If I defend t... this thing standing here, please just shoot me to put me out of my misery."
Deatra nodded, "Gladly."
Terri's face lost color for a moment.
"Who is defending him?"
Deatra sat looking around the room as no one moved.
"Well, will his defender please step forward?"
"Your Highness, no one will defend this man against the charges," Terri said smirking at Jon.
"What do you mean no one will defend him? This man has to have a defender for this trial to move forward. It's the law and I'll not have my court made a mockery."
Terri blanched, as did a couple others seated around the room.
Sam stepped forward from the crowd, "I'll defend him," she said taking Jon's hand.
Deatra smiled, "Sam you're not old enough to defend him."
"But, Deatra I love him, he saved me," Sam said tears forming in her small eyes.
Deatra's heart went out for the little girl, "I know Sam, but this is an important matter."
Oojoung faded into view next to Sam, "Oojoung will defend Jon Captain"
Atlantis faded into view next to Sam, "I'll defend him also."
"Ok I'll accept that, let the records show the Oojoung and Atlantis, with sub-council Sam, are here-by appointed as Captain Hunter's defenders."
Deatra looked over the three standing next to Jon, "Oojoung and Atlantis, you both understand that if I find you're hindering Captain Hunter's defense, I'll put you up on the same charges as him."
They both nodded as they took a seat at the defender's table.
"Good, I here-by call this court into session." Deatra said rapping the gavel.
The Earth's Revenge limped towards the Wrath's Revenge trying to get in range to lend support. Another beam lanced out and caught the Wrath's Revenge in the bow. The black ship slowly approached the disabled Wrath's Revenge. Everyone had been so intent on the battle they failed to see the Ge'daes exit hyperspace behind the enemy ship.
"Hard to port, engines to full. Transmit the message to Ghost Station. Condition Red, put us between the Wrath's Revenge and the black ship." Captain Heas ordered.
The Ge'daes turned bypassing the black ship that was firing on the Wrath's Revenge as she slid in between the two ships. The black ship slowed even more as this new comer arrived, moving in front of their target.
"Get me Admiral Breq on the Wrath's Revenge, launch SAR teams and tugs to move her out of danger and to start repairs." Heas ordered.
"Sir, I have another event happening at our entry coordinates." Tactical reported.
"I have Admiral Breq on the comm Sir," Comm reported.
"Admiral Breq sorry for being late to the party. How can we be of assistance?" Heas said.
"Better late than never old friend, you're being extremely helpful doing what you're doing right now. We almost have the hyperspace engines back online and should be able to jump in about 30 minutes." Breq told him.
"Well, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it seems we were followed."
"Another one?"
"Yes, we can hold them off while you get the people out of here."
"Don't stay too long, once we start making our jumps I want you out of here." Breq ordered.
"Yes sir, we won't stay any longer than we have to, trust me."
Beams lanced out and struck the Ge'daes punching a hole in her hull.
"Hull breech on decks 4 and 5, containment fields on line. Minor damage." Damage Control reported.
"Only because we're so big, eventually they will get past the outer rooms and start hitting the main systems. Do not return fire, let's just sit here and soak damage and keep them away from the station. Order all personnel to move towards the center of the ship. Start rolling the ship so we don't take damage in one spot."
'All personnel, move to the center sections of the ship as soon as possible and at best possible speed.' Comm said over the inter ship com system.
Onboard the Earth's Revenge, Bill watched the Ge'daes take up a protective stance between the Wrath's Revenge and the black ships. He stood up, walked to the planning table, and stared at the main viewer.
"Sir, message from Admiral Breq. He says, fall back and rally at Ghost Station the Ge'daes will protect our flank." One of the SAR team replayed.
"Ok, con plot a course to fall back and rally at Ghost Station."
"Course plotted," Con reported.
"Execute."
Slowly the Earth's Revenge turned and followed the Wrath's Revenge back to the station. Bill watched as the Ge'daes took several hits, that did what looked like very little damage. The Ge'daes slowly rolled, bringing her undamaged side to bear on the enemy ships. Bill knew this was an illusion as her damaged side came into view and several large gaping holes appeared.
Captain Heas felt the ship shudder as she was struck again. Heas looked over at the read outs running across the holo viewer on his chair. The Ge'daes was struck again and this time the ship shook violently.
"What was that?" Heas asked.
"Torpedo room 6 has been hit. The resulting explosion caused major damage on decks 4 and 5. Main Engineering reports Main Reactor 2 is over loading, they have to shut it down. They are bringing three secondary reactors online to compensate for the power loss." Damage Control reported.
"You tell Engineering to get that reactor back online."
The Ge'daes shook again under another barrage of fire.
"Aft Shields have failed; hull integrity is down to 67%. We're getting power fluctuations." Tactical reported.
"Start backing us towards Ghost Station slowly, keep us between them and the station. Spin up the hyper drive, we will be leaving this party as soon as the other ships start jumping." Heas Ordered.
Slowly the Ge'daes started back away from the two black ships as she continued to rotate on her axis.
Quellis sat in his ready room aboard the Super Carrier Njioa reading various reports coming in on the battle with the Invaru Collective. The Invaru home world had been captured and the Emperor executed along with anyone in a position of power. The war was almost over, they had in less than three months decapitated the Invaru command structure. Quellis continued to filter through the reports on his holo screen. Clothes lay in a small pile, leftovers from his morning breakfast. The Invaru woman had been as pretty as she was tasty; she had fought hard. He liked being able to play with his food occasionally, it made life more interesting. The ones with a fiery spirit always tasted better then the ones who gave up.
"Sire, sorry to interrupt you, but we have an incoming communication." A voice said over his comm.
"Yes, and?"
"Two recon ships have engaged four ships and a station. They report a Titan Class ship and a super carrier, both Invaru in design. The other two are unidentified and station is unknown."
"I'll be right there, have map ready and their current position."
"Yes Sire."
Quellis stood up, pulling his cloak close as he walked out of the room. As Quellis stepped on the bridge everyone saluted. Quellis returned the salute as he wanted over to the large holo table.
"Report." Quellis said.
"The recon units are here and here," his XO highlighted two spots on the map. "The units reports no major resistance and that two of the ships are disabled."
Quellis leaned in and stared at the map. Something didn't feel right, he had a bad feeling about the area. "Hold position here and continue sweeps of the surrounding systems. Do not enter that system, I think those are the people we fought that destroyed four of our ships."
"Sire, don't you think if that's true that the recon units would be destroyed by now?"
Quellis looked up at his XO, he had a lot to learn. "Highlight on the map where the engagement happened where we lost four ships to this new enemy."
A red ring circled a system, "Now, if I was this enemy I would head back to my base right away. How long from that position to the station?"
The computer calculated the time needed, 12 hours.
"Now they also use a new type of hyper drive. So I think that they could be back in system between 8 to 12 hours. Now how long for us to reach this station."
A new figure appeared on the map.
"20 hours. Do you really want to jump and run to this station and maybe get a surprise? Or do you think we should set up surveillance of the system if we lose contact with the recon ships?" Quellis asked as he watched his XO react to the information.
"Surveillance would be best, Sire."
"Correct, have a recon wing sent to that system and then rotate them every 40 hours. Learn to think with your head before you act Mnosa and you'll do fine. If you don't I'll toss you into the nearest sun and have you replaced by morning."
"Yes, Sire."
Quellis left the bridge and returned to his ready room. He would have to watch Mnosa very closely and teach him quickly or he could cost him everything. He walked over to the viewing window and looked out over his fleet. He would make this Capt. pay for destroying four of their ships.
Terri, Gilas, and Andie sat in Andie's office and Terri wasn't having a good time.
"What do you mean GROUNDED?" Terri almost screamed.
"I mean you can't fly until Jon recovers." Gilas replied.
"You can't ground me, even my brother couldn't. Hell even my guards tried and now they're my squadron mates." Terri said as she glared at Gilas.
Gilas sipped some of his coffee, "I can and I will, I have had your access codes to the flight deck and fighters restricted for the time being."
"WHAT! How dare you."
"Terri, stop acting like a spoiled brat," Andie said.
"Look Terri, do you realize that if Deatra and Jon don't make it you're next in line?" Gilas said as he sat his coffee down.
"I don't care. All I have ever wanted to do was fly. Now you're taking that from me... Wait, next in line for what?" Terri asked suddenly confused.
"You're a Princess of the Eutharan Empire, next in line after Deatra and Jon." Gilas said.
Andie's jaw dropped, she had thought it was because Gilas was just being protective, not wanting Terri to get hurt while Jon was out.
"I don't want to be a Princess, I told Jon that. All I want to do is fly." Terri huffed.
"Look Terri, it's only temporary, just until Jon wakes. Please help me by making my job easier while Jon is out." Gilas begged.
He was in trouble if Terri figured out she was in command and could order him to give her flight status back.
"I said I don't want to be a Princess!" Terri screamed, slapping the coffee cup into a wall, shattering it.
"Ok, I have had enough of this. Princess Terri, if you don't listen and do as you're told, I'll have the female royal guards hold you down and dress you in a dress more suited to your status. Then I'll make sure your hair is done up right and makeup just perfect. Everyday you will be treated like this and then I'll force you to go on 'tours' of Atlantis. Do you understand me?" Gilas said in a menacing voice.
Terri gasped, "You wouldn't!"
"I can and will." Gilas grinned the most evil grin he could muster.
"You would! Ok I'll listen but you haven't heard the end of this!" Terri huffed as she stormed out of Andie's office.
Andie broke into a fit of laughter and Gilas grinned at her.
"Oh, that was classic," Andie said between fits. "Could you really do that?"
"I could try," Gilas grinned. "Don't know if I could pull it off, but I could try."
Gilas knew once she learned of her position he was in trouble, deep trouble.
Andie busted out in a fresh bout of laughing.
Gilas raised an eyebrow as he looked over at her barely keeping her seat.
"I... I'm sorry I just c... can't get that picture out of my head," Andie said in between gasps. "Her in a dress and all made up."
Andie busted up laughing again.
"It really wasn't that funny," Gilas said offhanded.
"You have no idea just how funny it is. She's never worn a dress or even makeup."
"Really?"
Andie nodded.
"Boy, is she in for a surprise when Jon and Deatra arrive at our home world. She has to be properly dressed to meet the King and Queen, makeup and all."
Andie fell off her chair and grabbed her sides as she started laughing again.
"Oh it hurts," Andie laughed. "Please no more."