“After we get the ship repaired we'll have people work on it on a voluntary basis. It would be good for morale.” Captain Valance put in as he started looking at a security screen. “Is this right, Frost?”
“What's that sir?”
“It looks like a lot of emergency shuttles are powering up.”
“That's right sir. Hangar two is the busiest place on the ship.”
The Changing Of The Guard
Lawrence held on to his mother's hand as he watched the first of the shuttles depart. He was mesmerized by the sight of the little ships powering their engines up and lifting off from the deck. Following the directions of the Aucharian soldiers who waved their arms up, to their sides, down and all around. He tugged at the collar of the child sized vacsuit Liam had brought them while they were in the racks. The man didn't stay long, just for a minute, but he liked the older fellow, seeing him made him feel safe. His mother wore one of the vacsuits as well. “When are we going Mom?” he asked.
“We'll be on one of the last ones. Your dad is waiting for us on the Darian. ”
“Is that his ship?”
She knelt down and looked at him face to face. “No, it's a ship that helped him when he escaped from his space station.”
“Is Liam going there?”
“No, he has to stay here.”
“Why?”
“Well, there are a lot of other families who need his help. The people on this ship need him too because no one knows how it works better than him.”
“This is a ship?” Lawrence said, his eyes wide.
“Yes, it's one big ship.”
“The whole thing?” he asked in disbelief, thinking of how long it took them to get from the smelly, messy bunk rooms all the way down to the hangar deck even using the fast express car.
“This whole thing.” Shelly said with a smile. “And they're going to go help people just like us.”
“And they need Liam?”
“Yes they do.”
“Should we stay and help? Maybe dad could come too?”
“No, we need to go visit your Gran again. She misses us and wants to see all of us this time, even your dad.”
“Oh, can we come back and visit Liam?”
Shelly laughed a little and stroked her son's cheek. “You like him, don't you?”
He nodded.
“Maybe some day, but not for a very long time. He's going to be very busy and very far away for a few years. I'm sure you can send him a message when we get to Gran's though. He might like that.”
“Okay.”
An Aucharian soldier walked over to them and smiled. “We can load you on the next one. We're loading it with everyone going to the Darian. ” s he said, holding her rifle across her armoured chest.
“Thank you,” Shelly replied, standing up. “Let's go Lawrence.” She took his hand again.
They walked across the hangar around other groups on their way to board shuttles made for four, six, eight and twelve. As they drew nearer it became clear they were being loaded onto one of the larger military boarding shuttles. “I thought these would be reserved for your people,” Shelly said to the soldier as she picked Lawrence up in her arms. He was getting a good look at the big dark grey ship.
“Most of us are staying. After seeing what Captain Valance can do with a converted cargo hauler and what's left of Enreega, we want to see what kind of fight he can put us in with the Triton. ”
“Good luck. I hope things work out,” Shelly said as she moved up the line.
“I have a good feeling about this ma'am, you'll hear about us again,” she replied with a smile. “You take good care of your son and tell Tanner that Junior Lieutenant Eccleston says hello.”
“You know my husband?”
“He was my commanding officer during my tour aboard station four. I wish he was coming with us but with you two around, I can see why he's moving on.”
“I'll tell him. Take care of yourself.”
“I will.”
The last of the passengers loaded onto the boarding shuttle and Junior Lieutenant Jane Eccleston made sure the hatch was secure before signalling the temporary deck crew. “Only nine left, then we get to lock this hangar down until the Captain has a use for it again,” she said into her communicator. “Let's keep this accident free.”
“Ma'am, the Captain's on the line for you,” reported one of her soldiers.
“Put him through.”
“You're on with him now.”
“Captain Valance, I'm Junior Lieutenant Jane Eccleston. Our commanding officer has returned to the destroyer Verant, I took over.”
“Good work getting a deck crew organized. I'm impressed.”
“Thank you sir. My platoon prides itself on it's ability to improvise.”
“We received your qualifications, I'm impressed. When you're finished down there I'd like to see you on the bridge.”
“I won't go up unless you take all of us. Only three are returning to the Verant. ”
“Done. We need you. Captain Valance out.”
“Sounds like we've got a new boss.” Her communications officer said.
“Listening in again Sherman? You're going to have to drop that habit, Parsons put up with it while he was in command, but I won't,” Jane sighed and signalled another shuttle sealed and ready. “Put the rest of the platoon on the line, they should hear this.”
“Aye.” The transparent display inside her visor showed that all thirty six members of her platoon were listening in a moment later.
“I've spoken to Captain Valance. We're all welcome to join the crew,” Jane said, smiling to herself.
“Thank God, I was afraid we'd be on the run,” Said Kari.
“That's good news, too bad we lost a few,” added Frederick.
“Finally, some action!” Shouted Stephano.
“Another day, another outfit,” commented Marion.
“So we're going to actually get to work now? Not just inspect and polish for twelve hours a day? Finally,” complained Marcus.
“Having six shape shifters in the platoon probably informed his decision a bit.”
There were a number of other comments of approval and a couple wise cracks that overlapped and Jane couldn't help but grin as she watched the last pair of shuttles slowly drift out of the hangar.
“Quiet down, let's hear what we've signed up for,” Sherman said over everyone.
“I'm headed to the bridge to speak to the Captain in person. I expect he'll break us up a little, on a ship like this that's bound to happen, but we'll all be inside the same hull, fighting the same fight. I need everyone to be on their best behaviour, to do their best work. From what I've seen of the Triton, she's a mess, and we'll have to train while we make repairs.”
“Looks like half this stuff has been dormant longer than I've been alive.” Commented Nathan, her second in command. “And they added a few sections of ergranian steel that have been expanding unchecked for a while. It's going to be interesting trying to work that in. I've seen sections where the metal has grown right around cables and piping.”
“I'm going to find out what we can expect from Valent, what kind of experience he has with a ship this size, if any.” Julie continued as she stepped into an express car. There were three other people inside, one was Nathan, the other two she had seen helping on the hangar deck. “I'll update everyone once I know more, until then keep your eyes open for orders and directions from Triton command. I get the feeling that Captain Valance wants to pull things together fast. Eccleston out.” The channel closed and she looked to Nathan.
He was an issyrian just like her, and held a human shape as well. It made most people they worked with
