the fleet. Many of the ships continued to fire out at the remaining enemy ships, but he could see that most had already begun to flee.
“Do we pursue them?” asked Vega.
“No, continue to lay down fire while they are in range, and redress our formation as our communications come back on line.”
“Sir, this may be our only chance to finish them.”
“Count ourselves lucky, Captain. We fought the enemy on their terms in their system, and we won. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Wouldn’t you agree, Major?”
Taylor didn’t like being put on the spot in opposition to the XO, but he certainly did agree with the Admiral from a tactical perspective.
“Yes, Sir, we should take the time to repair and restore what we have, and get to the aid of our forces on Red 1.”
Huber smiled at Mitch’s well-timed retort.
“Sir, communications are back online.”
“Do we have contact with the rest of the fleet?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Open up a channel.”
Huber took a deep breath, and after the nod from his XO, he began.
“This is Admiral Huber. I want to congratulate you all on a job well done, but before I go any further, let me ask you all to organise any assistance you can to our comrades. We have crippled ships, stranded personnel. Let’s look to our own.”
He waited briefly to see that Vega had already begun working to the order, and knew he could carry on with it already underway.
“We won a valuable victory here today. The enemy knew we were here, and that is what they sent to fight us. They underestimated you all. They underestimated your courage, your strength, and your fortitude. Thank you all. May we remember those who fell today, for as long as we live. Congratulations to you all. Huber out.”
He sighed deeply and sat down. Taylor could see the Admiral was utterly exhausted. The whole situation weighed heavily on their minds, and Taylor’s mind and body felt as if he’d been out there fighting them with his own hands.
“I don’t envy you,” Taylor said quietly.
“Nor I you,” he replied.
“Then we must be in the right jobs.”
Taylor laughed. He could tell his suggestion of supporting Red 1 passed the Admiral by. It was not that he was not listening, but that Huber was a rightfully cautious man. Taylor already knew he could do little to change his mind, but that would not stop him trying.
“Sir, may I have permission to attempt to break the siege of Red 1 and bring our people back?”
“I am sorry, Major, but you know our situation here. With the several thousand troops we have, we have too few to protect the ships of this fleet. It is not just this carrier that is in danger of boarding by the enemy. The enemy attack was repulsed, but not without cost. You can guarantee they will return in far greater number. You know this enemy. They will not quit because of their losses. They do not care for their losses. They will keep coming at us until they finish the job.”
“And so we just stay here and get slowly whittled away until there is nothing left?”
“General White has gone for reinforcements. The shipyards of Earth and the colonies are putting out new ships on a daily basis. Crews are prepared at the same speed, and ground troops are in plenty of supply to fill any transports sent this way. We will hold this location until they arrive. If we reach a position where we are confident of our defence here, then I will let you go to your Colonel’s aid.”
“And when will that be, when they are all dead and buried?”
“I am sorry, Major, but we cannot endanger the lives of all in this fleet for the few. Red 1 is a defensible position. If anyone can hold there, it is Colonel Chandra.”
“She is an incredible officer, Sir, but she is not a miracle worker. Their ammunition will not last forever, nor will their food. They are under siege.”
Taylor’s voice faded off. He knew it was useless to go on any further. He had already accepted the Admiral’s decision before he’d even started, but he had to try.
“Have your marines revert to watches and those not on duty get as much rest as they can. We all need to remain clearheaded and ready to do our jobs to the best of our abilities.”
The Admiral’s commanding voice echoed through his ears, and he quickly stood up and saluted, turning to go about his duties. He stepped out of the bridge to find Jafar and Parker awaiting him with her platoon.
“What are you doing here?” he asked her.
“You requested a platoon at your service.”
“And that just happened to be yours?” he asked with a smile.
“Is it true that we whopped ‘em?” she asked.
“Oh yes, well and truly, but they still came close to boarding the Washington. One of the destroyers was boarded during the fight but managed to hold out.”
“Of course, they did. Marines do their jobs.”
Sergeant Silva rushed around the corner to address Taylor.
“Sir, what are your orders?”
“Have the Company stand down. I want double strength watches of all districts.”
“The fight is really over, Sir?” he asked in surprise.
“We aren’t the only ones who are fighting this war, Sergeant. The Navy boys did some fine work today. We can rest for another day.”
“Some of us can.”
Taylor knew he was referring to those left on Red 1, but he didn’t have the heart to explain the situation. All he now thought about were those left behind, and all he wanted to do was go to their aid.
Chapter 10
Earth was a beautiful sight, which was a little different to human eyes after seeing the barren alien world and Mars. General White stood at the front of the bridge as they descended on his homeworld. He wondered every minute of every day how Admiral Huber was getting along. He was confident that with Taylor at his side things would work out.
“Landing in thirty minutes, Sir.”
“Thank you,” he replied.
The Earth defence grid they passed was an impressive sight. It had been little more than foundations when they departed for Tau Ceti. Three-dozen warships occupied the space above Earth, and more were joining them all the time. White could see that Earth was ready for the enemy. He just hoped they were ready to help those he left behind in alien lands.
The thirty minutes passed quickly. After days of waiting for this moment, the General was eager to make his point. As the representative of the fleet and Earth’s first ever journey into foreign systems, a large party had formed to greet him. Countries’ leaders and Generals lined the landing zone at his base, in eager anticipation of some news.
As the ramp of his ship lowered to the ground, he realised he was being greeted by not only the President of the United States, but Presidents, Prime Ministers and Kings of a dozen or more countries. He sighed deeply.
“We’re in for a long day.”
“Incoming!”
Chandra’s feet had been propped up on an ammunition crate, and she had almost gotten a few minutes’ sleep when she was awoken. Her survival instinct kicked in, and she leapt to her feet. A second later, gunfire
