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"Will do," John replied, giving him a nervous smile in return. "I'll be over shortly."
Jack hesitated, reluctant to hang up the call on the Lion, so John closed the comm channel for them. He looked out the window for a moment, lost in his thoughts as he gazed at a grey Terran Federation cruiser docking with a green Kintark carrier, in preparation to take the crew into custody.
The Regulus system looked calm, a surreal sense of tranquillity having descended on this area of space now that it wasn't filled with beams, plasma, missiles, and shells. Terran vessels were carefully picking their way around extensive debris fields, and in some cases, it was all that remained of once-proud starships. He saw a Terran battleship still ablaze with ghastly plasma fire, despite the efforts of a number of assisting vessels trying to extinguish it. It proved that the peaceful scene was merely a facade, and that men's lives still hung in the balance.
He rose from his chair before he got too maudlin, and strolled purposefully from the Ready Room. It was nearly midday now, and speaking to Jack reminded him that there was another Fernandez he wanted to speak to.
Nearly barging into Alyssa and Calara as he strode through the door, he smiled at them, and said, "Just the ladies I wanted to see." Looking at the Latina, he continued, "Shall we go and say hello to Mateo? He must have come around from Tamolith's pheromones by now."
Calara gave him a lovely smile as she said, "Faye just told me he's awake and asking to see me. I was coming to see if you wanted to head down there too."
"Sounds like a plan," he said, returning her smile. Looking around the Bridge at the rest of the girls gathered there, he added, "We need to have a good debrief on everything, but I'd like to see Calara's brother first."
Alyssa, Calara, Dana, Rachel, Irillith, and Faye all nodded, smiling at him. Jade chose that precise time to step out from the grav-tube, beaming a huge smile at them all.
"Jade!" he exclaimed, both delighted and relieved to see her.
She rushed into his welcoming arms, and the other girls piled in for another group hug, their first, just after the Kintark surrendered.
"You girls were all wonderful today," John told them, looking around at their beautiful faces. "We'll get everything squared away, then we're going to have to do some serious celebrating."
Sparkling eyes flashed with arousal whichever way he looked, and he knew he'd be in for one hell of a night. They hugged each other for a long while, everyone just relieved to have got through the battle unscathed.
A quiet voice disturbed the serene moment, as Sakura stepped onto the Bridge, rubbing her eyes. "Hey everyone," she greeted them with a sleepy smile. "Did I miss anything?"
- COMMENTS
ShaggyDogStory2 months agoI've criticised plenty of aspects of this series, but I won't knock this chapter - a high point in a hugely inconsistent series.
It was a hugely complicated space battle, well explained using lots of POVs, while keeping the pace up, including new or peripheral characters. An excellent example of show, don't tell.
Michael56Smith5 months agoIf they had saved the original Invictus for Charles (a retirement gift), then I would hope that they'd include a copy of the gun welding pixie we just saw tear those Kintark a new one, ... Charles would surely love his very own 'unshackled AI' and who wouldn't adore our sweet little Faye (but maybe name the AI copy something else (they could be sisters), ... And while the Genthalas engineers are at it, they could make Jack a Fernandez family ship (based on the Damocles) as his retirement gift, ... but remember to include his own Dojo, ... if only, ... ;-) ttfn
Anonymous9 months ago"I still think that Genthalas Shipyard could work up a wholly new 'Invictus' for John (using Dana's schematics) in about the same time as reworking the upgrades through an old assault cruiser"
One of the main believability issues with this otherwise excellent series is the ludicrous speed with which upgrades are installed...
Michael56Smith9 months ago--Wow, Faye got to play with the big guns, .... more starships need a 'Faye' to help them, .... she sure is handy for so much, .... and she's an excellent alarm clock too, .... And with all the combat, the Invictus (and the Raptor) came through it all without a scratch, ... that's amazing too, ...
-- So, it's time for further upgrades, ... I still think that Genthalas Shipyard could work up a wholly new 'Invictus' for John (using Dana's schematics) in about the same time as reworking the upgrades through an old assault cruiser, and it would be a tougher ship too, ... they should really keep the old / original Invictus for a gift for Charles (when he retires), but keep a copy of Faye onboard to help out, ... ;-) ttfn
