Chapter 16 Epilogue Part 2

As Commander Frazer walked down the halls of his ship he took in the various damages that the crew had not been able to repair. Certainly they had had the time on their return trip, but unfortunately they lacked the materials.

The last fires they’d had after colliding with chunk of Kraken, had damaged large sections of the hull and caused several fires. It was only by taking on some spare parts and food from the Super Carrier Ironwood that they were even able to make the trip back to Mars.

Still the crew had worked during the entire transit between Europa and Mars at getting their ship back in as good a working order as possible and it showed. Wherever they could they made the floors shine, bulkheads were polished and people used whatever materials they had to make as many repairs as possible.

Rear Admiral Robinson had offered the crew space on a cruiser heading back to Mars, and while the extra space had been tempting it would mean abandoning the Cherry Barb in orbit of Europa. Possibly to be salvaged later, or more likely scuttled there. Not one of the crew wanted to abandon their ship and so the Cherry Barb was leading back to Mars all the most damaged ships that were not able to secure Jupiter or the Leviathan wreckage.

The Journey home had thankfully been a quiet one. The only thing of note that happened was that halfway through their journey they passed the relief force that was heading out to relieve the fleets and scout out a more secure location for a permanent station. Out of respect every single ship in the relief fleets dipped their wings towards the damaged but still proud ships.

As the Cherry Barb made her final approach to Ares station her running lights on, IFF and transponder broadcasting for all to see, Cruisers and even Dreadnoughts made way for her and allowed her preferential passage. While the larger ships may have normally commanded more awe and admiration no ship could boast the kill count the small ship had and she was treated with the respect she had earned through blood and fire.

Her hull still damaged in several places, engines running at half strength and both turrets shattered from battle damage the ship had a little scar from every fight they had been in, but still she moved under her own power; and under her own power she slipped into a dock between an American Heavy Cruiser, and a Chinese Dreadnought at home at last.

Commander Frazer was just finishing a tour of his ship and walking onto his command deck when he felt the soft thump of the ship coming to a complete stop and docking with Ares station.

“Lieutenant Green, ship wide.” He said walking up to his communications officer.

“Yes sir.” She said with a small smile.

“Ladies and Gentleman of the Cherry Barb,” Commander Frazer began, pausing after a moment not entirely sure what to say. “So much has happened in just a short time. We had our first battles, our first real trials by fire, and I don’t mean just us, I mean all of Humanity.

It’s hard to believe that 7 months ago we were scouting Chinese fleet locations preparing for a war that God willing will now never come. We travelled hundreds of millions of kilometers and fought things that were straight from our nightmares.

We fought and bled, not just beside our own brothers and sisters in arms but with people from all over the planet to secure the future for our entire species. While the price of victory may have been high, the cost of failure would have been everything.

I cannot put into words the honor it has been for me to have served with every single one of you. When Humanity needed the impossible done every person on this ship stepped up and made the impossible happen, you have my personal thanks for that.” Pausing for a moment Commander Frazer took a steadying breath the emotion thick in his voice. “I am sure you have all heard the rumors that the Cherry Barb will be decommissioned, and while there will be an official announcement later in the week, I wanted you to hear it from me. The rumors are true the Cherry Barb has been judged too damaged to be repaired and will be decommissioned.”

As the Commander looked over his bridge he saw nothing but dismayed faces feeling the guilt and loss. He new what it was like, when he heard the news it was like a punch straight to the stomach. It seemed that after everything he was losing one last crew member. Still he had to be strong for the crew and set a good example.

“I know we all have strong feelings about her but remember the true strength of any ship is its crew, and while the Cherry was easily the best ship in the fleet this is because she had the best crew in the fleet. No matter what your next assignment will be I want you all to know that no ship anywhere will ever have a crew as good, as hardworking, as honorable as this one.

Tonight Admiral Moore has prepared an informal dinner for us at 19:00 hrs to celebrate our success and to honor those who couldn’t be here.” Taking a moment to himself he took a breath and said. “All crew finish your checklists and lock down your stations. Make sure you bring all personal items with you, and I’ll see you all tonight.” Hanging up the receiver he couldn’t help but feel like his speech was missing something.

“Not a bad speech.” Pounds said walking up to him. “I see you even mentioned food.”

Laughing in spite of himself Frazer responded. “I mentioned food, it wasn’t a speech about food.” He said noticing Lieutenant Brown flinch and look up as he said that.

“I guess that doesn’t count then. Are you all packed?” Pounds asked.

“Not yet, you see to the crew and head out, I’ll be along in a little while.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I haven’t packed yet and half my personal belongings are still scattered all over my office.”

Seeing his old friend wanted to be alone for a little while he simply nodded, turned and made sure the crew were finishing their final checks correctly, applying gentle corrections when needed.

In his office Commander Frazer despite what he had said earlier was almost finished packing. He still had some of his official reports to take put away, but what he really wanted to finish were the final drafts of the letters to the families of the crew he had lost. For some reason he couldn’t explain to even himself he had wanted to finish them on the Cherry, somehow it seemed more appropriate.

One hour later he was just finishing the last letter when he stood up hearing his back crack and pop in ways that it probably shouldn’t.

This done there was no more putting it off, “Well time to finish packing.” He thought to himself.

Opening his drawers one by one he made sure they were all empty stopping at the last one seeing his half empty bottle of scotch roll into view.

“How did I not finish this?” Frazer said to himself opening the bottle. Hell if he had remembered this was still here he would have had a drink with Pounds before he left. After having a small drink straight from the bottle he opened his last drawer took a look inside and smiled, how did he forget that he packed these clothes?

As he pulled himself through the umbilical Commander Frazer smiled for the first time in months. The sunglasses were a bit much but he had to admit the change in clothes and getting off the Cherry was already helping improving his mood. Of course the now lighter bottle of scotch in his bag was helping a little.

Carefully getting his feet under himself and making sure his bags wouldn’t trip him up as he exited the umbilical James Frazer entered Ares station and saw a familiar face. “Lieutenant Jenkins, how are you? Or I guess I should say Lieutenant Commander Jenkins, congratulations.” Frazer corrected himself looking closer at the mans uniform.

“I’m doing very well Sir thank you for asking,” Jenkins said with a salute just as crisp as Frazer remembered it being as Jenkins took in Frasers less than regulation clothes. “and you Commander?”

Returning the salute Fraser asked “Well enough. Does Admiral Moore want to see me?”

“Not today Sir, although he would like to see you tomorrow after lunch if your free. I just thought you might appreciate being shown to your apartment, and I can give you a hand with your bags if you like Sir.”

“Thank you, is it the same one as last time?” He said as Jenkins grabbed two of his bags leaving Fraser with just one.

“No Sir, a diplomatic suite was open so I took the liberty of assigning you that.”

“Well then lead the way.“ Frazer allowed Jenkins to talk his ear off as they went, catching up on all the news and rumors he had missed since he had been away.

“After you left things quieted down with the Chinese almost immediately. Even the news wasn’t covering it anymore, it was the task force almost 24/7. Not that they had anything new to say after the first day of course. On a more personal note, my wife had our first just after you left Sir.”

“Congratulations, boy or a girl?”

“Girl, she’s already sitting up, and we think she might be speaking any time now.”

“Incredible.” Turning to look at the man they stopped in the hall. “You know one of the worst parts of being on a stealth ship? The changes. You go away for a few months, come back and the world has gone ahead without you, and it’s all you can do to catch up before the next mission. I remember one time a few years ago I went on a routine patrol, not even a long one. When I came back the U.K had rejoined the E.U.”

“I think I understand what you mean Sir. Just thinking about everything that’s happened since the last time I saw you, really puts it into perspective.” Gesturing to a door behind Frazer Jenkins continued. “Well Sir, this is your suite here. I’m sure you would like to have a shower and get changed before the party.”

Laughing Frazer said. “You were standing close to the airlock when it opened weren’t you?” At Jenkins embarrassed nod Fraser continued. “That’s one of the other things they don’t tell you about stealth ships. The air scrubbers can only do so much I’m afraid. While a shower sounds nice, I believe Admiral Moore said the party was informal so I think these clothes should be fine. Don’t you?”

Looking at the Commanders attire Jenkins diplomatically said. “If you think so Sir.”

1 hour later Pounds was wondering if James was even going to show up to his own party when the door opened and he walked in wearing a bright red and yellow Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts and sneakers, at least there were no sunglasses. The crew turned saw the Commander and broke out in a roar of laughter and cheers as he walked straight to the bar to get a drink.

Working his way over to the bar Pounds stood beside his friend and got another drink for himself. “I know you said informal, but I don’t think this is what the Admiral had in mind.”

“What do you mean? Informal means informal Pounds, look at you in a collard shirt and black pants, if the Admiral were here I’m sure he’d be upset with you for ignoring the dress code. Cheers.” Frazer said clinking his drink against Pounds. “They’ve got me in a diplomatic suite Pounds.”

“Full bar?”

“Not anymore.”

The two shared a laugh before they were interrupted by a polite cough behind them. Turning around they saw Alyx Green and Nate Brown behind them.

“Good evening Lieutenants, enjoying the festivities? Cheers.” Frazer said clinking his glass into theirs.

“Yes Sir.” Nate Brown said, with some hesitancy that neither James or Pounds had ever heard before. “Sir, I just wanted to say thank you for everything. Both of you, it was an honor and a pleasure to serve with you both.”

“As I said, the honor was all mine Lieutenant. I have served with a number of navigators over the years and you were the best. You as well Lieutenant Green, you were both exceptional at your jobs.”

“Thank you, Sir. That means a lot coming from you.”

“So have you put any thought into what you might like to do next? The entire crew will be able to choose their next assignments.”

“I’m actually going to go back to school Sir, see if I can’t finish my doctorate.” Nate Brown said. At their questioning looks he added. “Theoretical physics. I think I might write a paper on FTL and contained artificial wormholes.”

“We’ll good luck Mr. Brown or I suppose I should get used to saying Doctor Brown, and you Lieutenant Green?”

Alyx Green gave Nate Brown a look that both Frazer and Pounds understood to mean she was going to be following him but she said. “I’ll be going back to school as well Sir, broadcast journalism. I’d like to expose corruption, fight injustice. The Mega-corporations and their flunkies in the news have had too much say in things for far too long.”

“I know the fleet will be less for your not being in it, but I wish you both all the best.” Pounds said.

“We did have one question for you.” At their questioning look Nate continued. “How did you get the nickname Pounds?”

As Commander Frazer and Pounds looked at each other they both wondered what story they should tell this time. This was not the first time they had been asked this question and the truth was never as good as fiction after all so they had dozens of different stories the liked to tell people. Everything from Pounds punching a grizzly bear to death to winning absurd drinking competitions.

“Tell you what Mr. Brown, if we get drunk enough tonight I just might tell you. But for now I think I would like to talk to my crew again.” Frazer said.

“Another speech James?”

“Not a speech, a toast, a short one I promise.”

Laughing into his almost finished drink Pounds ordered another one from the bartender, it was nice to see his friend in good spirits, hopefully it would last.

None of them could be certain how long peace would last, but one thing was for certain. Some day, either in Sol or a solar system beyond they would see the Leviathans again, and when that happened he could only hope they would be ready.

Hundreds of millions kilometers away from the closest Human settlement, under almost 15 kilometers of ice, on a small moon something stirred.

Less than what it was, far less than what it should be, it waited, it planned. The small seed sent to this system had been so close to succeeding. The gate had been opened, it was almost there, if it had been able to delay them for only a few minutes more, then more of its kin could have come pouring through the gate and swept the insects away.

Now it would have to move slowly, carefully. It didn’t have enough resources to make another gate, and more would never be sent. Failure would never be supported.

It could however make a beacon. It would take time to gather the last of the precious metals, but time was nothing to it and patience was the one thing it had enough of.

If it succeeded and called more workers to it, it would be able sweep the insects, make a foundry and make a new gate. Victory could still be its.

The seed could still grow.

The hive would grow.

The hive must grow.

END