Chapter 14 - Another Aftermath

James shook his head and looked up. "Terrence, start bringing all the injured from Freya over. Coordinate with their staff and bring the hurt ones over when gurneys are available. Let's get them medical attention quickly."

"We're already on it," Donna said. "David, Elle and Robert are standing by with gurneys. Lindsay and Ed have headed to our multi-use room and are going to set up to treat the non-critical cases there. Craig and Tom are setting things up there."

"Maggie has the teleport pod halfway there. Donna are you suited up?" Tamara called out.

"I feel like I'm some kind of sausage," Donna grumbled. "You'd think the Confederacy could make a suit that wasn't so stiff. And you do remember that I'm pregnant don't you?"

"Confederacy space suits are designed to be resistant to space debris impacts and radiation. The thickness is required to increase the suit's resistance to tears and punctures," the AI said. "The suit will protect your unborn child while you perform your duties."

Donna gave a cheerful raspberry as everyone in the command post laughed at the AI response. My master quickly regained control and looked at the monitors. "Tamara, what's the damage look like?"

"We need Xavier to confirm, but my scans show mostly light damage. The power grid for the mobile beam cannons has four breaches. We do have the spares for that. I don't have a full count on damage to the cannons, but they reported eleven as destroyed. We only have five spares in stock. I can't say on how many of the damaged ones we can fully repair either. It depends on the damage," Tamara replied.

"Commander, what's your crew status?" James asked.

"We have the four dead gunners you know about. We lost six other ratings on the ship and one concubine. I haven't seen everyone, but we have all four of our medical pods filled and will have sent you six critically injured crew as well. There are many minor injuries that should be treated if you can. I also have twelve of the twenty concubines on the ship injured."

"You only had twenty crew?" Terrence asked.

"No," the commander replied with her smoky laugh. "Most of my crew came out on the Princess Victoria just three months ago. That limits which concubines you can bring, since pregnant females are not allowed."

Just then the voice of the lead gunner spoke up. "Commander, all Vanir and Aesir guns have embarked through the bow elevator. The stern elevator is operational and all Thanes are aboard. I'm staying with Jarl three and Vincent's recovery team. The rest of Jarl squad is cycling the elevator now."

"Good job Este. You'll be happy to know that Paulo is fine," the commander said. "He's currently helping in medical."

"I knew he was more than just a dumb basketball player," Este replied. "We do need to decide who to promote to Thane one."

"Amy," the commander replied immediately. "Move her from Aesir three."

There was a short pause. "I'll let her know once I'm inside," Este replied.

The command center was quiet. Tamara and Tiffany had moved their chairs together and were conducting a whispered conversation. I looked over at James who was heading to the alcove we used for the system defense weapons when the voice of Admiral Himmel rang out. "James! I hear you have a visitor."

"We had three, but they didn't get along too well," James quipped. "I do have to say I'm impressed with your crew this time."

"I'm thinking I need to give Captain Walker a promotion," the admiral said with a chuckle.

"Never!" the silky voice growled out. "I'm where I belong."

The admiral sighed loudly over the communications system. "James, this one takes after you. Throws down demands I'd be a fool to refuse. And it's similar to your usual ones. Just let her do her job."

"I like my ship," the woman said. "Your only promotions would be to a Hero class, a carrier or flag officer. I'd be lousy in those positions."

James laughed. "Admiral, is it just me or do all the Goddess class ships have ladies in command?"

Admiral Himmel laughed. "No comment. Meanwhile, what's the damage and casualties?"

"Four dead in my gun crews, six on the ship. Twenty wounded, ten critical. We have one gunball still to retrieve, and two crews. Damage assessment is ongoing," the commander said.

"We'll turn her in a day," Xavier reported. "She'll be down ten gunballs though. We can't repair all of the ones that took hits. Admiral, when will we receive more spares?"

"A Stagecoach class freighter is supposed to be on its way to you," Admiral Himmel said. "Do your usual good work on Freya. Morrigan and Andrew Jackson are still at Moreton. I can't have one of the few capital ships in the district down right now."

"Bad damage?" James asked.

"Crew training," Admiral Himmel said with a huff. "Morrigan lost her entire gun crew at Wolf three-six-seven and training a new crew has been spotty. For the Jackson we just aren't having much luck training pilots. I'd love another shipment of citizens."

"What should we do tomorrow after repairs?" the commander asked?"

"Make a run to Moreton to get replacement gunballs and crew. After that, resume your standard patrol. How was the Wolf system when you visited?" Admiral Himmel replied.

"The Sa'arm have three of their colony spheres on the planet. They appear to be trying to strip the planet of heavy metals as quickly as possible. We managed to get in fairly close and even take some shots at their transfer setups," the commander replied.

"You take any damage?"

"None," was the reply. "Most of the defensive fire we faced was small missile salvos. My people kept those from hitting the ship. We did see one weapon that could cause trouble."

"What did you see?"

"The Sa'arm laced some areas with hundreds of spheres. The spheres are about the size of one of those inflatable balls you find at the beach. One of our probes got too close to one and then the ball it was investigating blew up. It has a core of high-powered explosive surrounded by marble sized heavy metal balls. If one of those blows up near a Goddess, the balls will rip through gunball armor."

"It would also kill any fighter that got too close," Xavier said. "I've checked the specs on our fighters and their particle shields can't stand a sustained pounding of any power. They are only there to stop space dust."

"I'll alert all captains," Admiral Himmel said. "James, take care of my people."

"Can do," James replied. "We're just waiting for them to reach our repair docks."

Just then Maggie called out. "I have the teleport pod at the beacon. Donna are you ready?"

"No," Donna replied in a quavering voice. "I'm definitely not emotionally ready for this. But I'm suited up and at our teleport. Terrence, let's get this over with."

"All I see is an airlock-like cylinder with small thruster engines," Este said. "Jesus Christ and Mother Mary! Now I understand. I see your medic. She's at Maxine's pod and waving to our damage control team."

"James, Shawna," Donna said breathlessly a moment later. "Vincent underestimated the damage. The back of Maxine's suit has been compromised. The only reason she isn't dead is that the broken sections welded to her chair when the gun overloaded. It looks like the same action closed up her wounds, but when we cut her free, she'll start bleeding heavily. There is no way she'll last more than thirty seconds without a pod."

James nodded. "Ed, bring one of our maternity gurneys. It's not a full pod, but I remember the specs and it should give us some extra time. Everyone clear a path between teleport and medical. David, Tyson, get to medical, we're going to need strong arms to move this Maxine to a medical pod."

James dashed from the room. I started to follow, but Tamara grabbed me and kept me in the command center. "No, he'll need no distractions."

Every part of my being wanted to follow my master out of the chamber, but I stood in the doorway, looking towards the teleport room. Ed dashed past me, pushing a gurney. By the lights on the side I guessed it was the maternity gurney James wanted.

"Donna, are the damage control crew ready to cut, and how quickly can you get Maxine into the teleport?" James' voice rang out over the speaker.

"They are, and I've had them pull the teleport pod as close as possible. We've done a pantomime of how this will go and we might pull it off in fifteen seconds," Donna said.

"I'm keeping the pad hot," Terrence called out. "The instant Maxine's body touches the pad it will activate and teleport her here."

"I'm in position with the gurney. James and I will catch Maxine as she arrives," Ed said. "Donna, you have to make the call to start."

There was a long pause. I glanced over at Tiffany and could see her twitching toward the communications controls. Her hand was reaching for a button when Donna spoke again.

"We're set and going in three...two...now! Spears are cut, back cutting going."

There was a moan of fear and anguish. Donna ignored the interruption. "She's free! Teleporting now!"

"Got her," Ed screamed out. "Oh god! How is she still alive! Shawna, get the pod open. Stat!"

James burst from the teleport room just one door down. He was pulling a gurney and Ed was pushing it. They ran as they drove the gurney down the hallway. It emitted a mournful wail as it passed by the command center.

I tried to get a good look at the passenger. The suit she wore was blackened and hid her face and figure. James and Ed had thrown her onto the gurney with her back down. I wondered why until I noticed the two thick pole stubs sticking out of her stomach. I covered my mouth as bile rose from my stomach .

"That poor girl," Kitty said beside me. She must have snuck up while I was listening to the communications.

I was about to turn back when Donna emerged from the teleport room. She was wearing a silvery version of the Confed uniform and holding a domed helmet under her arm. She saw us gazing out of the command post and shook her head.

"You can follow James now," she told us. "He just needed the hallways clear to get the gurney through."

"Will Maxine recover?" Kitty asked, gazing down the hall in the direction the gurney had gone.

"If they can get her in a pod fast enough, she should recover," Donna said. "Confed medical tech is very good, and from what I could see Maxine hadn't lost any limbs. My worry was the bloodloss."

"She's going to make it," I heard Shawna say. "But someone better come in and mop the floor in my medical office. There's blood everywhere."

There was a moment of silence. I gave silent thanks that Maxine had survived her experience.

"Concubine Marina is requesting the replicators produce a mop. Such a device is not required as Confed pods are self-cleaning. Citizen Shawna do you wish your concubine to have this item?" the AI called out tonelessly.

Laughter rang out in the command center at this. I was about to leave when James appeared in the hallway, walking back to the command center. I ran to him and threw my arms around him.

He hugged me back with his left hand, using his right to hug Kitty. "Heroes love welcomes like this," he said. "Only I'm not a hero today."

"You're my hero every day," I whispered as I kissed his cheek.

James laughed at this as he stepped into the command center. Unlike the previous times I'd been here to watch ships arrive, the atmosphere was serenely calm. Tamara and Tiffany were now quietly calling out vectoring information as Freya coasted to a stop near Astarte.

"You can kill your engines," Tiffany said about an hour later. "The drydock will tractor your ship in."

"Very professional. Thank you," was the reply. I noticed that this was a male voice. "I've been asked to inquire as to shore leave for the crew."

Tiffany looked over at James who smiled and waved for her to speak. She spun her chair around biting her lip and then nodded. "Ishtar welcomes officers and crew on shore leave. Bringing concubines is recommended. Please note that we do not have free concubines, permission must be asked before accosting one of the concubines on the planet. We do ask that concubines are shown respect at all times."

"I think my crew will be able to live with those rules," the silky voice said tiredly. "Can I ask if there is a briefing room I can use for a short meeting with my officers? The ready room here was a casualty of the fight."

"They can use the briefing room here, if they need a private meeting," James said.

Tiffany nodded and passed the information along. Tamara was holding a quiet conference with Xavier as they tracked the ship's slow entry into the drydock. They counted down the meters and finally Tamara looked up.

"We have a good docking. Since Freya has working teleports, we can link to those and avoid hooking up the airlock. The repair modules will start removing the destroyed gunballs and damaged grid," she informed us.

"Link established," Terrence said. "The crew can start arriving."

There was no reply from the ship, but moments later I could hear conversations outside the teleport room. Many people were speaking, but I could occasionally pick out Terrence providing directions to the crew. As I watched a stream of people passed the open command center door.

I was not really counting the people and turned to see James kneeling by Tiffany. They were looking over some scans taken during the fight. Tiffany appeared unconcerned, but it was clear that both of them wanted to verify something.

Their conversation was intense. I was a bit too far to hear what was being whispered. My attention was so tight on the duo that the voice next to me startled me.

"This is the command post correct?" a calm, accented voice said.

I spun around to see a slender woman with long black hair standing in the doorway. She was holding a helmet and looking around. The first thing I realized was she was nearly as tall as Bethany.

"It is," James said, standing up and stepping away from Tiffany. "Welcome to Ishtar...."

"Estefani Avila," the woman said, holding out her hand. "You probably heard me called Este, or Einherjar One during the fight."

James nodded and stepped forward to take her hand. "James, sometime governor of the rest-and-body-shop known as Ishtar."

Este looked at him. "I would have expected you to be taller." The woman was a good five inches taller than my master, but he just shrugged.

"That hasn't been a concern before," he said. "I should compliment you and all your crews. I expected more damage and casualties."

"That's because you haven't seen the best fight before," the silky voice said.

I turned to see the source of the voice. If I had not been sure of James' love for me I would have been hissing in jealousy. The woman standing in the doorway was physical perfection. She was as tall as Barbara, but had curves that made it clear she was a woman. Her face was flawless. Blonde hair the color of honey fell down her back in a wave. Even her walk was sensuality and passion in movement.

"I want to walk like that," Janice hissed in my ear as the woman walked up to James.

"Tanya Walker, Commander of Freya," the woman said in her smoky voice as she held her hand out to James.

"An honor to meet you," James said. "James, Governor of Ishtar and sometime commander of our merry band of grease monkeys." He looked over at me. "Meiko, Janice, don't stand so far away. Come protect me from this goddess."

I moved closer as the woman laughed. "So where is this briefing room?" she asked.

I decided to bow to the woman. "It's right this way. I can lead you and bring refreshments if you'd like."

Tanya smiled. "Perfect. Lead the way and then I'd like a hot chocolate."

Estefani snorted. "You and your fetish for not drinking. Can this place make a good margarita?"

"It's replicator alcohol," I replied as I led them through the doorway.

"Oh god no!" the woman cried. "Ask the replicator to make me a combination pineapple, orange and guava juice drink. It should know the recipe."

They were claiming two of the chairs in the room so I darted out to access the replicator in the command center. Three more officers, two men and a woman entered the room as I claimed the two drinks. I returned to the room to find the other three officers slumped into chairs. Este had her head lying on the table, her hands under it acting as pillows. Only Tanya was alert.

"I get a feeling this will be a short debrief," she said as she claimed the hot chocolate. "Could you stay here? We'll need a guide to any guest rooms and recreation areas."

"Hey, this is Ishtar right?" the female officer I did not recognize said.

"Yes," I responded.

"Some marine pushed three bags of seeds on me during the ride out on the Princess Victoria. Told me if I ever visited Ishtar I was to tell them I had seeds to trade," The officer said. "He said I should try to get all but one back to him, but never said what he was expecting."

I smiled and walked to the briefing room entrance. Kitty was still in the room. "Kitty. Care to bring some..."

The girl actually giggled. "Can do," she called out as she dashed out. I turned back to see Tanya looking at me before looking back at her people.

"Right," she began. "While I try to puzzle out what is happening, let's review the last engagement. For once we saw weapons other than missiles. What can anyone say?"

"The reaction cannon from target one were nasty in close. They don't have any accuracy at the extreme range of our particle beams, but they give those projectiles more than enough velocity so that the kinetic force will take out a gunball on a direct hit," one of the still unnamed officers. "The armor under the grid held, but we still lose fighting capability."

"And the particles are too small and too fast for any warning system to matter," Este said with her head still on the table. We need to improve our tracking so we can see cannon like that before they are in range to start shooting. Also we might try evasive maneuvers with the ship to make it less likely we take hits."

"Chase the splashes as it were?" Tanya asked.

"Do what?" the one female officer I did not have a name for asked.

"One of my lessons talked about an old wet navy tactic. Ships firing at you would try to adjust their targeting by looking at where their misses splashed. Some commanders would have their ship try to sail over splashes figuring the corrected targeting meant the enemy wouldn't hit the same spot twice. The tactic was called Chasing the Splashes."

"I'd rather be always ahead of the Sa'arm, but in some ways that's what I'm asking," Este said. "Just so my gunballs aren't taking hits they don't have to."

Tanya nodded. "We'll have to work up a simulation for the helm crew, but we can try. Philip, you are the tracking officer. I'm putting you in charge of developing a simulation and a way to score it."

"Yes boss," the man said.

Tanya snorted. "I reviewed the tape on target two. Maxine deserves a medal for her antic. I'm not sure what she managed to hit, but the Sa'arm ship vaporized just as she stopped firing."

Philip sat up. "We can't rely on that in the future. From what little we know of the class she probably bored into one of the cargo areas. My guess is she set off some ordinance they were carrying to use on Ishtar."

"Probably true. The key is that we survived and the Sa'arm didn't. Every one we kill means more time for the Confed to come up with a defense that will stop them," Tanya said. "Now any reorganization we need to do? Other than promoting Amy to Sergeant and making her Thane one," Tanya said.

"Why her?" the unnamed male officer said. "She wasn't a member of that squad and wasn't even number two in her squad."

Tanya sighed. "She's got the best accuracy on the ship and from what records I've been able to review, is probably top five in the district. She's been in more battles than any other gunner we have. And finally because I said she deserves it. Do you have a problem with my decision, Herb?"

Herb appeared confused. "She's been in more battles? When?"

"Amy is a transfer from Sif," Este said. "There was an incident on the ship after the fight at Wolf three-six-seven and she wanted to get away from some other members of the gun crew. Before that, she had seven skirmishes while on Sif."

"She's that old?" the female officer asked. "She looks seventeen."

"She is, Tilly," Tanya said. "She was picked up two months after the Average Joes special. She's been in the district ever since. She was a keel plate owner of Sif and is now a keel plate owner of Freya. I just couldn't disrupt the teams we formed during the ride out here on Princess Victoria without a good reason."

Tilly sighed. Just then I heard a soft knock on the door and went to it. It opened to reveal Kitty and Brittany carrying one of the special cages we had. It held eight rabbits each in their own small space. They brought it in and looked at the group.

"Rabbits for seeds!" Kitty sang out. "We have rabbits to trade! Who has seeds?"

Tilly almost jumped in shock. "What? Is that what the marine wanted?"

I nodded. "Yes. Our master talked the AI into allowing him to bring rabbits along. We have enough to breed them and have been trading them. Your marine friend must have heard about it."

"How many?" Tilly asked.

"We've been usually offering one for each bag of seeds, and also offering one to each ship that visits as a gift," I said. "For now we just brought these to show. You can tell us which ones you want now, or stop by our rabbit pod and see all the available babies."

"Brisingamen," Tanya said pointing to an orange colored baby. "I think we can call that one Brisingamen, and bring it along. Is it a boy or girl?"

Brittany looked at the young rabbit. She appeared puzzled and opened the top of the cage, reaching in to pick up the rabbit. She sat down and set the rabbit on its back and began a gentle examination of it. She took a few moments before she nodded. "This is a doe."

"I thought a doe was a female deer," Herbert said.

Philip smacked his own face with his palm. "I can't believe this man is our engineering officer," he muttered.

The female officers all giggled. Tilly waited for the laughs to die down before looking at me. "Can I visit the pod and see all the rabbits?"

"Anytime," Kitty said as Brittany offered the newly christened Brisingamen to Tanya. Tanya merely mouthed later and allowed Brittany to return the rabbit to the carrier. "Just tell the AI when you are ready and it will pass the word to someone."

The duo picked up the cage and left the room. Herbert was looking at me, a puzzled expression on his face. "Those two were rather flippant for citizens."

I paused and slid a bit closer to Tanya. "They are my sister concubines."

Herbert looked sick, but Tanya laughed. "I thought an outfit of mini skirt and halter top was a bit too casual."

Philip was looking at me. "How can we tell then?" he asked.

I shrugged. "The citizens will probably be in uniform while you're here. I can't promise though. It depends on what duties they have."

Philip was shaking his head, but Tanya again just smiled. "So treat everyone with respect and you don't have a problem. Got that my children? And on that note, where can we lay down for some sleep."

"The visitors sleeping rooms are a short walk from here. I can lead you," I said, making my way to the door.

All five got to their feet. They followed me quietly as I left the command post and turned towards the old colony center. It proved to be a half mile walk through the corridors before we came to the first pod James had set up as visitor's quarters.