Of Destruction

Part 6

Eight years of skirmishes and fighting left their mark on his ship and his crew. Lance could feel the eagerness in the air as they neared the port. Although they were ready and prepared to bring the ship back to her former glory, most of the crew needed a reprieve more than a working ship.

The war's intensity in the last year didn't help. Rebels were willing to die for their cause, and though the Empire's defenses were still stronger, the rebels received unknown support that bolstered their technology and capability weighing the fights in their favor.

Lance's original assignment to the border between darkin and free human space lasted only a year before rebels began to attack nearby settlements. Lance was the closest support and their ships turned the tide. The President himself called to request his aid and Lance willingly spearheaded a maneuver that saved more than half of the farms and cut off retreat for the rebels.

Three Imperial ships loaded with captives was too much to realistically hold. Lance commandeered a servant harvester and locked the entire rebel group inside the thin-shelled, remotely controlled ship. Towing the self-contained prison, he brought back his prize to the Heart. Stories of the unknown general who saved the day began to spread.

Buoyed by the praise and acknowledgement, Lance and his crews willingly re-joined the fray using a mix of new and old tactics that surprised the rebels. Lance's ships became the rally point in almost every battle. In eight years, their record was nearly flawless—only one lost ship. Even then, the entire crew had been evacuated prior to its destruction. Damages were plenty, but his ships pulled through every skirmish with at least the ability to limp home. Today was no exception.

"General, sir," the voice over the intercom sounded tired. The engineer had held the ship together by sheer force of will for the last two days, "the last engine is failing. If we are not near enough to transport from here, they will need to tow us the rest of the way."

Lance hadn't slept in almost two weeks and fatigue was wearing on him. "Understood. You have my appreciation for your efforts."

The intercom went silent and Lance looked again at his report, adding in the few remaining details of the battle. The light hum of the small link-pad was gentle white-noise, encouraging him to simply set it down and rest his head against the hard wood of his desk. Lance fought the feeling and read through the report once more before sending it through the secure communications channels to the central database. With a sigh, he stepped back onto the bridge. "Cal, open a channel to their receivers."

Obediently, the keptisch communications engineer flipped the necessary switches. Within seconds a bored looking face registered on the viewing screen. "Welcome to Port 10, General Lan, we are ready to receive you. We have most of your required supplies and materials. The remaining items are in transit. Total repair time is estimated at two weeks."

Lance nodded acknowledgement at the Receiver's report. "Thank you for your haste, our last engine just failed. All three of my ships will need to be towed. You will have the gratitude and coin of our entire crew if you pull us in to port." 

While he spoke, the receiver's fingers flew across ker controls. On the distant viewer Lance could already see the towing ships flying their way.

The receiver looked up again. "The Portmaster assumes you will want down time for your crew. Are there any other amenities or necessities that you or your crew require?"

Lance glanced over his shoulder at his first assistant questioningly. The female shook her head minutely and Lance passed along the information before shutting down the connection. Nerves and mind restless, Lance admitted to himself that he needed this reprieve just as much. His last communication with Janie was more than a month ago, and the distance bothered him. Coupled with the nearness of death during the last fight, he realized he was looking forward to the simple life she once suggested.