Sunderbans K: The beginning of the Ky Epic

VII

Ky Commonwealth

Bright Stars Duchy

HMS Alecto

Tagus stood by the Alecto's main docking port, waiting for that final bang and rock that accompanied the completion of Tazz's docking. For a change, it did not cause him to lose his balance.

The doors opened with a hiss and swoosh and he stepped into the station. Little had changed little since his last visit, seeing the same old yellows, browns, and oranges painted on the walls. Same old dull unnatural lights trying to be natural. Not that it was much different from the Alecto, but because the station was in orbit around a beautiful planet, it seemed pale and lifeless. He paused at the viewport and looked out. Galcia, not so long ago it was only a botanist's dream, now it was teaming with life, life he would protect.

Content, he sighed and walked quickly down the docking corridor, past machine shops, clothing shops, restaurants, novelty shops, all crowded. He turned at a corner, which took him to the central section of the station. This area was even more congested than the previous one. Finding the central lifts, he went up to the command level. On exiting the lift, he saw Captain Uthro. He paused. "Captain."

"Captain!" Uthro said nonchalantly, then noticed who it was. "Ah – you're early!" He turned to the lieutenant walking with him, handed him a package and gave instructions. The lieutenant saluted and hurried off. Uthro gace a quick nod to Tagus and they began walking down the hall.

"How long has it been, five months?"

"Seven." Tagus replied.

"Right, the-" Uthro paused -"celebration for your father."

Tagus nodded. "Yes."

"Well, it was a good send off." Uthro said.

They walked into the hallway that lead to the command office. "That arm, how's it doing now?"

"It's fine," Tagus replied nonchalantly.

"Doc will want to have a look at it."

"Doc wants to redo everything anyone else does."

"He knows best."

"That," Tagus said with a grin, "is his own opinion."

As they approached the doors to the command section, they passed by an office, Tagus noticed several people busy working when a voice grabbed his attention, but he was could not linger to investigate as Uthro opened the Commodore's door and waved for him to go in. "I know you reviewed the mission brief I sent, since you groused about the gunships."

"I prefer a new set of fighters, I haven't run gunships since, well that first year out of the academy."

"There's issues with that. First and foremost, that the fighters don't have the range needed for what you'll likely encounter. Gunships can keep up with you to speed four now."

"I thought these were Hawk class."

"They are, modified Hawk, with an improved power plant, engines, and a shield generator."

Tagus raised his eyebrows.

"He's looking out for you. It'll be a good change."

"We'll see," Tagus replied, unconvinced.

They entered Commodore's office. It was a large room with a mapping table in the back half close to the huge viewport, closer was a desk, and between the two were a bar, some chairs and a couch. Tagus smiled, and looked around. There were several murals on the walls and one hanging from the ceiling behind the desk not previously there. But the commodore was nowhere to be seen. He sat down when Uthro pointed to a fine chair in front of the desk. It was so soft he felt like it would swallow him up, not like his command chair. As he adjusted himself, he looked over the commodore's desk, the same old desk that had been used for the last commodore, currently covered with folders, ship and mission pads, writing utensils, data modules, and books.