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Gully’s posture betrays nothing, but her eyes reflect helplessness. “…I couldn’t just leave it there.”
“Could you now?” he replies calmly. The calm within the eye of a terrible, broiling storm. One that could go in any violent direction based on Gully’s next words. You don’t think he’s about to hit his own child, but the way his hand is flexing…
...you won't just stand idly by.
“Was it worth risking your life?” the captain asks, “For all we know, it won’t even turn on. If the damage you and Mister Unami suffered to your electronic suites were any indication…”
She doesn’t answer immediately. Gully chews on her lip, unable to hold eye contact with the intensity of her father’s gaze. Then: “…I’m sorry, dad.”
Elishani’s hand suddenly comes up. The crew holds their breath, Holt curses, and both you and Geary tense like a spring, about to leap and pull them apart…
“…thank God you’re alive.”
The captain pulls his daughter into a tight embrace. It takes everyone by surprise, Gully the most. But she overcomes the initial shock to return the gesture, just as fiercely.
“I’m sorry,” she repeats again. Her eyes aren’t quite at the point of crying, but her quiet voice is full of emotion. “It won’t happen again.”
Geary tries not to make his relief too obvious. But the XO clears his throat, and shoos the crowd of onlookers away. “Back to your posts! You aren’t being paid to stand around, ladies. Gentlemen. Everyone’s got something to fix on the way back home, so let’s get back to it now!” Then, to Elishani in a hushed voice: “Rashid, please! There’s a time and place…”
So there is. You tug at the collar of your NERVlink suit awkwardly as the captain and pilot extricate themselves apart from each other. Clearing his throat, the captain turns to you, and you stand straight to attention. “Mister Unami. Thank you. For saving my daughter and my ship.”
…how succinct, but you won’t complain. “Of course, sir. It was my pleasure.”
The corner of his eye crinkles in dry amusement. “I’ll personally see to it that you receive a special commendation for what you did today.”
“Thank you, sir.” Hopefully that special commendation involves a monetary prize.
Elishani’s gaze turns to the burning wrecks of the scuttled ships. He sighs, “…what a mess this turned out to be. Morgan, what’s the butcher’s bill?”
Geary’s face isn’t pleasant. “Seventeen dead, thirty-four wounded. Fifty-one causalities out of two-hundred forty-seven crew.”
Twenty percent casualty rate! A number almost unheard of save for the worst accidents or pirate raids.
Elishani nods. “…are the wounded expected to make it?”
The XO nods, but maintains his troubled expression. “Yes, but there’s several who’ll never work aboard a ship again. Some of the Bloodied among the raiders carried vibro-weapons.”
(cont.)
