Tales From The Space Force Pt. 02

A half hour later, Evelyn and Saibai escorted the Phoban shuttle to the base and landed to either side of it, ensuring their ships blasters were pointed in its direction.

The docking tunnel connected up to the shuttle and the Phoban commander and his aides walked through the airlock where they were met by a guard of Earth and Vagan space marines.

In keeping with plan to intimate them as much as possible, Colonel Thorson had contacted the major in command of the Space Marines, "Major, I'd like you to provide a protection escort for the Phoban commander. I'd like Sergeant-Major Stryker to lead it, along with, let's say, six of the biggest, nastiest assed marines you can find."

The major chuckled, "Yes sir, colonel sir. I completely understand."

Sergeant-Major Stryker had watched as the Phoban commander walked down the docking umbilical with two of his people. The airlock door opened, and he called out, "Escort squad, Attention."

Commander Napien's eyes went wide as he saw the biggest human he had ever seen meeting him, along with six soldiers that were not much smaller.

Sergeant-Major Stryker came to attention, and saluted, "Welcome to Moon-base Commander Napien. I'm Sergeant-Major Stryker, if you and your aides will follow me, I'll bring you to the conference room were Colonel Thorson and Commander Kylian are awaiting you."

Napien looked at him, then the rest of the marines. "Certainly... ah Sergeant-Major Stryker, lead on."

Stryker nodded, "Attention, take up protection positions."

Napien jumped slightly as the soldiers shouted loudly, "Ooh-rah Sergeant-Major." Two of the biggest went to the front, two went to the back and one to either side.

Stryker walked next to Napien, and as they proceeded, Napien asked, "Why the protection detail... ah Sergeant-Major Stryker?"

Stryker looked down on him, and answered stonily, "Sir, you were promised that no harm would come to you and your aides. The colonel wanted to make sure no... let's say, accidents happened. Our people are still slightly worked up."

Napien gulped, as he nodded his understanding. As they walked, another air lock opened, then Evelyn and Saibai walked into the passage way.

Stryker called halt, and saluted them, "Welcome back Pilots Saito and Saibai."

They returned the salute, then Evelyn removed her gloves, an unhooked her helmet, taking it off.

She looked stony-eyed at them, "Greetings Sergeant-Major Stryker, thank you. Would you be kind enough to introduce me?"

Stryker smiled, "Yes ma'am, of course. Allow me to introduce Phoban fleet commander Napien. Commander Napien, allow me to introduce Attack Team Leader Saito."

Napien gulped as he saw the earthling that had decimated so much of his fleet. He still couldn't believe it was an earth female. He offered his hand to greet her.

Evelyn looked at it, then scanned him up and down as if she was deciding to take the proffered hand or not. She finally did. "Greetings Commander Napien." She added a little cyborg strength to the handshake. She looked up at Stryker and smirked at the escort. "Taking him to the conference room Sergeant-Major?"

Stryker tried not to smile, "Yes ma'am."

She nodded, "I will see you there as soon as I get out of this suit." She nodded once more, "Commander." Then she and Saibai went to go and get changed.

Stryker got the escort moving again and as they walked down the passageway to the main dome, Napien, his hand still a bit sore from the earth females grip, asked, "Excuse me... ah, Sergeant-Major, is Pilot... ah Saito, is she one of your lead pilots?"

Stryker's eyes went up and shook his head, "No sir. Pilot Saito and Saibai are just one of our normal assigned attack teams. Though it is my understanding from her mate, Captain Torson, that she was once a test pilot."

They got to the conference room, and the marines took station to either side of the doors. Stryker pressed the intercom button, "Sergeant-Major Stryker with the Phoban commander and his aide's sir."

The door slid open and he escorted the commander and his aides in. He brought them over and introduced them to the Vagan commander and the colonel. "Sirs, allow me to introduce Commander Napien and his aides. Commander Napien, allow me to introduce Vagan Force Commander Kylian, and Earth Moon-base Commander, Colonel Thorson."

He stepped back as they greeted each other. Kylian smiled, "Please join us in some refreshments commander, I've found the earth supplied foods very good."

Thorson grinned, "So are yours commander. Like my captain is always telling me, we're much alike that way."

They sat down and Thorson said, "Please relax sir, and enjoy the refreshments while we wait on a few more people, they should be here soon, they're just getting cleaned up."

Napien nodded and sat down along with his aides. Thorson explained what the different things were and soon they were all partaking.

Lucas was sitting in the locker room waiting for Evelyn, and when the door opened and she walked in, he almost knocked her over as he took her in his arms and kissed her.

Evelyn smiled as she kissed him back, "I love you so much Lucas."

Lucas had tears running down his face, "I love you too Evelyn, I was so worried about you."

She stroked his face and kissed him. "Please help me love, they want us in the conference room for some reason."

He kissed her back, "It's sort of because of me love, I'll explain it all later. But it's an intimidation factor mainly."

She grinned, "More of your "Art of war" book?"

He shook his head no, "This was from a Roman emperor who said, "I don't care if they love me, as long as they fear me."

She laughed and hugged him. "Well, I guess I played along with it without knowing I was. Sergeant-Major Stryker introduced him to me when Saibai and I were coming through the airlock. I treated him like a bug that needed to be stepped on."

Then she grinned, "I also decided to squeeze his hand... a bit, when he offered his. But I made sure I didn't break any bones."

Lucas smiled and shook his head, then he gave her a hand getting out of her flight suit. Once she was cleaned up and dressed, they headed up to the conference room her arm wrapped around his. They grinned at the marines guarding the door who grinned back. One said, "Nice work today Pilot Saito. Ooh-rah."

Evelyn smiled at him, "Thank you Corporal." Then they walked in and saw Sergeant-Major Stryker by the door and the rest at the table. Stryker smiled, "Hello again Pilot Saito, Captain Torson."

They smiled at him and walked up to the table. The colonel smiled, "And here's the last two we were waiting on. Commander Napien, allow me to introduce Pilot Saito and her mate, Captain Torson, who runs our cybernetics department."

Napien had jumped once more seeing the pilot. He still couldn't believe it, she looked even more intimidating out of her space suit. He held his hand out and Lucas took it, then said stonily "Commander."

Evelyn looked him up and down again, then turned to the colonel, "We've met sir." Then she pulled Lucas over to sit down next to Haruki. They both got something to drink and a little food.

The colonel took all his control not to laugh, Saito had looked at Napien like he was something she had just scraped off her boots.

Then he said, "Good then, everyone knows each other."

They talked as they ate and drank. Then they got down to the surrender details.

Commander Kylian started, "Well, the Colonel and I have discussed it, we except your surrender commander, a very wise decision. You may leave and take all your people as long as it's back your home base."

Then he added, "However, we do have some of your people here that crashed and our medical people are looking after them. Once their taken care of, we can shuttle them back to you.

Napien looked at him in disbelief, "Just like that? No arguing or terms?"

Colonel Thorson nodded, "Yes, why is this so hard to believe? We have no desire for retribution or at least not at this time. I can't say what our governments will decide, but we don't fight people for no reason or revenge."

Lucas snorted and said, "Excuse my manners sir."

The colonel nodded, "Yes captain, maybe we once did that, but not anymore."

Lucas shrugged, "If you say so sir."

Napien listen to the exchange and worried once more. Then he said, "Well then, I guess we will head back as soon as we can. I thank you."

They talked a little more then Napien said, "Are many of your pilots like Pilot Saito here?"

The colonel looked at him, "How do you mean sir?"

Napien looked at her and said, "Female I mean."

Then he jumped as the metal cup she was holding was crushed like a piece of paper. "Do you have a problem with female pilots... sir?"

He shook as he saw the young captain lay a hand on her shoulder as if to hold her down. "Oh, no, no problems it was just... curiosity. I'm sorry if you took it for something else."

She nodded as Lucas handed her a napkin.

Lucas looked at Napien, "You'll have to excuse my mate. She can be slightly sensitive to some things. Then, so can a lot of humans, if they think someone's insulting them or wish them harm for whatever reason."

"As my colonel mentioned, we have gotten away from our past. But it doesn't take much to bring out the... primitive side once more, if required."

Lucas slumped back in his chair and tapped his fingertips together, "That is something you might want to let your superiors know."

Napien nodded, "I understand that. I was quite surprised myself today seeing all the fighters."

Lucas nodded and took a drink, then shrugged. "Well, that's what happens when you use amateurs to find things out and sabotage things."

Napien gaped at that statement, trying to think of something to say.

Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Don't tell me you actually thought something like that would work?? It was so easy to figure it out, it was laughable."

Lucas looked at him once more, "I may be reprimanded, but you ought to advise whoever's in charge to shoot these amateurs."

Napien looked at him stunned; how did they find out.

The colonel started, "Captain, restrain yourself please."

Lucas looked at him and scowled, "I'll try sir, but I'm not promising anything. This whole fucking thing was senseless."

He stood and leaned over the table, then looked Napien in the eyes, "The love of my life almost died because of this foolishness, and how many of your people died this day, sir? My colonel may be forgiving and sophisticated, but I'm not and neither are the majority of earth people you'd face if this ever happen again. I for one will do everything in my power to see that it doesn't happen again."

He snarled, "I was the one that found the problem and the attack today on your fleet was one that I suggested. I was only a Sergeant then, imagine how it would be if one of our trained officers planned it. Tell your leaders that... sir." He said sir, but was spelling it cur.

Evelyn reached out her hand and rested in his shoulder. He looked at her and saw the worry in her eyes, then he winked slowly at her.

The colonel stood and said loudly, "Captain, control yourself sir. That's an order!"

Lucas looked at him, and nodded, "Yes sir, please forgive my outburst." Then he slowly winked at him.

Thorson was astonished when Torson exploded in anger, and once again after he told him to control himself and he winked at him.

Evelyn kept her hand on Lucas's arm and Commander Kylian watched him as the colonel said. "Commander Napien, since we're all settled here, perhaps it might be time for you to head back to your ship. I'll have our medical people let you know when your crewmen can be shuttled up. It should be a little later in the day I'd imagine."

Napien had almost soiled himself when the young captain had exploded in anger. He knew by the look on his face that everything he said was true and the leaders needed to know about this. He was also going to follow his advice and recommend they ones that brought this on be shot or worse.

He nodded to the Colonel and the Commander, then he looked at Lucas as he looked back at him. All he saw in this humans' eyes, was that this human would kill you if he decided you needed to be. His mate wasn't much different as he remembered the animal like attack from her and her Vagan partner.

Sergeant-Major Stryker and his men escorted them back to their shuttle. The colonel closed the doors and walked over to Lucas, "Would you mind explaining captain?"

Lucas shocked him as he smiled back, "Sir, don't you remember our conversation earlier? I don't care if they love me as long as they fear me. Do you think they just might fear us enough now?"

Commander Kylian started to laugh as the colonel looked at Lucas and then he started.

The only one who hadn't been concerned through all this, was Haruki. He gently smiled and said once again, "And once again, you all know why I call him my finest student."

Lucas and Evelyn went back to their quarters. The door had no sooner closed, then they were in each other arms once again.

Lucas looked at his mate, "I love you so much, every time I heard you attacking, I worried and worried that something was going to happen to you. That I was going to lose you."

Tears rolled down his face, "And for what??? Why did this have to fucking happen?? All those people killed because of some ignorant sons of bitches on a distant fucking planet we never even knew about, decided to attack us."

Evelyn held him, "I know my love, I don't even want to know how many Saibai and myself killed. It's all so damn stupid."

He looked at her, "I know love, but it was my idea. I know it had to be done to protect us and the rest of the people, but that doesn't make it any easier. I had hoped that once we started, they would turn and run. But these stupid motherfuckers tried to fight even when they didn't have a god damn chance in hell."

They held each other for a while, stroking and kissing one another. She felt so good and right in my arms, Lucas thought to himself, what would I do if I lost her. I want to be with her now and always. Then he made a decision, they only one that would work.

He pushed back slightly and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. He leaned forward and kissed her. "Evelyn, I love you. I don't know how it's even possible to love someone as much as I love you."

He stroked her face, "I was so scared today, scared that I'd lose you before I could tell you this. I want you to be my wife, I want you with me always."

Evelyn looked at him stunned, "Why can't they figure out a way to let me cry." She kissed him, "I want you to be my husband also. The same thoughts went through my mind also my love. Would something happen before I could tell you the same. I think that was why I was so aggressive attacking today, not to kill the others, but to make sure I could come back to you."

Lucas kissed her. "I love you so much, I know you can't cry, but I'll cry for both of us my love." She felt him press his face to hers as he held her, and she felt his tears run between them wetting both their faces.

She broke the kiss then stood picking him up and carried him to the bedroom, where they made love to one another the rest of the afternoon.

They got cleaned up and dressed, then went to dinner. Of course, the conversation was on the battle this morning. This actually made Lucas sad once more, as he still thought about all the people who died for, what was to him, no damn good reason.

Haruki was sitting with them, and when Lucas excused himself to make a trip to the men's room, he came over to Evelyn and asked, "Is he alright Evelyn?"

She looked at him, and sighed. "No, he's not. He blames himself for all the lives lost today because it was his idea. Granted, none of ours were lost, but he still feels responsible. I had him better this afternoon, but I think everyone talking about it made him think on it again."

Haruki nodded, "That's because he is a true warrior and a healer. He takes to the Bushido Code well, from my training and from being with you my dear."

She nodded her understanding, "Yes, he does. He also asked me to marry him today, and I said yes. He said he wouldn't take another chance of us not being together and maybe lose me."

Haruki smiled, "That's marvelous dear. Do you know when this will happen?"

She shook her head no, "Hopefully soon, we have to find out what we can do."

He nodded, "Maybe I should talk to him, we had many conversations when I was training him and not just about what he was learning. I always joked with him and said I was going to make him Japanese; I think I have in a way."

He smiled, "He understood and takes to the old ways better than the new."

Evelyn smiled, "I know, there are times I think he was born to late."

Haruki smiled and nodded once more. Then he went back to his chair as Lucas came back.

The next day, the Phoban fleet left and headed for home after their injured people were shuttled up to them. Evelyn needed to go and debrief the battle with the rest of the pilots and Lucas headed to his lab. He thought he'd have a full plate himself.

He greeted everyone and checked over things with Ellie. She smiled, "Well, it's not as bad as I thought it would be. There's a bunch of reports, but most of them are minor. Only a few had major damage."

Lucas nodded and leaned back rubbing his eyes. Ellie looked at him, "You okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. I guess."

He looked at her, "How's things going with you and Steve? He wasn't involved, was he?"

She smiled, "We're doing good actually, we have fun together. But no, he wasn't in on the fighting, but he did take the wounded back up to the ship afterwards."

Lucas nodded, "Good, I'm glad he didn't have to go through all that." He sighed, "Actually, I wish no one had to, on both sides."

Ellie looked at him, "Well, neither do I, but it is what it is. We didn't start it and what we did saved countless lives. It could have been worse you know."

He nodded, "That's what I keep telling myself. But I still feel responsible, it was my idea."

Ellie looked at him and shook her head. "Yeah, so? Was it your fault, they didn't turn tail and run like the other one did?"

"No, it wasn't, it was their decision to fight. And nothing you can say, think, or feel about it will change that. Lucas, you can't be responsible for whatever someone else does or decides."

She smiled, "In the end, it was their decision alone, not yours. If you want to fixate on something, fixate on this. About two hundred people lost their lives from whatever reason. But how many thousands or tens of thousands didn't get hurt or killed."

She squeezed his shoulder, "Now I don't know about you, but that sounds better than if was the other way."

He looked at her, and shook his head grinning, "How'd you get to be so smart?"

She stood and kissed him on the cheek, "I had a good teacher." She smiled and patted him on the head, then started going over the assignments.

He sat there and thought about what she said, it made a lot of sense. It didn't answer everything, but he did feel a bit better.

He started on some paperwork, gave his people a hand here and there when they couldn't figure something out, basically, he just kept busy. Then he broke for lunch and walked to the dining hall to meet Evie.

He saw her talking to Haruki and he smiled as he walked up. He leaned down and kissed her, then sat down. Evelyn looked at him, he seemed better, maybe keeping busy was helping.

So she asked, "Feeling a little better hon?"

He nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. Better than I was at any rate."

She took his hand, "Good, I'm glad you are. Been busy?"

He nodded, "Sort of, mostly minor things and a few major ones from the ships that took blaster hits. They're all fixable, but it will take a few days since my crew isn't that big."