by J. S. Hawn
The convoy fortunately was fully intact and was moving to rejoin its escorts. Jonathan's read out showed a new contact moving out of the debris field. The lidar painted it as a CSS Maltese, a Colonial auxiliary ship and heavy collier.
“Sir transmission from Maltese. Colonial crew cooperating. Colonial Marines not so much. Stand by to receive wounded,” Heath said.
“Very well, put the medical bay on stand by and get me the COs of all ships. We’re going to need to redistribute the POWs and transfer some supplies.”
It took the next few hours to get things sorted out. All told, the three Colonial warships that had surrendered had about 3,200 service men, not to mention the 300 plus reservists who would be manning the Maltese. As the victors of the battle, it fell to Jonathan and the rest of the Solarian forces to provide food, medical care, and comfortable transports for all those prisoners. Jonathan sent off a transmission to Dante to see if they could temporarily accommodate a new influx of prisoners. The Solarian Prison Service, though not known for their efficiency, got back to him almost immediately with a message that said while they technically could, they really didn't want to and provided a six page memorandum on why. Jonathan was not impressed. It was decided that Fury would convey the Colonial officers to Matosa, while the majority of the Colonials would be taken aboard the Maltese after her cargo had been off loaded onto the convoy’s transports. The captured freighter would be manned by a prize crew as would the captured Colonial warships, with the Oeillet serving as escort. The Colonial ship Sonki was so badly damaged there was a good chance it would have to be scuttled. From Dante, the Oeillet and captured Colonial vessels would head back to Yimir and it dockyards for repair and replenishment. As POWs were the purview of the Solarian Army, it would be up to them to come collect the POWs on Dante, but in the interim they would be fed and housed in spartan but not harsh conditions. One of the advantages of a Penal colony was that a frozen moon didn't need walls. While hardened criminals were kept in a supermax facility at the pole, most prisoners were housed in domed settlements that received regular shipments of supplies in exchange for the minerals the convicts excavated. If the convicts didn’t work, they didn’t eat, simple. It took some haggling but Jonathan arranged for the Colonials to be housed in one of the facilities that was currently vacant, and to receive food shipments without having to work for it. There were very strict conventions in place for the welfare of POWs and had been for centuries. Jonathan had no intention of breaking them.
The next few hours went by slowly as Jonathan with the help of Mao reorganized the convoy. Damage control parties were deployed to the captured Colonial ships, and volunteers from the freighters were taken aboard to man them. The captured vessels would be taken back to Macran where a Navy survey team would assess their value and decide if they would be put into dock and recommissioned as Solarian Naval ships. Or it would transfer the ships to the Department of Client Relations to sell them to the local system to reinforce their domestic astratime patrol forces. Normally, Solaria kept its clients disarmed of warships, but that policy was beginning to shift with more developed clients being encouraged to expand their system defense forces to included older spacecraft. Not enough to fight off an invasion, but more than enough to help protect commerce and enforce custom laws while also helping ships in distress. Whatever became of the ships, the crewmen aboard each Solarian vessel were pleased. The Solarian Navy would either pay them a set percentage of the ship's value, or transfer a portion of the proceeds from the ship's sale, before expenses, to the crews of the vessel that had captured it as prize money. By Jonathan's math, that could come to about 2,000 Solars per man, a tidy sum. NCOs would get about 2,500 and Officers would net about 4,000 with Jonathan earning about 10,000. The Captain's prize was always the largest. Even the merchant mariners manning the freighters would also receive some prize money, though not as much since they were only assisting in the processing of the vessels not their capture. The size of the prize would only increase if the ships were found to be hauling valuable cargo, and indeed a survey of the Maltese revealed it to be loaded to the brim with nonperishable food, depleted uranium slugs, missiles, small arms and everything else a warship needed for long deployment. It took some doing, but finally the freighter crews, ever the consummate professionals, managed to get enough of the hull cleared out to accommodate 3,500 prisoners. Moving the men on and the cargo off would still take several hours, but everything was in place to start the process. The Freighter’s heavy cargo shuttles and Fury’s gunships began transferring POWs aboard along with selected cargo items off the Maltese. Jonathan ordered the Officers and NCOs to be separated from the crewmen and transferred aboard the warships. The NCOs would spend the voyage in Oeillet’s brig and the officers would come aboard Fury.
Closing out the com relays now that things were figured out Jonathan turned to George, “I suppose we ought to get a side party together to receive our new guests?”
“I’m sure they would enjoy that. Colonials are known to love their pomp and circumstance as much as we Solarians,” George replied.
“Is Major Kern back aboard yet? I’d like to see how many Marines she can spare for the ‘Honor Guard’.”
George nodded. “She is but she’s in sick bay. She was among the wounded.”
“Not seriously I hope. Her people did a cracker jack job,” Jonathan said.
George said nothing for a moment checking his memopad, “Says non-critical. Doctor Perkins calls her injury not serious.”
“Oh very well then, I’ll swing by and congratulate her on a job well done after we get our new passengers stowed. I assume you’ve made sure they’ll be given comfortable NCO quarters?”
“Yes indeed, Knowles saw to it with some relish. Officers even captured one's ‘needs quarters befitting their dignity.’ I believe is how he worded it,” George said.
“I sometimes wonder if we have a Bosun or a Maitre d’.”
“It’s still up for debate Skipper,” George replied.
“Well shall we go receive our new guests,” Jonathan said rising and straightening his uniform.
“I suppose we should,” George said following the Captain down the corridor.
As they walked to the docking tube where the side party was already assembling, George gently tugged Jonathan's elbow causing him to stop, handing him the memo pad.
“These are the personal files of the officers we are receiving. Cronus Marines pulled them from the Abouet’s hard drive. They crashed the system, but didn't melt down the drive itself.”
“Good thinking of Will to get the Marines over that quickly. OMI is going to love getting their hands on this,” Jonathan said.
“If they can decrypt it. They were on the Captain's desk in an unsecure file. The rest of the drives are heavily encrypted,” George replied.
“We’ll that's OMI’s problem not ours,” Jonathan said “The drives are aboard?”
“Yup, we captured three intact drives, the primary and two back ups. One is locked down in auxiliary control with two of the ugliest Marines I’ve ever seen guarding it. One is on Oeillet, so on it’s way to Macran eventually, and one is on Cronus,” George said.
“Good. The sooner we get these off my ship and to the spooks the better. I don't care for this skullduggery. Give me a straight up fight any day.”
“Don't care for skullduggery, cloak and dagger... oh indeed,” George said sarcastically. “And here I was fondly remembering how it was you who figured out how to sneak those prostitutes into the dorm for Cadet Tylo’s bachelor party.”
“George I swear..” Jonathan began, but was interrupted by a sudden movement to his left. Out of nowhere Frigate came scurrying across the floor and scampered up George’s trouser leg reaching into his pocket to withdraw a ration bar. After the small Gremlin, his erstwhile supervisor/owner Spacer Jung came running skidding to a halt when he saw the two officers.
“Apologies sir, I don't know what came over him. He was off like a shot.”
Frigate squeaked at the indignity, but resumed happily munching on the ration bar as soon as he was on his new perch.
“Don't worry about it Jung, your enterprising charge simply smelled the XO’s mid afternoon snack. I believe crewman Frigate is happily content for now. The XO will return him as soon as we receive our new guests. Your off duty now aren't you Spacer?” Jonathan asked.
“Yes sir.”
“Why don't you go get a cup of coffee from the canteen and take a load off. I promise no harm shall come to your furry friend while he’s in the XO’s custody.”
“Aye sir, thank you sir,” Jung said somewhat reluctantly.
As he left, Jonathan and George took their places at the aside party .
“Why does this thing keep following you?” Jonathan asked the XO who was now stroking the Gremlin’s skull between its two large ears.
“No idea sir. He just likes me I guess. Gremlins are very perceptive creatures.”
“On point as always XO,” Jonathan said only half joking.
“Thank you sir.”
The actual boarding of the Colonial officers was a bit anticlimactic. They were a disheveled bunch, and most were still in their vac suits though a few including their Commodore wore the White and Blue Colonial undress uniform. Their eyes were downcast. No man likes living to feel the shame of defeat. The CO of the wolfpack Commodore Sebastian Mont-Clare presented Jonathan with his sidearm a real antique 2612 Colt Revolver. Jonathan returned it to the Commodore who seemed grateful.
“Bon Mon Capitan, I am grateful.” Mont-Clare said holstering the unloaded weapon. “You and your crew demonstrate once more the Solarian Navy’s legendary graciousness in victory.”
“Thank you Commodore,” Jonathan replied. “I am afraid you and your officers will need to be quartered in the NCO quarters under guard at least until we reach our destination. If any need medical attention our ship's surgeon will see to them.”
“I thank you sir, I hope if our positions were reversed I could be as gracious,” said Commodore Mont-Clare.
Jonathan quirked a smile, “I have no doubt you would be Commodore.”
George piped up, “Sir if you’d like, I can escort the Commodore and his people to their quarters so you can swing by the medical bay.”
Jonathan grinned inwardly. George knew him only to well. Jonathan was a bit vain yes, but he really wasn't much good at ego stroking. He’d much rather go make sure the wounded had everything they needed, and that Fury’s other departments were ship shape.
“Yes thank you George, Commodore,” Jonathan said saluting.
“Captain,” the Commodore replied returning the salute.
The officers, about 30 in total, followed George to the NCO quarters, which was even now being made more comfortable for their habitation. Jonathan meanwhile turned and strode to the medical bay.
Arriving he found Perkins and his assistants administering first aid to the handful of lightly injured crewman.
“Captain please excuse me if I don't salute,” Perkins said barely looking up from a nasty gash on a Technical’s leg he was suturing with nano-stitches.
“Not a problem Doctor, I just came by to see how our people are faring,” Jonathan replied.
“You doing alright lad?” Jonathan asked the Technical who was wincing
“Aye sir, doc says I’ll live though..OWWW JESUS JUMPING JOSEPH..” the Technical cried out.
“Well if you would hold still, it wouldn't poke as much,” Perkins said.
“Bloody hell, just put me out of my misery now doc,” the Technical cried.
“God damn infants the lot of them,” Perkins said. “There all done. Now you need to go easy for at least a week or it will tear open. Come back here in seven days, and I’ll let you know if you're clear for duty,” Perkins said.
“Aye sir.”
“Alright who's next,” Perkins said moving to the next man waiting, an Able Spacer with a broken hand.
Jonathan slowly sidled up to the Pharmacist Mate who was folding some re-sterilized bandages.
“How's the Sawbones making out?”
The Pharmacist mate an older reserve who was a Registered Nurse in Civilian life shrugged his shoulders, replied louder than Jonathan expected.
“He’s an arrogant fucking blow hard with a God complex, but he’s a good goddamn doctor.”
“I heard that Qui,” Perkins said walking over.
“You were suppose to sir,” The Pharmacist Mate Qui replied.
“Major Kern needs her bandaged changed,” Perkins replied.
“I will be there swiftly,” Qui said picking up a tray.
“After that there is bedpan duty,” Perkins said.
“I expect you to handle it with your usual efficiency sir,” Qui said walking away.
Perkins rolled his eyes. “Rule one in the book of doctors. Nurses are the ones who truly run any medical institution large or small, and you battle them at your peril.”
“Glad to see you are settling in so well Doc,” Jonathan said his eyebrow raised slightly in bemusement.
Perkins shrugged, “It’s not what I expected, it's so much better.”
Jonathan looked at him quizzically.
“And I know what you're thinking. No, it's not because of the interesting cases. It’s because I get to be a goddam doctor again,” Perkins was positively beaming.
“Captain do you have any idea what high end hospital bureaucracy does to you? It eats away at your soul. Patients become statistics, and if you screw up you have seven layers of ass covering between you and responsibility. Here though, it's just me and I have 800 patients who rely on me.” Perkins shook his head. “The are going to think I am a complete ass at the Office of Personnel with those complaint letters.”
Jonathan shrugged, “You won't be the first or only. I am glad to see you are taking to ship board life though.”
“I have to admit sir, I am highly considering making the change permanent,” Perkins replied.
Qui returned, “The Major’s bandages are changed sir, and we have a new one. Idiot got his fingers stuck in the auto loader.”
“That’s serious,” Perkins said. “What took them so long to get down here?”
“They were looking for the fourth finger,” Qui said.
“Of course. If you’ll excuse me Captain,” Perkins said.
Jonathan nodded, “By all means.”
Jonathan watched as the doctor walked over to the Navy Corpsmen and the Able Spacer with the mutilated hand.
Perkins was adapting. Jonathan could see that. Actually come to think of it, all the officers were beginning to find their niche and the crew was starting to find its rhythm. Combat tempered a group of people. It gave them a shared experience, which became a touchstone. It was something wholly unique that they had lived through. No matter how close they grew with someone else who hadn’t been aboard a ship, standing shoulder to shoulder in combat was a bond they would only keep with the people who were with them that day. Jonathan headed over into Bay 2, which was one of the ship's three sick bays. All told, it could host about 80 patients, twice that in an emergency. Entering it, Jonathan saw Major Alicia Kern with her arm bandaged on her feet moving between a group of injured Marines who were confined to their beds. Looking up she smiled and walked over to Jonathan.
“Sir, sorry if I can’t salute.”
“Second time someone’s said that in as many hours. One combat action and my officers are positively mutinous.”
Alicia smiled at that her eyes flashing, “Well combat puts an edge on people sir.”
“Noted. How are your men?” Jonathan asked.
Alicia quirked her eyebrow slightly as she answered.
“Well enough. If you don't mind walking with me, I’ll fill you in on our combat action.”
“I would, but shouldn't you be confined to bed?” Jonat
han asked.
“I should but I’ve been laying down for hours now. I want to get a little exercise,” she said.
“Aren't you afraid of what the Doctor will say?” Jonathan asked.
“You know for some reason he seems scared of me.”
Looking up at her 6’5 frame from his 5’7 height, Jonathan could see why that was possible.
“Very good Major lead on,” Jonathan said.
They exited the med bay. Perkins did look over and start to open his mouth to object, but Alicia shot him a look and he resumed what he was doing. Jonathan did his best not to chuckle. They walked the corridor as Alicia briefed Jonathan on the seizure of the Maltese.
“They had a full platoon of Colonial Marines standing by to repel boarders. We had seven injured including myself. God be good no KIAs though. Hinun is in rough shape. Doc says he’ll make it though. After the Flagship folded, the Maltese Captain signaled the crew and Marines to lay down arms and surrendered the ship. All told sir, it was pretty text book. If you hadn't taken out the flagship, I would have pulled out. It was a pretty hot action.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you Major. As it is, I’m sorry we sent you in blind.”