The Way Home

Posted on Wed Feb 29th, 2012 @ 5:43pm by Colonel Damon Raine
Edited on on Wed Feb 29th, 2012 @ 5:54pm

913 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: The Race for the Lost Treasure
Location: Uss Ontario

ON

"How does it look, Captain?" Damon asked the wing leader.

"Clean run, Colonel, zero casualties. Wings report scratching 14 enemy fighters and we pounded the crap out of their artillery lines." The Captain responded. His voice clearly betrayed the high he was feeling from a successful sortie.

Damon, usually a stickler for proper decorum, simply smiled at the pilots response. He had to admit that he was feeling a similar high from the pinch run. "Tell your pilots that drinks are on me tonight. Well done Captain."

"Roger that Colonel. All wings inbound."

Damon nodded to his comm officer who knew the signal to mean to shut down the channel. "Report." He asked form the command chair on the carrier's bridge.

"Ground forces report a full retreat of enemy forces." Replied the Lieutenant. "It looks like they are running all the way back to Chalana city, Commander."

"The General will be pleased with that. It leaves the entire region open for troop movement. If they play it right, the entire eastern front is wide open now." Said Lieutenant Commander Grey, Damon's Executive officer aboard the carrier.

Caldona, Mender and Agyan cities are all in reach from there." Chimed in the tactical officer from behind the men. "If intel is accurate there is no way they can hold all of them, they are spread thin as it is."

Damon nodded at the truth of it. "Gentlemen, I think we are finally on the offensive." He smiled

Grey reached over and shook Damon's hand and the rest of the command staff did like manner to the men and women around them.

The mood was tempered for a moment when the comm officer spoke up. "Communication coming in from General Jonds, Commander." The officer and Damon met eyes. "He has requested it be private."

Damon stood. "I'll take it in my office. Patch it through." He started immediately on his way to his office located off the main bridge.

He sat himself down at his desk and straightened his uniform before turning on the console. General Jonds' face stared back at him with the same steeled expression as always. "Congratulations on your victory, General." Damon said with a mirrored expression.

"Our victory, Colonel." The general corrected. "That was some damned good foresight to reinforce the Third division with air assets, may well have saved it from being routed."

"It was a gamble to be sure. Had you not pushed the Third to punch through when you did, we wouldn't be sitting here celebrating a victory."

"Perhaps not, but that's why we work well together. A fleetie wouldn't have that kind of battlefield insight." The General offered a rare smile. "It's a different war now, Colonel. For the first time we have both momentum and position to mount a full offensive, something we have been trying to achieve for months." The General leaned back into his chair. "So how do you think you should be rewarded for your service?"

Damon tilted his head to the side and frowned. "General? I'm not sure I understand."

"Well you can damned well be sure that my report to Starfleet recommended that you to be given command of the Ontario on far more than a provisional basis." The man regarded Damon. "We both know, however, that you would't accept, would you?"

Damon sat for a moment as he absorbed the information. A position like this was all he could hope for as a Starfleet officer. An opportunity to work with the Marines an a capacity where he could really use his experience and knowledge. His mind was already made up. "No." He said without hesitation.

The man laughed. "She really worth it Colonel?"

"That and more." Damon responded honestly.

"Well, I hate to say I anticipated this response." He chuckled. "I've pulled a couple of favour's with a few Fleet friends. The USS Ramora will be here within the hour to drop off medical supplies. It will have to serve as your chariot back to the Calypso. It won't be a direct flight, but it's the best I could do."

Damon's expression remained steeled for a moment more before it broke out into a broad smile. "General...I...Thank you." Was all he could manage.

Jonds smiled back, clearly pleased that he had made the right call. The expression suddenly disappeared and was replaced by the hardened glare he was known for. "I know we will work again, Colonel...Commander." He corrected for the first time.

"I hope so, General. Who will command the Ontario when I leave?" He asked, getting back to business. Damon didn't want to leave the position unmanned.

He huffed. "Starfleet is sending some idiot who is likely only interested in getting pips on his collar. Don't you worry, we'll whip him into shape soon enough."

"No doubt in my mind." Damon smiled. "Give em hell down there."

"Damn right I will!" The General growled. "Safe travels and give your lady my regards."

"Will do."

The screen in front of Damon was replaced by the Starfleet logo indicating a closed communication link. He quickly typed Sam a message about his departure, he didn't want to disturb her with a comm link since he knew she was in the middle of a mission. Satisfied, he stood and made his way out of the office.

It was time to go home...

OFF

Commander Damon Raine
Commanding Officer
USS Ontario

 

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