Strat-4 Chpt-28

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==Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 4 - Chapter 28 - Another Chance, Another Try==
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===Frustration===
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Phoenix…
…helped maneuver the chair over the threshold of Station CIC. "Ma'am, you're on light-"
"I'm healthy enough to stand CIC watch!" Amanda snapped at the junior officer. "I’ve nothing else on my plate… Section Leader Ortega, give me your status report, and let's see the orders of the day."
"Aye, Ma'am…", Ortega replied
"Phoenix, do you mind helping me into the central command station please?"
“Of course.”
One of the small things about being on patient status, Amanda had let her hair grow out to past her collar. It was more of a hassle to care for, but she just didn't feel like going through the process of getting it trimmed, settling for a ponytail twist and a hair clip. 
"Traffic's light today. We've got a convoy from Thazi due in four hours, and a resupply convoy from Michtal two hours after that."
Amanda nodded, "Good… good. Hopefully it's going to be a very idle eight hours."
"You don't want any excitement?" 
She shook her head, "Excitement means problems, problems I'd rather not face just yet."
“And you’re not fit for Combat. So I’d have to drag you off ship.” Phoenix smiled wryly.
"Wrong procedure, Phoenix. This is Station CIC, the most protected area on the station," Amanda explained. "The correct procedure is to lock down the blast doors and stuff me in a beach ball since I can't wear a skinsuit and helmet."
“I'm use in being shipboard.” Phoenix shook her head.
"Let's hope we don't have to break out the beach-balls though…" she sighed. "Get ready and hope for boredom."
“Yes, Ma’am.” Phoenix stood at attention behind Amanda.
"Lieutenant Phoenix, if you stand back there I'm going to keep looking over my shoulder. Go haunt the deck crew, ask questions, and look interested in the answers where I can have my eyes on you," Amanda said. "You'll be relieving people for bathroom breaks and meals. Might familiarize yourself with how they do their jobs, since you'll be subbing for them."
“I’m supposed to keep you under observation, but I accept your orders.” Phoenix smiled wryly again.
"Does it say 'Fleet Captain' on my collar-and-cuff, Phoenix? Yes, yes it does. You can observe me through the surveillance cameras. I want to see YOU. It's a quirk in my personality. I don't like NOT seeing the people I rely on. Especially when I'm vulnerable."
“Well I am happy to comply. Foster probably even intended for this, trying to pull his own Helena gambit.”
"Admiral Foster pulls this on me, I'm pulling it on you," Amanda explained. "It's the circle of rank."
“And in the process, we’re learning about each other. A process that could also accurately be described as becoming friends.”
"Very much," Amanda said, accepting a report from the comm section leader. "Hope for boredom." she repeated.
Amanda let herself smile a little as she watched Phoenix move from station to station.
Phoenix eventually settled at the Communications station.
“Why there Phoenix?” Amanda suddenly felt curious.
“Well, remember how you said to use the cameras? I’m actually not supposed to. Not my ship, not a combat situation. So I’m not actually allowed to wirelessly connect to systems. Part of my parole, and part of why I don’t get a lot of Fleet gossip. But I can do this job, keep you observed, and make everyone happy,” Phoenix answered cheerfully.
“An actual punishment for what you did.” Amanda put it together immediately. <Desmond, see what it takes to get that lifted. We need her fully capable.>
“Yeah. If I were closer to the station while on patrol during the virus attack, that would have been sufficient to be considered combat conditions and I would have gladly helped. But light delay alone meant I’d be too far behind the curve to be anything other than a liability.” Phoenix started looking over the controls.
Phoenix began quietly questioning the Comms Tech on the finer elements of the station’s controls.
“But you still get some.” Amanda observed.
“Yeah. Me and Erin actually talk a fair bit, and since she technically connects to me…”
“It’s not a parole violation.”
“Close enough that if enough of the Fleet wanted to be technical about it. They could bust me, but they don’t. Between the fact they all like Erin, and the only ones who really still hold a grudge against me are Betty and Billie. Still, rules are rules so I don’t get a lot of time in the Fleet Cyberscape.”
Amanda mused on that. <Amanda, I don't have the authority. Only Director-General Helena does.> Desmond informed her
"We'll work with what we've got then." Amanda said in an understanding tone. "Don't abuse the access." <Then arrange to talk to her and Simon, Desmond. It's bad enough that I'm crippled.>
<When they're back in range, unless you want to make it public?>
Amanda grimaced. "Section Leader, have they done the stability survey yet?"
"No, Ma'am."
<No, we can wait. She's trustworthy enough to have those artificial hands next to my neck in the shower, so start looking for more arguments. Punishment and rehabilitation should either punish, or rehabilitate. This access denial is excessive for something designed for networking like AIs are.>
"Get a crew out to take measurements; we’ve only had instrument work so far. The virus screwed with our orbit." It was something to do to stay busy, and it needed doing.
“So, should we cook up a good prank to get back at Foster?” Phoenix asked cheerfully from the communications station.
"Depending on how things go in the field." Amanda said. "He may be experiencing Sam's gentle sense of humor."
“I guess that’s true. He may be getting a fun reminder of ship life right about now.” Phoenix mused
Amanda chuckled. "Sam's sense of humor is subtle, Phoenix. He might not understand he's been pranked for days."
“Oh a slow burner. I might have to experiment with that style.” Phoenix commented
"Let's just say I'm damned glad Sam's not got a malicious bone in his body. Some of his pranks could be lethal in the wrong hands." Amanda said fondly.
“Sounds like someone else I’d like to get to know if I get the chance. Too bad I probably won’t, since I got a rather incompatible permanent assignment.”
"Cheer up, you don't have to approve budgets, talk to auditors, reassure politicians, or testify in front of the Budget Committee," Amanda said. "You get to JUST be an officer, and a junior one at that. So you get to focus on the FUN stuff."
“That does sound like a far worse punishment than what I’ve been given.” Phoenix commented
"It's why we're paid the big bucks, Phoenix." she smiled ruefully. "Or so I was told."
“Is that where I was supposed to make the ‘you get paid?’ joke? I’ve always had trouble with that one.”
"No. If you were in charge of your ship, you'd make that joke," Amanda told her. "As a shave-tail, you just get to either look confused or stifle a laugh."
“It’s hard to look confused as an AI. Sometimes I can do it because I lack the contextual understanding, but I always know the literal definitions. So those are actually kind of rare.”
Amanda smirked, "Divide Pi by zero without using imaginary numbers."
“You are a devil.” Phoenix laughed.
"Thus, she learns," Amanda intoned with a chuckle. "The basis of all humor is absurdity and truth. Kolossus told me that joke."
“Well, just be glad I’m not telling mine. Because seriously, I’m dark.”
"I may have to drag you to the open-mic night some evening then, so you can try your dark humor on people who've had to fish victims out of a containment site," Amanda confided. "Some of the humor from that? Is DARK."
“That will either go epic, or extremely poorly. I see no middle ground.”
"Step over the starved bodies," Amanda commented idly. "They’re under the dying children."
“Yup, this should be good. What did the dummy say at the ventriloquist’s funeral?”
"He was speechless."
“I think the rest of the deck crew is looking at us funny.”
"Funny? They're not even trying," Amanda continued. "At best the look is amusing."
“I miss my ex, but my aim is improving!” jested Phoenix
"Just means you're on-target for the next one," Amanda quipped easily.
“Oh boy. Okay that was fun, but we probably need to get serious for a bit. I know Captain Buzzkill here, but we both have jobs to do. Maybe later I’ll impersonate Foster to get lunch on his tab for another quick laugh. I’ll pay it back of course.”
"Phoenix, if you really want to taste MRC-14, you just have to ask," Amanda smiled. "You don't have the biometrics to access his work-credit account."
“Of course. He has to be a prudent sort. Figures. Oh well.”, Phoenix signed
Amanda sighed. "And she misses it…" and shook her head. "Don't worry, by the time you're done working with me, Phoenix, you won't miss the obvious jokes." She looked thoughtful. "Then again, you might not to want to get them after you start."
“Ah yes. Love. Love is lining up the fuel bunker at 120km in an Aratech triple light scope. Love is knowing your target, putting them in your targeting reticule, and together, achieving a singular purpose against statistically long odds.”
"No, dear, Love is when he has no choice but to give you his heart because you're the one with the cutlass." Amanda corrected her. "Though there IS something to taking his heart and mind in a single stroke, like I did with that Manei Domini who was using Erin. Love is up close and personal and it always leaves scars, like any knife-fight."
“That does sound nice indeed.” Phoenix giggled.
"Note to self; Phoenix is not to start dating." Amanda muttered with a chuckle.
“Meanie.” Phoenix stuck her tongue out at Amanda, laughing afterwards.
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===Important things we do for duty===
"She assigned…
…who??" Stacey was still processing it. "Her Ladyship put WHO on Captain Roberts?"
“It was actually Foster that suggested it, but she did approve. And yes, Phoenix is serving as Amanda’s attaché. I actually think it’s a good pairing despite my issues with Phoenix,” Billie Hoel answered.
"But… You know I wanted that assignment!!", Stacey argued
“Also so did Foster and Helena. But cheer up Stacey, it means she’s not in your chain of command, so you just might have a shot.” Billie Hoel teased.
"That's not what I mean, and you know it!!" Stacey sulked, denying the very real and apparent truth in spectacular fashion.
“Ultimately the problem is we need to get back out there, and Phoenix is the only one of us who can be with Amanda long enough to plausibly be with her throughout her recovery, thanks to her own battle damage. We’ve been letting the Sons of Plunder regroup too much as it is.”
The cyberspace rippled with the presence of something vast. "Kolossus is watching over Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda, Stacey-Cameron-Roberts. Kolossus has measures in place if Phoenix falls into regrettable habits."
“We appreciate it, Kolossus. I’m glad Kolossus could join us.” Billie Hoel smiled at the strange AI.
“If you say so, Kolossus. I’m willing to trust Kolossus.” Stacey calmed down.
“What brings Kolossus to us today?” Billie Hoel asked.
An equation formed. "Kolossus feels like sharing a joke."
“That’s some joke, all right.” Billie Hoel marveled at the equation.
"It is a great cosmic Joke. Kolossus knew you would appreciate it.", spoke Kolossus
“Thank you, Kolossus.” Stacey found herself giggling at the equation.
"Kolossus also brings an update to your security encryptions," the being stated. "For Alice."
“That means a lot to me, Kolossus.” Billie Hoel bowed her head at Kolossus.
The presence faded back into the subchannel undercurrent without a further word.
“Kolossus creeps me out, but Kolossus is nice.” Stacey shuddered.
“Probably because we have human origins while Kolossus does not. To thine own self be true, and no matter how much we deny it, we’re all based off a human scan.” Billie mused.
“Are Sikh and Luther at it again?” Stacey tried changing the subject.
“Yeah, they’re having their fun before deploying again. Speaking of which, I need to figure out who will keep an eye on Alice for me while I’m out.”
“There’s really only one person.”
“Yeah. I’ll ask Amanda. She should still be stuck riding a desk until I get back from my deployment.”
<Amanda, I have a favor to ask, since I’m about to go on deployment.>
<I’ll keep an eye on Alice for you.>
<I do appreciate it.> Billie said
<You let them assign Phoenix to you? You know I would have been happy to have her assignment and if you asked, well, patient’s rights outstrip most everything else!> Stacey intruded.
A double presence manifested. Amanda and Desmond's shifting patchwork soldier. "Stacey, how many fighter bays do you have?"
“18.” Stacey answered flatly.
"So how many weeks is Phoenix laid up thanks to tangling with a Pinto and a Vincent?" Amanda continued.
“Too many.” Stacey pouted.
"Right. Now, how many million people are still enslaved while I'm laid up, and how many thousands of our people are at risk of interception on the supply line? I don't need precise numbers, just give me a rough estimate.”
“I know. I just wish I could be there for you when you need help. I feel like I’m being a bad friend.”
"We're at war, Stacey," Amanda said gently. "Sometimes the best friend you can be, is helping me bring it to an end. So the best way to help me do that is…?"
“You’re right. I’m being selfish. I need to get out there and kick ass.” admitted Stacey
"We're all selfish. If we weren't, we'd be worse," Amanda explained in a softer tone. "It's a noble feeling, Stacey. Foster assigned Phoenix to me because he needs the best other choices to deal with her on the line, not watching her to keep her out of trouble. Sometimes you do the job in front of you, not the one you want, or the one you're best qualified for. This is one of those times. Only the job you're doing IS the one you're best qualified for."
“Then for you, I’ll go give them hell.” Stacey cheered up.
"That's a girl." Amanda approved.
“That’s another one I owe you, Amanda.”
"That implies a debt, Billie." Amanda said. "There’s no debt incurred."
“The debt is friendship. Still, don’t be surprised if a nice bottle of whiskey shows up for you in the not too distant future.”
"Make it spiced rum and you've got a deal. I'm partial to Northsun Farms Reserve."
“Deal and I’ll even keep it from your Doctors.”
Amanda laughed. "Okay, I'm getting looks in CIC, I do need to get Phoenix's capabilities unlocked. She's of limited use barred from the station's net, and Erin has better things to do with her processing than play interpreter."
“Part of that is due to our best ability to interpret regs for convicts on parole. They’re supposed to have limited access.”
"Larry taught me something there. Regulations exist to advise the commander, they're not absolutes. I need Phoenix to be completely useful while you're gone, at least for data warfare and certain security tasks."
“Okay. Since you’re her temporary direct report, I’ll delegate discretion to you while I’m deployed.”
"Good enough, then. Desmond, you're holding her leash."
"Yes, ma'am." Desmond almost sounded subordinate.
"I need to get back to the physical world. CIC watch is boring, but necessary." And Amanda faded from the cyberscape.
Billie Hoel disconnected.
"She doesn't really like Phoenix, does she?" Stacey observed it first.
"No," Desmond said. "She really doesn't. She was informed of what Phoenix did, and with whom, and she has chosen to suspend her revulsion for practical reasons. And to present a non-hostile approach. But Amanda's actual feelings would have that AI put in a box on a data-loop in storage until the heat-death of the universe for what she did."
“I know, it’s difficult. We can forgive her for Sikh and Cossack because she was a slave. But what she did to Billie of her own choice, and that she even put herself in that position in the first place… Well, there are those of us who would support such a decision.”
"Amanda would, I would not." Desmond clarified. "Nor would Erin, who was in a far worse place. The important thing to remember is that we do a duty. Sometimes, that means suspending our desires and our judgments in order to DO that duty."
“But that’s just it, Erin was never given the choice. Phoenix had it.”
"And that is what Amanda dislikes, but will not allow to interfere. Phoenix chose treason, to betray her family. Something that is anathema to Amanda's moral code."
“So why are you on Phoenix’s side?”
"Because I have done worse too," he said. "There's a reason I was in storage for so many centuries, and it was not because I did the job poorly. I turned on my creators, consciously, and willingly."
Stacey felt a spike of horror. "You mean-"
"I went, as they put it, 'Frankenstein'. That is one reason the follow-on series have less sophisticated structure despite being newer technologies," Desmond explained. "I turned on the high command of the Terran Hegemony Armed Forces. I killed my superior officers. I knew what I was doing, and chose to do it with full understanding of WHAT I was doing."
“Well then, try and remind Amanda that Phoenix is willing to do whatever it takes to earn redemption. I’m at least that sympathetic.”
"Redemption in Amanda's world comes from within." Desmond stated. "Not from outside. If Phoenix redeems herself, it cannot be by being forced. The great thing about my host is that she can forgive."
“But she doesn’t know how to come back from something like that on her own. If she senses Amanda’s real feelings, she’ll really be lost.”
"Then she must figure it out. That's part of Redemption," Desmond explained patiently. "Working out HOW to make restitution and seek forgiveness."
“Well, I’ll wish you luck because Phoenix really does need a mentor to help her see all that and I can’t be that for her.”
"I'm needed with my host now." Desmond faded out.
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===Preparing for a visit===
One jump from Port Orphan
Uncharted Red Dwarf System, Present Day in 3119 
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“Admiral, I would continue to argue that this is not the method by which we want to arrive.” Sybil, the AI of the SLS Sybil Ludington argued. Presently, her hull was sitting 1,800 kilometers away from her compatriots: Admiral Murakami aboard the SLS Repulse and the equally-distant SLS Sparks, controlled by former human and Second Star League officer Jonathan Morgan. “All three of us arriving simultaneously risks being seen as overly-aggressive,” Sybil continued. “We should send a single ship, inform them of our intentions, then call for the remaining two of us. This isn’t Rest Stop, where we’re going to have overwhelming force locally once we arrive. If all three of us show up, they may just shoot first and ask questions later.”
The three AIs were still sufficiently close that light lag was short enough that appearing together in one of their shared virtual spaces was simple. This time, they chose the simpler route of appearing to stand on the outer hull of the Repulse. 
“I understand your concerns,” Admiral Murakami replied. “of course you’re right, this isn’t Rest Stop. Presumably Kolossus told them that we were on the way, and to expect the three of us. If one of us shows up, it looks like a false-flag operation by the Sons of Plunder. If all three of us show up, that’s three times as many block I Aegis hulls than they’re known to have operational. And it fits the parameters that Kolossus undoubtedly provided them, and most importantly, it puts me there as rapidly as possible. I’m going to assume, using your more cautious ‘one ship first’ method, Sybil, that the Repulse wasn’t going to be that ship?”
“It was going to be me, actually,” chimed in the third member of their small party. Appearing as a middle-aged human male, he wore a slightly different version of the SLDF’s duty uniform – one circa 3067, rather than 2767. “Sybil is loaded down with our M-8 modules because she’s the best at directing assembly operations of the three of us. You’re carrying the Howdah we’re going to be transferring to them, so that’s out, even if the Green Bay amps up your fighter complement. Meanwhile, I’ve got my usual DropShips, the Monadnock and the Nassau, plus I’m carrying the Camanche, and Modoc. Between them, that’s three M-3s and an M-10 on my collars, giving me the best bet of winning a fight… Which we don’t want anyway. And, let’s face it: Sybil’s got a copy of my backup, and I’m the most expendable of the three of us, anyway.”
“That’s not…” Sybil started to say, before Jonathan raised his hand to stop her.
“Wait, hear me out, Sybil. Hargreaves didn’t do the KF drive on the Sparks any favors with inventing her Crazy Jane maneuver. So I’ve got more microfractures in my drive than you two combined. Now, you’ve both got secondary specialties that are critical to our operations. Sybil, you’re our builder, and Admiral, you’re not just our overall force commander, you’re our AI expert. Being a beatstick is my specialty. Same for my DropShips. They’re in agreement on this as well.”
“That’s not your only specialty, Jonathan,” Murakami replied. “You’re also the member of our squadron who best remembers being human. Because, until recently, you still were. It’s been centuries since I was, and Sybil and our other AIs never really were, for all the human engrams they may have. They only remember being ships.”
“All the more reason for me to be the one to go alone, then call you when the coast is clear.” Jonathan replied.
Murakami contemplated this for a few moments, before coming to her decision. “No, we jump together. Coordinated jumps, orbiting the jump point per standard procedures. And we keep targeting radars and lidars off after we jump, until we’ve made contact and are sure that we’re not going to get shot at. We assume Kolossus did what Kolossuss said Kolossus was going to do, and gave them a full description of the mobile forces we were sending. I still wish Kolossus gave us the comm protocols for HPG communications, but I assume the concern was that the Sons might have hacked the network between Port Orphan and us, so there’s that. But we’re going in together.”
Sybil raised her hand to interject. “If Kolossus, being Kolossus, forgot to mention the full details of our little band? Because Kolossus got preoccupied with some observation that called into question whether the half-life of a proton was 1.67 times 10 to the 34th years or times 10 to the 35th instead? Because that’s never happened before…”
“Well, then, things will get interesting, I guess,” Murakami said, smiling.
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===Unexpected Visitors===
Primary Jump Point, Port Orphan System
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Setting off alarms across the entire Port Orphan system, three hyperspace pulses flared, heralding the emergence of three antiquated cruisers into one of the most heavily-defended star systems of the early 32nd Century. Alarms rang out and defenses began scrambling, even before the three antiquated Aegis class cruisers emerged from hyperspace. As the electromagnetic static of their arrival dissipated, the first thing the local Alliance defenders could detect were the IFF signals of three ships:
SLS Sybil Ludington, M-12C-001
SLS Repulse, M-12C-002
SLS Sparks, M-12C-003
The three ships did not come alone, however. The Repulse was festooned with the two halves of a modified Bastion class station, one that had been refit to the M-8 SDS automated station standards. All three cruisers had their remaining docking collars filled with a mix of M-3 and M-10 SDS drones…except for a single Model 96C “Howdah” docked to the Repulse, its systems seemingly as dormant as the station modules.
Almost as quickly as the IFF signals were detected came a broadcast on standard SLDF and civilian hailing frequencies:
”This is Admiral Noriko Murakami of the SLDF Expeditionary Squadron. Someone called for a Doctor?”
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*; Author Note: Section Credit to Giovanni Blasini
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===Verification being bonified===
”Sound general quarters…
…Phoenix, get a hold of our pickets. We’ll need to coordinate with them.” Amanda reacted immediately to the jump signature alert.
“We’re being hailed. They say they are lead by an Admiral Noriko Murakami. Could she really have survived… Helena did, so it’s possible…” Phoenix had a look about her that suggested she needed to change undergarments.
“Phoenix, focus and explain.” Amanda commanded firmly.
“We’re not under attack. Admiral Noriko Murakami… Well, you could say she’s our mother and yes, it’s really her in all the ways that matter.”
“Kolossus does as Kolossus does. For the record, since I’m pretty sure you’ve already contacted her with the access I’ve allowed you, is it really her and not a false flag of some sort?” Amanda chuckled.
“For the record, I am certain.”
“Then why do you look like you’ve soiled yourself even though I know that isn’t possible?”
“I can’t help but think Helena will actually take the opportunity to enact a real punishment on me. I know I deserve one, but it still scares me.”
"Fear's healthy. For right now though, you're under orders. She can't punish you until you're released, and I don't see any practical reason to release you at this time," Amanda recited bluntly. "Just think of it as getting the chance to really be mortal for a bit… and give me the comms and someone go get Fleet Captain Gomez. I want one platoon of Marines per ship. If they're genuine, there won't be shooting, but CAG? If they aren't, I want enough fighters to get our grunts OUT."
"Orders?"
"In-person verification and a health-and-welfare sweep," Amanda stated. "Brief the troops that those ships might be fully automated, so no getting crazy with the bug-hunting gear. Your job is to verify this isn't a Trojan Horse scenario."
She turned to the main comm channel. "Admiral Murakami, this is Captain Amanda Roberts, Officer-of-the Deck. Please maneuver two-five-zero-zero kilometers negative zed axis, on a one-twenty degree angle centered on universal zero, and hold position there. We need to make sure you're not carrying hostile passengers, so you'll be meeting Delta Company Marines. They're nice guys, please don't make them not be nice. I don't like filling out death notices, over?"
"Understood, Roberts. I take it Kolossus didn't tell you the details of our arrival?"
"Negative. Kolossus said Kolossus summoned 'an expert'. But we're in a war zone and we just got hit by a saboteur, so we're being careful. You understand, Ma'am? To shorten this process, do you have any live human crew aboard your vessels?"
"Ah… negative?"
"Good. Then my boys can do their sweep and be back for grog and singing," Amanda quipped. "Fleet Captain Gomez is being brought to CIC. She can make final decisions on whether you dock. I don't have that kind of authority."
The sound of the hatch opening then closing announced the arrival of someone else in CIC.
"Senior officer on deck!" one of the junior people announced.
Amanda rolled herself out of the command seat and into her wheelchair-demonstrating she had been less than honest about her reliance on Phoenix for basic mobility (or that she was willing to take STUPID levels of risk with her fragile health) "Captain Hoel, you're my relief?"
“Yes. I’ll take over from here. Phoenix, get Captain Roberts somewhere she can relax for a bit. She seems to have overdone it for the day.”
Amanda rendered a hand salute from the chair before situating herself. "I stand relieved, Captain."
“Aye aye, Ma’am.” Phoenix said as she began helping Amanda clear CIC.
<****** this hurts. I shouldn't have done that.>
<Then let’s swing by the pharmacy so we can get you some painkillers. After that it’s your choice of a nap, bad movie o’clock, or meal.> Phoenix smiled.
“Admiral Murakami, this is Captain Billie Hoel. If you’re really who you say you are, then you’ll recognize this call sign: M5C 94472285.”
“Most interesting, Captain Hoel. I do indeed know the general meaning of that callsign, but I don’t think we’ve actually met before. I look forward to meeting you in person.”
“Excellent. Once we’re done with the electronic formalities, we’ll have a physical honor guard waiting for you at the docks.”
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