BtH4

==Chapter 4 - By the Horns==
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TCS Samantha Calderon
Station Three, Taurus System, Hyades Cluster
Taurian Concordat
November 20th, 3025
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“Fearless souls who cross’d the sky; in search of home to live and die; men who swear we will live free; far away from your tyranny.”*
homas looked up in surprise as he crossed over the broad yellow line painted on the deck of the boat bay. The music was not being piped into the reception area; no, there was a line of drummers tapping out the beat, musicians blowing upon horns, and a chorus of singers—all dressed in the uniform of the Taurian Concordat Navy. But that was the lesser shock; this song had been detested by the Star League—not a single complete copy had survived their occupation.
“Our lady that we follow; deep inside Hell’s Hearts Hollow; bound in clouds of reddish dust; our new home, to find we must.”
One lady, an old lady dressed in the uniform of a Taurian Admiral—equivalent in rank to a Marshal—strode forward and she saluted sharply; a salute that the Protector returned just as solemnly.
“Taurus home, from now to end; a land that we shall ‘ere defend; with hoof and horn, blade and gun; we will fight until the day is won.”
“Protector Calderon,” the woman said, “I beg leave to report that TCS Samantha Calderon, bearing aboard her eleven hundred and twenty-four souls, has returned home.”
“None today shall ever know; the pain we felt, as our children go; but for our pride in their brave; we vow t’send our foes their grave.”
“Welcome home, Admiral Vickers,” Thomas said warmly, and he extended her his hand. Helena took it and the two shook.
*Set to the tune of The Ballad of the Green Berets with my apologies to SSGT Sadler. You can rest assured that there are other verses, but for now that’s all I’ve got.
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