entered unchartered territory. By now it could be
anywhere."
58 North took the report to the command deck, and ordered
Communications to encode it for transmission. "Sir, I could reword this
a little bit," suggested Communications, so it doesn't sound so hard on
you."
59 "Just encode and transmit," North ordered.
60 The Officer reluctantly obeyed. Four hours later, as they were
approaching their leap to the nearest station, the Communications
Officer began to receive Fleet's response. As he uncoded it, his smile
grew wider and wider. "Alright, Communications," ordered North, "let's
hear it."
61 "Be advised," Communications began, "command has received the report
of Commander Northern Star, Fleet Vessel 'Lord's Vengeance,' on his
recent action against the enemy. Be advised Command finds no fault with
said Officer's actions, and commends his ingenuity and bravery.
62 The new maneuver he has developed shall be made part of Academy
training, and shall be called 'the Northern Star Steering Thruster
Assisted Reverse Thrust Overfly.' All damages will be considered the
result of enemy action, and all repairs will be at Fleet cost. To the
Commander and crew of The Lord's Vengeance, from Commanding Officer,
Fleet, in the Name of The Lord God, well done!
63 '”Sir,” requested Communications, "permission to make a hard copy
and display it in the mess hall for the crew!"
64 "Permission granted!" North agreed, "and add a note from the
Commander to all crew ...well done, thank you!"
65 Their nearest hospital facilities were Colony Five. They now had
full star drive again and system power. They were fully operational
except for the starboard aft beam tube. But Colony Five had a good
shipyard and they would have that fixed in a couple of days.
66 North's family was still in transport and would not be there for a
few weeks yet, but he was looking forward to a couple of days on the
ground.