sighed, "The hard way!"
10 A few minutes later in the Officer's mess hall each man's Second Officer proudly attached his Commander's new rank to
his shoulder patches. The room was crowded with onlookers, and the ship's cameras broadcasted the ceremony to all
three vessels.
11 There was a toast to the new Fleet Commanders, then Morn ordered
everybody back to their duties. They were two hours from orbit and had
to get their critically wounded down to hospital.
12 They had barely finished this task, when members of The Lord's Guard
suddenly came to both North and Morn. They were told a battleship
equipped with two passenger pods would be entering orbit within three
hours. Hospital facilities for their less seriously wounded were
already prepared. They were to leave on the battleship immediately.
Their ships would be brought in by auxiliary crews. These were orders
DIRECTLY from The Lord God.
13 Morn and North were bewildered and not used to such lavish
treatment. The passenger pods were not military class, but luxury, and
they and their crews were given anything they wanted. As they neared
Haven, The Home Fleet passed by in salute. North was beginning to
suspect something and he had a very good idea Morn did, too. His friend
acted like a caged tiger.
14 As soon as they landed, Morn was whisked off to The Palace while
everyone else was given the finest accommodations to be offered. To
North's surprise, he found all of his family at his hotel. They, too,
had been brought in by battleship. He learned that Morn's family was
also at The Palace. His suspicions were becoming more and more
confirmed.
15 It was announced the next day that the award ceremonies would be
held at the public parade grounds below Fleet Command the next morning;
that North's crew would receive honors first, and then, Morn's. The next