Chapter Forty-Nine
On the last mission before his sanction was over,
North's raiding party ran head on into an ambush. Outnumbered five to
one they fought their way free. The command deck of The Morning Star
took an almost direct hit, but the superior built Hashon vessel
survived .... barely.
2 North, hanging in a safety harness beside the command chair got a few
scratches, but Falling Mountain received mortal wounds. Trapped in the
command deck they couldn't even get him to sick bay.
3 A courageous Medic crawled along the hull without a space suit and
got in the command deck's disabled hatch just before they sealed it. He
had breathed the air that had escaped and was now trapped under the
ship's shields.
4 The Medic could do little but keep the dying Officer comfortable and
treat the other injuries.
5 North decided to withdraw, but Falling Mountain encouraged him to
attack. "We've lost only one ship," he pleaded, "and received only
slight damage. If we turn around now and take them head on, it should
take them by surprise. We can still win."
6 "You heard the General!" North snapped. "His orders are to attack! "
Without hesitation the entire squadron spun around, taking on the enemy
at close range. The surprise was complete.
7 An hour later the six surviving Imperial ships fled. It was an
impressive victory. Moments after the enemy departed, Falling Mountain
died.
8 As the ships returned to Hades North was like a raging animal. He
snapped at his Officers and was disagreeable to even Great Bear, who
could usually handle the temperamental North.
9 Finally the Hashon Speaker literally yanked North into a conference
room, where he gave North a