danger!"
34 Half in a daze, North allowed his hands to be pulled free. Somebody
was ripping at his jacket. He could feel disinfectant being sprayed on
his face and shoulder, and bandages being applied. "We've got to
evacuate you!" somebody was screaming.
35 "No!" said North, "NO! I'm still functional. I'm still in command!
Strip that bastard' s shoulder unit! Give me his sword! Find me a
damned shield that's still functioning! All but one of you, wing out of
here!"
36 All but the Medic quickly obeyed, flying off to join in the battle.
As soon as North's shields were fully functional, he, too, joined in
the battle, but it was not to last very long. Without support from the
ships above, The Goddens were driven back into a tighter and tighter
circle. Finally, they were surrounded on a small mountain near the
center of their landing zone.
37 "Back off!" ordered North, "I'll not lose any more men. Keep
pounding them on low yield til their shields give out. Then go and pick
up the ones that are still alive."
38 This proved unnecessary. Barely had North given the order, than a
white flag appeared on the highest point of the enemy's position. They
began to throw down their swords and slowly crouch behind their shields.
39 "Move in!" North cried. "Go pick them up!" North switched to
long-range
frequency and called Morn. His battle, too, was over. He had destroyed
two-thirds of The Godden Fleet and the rest of The Imperials were
fleeing the system. North broadcasted the news and his troops cheered
with joy. Then North felt a sting in his arm and turned to see the ever
present Medic returning an injector to his case.
40 "Sir," the Medic snapped, "I am invoking Medical privilege and
removing you from the battlefield."