BAD DREams are made of these…

Chapter 29 of Starfighter! The Iconoclast

 

By: Tom Sczepkowski

 

With editing and clean-up by: Frederick P. Kopetz                                                                

 

Copyrights: STAR TREK is © 2004 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. STAR BLAZERS is © 2004 by Voyager International, and, STAR WARS is © 2004 by Lucasfilm, Ltd. GARGOYLES is © 2004 by Disney Entertainment. The Technomugar Empire is © 2004 by Frederick P. Kopetz and is mentioned here by the author's permission. All original elements of this tale are © 2004 by Tom Sczepkowski. All rights reserved, not to be copied without the author's permission.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

The Federation Council Chambers

Earth

 

Dominique Destine sat in the Federation main audience chamber. With everyone gone, it was now up to her to explain everything to the Federation Council. The room itself was rather large with a gallery in the back for observers. Destine was seated in the center of the room surrounded by elevated platforms which the council sat.

 

She hated this part of her job; but more of it was resentment for Vaught, Creighton. and Nechaev going on some sort of adventure and leaving Destine to clean up the mess. It was on these days that she missed being on a starship. Further, she loathed the world of politics…in spite of the fact that she was so good at it.

 

Three members of the Federation council came in one by one. First, there was a Vulcan woman whom Destine knew very well, followed by a Tellarite ambassador and the President of the Federation.

 

She was confused when there were no more members of the Federation Council entering the room as the President called the meeting to order. One other aspect of the meeting that was strange was that there were no aides, security personnel, media or observers in the room.

 

“Admiral Destine,” The President said. “Starfleet seems to have had a very busy couple of weeks.”

 

Destine looked around the room and chuckled to herself. She said, “Okay, What did you guys *&%#$ up now?”

 

“You find this humorous, Admiral?” the Tellarite asked.

 

”What the hell did you do!?” Destine asserted again “This isn’t an address to the Federation Council! You’re in this up to your necks and now you need me on board so that Starfleet comes along obediently and doesn’t ask too many questions in order to clean up your mess!”

 

“Dominique, this is important,” The female Vulcan ambassador said in the sort of tones one used to address a dull child.

 

“Obviously Ambassador Saavik,” Destine said.

 

“Admiral,” the President snapped. “Remember where you are!” 

 

“Am I here on an official function?” Destine asked scoffed in frustration.

 

“Yes and no,” said the President. “We need to ascertain if your dispatching the Enterprise to Iscandar is a violation of the Prime Directive.”

 

“This is an extraordinary case.” Destine said “Besides you knew I was sending them, why else would Admiral Nechaev threaten General Order 24 to Queen Starsha? She was in no danger!”

 

“But it’s always an extraordinary case,” the Tellarite ambassador said. “The Council has been well educated on the happenings in our alternate universe.!

 

”The whole Council…or just the three of you?” Destine said

 

“This is a separate and private panel designated to investigate with the most secrecy the happenings in the alternate universe,” Saavik said.

 

“And still amazes me that we still get stuff done.” Destine said

 

“Queen Starsha got something done, didn’t she?” the President snapped.

 

“I’m still trying to figure that out.” Destine said “But so far, it seems to me that she was the only one who did the right thing.”

 

“And that is why you dispatched the Enterprise to Iscandar,” The President said.

 

“Partly,” Destine said.  “I sent the Enterprise there to get the right story…but so far they’re running into bureaucratic cement walls!”

 

“When Princess Astra addressed this Council about the Gamilons and the radiological bombardment of that universe’s Earth, the evidence was weighed and the logical decision was made,” the Vulcan Ambassador said. 

 

“Her planet is dying, and another is getting eradicated,” Destine said, “And as usual you said no…”

 

“The Federation can’t get involved in other planets’ interstellar wars!” the President said.

 

“Since when?” Destine snapped back.

 

Since the Borg and the Dominion seem to be taking up most of our time and resources!” The President snapped, with a great deal of vehemence. 

 

“Besides this is an extra-dimensional affair,” The Vulcan Ambassador said.

 

‘Your husband doesn’t feel that way ambassador Saavik,” Destine said.

 

“I think my husband secretly yearns for his past adventures with his old shipmates,” Saavik said.

 

I asked them to go,” Destine said. “This wasn’t merely out of the sprit of adventure! It’s because people are sneaking around building weapons, anti-radiological equipment, and attack planes… which all seem to be waltzing out of here under our noses…and the reason I found out about all this is because of this damned Inferno fiasco!”

 

“Your reasoning is not logical, Admiral,” Saavik said.

 

“By itself, no, it is not!” Destine said. “But it IS when you add the artificial comet with the Orion warp signature, Queen Starsha’s message to Lt Corsair regarding her mother’s death, and, last of all, Major Corsair, who has made contact with and joined the Star Force, which just happens to be a group who seems to be a rather large, messy, and mysterious part to this story! Add up all of these factors, and it is logical to assume that we have a major problem under our noses in that universe, a problem which may affect our universe, as well!”

 

“Were you aware that Queen Starsha’s consort Alex Wildstar is actually a human and that his younger Brother Derek is in command of the Star Force?” the President asked.

 

“YES. I get the same intelligence reports as you do, Mr. President.” Destine said.

 

“Why would Vaught be serving as the Argo’s second-in-command?” Saavik asked. “That is not logical.”

 

“I don’t think he has any military reason,” Destine said. “I think he just got caught up in things.”

 

“And, he is serving on a ship that has no affiliation with Starfleet,” Saavik said.  “And he is also using Starfleet technology to help them steal the Argo and evade their defense fleet. If that is not a violation of the Prime Directive, Mister President, then I guess Doctor John Gill’s activities at Planet Ekos when he became the “Fuhrer” of that world were not a violation of the Prime Directive, either.”

 

“But that doesn’t matter, since now they are listed as being on an authorized mission,” Destine retorted. “And if you had second thoughts about Corsair then this Council shouldn’t have given him a free pass unbinding him from our prime directive. He is just doing what he was trained to do, and I think that worries you because Nechayev isn’t around to hold him on a leash and for some reason that scares everyone.”

 

“Yes. We fear that he might have been compromised,” said the President.

 

“I hope he has been compromised,” Destine said.

 

“You hope he has been…?” said Saavik as she raised an eyebrow. Destine raised her hand for silence.

 

“I damn well do. I’d rather see him working with Derek Wildstar than for Nechaev,” Destine said. “He probably already knows that Federation Technology was used to destroy the Planet Gamilon, and that Iscandar is involved. He won’t have any reaction to that, but when he finds out that you’re back pedaling using Nechayev’s back channels to get his daughter to stifle her aunt Queen Starsha by assassination…well, in that case, I believe he will be quite righteously…”

 

“Queen Starsha’s sister stole Federation technology!”  The President snapped.

 

“That justifies the murder of a head of state?” cried Destine.

 

“This is no normal situation,” said the President with fire in his eyes.

 

“Okay. We have to exhaust all avenues to make it certain that she doesn’t have anything to do with this on the level that you are suggesting.” Destine said. “But there is something on Iscandar that you want to keep secret….very secret…otherwise you would have countermanded Nechaev and this mystery Admiral Lysis’ General Order 24 instructions.”

 

“I assume that you have already countermanded the General Order 24 instructions,” Saavik said.

 

ya think?” Destine asked with an evil grin.

 

The Tellarite Ambassador, who was surprisingly quiet throughout this debate, stood up in anger and pointed a finger at Destine.

 

“This Council does not report to Starfleet!” The Tellarite ambassador yelled. “Since when does the Civilian Government answer to the Military?”

 

“Because I’ve got guys out there that are risking their lives with one hand tied behind their back,” said Destine. “I’ve got my own intelligence in the theater and on the ground, and, thus, I’m going to find out what’s going on!”

 

“You can’t act on it, Demona,” Ambassador Saavik said.

 

“No You’re right….I can’t…” Destine said. “But when Vaught finds out that you and Section 31 have been tampering with his Daughter, he’ll act on it and I guarantee when he does…..it would be very wise for you to be somewhere else!”

 

At this point the President stood up. “Threats and allegations don’t help us here!” he said.

 

Instead, we hid behind rules and regulations, leaving Section 31 to run the show, and  I’m running around like the Hall Monitor at recess, trying to find out things after they’ve already been set in motion!” Destine said. “You started this crisis and I’m liable to end it or Vaught will, so what’s it going to be, HUH?”

 

The Three looked at each other as Saavik gestured to the President. He stood up and remained silent until he gathered his words.

 

“In addition to the Plans to the Cosmo DNA and Wave Motion Generator, information on a top secret project that Admiral Dantes was working on may have also changed hands,” The President said almost looking terrified as he spoke.

 

“If anyone is able to produce a full and complete version of this project it could spell disaster for not only the alternate universe’s Earth but every planet in the Federation, for there is no technology known to us that is powerful enough to combat it,” Saavik said.

 

Missouri!”  Destine thought to herselfThey don’t know about her being, nor that Creighton and Picard even left with her to make first contact with the EDF Earth. He has an idea as to what’s going on. Good boy Creighton, now you’re thinking like a Gargoyle!”

 

“Project Kobol again,” Destine said.

 

“Yes.” The president said looking at Saavik. “You know of it?”

 

“Just the name of the project nothing more besides the fact that it the biggest kept secret  in the Federation since Talos IV.”

 

“With very good reason,” The Tellarite ambassador said. 

 

The President nodded. “Ah! Perhaps it would be prudent to bring you in from the dark……..”

 


 

Starsha Corsair materialized on board the Enterprise. There, an impatient Admiral Lysis was waiting for her.

 

Her first instinct was to grab her lightsaber; however she suppressed her actions and merely stood at attention.

 

“I think we are overdue for our talk,” Lysis said while gesturing towards the corridor.

 

Starsha controlled her composure as she walked out into the corridor.

 

“It has come to attention that you have had a change of heart regarding your mission,” Lysis said.

 

“I haven’t reached any conclusions yet Admiral,” Starsha replied. “I’m still gathering information.”

 

“Your thoughts betray you, young Starfighter,” Lysis said while closing his eyes. “I can see that your feelings for Starsha and Alex Wildstar are strong.”

 

Starsha abruptly stopped and unclipped her light saber.

 

“I would leave it there, sir.” Starsha said.

 

Lysis turned and saw the Lightsabre in her hand, although it was not yet activated.

 

“A challenge?” Lysis asked.

 

“That depends on your next move, Admiral.” Starsha said.

 

“Queen Starsha and Captain Alex Wildstar are a threat to the Federation.” Lysis emphasized “They are in league with the Star Force, who happen to be a band of murdering, genocidal pirates….we must complete our mission here and intercept them before they gain further access to Federation technology, and join the Dominion with the Stolen Wave Motion technology and thus continue to oppose us!”

 

Starsha’s eyes widened “There is no evidence of that,” she said. “None whatsoever, LYSIS.”

 

“The evidence of their treachery is overwhelming,” Lysis hissed, moving very close to her until they were eye to eye.

 

Starsha’s first instinct was to step back; however she held her ground

 

“They murdered Gamilon!” he seethed. His eyes were full of anger “The guilty parties must pay for this act of genocide, can’t you see that? Or are you in agreement with what they did?”

 

“Genocide, when they were being threatened with the same by your race, Lysis? They were given a chance to survive and they took it!” Starsha snapped. “We would do the same thing in their position!”

 

“How treasonous,” Lysis said as he looked away from her. “All will be punished. In due time!” He said, then looked back at Starsha. “You have your orders, Lieutenant. Don’t let that porcine prick Vulgar cloud your judgment.”

 

Starsha looked at him for several moments as he walked off down the corridor.

 

She felt a tremor in the Force.

 

“Rage, hate, suffering,” she said to herself. “All of those, Lysis, lead to the Dark Side…”

 

 

“Gamilon?” Troi said,  looking at Riker who was also surprised.

 

“Yes, ma’am,  Starsha said, while still at attention. “He’s as much a Troyan as I am a Vulcan!”

 

“It is not unheard of that there are some Troyans that have blue skin as well as green,” Selar said.

 

“Do you think I would base my judgment on that alone?” Starsha said.

 

“What are you basing it on?” Riker said

 

“By how he’s acting, Captain!” Starsha said “He’s obsessive about 8 balling this Star Force group, and he wants to trash Iscandar!......

 

“Why would Admiral Lysis take such an interest in the Star Force?” Riker said.

 

“He wants ‘em dead, sir.” Starsha said. “The Star Force, Aunt Star- Queen Starsha, Captain Wildstar…all of them…..This mission was a crock of bullshit from the start, and there is something else going on here!

 

“A little over the top.. aren’t we, Lieutenant?” Riker said almost with a smirk.

 

“Yes, sir!” Starsha said. “But I merely want to impress upon you that…”

 

“Relax, Starsha you’ve sold me,” Riker said as Starsha sighed with relief.

 

“The most logical move would be an assassination attempt on Queen Starsha and Captain Wildstar,” Selar said.

 

“I’ll deal with that,” Starsha said. “I’m the only one who can.”

 

Troi looked up at her in astonishment, as she could feel her thoughts. However, Starsha glared at her aware of her intrusion.

 

“If you start putting extra security down on Iscandar…..” Starsha began, “It’s going to tip our hand……and we have to tip theirs.”

 

Riker leaned back in the briefing room chair and rubbed his chin.

 

“I must be out of my mind.” Riker said “OK, Starsha, it’s your mission…..Impress us!”

 

Troi and Selar both looked at Riker as if he had taken leave of his senses. Starsha simply saluted and left the room.

 

“Will!” Troi shouted.

 

“Deana, this is totally beyond everyone here and she seems to be in the middle of it all!” Riker said.

 

“She’s still terribly confused.” Troi said “This may not work out the way Starfleet wants it to.”

 

“Perhaps it shouldn’t work out the way Starfleet wants it to,” Selar said. “Generally, Starsha knows what she’s doing. This isn’t the first time she has been on her own; she has been well trained.”

 

“I’m going to trust her,” Riker said. “Her loyalties seem to be to the Enterprise.”

 

“But what about this…Star Force?” Troi asked

 

“The Star Force is Vaught’s problem,” Selar said. “Let him handle that.”

 

“And if your brother becomes our problem!? WHAT THEN?” Riker shouted.

 

Selar got up and walked towards the door as it opened automatically

 

“Pray,” she said as the doors closed behind her.

 


 

Nova walked through the corridors of the Argo fuming at Vaught for making her take the Space Marines on a tour of the ship as an exercise in patience.

 

She was getting plenty of exercise, especially when they went through the hydroponics garden and the Marines were eating the vegetables. She noticed they ate like a herd of swine. She wished she knew the mind control techniques that Vaught used. Nova was about to scream at the Marines when she remembered how she drew this duty in the first place.

 

When the klaxon sounded she was almost relieved as she excused herself and bolted down the hall.

 

“Colonel, are you sure of your facts?” Sandor asked.

 

“You saw the database yourself,” Vaught said.

 

Nova came rushing in. “I’m sorry I’m late.” she said as she took her station.

 

She tapped some keys at her station and did not like the results.

 

uh-oh,” Nova said. “Not good!”

 

“What’s the problem, Nova?” Vaught asked.

 

“The radar is working fine, but I’m getting a bunch of distortion fields all over the screen!”

 

“How many fields of distortion?” Vaught asked.

 

“Three,” Nova replied. “They’re at scattered locations.”

 

“It is a cloaking device, Captain.” Vaught said.

 

“Similar to what we saw when Inferno took out that battle satellite?” Wildstar asked.

 

“Yes sir,” Vaught said. “These ships are using an older generation unit, which is why we can track them.”

 

“Yeah, but we can’t aim our guns accurately enough to take them out.” Wildstar said.

 

“Well what about our space mines?” Sandor asked “We can disperse them around the general area of the distortions.”

 

They were interrupted when the Argo was rocked by an explosion.

 

“Damage amidships by a missile,” Eager said

 

“From what direction?” Wildstar shouted.

 

It took Eager a second, but Nova with lightning speed came up with the results before he did.

 

“Direction 083, mark 45.” Nova said. 

 

The Argo was rocked by several more explosions

 

“Sir?” Vaught asked. “Perhaps the Black Tigers and Inferno can keep them busy long enough for you to deploy your space mines?”

 

“Go to it!” Wildstar said, as he turned to Dash. “Dash! Scramble all Black Tigers.”

 

Nova turned the radar operations over to Eager as she followed Vaught from the Bridge.

 

“Where the hell is Nova Going?” Venture shouted. “You didn’t give her permission to leave her post, Wildstar!”

 

“Don’t worry about it,” Wildstar said as, nonetheless, he glanced back at Nova with concern in his eyes.

 

She glanced back, as if to say “I’m fine.” Wildstar nodded, and she left. 

 

Within minutes, Vaught was in his exo-suit with the breathing mask working and making its ominous breathing sound.

 

“Have the coordinates been sent to Inferno’s computer?” Vaught asked in his deep, filtered voice.

 

“You need to ask?” Nova said, looking at her tricorder. “We have three bogeys… bearing is still 083 mark 45 traveling at .08 impulse.”

 

“Good work,” The deep booming modulated voice replied.

 

“By the way do you have to talk to me while that thing is on your head?” Nova asked.

 

He stopped right before the hangar bay.

 

“Why do you object?” Vaught asked.

 

“It makes me feel like I’m in a very bad sci-fi film with Mel Brooks,” Nova said. “Besides you could be making funny faces at me and I wouldn’t even know.”

 

Vaught de-activated the mask as it umnorphed around him.

 

“That’s twenty seconds of my life I will never get back,” Vaught said with a slight groan.

 

“Happy hunting,” Nova said as Vaught went into the hangar bay.

 

When he got there what he expected to see and what he saw were opposite. What he saw was the Black Tiger pilots and Space Marines arguing…Vaught looked at Royster who only shrugged.

 

“That’s Enough!”  Vaught shouted as the Hangar Bay fell silent.

 

“We have Pilot’s licences.” Knox said. “We want to go out and get up close and personal with those bastards for Brumus!”

 

“Now is not the time for this,” Vaught said. “Sir Conroy, please have your squadron in flight immediately and rendezvous with me at your assigned coordinates. Sergeant Knox, please vacate the hangar bay immediately!”

 

“And that’s just it…you’re takin their side… this is Bullshit!” Knox said.

 

Vaught spun around as Knox forget how big Vaught was compared to himself. Knox was, of course, the biggest human on the Argo. “All right….All right,” Knox said.

 

Vaught nodded and walked towards Inferno. Royster gave him a thumbs up sign as Vaught climbed into the canopy while the elevator took him up to the Superstar’s  launch track.

 

He activated his breathing mask and did his checks, and as usual, almost on cue loud rock music filled the cockpit.

 

Head bangers in leather
Sparks fly in the dead of the night
It all comes together
When they shoot out the lights
50,000 watts of power
And it's pushin' overload
The beast is ready to devour
All the metal they can hold
Reachin' overload
Start to explode.

 

Homer winced and pulled off his headset.

 

“Why must he always do that?” Homer said.

 

Vaught threw the throttles forward as Inferno shot past the Argo.

 

 It's your one way ticket to midnight
Call it Heavy Metal
Higher than high, feelin' just right
Call it Heavy Metal
Desperation on a red line
Call it Heavy Metal noise

 

“Conroy, as soon as the squadron is airborne I want you to approach from heading 043,” Vaught said.

 

“Roger,” replied the voice of Conroy.

 

Vaught activated the cloaking device as Inferno disappeared from sight, and moved very slowly. The old-style Romulan cloaking devices used a tremendous amount of fuel on the small Birds of Prey.  He watched his displays carefully until he saw something moving towards him. Then, he came to a quick stop and shut down everything. Inferno was now only illuminated by the stars out of his canopy while the enemy ship passed over him. As they did, he tried to scan them however could not get any reading of the occupants. For a moment the Bird of Prey stopped. Thinking that they were picking up his scan, he also stopped.

 

 

Satisfied after a moment that they weren’t being followed, the Bird of Prey resumed her course. Vaught took note of the ship as he pushed Inferno’s thrusters till he was behind the vessel. As Inferno turned, Vaught deactivated his Cloaking Device.

 

 

The Bird of Prey, which now saw Vaught, tried evasive maneuvers. However, since Inferno was much more maneuverable, Vaught stayed on the tail of the Bird of Prey. Vaught activated the Thought-controlled weapons system. He could see his quantum torpedo launchers moving along with his eyes.

 

I have you now...” Vaught said as he blinked once and the torpedoes fired striking the Bird of Prey hard in the stern. Both her nacelles exploded and disintegrated instantly as Vaught closed in on the wreck of the vessel……

 

Wildstar was standing behind Dash watching the battle unfold as the large Kenyan smiled at Wildstar.

 

“You’ve been kind of quiet.” Wildstar said.

 

“I can sing for you.” Dash said.

 

Wildstar chuckled.

 

“Don’t worry Captain,” Dash said. “Our calculations are correct, and our space mines should be meeting up with the Birds of Prey and we can finish the hunt.”

 

“Just like the Serengeti, eh Dash?” Wildstar said.

 

Dash smiled as they saw the flash from the explosions from the space mines suddenly appear on the Video Panel. Then, the vessels became visible.

 

“Venture, bring us about! Dash stand by with the Shock Cannons. Target: Bird of Prey.” Wildstar said as he turned to Nova who was already providing target information to Dash. As she looked up at Wildstar…he gave her a smirk and a wink. At that, she smiled back.

 

Knox had nothing to do… it was battle stations and there was nothing to do…nothing at all.  It aggravated him. And when Knox was idle he was aggravated, and when he was aggravated trouble was not too far behind. He found himself climbing into one of the Gun Turrets where a gunner was reading the targeting information so he could fire his gun upon command. Knox displayed an interest in the weapon and in doing so was in the gunnery officer’s way when the command was given to fire….

 

Vaught after getting as much information on the Bird of Prey that he was going to get, fired Inferno’s phasers destroying what was left of the craft. However as he turned Inferno, alarms started blaring.

 

Warning….Incoming fire 310 mark 0

 

Vaught narrowly escaped being the victim of the Argo’s shock cannon fire. In anger, he opened a channel to the Argo.  In the background, he heard Wildstar roaring about what had transpired.

 

Inferno…Argo.” came the sound of Homer’s Australian accent. “We’re, sorry ‘bout that Colonel, but we had a damned Marine with his nose in one of the turrets.”

 

There was a small clicking sound as Wildstar broke into the conversation.

 

“Vaught, the Black Tigers will mop up what’s left of these Birds of Prey….Take a position behind us and make sure there aren’t any more of them.”

 

“Yes sir.” Vaught said as the channel closed.

 

Wildstar flopped in his chair and rubbed his eyes. Sandor noticed that he was agitated and walked over to him with a glass of water.

 

“Please tell me you spiked it with Gamalon sea water…or something.” Wildstar said.

 

Sandor looked at him not getting the joke “Their oceans are sulfuric acid.”

 

Your Point?” Wildstar asked as he took a sip from the glass. “We are kidding ourselves.”

 

“Are you getting any sleep?” Sandor said.

 

“No.” Wildstar said “I did sleep last night though, funny thing for a moment I had forgotten that I was Captain and had forgotten about our mission, and I dreamed that I was a kid again on Great Island.”

 

is that where you’d rather be?” Sandor asked.

 

“It was only for a moment.” Wildstar said.

 

“You know, Sandor began. “You have it tougher then Captain Avatar did.”

 

“How?” Wildstar asked “He was a hero… a saint, He commanded respect….Me…I'm just foundering out here….placing my trust in an alien that I don’t even know, that looks at me like I’m a punk kid.”

 

Sandor squeezed his shoulder “No you’re dead wrong,” he said. “Vaught regards you as the Captain he’s behind you… we all are. Remember, Captain Avatar knew where he was going and what he had to do. You don’t know what’s out there. But we’re going to find it…..And Vaught and I are going to be right behind you when you do.”

 

“You really have a high regard for Corsair, don’t you?” Wildstar asked.

 

Sandor nodded “I can’t think of a better second in command for the Argo then Vaught Corsair. But both our loyalties are to one man….and there is nothing to replace it or him…..Captain.”

 

Wildstar nodded and smiled sheepishly, somewhat choked up by what Sandor had said.  He turned around and asked Nova if there were any planetoids around for the ship to land for repairs. Nova found one as they recalled the Black Tigers with the sole exception being Vaught, who was still on rear guard. Within fifteen minutes the Argo had parked itself on a small planetoid, as the repair work from their battle with the Birds of Prey was underway.

 

Sandor usually handled the repair work for the ship and Wildstar knew enough to stay out of his way. It didn’t matter that he was the Captain. However, there were other people on board who did not share Wildstar’s trust and felt that they could do a better job. And as always, the Space Marines were once again at odds with the Star Force personnel. However, this time, things went too far as several Star Force members as well as Space Marines had reached the limit of their patience…..

 

Later, Wildstar was on the bridge conversing with Vaught. Wildstar was laying out their next move of which Vaught had no question, simply responding with, “Aye, sir.” When Vaught’s image disappeared from the video panel Conroy entered the bridge with a look of anger on his face. Wildstar simply sighed…..

 

“Now what?” Wildstar snapped.

 

“Wildstar can you order the marines off the Argo? Conroy asked.

 

Wildstar sarcastically looked around the bridge then shrugged.

 

“Well you’re going to have to do something,” Conroy said. “First it’s with combat operations now it’s the repair work.”

 

“I know and I will do something.” Wildstar said “But I have a big ship to get fixed here, and I have one man out on rear guard, we’re in hostile space, plus I don’t know where I’m going so you’ll understand if I seem a little  busy here!”

 

Conroy shook his head “I wouldn’t have come up here if it was just that, but the guys have had enough…”

 

Wildstar shot out, “You tell the Guys that their chain of command begins and ends with me.  I couldn’t give a shit!”

 

“No Wildstar you don’t understand!-

 

“Captain Wildstar!” IQ-9 interrupted. “There are several reports of fighting in the lower decks between members of the Star Force and the Space Marines.”

 

“God Damnit!” Wildstar roared in rage.

 

“Wildstar, leave it for Vaught!” Sandor shouted. However Wildstar did not hear him as he stormed off the bridge…

 


 

Next Chapter: “rage…”

 

To Return to the Introduction to Starfighter: The Iconoclast, click here