Betrayal

[Zero755]

After Katrina had piloted teh Mistralith into position, Noah authorized a bit of shore leave for her crew. The only requirement was that they all be present for the memorial service to be held for those slain by the attacks this day. With her crew off the ship and repair crews patching up the hole in Mistralith's side there was not much for the young Colonel to do but watch as the small repair ships buzzed around the hole in her ships side. At the rate they were going they ship would be good as new in a few hours.

She didnt even notice when Fana, her trusted executive officer and friend for as long as she could remember, walked up to her, "Colonel, is there something bothering you?"

"Please Fana we are not on the bridge, call me Noah. And no, not really. I'm just playing the mission back in my mind, trying to find a way different from the way I handeled those Hunters that could have saved those men their lives."

"Noah, you did the best that you could have under the circumstances. No one knew they had Infernos. We didnt know they would slice through our shields like they did, until it already happened. You are one of the best commanders out there, you have to be other wise you wouldnt be a commander as young as you are. Most Battleship commanders are old men, you and Commodore Chamberlin are the youngest and two of the best commanders the Order has, dont ever forget that."

Noah looked back to the ship, "Thanks Fana, Im glad I can turn to you and you'll always have something to say that inspires me to pull through another day. But speaking of the good Commodore, I need to talk to him. I'll see you later." Noah turned and headed doewn the hallway toward the Officer's Lounge. She quickly found Stewart, sitting at a table by himself gazing into the stars. She walked over and pulled up a chair, "Mind if I join you?"

He shook his head in response.

"I ... I want to know what you are planning, I owe it to the men Ive lost, their families, and my crew. Who is responsible for what is going on. You have the entire 122nd Guard Fleet formed up out side. There is someting more going on here then you have let on to. Unless we are planning an expidition into the heart of Nomad space there should be no reason to assemble this fleet. That and word is spreading that the Corsairs are mustering a fleet also. What are you planning Commodore?"

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