The station can barely be seen through the dense Barrier Cloud, but the captain of the Korma knows that she is there , he just needs to trust his instruments and he will reach them.
Once again he reads the order that came from the ILL Director, an order having the sigil of Ryo Kase , the Minister. He smiles and remember that he once seen him on New Athos and they actually spoke.
"Bearing 220 by 110 by 30 , speed 150. Keep an eye on the asteroids, have the weapon systems online. " Adam ordered, taking the ship deep into the cloud. In his mind , he review the instructions " Escort Doctor Oreste to the Barrier Gate and then bring back Commander Sarah and her crew to Yuma. " It seems simple but he knew that anything can happen.
" Pilot , increase speed. Keep this heading for 50 clicks and then turn onto the Nav-AI for guidance. Also, try not to damage the ship, keep the shields up."
"Yes, Captain"
Adam leaves the Bridge and he heads down the corridor to meet Oreste."Strange man " he thinks " must have been all that time spent with the Military in Combat. Blood and Iron he is called". He continue to head to the Lounge and there he sees him, sipping a Supernova.
"Doctor, we will reach Barrier Gate in 30 minutes. "
"Excellent. Make sure we are getting there safe. I hope you know that this is an important mission. I hope you treat like that."
"Yes, Doctor. " Adam makes a formal bow and he heads towards the lift, however something keep bugging him. "Doctor, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course"
"Why they gave you the name Blood and Iron?"
Oreste laughs "Captain, I have been known to get right into the thick of battle and there things are always bloody. When I was finishing with my run I used to be covered in blood. After, I was rushing into Pre-Op and then straight into the Operating Ward. No one tells you that war is messy. Many doctors requested leave after a few weeks but I kept going. Week after Week I kept going and the Soldier and the Pilots were saying that I have an Iron will. They kept saying that and slowly that is how my name came.Satisfied?"
"Yes, thank you sir"
"No problem."
Adam leaves the Lounge and he slowly he makes his way to the Bridge.
40 minutes later....
"Reduce speed , one quarter impulse. Readjust heading and approach the docking gate."
" Heading 35 by 11 by 90. One Quarter Impulse. Approaching the DZ. All hands stop"
"Robert, give me Barrier Gate Control"
" Barrier Gate , this is the ILL Korma. We are requesting permission to Dock"
" Roger , Proceed to Docking Gate A. Berth 11. Taxi towards the Berth carefully. We are pretty packed. "
" Roger Control. Proceeding" he turns toward his pilot " Take us in and keep your eyes peeled. Alexandros, please send a signal to Doctor Oreste that we are inside the Station. Robert, please fill all the forms for the docking and remember to inform our Consulate that we are here. Oh, and remember to post on the screens that we are docked. "
Adam felt good that there had been no incident on the way to the station but he knew that the way back is long. He remembered that he hadn't inform the Ship AIT Security Team that they need to assume their positions. Quickly, he went to the comm system and sent a message to Sarge and he saw them already moving to their assigned sentry post, nodding when he saw that 4 AIT are securing the entry Hatch as well . " A good job indeed"
In 10 minutes , the monitors on that station announced that ILL-Korma has landed and it awaits it's passengers.