Retribution (5 page)

“Oh you should do so now…”said Dave.

But Rihan put her hand on his and interrupted him. “No wait there’s more.” Dave smiled and let her continue.

“When I went to the hospital with Sue to check up on Art and Buster, I let Sue sit with Art and I collapsed in a chair out in the corridor. That’s when I contemplated what had happened.”

“And?”

“And so I did like you taught me, I posed the question and sat there with my eyes closed just focussing on my breath and the question.”

“What was your question?”

“Why was I able to be so content?”

“And?”

“Well the words ‘inner courage’ came up and then the penny dropped and I realised what you had been trying to say to me months ago.”

“About what?”

“About how your true self has an infinite amount of inner courage and how that courage can make you content no matter what is happening.”

At this stage Rihan was beaming and she put up her hand to stop Dave interrupting. “And then, and then I realised that if I was so content then I must have reached that state of the true self. I was sitting in the bloody hospital with people fighting for their lives and there I was ecstatic with the realisation that yes ‘I am that’. It was wonderful Dave. Sue came out and found me there in that state. She couldn’t believe I was on such a high” said Rihan and laughed.

Dave was so pleased at her good fortune. He had hoped for this moment since he started sharing meditation with her a year ago. His eyes began to water with joy and they hugged. He kissed her on the forehead and then stared into her eyes. “Wonderful” he said. After a minute in each other’s arms, they parted. Dave turned out the light and they got back under the covers.

They lay close and content, till weariness claimed its hold.

In the next cabin, Sue Chalker, despite her tiredness, was finding it hard to sleep. She too was under the covers of her bed. She swept her hand in an arc across the space next to her but found no warm body like she usually did. She prayed Art would be peacefully asleep down in the med bay on E deck. He had been so restless an hour ago when she was down there.

She remembered Mary Chernside’s reassurances but somehow she remained anxious. It was only a few weeks ago they had been on their honeymoon. She cursed Bane, rolled over and closed her eyes.

In another cabin further down the officer’s quarters on B deck, 2
^nd
Lt Chase Hanlon, the deputy operations officer, extracted himself from the embrace of 2
^nd
Lt Kat Holbrook. She was fast asleep. It had been a very stressful day for her. He thought of how he had nearly lost her and winced as he repositioned the covers over her naked body.

He was still coming to terms with the realisation that he had fallen for this woman only a couple of days ago. They were chalk and cheese in many ways. He was from a blue chip establishment family and she was the terrier who had struggled to get an education and to become a fighter pilot.

He was still dog tired but he had to take over from Aubrey as watch officer. He got dressed as quiet as he could in the dark, with only the light from his communicator to see by. As he did his belt up he glanced at the beautiful sight of Kat’s face. He was grateful he had found her and that she had survived today’s battles. He knew the risks she faced each time she entered combat. ‘It all could end at a moment’s notice’ he thought to himself. He knew there was little he could do about that but he vowed to cherish each and every moment they could spend together.

Fifteen minutes later, Aubrey entered her cabin after completing her stint as watch officer. She had a smile of anticipation on her face as she glanced at the mirror. They were on their way back to Polaris and no doubt would be calling into Butros Alia to pick up replacement droids.

She stripped off her uniform in lightning fashion and stepped into the shower in her ensuite. As the hot water ran over her body and she washed herself she thought of how wonderful it would be to have his hands touching her. Yes it was still a fantasy but she was determined to make it a reality. She was determined to seduce Brennon Warner.

Chapter 7. Resolute to Polaris 0230, 26 May

Art felt the Arturian panther dig its incisors into his left arm. “Aaargh!!” he yelled.

His scream woke Sue, who had dozed off in the chair next to his bed in Ward 2. She instinctively reached out for his right arm, to touch him and reassure him.

It was pitch black but Art could feel another beast grab his right arm. He shook his arm violently to fend it off. He could feel the panther clamping down on his left arm. He had to stop it. He punched as hard as he could with his right arm at the black beast. He heard a scream but still the beast had him in its jaws.

Specialist Wayne Hozaire, the male nurse trying to administer the intramuscular injection, reeled against the wall and collapsed to the floor. “Doctor” he yelled as he stood back up and clamped his big hand on Art’s chest, pinning him to the bed. Sue grabbed Art’s right hand and also called out “Mary!”

Art, his head throbbing and swirling from the narcotics, felt trapped. The beasts were upon him now. This would be it. He heaved his chest and tried to rock his head upwards. The beast on his chest though was very strong. “Aagh!” he yelled again as the panther bit harder. He felt weaker, too weak to resist now. ‘So this is how it ends’ he thought. He closed his eyes and was lost to the darkness.

Mary caught her breath. “There. He’ll be OK. He’ll rest now” she said. “Are you OK Wayne?”

Wayne felt his ribs. “Bloody hell, what a punch.” He fell back onto the chair. He knew he would have one hell of a bruise there by dawn.

“Give me a look Wayne” said Mary. She lifted his jacket and examined his rib cage. “You’re lucky – bruised but not broken. We’ll squirt some jungle juice on you and you’ll be as right as rain.”

Wayne gave a shrug.

“I’m so sorry” said Sue.

“Not your fault Maam” replied Wayne, his breath slowing to its normal pace. “It’s the narcotics!”

“Come on” said Mary to Wayne “we’ll fix you up. He’s going to be fine now.” Wayne nodded and stood up. Mary turned to Sue. “No need for you to lose any more sleep Sue. Go back to your cabin. I’ll call you if there is any development.”

Sue reluctantly agreed. She was incredibly tired. ‘Look after him’ she prayed silently as she made her way to the elevator.

Chapter 8. Resolute to Polaris 1230, 26 May

Dave and Rihan entered the officer’s mess for lunch and tagged onto the line waiting to be served. Most had just come from the service conducted in the A deck briefing room. It had been a good service thought Dave. He appreciated Jim’s heartfelt eulogy for the marines he had lost down on Beta Phi.

1
^st
Lt Rose Joslen’s eulogy for the lost pilots was surprisingly moving. Dave found it surprising because in the short time he had come to know her she always struck him as a matter of fact type a person. But her insight into the character of the lost pilots showed more depth and complexity than Dave had first appreciated.

Dave could see her at a table with LCmd Li Nahn, the commander of the 11
^th
Fighter Squadron. He led Rihan over to the table and they sat down. “Very nice eulogy Rose” said Dave.

“It’s the least I could do Sir” she responded. “Kat and I were dammed lucky to survive. Juko and Sammy weren’t so lucky.”

Dave recognised the fatalism that was so commonly adopted by warriors facing death on a daily basis, especially when so much rested on chance. He nodded and then added “You obviously took the time to get to know them well.”

“They were good guys. I liked them.”

“You obviously don’t subscribe to the view that’s pretty common amongst fighter pilots that you don’t get too close.”

“Nah, life’s too short. I want to feel everyday while I’m alive.” She looked directly into Dave’s eyes. “Even if it involves pain and loss.”

There was a bit of bravado there but Dave could see that she did mean it. “You OK?”

“For now. I’ll have a cry later when none of these jokers can see me.” And she gave him a sad smile. Li put his arm around her. Rose accepted it without comment. She inhaled strongly through her nose and was obviously fighting to remain composed. “I tell you what Sir. I’m looking forward to a real steak back at Nova Vista” and she smiled.

“Yeah a real steak would be good” said Dave. Dave looked at Li but Li’s focus was light years away now. This had not been the first time Li had lost pilots but Dave also knew that it didn’t matter how many you lost you always came away and agonised over what you could have done to have prevented it.

Li became aware of Dave’s gaze and snapped out of it. “We’ll be fine Sir.”

Dave nodded and everyone fell silent preferring to focus on their food.

Rihan looked around and everywhere she looked there were sombre or reflective faces. ‘This was the low’ she thought to herself. After all battles in which friends are lost there always comes a time when you have to confront that loss. She knew what it was like to put that day off, as they had done after the ambush on Josker. But she reckoned it was best done as soon after the event as possible.

Thankfully on this occasion there was no one that close to her. They had hardly time to introduce themselves before going into battle. She didn’t even recognise some of the names of the marines. It was then that she remembered something.

“Excuse me darling” she whispered to Dave “I just remembered I have to go and see Cpl Chada.”

Preserving the subdued state Dave whispered back “Who’s Cpl Chada?”

“Buster’s girl.”

“Really? The sly dog.”

“There’s a lot you miss Captain Warner” said Rihan with a smile.

“Obviously. OK I’ll see you later then.”

Rihan took the lift down to D deck where the ‘other ranks’ were quartered. The mess was near full but others were relaxing in the adjacent lounge area and this is where Rihan saw Kali Chada. She was in deep conversation with a trooper but she caught Rihan’s eye and made her excuses and came over to Rihan.

“Are you right Maam?” she asked.

“Yeah I’m OK Kali. I just thought I’d drop by and see how you were going.”

Kali smiled. She was pleasantly surprised that the XO had taken time out to see her. They sat down in one of the lounges.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t bring Buster back with us” said Rihan.

“Yeah me too. But don’t feel bad Maam. I wouldn’t want to do anything to risk Buster’s health. As you said, he’ll re-join us soon enough.”

“I hope so too.”

“What do you mean ‘hope’?”

“It’s early days yet but they have to wait and see if he regains full use of his leg. There’s a chance he may not.” Kali felt like someone had punched her in the gut. She sunk back into the seat. Rihan added “But there’s a very good chance he will make a full recovery. So don’t give up heart.”

Kali shook her head. “No Maam I won’t. He’ll pull through I know. He’s tough.”

“Had you known Buster before coming aboard?”

“No Maam. I only really got to know him in the fight for the spaceport.”

“Really?” asked an incredulous Rihan.

“Yes Maam” said Kali with a smile. She sat there for a while recalling the events on the night after they secured the spaceport.

“Bit of a whirlwind then?”

Kali could not remember when she was last embarrassed, but embarrassed she now was. “Animal attraction!” she stated raising her eyebrows with a mischievous grin.

Rihan couldn’t prevent herself from laughing. “What… in the rubble?”

“It wasn’t all rubble” said Kali enjoying the banter now. “He’s a real gentleman actually.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Rihan realised they were starting to attract a bit of attention. “Well anyway I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you when he recovers.”

“Yeah looking forward to it Maam. Thank you for coming to see me and letting me know.”

“My pleasure Kali.”

Chapter 9. Resolute to Polaris 2000, 29 May

It was after dinner and Dave had asked Rihan to come back to their cabin. He wanted to discuss something in private.

“OK I’m intrigued” said Rihan as she sat down on the bed next to Dave.

Dave reached out and took her hand in his. “You know how we talked a few days ago about having kids.” Rihan nodded. “We’ll need to ask Yomoto about getting you a staff job on Polaris then. Is that want you want?”

“Until I get too big to move” replied Rihan with a smile.

Dave smiled too and then reflected on what Rihan had just said. “You’re not pregnant now are you?”

“No but we should get cracking don’t you think.” She turned and with her free hand pushed Dave’s far shoulder to the bed. As he lay back on the bed smiling she brought her leg over and ended sitting on top of him. His hands grasped her hips and then she felt him squeezing her buttocks. She loved that.

She undid the buttons on her blouse and he helped her take it off. She leant her head back and removed the hair pin holding her French bun together. Her long auburn curls fell to her shoulders. Dave pulled her head toward him and they kissed, first briefly but then passionately. Her tongue pushed against his and he felt his passion rising.

He finally managed to undo her bra and she smothered his face with her breasts. She knew he liked that. He kissed and then sucked hard. Finally she pushed her torso up and rolled off him ending up on her back. In doing so she kicked off her shoes, removing her pants and knickers all in one motion.

“How do you do that?” asked Dave.

“What?”

“Always end up without a stich on and me fully dressed.”

“Let’s face it darling, you’re slowing down in your old age” she replied with a wicked grin.

“Old age is it?”

Rihan smiled and spread her legs. “Are you going to fuck me or what?”

Dave shook his head. As he stood up and dropped his trousers. “You bet I’m going to fuck you.”

Chapter 10. Resolute over Polaris 1400, 1 June