Withdrawal

Posted on Sun Mar 20th, 2016 @ 7:51am by Captain Julius Whitlam

Mission: First Strike

The shuttles ascended from the planet, flanked by their fighter escorts. They seemed to inch closer and closer to their mothership moving nowhere near fast enough for Captain Whitlam. He wanted them back safely in the belly of the Manoora and he wanted them all back. That wasn’t going to happen - people had died today.

There were fewer fighters coming back than had gone out just a few short hours ago. He also knew that fewer marines and security officers were coming back. Whitlam watched the first of the shuttles glide into the shuttlebay and sighed. Almost there.

The captain turned to Hyland at tactical. “Ensign, send a message to the flagship. Inform the admiral that we’ve commenced the recovery of our ground forces and fighter squadron.”

“Aye, Captain,” Hyland replied, tapping at her console.

He turned back to the main viewscreen and watched the other shuttles returning. Relief started to wash over him - they were going to get through this.

=== USS Dauntless ===

“Admiral, the Manoora is recovering her forces.”

Gilhouly simply nodded, his expression giving nothing away. While all around him other officers were slapping each other on the back, cheering and retelling key moments of the battle - complete with early embellishments - the admiral in command was a picture of tranquility in the centre of the Dauntless’s observation lounge.

He was pouring over the early assessments of the damage they had inflicted. The fleet had managed to destroy most of the shipyards, wiped out the small picket that was defending it and dealt a major blow to the Dominion’s ability to replenish lost warships. Add to that, Whitlam was able to get the job done on the planet.

“This has been a good day,” he said with a nod to his adjutant.

“Congratulations, sir,” Commander Goradda said with a beaming smile. “You’ve won a great victory.”

Gilhouly’s jaw twitched ever so slightly and he shook his head. He pointed out the window, “They won the victory, Commander,” he said before quickly getting back to business. “Signal Commodore Hayden. I want her wing to cover our withdrawal. Tell her that she’s to follow the Manoora into warp. All other ships, plot a course back to Starbase 310.”

=== USS Manoora ===

As the rest of the fleet went into warp - either under their own power or assisted - Julius Whitlam watched his last fighter touch down on the deck. For what felt like the first time in weeks, he allowed a smile to cross his face as the bridge crew let out a relieved cheer.

They had all seen it, but Lieutenant Sovar felt the need to announce the fact anyway. “All remaining shuttles and fighters are safely aboard, sir.”

“Very good,” Whitlam nodded, trying to not let that word - remaining - sour his relief. “Helm, lay in a course for Starbase 310. Match speed with the rest of the fleet.”

With their escape from the battlefield now certain, Whitlam left Sovar in command of the bridge and headed for the nearest turbolift. He wanted to welcome his people back and personally congratulate them on a job very well done.