Chapter 7. Resolute in warp 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 in warp 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.
1st 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 11th 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 lett
ing me know.”
“My pleasure Kali.”
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The story continues.
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Table of Contents
Prologue In warp to Polaris 2330 hours, 16 April 2513
Part 1 Bliss
Chapter 1. Nova Vista 1800, 21 April 2513.
Chapter 2. Nova Vista 1930, 21 April
Chapter 3. Nova Vista 2200, 21 April
Chapter 4. Nova Vista 0610, 22 April
Chapter 5. Nova Vista 0720, 22 April
Chapter 6. Nova Vista 1430, 22 April
Chapter 7. Nova Vista 0930, 23 April
Chapter 8. Nova Vista 0820, 25 April
Chapter 9. Nova Vista 1530, 26 April
Chapter 10. Nova Vista 1800, 26 April
Chapter 11. Nova Vista 0730, 27 April
Chapter 12. Nova Vista 1430, 27 April
Chapter 13. Terra Fuaga 0710, 4 May
Chapter 14. Terra Fuaga 1940, 10 May
Part 2 Recall
Chapter 1. Terra Fuaga 0615, 11 May
Chapter 2. Nova Vista 0630, 11 May
Chapter 3. Nova Vista 2130, 11 May
Chapter 4. Nova Vista 0900, 12 May
Chapter 5. Tumos 1400, 12 May
Chapter 6. Resolute 1610, 12 May
Chapter 7. Butros Alia 1830, 12 May
Chapter 8. Butros Alia 2100, 12 May
Chapter 9. Resolute at Butros Alia 2230, 12 May
Chapter 10. Butros Alia 0830, 13 May
Chapter 11. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1100, 13 May
Chapter 12. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1200, 13 May
Chapter 13. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1300, 13 May
Chapter 14. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1500, 13 May
Chapter 15. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1545, 13 May
Chapter 16. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1600, 13 May
Chapter 17. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1700, 13 May
Chapter 18. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1800, 13 May
Chapter 19. Resolute in warp to Klaster 2200, 13 May
Chapter 20. Resolute in warp to Klaster 0210, 14 May
Chapter 21. Resolute in warp to Klaster 0800, 14 May
Chapter 22. Resolute in warp to Klaster 2235, 14 May
Part 3 Into Battle
Chapter 1. Resolute over Klaster 0910, 20 May
Chapter 2. Resolute over Klaster 1230, 20 May
Chapter 3. Resolute over Klaster 1500, 20 May
Chapter 4. Resolute in warp to Beta Phi 2300, 20 May
Chapter 5. Resolute in warp to Beta Phi 2400, 20 May
Chapter 6. Resolute in warp to Beta Phi 1700, 21 May
Chapter 7. Resolute in warp to Beta Phi 1845, 21 May
Chapter 8. Resolute over Beta Phi 0200, 22 May
Chapter 9. Niku 0210, 22 May
Chapter 10. Resolute over Beta Phi 0215, 22 May
Chapter 11. Niku 0250, 22 May
Chapter 12. Resolute over Beta Phi 0315, 22 May
Chapter 13. Niku 0330, 22 May
Chapter 14. Resolute over Beta Phi 0345, 22 May
Chapter 15. Resolute over Beta Phi 0430, 22 May
Chapter 16. Niku 0445, 22 May
Chapter 17. Resolute over Beta Phi 0505, 22 May
Chapter 18. Niku 0520, 22 May
Chapter 19. Niku 0530, 22 May
Chapter 20. Resolute over Beta Phi 0600, 22 May
Chapter 21. Niku 0605, 22 May
Chapter 22. Resolute over Beta Phi 0610, 22 May
Part 4 Dirty Deeds
Chapter 1. Niku 0630, 22 May
Chapter 2. Resolute in warp to Klaster 0645, 22 May
Chapter 3. Niku 0740, 22 May
Chapter 4. Niku 0840, 22 May
Chapter 5. Niku 0930, 22 May
Chapter 6. Niku 1015, 22 May
Chapter 7. Niku 1100, 22 May
Chapter 8. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1210, 22 May
Chapter 9. Niku 1215, 22 May
Chapter 10. Niku 1300, 22 May
Chapter 11. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1410, 22 May
Chapter 12. Niku 1529, 22 May
Chapter 13. Niku 1600, 22 May
Chapter 14. Niku 1615, 22 May
Chapter 15. Niku 1800, 22 May
Chapter 16. Resolute in warp to Klaster 1830, 22 May
Part 5 Pursuit
Chapter 1. Niku 0200, 23 May
Chapter 2. Resolute over Klaster 0400, 23 May
Chapter 3. Niku 0430, 23 May
Chapter 4. Resolute in warp to Beta Phi 0520
Chapter 5. Assam 0540, 23 May
Chapter 6. Niku 0550, 23 May
Chapter 7. Assam 0620, 23 May
Chapter 8. Niku 0830, 23 May
Chapter 9. Assam 1100, 23 May
Chapter 10. Niku 1150, 23 May
Chapter 11. Niku 1500, 23 May
Chapter 12. Assam 1600, 23 May
Chapter 13. Resolute 2100, 23 May
Chapter 14. Resolute 0255, 24 May
Chapter 15. Niku 0330, 24 May
Chapter 16. Resolute 0355, 24 May
Chapter 17. IRS Kunter 0505, 24 May
Chapter 18. Assam 0610, 24 May
Chapter 19. Klaster 0710, 24 May
Chapter 20. Nova Vista 0830, 24 May
Chapter 21. Resolute over Alpha Phi 1015, 24 May
Chapter 22. Assam 1430, 24 May
Chapter 23. Niku 1600, 24 May
Part 6 Conflagration
Chapter 1. Klaster 1900, 24 May
Chapter 2. Resolute over Beta Phi 2015, 24 May
Chapter 3. Whisky 1 over Beta Phi 2050, 24 May
Chapter 4. Resolute 2110, 24 May
Chapter 5. Assam 2200, 24 May
Chapter 6. Resolute 2350, 24 May
Chapter 7. Assam 0001, 25 May
Chapter 8. Lima Bravo 2 over Beta Phi 0020, 25 Mar
Chapter 9. Assam 0040, 25 May
Chapter 10. Resolute 0100, 25 May
Chapter 11. Assam 0130, 25 May
Chapter 12. Assam 0300, 25 May
Chapter 13. Resolute 0302, 25 May
Chapter 14. Resolute 0700, 25 May
Chapter 15. IRS Kunter in warp 0915, 25 May
Chapter 16. Resolute 0920, 25 May
Chapter 17. Assam 0930, 25 May
Chapter 18. Resolute 0930, 25 May
Chapter 19. Assam 0955, 25 May
Chapter 20. Resolute 1010, 25 May
Chapter 21. Assam 1200, 25 May
Chapter 22. Niku 1300, 25 May
Before You Go
Acknowledgements
Book 4 of Warner’s World
Warnerpedia
Part 1 Aftermath
Chapter 1. Resolute over Assam 1400, 25 May 2513
Chapter 2. Resolute over Assam 1530, 25 May
Chapter 3. Resolute over Assam 1800, 25 May
Chapter 4. Assam 1830, 25 May
Chapter 5. Resolute over Assam 2040, 25 May
Chapter 6. Resolute in warp to Polaris 2215, 25 May
Chapter 7. Resolute in warp to Polaris 0230, 26 May
Chapter 8. Resolute in warp to Polaris 1230, 26 May
Insurrection: Book 3 of Warner's World Page 38
