Chapter 9

"Sir, as I said just now, we can't go close to that asteroid field. We are practically blind in there."

"I am not interested in excuses Commander! You will carry out this order or I will have to report to HQ that you are unwilling to carry out orders. I doubt they will like what I have to tell them."

Price had been on the horn with the Rear-Admiral for the past fifteen minutes. In that time he tried to advise on the best place for Invictus to take station. For some reason he couldn't get through. The man thought him an unwilling coward and didn't take him seriously. He had no choice but to say yes and carry out the orders in the best way possible. Frustrated he slammed the phone down in the horn-nest. "No luck with him?"

"Indeed Mark, I just can't get through that thick skull of his. Just what we need, an Admiral with a stick up his ass."

"We'll see how this turns out. Are we the only one in that specific sector?"

"No, there'll be several ships nearby. But I am not sure if they will come to our aid if we ask them to."

"Only one way to find out."

"I'm afraid you're right. Well, no sense in sitting still. XO, set a course to the asteroid field on the east-south-east corner of the system. It'll take a couple of hours to get there. Have the pilots and gun crews in their racks. Let them rest a bit while they can."

"Come to think of it. You've been holed up here for almost twelve hours. Maybe it's time you catch a few hours rack time."

"That does sound awfully nice. Can you take care of things here?"

"Aye sir. I'll let you know when we get close to the new AO." Price nodded and walked away to his cabin. When he looked back through the CIC hatch he saw his friend relaying his orders. He knew he would not fail him, but nevertheless he always looked back through the hatch. He never knew why. Maybe it was just an old bad habit.

He turned a few corners and bulkheads before he got to his cabin. He had barely sat down when he heard knocking on the hatch. He unbuttoned his jacket a bit before answering.

"Come in."

The young Imperial Lieutenant stepped through the hatch and walked to the desk before snapping at attention. "Stand easy Lieutenant. How can I help you."

Deamus relaxed his stance and handed the Commander a datapad. "The recognition data on known ships you asked for."

"Ah yes, thankyou. I'll make sure the right people get these in a few hours." he paused for a moment before continuing: "But I guess this isn't the only reason you stepped to my cabin."

"No sir. Permission to speak freely?"

Price nodded "Pull up a chair." he said before picking two glasses and a bottle from his desk. He poured whiskey in the glasses and offered Deamus one, which he accepted.

"What can I do for you?"

"I don't know really how to put it..." he started.

"Just speak your mind Deamus"

"It's Colonel Howard, Sir. I have the distinct feeling he seems to disagree with me."

"How is that?"

"He is keeping me in his eye constantly. His expression isn't always that kind either."

"Howard has always been a bit intimidating. Nothing to worry about."

"I know sir, but this isn't like that. More severe. I didn't really realise it at first, but when the navigator snapped, what was his name again?"

"Specialist Tandor."

"Yes, that was him. When you two had calmed him down I was watching from the sidelines. Honestly I didn't know what to think of it, but anyway. I caught the XO keeping me in his eye more. I was wondering if there is a problem I should know about, with respect to the Colonel of course." he added afterwards somewhat nervously.

"Mark, or Colonel Howard for you, doesn't seem to understand you. He is a good man and stands for his crew. He's hard but fair. He has told me lately that you react arrogant in front of the crew, from the heights down, in his eyes. Now this may or may not have been your intention, but this is what he sees and doesn't like. Especially now."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you walked through corridor C25? The one with the pictures a bit to the right of the CIC?"

"No, I haven't been to that part of the ship yet. What about it?"

"It is just another hall in the ship save for one thing. It's a memorial. Maybe you should take a look at it some time."

The mentioning of a memorial did raise an eyebrow on Goradin's face, but he seemed a bit puzzled.

"Back at Port Maw, did they tell you why this ship is out here?" Price asked before taking a swig of whiskey. Goradin shook his head.

"We are here because we lost our home. I won't go much into details now, but the gist is this. Before all of this happened we, all of us, were living relatively comfortable lives. Many of us had a home, a wife, family. Wars like these" he pointed at the DRADIS screen behind him with his thumb, "Are just about unheard of where we come from. Now, we've had our own conflicts in history, but the only one on a similar scale was fought out about forty years ago. And then about two months ago now we were attacked by our own creations and just about wiped out. Our planets were nuked together with our friends and relatives. These men and women" he gestured around with his hand, "lost everything and everyone they hold dear, save for the ones onboard this ship. Especially Howard. He lost his family, his home. And all the while he is expected to do his job. He takes this hard and does not allow anyone to put any more stress on them than is absolutely necessary."

A silent pause fell between the two men. Goradin was silently sloshing his drink about a bit before he took another swig. The stuff was strong.

"So you're saying I put too much stress on the crew?"

"No. Personally I haven't really seen you do anything wrong. Your command style isn't mine, but that isn't really a reason for me to order you to change."

"Then what should I do?"

"Talk to Howard. Try to get along. Get a mutual understanding of each other. Let him get to know you. And maybe take a look in C25. But if you chose to do that make sure you mean it."

Another silence fell. Price could see the young officer in front of him thinking. He took a final swig to finish his drink and stood up. "Thanks for the help Commander"

"No problem Deamus. Think about what I've said."

"I will"

Both men shook hands, Deamus put his glass down and walked out of the cabin.