Return from Convoy Duty

Joel Palatio looked out into space through a side window, watching the construction in progress of the K-7 like Supply base. The huge Starbase that had been there before was now gone, moved to a sector close to the Gorn border with the Federation.

“That is going to be my station.” He told himself.

“Really sir ?” Dexter asked appearing from the back of the Daniel Boone.

Joel saw Dexter approach the window. “When is finished that is.”

Dexter looked out the window and saw various small ships working diligently on the new structure. “How long until is finished?”

“Approximately nine months,” Joel smiled.

“That long ?” Dexter said looking at the structure out in space orbiting the planet Serenity.

“Yes you will have to put up with me for at least that long,” Joel looked at the Ensign seriously.

“That is not what I meant sir,” Dexter raised his hands in front of him and shook them, “I am not looking to get rid of you.”

“Is OK.....” Joel points over to the front of the ship, “....now to business Ensign. How are the repairs coming on the Daniel Boone ?”

“The ship is fixed sir. That last fight with the Orion Pirate frigate didn’t damage the ship that much.” Dexter begins walking with the Commander to the front of the ship.

“That’s because the whole squadron came to the rescue,” Joel laughs, “or else this ship would have been blown to kingdom come.”

“Yes that would have happened, but in the end the Pirate ship beat a hasty retreat after taking moderate damage.” They enter the bridge and see Alex Piloting the ship.

She stands up when she sees them. “Captain on the bridge,” she yells and stands at attention.

“At ease,” Joel looks at the empty chairs, “you don’t have to do that Ensign.”

“Yes sir,” she says and sits down at the pilot’s chair.

Joel glances over at Dexter who shrugs and takes a nearby sit. Joel walked over to the front and sat down. He pressed the controls to communicate with the other ships.

“Listen up everybody,” Joel crossed his arms across the back of his head, “we have been going back and forward for two months protecting convoys from raiders with out no rest so I’m granting R&R to the crew.” There were a few cheers coming trough the communications channel, “take a coulple of days off.”

All five members of the squadron acknowledged the Commander and headed down to the planet. Joel and the two Ensigns looked out the view port and saw two Peregrines, two Banshees, and a single Scorpion heading for the planet.

Joel turned and saw the two Ensigns staring at the departing ships.

“What are you guys waiting for take the Venom and go down to the planet too,” he told them.

“You mean your Scorpion?” Dexter asked.

“Yea that’s what I meant,” he shoos them off, “now go on.”

“Sir are you staying here all by yourself?” Alex asked him.

“I’ll be ok. Have fun.” He said and looked out at the planet.

“Ok sir,” they both said and disappeared from the small bridge. A minute or so later he saw the Sleek Black Venom go by straight for the planet.