Chapter 62 (1/2)

Destiny

With great anticipation the crew went about their duties. Crowds had hovered on the observation deck watching the super gate's last module slide into place twenty four hours before. Seeing the giant wormhole settle within the boundaries of the gate for the first time had sent cheers through the spectators. Once testing of the gate was completed the assembled gathering knew it was simply a matter of hours before they were home free. Celebration was what everyone wanted but the standing order from Colonel Young prohibited any consumption of Mr. Brody's wonder punch as they had all taken to calling their onboard alcohol.

On the bridge systems were checked time and again mainly to pass the time. Orders from the Colonel were to make sure the shields and weapons were all operating at one hundred percent. Eli, Brody, and Rush busied themselves with that specific task. They had all noted that Young seemed tense, almost as if he knew something was coming.

Several decks below the bridge in the armory sat Young, Greer, Scott, James, and Varro. Full combat loads of magazines for each security team members G36 rifle were laid out on the table in the center of the room, along with a large amount of loaded pistol magazines.

”We all know the Alliance won't pass up the opportunity to come for Destiny Colonel” said Varro.

”I'm hoping you're wrong about that but I agree with you. All we can do is hope for the best and expect the worst” replied Young.

”We won't be having a repeat of last time sir” coldly replied Greer.

”Let's make certain we don't Sergeant” responded Young.

”Before we enter the gate we'll deploy all security teams into the corridors leading to the gate room. We'll have multiple interlocking fields of fire on each hatch” reassured Scott.

”I'm tempted to just vent the atmosphere out of the gate room until we're sure we're secure” replied Young.

”Don't do that sir. Besides, I've got a better way of handling this if the time comes” said Greer.

”And why don't you want me to do that Sergeant” asked Young.

”Because then we wont get to pry information out of them Sir” responded a smiling Greer.

”Sergeant Greer is correct Colonel Young. If intruders come aboard the situation can be defused in a much more effective manner” concluded Destiny.

Elsewhere Chloe and Dr. Park sat in the garden discussing how it felt to finally be going home. After Park lost her eyesight Chloe had become her one female touchstone. These conversations had become something they both counted on throughout the day as a way of keeping focused and hopeful.

”I just want to see my mom” said Chloe.

”That's just a short wait away. The first thing I want to do it enjoy a nice hot bath, and then change my clothes” replied Park.

”I think I've forgotten what it's like to actually have a closet full of different things to wear” laughed Chloe.

”Oh god I know” laughed Park.

”Now that it's all over and we're going home I can't help but think about everyone we've lost. It breaks my heart” said Chloe with her eyes beginning to tear up.

”You know better than most how tough this has been on everyone. All we can do is live each day to the fullest or we're wasting the gift of life that those we lost gave us” answered Park.