Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 24: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox Novel Chapter
{{infobox Novel Chapter
|faction = terran
|faction = terran
|title = Chapter Twenty-Four
|title = Chapter 24
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|parts = 3
|parts = 4
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-Three|Chapter Twenty-Three]]
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 23|Chapter 23]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-Five|Chapter Twenty-Five]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 25|Chapter 25]]
}}
|pages = 179-186
}}


== Dramatis Personae ==
== Dramatis Personae ==


* [[Christopher Blair]]
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Jeanette Devereaux]]
|-
* [[Paul Gerald]]
!
* [[Todd Marshall]]
! Part 1
* [[Montauk]]
! Part 2
* [[Adam Polanski]]
! Part 3
* [[Raznick]]
! Part 4
* [[James Taggart]]
|-
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Crew Chief
! POV
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Marine Sargeant
|valign=top|
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Marines
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]
|valign=top|
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]
|-
! Speaking
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]
|valign=top|
[[Gulliver Cogan]]<br>
[[Paul Gerald]]<BR>
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]<BR>
[[Raznick]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]<br>
Unnamed Marine
|valign=top|
[[Paul Gerald]]
|valign=top|
[[Adam Polanski|Adam "Bishop" Polanski]]
|-
! Non-Speaking
|valign=top|


== Text ==
|valign=top|
[[Montauk]]<br>
[[Adam Polanski|Adam "Bishop" Polanski]]<br>
Unnamed Crew Chief
|valign=top|


<B>UNITED</B>
|valign=top|


<B>CONFEDERATION</B>
|-
! Mentioned
|valign=top|
[[Rosalind Forbes|Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes]]
|valign=top|


<B>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I></B>
|valign=top|


<B>ULYSSES CORRIDOR</B>
|valign=top|
[[Rosalind Forbes|Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes]]<br>
[[Shotglass]]
|-
|}


<B>MARCH 17, 2654</B>
== Text ==


<B>1030 HOURS</B>
{{infobox wcm
 
|line1 = UNITED<BR>CONFEDERATION<BR>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I>
<B>ZULU TIME</B>
|line2 = ULYSSES CORRIDOR
 
|line3 = MARCH 17, 2654<BR>1030 HOURS<BR>ZULU TIME
<B>2.5 HOURS FROM</B>
|line4 = 2.5 HOURS FROM<BR>CHARYBDIS QUASAR<BR>JUMP POINT
 
}}
<B>CHARYBOIS QUASAR</B>
 
<B>JUMP POINT</B>


=== Part One ===


Maniac had tried to sleep, but Rosie's death played itself out
Maniac had tried to sleep, but Rosie's death played itself out
Line 52: Line 87:
recorded during the attack. But he found it difficult to
recorded during the attack. But he found it difficult to
concentrate and twice thought he sensed Rosie staring over his
concentrate and twice thought he sensed Rosie staring over his
shoulder. In short, living hurt.
shoulder.
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In short, living hurt.


Now he rolled onto his stomach, his bandages tugging
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now he rolled onto his stomach, his bandages tugging
painfully on his waist. His pillow smelled like her perfume, and
painfully on his waist. His pillow smelled like her perfume, and
he took a deep breath, his eyes rimmed by tears.
he took a deep breath, his eyes rimmed by tears.


Then he suddenly felt angry for what had happened. <i>It wasn't
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he suddenly felt angry for what had happened. <i>It wasn't
my fault! Do you think I wanted to get her killed?</i>
my fault! Do you think I wanted to get her killed?</i>


He wasn't sure who he had asked. God, maybe. The lack of a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He wasn't sure who he had asked. God, maybe. The lack of a
reply drove him farther inward, where he found his guilt
reply drove him farther inward, where he found his guilt
waiting for him. He had not known Rosie Forbes for very long,
waiting for him. He had not known Rosie Forbes for very long,
but war affected time as efficiently as a gravity well. Two days or
but war affected time as efficiently as a gravity well. Two days or
twenty years… it didn't matter. Life grew more intense when
twenty years ... it didn't matter. Life grew more intense when
you lived on the border of death. You met someone, and in your
you lived on the border of death. You met someone, and in your
minds you got married, had kids, retired, and died—all in the
minds you got married, had kids, retired, and died--all in the
span of a one- or two-day stand-down. So Maniac had shared a
span of a one- or two-day stand-down. So Maniac had shared a
lifetime with Rosie during their two days. Then he had thrown
lifetime with Rosie during their two days. Then he had thrown
it all away by believing that he had ultimate power and control
it all away by believing that he had ultimate power and control
over his life. The safe world, the just world, had died with her.
over his life. The safe world, the just world, had died with her. He no longer trusted anyone or anything. And he believed in
 
He no longer trusted anyone or anything. And he believed in
nothing.
nothing.


An alert call echoed from the intercom, but it seemed distant
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An alert call echoed from the intercom, but it seemed distant
and unreal. He buried his head deeper in the pillow and stared
and unreal. He buried his head deeper in the pillow and stared
across a black void until he saw two Dralthi detach themselves
across a black void until he saw two Dralthi detach themselves
Line 85: Line 120:
body rocked by chills.
body rocked by chills.


"Lieutenant? C'mon. Open the goddamned door. Lieutenant?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Lieutenant? C'mon. Open the goddamned door. Lieutenant?"


Someone had been calling him. "Come," he said, and the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Someone had been calling him. "Come," he said, and the
hatch slid aside.
hatch slid aside.


Deveraux wore a new flight suit and had a computer slate
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deveraux wore a new flight suit and had a computer slate
tucked under her arm. "I just came from a conversation with
tucked under her arm. "I just came from a conversation with
your doctor. He wants you off your feet. I think you can handle
your doctor. He wants you off your feet. I think you can handle
that—seated in a cockpit. Let's go. Time to suit up."
that--seated in a cockpit. Let's go. Time to suit up."


He pulled the blanket over his boxers. "Ma'am?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He pulled the blanket over his boxers. "Ma'am?"


"I need my best pilots out there."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I need my best pilots out there."


"I don't know if I'm one of your best pilots."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't know if I'm one of your best pilots."


Her face drew up in mild disgust. "Does everyone here think I
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Her face drew up in mild disgust. "Does everyone here think I
go around making <i>suggestions</i>?"
go around making <i>suggestions</i>?"


"No, ma'am."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No, ma'am."


"Then I guess I gave you an order. Be on the flight deck in five
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then I guess I gave you an order. Be on the flight deck in five
minutes." She turned to the hatch. "And do it for Rosie."
minutes." She turned to the hatch. "And do it for Rosie."


Deveraux left him floored. She had returned him to the duty
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Deveraux left him floored. She had returned him to the duty
roster, but more importantly, she had acknowledged the
roster, but more importantly, she had acknowledged the
existence of a dead pilot. And that made Maniac suddenly want
existence of a dead pilot. And that made Maniac suddenly want
Line 117: Line 152:
his tears.
his tears.


<CENTER><B><nowiki>* * *</nowiki></B></CENTER>
=== Part Two ===


From a position just inside the <I>Diligent's</I> loading hatch, Blair
From a position just inside the <I>Diligent's</I> loading hatch, Blair
Line 124: Line 159:
packing toy chests of anti-cat weaponry, the cocky jarheads
packing toy chests of anti-cat weaponry, the cocky jarheads
appeared to have just blasted their way out of Hell's prison.
appeared to have just blasted their way out of Hell's prison.
Scarred faces and hardened expressions testified that they had
Scarred faces and hardened expressions testified that they had
made the escape more than once.
made the escape more than once.


The commander also wore armor, and his presence had Blair
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The commander also wore armor, and his presence had Blair
frowning. During the briefing, there had been no mention of his
frowning. During the briefing, there had been no mention of his
accompaniment. "What the hell is he doing here?"
accompaniment. "What the hell is he doing here?"


"Let's find out," Taggart said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Let's find out," Taggart said.


As he reached the hatchway, Gerald eyed them
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he reached the hatchway, Gerald eyed them
contemptuously.
contemptuously.


Mirroring the look, Taggart said, "I think you're on the wrong
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Mirroring the look, Taggart said, "I think you're on the wrong
ship, Commander."
ship, Commander."


Gerald lifted a gloved index finger and aimed it at Taggart's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald lifted a gloved index finger and aimed it at Taggart's
nose. "I still have a responsibility to this crew, Commodore.
nose. "I still have a responsibility to this crew, Commodore.
And, excuse my bluntness, but if you think I'm going to let my
And, excuse my bluntness, but if you think I'm going to let my
Line 146: Line 180:
sadly mistaken." He pushed past them.
sadly mistaken." He pushed past them.


Taggart winked at Blair. "He's really a great guy once you get
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart winked at Blair. "He's really a great guy once you get
to know him."
to know him."


Blair smiled tightly, then started toward the ramp. "I'll be
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair smiled tightly, then started toward the ramp. "I'll be
right back."
right back."


"Two minutes, Lieutenant."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Two minutes, Lieutenant."


He jogged across the hangar, where he found Maniac in a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He jogged across the hangar, where he found Maniac in a
Rapier, going over the loadout with his crew chief. "Hey."
Rapier, going over the loadout with his crew chief. "Hey."


"Hey, Blair."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Blair."


"I wanted to talk to you after the briefing."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I wanted to talk to you after the briefing."


"Yeah, I had to get down here."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah, I had to get down here."


"How's the…" Blair rubbed his own waist.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How's the ..." Blair rubbed his own waist.


"Better."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Better."


"Good." He stared at his friend, and Maniac suddenly looked
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Good." He stared at his friend, and Maniac suddenly looked
away.
away.


"I'm all right, Chris. Really."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm all right, Chris. Really."


"I know you are."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I know you are."


"Then get out of here."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then get out of here."


Blair smiled. "I'm gone." He dashed back toward the <I>Diligent</I>,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair smiled. "I'm gone." He dashed back toward the <I>Diligent</I>,
circling around a fast-moving ordnance cart headed in Maniac's
circling around a fast-moving ordnance cart headed in Maniac's
direction.
direction.


Inside the merchantman's hold, Blair found the Marines
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside the merchantman's hold, Blair found the Marines
seated on both sides of the bulkhead, their rifles standing
seated on both sides of the bulkhead, their rifles standing
upright at their sides.
upright at their sides.


"Hey, Lieutenant?" a grunt seated near the back called. "Tell
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Lieutenant?" a grunt seated near the back called. "Tell
the commodore to hurry up. We're so wired we're gonna start
the commodore to hurry up. We're so wired we're gonna start
shooting each other."
shooting each other."


Blair cocked a brow. "I'll let him know."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair cocked a brow. "I'll let him know."


He made it to the bridge and saluted Deveraux as she noticed
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He made it to the bridge and saluted Deveraux as she noticed
him. He took a position behind Taggart, who manned the helm.
him. He took a position behind Taggart, who manned the helm.
Gerald sat beside the commodore in the co-pilot's chair, looking
Gerald sat beside the commodore in the co-pilot's chair, looking
as thrilled as ever.
as thrilled as ever.


"That's a little big on you, Lieutenant," Deveraux said,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's a little big on you, Lieutenant," Deveraux said,
studying his atmospheric suit. "Or you're a little too small for
studying his atmospheric suit. "Or you're a little too small for
it." Though she still sounded glum, her teasing was a good sign.
it." Though she still sounded glum, her teasing was a good sign.
"If you'd like, I can take it off, ma'am." Blair wanted to pull
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If you'd like, I can take it off, ma'am." Blair wanted to pull
back the words; his suggestion drew Taggart's stare, followed
back the words; his suggestion drew Taggart's stare, followed
up quickly by Gerald's.
up quickly by Gerald's.


"<I>Diligent</I>. You're cleared to launch," Boss Raznick said
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"<I>Diligent</I>. You're cleared to launch," Boss Raznick said
through the comm.
through the comm.


Taggart looked back to his console. "Roger, control. External
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart looked back to his console. "Roger, control. External
moorings and power detached. Internals powering."
moorings and power detached. Internals powering."


Blair made a mental note to thank Raznick for his timing. He
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair made a mental note to thank Raznick for his timing. He
edged away from Deveraux to stand beside Taggart. The
edged away from Deveraux to stand beside Taggart. The
commodore took the merchantman past the now-open and
commodore took the merchantman past the now-open and
Line 219: Line 254:
Kilrathi could spot them now.
Kilrathi could spot them now.


"Passive radar engaged," Gerald said, his announcement
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Passive radar engaged," Gerald said, his announcement
punctuated by a faint beeping.
punctuated by a faint beeping.


Taggart looked up, eyes distant as he interpreted the sound.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart looked up, eyes distant as he interpreted the sound.


"We have the target."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We have the target."
 
"There she is," Blair said, pointing to the forward viewports.


&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"There she is," Blair said, pointing to the forward viewports.
A large ship glided overhead, her thrusters filling the bridge
A large ship glided overhead, her thrusters filling the bridge
with a bright orange glow. As the glare abated, Blair thought he
with a bright orange glow. As the glare abated, Blair thought he
recognized her configuration. Two Dralthis flew at her sides.
recognized her configuration. Two Dralthis flew at her sides.


"That's no destroyer," Deveraux said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's no destroyer," Deveraux said.


Blair went to the window for a closer look. "It's the ConCom
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair went to the window for a closer look. "It's the ConCom
ship we came up against."
ship we came up against."


"They'll spot our heat corona soon," Gerald said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They'll spot our heat corona soon," Gerald said.


"They won't have the chance," Taggart corrected. "Blair. Man
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They won't have the chance," Taggart corrected. "Blair. Man
the Ion gun." He opened a channel to the Rapiers. "Marshall?
the Ion gun." He opened a channel to the Rapiers. "Marshall?
Polanski? Hit it."
Polanski? Hit it."


As Blair hurried off the bridge, he heard Gerald moaning
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Blair hurried off the bridge, he heard Gerald moaning
about the <I>Diligent</I> not being a bomber, that they should not
about the <I>Diligent</I> not being a bomber, that they should not
have come out flying only what was available. The techs had
have come out flying only what was available. The techs had
Line 257: Line 291:
wheeling around as the merchantman broke cover.
wheeling around as the merchantman broke cover.


The ConCom ship veered away as the Rapiers chased after on
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ConCom ship veered away as the Rapiers chased after on
full afterburners. Blair had flown enough missions with Maniac
full afterburners. Blair had flown enough missions with Maniac
to recognize his friend's, well, maniacal flying style. Maniac
to recognize his friend's, well, maniacal flying style. Maniac
Line 265: Line 299:
quartered the fighter into sizzling sections.
quartered the fighter into sizzling sections.


"Yeah," Maniac shouted.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah," Maniac shouted.


Polanski's Rapier overshot the second Dralthi, and his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Polanski's Rapier overshot the second Dralthi, and his
swearing crackled over the comm. The Dralthi tore after him,
swearing crackled over the comm. The Dralthi tore after him,
and Polanski led the enemy pilot on a torturous, laser-lit course
and Polanski led the enemy pilot on a torturous, laser-lit course
through the rubble.
through the rubble.


With reflexes hotwired to the battle, Maniac pulled into an
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With reflexes hotwired to the battle, Maniac pulled into an
eighty-degree climb, aiming for the Dralthi on Polanski's tail.
eighty-degree climb, aiming for the Dralthi on Polanski's tail.


A radar screen superimposed on the Plexi bubble caught
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A radar screen superimposed on the Plexi bubble caught
Blair's eye. He whirled to discover a pair of Dralthis rising from
Blair's eye. He whirled to discover a pair of Dralthis rising from
behind the moon. "Two more bogies at six o'clock." He squinted
behind the moon. "Two more bogies at six o'clock." He squinted
Line 281: Line 315:
magnetically accelerated at high speeds pulsed from the gun.
magnetically accelerated at high speeds pulsed from the gun.


The Dralthi swerved out of Blair's glowing bead and answered
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Dralthi swerved out of Blair's glowing bead and answered
with a volley that thundered across the <I>Diligent's</I> shields. Blair
with a volley that thundered across the <I>Diligent's</I> shields. Blair
cursed his unfamiliarity with the weapon. He should have had
cursed his unfamiliarity with the weapon. He should have had
that bastard.
that bastard.


The ship jolted suddenly as Taggart increased throttle,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ship jolted suddenly as Taggart increased throttle,
bringing them up toward the larger ConCom ship. "Marines, to
bringing them up toward the larger ConCom ship. "Marines, to
your stations," he ordered.
your stations," he ordered.


From below, Blair heard the Marines putting on their
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;From below, Blair heard the Marines putting on their
helmets, locking and loading their rifles, and gathering around
helmets, locking and loading their rifles, and gathering around
the bay door. A sergeant's voice carried above the racket. "All
the bay door. A sergeant's voice carried above the racket. "All
Line 296: Line 330:
each of you will sacrifice a limb. Got it?"
each of you will sacrifice a limb. Got it?"


"We got it, sir!"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We got it, sir!"


"Hey, Sarge. Montauk says he'll sacrifice his—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Sarge. Montauk says he'll sacrifice his--"


"Shuddup!"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Shuddup!"


"As soon as you get in, go straight for the bridge," Taggart
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"As soon as you get in, go straight for the bridge," Taggart
said. "We have to get control of that ship before they scuttle
said. "We have to get control of that ship before they scuttle
her."
her."


Another Dralthi zoomed across Blair's sights. He pivoted to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Another Dralthi zoomed across Blair's sights. He pivoted to
track the fighter and, grating his teeth, unloosed a barrage. The
track the fighter and, grating his teeth, unloosed a barrage. The
agile little ship darted to port, but Blair found it once more, this
agile little ship darted to port, but Blair found it once more, this
Line 312: Line 346:
mission. "Yes!"
mission. "Yes!"


Now alongside the ConCom, the <I>Diligent's</I> docking umbilical
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now alongside the ConCom, the <I>Diligent's</I> docking umbilical
began to extend. Blair watched it for a second, then swung
began to extend. Blair watched it for a second, then swung
around, wary of more contacts.
around, wary of more contacts.
=== Part Three ===


On the <I>Diligent's</I> bridge, Deveraux repressed a chill as the
On the <I>Diligent's</I> bridge, Deveraux repressed a chill as the
ship inched closer to the ConCom's wide upper deck.
ship inched closer to the ConCom's wide upper deck.


"Their missiles are hot," Gerald said, reading his screen.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Their missiles are hot," Gerald said, reading his screen.


The news did not move her. "They can't use 'em now. We're
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The news did not move her. "They can't use 'em now. We're
too close."
too close."


"They're Kilrathi, Commander. They can do whatever the hell
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They're Kilrathi, Commander. They can do whatever the hell
they want."
they want."


Before she could retort, a fighter dove into view, headed
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Before she could retort, a fighter dove into view, headed
straight for the bridge.
straight for the bridge.


"He's going to ram," Gerald cried.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"He's going to ram," Gerald cried.


<CENTER><B><nowiki>* * *</nowiki></B></CENTER>
=== Part Four ===


From a twelve o'clock bird's-eye view, Maniac looked down on
From a twelve o'clock bird's-eye view, Maniac looked down on
Line 342: Line 378:
incarnate. "Heads up, asshole."
incarnate. "Heads up, asshole."


Turbines wailed as Maniac bore down on the Dralthi in his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Turbines wailed as Maniac bore down on the Dralthi in his
own kamikaze run. He saw the pilot's head snap back and did
own kamikaze run. He saw the pilot's head snap back and did
the only natural thing: He flipped him the bird. Then the big
the only natural thing: He flipped him the bird. Then the big
Line 350: Line 386:
cut short by the ConCom's stern.
cut short by the ConCom's stern.


Damage reports flashed in Maniac's VDUs. The Rapier
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Damage reports flashed in Maniac's VDUs. The Rapier
handled sluggishly, but Maniac didn't care. "That's for you,
handled sluggishly, but Maniac didn't care. "That's for you,
Rosie."
Rosie."


He arced back toward the <I>Diligent</I>, whose umbilical now
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He arced back toward the <I>Diligent</I>, whose umbilical now
latched onto the ConCom. A few seconds later, the Kilrathi
latched onto the ConCom. A few seconds later, the Kilrathi
ship's hull turned pink as the umbilical's lasers began to cut
ship's hull turned pink as the umbilical's lasers began to cut
through.
through.


"Hey, Maniac? Form on my wing," Polanski ordered.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Maniac? Form on my wing," Polanski ordered.


"On it."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"On it."


"And thanks for the assist."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And thanks for the assist."


"You're buying when we get back."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're buying when we get back."


"You kidding? I already owe Shotglass a week's pay. I've run
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You kidding? I already owe Shotglass a week's pay. I've run
out of credit with him."
out of credit with him."


"Let me do the talking. I'm sure we can work out a mutually
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Let me do the talking. I'm sure we can work out a mutually
beneficial deal."
beneficial deal."


"I don't like the sound of that."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I don't like the sound of that."


"You're a wise man, Polanski."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're a wise man, Polanski."


They drew close to the two ships and circled overhead.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;They drew close to the two ships and circled overhead.


Maniac fixed his gaze on his radar display. He did not trust the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Maniac fixed his gaze on his radar display. He did not trust the
calm.
calm.
== Scans ==
<gallery>
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_179.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_180.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_181.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_182.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_183.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_184.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_185.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_186.jpg
</gallery>
{{novelindex/wingcommander}}
[[Category:Wing Commander (novelization)]]

Latest revision as of 03:30, 9 April 2024

Chapter 24
Movienovel.jpg
Book Wing Commander
Parts 4
Previous Chapter 23
Next Chapter 25
Pages 179-186


Dramatis Personae

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
POV

Todd "Maniac" Marshall

Christopher Blair

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux

Todd "Maniac" Marshall

Speaking

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux

Gulliver Cogan
Paul Gerald
Todd "Maniac" Marshall
Raznick
James "Paladin" Taggart
Unnamed Marine

Paul Gerald

Adam "Bishop" Polanski

Non-Speaking

Montauk
Adam "Bishop" Polanski
Unnamed Crew Chief

Mentioned

Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes

Rosalind "Sassy" Forbes
Shotglass

Text

UNITED
CONFEDERATION
CARRIER TIGER CLAW
ULYSSES CORRIDOR
MARCH 17, 2654
1030 HOURS
ZULU TIME
2.5 HOURS FROM
CHARYBDIS QUASAR
JUMP POINT


Part One

Maniac had tried to sleep, but Rosie's death played itself out in his dreams like a holo trapped in a loop. His chest felt heavy, and the thought of food made him sick. He had risen from bed and had accessed the ship's datanet to lose himself in video recorded during the attack. But he found it difficult to concentrate and twice thought he sensed Rosie staring over his shoulder.

     In short, living hurt.

     Now he rolled onto his stomach, his bandages tugging painfully on his waist. His pillow smelled like her perfume, and he took a deep breath, his eyes rimmed by tears.

     Then he suddenly felt angry for what had happened. It wasn't my fault! Do you think I wanted to get her killed?

     He wasn't sure who he had asked. God, maybe. The lack of a reply drove him farther inward, where he found his guilt waiting for him. He had not known Rosie Forbes for very long, but war affected time as efficiently as a gravity well. Two days or twenty years ... it didn't matter. Life grew more intense when you lived on the border of death. You met someone, and in your minds you got married, had kids, retired, and died--all in the span of a one- or two-day stand-down. So Maniac had shared a lifetime with Rosie during their two days. Then he had thrown it all away by believing that he had ultimate power and control over his life. The safe world, the just world, had died with her. He no longer trusted anyone or anything. And he believed in nothing.

     An alert call echoed from the intercom, but it seemed distant and unreal. He buried his head deeper in the pillow and stared across a black void until he saw two Dralthi detach themselves from their wing and fly toward him. He fired all guns and launched all missiles, but every round missed. To starboard, Rosie's bright eyes flashed a second before both Dralthi slammed into her fighter. He jerked up from the pillow, his body rocked by chills.

     "Lieutenant? C'mon. Open the goddamned door. Lieutenant?"

     Someone had been calling him. "Come," he said, and the hatch slid aside.

     Deveraux wore a new flight suit and had a computer slate tucked under her arm. "I just came from a conversation with your doctor. He wants you off your feet. I think you can handle that--seated in a cockpit. Let's go. Time to suit up."

     He pulled the blanket over his boxers. "Ma'am?"

     "I need my best pilots out there."

     "I don't know if I'm one of your best pilots."

     Her face drew up in mild disgust. "Does everyone here think I go around making suggestions?"

     "No, ma'am."

     "Then I guess I gave you an order. Be on the flight deck in five minutes." She turned to the hatch. "And do it for Rosie."

     Deveraux left him floored. She had returned him to the duty roster, but more importantly, she had acknowledged the existence of a dead pilot. And that made Maniac suddenly want to live. To fight. He sprang from his bed, grimacing as the needles of pain dug in. He snatched up his flight suit and fumbled with the zipper. Now it seemed okay to smile through his tears.

Part Two

From a position just inside the Diligent's loading hatch, Blair watched Commander Paul Gerald lead a squad of Marines up the ramp. Dressed in gray-and-red armored space suits and packing toy chests of anti-cat weaponry, the cocky jarheads appeared to have just blasted their way out of Hell's prison. Scarred faces and hardened expressions testified that they had made the escape more than once.

     The commander also wore armor, and his presence had Blair frowning. During the briefing, there had been no mention of his accompaniment. "What the hell is he doing here?"

     "Let's find out," Taggart said.

     As he reached the hatchway, Gerald eyed them contemptuously.

     Mirroring the look, Taggart said, "I think you're on the wrong ship, Commander."

     Gerald lifted a gloved index finger and aimed it at Taggart's nose. "I still have a responsibility to this crew, Commodore. And, excuse my bluntness, but if you think I'm going to let my men be flown into combat by a rogue and a half-breed, you're sadly mistaken." He pushed past them.

     Taggart winked at Blair. "He's really a great guy once you get to know him."

     Blair smiled tightly, then started toward the ramp. "I'll be right back."

     "Two minutes, Lieutenant."

     He jogged across the hangar, where he found Maniac in a Rapier, going over the loadout with his crew chief. "Hey."

     "Hey, Blair."

     "I wanted to talk to you after the briefing."

     "Yeah, I had to get down here."

     "How's the ..." Blair rubbed his own waist.

     "Better."

     "Good." He stared at his friend, and Maniac suddenly looked away.

     "I'm all right, Chris. Really."

     "I know you are."

     "Then get out of here."

     Blair smiled. "I'm gone." He dashed back toward the Diligent, circling around a fast-moving ordnance cart headed in Maniac's direction.

     Inside the merchantman's hold, Blair found the Marines seated on both sides of the bulkhead, their rifles standing upright at their sides.

     "Hey, Lieutenant?" a grunt seated near the back called. "Tell the commodore to hurry up. We're so wired we're gonna start shooting each other."

     Blair cocked a brow. "I'll let him know."

     He made it to the bridge and saluted Deveraux as she noticed him. He took a position behind Taggart, who manned the helm. Gerald sat beside the commodore in the co-pilot's chair, looking as thrilled as ever.

     "That's a little big on you, Lieutenant," Deveraux said, studying his atmospheric suit. "Or you're a little too small for it." Though she still sounded glum, her teasing was a good sign.

     "If you'd like, I can take it off, ma'am." Blair wanted to pull back the words; his suggestion drew Taggart's stare, followed up quickly by Gerald's.

     "Diligent. You're cleared to launch," Boss Raznick said through the comm.

     Taggart looked back to his console. "Roger, control. External moorings and power detached. Internals powering."

     Blair made a mental note to thank Raznick for his timing. He edged away from Deveraux to stand beside Taggart. The commodore took the merchantman past the now-open and repaired hangar doors. The ship rocked a little as it parted the energy curtain and skimmed over the dark runway. The crater's deep shadows fell off as they neared a trio of colossal asteroids. Taggart rotated ninety degrees to port so the Diligent's lines now formed with one asteroid's ragged ridgeline. The two Rapiers that ran escort hovered just below. Only a careful-eyed Kilrathi could spot them now.

     "Passive radar engaged," Gerald said, his announcement punctuated by a faint beeping.

     Taggart looked up, eyes distant as he interpreted the sound.

     "We have the target."

     "There she is," Blair said, pointing to the forward viewports. A large ship glided overhead, her thrusters filling the bridge with a bright orange glow. As the glare abated, Blair thought he recognized her configuration. Two Dralthis flew at her sides.

     "That's no destroyer," Deveraux said.

     Blair went to the window for a closer look. "It's the ConCom ship we came up against."

     "They'll spot our heat corona soon," Gerald said.

     "They won't have the chance," Taggart corrected. "Blair. Man the Ion gun." He opened a channel to the Rapiers. "Marshall? Polanski? Hit it."

     As Blair hurried off the bridge, he heard Gerald moaning about the Diligent not being a bomber, that they should not have come out flying only what was available. The techs had promised Gerald a Broadsword but had failed to deliver. For once, Blair agreed with the commander; however, the Diligent did boast a formidable weapons package, if not quad torpedoes. He climbed up into the gunner's domed nest, then buckled into his seat. The system automatically powered up, and he booted a pedal, swiveling 360 degrees in one fluid rotation. He took hold of the firing grips and got a feel for the ion cannon's range of motion, its barrel protruding about three meters from the transparent hemisphere. The asteroids and stars began wheeling around as the merchantman broke cover.

     The ConCom ship veered away as the Rapiers chased after on full afterburners. Blair had flown enough missions with Maniac to recognize his friend's, well, maniacal flying style. Maniac performed a corkscrewing dive through a sleetstorm of fire, juked right, then hit one of the Dralthis with a rapid succession of expertly directed bolts that drummed shields to zero and quartered the fighter into sizzling sections.

     "Yeah," Maniac shouted.

     Polanski's Rapier overshot the second Dralthi, and his swearing crackled over the comm. The Dralthi tore after him, and Polanski led the enemy pilot on a torturous, laser-lit course through the rubble.

     With reflexes hotwired to the battle, Maniac pulled into an eighty-degree climb, aiming for the Dralthi on Polanski's tail.

     A radar screen superimposed on the Plexi bubble caught Blair's eye. He whirled to discover a pair of Dralthis rising from behind the moon. "Two more bogies at six o'clock." He squinted and opened up on one of the fighters. Charged atomic particles magnetically accelerated at high speeds pulsed from the gun.

     The Dralthi swerved out of Blair's glowing bead and answered with a volley that thundered across the Diligent's shields. Blair cursed his unfamiliarity with the weapon. He should have had that bastard.

     The ship jolted suddenly as Taggart increased throttle, bringing them up toward the larger ConCom ship. "Marines, to your stations," he ordered.

     From below, Blair heard the Marines putting on their helmets, locking and loading their rifles, and gathering around the bay door. A sergeant's voice carried above the racket. "All right, sweethearts. If this dispersion doesn't go by the numbers, each of you will sacrifice a limb. Got it?"

     "We got it, sir!"

     "Hey, Sarge. Montauk says he'll sacrifice his--"

     "Shuddup!"

     "As soon as you get in, go straight for the bridge," Taggart said. "We have to get control of that ship before they scuttle her."

     Another Dralthi zoomed across Blair's sights. He pivoted to track the fighter and, grating his teeth, unloosed a barrage. The agile little ship darted to port, but Blair found it once more, this time locking on. An intense multicolored flash ended the cat's mission. "Yes!"

     Now alongside the ConCom, the Diligent's docking umbilical began to extend. Blair watched it for a second, then swung around, wary of more contacts.

Part Three

On the Diligent's bridge, Deveraux repressed a chill as the ship inched closer to the ConCom's wide upper deck.

     "Their missiles are hot," Gerald said, reading his screen.

     The news did not move her. "They can't use 'em now. We're too close."

     "They're Kilrathi, Commander. They can do whatever the hell they want."

     Before she could retort, a fighter dove into view, headed straight for the bridge.

     "He's going to ram," Gerald cried.

Part Four

From a twelve o'clock bird's-eye view, Maniac looked down on the Dralthi making a kamikaze run for the Diligent. A long-range image from his forward camera showed the pilot wearing an opaque helmet, the ship's bow reflected across its face. Too bad, Maniac thought. He wanted to glimpse the terror in the cat's eyes as he parted the starry heavens like Sivar incarnate. "Heads up, asshole."

     Turbines wailed as Maniac bore down on the Dralthi in his own kamikaze run. He saw the pilot's head snap back and did the only natural thing: He flipped him the bird. Then the big barrel of his Rapier's nose sheared off the enemy fighter's cockpit as Maniac pulled four Gs to recover from the dive. He shot a look over his shoulder as the Dralthi did a pilotless jig cut short by the ConCom's stern.

     Damage reports flashed in Maniac's VDUs. The Rapier handled sluggishly, but Maniac didn't care. "That's for you, Rosie."

     He arced back toward the Diligent, whose umbilical now latched onto the ConCom. A few seconds later, the Kilrathi ship's hull turned pink as the umbilical's lasers began to cut through.

     "Hey, Maniac? Form on my wing," Polanski ordered.

     "On it."

     "And thanks for the assist."

     "You're buying when we get back."

     "You kidding? I already owe Shotglass a week's pay. I've run out of credit with him."

     "Let me do the talking. I'm sure we can work out a mutually beneficial deal."

     "I don't like the sound of that."

     "You're a wise man, Polanski."

     They drew close to the two ships and circled overhead.

     Maniac fixed his gaze on his radar display. He did not trust the calm.

Scans