Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 22: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox Novel Chapter
{{infobox Novel Chapter
|faction = terran
|faction = terran
|title = Chapter Twenty-Two
|title = Chapter 22
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|parts = 1
|parts = 1
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-One|Chapter Twenty-One]]
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 21|Chapter 21]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-Three|Chapter Twenty-Three]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 23|Chapter 23]]
}}
|pages = 169-172
}}


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


* [[Harrison Falk]]
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Paul Gerald]]
|-
* [[Corey Obutu]]
!
* [[Jay Sansky]]
! Part 1
* [[James Taggart]]
|-
! POV
|valign=top|
[[Paul Gerald]]
|-
! Speaking
|valign=top|
[[Harrison Falk]]<br>
[[Corey Obutu]]<br>
[[Jay Sansky]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]<br>
Unnamed Doctor
|-
! Mentioned
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|-
|}


== Text ==
== Text ==


<B>UNITED</B>
{{infobox wcm
 
|line1 = UNITED<BR>CONFEDERATION<BR>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I>
<B>CONFEDERATION</B>
|line2 = ULYSSES CORRIDOR
 
|line3 = MARCH 17, 2654<BR>0900 HOURS<BR>ZULU TIME
<B>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I></B>
|line4 = 4 HOURS FROM<BR>CHARYBDIS QUASAR<BR>JUMP POINT
 
|line5 =
<B>ULYSSES CORRIDOR</B>
|line6 =
 
}}
<B>MARCH 17, 2654</B>
 
<B>0900 HOURS</B>
 
<B>ZULU TIME</B>
 
<B>4 HOURS FROM</B>
 
<B>CHARYBOIS QUASAR</B>
 
<B>JUMP POINT</B>
 


"The destroyer has moved on, sir," Falk said, observing its
"The destroyer has moved on, sir," Falk said, observing its
progress on his radar screen.
progress on his radar screen.


Gerald released an inaudible sigh, then rubbed his tired eyes.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald released an inaudible sigh, then rubbed his tired eyes.


"Mr. Obutu? Give me the numbers."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mr. Obutu? Give me the numbers."


"Reports are still incomplete. Thirty-five confirmed dead.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Reports are still incomplete. Thirty-five confirmed dead.
One hundred and twenty-three wounded. We're still venting
One hundred and twenty-three wounded. We're still venting
atmosphere on decks eleven and twenty-one. The breeches in
atmosphere on decks eleven and twenty-one. The breeches in
Line 55: Line 61:
and bombers. It doesn't look good, sir."
and bombers. It doesn't look good, sir."


"No, it doesn't. You have the con." Gerald pushed himself up
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No, it doesn't. You have the con." Gerald pushed himself up
and headed off the bridge.
and headed off the bridge.


As he turned into the corridor, Obutu's report rang in his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As he turned into the corridor, Obutu's report rang in his
ears. How the hell did it come to this?
ears. <i>How the hell did it come to this?</i>


And his answer kept falling upon the arrival of three
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And his answer kept falling upon the arrival of three
individuals.
individuals.


Line 69: Line 75:
Sansky's hatch.
Sansky's hatch.


Inside, he found the captain propped up in bed and
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Inside, he found the captain propped up in bed and
connected to a half-dozen tubes and wires that snaked into a
connected to a half-dozen tubes and wires that snaked into a
small rolling tower of sensors. The doctors had successfully
small rolling tower of sensors. The doctors had successfully
Line 77: Line 83:
believe him."
believe him."


Gerald stood over the captain, whose eyes had trouble
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald stood over the captain, whose eyes had trouble
focusing. "How are you, sir?"
focusing. "How are you, sir?"


"They say the man is the ship, the ship the man."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"They say the man is the ship, the ship the man."


"That bad, huh?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That bad, huh?"


Sansky managed a wan grin. "Tell me."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky managed a wan grin. "Tell me."


After giving the captain a capsule summary of the Claw's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After giving the captain a capsule summary of the <i>Claw's</i>
present condition, Gerald folded his arms over his chest and
present condition, Gerald folded his arms over his chest and
waited for a reaction. And, to his astonishment, Sansky looked
waited for a reaction. And, to his astonishment, Sansky looked
Line 93: Line 99:
command."
command."


"Aye-aye, sir. But if I may speak frankly, we wouldn't have
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye-aye, sir. But if I may speak frankly, we wouldn't have
sustained any losses if—"
sustained any losses if--"


"I know where you're going, Paul. Stow that argument."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I know where you're going, Paul. Stow that argument."


"Sir, they know our every move before we make it. And all
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir, they know our every move before we make it. And all
since Commodore Taggart or Paladin or whoever the hell he is
since Commodore Taggart or Paladin or whoever the hell he is
came aboard with that half-breed and his reckless buddy. Then
came aboard with that half-breed and his reckless buddy. Then
Line 104: Line 110:
yet Blair detected them. He's trying to throw us off his trail. In
yet Blair detected them. He's trying to throw us off his trail. In
any event, it is my firm belief that there is a traitor aboard the
any event, it is my firm belief that there is a traitor aboard the
Tiger Claw."
<i>Tiger Claw</i>."


Sansky opened his mouth, but a ring came from the hatch
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky opened his mouth, but a ring came from the hatch
bell. "Enter."
bell. "Enter."


Taggart straightened and ran his finger along the sliding
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart straightened and ran his finger along the sliding
door. "This hatch is wearing a little thin, Mr. Gerald. Sound
door. "This hatch is wearing a little thin, Mr. Gerald. Sound
tends to carry right through it. So make your point."
tends to carry right through it. So make your point."


"The boy's a Pilgrim. Could my point be any more clear?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"The boy's a Pilgrim. Could my point be any more clear?"


Grinning crookedly, Taggart crossed to the bed. "So he's a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Grinning crookedly, Taggart crossed to the bed. "So he's a
Pilgrim. In your eyes, that makes him guilty of treason?"
Pilgrim. In your eyes, that makes him guilty of treason?"


"Yes, sir. It does."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, sir. It does."


"Barring the lieutenant's blood, do you have any other
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Barring the lieutenant's blood, do you have any other
evidence that suggests he's a traitor?"
evidence that suggests he's a traitor?"


"We don't need any more evidence, sir. He arrives on this
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We don't need any more evidence, sir. He arrives on this
ship and things go to hell. That's not a coincidence. It's a fact."
ship and things go to hell. That's not a coincidence. It's a fact."


But Taggart wasn't buying the facts. "Lieutenant Blair risked
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But Taggart wasn't buying the facts. "Lieutenant Blair risked
his life to save mine today. He's as good as they get. And I've
his life to save mine today. He's as good as they get. And I've
fought with the best. He can fly my wing any mission, any time.
fought with the best. He can fly my wing any mission, any time.
Line 132: Line 138:
have another to fight."
have another to fight."


"Commodore," Gerald spat. "With all due respect to your
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Commodore," Gerald spat. "With all due respect to your
apparent rank, you're a Naval Intelligence officer. You don't
apparent rank, you're a Naval Intelligence officer. You don't
know a damned thing about space combat, strategy, or war."
know a damned thing about space combat, strategy, or war."


"I knew enough not to send Deveraux's wing on a wild-goose
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I knew enough not to send Deveraux's wing on a wild-goose
chase while the <i>Tiger Claw</i> was attacked."
chase while the <i>Tiger Claw</i> was attacked."


"And if we had been destroyed, you would've been safely out
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And if we had been destroyed, you would've been safely out
of harm's way. Tell me, sir, was it just intuition that you knew
of harm's way. Tell me, sir, was it just intuition that you knew
about the Kilrathi diversion? Or are you withholding
about the Kilrathi diversion? Or are you withholding
information?"
information?"


"Commander, I can stand here for hours trying to justify my
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Commander, I can stand here for hours trying to justify my
loyalty to you. I could tell you that I flew off this ship during
loyalty to you. I could tell you that I flew off this ship during
Custer's Carnival, remind you that I carry Admiral Tolwyn's
Custer's Carnival, remind you that I carry Admiral Tolwyn's
Line 150: Line 156:
your mind."
your mind."


"Gentlemen," Sansky interjected. "None of this matters now.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Gentlemen," Sansky interjected. "None of this matters now.
What matters is our survival and our mission."
What matters is our survival and our mission."


"Both of which are threatened by this man's presence,"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Both of which are threatened by this man's presence,"
Gerald said.
Gerald said.


Sansky glared back. "Enough!" He proffered his hand to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sansky glared back. "Enough!" He proffered his hand to
Taggart. "Welcome aboard, Commodore. Do you have any
Taggart. "Welcome aboard, Commodore. Do you have any
orders for me?"
orders for me?"


Tensing, Gerald could not watch his captain shake hands with
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Tensing, Gerald could not watch his captain shake hands with
the half-breed's champion, a handshake that might seal their
the half-breed's champion, a handshake that might seal their
fate.
fate.


"Sir, this is your ship," Taggart said. "I offer you every
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir, this is your ship," Taggart said. "I offer you every
assistance in the current crisis."
assistance in the current crisis."


Gerald nodded. "Assist us by leaving."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald nodded. "Assist us by leaving."


"As matters stand, we need all the help we can get," Sansky
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"As matters stand, we need all the help we can get," Sansky
said, lifting his voice, then lapsing into a cough. "This ship has
said, lifting his voice, then lapsing into a cough. "This ship has
suffered massive damage, and we have almost no operational
suffered massive damage, and we have almost no operational
fighters left. If you have any suggestions—any at all—I'd be glad
fighters left. If you have any suggestions--any at all--I'd be glad
to entertain them."
to entertain them."


Taggart paced before the bed, eyes narrowed in thought. "The
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart paced before the bed, eyes narrowed in thought. "The
Kilrathi will be at the jump point in just under four hours, and
Kilrathi will be at the jump point in just under four hours, and
we still don't know their capabilities or plan of attack." His
we still don't know their capabilities or plan of attack." His
Line 181: Line 187:
little fight left. All she needs is a little coaxing."
little fight left. All she needs is a little coaxing."


The man's naivete astounded Gerald. "Engineering took a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The man's naivete astounded Gerald. "Engineering took a
direct hit. Our fuel cells are nearly gone. We don't have enough
direct hit. Our fuel cells are nearly gone. We don't have enough
power to keep up with the air recyclers, let alone get under way.
power to keep up with the air recyclers, let alone get under way.
Barring a miracle, we've failed."
Barring a miracle, we've failed."


"Failure is not an option, Commander," Taggart said. "And if
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Failure is not an option, Commander," Taggart said. "And if
it's a miracle we need, I suggest we find a way to make one.
it's a miracle we need, I suggest we find a way to make one.
Understood?"
Understood?"


"Yes, sir."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, sir."


"You're dismissed, Commander."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're dismissed, Commander."


Wanting to throttle the man instead of saluting him, Gerald
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Wanting to throttle the man instead of saluting him, Gerald
went through the motions, spun on his heel, and got the hell out
went through the motions, spun on his heel, and got the hell out
of there.
of there.


It was high time that he had a talk with the command staff.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It was high time that he had a talk with the command staff.
High time, indeed.
High time, indeed.
== Scans ==
<gallery>
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_169.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_170.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_171.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_172.jpg
</gallery>
{{novelindex/wingcommander}}
[[Category:Wing Commander (novelization)]]

Latest revision as of 03:29, 9 April 2024

Chapter 22
Movienovel.jpg
Book Wing Commander
Parts 1
Previous Chapter 21
Next Chapter 23
Pages 169-172


Dramatis Personae

Part 1
POV

Paul Gerald

Speaking

Harrison Falk
Corey Obutu
Jay Sansky
James "Paladin" Taggart
Unnamed Doctor

Mentioned

Christopher Blair

Text

UNITED
CONFEDERATION
CARRIER TIGER CLAW
ULYSSES CORRIDOR
MARCH 17, 2654
0900 HOURS
ZULU TIME
4 HOURS FROM
CHARYBDIS QUASAR
JUMP POINT


"The destroyer has moved on, sir," Falk said, observing its progress on his radar screen.

     Gerald released an inaudible sigh, then rubbed his tired eyes.

     "Mr. Obutu? Give me the numbers."

     "Reports are still incomplete. Thirty-five confirmed dead. One hundred and twenty-three wounded. We're still venting atmosphere on decks eleven and twenty-one. The breeches in Engineering and Secondary Ordnance have been contained. The flight boss reports hangar doors inoperative. No estimate yet on repair time. And he's still tallying up the damage to our fighters and bombers. It doesn't look good, sir."

     "No, it doesn't. You have the con." Gerald pushed himself up and headed off the bridge.

     As he turned into the corridor, Obutu's report rang in his ears. How the hell did it come to this?

     And his answer kept falling upon the arrival of three individuals.

He found his way to the lift and took it down to the living quarters. Someone accosted him, but he marched by, not looking up, the rest of his journey a blur until he reached Sansky's hatch.

     Inside, he found the captain propped up in bed and connected to a half-dozen tubes and wires that snaked into a small rolling tower of sensors. The doctors had successfully cleared the blockage of his coronary artery, yet they could not understand why his condition had not improved. "He says he wants to live," one doctor had said. "But somehow I don't believe him."

     Gerald stood over the captain, whose eyes had trouble focusing. "How are you, sir?"

     "They say the man is the ship, the ship the man."

     "That bad, huh?"

     Sansky managed a wan grin. "Tell me."

     After giving the captain a capsule summary of the Claw's present condition, Gerald folded his arms over his chest and waited for a reaction. And, to his astonishment, Sansky looked relieved. "Mr. Gerald, we could have sustained even greater losses were it not for your leadership. Thank you. I'm resuming command."

     "Aye-aye, sir. But if I may speak frankly, we wouldn't have sustained any losses if--"

     "I know where you're going, Paul. Stow that argument."

     "Sir, they know our every move before we make it. And all since Commodore Taggart or Paladin or whoever the hell he is came aboard with that half-breed and his reckless buddy. Then there's the question of the ULF signals. We didn't send them, yet Blair detected them. He's trying to throw us off his trail. In any event, it is my firm belief that there is a traitor aboard the Tiger Claw."

     Sansky opened his mouth, but a ring came from the hatch bell. "Enter."

     Taggart straightened and ran his finger along the sliding door. "This hatch is wearing a little thin, Mr. Gerald. Sound tends to carry right through it. So make your point."

     "The boy's a Pilgrim. Could my point be any more clear?"

     Grinning crookedly, Taggart crossed to the bed. "So he's a Pilgrim. In your eyes, that makes him guilty of treason?"

     "Yes, sir. It does."

     "Barring the lieutenant's blood, do you have any other evidence that suggests he's a traitor?"

     "We don't need any more evidence, sir. He arrives on this ship and things go to hell. That's not a coincidence. It's a fact."

     But Taggart wasn't buying the facts. "Lieutenant Blair risked his life to save mine today. He's as good as they get. And I've fought with the best. He can fly my wing any mission, any time. Now I urge you to get over that damned war, Commander. We have another to fight."

     "Commodore," Gerald spat. "With all due respect to your apparent rank, you're a Naval Intelligence officer. You don't know a damned thing about space combat, strategy, or war."

     "I knew enough not to send Deveraux's wing on a wild-goose chase while the Tiger Claw was attacked."

     "And if we had been destroyed, you would've been safely out of harm's way. Tell me, sir, was it just intuition that you knew about the Kilrathi diversion? Or are you withholding information?"

     "Commander, I can stand here for hours trying to justify my loyalty to you. I could tell you that I flew off this ship during Custer's Carnival, remind you that I carry Admiral Tolwyn's ring, but what difference would that make? You've made up your mind."

     "Gentlemen," Sansky interjected. "None of this matters now. What matters is our survival and our mission."

     "Both of which are threatened by this man's presence," Gerald said.

     Sansky glared back. "Enough!" He proffered his hand to Taggart. "Welcome aboard, Commodore. Do you have any orders for me?"

     Tensing, Gerald could not watch his captain shake hands with the half-breed's champion, a handshake that might seal their fate.

     "Sir, this is your ship," Taggart said. "I offer you every assistance in the current crisis."

     Gerald nodded. "Assist us by leaving."

     "As matters stand, we need all the help we can get," Sansky said, lifting his voice, then lapsing into a cough. "This ship has suffered massive damage, and we have almost no operational fighters left. If you have any suggestions--any at all--I'd be glad to entertain them."

     Taggart paced before the bed, eyes narrowed in thought. "The Kilrathi will be at the jump point in just under four hours, and we still don't know their capabilities or plan of attack." His hand brushed along the bulkhead. "I think this old lady's got a little fight left. All she needs is a little coaxing."

     The man's naivete astounded Gerald. "Engineering took a direct hit. Our fuel cells are nearly gone. We don't have enough power to keep up with the air recyclers, let alone get under way. Barring a miracle, we've failed."

     "Failure is not an option, Commander," Taggart said. "And if it's a miracle we need, I suggest we find a way to make one. Understood?"

     "Yes, sir."

     "You're dismissed, Commander."

     Wanting to throttle the man instead of saluting him, Gerald went through the motions, spun on his heel, and got the hell out of there.

     It was high time that he had a talk with the command staff. High time, indeed.

Scans