Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 27: Difference between revisions

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{{infobox Novel Chapter
{{infobox Novel Chapter
|faction = terran
|faction = terran
|title = Chapter Twenty-Seven
|title = Chapter 27
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|image = image:Movienovel.jpg
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|book = [[Wing Commander (novelization)|Wing Commander]]
|parts = 2
|parts = 4
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-Six|Chapter Twenty-Six]]
|previous = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 26|Chapter 26]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter Twenty-Eight|Chapter Twenty-Eight]]
|next = [[Wing Commander (novelization) Chapter 28|Chapter 28]]
}}
|pages = 202-208
}}


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


* [[Christopher Blair]]
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Jeanette Devereaux]]
|-
* [[Paul Gerald]]
!
* [[Todd Marshall]]
! Part 1
* [[Corey Obutu]]
! Part 2
* [[Adam Polanski]]
! Part 3
* [[Ian St John]]
! Part 4
* [[James Taggart]]
|-
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Comm Officer
! POV
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Crew Chief
|valign=top|
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Flight Crews
[[Christopher Blair]]
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Helmsman
|valign=top|
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Officers
[[Christopher Blair]]
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Radar Officer
|valign=top|
* Unnamed Terran Confederation Tech
[[Christopher Blair]]
|valign=top|
[[Christopher Blair]]
|-
! Speaking
|valign=top|
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]
|valign=top|


== Text ==
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Corey Obutu]]<br>
[[Paul Gerald]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]<br>
Unnamed Helmsman
|valign=top|
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]<br>
[[Ian St. John|Ian "Hunter" St. John]]<br>
Unnamed Crew Chief
|-
! Non-Speaking
|valign=top|


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


<B>CONFEDERATION</B>
|valign=top|
Unnamed Comm Officer<br>
Unnamed Radar Officer<br>
Unnamed Tech
|valign=top|
[[Jeanette Deveraux|Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux]]<br>
[[Peterson]]<br>
Unnamed Flight Crews
|-
! Mentioned
|valign=top|
[[Paul Gerald]]<br>
[[Adam Polanski|Adam "Bishop" Polanski]]<br>
[[Jay Sansky]]<Br>
[[William Wilson]]
|valign=top|
[[Todd Marshall|Todd "Maniac" Marshall]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]<br>
[[Geoffrey Tolwyn]]
|valign=top|
[[Jay Sansky]]<br>
[[Geoffrey Tolwyn]]
|valign=top|
[[Amity Aristee]]<br>
[[James Taggart|James "Paladin" Taggart]]
|-
|}


<B>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I></B>
== Text ==


<B>ULYSSES CORRIDOR</B>
{{infobox wcm
 
|line1 = UNITED<BR>CONFEDERATION<BR>CARRIER <I>TIGER CLAW</I>
<B>MARCH 17, 2654</B>
|line2 = ULYSSES CORRIDOR
 
|line3 = MARCH 17, 2654<BR>1200 HOURS<BR>ZULU TIME
<B>1200 HOURS</B>
|line4 = 1 HOURS FROM<BR>CHARYBDIS QUASAR<BR>JUMP POINT
 
}}
<B>ZULU TIME</B>
 
<B>1 HOURS FROM</B>
 
<B>CHARYBOIS QUASAR</B>
 
<B>JUMP POINT</B>


=== Part One ===


"Hey, Blair. What happened to you out there? One minute
"Hey, Blair. What happened to you out there? One minute
Line 55: Line 95:
be covered in a clutch."
be covered in a clutch."


Blair sat on his bunk, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair sat on his bunk, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his
hands.
hands.


"I didn't mean to make you cry…"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I didn't mean to make you cry ..."


He made a face at Maniac, who lay bare-chested on his bunk,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He made a face at Maniac, who lay bare-chested on his bunk,
scratching at his bandages. "C'mon, Chris. What's up?"
scratching at his bandages. "C'mon, Chris. What's up?"


"In a couple of minutes, Gerald's going to announce that
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"In a couple of minutes, Gerald's going to announce that
Captain Sansky is dead. He might even mention how Sansky
Captain Sansky is dead. He might even mention how Sansky
betrayed the Confederation. Hell, he betrayed humanity."
betrayed the Confederation. Hell, he betrayed humanity."


"You're shitting."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're shitting."


"Wish I were. I think Sansky was a Pilgrim. At the least, a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wish I were. I think Sansky was a Pilgrim. At the least, a
Pilgrim sympathizer."
Pilgrim sympathizer."


"So that's why you're bummed. Well, you've been wanting to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"So that's why you're bummed. Well, you've been wanting to
find out more about the Pilgrims. Satisfied?"
find out more about the Pilgrims. Satisfied?"


Blair shot to his feet and unzipped his flight suit. Leaving a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair shot to his feet and unzipped his flight suit. Leaving a
trail of clothes, he headed into the shower. As the hot spray
trail of clothes, he headed into the shower. As the hot spray
warmed and loosened his aching muscles, he closed his eyes
warmed and loosened his aching muscles, he closed his eyes
Line 81: Line 121:
as Sansky and Wilson.
as Sansky and Wilson.


"Hey, Chris?" Maniac called. "I'm sorry, man. Really."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Hey, Chris?" Maniac called. "I'm sorry, man. Really."


Without answering, Blair grabbed a bar of soap and a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Without answering, Blair grabbed a bar of soap and a
washcloth.
washcloth.


He needed to get clean.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He needed to get clean.


<center><b><nowiki>* * *</nowiki></b></center>
=== Part Two ===


By the time Blair finished his shower, Maniac had already
By the time Blair finished his shower, Maniac had already
Line 97: Line 137:
in resignation as he remembered where he had left it.
in resignation as he remembered where he had left it.


Was its loss another omen that he should not explore his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Was its loss another omen that he should not explore his
roots? Maybe. But he knew he would never abandon that goal no
roots? Maybe. But he knew he would never abandon that goal no
matter how much pain it caused. Not knowing hurt more.
matter how much pain it caused. Not knowing hurt more.


He padded to where he had dropped his clothes and dug out
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He padded to where he had dropped his clothes and dug out
Admiral Tolwyn's ring from a pocket. He needed to give it to
Admiral Tolwyn's ring from a pocket. He needed to give it to
Taggart, who could return it to the admiral.
Taggart, who could return it to the admiral.


After donning a new flight suit, he made sure to place the ring
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After donning a new flight suit, he made sure to place the ring
in his breast pocket. He wished now he could keep it, a new
in his breast pocket. He wished now he could keep it, a new
symbol of who he might become.
symbol of who he might become.


But the ring had to go back.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But the ring had to go back.
 
=== Part Three ===


Blair felt a distinct jolt as he stepped onto the bridge. The
Blair felt a distinct jolt as he stepped onto the bridge. The
Line 115: Line 157:
the pockmarked and grooved surface of the crater's wall.
the pockmarked and grooved surface of the crater's wall.


Lieutenant Commander Obutu lay on his back, assisting a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Lieutenant Commander Obutu lay on his back, assisting a
tech with repairs on the portside observation station. The other
tech with repairs on the portside observation station. The other
officers stared determinedly at their screens, uttering reports
officers stared determinedly at their screens, uttering reports
into headsets.
into headsets.


"I heard about your business," Deveraux said, meeting him at
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I heard about your business," Deveraux said, meeting him at
the rail. "Gerald's not going to inform the crew until we're dead
the rail. "Gerald's not going to inform the crew until we're dead
or out of this. He's breaking regs, but he's right. We have to
or out of this. He's breaking regs, but he's right. We have to
keep morale high, speaking of which, how's yours?"
keep morale high, speaking of which, how's yours?"


"I'm all right."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm all right."


"Wow. Very convincing."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Wow. Very convincing."


"I'll be all right. Soon. Maybe."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'll be all right. Soon. Maybe."


"At least now you're honest."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"At least now you're honest."


He gestured toward Taggart, who stood behind Gerald's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He gestured toward Taggart, who stood behind Gerald's
command chair. "I need to speak with him." Deveraux released
command chair. "I need to speak with him." Deveraux released
him with a nod, and he crossed to stand at attention beside
him with a nod, and he crossed to stand at attention beside
Line 139: Line 181:
ring.
ring.


Taggart grinned at the sight, then shook his head as Blair
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart grinned at the sight, then shook his head as Blair
offered it to him. "Keep it for now. We get out of this, you can
offered it to him. "Keep it for now. We get out of this, you can
return it yourself."
return it yourself."


"Thank you, sir."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Thank you, sir."


"Have you ever met the admiral?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Have you ever met the admiral?"


"No, I haven't."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"No, I haven't."


"I'm sure you'll find the experience… memorable."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm sure you'll find the experience ... memorable."


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


"We're clear of the crater," the helmsman abruptly reported.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We're clear of the crater," the helmsman abruptly reported.


"Very well," Gerald said. "Mr. Obutu. Prepare a drone. Input
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Very well," Gerald said. "Mr. Obutu. Prepare a drone. Input
the Kilrathi jump coordinates. Send it through the Charybdis
the Kilrathi jump coordinates. Send it through the Charybdis
Quasar to Admiral Tolwyn."
Quasar to Admiral Tolwyn."


"Aye-aye, sir." Obutu slid out from beneath the observation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye-aye, sir." Obutu slid out from beneath the observation
station.
station.


Gerald glanced back to Taggart. "They should be able to
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gerald glanced back to Taggart. "They should be able to
target the exact location of the Kilrathi jump entry. It'll be over
target the exact location of the Kilrathi jump entry. It'll be over
before they can get their weapons online."
before they can get their weapons online."


"If Tolwyn's there, Mr. Gerald. If he's there."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"If Tolwyn's there, Mr. Gerald. If he's there."


Out of the corner of his eye, Blair saw Mr. Obutu smite his fist
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Out of the corner of his eye, Blair saw Mr. Obutu smite his fist
on a touchpad. The radar and comm officers gathered around
on a touchpad. The radar and comm officers gathered around
him, and all three murmured excitedly.
him, and all three murmured excitedly.


Finally, Obutu spun to face Gerald. "Sir, we have a problem.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Finally, Obutu spun to face Gerald. "Sir, we have a problem.
All communications and decoy drones are off-line. Executive
All communications and decoy drones are off-line. Executive
override."
override."


"Sansky," Gerald said as though swearing. "Without those
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sansky," Gerald said as though swearing. "Without those
coordinates, Tolwyn doesn't have a chance—and we're too big to
coordinates, Tolwyn doesn't have a chance--and we're too big to
slip past the Kilrathi and warn the fleet."
slip past the Kilrathi and warn the fleet."


Taggart gave Blair an appraising glance, then said, "We'll
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart gave Blair an appraising glance, then said, "We'll
have to send a fighter through."
have to send a fighter through."


"Impossible," Gerald argued. "There are over a thousand
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Impossible," Gerald argued. "There are over a thousand
singularities in that quasar. To jump it would be suicide
singularities in that quasar. To jump it would be suicide
without NAVCOM coordinates."
without NAVCOM coordinates."


"We don't need a NAVCOM, Mr. Gerald." Taggart placed a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"We don't need a NAVCOM, Mr. Gerald." Taggart placed a
hand on Blair's shoulder. "Lieutenant, you will navigate the
hand on Blair's shoulder. "Lieutenant, you will navigate the
quasar. Lieutenant Commander Deveraux will follow your
quasar. Lieutenant Commander Deveraux will follow your
lead."
lead."


Stunned by the order, Blair's voice cracked. "It's statistically
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stunned by the order, Blair's voice cracked. "It's statistically
impossible, sir."
impossible, sir."


The commodore tightened his grip. "We don't have another
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The commodore tightened his grip. "We don't have another
option." His voice lowered to a near whisper. "You have the
option." His voice lowered to a near whisper. "You have the
gift."
gift."


Blair slid out of Taggart's hold and looked to the deck,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair slid out of Taggart's hold and looked to the deck,
reaching for his phantom cross. "I don't have the faith."
reaching for his phantom cross. "I don't have the faith."


"It's not faith," Taggart said, coming up behind him. "It's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"It's not faith," Taggart said, coming up behind him. "It's
genetics. It's the capacity to feel magnetic fields. But if you
genetics. It's the capacity to feel magnetic fields. But if you
believe you need faith—* He circled in front, reached into his
believe you need faith--* He circled in front, reached into his
tunic, and withdrew a Pilgrim cross. "Here. Take mine."
tunic, and withdrew a Pilgrim cross. "Here. Take mine."


Awestruck, Blair took the cross, then gazed curiously at its
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Awestruck, Blair took the cross, then gazed curiously at its
owner. "Why didn't you tell me?"
owner. "Why didn't you tell me?"


Taggart cocked a brow. "You didn't ask."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Taggart cocked a brow. "You didn't ask."


The reverence in Taggart's eyes when he had examined Blair's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The reverence in Taggart's eyes when he had examined Blair's
cross and the pain he suffered when speaking of the Pilgrims
cross and the pain he suffered when speaking of the Pilgrims
were now clear. But how had he come to fight for the
were now clear. But how had he come to fight for the
Line 220: Line 262:
needed to see it.
needed to see it.


"Long-range scanners are picking up Kilrathi ships, sir,"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Long-range scanners are picking up Kilrathi ships, sir,"
Obutu told Gerald. "Looks like a destroyer and a cruiser."
Obutu told Gerald. "Looks like a destroyer and a cruiser."


"Mr. Blair. Can you do it?" Gerald asked.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Mr. Blair. Can you do it?" Gerald asked.


"I think so, sir."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I think so, sir."


"Not good enough, Lieutenant!"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Not good enough, Lieutenant!"


"Sir, I can do it, sir!"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sir, I can do it, sir!"


"Very well. I'll have the Kilrathi jump coordinates
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Very well. I'll have the Kilrathi jump coordinates
transferred to your Rapier and copied to Deveraux's. We'll
transferred to your Rapier and copied to Deveraux's. We'll
create the diversion. Just get those coordinates to Tolwyn."
create the diversion. Just get those coordinates to Tolwyn."
"Aye-aye, sir." Blair quickly exited the bridge, and Deveraux
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Aye-aye, sir." Blair quickly exited the bridge, and Deveraux
joined him in the lift.
joined him in the lift.


"I guess we're in for a wild ride," she said.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I guess we're in for a wild ride," she said.


"You don't have to come. I can get Maniac to fly my wing. He's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You don't have to come. I can get Maniac to fly my wing. He's
brave <i>and</i> stupid enough."
brave <i>and</i> stupid enough."


"And I'm not?
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"And I'm not?"


"You're smart, Angel. Very smart. That's why everyone
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're smart, Angel. Very smart. That's why everyone
respects you."
respects you."


"I'd like to believe that."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'd like to believe that."


"You should."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You should."


"Well, in any event, I'm coming along. Commodore's orders.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, in any event, I'm coming along. Commodore's orders.


And you can't change my mind."
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And you can't change my mind."


"Then I'm honored to fly with you, ma'am." He eyed her
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Then I'm honored to fly with you, ma'am." He eyed her
sternly. "Just don't get me killed."
sternly. "Just don't get me killed."


Men sacrificed themselves over a smile like hers. Blair would
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Men sacrificed themselves over a smile like hers. Blair would
be no exception.
be no exception.
=== Part Four ===


As Deveraux hurried off toward her fighter, Blair continued
As Deveraux hurried off toward her fighter, Blair continued
Line 273: Line 318:
quickened his pace, wanting to lend them a hand.
quickened his pace, wanting to lend them a hand.


"Pilgrim," a familiar man called out.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Pilgrim," a familiar man called out.


Blair craned his head as Hunter came toward him. <i>I don't
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair craned his head as Hunter came toward him. <i>I don't
need this now, he thought. Why can't this bastard just let it go?</i>
need this now, he thought. Why can't this bastard just let it go?</i>


Blair held his ground, muscles growing tighter with Hunter's
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair held his ground, muscles growing tighter with Hunter's
every step.
every step.


"I heard what you did on that Kilrathi ship," the big Aussie
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I heard what you did on that Kilrathi ship," the big Aussie
said. "We all heard. I was wrong." He extended a hand.
said. "We all heard. I was wrong." He extended a hand.


Trying to hide his feeling of relief, Blair took the hand and
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trying to hide his feeling of relief, Blair took the hand and
give the pilot his firmest shake.
give the pilot his firmest shake.


"Good luck." Hunter ambled back to his Rapier.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Good luck." Hunter ambled back to his Rapier.


As Blair turned, he found Maniac standing in his path. "You
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As Blair turned, he found Maniac standing in his path. "You
trying to sneak out and die without me knowing?"
trying to sneak out and die without me knowing?"


"I—"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I--"


"Unh-uh, don't say anything. I want to remember your pretty
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Unh-uh, don't say anything. I want to remember your pretty
face just like this. See you on the other side, bro." He banged
face just like this. See you on the other side, bro." He banged
fists with Blair, then winked and dashed off.
fists with Blair, then winked and dashed off.


The bellow of firing turbines seized the flight deck as he
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The bellow of firing turbines seized the flight deck as he
reached his fighter. She had waited faithfully for him, and Blair
reached his fighter. She had waited faithfully for him, and Blair
ran fingers along her fuselage. <I>One last hurrah, old lady. That's
ran fingers along her fuselage. <I>One last hurrah, old lady. That's
Line 304: Line 349:
cockpit as the commotion outside came to a crescendo.
cockpit as the commotion outside came to a crescendo.


"Somebody said you're going to navigate the quasar, sir," his
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Somebody said you're going to navigate the quasar, sir," his
crew chief shouted, her short blond hair tossed by thruster
crew chief shouted, her short blond hair tossed by thruster
wash. "Is that true?"
wash. "Is that true?"


"How did you hear?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"How did you hear?"


"I just did. Is it true?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I just did. Is it true?"


He nodded. "Wanna come?"
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He nodded. "Wanna come?"


"Sure. But I got nothing to wear." She slipped under the
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Sure. But I got nothing to wear." She slipped under the
Rapier and emerged on the starboard side to lift a thumbs-up.
Rapier and emerged on the starboard side to lift a thumbs-up.


"That's a nice loadout." Then she stared wistfully at him, as
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's a nice loadout." Then she stared wistfully at him, as
though he were already dead.
though he were already dead.


Blair returned a tight smile and a thumbs-up, then tapped a
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Blair returned a tight smile and a thumbs-up, then tapped a
switch, lowering the canopy. He broke external moorings and
switch, lowering the canopy. He broke external moorings and
routinely performed the rest of his preparations, despite the
routinely performed the rest of his preparations, despite the
growing lump in his throat.
growing lump in his throat.


Within sixty seconds the deckmaster waved him into position
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Within sixty seconds the deckmaster waved him into position
for launch. He saluted, got clearance from Raznick, and for the
for launch. He saluted, got clearance from Raznick, and for the
first time in his military career felt uneasy about punching his
first time in his military career felt uneasy about punching his
Line 334: Line 379:
entered the asteroid belt.
entered the asteroid belt.


He glanced down at Taggart's cross, which had turned onto
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He glanced down at Taggart's cross, which had turned onto
its back. He noticed an inscription and lifted the cross to read
its back. He noticed an inscription and lifted the cross to read
it:
it:


<center>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>TO JAMES</B><BR>
TO JAMES
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>REMEMBER LOVE ACROSS THE DISTANCE</B><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>REMEMBER ME</B><BR>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<B>AMITY</B>
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He turned over the cross and whispered, "Well, Amity, I
think he does."


REMEMBER LOVE ACROSS THE DISTANCE
== Scans ==


REMEMBER ME
<gallery>
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_202.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_203.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_204.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_205.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_206.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_207.jpg
Wing_Commander_novelization_page_208.jpg
</gallery>


AMITY
{{novelindex/wingcommander}}
</center>


He turned over the cross and whispered, "Well, Amity, I
[[Category:Wing Commander (novelization)]]
think he does."

Latest revision as of 03:31, 9 April 2024

Chapter 27
Movienovel.jpg
Book Wing Commander
Parts 4
Previous Chapter 26
Next Chapter 28
Pages 202-208


Dramatis Personae

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
POV

Christopher Blair

Christopher Blair

Christopher Blair

Christopher Blair

Speaking

Todd "Maniac" Marshall

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Corey Obutu
Paul Gerald
James "Paladin" Taggart
Unnamed Helmsman

Todd "Maniac" Marshall
Ian "Hunter" St. John
Unnamed Crew Chief

Non-Speaking

Unnamed Comm Officer
Unnamed Radar Officer
Unnamed Tech

Jeanette "Angel" Deveraux
Peterson
Unnamed Flight Crews

Mentioned

Paul Gerald
Adam "Bishop" Polanski
Jay Sansky
William Wilson

Todd "Maniac" Marshall
James "Paladin" Taggart
Geoffrey Tolwyn

Jay Sansky
Geoffrey Tolwyn

Amity Aristee
James "Paladin" Taggart

Text

UNITED
CONFEDERATION
CARRIER TIGER CLAW
ULYSSES CORRIDOR
MARCH 17, 2654
1200 HOURS
ZULU TIME
1 HOURS FROM
CHARYBDIS QUASAR
JUMP POINT


Part One

"Hey, Blair. What happened to you out there? One minute you're manning the Ion cannon, the next you're gone. Not that Polanski and I needed your help, but it's nice to know your ass'll be covered in a clutch."

     Blair sat on his bunk, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands.

     "I didn't mean to make you cry ..."

     He made a face at Maniac, who lay bare-chested on his bunk, scratching at his bandages. "C'mon, Chris. What's up?"

     "In a couple of minutes, Gerald's going to announce that Captain Sansky is dead. He might even mention how Sansky betrayed the Confederation. Hell, he betrayed humanity."

     "You're shitting."

     "Wish I were. I think Sansky was a Pilgrim. At the least, a Pilgrim sympathizer."

     "So that's why you're bummed. Well, you've been wanting to find out more about the Pilgrims. Satisfied?"

     Blair shot to his feet and unzipped his flight suit. Leaving a trail of clothes, he headed into the shower. As the hot spray warmed and loosened his aching muscles, he closed his eyes and wondered if his mother had engaged in anything as terrible as Sansky and Wilson.

     "Hey, Chris?" Maniac called. "I'm sorry, man. Really."

     Without answering, Blair grabbed a bar of soap and a washcloth.

     He needed to get clean.

Part Two

By the time Blair finished his shower, Maniac had already changed and left. He had probably headed down to the rec to get that drink Polanski owed him. Thankful for the solitude, Blair stood in his towel and reached instinctively for his cross, feeling only the chain. He panicked for a moment, then slumped in resignation as he remembered where he had left it.

     Was its loss another omen that he should not explore his roots? Maybe. But he knew he would never abandon that goal no matter how much pain it caused. Not knowing hurt more.

     He padded to where he had dropped his clothes and dug out Admiral Tolwyn's ring from a pocket. He needed to give it to Taggart, who could return it to the admiral.

     After donning a new flight suit, he made sure to place the ring in his breast pocket. He wished now he could keep it, a new symbol of who he might become.

     But the ring had to go back.

Part Three

Blair felt a distinct jolt as he stepped onto the bridge. The Tiger Claw ascended, and the shadows folded back to expose the pockmarked and grooved surface of the crater's wall.

     Lieutenant Commander Obutu lay on his back, assisting a tech with repairs on the portside observation station. The other officers stared determinedly at their screens, uttering reports into headsets.

     "I heard about your business," Deveraux said, meeting him at the rail. "Gerald's not going to inform the crew until we're dead or out of this. He's breaking regs, but he's right. We have to keep morale high, speaking of which, how's yours?"

     "I'm all right."

     "Wow. Very convincing."

     "I'll be all right. Soon. Maybe."

     "At least now you're honest."

     He gestured toward Taggart, who stood behind Gerald's command chair. "I need to speak with him." Deveraux released him with a nod, and he crossed to stand at attention beside Taggart. "Sir, I have something for you." He fished out Tolwyn's ring.

     Taggart grinned at the sight, then shook his head as Blair offered it to him. "Keep it for now. We get out of this, you can return it yourself."

     "Thank you, sir."

     "Have you ever met the admiral?"

     "No, I haven't."

     "I'm sure you'll find the experience ... memorable."

     "Yes, sir."

     "We're clear of the crater," the helmsman abruptly reported.

     "Very well," Gerald said. "Mr. Obutu. Prepare a drone. Input the Kilrathi jump coordinates. Send it through the Charybdis Quasar to Admiral Tolwyn."

     "Aye-aye, sir." Obutu slid out from beneath the observation station.

     Gerald glanced back to Taggart. "They should be able to target the exact location of the Kilrathi jump entry. It'll be over before they can get their weapons online."

     "If Tolwyn's there, Mr. Gerald. If he's there."

     Out of the corner of his eye, Blair saw Mr. Obutu smite his fist on a touchpad. The radar and comm officers gathered around him, and all three murmured excitedly.

     Finally, Obutu spun to face Gerald. "Sir, we have a problem. All communications and decoy drones are off-line. Executive override."

     "Sansky," Gerald said as though swearing. "Without those coordinates, Tolwyn doesn't have a chance--and we're too big to slip past the Kilrathi and warn the fleet."

     Taggart gave Blair an appraising glance, then said, "We'll have to send a fighter through."

     "Impossible," Gerald argued. "There are over a thousand singularities in that quasar. To jump it would be suicide without NAVCOM coordinates."

     "We don't need a NAVCOM, Mr. Gerald." Taggart placed a hand on Blair's shoulder. "Lieutenant, you will navigate the quasar. Lieutenant Commander Deveraux will follow your lead."

     Stunned by the order, Blair's voice cracked. "It's statistically impossible, sir."

     The commodore tightened his grip. "We don't have another option." His voice lowered to a near whisper. "You have the gift."

     Blair slid out of Taggart's hold and looked to the deck, reaching for his phantom cross. "I don't have the faith."

     "It's not faith," Taggart said, coming up behind him. "It's genetics. It's the capacity to feel magnetic fields. But if you believe you need faith--* He circled in front, reached into his tunic, and withdrew a Pilgrim cross. "Here. Take mine."

     Awestruck, Blair took the cross, then gazed curiously at its owner. "Why didn't you tell me?"

     Taggart cocked a brow. "You didn't ask."

     The reverence in Taggart's eyes when he had examined Blair's cross and the pain he suffered when speaking of the Pilgrims were now clear. But how had he come to fight for the Confederation? Blair hoped he lived long enough to find out. He attached the cross to his own chain, then thought better of tucking it under his flight suit. People should see it. People needed to see it.

     "Long-range scanners are picking up Kilrathi ships, sir," Obutu told Gerald. "Looks like a destroyer and a cruiser."

     "Mr. Blair. Can you do it?" Gerald asked.

     "I think so, sir."

     "Not good enough, Lieutenant!"

     "Sir, I can do it, sir!"

     "Very well. I'll have the Kilrathi jump coordinates transferred to your Rapier and copied to Deveraux's. We'll create the diversion. Just get those coordinates to Tolwyn."

     "Aye-aye, sir." Blair quickly exited the bridge, and Deveraux joined him in the lift.

     "I guess we're in for a wild ride," she said.

     "You don't have to come. I can get Maniac to fly my wing. He's brave and stupid enough."

     "And I'm not?"

     "You're smart, Angel. Very smart. That's why everyone respects you."

     "I'd like to believe that."

     "You should."

     "Well, in any event, I'm coming along. Commodore's orders.

     And you can't change my mind."

     "Then I'm honored to fly with you, ma'am." He eyed her sternly. "Just don't get me killed."

     Men sacrificed themselves over a smile like hers. Blair would be no exception.

Part Four

As Deveraux hurried off toward her fighter, Blair continued along the flight line. The order had come down from the bridge to prep two Rapiers, followed by a second order for battle stations. Flight crews jogged to Rapiers and Broadswords, finished hasty repairs, and criss-crossed the hangar in ordnance carts. The energy created by them struck and excited Blair. He saw Polanski, Hunter, and Maniac in the throes of preflighting their fighters. He thought of saying good-bye to Maniac, but his friend seemed too busy for the interruption. Ahead, his own flight crew swarmed his Rapier, and he quickened his pace, wanting to lend them a hand.

     "Pilgrim," a familiar man called out.

     Blair craned his head as Hunter came toward him. I don't need this now, he thought. Why can't this bastard just let it go?

     Blair held his ground, muscles growing tighter with Hunter's every step.

     "I heard what you did on that Kilrathi ship," the big Aussie said. "We all heard. I was wrong." He extended a hand.

     Trying to hide his feeling of relief, Blair took the hand and give the pilot his firmest shake.

     "Good luck." Hunter ambled back to his Rapier.

     As Blair turned, he found Maniac standing in his path. "You trying to sneak out and die without me knowing?"

     "I--"

     "Unh-uh, don't say anything. I want to remember your pretty face just like this. See you on the other side, bro." He banged fists with Blair, then winked and dashed off.

     The bellow of firing turbines seized the flight deck as he reached his fighter. She had waited faithfully for him, and Blair ran fingers along her fuselage. One last hurrah, old lady. That's all I ask. With the crew already finished, he settled into the cockpit as the commotion outside came to a crescendo.

     "Somebody said you're going to navigate the quasar, sir," his crew chief shouted, her short blond hair tossed by thruster wash. "Is that true?"

     "How did you hear?"

     "I just did. Is it true?"

     He nodded. "Wanna come?"

     "Sure. But I got nothing to wear." She slipped under the Rapier and emerged on the starboard side to lift a thumbs-up.

     "That's a nice loadout." Then she stared wistfully at him, as though he were already dead.

     Blair returned a tight smile and a thumbs-up, then tapped a switch, lowering the canopy. He broke external moorings and routinely performed the rest of his preparations, despite the growing lump in his throat.

     Within sixty seconds the deckmaster waved him into position for launch. He saluted, got clearance from Raznick, and for the first time in his military career felt uneasy about punching his thrusters. The Rapier accelerated through the energy curtain and over the runway. He flipped on his VDU and watched the Tiger Claw shrink into the vast tableau. Deveraux formed on his wing and sent him the order to maintain radio silence as they entered the asteroid belt.

     He glanced down at Taggart's cross, which had turned onto its back. He noticed an inscription and lifted the cross to read it:

          TO JAMES
          REMEMBER LOVE ACROSS THE DISTANCE
          REMEMBER ME
          AMITY

     He turned over the cross and whispered, "Well, Amity, I think he does."

Scans