Specter of Her Dreams - Cont....

Damn, Gnassians! They were the cause of her beloved's demise. "Make sure everyone gets off, Mr. Mordiccai." She headed toward her quarters. There were a few things that she couldn't leave here. There would be time. It would take a little while to get the survivors on the shuttles and the shuttles out. Only four shuttles could leave the bay at a time and there would need to be a few to return for more survivors. She would have time.

She was the last to leave the ship. She set the emergency beacon and told the pilot to head down to the planet. If the Corp ever finished spatial-warp travel, then they might rescue her and her men in her lifetime, otherwise, the planet they were spiraling down to would be home.

"How many did we loose?" She asked, watching the orb develop texture.

"Over two thirds." Terrance admitted. "The Gnassians tried hard to take us out. We've lost too much." He ordered everyone to collect everything possible. They would make multiple trips if they had to gather what was usable. She may well be right and they would need as much as they could drag planetside to survive until - if ever - they were rescued. "The last comunicae with the Princeton, they said they lost nearly half." He shook his head.

"It may be well past our lifetimes before anyone finds us."

She admitted, barely above a whisper. "I hope this new world is going to be a good home."

"As do I Captain." The pilot agreed.

She looked at the pilot. "Well, you've went in one day from pilot to pioneer. I'm sorry."

"Don't feel responsible, Captain. I knew the dangers of the Corp when I joined up. You've done a lot to keep us alive that are." There was a rough few moments as the shuttle passed through the atmosphere of the planet. When it once again glided smoothly, the pilot looked back at the Captain. "Even knowing the outcome. I would willingly follow you again. You have been the best captain I have served with. I am honored to be at your side now."

"Thank you." She would find in the days and months ahead that the pilot's loyalty was common among her surviving crew, but for the moment, she felt responsible for all that died, and their deaths weighed heavily. She ran over in her head, how she should have responded or what actions she should have initiated to save lives.... should have.

"What kind of world did Navigator find us?" She asked as they features became apparent. "There's a lot of water."

"Yes. She said that there was nearly five-sixths of the surface covered." Terrance answered. "But she said that there was perfect atmosphere."

"Let's hope." She agreed, watching the landscape become trees and grass and hills and vast expanses of water.

"Let's hope." As the shuttle set down lightly near the others she breathed a sigh, seeing the other ship's survivor's shuttles. "Let's go see what we have to work with." She unstrapped and made to leave the shuttle.

The door opened and she stepped out. The ground was solid underfoot. It felt strange to be on land instead of moving through space. But then, she thought, this planet is moving through space. Maybe it wasn't so bad. "Who is the Captain of the Princeton?"

A man walked up to Captain Bloodgood. "I was told you were the Specter's Captain."

"Yes. Are you Princeton's Captain?" He couldn't be, she realized, he was too young. His uniformed identified him as a Lieutenant. He looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place what about him reminded her of somewhen else. She shook the feeling and focused on the present. "Can the Princeton be repaired?"

"No. The entire bridge was destroyed and all within killed. I am the surviving, highest ranking officer. I am Lt. Stephan Dux." He saluted the woman Captain. He had heard about her from time to time in the mess. The stories had always had the hint of legend. She was as impressive in person as the stories. "Thank you for warning us to get out. The Gnassian vessel wasn't so lucky."

"Serves them ironically."

He smiled and nodded. "We managed to close off the exposed areas so she'll stay up there and transmit the beacon, but we would never be able to steer or even get her under power again. There was just too much damage." He looked a bit sheepish. "We sacrificed everything to make it out of the rift."

"Then she died for a worthy cause." Captain Bloodgood encouraged. "You bringing down what can be salvaged?" "Princeton wasn't a terra-former ship, so we didn't have much more than food and medical supplies. Nothing of structural value."

"Specter either. Unfortunately, she's not even space-worthy. She's on a slow implode. Too much structural damage." She shrugged. "I'll miss her." She looked around. "Well, I suppose we have a lot of work ahead of us, eh?"

"We've began a structure for the wounded."

"Good." She nodded. "Mr. Mordiccai."

"Yes, Captain!" He ran up, a little out of breath. The gravity was a point or two stronger than on Specter.

"Form teams and recon the area. Report everything you find." She hated not knowing what was around her. She missed Specter all the more suddenly.

"Yes, Captain. I'm on it." Terrance Mordiccai took men to make six teams that would spread out and check the land about them. They needed to be secure before setting up camp. They would set up perimeter beacons, but most important would be to see if there were signs of other intelligent life. If the planet already had sentient forms that were territorial, then they may have to fight for a place to stay. So much to worry about.

"Do you have a count on healthy, Lt Dux?" She asked, leaning against the shuttle, trying to look unworried. "The last count I was given for Specter's survivors was seventy-two." She shook her head in sorrow. "Seventy-two - out of two hundred and ninety-five."

"How long do you suspect it'll be until someone comes after us, Captain?"

"My ship is dead. I suppose I should have everyone call me Bloodgood or even by my first name." She shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm going to make a lousy civilian." "Its strange for all of us." He responded. "I would be fine with you calling me Stephan."

"As soon as we get a little organized, I suppose we should hold an open vote for 'Leader', I can't expect Princeton's crew to follow me, simply because I commanded Specter." She pushed off the hull of the shuttle. We could use the shuttles for temporary shelter." Her head ached from whatever hit her in the ship. She couldn't shake herself of the odd haziness. "Corporal Van."

"Yes, Captain." He stood and saluted his captain.

"At ease, Corporal Van." She smiled warmly. "I need you to make sure everyone is comfortable." She laughed. "Well, settled anyway. I need you to be liaison between everyone and me. Keep your eyes open and assist me in making a smooth transition - until we're rescued."

He smiled at his Captain. Specter or no, she would always be his Captain. She was controlled and poised, even after loosing her beloved Specter and whatever caused that nasty gash on her forehead. As always, her first concern was her crew. He had always respected her for her compassion for her crew, unlike most Corp Captains, she actually cared for her crew. She even knew each members' name. And now, he thought with a sigh, she knew each member by name who were dead. "You have my service until death, Captain Bloodgood." The conversation he had spoken with her about his sister's vows flitted through his mind: until death do we part.

" I knew I could count on you, Corporal Van. Make me a list of what we're going to need as land occupants." She offered her hand.

He shook her offered hand. Her grip was firm. Her grip would have been firm for a man, but was strong for a woman.

"I will get right on it, Captain. I'll give you my preliminary report at evening's meal."

The rest of the sunlight, she offered her back and hands to establishing the essentials. They would have to make a temporary shelter and worry about more permanent accommodations as they find out more about where they were. It took several tedious days to find that they were on an island and map the area they had landed on. A hospital was erected as well as temporary shelters. Nominations were made and a leader voted in. It had slightly surprised her that they had voted for her to remain as leader. She had only one opponent, and he was a good man, she could tell. She accepted the appointment until everything was settled. She was a good military leader, but not a politician and would gladly defer to her opponent at that time.

The days appeared to be twenty-two hours from sunrise to sunset and approximately twelve hours of dark. There were tree suns: a strong fireball and two dwarf stars. There were six moons to light the night. She was glad that the weather was mild. It was cool at night and warm, but not too hot during the daylight. There was a small supply of fresh, drinkable water in the hollow of a dormant volcano, but she set up a desalinization process so they would have water.

Within seven months she had established a dual-leadership with Mr. Fausto. Mr. Fausto tended the domestic matters and she the security matters. Mr. Fausto organized planting and building teams. They would have native-grown foods with seeds from the ships next year as they found how the seasons went. They planted a small amount now to see how well things grew in the alien soil. She kept a perimeter watch and assisted where and when she was needed.

Few called her Captain. Mostly she was Edna to everyone. She didn't mind. Actually, she found the lack of responsibility was very refreshing. The dreams of the dead crew grew less and less frequent. She joked with Terrance and was actually enjoying Stephan's company.

"Edna?"

She looked up from her work. She was trying to construct a device that would propel a person through the air: a controllable single person platform-flier for surveillance purposes. "Yes?" She smiled as Stephan approached.

"What's up?"

She was always doing something, he mused. "Nothing much." He sat down beside her. She was so beautiful, he thought as he pretended to be interested in what she was making.

"Busy?"

"No. Got something in mind?"

"Thought we could look around the cove on the east side. I think I saw something, but I want you to tell me what you see there." He watched the sun dance on her hair, which looked to be afire. "What say, you and I take a look."

"You and I?" She gave him a sly smile. He had been the first to become completely casual with her. Even the rest of the Princeton's crew still considered and treated her as Captain. Stephan treated her quite differently. "You know, for an alien planet, this could be quite the vacation spot."

He laughed. "Yes. Warm, breezy days with starlit nights. Plenty to eat, now that we found the native flora isn't poisonous." He raised a brow. "Sun, sand and surf - what more could someone ask of a vacations spot? Except maybe, not having your ship color the night sky as it imploded."

"Yes, I could have done with out that." She admitted with a pang. "It also gives the feeling that we're marooned here." She looked out to sea. "What little we've surveyed so far hasn't shown much promise that there's other sentient life forms. There's barely an animal population."

"There's lots of sea things."

"Yes, there is. I was thinking that if we're here for several generations, we should consider building dwellings on the water and use the land for growing food."

"Or under the water. That way storms won't rock the houses."

"Yes."

"But such matters are for later. Much later. Now, lets take a stroll over to the cove I mentioned and look about. Maybe even take a swim." He had been attracted to Edna the moment he saw her. She had an old-world name and poise. He was glad that he hadn't rushed his intentions toward her, allowing her to get to know him and he, her. He was careful to make his advances modest and enlivening. He figured, her being a smart woman, she knew what he was doing, but wasn't taking it for granted. The time getting the crews settled had been wonderful, she was excellent company.

Conversations with her were both challenging and intriguing. She was intelligent, yet had a wonderful sense of humor which she demonstrated often, without pretense of being a Corp Captain. It was almost as though, she had put aside her rank and assumed she was the same as everyone else. A small part of him thought that she might not have been able to be the same as everyone else for a very long time, if ever, and he felt honored to have been a part of it.

"Swim?" She asked, smiling and shaking her head. "How long do you think this'll take. I should check in and see if Terrance needs any help with..."

"I think Mr. Mordiccai and Van are quite competent." He smiled. "Or is it you do not like my company ..."

"You know its not that at all." She pushed him as she stood. "Fine, let's go."

"Captain, are you going somewhere?" Terrance asked.

"Oh, hello, Terrance. Yes, Dux thinks there's something I should see." She answered.

"Should I select a team for you?"

She laughed. "No. I think I'll be fine. He doesn't make it out to be anything monumental, we're just snooping." She put her hand on Terrance's shoulder. "Always trying to make sure I'm safe. We haven't even ran across any animals that we could consider a threat."

Stephan didn't say anything. He knew that Mordiccai was very protective of his Captain. He doubted there was a man on this island that didn't have fantasies of the Captain at one time or another. She was a very beautiful woman who exuded confidence and prowess. He suspected a little of Mordiccai's hesitance for her to be alone with him had to do with attraction, even if Mordiccai was over fifteen years older than Edna.

They were nearly half the distance to the cove and as they walked Edna chuckled to herself. "I'm glad to see that my 'self-appointed' body guard doesn't intimidate you."

He laughed and jogged to catch her. "You're not going to try and tell me that you don't realize that most of your crew think you are more than just a great captain."

"They do... and what else is it that they think I am?" She asked coyly. She was quite aware of the male contingency's attraction. Van made himself very clear and she was not oblivious to Stephan. It was clear how scrupulously he orchestrated his motions. His attention was piquant, yet there was still something that danced about her memory that whispered of familiarity.

He stopped her with his hands on her shoulders. She was nearly a head shorter than he, but carried herself as his equal. She was breathtaking. "You have by far, the most temerity of any woman I've ever met." He tried to look stern, but melted under her smile. Lost in the moment, he leaned in and kissed her, slipping his hands round to enfold her.

The kiss was at once a surprise and expected. His arms around her somehow felt natural. Swimming was probably the last thing on her mind at the moment. His lips burned with a deeply felt passion. She returned his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her tightly with urgency. He knew he had to release her, but wanted so desperately to continue.

"What were you saying now?" She asked and smiled. "Was this what you wanted to show me? I don't think we're at the cove quite yet. Or did you have more to show me there?"

He laughed. Taking her hand he started walking. She had returned his kiss. She didn't push him away. His heart raced. He didn't even notice the rest of the walk to the cove. He assisted Edna as they climbed down the cliff to the sand. He had seen what he thought might be traces of civilization, but wanted her to see and agree or tell him he was imagining things.

The sand was soft under her shoes. The cove was on a slope. It was clear that the water didn't come into the cove, but lapped gently several feet out against the sand.

"This is pretty." She made a slow turn looking around. "But then, so far, everything I've seen of this planet is lovely." She walked out toward the surf. "Seriously, what did you want me to see."

"Over here." He led her toward a strange outcropping of stone that arched into the waves. "I noticed this and thought it strange." Kneeling, he pointed into the overhang. "It looks like it was carved by instruments. I couldn't think of how it occurred naturally."

"Hmmm." She leaned closer, getting wet as the surf sputtered. "You could be right. I don't think it looks natural either. But there's no way of telling how old it is. It could be several thousands of years old and its creators long dead and gone."

"I had thought of that, but what if they thought the way you do. Live in the water...."

"Interesting." She nodded. He was close. She could feel his breath as he looked over her shoulder. She turned, leaning into his lips. His arms encircled her immediately.

His lips held more urgency than before. She pulled away and led him back up the sand a little ways. Pulling, she sat down on the sand.

He didn't hesitate, dropping to her side. He had planned to state his intentions this afternoon, but was surprised by her willingness. She wasn't the stoical captain now. Her lips met his eagerly. He touched her face, her hair, her arms and was unaware until she suddenly pushed him back. "Wha?" It took several seconds for his mind to clear and realize that she was looking past him. Slowly he followed her eyes.

The eyes that looked back at him belonged to the most amazing creature. It was humanoid, but clearly suited for life in the water. Its eyes were large and round with dark hair that flowed off its head and over it shoulders. It had silvery-gray skin: not scales. The smooth skin had a fine covering of hair, giving it much the same look as a seal. It wore a body covering that resembled a wet-suit that was nearly the same color as its skin with a breathing apparatus in its webbed hand.

It was just standing there, but then, he was just sitting there, staring. He was having a difficult time getting his mind around what he was looking at. He cleared his throat. It startled, but didn't leave.

"Greetings. I am Captain Bloodgood." She started in her most soothing tone. She slowly moved toward the creature, which she instinctively felt was feminine. "We are marooned her." She was careful not to make any known aggressive motions, but who could tell what this race might consider aggression. "Can you understand me?" She was answered by a very toothy smile. She wasn't sure if this was a show of threat or that it understood. "This is Lieutenant Dux."

She was still trying to understand the grin.

Of course Edna would establish communication, she was known for her diplomatic relations with the Gnassian. He swallowed and tried. "What are you called?"

"Rhett." She answered.