Remember the Starfighter by Michael Kan Page B

rate.
    Outside of that, however, Julian was in good health. Sitting down on the side of his mattress, she reached out, and touched his cheek. Nalia felt the stubble and brushed away the small flecks of dead skin.  
    “You’re a damn good pilot,” she said. “The best I’ve ever seen.”
    “That maneuver. I’ve heard of things like that, but to actually see it, with an anti-matter bomb. You killed that Endervar like it was nothing.”
    Feeling her touch, Julian closed his eyes, and smiled.
    “It was just an old trick,” he replied. “An old tactic Admiral Drayden taught me back in the day.”
    “Then he’ll be proud. It was nice to score a win, for once.”
    Julian couldn’t agree more. The enemy ship was only one vessel. But at least, it would never be a threat to anyone again.
    “Your plan was sound,” he said. “I just executed.”
    “Took you long enough. Gave me quite a scare.”
    Nalia laughed, and nudged him with her elbow.
    “See? I wasn’t wrong. You are a starfighter,” she added.
    “I guess you were right to recommend me to captain. I have to say, it felt good to be back.”
    Julian was surprised by the statement, although it seemed to be true. He felt as if he belonged in the fighter craft. The cockpit small, but always familiar.
    Done resting, he moved his bare feet out of the bed and planted them on the tile floor.
    “Where are we now?” Julian asked.
    “We left the system once we recovered you. Now we’ve just arrived at the rendezvous point at a sector zero near the Gramala systems.”
    “Any word on how the other groups did?”
    “Four of the other groups reported successful hits. All groups have made it to the rendezvous point, all except for Beta group. We’re still waiting for them.”
    “Good. Sounds like everything went well. Do you think we made a difference?”
    She stood up, and paced the room, stroking her chin with her hand. 
    “Hard to say, at this point,” Nalia replied. “But Commander Ibarra is thinking we go on another run, try to take down more enemy ships.”
    “Makes sense,” he said. “Maybe we can contain them.”
    Realizing that the fighting wasn’t over, Julian didn’t feel so tired anymore. He was about to stand up, when Nalia returned to him.
    “Hey,” she said, putting her arm on his shoulder. “Take it easy now. You haven’t been cleared for duty. Not yet, anyways.”
    He looked up at her, puzzled. 
    “Seriously?” Julian asked.
    “Orders are orders. Last I remember, you did somewhat disobey me.”
    He thought back, wondering what she might mean.
    “Oh.”
    He may have taken down the Endervar ship, but Julian had done so, in spite of all the risks, and the protests from Nalia.
    He didn’t need to apologize.
    “Don’t worry, I won’t bust your balls today,” she said. “Let’s just try to keep the suicide maneuvers down to a minimum, shall we?”
     

***
     
    The assembled ships had waited for a day now. But still there was no word from Beta team, the remaining strike group.
    Julian entered the Abenon’s bridge, dressed back in an officer’s uniform. He felt recovered, and oddly more positive as well. The few crew members on board greeted him with a respect, praising him for his flying against the enemy. Julian replied with his own modesty, unsure of what to say, only mentioning that he was following his instincts.
    He came to the bridge, seeing the rest of the sparse crew. It was not as calm as he expected. In the center of the room was Commander Ibarra, leaning against a control panel as he examined a holographic map. The other officers looked tense, with even Nalia too busy to notice him. Julian went to salute as soon as he caught the attention of the commander. “Reporting for duty,” he said.
    “Captain Nverson. Good to see you are back on your feet,” Ibarra replied. Rather than salute back, the man went to shake Julian’s hand, beaming back a bright smile on his chiseled face.
    “How are things?” Julian asked.