Escape
Copyright© 2026 by Ka Hmnd
Chapter 7: Our return
We shared space in the cramped courier almost without complaint. The exception was Commander Marie Anne White; she startled easily. On the third day, I finally pulled her into the tiny cabin I shared with Captain Zane. I stood by the door, “strip.”
Her eyes widened, “What?”
I pointed to the fresher cabinet, “strip and wash. I will guard you, and Captain Zane will use the recycler to clean your clothes.”
She reddened as she looked away, and I stepped close to lift her face, “I will not allow you to be touched or harmed.”
She looked into my eyes before finally nodding, and I stepped back. She undressed and stepped into the fresher and closed the hatch. I took her clothes and opened the cabin hatch, “Sir?”
Zane grinned, “I knew you would charm her.”
He slipped away to clean the clothes as I closed the hatch and waited. It was a while before Zane knocked, and I accepted her clothes. It was even longer before the fresher hatch opened. I waited, and she stepped out and stood trembling. I handed her clothes to her and waited for her to dress before pointing to the bed, “Sleep.”
She smiled, “This is not...”
I held up my hand, “The admiral’s orders, ma’am, sleep.”
She nodded and slowly laid down before closing her eyes. It was a few minutes before her breathing changed. After that, I would watch her each day as she washed and slept, and the complaints and tempers settled down. Two months later, the courier slowed beside the huge battleship. Captain Trent eased the ship closer, and then ratings in hard suits were docking us.
Two straight days of debriefings had a lot of people very upset over the treatment we had received, especially the women. I walked aboard the huge troop transport that was almost completely empty. It was one of three, and only one had troops. We had the battleship, four cruisers, and eight destroyers as escorts when we left. I glanced at the hatch to my cabin when it opened and stood, “Ma’am?”
Commander now Captain White stepped in, “It looks like we are sharing the cabin, Commander.”
That had been a surprise. I had been promoted and jumped from full lieutenant to lieutenant commander. I blinked, “Share, ma’am?”
She smiled, “Relax, Star. You helped me more than anyone and probably more than you know. Once we return, they are separating me.”
I shook my head, “Why...”
She stepped close and touched my shoulder, “You more than anyone know why.”
I nodded, and she glanced around, “A little larger than our last cabin.”
I looked around, “A little.”
She set her kit bag on a bunk, “So...”
I smiled, “Ever been on a troop transport?”
She shook her head, and I led her out to explore. Two months later, we sat in jump seats and watched as combat shuttles dropped away from another transport and streaked down into the atmosphere. I stood, “Permission to head to the shuttle, sir.”
The captain glanced back, “Granted, commander.”
I looked at Captain White, “See you later?”
She smiled, “Yes.”
I turned and strode out and moved quickly down to the shuttle bays. Empty shuttles were prepped to begin prisoner rescue, and I climbed aboard the one headed to Camp Doom. I nodded to the shuttle crew chief, and he grinned, “Ready to go.”
The shuttle jarred, and then there was a moment of acceleration before the compensators caught up. Later, I stood as the crew chief signaled and moved to the hatch. A moment later, the shuttle settled to the ground, and I opened the hatch and hit the ramp. I walked out to see the men we had left, “Anyone want a ride home?”