A marine colonel was waiting for Turner and snapped off a salute, then extended a hand which Turner took warmly. The colonel stepped back and, behind him, Geoff saw Sergeant Major Ulandi, wearing full battle gear of camouflaged antiradiation battle armor, dented helmet, and a heavy assault gun slung over his shoulder.
Ulandi saluted, his hand dropping away as Turner stepped forward and flung his arms around the sergeant, the two men laughing, cursing softly, and hugging. Ulandi caught Geoff's eyes and nodded.
Turner finally broke away, and Geoff could see that he was struggling to hold his composure. In the distance came a rattle of small arms fire.
"Still mopping up some pockets," Ulandi said. "Got to admit, those bastards are tough. No surrender."
Turner nodded.
"So, what the hell is going on?" the colonel asked. "Hell, figured it was over for us. Then, yesterday morning they starting lifting out. Are they coming back in?"
Geoff was surprised that the marine didn't know.
Turner shook his head.
"Damnedest thing. They just beat feet out of here," Turner replied. "We waited beyond the jump point, expecting them to come on through, hoping to ambush at least a few of their ships before falling back. We finally sent a scout frigate back in and it reported their entire fleet was withdrawing. Colonel, they've bugged out. It's over."
"How are things with Concordia?"
Turner shook his head.
"We abandoned ship. She blew just before I jumped through to come back here."
"Sorry, sir."
Turner tried to force a smile.
"The trade-off was worth it, Colonel. It was worth it."
"So this is a victory then," Ulandi said.
Geoff looked closely at the sergeant and was surprised to see just how burned-out Ulandi really was. The look in the man's eyes told Geoff volumes about the reality of ground combat. It made him realize that his own few moments of terror were undoubtably trivial by comparison.
"Yeah, I guess the historians will call it a victory."
Ulandi spat on the ground and said nothing for a moment.
"Sir, we better get you down below," Ulandi finally said. "It's still a bit hot up here."
Turner motioned for Ulandi to fall in by his side while the colonel led the way, Geoff coming up on the other side of the towering sergeant.
"Long, Nagomo?" Turner asked.
"Heard Long tried to get up, then nothing. Nagomo, well he died at his post, I'll give him that."
"How was it here, sergeant?"
Ulandi motioned towards the wreckage, the burning city, and then at the hundreds of bodies laid out in long rows on the tarmac. A group of marines was wearily loading the dead into trucks.
Geoff saw Ulandi slow for a moment and then stop to look over at a young corporal, a woman, who seemed almost to be asleep. Two marines stepped up to her and lifted her body into the truck. The sergeant seemed on the edge of breaking. He sighed and then looked back over at Turner.
"The colonel will fill you in, sir. We lost nearly seventy percent of the division. Ground personnel for the base even worse. It was a slaughter."
"Fifth Marine is being deployed. They'll be here in two weeks," Turner replied.
Ulandi nodded, saying nothing.
"I'm staying on here, sergeant. Ordered to take command of the base, get it ready, dig in if they come back. Looks like our retirements have been postponed. Want you as my topkick."
Ulandi smiled.
"Sure, Winnie. Glad to have you with me."
Ulandi fished in his battle tunic and pulled out a cigar. Breaking it in two, he gave half to Winston and lit it for him.
Reaching the shattered remains of the base command center, Winston stopped.
"You might as well head back up, Tolwyn. With all the planes and crew from Concordia on Ark Royal, there'll be a slot there for you now."
"Sir?"
"Well, I'm ordered to stay on here at the base for now. You're a flyer. I don't think you or Vance would want to be stuck down on the ground here with me."
"Sir, I'd be glad to serve with you."
Turner laughed.
"Maybe someplace else, another time."
Geoff looked back out at the ruins of McAuliffe.
"It never should have happened," Geoff said, an edge of bitterness in his voice.
"What do you mean?"
Geoff looked at him. How could he voice the rage in his heart? Again he thought of More. A bulletin had arrived just before they came down to the planet's surface that More's world was now behind enemy lines, but it was decided that all senators from the occupied territories would continue to hold office. More was now the most rabid war hawk of them all, calling for a war of total annihilation, no prisoners, no quarter expected or asked.
It was the government, Geoff thought, that had been the problem. If ever there came the chance, he would see that a similar mistake would never be made again.
He looked back at Winston.
"Just, it shouldn't have happened, sir."
"Tolwyn."
"Sir?"
"Let it go. In every war, mistakes are made. In every war that a democracy has fought, a hell of a lot of good kids die due to the asinine mistakes, stupidity and greed of their elders. They're not all bad, in fact most of them are pretty damn good, and try their best. And yet the system survives in spite of its mistakes, and goes on, and sometimes those kids who survive one day are the elders and make the same mistakes. I sense an incredible ability in you, son. I've noted that in my report. You've been recommended for the Medal of Honor."
Stunned, Geoff could not reply.
"I think we're in for a long haul. If you stay alive, Geoffrey Tolwyn, I suspect one day you might command a ship, maybe a new Concordia." He sighed. "She was a hell of a ship."
Winston smiled, and for a brief instant he again looked like the kindly professor.
"Just do me a favor and then the lecture's ended. Remember everything you've learned, everything, but never forget that you are fighting to save the Confederation and all that it stands for. Never forget that your sworn duty is not to the Fleet, it is to the Confederation which the fleet serves."
"Aye, sir."
"Fine. Now we've got two choices here. Richards has been booted up to wing commander for Ark Royal. While you're on station here until reinforcements arrive, you'll have a section of fighters under him, but you're going to have to get a hell of a lot of training in despite your accomplishments-" he then paused for a moment, " — or you can have an independent command."
"Sir?"
"Once we get some more assets in here, Ark Royal is heading back to Earth for refitting. She's a hell of a mess. I sent a message up to a friend of mine about your service. There'll be a lot of light frigates getting commissioned now. The fleet needs gutsy first lieutenants to run them. They'll most likely be sent out to do scouting, behind the lines type action. I think it's the next step in your career, son."
Stunned, Geoff said nothing.
"Go for it, kid," Ulandi interrupted. "You can always get back to the carriers later."
A smile creased his features. "I'll take it, sir, thank you."
"Gentlemen, I hate to interrupt," the marine colonel said, "but we're in a hot zone here. The rad level's still pretty high."
Turner extended his hand. "You're the best student I've ever had, Tolwyn. Continue to make me proud of you."
"Thank you, sir. I will."
Tolwyn drew himself up to attention and saluted.
Turning, he headed back to Lazarus. Turner, his features serious, watching as the boy disappeared up the ramp, closed it, and then fired up the engines.