"Captain we are almost out of the anomaly", reported lieutenant Anesu as the Sandawana raced forward, lasers blazing fiercely. Navigation lights flashing.
"Com", captain Maguire called out any word from the other star ships?" as flames burned broke out on the flight deck
"I 'm afraid there is s totill nothing as yet replied", lieutenant Tanaka at communications.
"Emergency crews to bridge, we have a fire on the flight deck!", captain Maguire reported on his hand held communicator.
"Captain, should we not raise shields!?", asked lieutenant Anesu at navigation.
"No we proceed to Earth's defence", said captain Maguire.
"But captain ...", protested lieutenant Anesu.
"Do you think I am not aware of what is stake?, captain Maguire asked tapping on the firing icon to release another deadly haiI of lasers at the alien ships in the Sandawana's path. Maybe I asking for too, taking a risk with . That I am all the souls on board. But I am simply doing my duty as a space command officer.
My priority is to defend Earth at any costs, even if that means I must sacrifice my own life along with every other life on this star ship. I have no regrets and if presented with a similar scenario a second time I would take exactly the same course of action as I have embarked on".
"I would follow you on that course", added lieutenant Alex Bara.
"Me too", added lieutenant Tanaka.
"I did not meant to challenge your authority, captain. The defense of Earth along with everyone I hold dear and the values we share., for that I will sacrifice my very last drop of blood".
"Before that let's sacrifice some alien blood", captain Maguire remarked light heartedly", tapping the firing icon on the weapons control console non stop.
As emergency teams arrived on the bridge equipped with fire extinguishers. Emergency teams battled to put out the fire which was raging while the bridge crew focused their attention on navigating through a hostile sky.
"Captain", lieutenant Tanaka announced excitedly, "Alien flag ship, is within sensor, it is just beyond the boundary of the anomaly".
"Boundary?", captain Maguire unbelievingly sought for confirmation.
They had been in the anomaly for what had seemed an eternity. It had felt as though they would never come out on the other side. The report was almost too good to believe.
He needed to hear it again.
"Yes sir, we are fast approaching the edge of the anomaly", lieutenant Tanaka confirmed.
The crew was excited that they would shortly be arriving on Earth. The news had boosted their spirits amid the fierce fire fight with the alien ships.
It had given them a renewed sense of hope, that if they could hold on a little bit longer. If they could rather Earth, it emboldened them to fight on with a renewed spirit.
They would be welcomed as heroes, as the first starship to fly to the defence of Earth. Their names would be etched in the historical archives for ages to come.They were about to make history and the moment was not lost on them.
Suddenly the all the direct hits, all the wounded and injured bodies piling up in sick bay, seemed to melt into insignificance. Actually they would seem heroic. The casualty report would give weight to the viciousness of the fight.
If one could come out the battle scares, they would serve as souvenirs. They would be worthy testimonials of space commands finest hour. It would be how one starship outnumbered and cut off from reinforcements had travelled across space and time to defend Earth.
They would be remembered as the crew who had participated in that decisive battle for Earth.
Thoughts of chivalry, made the crew more determined to fight on ignoring the personal inconveniences. Even some of the wounded who could still fight remained at their battle stations refusing to be taken to sick bay. It was a moment of honour, with the fierce exchange of laser fire and falling debris on several decks from direct hits.
The Sandawana was racing towards the Earth, navigation lights winking, lasers firing. While emergency crews rushed about putting out fires, clearing fallen debris. Where possible making rudimentary repairs to breaches in the starship's super structure.
Everywhere on the massive starship it was a hive of activity. Crews were working as though possessed with a reinvigorated will in their various departments. Up on the bridge damage reports were pouring in, the bridge crew were putting in their hearts and minds into the fight.
Twenty three hours after the Sandawana entered the anomaly it was racing across the boundary.
"Captain, priority one audio transmission from space command", reported lieutenant Tanaka at communications.
"On speaker", ordered captain Maguire.
Lieutenant manipulated the consular before him.
A clear audio came across the bridge's speakers, "Calling on all starships receiving this message. Earth is under attack by aliens, and you are called upon to come to our urge assistance!", the transmission ended.
"The transmission is a day old", reported lieutenant Tanaka.
"Com, transmit the following message, to all starships, "This is VoZ Sandawana, we have engaged hostiles on Earth after travelling through the anomaly. We are calling for reinforcements to help expel alien ships. End of transmission. Also transmitt the coordinates we used to get to Earth".
"Yes sir", promptly replied lieutenant Tanaka, turning to the console in front of him.
"Reporting for duty sir!", captain Maguire was caught of guard by lieutenant Alex Bara snapping to attention. Captain Maguire hadn't noticed him arrive on deck. The weapons control officer had a bandage wrapped around the top of his head.
"I 'm ready to resume my duty post, captain", lieutenant Alex Bara announced.
Captain Maguire would have argued on that the was not fully fit yet to resume duty. But seeing the determination on the junior officer's face decided against that course of action. It was neither the place not the time.
They were engaged in full blown fire fight and he could certainly use the help.
"Very good", captain Maguire announced moving away from the weapons console and returning to his command chair.