[Starhawk]

2422.8 It ends with a Whisper
“War Ends not with a Glorious Trumpet, or a shout of victory, War ends with a quiet prayer by the enemy, a quiet plea for mercy that only the victor can answer or ignore, war ends with a whisper.”
(Hung Sun Lee, Earth 1575 when the Icara-China war comes to an end)

“In the fires of death life springs anew.”
(General Tamara Jordan, 1st Hunnic Regiment, Earth 1910)

Admiral Ross and Captain Yu Lin sat stunned on a silent bridge, the entire crew seemed to be frozen in place as the Com’s officer played back the message, the 3rd fleet had conquered two and “sterilized” one of the worlds in the final system of the Phong yet they had expected the enemy to fight on even longer, but just five minutes ago the Icaran Ambassadorial services’ messenger drone had just arrived with a message informing the crews and soldiers of all Phong front forces, the war was over, the Phong had surrendered unconditionally.
Ross and Yu heard a quiet “Thank God” from several positions on the bridge but no cheering, no joyous celebrations, right now only stunned disbelief that a war some of their men and women had been fighting for their entire lives was finally over. Ross gently and discretely slipped his hand into Yu’s and squeezed her hand gently and smiled softly when she squeezed back.
“Admiral Ross, Captain Yu.” the com officer said quietly, Ross looked over at the young woman and smiled.
“Yes Ensign”
“Sir, redeployment orders have just come in, we are to report to aid 1st fleet in neutralizing the Xeno star system neighboring this one, it belongs to the Xiati variety of Xeno sir.”
Ross hissed internally, they had just finished fighting one war, he wanted to give his crews and soldiers time to rest and at least a little time to relax, but instead they would be sent to a system that belonged to a Xeno race that they were still not “officially” at war with.
“Helm, lay in a course, comns give me fleet wide please.”
“Aye”
As the fleet wide alert chimed Ross stood up confidently, clearing his throat and fixing his uniform.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the fleet, we have done our great task at Last, the Phong forces have surrendered unconditionally, yet we do not have time to rest at this time, for we have one more system to conquer at the moment, just one before the Admiralty will allow us to return to Icara in triumph, with our brothers and sisters of the first fleet by our sides, so I ask you, be brave and true now more then ever not for me, not even for the Praetor but for your families back home and for future generations, so that they will no more have to fear the threat of a Xeno or a mutant, return home with me my comrades, once our job is done, return with me not as heroes but as servants of a glorious heritage! God bless, Ross out.”

An hour later the 3rd fleet was en route to it’s newest war zone, Lin and William sat quietly in her quarters, both of them a little to surprised by the days events to speak immediately.
“You know William, that the first wave of Atmospheric conVersions took place today?” Lin smiled sweetly while she stabbed at a piece of sushi with her fork.
“Really? I wish I could have seen it, I hear it looks amazing as an atmosphere changes from a hostile non-breathable gas ball to a beautiful blue jewel of a world for the first time.” Ross’ eyes glowed as he thought of how amazing that site must have been.
“You probably will someday, maybe we both will.” Her voice changed to a more alluring tone, but her smile remained the same sweet smile that Ross loved so much about the young woman.
“Tell me Lin, what do you think about this “eternal war” that the Praetor declared?” his voice was quiet as if Ross felt like he was asking something dangerous (which indeed he was) but Yu simply shrugged in response as if he had asked a question about the weather or some such.
“I don’t know, I’d like to see home again someday but we knew when we signed up that this may go on for our entire lives, but at least we’ve ended two threats to our people, and a third I soon to join the list of conquered foes.” Her smile faded slightly and she shrugged again “But let’s not talk about such depressing things, how’s your mother?”
The two laughed and talked for hours before Ross excused himself and went to get some sleep before his fleet shipped out in the morning.