Recruit: Book One of the Universal Conflict ( Under Constant Editing)

Chapter 20

   "Surni stayed down with her family." Krystal reported.

  "That's amazing! She must be thrilled." T'ilvesh replied, striding towards his office, Krystal a step behind.

  "I want to assess the situation on the ground." T'ilvesh stated "I need to see what's needed, how many resources we'll have to leave for those staying here."

  "Just dispenser units," Krystal replied. "and some medical personnel."

  "We have those to spare." the Commander said "Civilian medical personnel will take over as soon as all Ruchkitay are accounted for."

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  The shuttle with the dispenser units aboard settled down with a soft hiss as the landing struts' pneumatics absorbed the weight. Opening the hatch, T'ilvesh and Krystal carried out the first unit for Surni's village.

   "It's good to see you, Sir." Surni said, saluting.

  "Thank you." T'ilvesh replied "The mission was successful, you all are to be commended "

  "Just doing our jobs." Cory interjected, walking up to the group "Did we get the brains yet?"

  "It's dead. Killed in the air campaign." Krystal told him.

  "Too bad, we could have learned something from it." Cory sighed.

  "Hopefully, we will capture one on the next mission." the Commander said.

  Cory and the rest of the squad pitched in and quickly emptied the shuttle of dispensers and sent it back for the rest of the supplies. Soon food had been distributed among the starving villagers. Surni ate with her family and the squad.

  "I'm coming back tonight." Surni told T'ilvesh "There's too much left to do, too many homes to reclaim, to do anything else."

  "I appreciate your loyalty and conviction, but your family needs you as well." T'ilvesh countered.

  "We talked it over, while we waited for the shuttle." Trilian spoke up for the first time "You need her more."  The children nodded in agreement,

  Davra  spoke up "We decided as a family. We can make it a home again, before she comes home to stay."

  "Very well." T'ilvesh replied "I'll see you later, on the Revenge."

  "Yes, Sir!" Surni said.

  "For now, enjoy some family time." the Commander ordered, smiling "I won't be done for some time yet, I have the rest of the planet to check on."

  Turning to the others in the squad he gave orders for them to accompany him on his tour. Turning with him his squad returned to their fighters as Krystal and T'ilvesh climbed into the shuttle. Meeting up over the village the flight turned towards the spaceport and disappeared over the horizon, leaving Surni with her mate.

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Flying to the spaceport Cory, Hawk and Rufin escorted the Commander to assess the damage caused by the missiles used in the air campaign and estimate how long it would take to repair all damaged facilities.

  Surprisingly, the damage was not too extensive. Only two ports needed to be completely rebuilt, the rest was mostly cosmetic.

  "We got extremely lucky here." T'ilvesh stated "I don't expect it to get better....but we will try to keep damage to a minimum every time we fight."

  "We'll try, Sir." Cory promised him "It depends on the Ruchki's. However, we will try to keep damage to a minimum."

  "That's all I ask." T'ilvesh replied.