Chapter 8 Part 6

Blake and his crew stood in the hangar gazing at the remains of the Wildcard. "Things will never be the same again," Drake stated. "Now we are dispossessed too. Just like the Storm."

"What will they do with her?" Shamus asked.

"She is too damaged to repair," Major Duncan advised the crew. He had insisted on being present when the wreckage was brought aboard. "Don't worry about this piece of junk anymore. Soon you will have other things to worry about."

"What about the Storm and her crew?" Drake asked.

"Don't worry about them," Duncan advised. "They too have been reassigned. Bandit, Wraith and Dixie will stay here as will the new replacement for the Storm.

"What about a replacement for the Wildcard?" Blake asked.

"There won't be one," Duncan answered.

"Wait, the Storm is getting a replacement and they lost the whole thing," Drake objected.

"The Wildcard was wrecked, but you didn't lose her," Duncan answered, "and Col. Pharr has recommended you be assigned to another VRAD."

"Another VRAD?"

"That is correct," Major Duncan smiled. "The five of us have been assigned to a new VRAD squadron being formed. After shore leave, we will be reporting to the Whirlpool. I have been placed in command of the new VRAD squadron being formed their and you four are going to be my lead crew. Your new ship is a newer version of VRAD. Starting next month, you will be the crew of the Pheonix. You will have to work hard to train three more crews to man the Pegasus, the Dragon and the Griffin.

Blake glanced at his crew excitedly. Their thoughts were on their faces. "Thank you, Major Duncan," he choked. "We won't let you down."

"Of course not," Duncan replied. "But when we get to our new station, it will be 'Lieutenant Colonel Duncan,' so don't forget."

"Congratulations," Blake offered. "It is well deserved."

"Congratulate yourself, Major Blake McCoy," Duncan laughed. "Yours is also well deserved."

"It certainly is," Shamus and Drake agreed together.

Ben Lochlear, elected not to speak, but instead left the small group in the midst of their elation and walked over to the twisted remains of the Wildcard. He pried the name plate from the damaged hull. The placard was undamaged.

He rejoined the others and passed the item to Blake. "Every commander should keep a memento of his first command," Ben told him.

"Thanks," Blake whispered as he held the plate tightly. Then he turned to leave. His crew started to follow, but Duncan stopped them.

"Sometimes a man needs to be alone," the commander of the Wraith advised. "Let him be."