Supernova Blitz

Chapter 6: One Hit After Another, Despots Among the Fleet

The ship is full of chaos. Contrary to the cowardice suspected of the marine officers early on, it turns out many enlisted military, as well as civilians, were crammed onto the last two ships to near-bursting. The starliners are supposed to be self-sufficient for a total of 15,000 people each. But, Lt. Col. Hitch revealed the current ship to be at almost 42,000. People are packed into every open space imaginable. Children cry, men and women embrace each other, and others have quiet panic attacks.

The military personnel have already started cordoning off military-only areas to try to allow them to keep order. One such area is the hangar bay, where the stranger carefully lands the stolen alien ship. Hitch is startled by the recovered children on board, but he quickly orders, "Get them to someone who'll look after them, please." "Yes, Sir!" comes the reply from several marines.

A young girl cries out from behind Hitch, "You made it!"

The mysterious man smirks at her as he disembarks, beaten and bloodied to the point he almost looks alien himself. Hitch looks to see Sergeant Grey's squad approaching with two women, and Grey holding a little girl's hand. Hitch sighs, remarking, "Sergeant, they're not supposed to be in here."

Grey replies bluntly, "Who? These three marines, sir? Little Bird here helped the Stranger and Hancock take down two of the crocs."

Hitch grimaces, but the Stranger adds, "It's true, Lieutenant Colonel. She's indispensable to the squad."

Hitch sighs. "I know the squad. What I don't know is who YOU are."

"I... still can't remember, sir. I just remembered what the Voyager rockets were, but I still have no idea who I am or what this thing is."

The little girl known as 'Little Bird' hugs the mysterious man as he kneels to hug her. Hitch asks, "She your daughter?"

"No sir."

Tanya says bluntly, "Alex and I will take care of her. Like he said, she's an honorary marine. We're her family now."

Hitch nods. He then remarks, "So, that leaves you, Mr. 'Stranger'."

The stranger replies, "Car-something is all I've got, sir."

Hancock sternly blurts out, "Uh, Carmine! Carmine Kane. LIEUTENANT Carmine Kane, uh, Sir. I saw it on your belt; an ID badge. Some... research base I didn't recognize."

Hitch looks at the rookie marine skeptically. The rookie could be making up that story to protect the Stranger, but he managed to steal an alien ship, among other things that Hitch witnessed himself. With all the chaos, it's unlikely anyone will be able to verify rank and station officially at this point. This Stranger seems to be respectful and intelligent, and he's dedicated to humanity. Hitch nods, "Very well, Lieutenant. Welcome to the corps. Or... you know what? Navy. We need Navy friends here."

The newly officially dubbed Lieutenant Kane nods. Hitch turns to Sergeant Grey and says, "Sergeant..."

Grey asks seriously, "What about Little Bird? She's been saluting you for almost a whole minute."

Hitch looks at her. The little girl straightens under his gaze, right hand properly pressed to her hat's brim in a crisp salute. Hitch salutes her, but he says to Grey, "You can't be serious, Sergeant. I don't have that kind of authority."

Grey glares at him lightly. Hitch sighs. He looks at Little Bird again. He says proudly, "Hear ye, all present, that I, Lieutenant Colonel Franklin Hitch name you United States Marine Corps Private Recruit Little Bird; Enlisted rank E-1. From this day forth, uh... you are subject to the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and..."

The girl squeaks, "Rookie said I have to say a vow, Sir..."

Hitch pauses, surprised. Kane kneels and says softly, "You shouldn't interrupt, either, though."