Page 67 of Star Claimed Omega
‘Miral, lockThe Sombradown. Scan every staff member, contractor, FIFO, and even me. Any comms, data packets, signals, anything suspicious, burn it. Track all metadata. I also want the engine rooms, command decks, and maintenance paths sealed unless authorized by biometric override from a Signet strong guard member.’
The Synth scuttlebutt inclined her head. ‘Understood.’
Santi pushed off from the table. ‘I’m heading to the clinic. Followed by the mess to check in with our injured and the rest of the crew. .’
Kaal rose beside him. ‘Want company?’
‘Sante, pero nada, hermano,’ Santi muttered. ‘I also need some air so I can think of our next move. Also, team, not a word to the CO. Let him and his woman enjoy their honeymoon in peace.’
Minutes later, Santi prowled into the med deck, his boots echoing against the metal flooring.
The corridor lights had been dimmed to recovery mode, a muted blue hue that made the blood stains and hastily patched wall seams seem even starker.
He paused just inside the threshold, eyes scanning, his neural node getting up-to-date data on the patients and their health.
He noted the beds flanking both walls, as triage overflowed from the infirmary proper. Most were occupied with the injured.
Thankfokkthe crew had suffered no fatalities.
A few heads turned and caught sight of him.
The medics straightened and saluted, and a few of the injured, too, sitting up in their cots.
‘Commander,’ muttered Rena Koss, a science officer who’d taken shrapnel to the thigh but had still carried her bunk mate through two decks before collapsing.
Santi moved toward her and crouched beside the bed, clasping her shoulder with quiet strength.
‘You dragged Jerel out of that breach zone,’ he said. ‘That saved his life.’
She scoffed, but her eyes gleamed. ‘He’s heavier than he looks.’
‘I’ll tell him to skip dessert,’ Santi murmured.
Further down, he stopped by Corporal Tamasi, whose arm was in a foam brace, and his ribs had taken a punishing slam during the impact.
Tamasi sat up straighter as he approached.
‘You put the fire suppression override on Cargo Bay Two. That cut the damage in half. You’ll receive a commendation, soldier,’ Santi rasped.
Tamasi blinked. ‘Just did what needed doing, sir.’
Santi clasped the younger man’s uninjured hand. ‘Twelve others made it out in time because you did.’
Santi saluted him and moved on, pausing by each bed, no grand speeches, no performative flattery; just his presence, gratitude, and murmured comfort.
When he reached the mess, he found a dozen exhausted medics mingling with the night crew.
From the looks of things, they hadn’t slept since the incident and were running on fumes, adrenaline, and cups of steaming blackkahawa.
A couple sat slumped over ration trays, while others leaned back in their chairs like worn-out warriors.
Santi made a note to authorize days off for everyone and to add a bonus to their pay for their effort and loyalty.
He checked in on everyone, then turned and strode toward the lift.
He prowled to the one place he called his sanctuary.
To his cabin.To her.
