Southern Cross by Windstar

"That's your subtle way of asking if we're back together isn't it? Well we are, we fixed things,
mostly anyway. Figured it would be best, you know, just incase something happened."
The smile faded and Julie nodded. A lot of people had been doing that. Small differences just
didn't seem too important when you knew you might be dead soon.
"I came down to see if you needed anything else?"
Katya shook her head, standing as Julie did.
"Nope, we got the engines on the Drop Ship working, so we're back up to full compliment. If we
need to, I can drop my entire Sword in one shot."
"Good, I hope we don't have to, but you never know."
The two wandered down the corridor, passing more training rooms and the firing range. Past two
machine shops where Jump Troops were doing alterations on their Hard Suits.
"At least your people are keeping busy, Katya."
"We've got a lot to do to finish prepping. You wouldn't believe the number of glitches in the new
equipment. We'll work it out though."
"Lovely, just lovely. Just don't put a hole in the side of my ship self ok?"
"Oh come on, American, would I do that?"
Julie laughed and headed towards the lift, leaving Katya at her quarters.
"Don't make me answer that, Katya, you don't want my answer!"
The Command Deck, when she reached it, was just coming off Delta shift. Returning the salutes
of the on duty Marine guards, she smiled as she stepped inside. Her own Honor Guard remaining
at the entrance.
"Guardian on deck!"
The crew on duty stood as she entered, until she waved them back down. It was still odd to
realize that she was in direct command of all the thousands of crewmembers who were onboard
Southern Cross. Odd and a bit-disconcerting if she thought about it for too long.
"As you were. Helm, time to the sensor sphere?"
"Our ETA is twenty three minutes, Ma'am."