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A short jump was not nearly as bad as the longer ones and Relv shook off the slight nausea quickly. His holographic displays showed the bright blue green orb that was Vaslus. Despite the fact that anyone he'd ever known was long dead and that he had not set foot on its surface for over two hundred years, it still felt like home.
"Make sure the medical ship gets docking priority and medical teams are on standby. Then broadcast the docking order. I want to make sure the ships with the most critical damage are safely docked first. I don't want to lose any more people due to decompression accidents or engine core leaks," he ordered.
"Yes sir," snapped Ibek, then he turned to Relv with a raised eyebrow. "We are being hailed directly by Prime Station. They are requesting a priority channel direct to you."
"Allow it through," replied Relv as he tapped his neck communicator to open the secure channel that was for his ears only.
"Rear Admiral Fexl we have received your docking and repair priority list, but you have not included the Prominence. You are requested to put the Prominence immediately into maintenance docking bay 37 for immediate service and upgrade," said the chief dock master.
"Negative Dock Master, this vessel and its weapons systems are classified. I cannot allow anyone on board without express orders from the Primariate."
"Who do you think the orders came from," insisted the Dock Master.
"I'll need more than your word," countered Relv.
"The authentication has been sent sir."
"I have received nothing on this channel."
"It was not sent on this channel. I suggest you check your security chip sir."
Relv quickly grasped the chain around his neck and pulled out the security chip that Mira had given him before his first the battle of Egra. It was glowing red.
"Glax take us to maintenance bay 37 and prepare for docking and re-fit," ordered Relv trying to sound like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Both Glax and Ibek, the only two of his original Abarath crew that were still serving on the Prominence, both turned to look at him in disbelief.
"The order comes direct from the Primariate."
When Ibek saw the glowing red security ship hanging around Relv's neck his shoulders slumped and he exhaled deeply.
"Looks like this may not be my last tour after all," he murmured.