[Galaxy] War Stories: Garroway

[Robert]

[ Endeavor, Bridge ]

"All ships have answered the hail, Sir," the comms officer reported. 
"You're on with the fleet."

Garroway stood from the captain's chair.  The message was audio only, so 
he turned to address his bridge crew as much as the crews of the thirty 
seven ships now listening.  He was on the intercom throughout Endeavor 
as well.  "It's time," he announced.

"It's been a long, hard road to get to this point.  We've had our 
victories, but at what cost?  We've lost friends, but to what ends? 
We've gone places, done things... maybe some things we're not proud of. 
  But here we are.

"So where exactly is /here/?

"We've been fighting this war out of necessity.  They pulled us in, and 
then hit us and kept coming.  We haven't been able to get our feet under 
us, and so everything we've done has been a reaction.  We haven't had 
the luxury of choosing our battles.  /Here/ is where that changes.

"By now we've all earned the right to go home.  We've fought hard, we've 
fought well, and we haven't given them an inch.  Not when our allies 
stepped back, not when enemy forces grew, and not when the odds were 
neck deep against us.  We took our hits and stood our ground.  Our 
bruises haven't faded and our scars are still stitched, and I would like 
nothing more than to tell you all that you've /done/ your part.  That 
it's time for someone /else/ to take over."  He paused.  "But there /is/ 
no one else.  We're it.  So here we are, and we're not going to get 
another chance.

"By all indications they don't know we're here, but their long-range 
sensors will pick us up before we drop from warp and I doubt they'll 
mistake our intentions.  They'll have a little time to prepare, so let 
there be no hesitation between cutting the warp drive and firing 
torpedoes.  We'll be going in hot, and everything we do has to count."

Garroway took a slow, heavy breath.  The time for speaches was over.  It 
was time to give the order.  "Group Leaders, take charge of your 
squadrons.  Prepare for warp on my mark to your respective coordinates. 
  Delta Group, we'll see you soon.  Good luck to us all."

He looked to the comms officer.  She checked her console and touched her 
earpiece, "Group Leaders all report ready, Admiral."

Garroway turned and looked at the viewscreen.  Tight formations of armed 
starships against the black and stars was a sight he hoped no one would 
see again in his lifetime.  It was disheartening, but then his own words 
came to him: 'There's no one else to do it.'  Another long, heavy breath.

"Let's go."


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RAdm Garroway, Thomas R.
Commander, Starfleet
(apb Robert)