Command, Part 2
By Medeve. Filed in Scarab |
I take another deep breath. I hate dealing with Command. I reach out, open the door and take a step inside the command deck.
Despite my feelings for the current state of Command, the Command deck itself still fills me with a sense of pride. No mater what disgraces the current leadership of the Navy brings upon itself, it cannot erase the things that we did before.
Sitting with his advisers is the Captain talking in hushed tones so that the rest of the crew could not hear them. They all look up at me as I enter the room. The Captain motions for me to come over to him. I acknowledge him and walk towards the group.
“Lieutenant Peters.”
“Captain,” I respond as I salute him.
“At ease Peters. They tell me you found a nest egg on top of our ship.”
“That’s correct sir.”
“I assume you know the standard procedure for this situation.”
“I do sir.”
“Good, because we’re deviating from it.”
“Excuse me sir?”
“You heard me. I need you to oversee the evacuation of the civilians. Once they’re gone we’re going to blow this ship up.”
“Sir, I have to ask why.”
“If I don’t, they’re going to launch out new nest eggs and there are civilized planets nearby. The results could be billions of deaths.”
“Permission to speak freely?”
“Denied. Peters, its no secret that you dislike me and what I represent. But your a good solider. I know you’re not going to risk the deaths of countless civilians.”
I want to say something. I really do. But I can’t.
“So your going to oversee the evacuation. Then your going to see that the self-destruct sequence is started. Then you shall see that the crew is evacuated before you leave yourself. Do you understand?”
“Yes sir. What about you and the rest of command?”
“We shall be leaving once the rest of the crew gets their orders. You are to start the evacuation immediately.”
Figures. You would leave when you’re needed most.
“Yes sir,” I tell him as sincerely as possibly.
“You are dismissed,” he responds, waving me away.
I make my way out of the room.
I wouldn’t mind him dieing like this.