Capt. **** breathed in and out
deeply as the lift carried him to the bridge. I’m not nervous. I’m not nervous. He mentally said to himself in a
failed attempt to convince himself it was true. What he was about to do could
be equated with treason under the right microscope, but he had to do it. He
would never be able to live with himself otherwise.
As the doors to the bridge opened
he clenched his left fist, a nervous habit he’d never been able to shake. The
customary “Captain on the bridge!” sounded and all the crew stood at attention.
“At ease.” He said to them as he
moved to his station. “Mr. **** please bring us to a full stop. Mr. *****
please prepare for a ship-wide announcement.”
The helmsman responded with a “Yes,
sir.” while several other crew members looked at each other in curiosity. They
were nowhere near their assigned destination and bringing the ship to a full
stop would put them behind schedule.
It
can’t be helped. The captain thought to himself. Once the ship had been
brought to a full stop he gave the signal to turn on the ship’s announcement
system. He took a deep breath, stood to his full height, and spoke.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your
captain. As you should know by now, we have been ordered to ***** to assist The ****** in her mission there.
However, in light of recent information, I believe it is in the best moral and ethical interests of this
ship and its crew to disobey that order. I cannot disclose more details at this
time; all I can ask is that you trust me. The less you know, the safer you will
be from any repercussions that may arise. The actions we will take will very
likely be considered treason. Therefore if there are any among you who do not
wish to risk that outcome please notify your division officer directly and you
will be released from duty with no repercussions from me or any crew who
remain. You will be dropped off on ***** and notation placed in your file
stating your stand. This offer applies to my officers as well. I know I am
asking a lot from you at this moment, and I wish I could tell you more. You
have one hour to decide and pack your things. It has been an honor serving with
you all. If I am needed, I will be in my quarters.”
He had to keep himself from
practically running of the bridge and down the halls to his quarters.
>>>
About
an hour later the bell from his door rang, announcing someone standing outside
it.
“Enter.”
Capt. **** said, not rising from the chair he was sitting in or looking away
from the nothingness he was staring at. A glass sat, full and untouched, on the
small table beside him. His XO entered and stood a few paces away, hands
clasped behind his back, waiting until he was addressed.
Capt.
**** looked up at him in silent acknowledgement. His Lt. Co. **** had been at
his side since their days in the academy. He was the strange sort of man who
was content with following one man rather than leading many.
“I have
fifteen people waiting in the shuttle bay waiting to be dropped off.” **** told
him. His face and tone betrayed no contempt or disdain, just a simple statement
of facts.
“Only
fifteen?” the captain asked, stunned. He commanded a ship of hundreds. It was
sobering to think there might be that many willing to blindly trust him in the
upcoming endeavor.
“Only
fifteen, sir.” His XO confirmed, smiling.
“I’m
not sure I understand why you’re smiling, XO.” **** told him, a look of
confusion crossing his face.
The
man’s smile broadened. “I’m smiling at your surprise, Sir.”
****
raised an eyebrow.
“You
were so surprised that only fifteen out of hundreds decided to leave. You’re
the greatest captain the fleet has. Not just mentally, but morally as well and
the crew knows it. The fifteen who are leaving are the cadets we took on a few
months ago, and that’s fifteen of forty. Everyone else trusts your judgment and
is willing to face whatever fallout there may be from that decision. If you say
we need to disobey orders, then we are willing to do so. I know I speak for the
rest of the crew when I say, we would follow you into hell itself if you led us
there.” **** stood to his full height, shoulders back as he made the last
statement, pride evident in his posture and tone.
Capt.
***** looked at him in mild shock and incredulity, unable to speak. He had
always tried to do what was right, not caring about the consequences. Even
still, he would have never imagined that philosophy to inspire the type of
loyalty and trust he was being shown. He didn’t deserve it. No one did.
*****
forced himself to swallow, wetting a dry throat, and spoke. “Are we ready to
head for ***?”
“Already
on our way sir.” His XO replied. “I gave the order before I came here. We
should reach **** in two hours.”
“Very
well.” The captain said, breathing deeply and regaining his composure. He stood
and brought out another glass. Then he addressed his *****, “Take a seat, and
I’ll explain what I have in mind.”
