by Chris Mills
Seven seats were in each row. Time had started to run out, and there were still a handful or more free chairs. Gabe and Kim sat by each other in the row in front of Andy. The count came to fifteen in their seats. A man kept to the back with an interesting bone formation running down the middle of his face. He had darker skin and kept his arms crossed. Suddenly, the door slid open by him. Captain Maley stepped in. He shook the man’s hand at the door. The captain motioned down towards the stage.
The man with three stars on his blue uniform stepped to the side of the stage where a podium rose. His hair was dark and very short. Those piercing, dark blue eyes stare out at them as he took center stage. Huh. The man’s chin was lighter than the rest of his face. The lights suddenly darkened.
“Welcome to Sterno Operations,” the man said. “I am Commander Opal. I am in charge of the operation. This meeting will be short, as Sterno Operations consists of two departments; an away team and a resource team. You should know your designation if you logged in. If you haven’t, do so. I do not care for incompetence.”
Only one, a man with auburn hair, quickly worked to get it done. The Commander kept his hands behind his back, eyeing the man till his hand finally withdrew from the screen.
“Ensign Jenkins,” Commander Opal said. “Let’s not waste any more time.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Jenkins said.
“Two lieutenants serve under me, and the rest will report to their assigned one in command. Lieutenant Zumerkrin heads our resource team, which a majority of you are on. There will be times some of you will take part of missions the away team goes on, and you will be trained in the coming weeks. Lieutenant Zumerkrin, please stand.”
Herald rose. “I look forward to working with all of you,” he said. Commander Opal nodded.
“Once this is done, those under his command will follow him to the lab. Our lab is restricted from anyone else onboard. Lieutenant Zumerkrin and myself are the only ones who can open it. You will do well not to enter or stay without our permission. Understood?”
“Understood,” the agreement came.
“Lieutenant Agler is head of our away team. He will train and oversee the progress. Lieutenant?”
Lieutenant Agler rose by Stephen. “We’ll talk soon,” he assured. “I look for the best in our operation.”
“We will have another meeting here tomorrow before the end of duty shift,” Commander Opal said. “You will follow your commanding officer. Captain, do you have anything to add?” Captain Maley shook his head. “Dismissed.”
**
Lieutenant Tom Agler had some muscles to him, and a pure military buzz cut. He led the away team to a conference room. His blue eyes came across them. He cleared his throat. “You will find that many doors require a rank above yours to open,” he said. “I ask that you try not to press that. When we get farther along, things will change, I assure you.”
“What can we get into?” Stephen asked.
“The locker rooms,” Lieutenant Agler said. “Things will change. Let’s go inside and chat a bit. You will not start your duty shifts here. You will report to the locker room and be in training gear before I arrive.”
Stephen nodded. The conference room had a white, oval table which appeared to have holo-technology from the devices on it. He found a seat close to the lieutenant who asked before they headed out for him to do so. Off duty, he requested Stephen to call him Tom. Stephen wouldn’t like to always be referred to by rank.
“Introductions are in order,” Lieutenant Agler said. “I’ll start. Give your formal name, not rank. I’m Thomas Agler.”
“Andy Miller,” Andy said. The resource team would have a longer time. There were only six in here.
“Sophie Zalbador,” Sophie said.
“Serena Weslick,” Serena said. Stephen froze briefly.
“Matt Jenkins,” Matt said. He gave Stephen a smile and nod.
“Stephen Jones,” Stephen said.
“Try to get to know each other,” Lieutenant Agler said. “We will work together in training. It is best to know the ones you spend your time with. The resource team will send team members over to train. Some may join us when real missions come, if we need their specialty.”
It made sense sadly why Gabe and Kim weren’t on this team. Why make it tougher when the away team was expected to be off the ship investigating and ready for combat?
“Now,” Lieutenant Agler said. “Our side of the operation will be on the front lines. You will learn to better communicate, research, and investigate. Commander Opal will speak more on our operation tomorrow. We are in search of the Aliefens.”
“Aliefens?” Matt spoke.
“Yes, and you will wait to speak until I am finished. There is something onboard that Councilman Wallace feels they will take interest in. Our hope is to make contact with them and have them help us understand it. There could be a chance for them to join the empire or possibly assist us in the future. Are there questions on our goals?”
“Is there a chance they’d be willing?” Serena questioned. “There has been bad history with some races in our operation.”
“We understand that. That is why this object I spoke about may sway them. I am not allowed to reveal details on it. Any other questions?”
“Yes,” Sophie said. “Can you better explain to us the line of command?”
“Oh, of course. I saw you noticed. Junior-Lieutenant Jones will serve as your commanding officer when I am not with you.”
“Wait, what do you mean by ‘with you?’” Serena questioned.
“I was chosen to train and supervise from my experience,” Lieutenant Agler said. “I plan to go on missions, but I will not go on all. I will choose depending on what the mission entails.”
“I don’t mean to question you, lieutenant.”
“Speak.”
Serena’s eyes met Stephen. “I’d like to know if he has any experience,” she said. “I don’t feel comfortable taking orders from someone who hasn’t served before.”
“Before?” Matt questioned.
“It is true that Junior-Lieutenant Jones is a new officer to the empire,” Lieutenant Agler said. “I have been informed that he is skilled, and Councilman Wallace sees potential. I said before that he is in charge when I am not present. We will have training, and I am certain he will prove himself.”
“I hope so,” Serena said. “I’m not comfortable with his background.”
“What do you mean by that?” Stephen questioned.
“You did not attend the academy, you caused a stir on Galat II, and -”
“That’s enough, Ensign,” Lieutenant Agler said with a sharp and stern voice. “Do you dare question Councilman Wallace’s choice?” The last thing Stephen wanted was to stick out because of his inexperience. “If you wish to voice concerns, Commander Opal can be contacted.”
“I see,” Serena said. “I trust he will not endanger our missions to come and learns quickly.”
“I’d knock that off,” Stephen warned.
“Is that an order?”
“Enough, Ensign,” Lieutenant Agler said once more. His face had turned a shade redder. “You will remember your place in the Galatian Empire. Are we clear?”
“Yes. I apologize.”
“Let’s move on. I don’t want any more disruptions.”
Stephen and Serena’s eyes locked, a slight ember in each that seemed to not fizzle. Weslick or not, he had come too far to take shit from someone who doubted him this much. Her eyes finally left after Lieutenant Agler spoke of their hours. There wasn’t a day off planned yet until whenever training got done, and that meant no day of rest. Weren’t they not supposed to be in the military?
**
“You have someone waiting for you,” Commander Vixen said. “I’d make haste, Captain.”
Captain James McCall lowered his glass. Only a bit of the brown liquor remained. He took a drink on duty when there wasn’t much more to do. Vixen waited by the door with his arms behind his b
ack, head tilted slightly forward, and that annoying look he never seemed to lose.
“You did ask to be notified,” Vixen said. “It’s him.”
“Out!” James barked.
“Shall I not disturb you next time?”
Vixen strolled out, doors sliding behind him. James requested his privacy for only thirty minutes this afternoon. He hadn’t expected any sort of contact from his superior. He pulled his laptop close and finally, took off his do not disturb feature. A request popped in fast. Damn. It had come fifteen minutes ago. No wonder that asshole had disturbed him. He ran his head over his smooth head.
A black box grew on the screen. A blue line soon ran through it. “I expect fast progress next time I contact you,” a cold voice said.
“I apologize,” James said. He took back what was left of his whiskey and slid the glass across his desk. “What do you require?”
“I have an update.”
“An update? Do you need me to do something?”
“In due time,” the cold voice assured. The Amandora was a battle cruiser and stuck to patrols - sadly. Its time felt wasted, and James grew bored without a spark of conflict. “Hanash is dead.”
“I should have sent one of my best,” James said. He tapped his fingers together in front of him, remembering that final warning Hanash had given him before he left. “Philips would have done well with his team.”
“Hanash should have brought me Kodon with little issue. His time aboard the Explorer C must have weakened him. He was the most promising of those I picked. I do believe there was a fight that not even I saw coming. Kodon means more to Zumerkrin and his new acquaintances than possibly their lives. One, I have learned, killed Hanash.”
“We wouldn’t have the same issue.”
“I did not wish them dead,” the cold voice said. James rose an eyebrow. “You may understand in time.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. You are to wait. I will have need of you. I want you to work on your team. Make sure they are prepared. The Celestial has left Galat II and is on course to start their training. It isn’t time. The ship may not compare to the Amandora, but it can easily do damage and flee.”
Guerilla warfare had been a term used by humans long ago. The thought of running from a target many times was pitiful. The captain would rather end it there with injury than let his opponent have another chance to prepare.
“What all can you give me?” James questioned. Philips liked details.
“I have nothing yet to help. Sterno Operations has my eyes. I will contact you when I have more. Do not fail me. I did not help you reach your place to see failure.”
“I will not fail you.”
“Good,” the cold voice said. “The cause needs Kodon. I hope your team will bring it to me when I call upon them.” An evil smile spread across James’s face.
“I do not fail.”
**
Herald had kept the others after the first duty shift ended. Stephen felt lazy when he had been released earlier. It seemed like Gabe and Kim would have some fun. There would be experiments that may help the away team in the future and also the hint of Kodon being used some for research or more. It confused Stephen on how it would help if it was him. He had to work, not sit in a lab a day at a time.
Night had fallen upon the Celestial. Stephen laughed at the story of one of the resource team member’s goof that Kim told. Lab equipment was fragile, and Kim claimed Herald hadn’t yelled or been angry about it. It had been a beaker, yet it did come on the first day.
“I like your quarters,” Kim complimented. “Is it bigger than ours, Gabe?”
“No, it isn’t,” Gabe said.
“I think they make a lot of them the same unless you have family,” Stephen said. “Mike wants to have me over soon. I wonder if he has any privacy with his wife.”
“Jeez,” Gabe said. “The bathroom might be the only place to uh, be in private.”
“Be in private?” Kim questioned. She giggled. “Gabriel, that’s dirty.”
“I didn’t say anything inappropriate. Get your mind out the gutter, babe.”
Stephen chuckled. The four had come here after dinner. The mess hall on this deck had good food. Andy claimed to have met the cook of his named Yeri. The man was friendly and expected everyone to come by at some point. He had the largest mess hall supposedly and wanted all to know they were welcome. The promise of the home feel seemed much.
“What’s with Willard’s daughter?” Kim questioned. “Andy told me about some leadership issues.”
“Command issues,” Andy corrected. “She’s just jealous.”
“Is she self-entitled?”
“Doubtful,” Stephen said. “I thought Melistinians didn’t care to hold to that. I really have to prove myself, I guess. I met her at the sendoff party, and she had an attitude there too. Her father put her on the Celestial.”
“Daddy’s girl isn’t happy,” Gabe joked. Stephen chuckled. “Oh well. I’m sure you’ll put her in her place.”
“Don’t speak that way,” Kim said. “He has an important role.”
“He’s Andy’s boss,” Gabe said. “I’m sure Andy will help.”
“Yeah, sure,” Andy said with a grin. “I like our team. We get to train in the holo-chamber tomorrow.”
“Lucky. I want to go in one.”
The Celestial had three if Stephen remember right; an armory, one for crew, and one that favored senior officers before others. These chambers would take them off the ship to wherever the program put them. A completely fake environment could fool them. It sucked knowing without safety protocols, they could die in there. A bullet in there could kill them, even if it was made up by light and fields.
“We all need to grab one when we aren’t working,” Kim said.
“And when’s that gonna happen?” Gabe asked. “It’s going to be busy at night.”
Time was allotted each week that added up. They could reserve them by themselves or put time together. Sometimes a program would run by another that they could take part in without using their hours. Designated times also had simulations running anyone could join. They did make good gyms and great spots to relax.
“Well,” Andy said. “I’m going to meet Sophie. She wanted to show me one of the projects she brought.”
“Don’t be up too late,” Stephen warned. “Duty shift starts at 7:30 tomorrow.”
“Aye, aye, sir,” Andy said, saluting. “I promise to be on time at seven hundred thirty hours.”
“Knock that off,” Stephen laughed.
“We should go too,” Kim said. “I want to read more about our room and the ship.”
“Really, Kim?” Gabe questioned.
“I don’t want to miss something simple.”
“Try the lights,” Stephen suggested. “That’s my project tonight.” He tossed up the one on the end table. It had a nice glow to it.
Stephen soon said his farewells to his friends in the hall. It felt like things were getting better. He waved to Andy once more and headed inside. That Sophie really grew on Stephen today. She was very cute, and her eyes would need to keep to work tomorrow and not be on her new friend. Stephen grinned at the thought of Andy stroking Sophie’s tail.
Stephen neared the window. The tint had been put to almost seventy earlier and now came back to five. Stars flew by, like they would many times he looked in the future. A slight chill rose within. He took a short breath. Things had finally gotten to where he could breathe - really breathe. Hanash was dead, and he was on board an excellent vessel that could vanish if needed. His friends each had smiles, and there was purpose it seemed to what they wanted to achieve here. He hadn’t seen Gabe joke for a while.
All this had passed. This was what Stephen wanted. He took a deep breath. It felt like all at once that anger he couldn’t release left. He found an ache inside that had been there during his recovery on Earth. The accident broke him and brought him to his lowest. That pain still lingered inside. It r
eminded him he was mortal, it reminded him how fragile life was, and it reminded him that he had given up. A tear streamed. This was his one shot to live again, and he refused to let anything take it from him without a true fight.
Biography
Chris Mills was born and raised in Van Wert, Ohio. He attended the University of Toledo where he majored in Communication Broadcast Management with a Minor in English Writing. He graduated in 2011 with honors.
He later moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he married his wife Sarah. They have three beautiful children together.
Since childhood, he has been writing consistently to develop a style and worlds to explore.