Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)

by Alicia Michaels

  Cronius shook his head. “I don’t know about that. During our meeting he informed me that he is going to approach his C.O.s about stripping me of my command when we return to Napet. I’ll be lucky if they don’t bust me all the way down to warrant officer.”

  Dia reached out to touch his shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I won’t let that happen. Try to stay out of his way while we’re here, and I’ll work on him a bit. I know Onyx, Cronius, and he’s… well, sometimes I think the anger gets to him.”

  Cronius nodded. “That’s understandable. He’s a foreigner in a foreign place, and has been treated with far less respect than he deserves. I made him look bad last night, and that is unforgivable. He has a hard enough time fitting in as it is.”

  “Nothing is unforgivable,” she declared. “He will understand once I explain the circumstances.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “Of course I do. Virus X took a toll on us all. You can’t be the only man who took comfort in alcohol after losing family members.”

  He shook his head. “That’s why I’d sworn off drinking. I don’t know what I could have been thinking last night. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over a year.”

  “If you promise me that it won’t happen again, I will do everything I can to make him go easy on you,” she offered.

  “Oh, I swore off drinking again last night. That man who started the riot isn’t the kind I ever want to be.”

  Dia took both his hands in hers and gave them a squeeze. “You aren’t that man. I have known you since I was a little girl. You’re a good man, and I think you’re a great officer.”

  “You’ve grown into a kind, beautiful young woman. Your father must be so proud.”

  Thinking of his anger over her hasty marriage, Dia bit her lip and stifled a laugh.

  Chapter Six

  “Is everything ready for the meeting with Avaron’s captains tomorrow evening?”

  Onyx posed the question while distractedly rifling through a stack of files. Even though he’d given Isaias the day off, the ensign had still reported to the office he’d been appointed to while in Avaron to assist him with his tasks for the day—insisting that he had nothing better to do than help Onyx. It was one of the many reasons he’d chosen him for the post of ensign. He had proven to be a valuable asset.

  “Yes, sir,” Isaias replied, giving the checklist on his clipboard a cursory glance. “If you don’t need me at the meeting, I plan to spend tomorrow preparing for our journey back to Napet.”

  Onyx nodded, standing from his place at the desk and stretching his cramped muscles. They’d been at it for hours. “Is there anything you don’t think of? That would be great.” Glancing down at his watch, he frowned. “I’m sorry, I’ve kept you through lunch. Maybe we should have something sent up.”

  Isaias smiled. “Already done.”

  “Good, because I’m starving. Let’s take a break while we wait for the food to come.”

  Striding toward one of the large floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the citadel around them, Onyx stared out into the bright afternoon. Encased in a massive dome, the space-station was a jumble of buildings practically standing on top of each other, with the main hub at the center. The hub stood in a tall cylinder, with various wings branching off like the tentacles of an octopus. Each tentacle was visible to the ones on either side because of the windows. From here, they had a bird’s eye view of their living quarters.

  “How is Ellena liking Avaron?” he asked.

  Isaias joined him at the window, hands clasped behind his back. “She seems to be enjoying it with Dia along for company. It was a good idea bringing them. If Ellena is left on her own for too long, she’s liable to get into trouble. I like to keep an eye on her.” He squinted and cocked his head to the side, seeming to spot something across the arcade below them. “Oh, there she is right there, standing out on the balcony… and with some random guy, too. See what I mean?”

  Onyx squinted, following Isaias’ pointing finger to the part of the building directly across from them. The windows of the officers’ quarters faced them, their balconies jutting out in neat little rows. He found a male and female standing on the balcony he’d indicated, but frowned when he took a closer look.

  “That’s not Ellena, that’s Dia… and Lieutenant March. And what kind of trouble?”

  Isaias cleared his throat. “My bad, I thought it was Ellena. That is our room. Anyway, don’t worry about it. Dia probably came over to hang out and March might have already been there. Ellena is always… entertaining… when I’m not around.”

  Onyx’s stomach turned at Isaias’ insinuation. Was that the sort of behavior an officer should expect from his wife? He knew that most marriages these days were made for the purpose of repopulation, but he and Dia were in love. Just because Ellena fooled around behind Isaias’ back didn’t mean Dia would follow the same pattern.

  “I should talk to Dia about it,” he murmured. “No offense, but I don’t want Dia ‘entertaining’ anyone when I’m not around.”

  “None taken. It’s not as if I’ve been entirely faithful, I have to admit. But everyone can see you and Dia are crazy about each other. It’s just… well, Cronius March… ah, I shouldn’t say anything.”

  Onyx felt a premonition creeping up his spine as he turned to face his ensign. “Anytime a man has something to say, but neglects to say it, it is usually because he fears the outcome. Trust me, you don’t have to fear my reaction to anything you have to say. You’ve always been honest with me, and I appreciate that. What do you know about Lieutenant March that I don’t?”

  “He is a fine officer, well qualified for his post,” Isaias replied, as if reading from a script.

  “And as a man?” he prodded.

  Isaias shrugged. “As I said last night, sir, it wouldn’t be right for me snitch on a fellow officer. I think his actions last night spoke for themselves.”

  Onyx glanced back across to the balcony, his heart slamming against his ribs as Dia reached out to grasp both of Cronius’ hands. She smiled up at him and laughed, and he imagined the sound, clear and high like the chiming of a bell.

  “So you’re saying…”

  Isaias’ hand came up to his shoulder and squeezed. “Well, a man who lets alcohol rule his life is unstable and unpredictable. One day he’s starting fights, the next he’s sneaking around to visit the wives of other officers. But, hey, don’t listen to me. I tend to be naturally suspicious of people.”

  “That’s because people aren’t always what they appear to be. There’s nothing wrong with being cautious.”

  “No, sir, there is not. Maybe you should just watch and see what happens. Don’t say anything, just observe their behavior. It’s what I would do.”

  A knock sounded on the office door, indicating their lunch had arrived. Isaias gave him another pat on the shoulder, then went to answer it, leaving Onyx standing at the window alone. Despite his best attempt at ignoring the foreboding feeling burning low in his gut, he couldn’t push it away as he watched his wife smile and laugh with another man.

  When Isaias returned to his quarters that evening, Ellena waited for him alone. Dressed for dinner, she paced the living room, glancing at her watch.

  “There you are!” she exclaimed when he entered their room. “We’re going to be late for dinner! Hurry up and change.”

  His upper lip curled as he took in her revealing dress and red lips. “You look like a prostitute.”

  Ellena gasped, picking up a pillow from the nearby couch and throwing it at him. “Don’t be a jackass.”

  He shrugged, tossing aside the pillow and sinking into an armchair. “It’s the truth. Did you do what I asked you to?”

  With a snort, she lifted a silver bracelet from the small counter separating their living area from the kitchenette.

  “I don’t know why I bother to do anything for you when you treat me like crap all the time, but here it is.”

  Isaias
extended his hand and accepted the bracelet. “Because you know better than to cross me,” he murmured, not bothering to acknowledge or even thank her for the item. “Are you sure it’s the right one?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Dia never shuts up about the thing. It’s the bracelet Onyx gave her the night he told her he loved her. She’s going to throw a fit when she realizes it’s missing. What do you want it for anyway?”

  “Don’t worry about that. You just go change your clothes. I’m not taking you anywhere looking like that.”

  Ellena stomped off to change, leaving Isaias alone to stare at the stolen bracelet.

  “It’s funny how such a small thing can cause so much chaos,” he mused aloud, watching the light glitter on the surface of the piece of jewelry.

  Dia glanced at the clock as Onyx swept into their quarters, an hour late for dinner. She stood, relieved to see that he was all right. When he hadn’t come or sent word, she’d been worried. Besides, she was anxious to talk to him about Cronius and get it over with. Seeing how distraught the lieutenant was over the whole situation had made her even more determined to help him.

  “Hey,” she said, smiling as she stood to greet him. “How was your day?”

  Onyx avoided her gaze and brushed past her, going into the small bedroom off the sitting area. “You didn’t have to miss dinner,” he said, his voice muffled by the wall between them. “I got held up, but you should have gone without me.”

  She frowned at his cold, even tone. Maybe now wasn’t the best time; obviously, he’d had a bad day at work. Following him into the bedroom, she found him changing out of his uniform.

  “That’s okay, I didn’t mind,” she said. “Besides, I thought maybe we could have dinner sent up and spend the night alone.”

  She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his bare back. He stiffened, but didn’t pull away.

  “Did you now?”

  “Mmm-hmm,” she murmured, inhaling his distinct scent. Her fingers traced his Ethelene tattoos. “I missed you, today.”

  “I’m sure you did,” he snorted, pulling away from her and jerking on a t-shirt.

  She blinked, stunned as he continued changing, still avoiding looking at her.

  “Is everything all right? Did you have a bad day or something?”

  He shrugged. “Just a long one. Maybe you should go ahead and get dinner sent up. I’m starving.”

  She nodded, toying with the hem of her shirt and studying him intently. His behavior was unusual, to say the least.

  “Sure,” she whispered.

  Leaving the room, she put a call down to the kitchen, then set about prepping the little dining table in the kitchenette. By the time he emerged from the bedroom, dinner had arrived. She laid it out on the little table and portioned everything out. He took the seat across from her and finally looked at her. His gaze was intense, his fingers tight around his fork when he lifted it.

  “How was your day? What did you do?”

  Why did his scrutiny make her feel like she’d done something wrong?

  “Just hung out with Ellena,” she replied.

  “Just Ellena?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Yeah. I tend to stay away from the other wives. Most of them only wanted to be my friend before because I was General Tian’s daughter. Now that I’m your wife it’ll be even worse. I’m not interested in being used.”

  He didn’t reply. For another moment, he simply watched her, as if waiting for her to say something else. After a while, he turned his attention to his plate and started eating. Dia followed suit.

  “Everyone’s talking about what happened last night,” she said between bites.

  “Men who drink too much can always be counted on to act like idiots,” he replied. “Nothing new about that. The situation’s being handled.”

  “Oh, I’m sure. It’s just… well, I hate that Lieutenant March is being decommissioned over it.”

  Onyx paused, his fork halfway to his mouth. “You and Ellena discussed that today?”

  “Yeah,” she replied. “I’m sure the punishment is the status quo when officers get out of line, but—”

  “But what?” he snapped, dropping his fork onto his place. “You want to tell me how to do my job now?”

  Dia started, rearing against the back of her chair. Even when he was in a bad mood because of work, he never took it out on her.

  “N-no,” she stammered. “Of course not. It’s just that I’ve known Cronius March since I was a kid. He was friends with my father. He’s a good man.”

  “Is he? How do you know?”

  Her heart began to race, and her palms broke out into a sweat. She had always hated confrontation and arguing always turned her stomach and made her jittery. They’d never fought before.

  “Well… I… I just do. He’s served in the army with honor, and was a family man before… before Virus X took out half of Napet.”

  “Yes, I know all about his wife and child,” Onyx said, his expression softening a bit. “He wasn’t the only person who lost someone.”

  “I know that better than most,” she reminded him. “But I still had my dad, and I have you. Cronius has no one. Did you know he had a drinking problem after they died? He fought his way back from that, and hasn’t had a drink in a year before last night. He had a little slipup, but it was just a mistake. People make mistakes.”

  His jaw clenched and he glanced away from her. His dark eyes became even more inscrutable, if such a thing were possible. She’d always been drawn to the mystery in their depths, but just now found it frustrating not to be able to guess at his thoughts.

  “Yes, people do make mistakes,” he replied. “I suppose you think I should forgive him for making me look like a fool as his commanding officer?”

  She reached across the table and took his hand. “Would it be so hard? You told me that he was the best candidate for the job when you promoted him. Has that changed because of one mistake?”

  He sighed, running a hand over his short hair with his opposite hand. He gave her fingers a squeeze with the other.

  “I love how you care about people,” he said. “I’m sorry for being a jerk. I’ve had a long day and I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m… I don’t know what’s gotten into me.”

  She stood and rounded the table toward him. Grasping his face, she tilted his head back and smiled down at him. “No need to apologize. We all get grumpy from time to time. Why don’t we finish dinner and go to bed early?”

  He turned in his chair and reached for her, pulling her down onto his lap. “What do you say we go to bed right now?” he murmured.

  He leaned into her and she met his searching lips with her own.

  “I say that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

  Chapter Seven

  Cronius had just finished donning his uniform and had prepared to leave his quarters for breakfast, when a knock sounded at the door. Crossing his living area quickly, he opened it to find Major Onyx standing on the other side, with Isaias flanking him. His throat constricted as he quickly snapped to attention and saluted.

  “Major,” he said, trying to control his voice. It came out as shaky and breathless. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “We need to talk.”

  He backed away from the door. “Of course. Come on in.”

  The two entered his quarters and Isaias closed the door behind them. Onyx took a seat in the armchair, and Cronius sat across from him on the small loveseat.

  “Mind if I use your bathroom?” Isaias asked.

  Cronius shot to his feet, remembering his little houseguest. He’d left her sleeping in his bed, as he hadn’t wanted to wake her. In his state of loneliness and distress over the incident that might have cost him his career, he’d slept with a fellow soldier—a woman he’d caught staring at him enough times to know she was attracted.

  “Um…” he paused, scratching the back of his neck. “Use the outer door here, n
ot the bedroom door. I have… company.”

  Isaias gave him a grin that clearly said ‘you dog, you’, before finding the hallway door giving access to the bathroom, which also connected to his bathroom.

  “Sorry about that,” Cronius said, his face flushing in embarrassment as he turned back to the major.

  Onyx shrugged. “I shouldn’t have intruded on your personal space. I just… I wanted to talk in private.”

  Cronius leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “It’s okay.”

  Onyx cleared his throat. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about things. Maybe I was a bit hasty to jump straight to decommissioning. While your actions were reprehensible and irresponsible, I do believe you are sorry for what you did. It was out of character for you, and I’m certain it won’t happen again.”

  Cronius sat up straighter, hope causing him to smile. “No, Sir! I had a one-time break in my sobriety, and I’m ashamed to say I let anger get the best of me. It will never happen again, in or out of uniform.”

  The major nodded, his sharp eyes assessing him. “I’ve heard stories of what happened to your family, Lieutenant. I know that Virus X affected many families, so I can understand how grief can lead someone to lose themselves.”

  “Losing my wife was the darkest moment of my life,” he admitted.

  “I can only imagine. I will admit, it took putting myself in your shoes to understand. I don’t have a family anymore, Lieutenant. I have my wife, and that’s it. If I lost her…” he trailed off, a hard look transforming his face for a split second. He shook his head, as if to shake the thought away. “Anyway, my C.O.s will want a full report when we return, and I can’t lie to them. Too many witnesses. But, instead of recommending that you be decommissioned, I plan to have you placed on a probationary behavioral monitoring program. For ninety days you have to adhere to a pretty strict protocol, then go before the board for a review and evaluation, but I think you can do it.”