First contact legacy ear.., p.24
First Contact : Legacy Earth 2, page 24
“Inside,” Lance replied before jumping down.
As he hit the deck, his suit adjusted itself accordingly. Lance didn’t even feel the force of the impact.
“You’ll know which ones are yours by the size,” Lance explained. “When you get there, hold your new multi-tool to your old multi-tool and the data will transfer.”
“Copy that!” Michael said, excitement brimming in his voice.
Lance held up a hand and shook his head.
“Not you, Michael; you’re coming with me,” he said as he nodded Mattias and Dexter toward the ship.
“Oh no, don’t worry about me, I’ll just stay here with the ship,” Justin shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You got this, buddy!” Lance yelled back, not turning around and holding up a thumb.
“Is there a problem, sir?” Michael asked as they approached the elevator, manned by a Galio soldier.
The first lieutenant nodded at the soldier, offering him that awkward, forced smile. As the doors opened, they stepped inside. Within moments, the box started moving.
“Ia owkna atwha ouya idda,” Lance said in a stern tone. “Anda ouya oinga ota ellta araNa anda ommandca.”
Michael’s face turned white. His eyes widened as his brow knitted together with concern.
“Irsa, easepla, Ia iddn’ta eanma anythinga yba ita,” Michael pleaded. “Ia aswa ustja oingda atwha ia oughttha aswa estba orfa oura eoplepa.”
The elevator doors slid open. Lance stepped into the hallway, with Michael by his side. The Galio stayed inside, likely returning to the hangar. Approaching the command center, the first lieutenant banged on the door. His heart pounded as a flicker of rage settled within his gut. Not knowing what to do with Michael, he prayed that his honesty would displace the theft of information.
“The best thing for our people is to foster and maintain a healthy relationship with the Galio,” Lance hissed. “We’re not alone in this universe and there are likely bigger and meaner things out there than us. We can’t face them alone should they decide they don’t like humanity!”
“Yes sir,” Michael said in a deflated tone.
The command centers door opened. Nara’Tul greeted them with a smile and a partial bow. At the table sat an exhausted Major Price. Cadence sported small bags under her eyes. Without knowing her, one wouldn’t know she was ready to pass out as well. Leon swiveled in his chair. Lance wasn’t the least bit surprised.
The Major General was still as fresh as a daisy, likely the one who kept the other two on ship to push through negotiations. Lance couldn’t help but smirk to himself. Anything to get the job done, boys, echoed in the back of his mind. Memories of countless nights spent up working on school or house projects came flooding back. Nights where he and his brother should’ve been asleep five hours before, but their loving father insisted the job had to get done before rest.
“I trust your trip was fruitful,” Nara’Tul said as she waved them in.
“Yes, ma’am, it was,” Lance replied. “We ran into a few speed-bumps, but it’s nothing we couldn’t work out.”
“Speed… bump?” Nara asked, her horns bristled together.
“It’s a saying,” Lance explained. “We have bumps that are on our roads that force vehicles to slow down so they don’t run anyone over.”
“Fascinating,” Nara murmured as she pursed her lips in contemplation.
Lance looked around the room. Kolar, a handful of guards, and several command center workers.
“Ma’am, may we have the room?” Lance asked as he motioned toward the other Galio.
“What for?” Kolar sniped.
“Please, son, these humans haven’t shown any hostilities toward us and have been more than fair with what they’re willing to bring to the table,” Nara countered. “May we have the room?”
Her question held a hint of an order to it. She gave her son a stern gaze. After several moments, he huffed before ordering his men to leave. Those monitoring the systems left as well. Lance’s heart raced in his chest. He knew what he had to do, but it felt like an anchor was wrapped around his throat, trying to pull him into silence.
Looking at Michael, Lance nodded toward the table. His squadmate slowly walked over and sat down across from their commanders. With a reluctant sigh, Lance made his way to the table as well. Standing at the head, he noticed Nara watching him with curiosity as she sat at the opposite end.
“Commanding officers, Nara’Tul, I owe you all an apology,” Lance said as he leaned against the table, the weight twisted tighter around him. “I should have kept a closer eye on my men. I allowed myself to get distracted, and as a result, there was a breach of trust.”
Cadence and Leon leaned forward against the table. Price didn’t move. Nara’s expression of curiosity shifted to that of an expectant understanding to intrigued. She leaned forward as well.
“Go on,” she said with a wave of her hand.
“While on the Perseus Observatory Station, I was made aware that I’d smuggled in-depth information about your ship that was not freely given, off this ship. It was transitioned to me in the form of a digital library,” Lance said as he turned his gaze to Michael. “I should’ve double-checked the files before I left, and for not doing that, I apologize, ma’am. Rest assured, I deleted the stolen information before it was able to be taken from me.”
The first lieutenant felt his voice quake as he spoke. His nerves burned as the cold stare of his commanders caused his mouth to dry. What he wouldn’t give to be in a firefight right now. Anything to get out from under the terrifying gaze of his superiors.
Turning his attention back to Nara, surprise danced through him. She didn’t look angry, frustrated, or even disappointed. A pleased expression spread across her face as she sat back in her chair. She leaned her right elbow on the arm rest before motioning to him.
“Please, go on,” she said.
“It was my command, and I take full responsibility for the actions of my men,” Lance said as he grabbed his multi-tool and slid it off his arm before scooting it across the table to Nara.
“That’s alliance property,” Price said, his tone deep with warning. “You have no right to surrender it before a treaty is signed.”
“I’m aware of that, sir,” Lance said as he looked at his Major. “But there’s been a breach of trust. Information was wrongfully taken and put in a device whose hard drive has been fried. Before it was destroyed, though, all of its contents were transferred into that multi-tool. If we’re going to be a race worth allying with, we need complete transparency. With all due respect, sir, the inner workings of this ship are much more sensitive than our multi-tools. The Galio deserve an opportunity to investigate.”
Price sat forward for the first time. He cleared his throat with a stern expression formed across his face. As he stood to his feet, Nara’Tul cleared her throat. It drew everyone’s attention to her. She stood at the other end of the table, Lance’s multi-tool in her hands.
“We were aware of the theft from our medical bay,” she said as she looked at Michael. “And we know exactly who stole the information. Surely you didn’t think with such advanced technology, our sensors wouldn’t have detected data being copied to non-Galio devices. The truth is, I let you leave with our information.”
She slowly walked around the table. Adrenaline surged through Lance as a flood of emotions nearly overwhelmed him, sending a state of numbing shock through his system. Nara approached the first lieutenant and handed the multi-tool back to him.
“A diplomat could say whatever they wish to one’s face only to stab their ally in the back afterward,” Nara explained. “The true measure of a friend is one who admits to wrongdoing, even if it means taking the fall for another.”
Nara turned her attention from Lance to Price. A pit settled into the young man’s gut.
“Just because someone’s not around doesn’t mean we can’t still see and hear everything that goes on in our ships,” Nara added. “Major General Warder, your Major has proven that duplicity exists in your race, as it does all others. Your son, has proven that there’s honesty among your people as well. The line of Tul will consider itself a friend to the line of Warder for all time. Allow me to reach out to my superiors and formally suggest we welcome humanity to the Alcazar.”
Cadence’s face turned red as she looked at Price. Leon stood up, cool and collected as always. He straightened his uniform and approached Nara. He extended his hand to her.
“I appreciate your understanding,” Leon said as he shook her hand. “And rest assured the guilty parties will be dealt with. Honesty and communication are the keys to a flourishing relationship.”
“I agree; that is why I’ll have any file that isn’t classified ready to be sent to your ship upon the First Contact Treaty’s signing,” Nara said before releasing Leon’s hand. “I’ll allow your people to take a reprieve. You’re more than welcome to stay if you’d like, while I make the arrangements.”
“I think we need to get back to the Manifest Destiny,” Cadence said as she stood up, pulling Price with her.
Relief washed over Lance. His legs nearly gave out as butterflies fluttered in his gut. The tension that built within him vanished. He leaned against the table and let out a relieved sigh, despite still having cotton mouth. The first lieutenant slid his multi-tool back on.
Thirty-Two
Integration
Lance walked over to Michael. He waved the technician to his feet before pointing toward the door. His nerves started to settle as a sense of confusion mixed in. Lance wasn’t about to question the mercy of this Galio; such treachery would be a court-martial at least, and had resulted in wars on Earth.
“We have a monthly Ball of Slam tournament occurring tonight,” Nara said as she raised her hand to stop Lance.
The soldier looked back at the graceful diplomat. With a tilt of her head, he could tell she wanted him to join in. He cracked a smile and nodded to her.
“I’d love to play,” he replied. “Am I joining Sune’s team or will I be bringing one of my own?”
“If you’d like to bring a team of your own, we’d more than welcome it,” Nara replied. “It’s not often we’re graced with another race willing to, or physically capable of participating safely. It starts at what I believe you call sixteen hundred Earth standard time.”
“I’ll bring my guys,” Lance said before pausing. A wave of gratitude washed over him like a crashing wave. “And thank you, once again, for your understanding.”
With that, Lance escorted Michael back to the elevator. They took it back to the hangar before reporting to the experimental craft that was lent to him. Muffled shouts rose from inside the ship. Dexter, Mattias, and even Justin stood outside the ship, their eyes widened and as stiff as boards.
“Do we even want to know?” Mattias asked, arms folded across his chest.
Lance opened his mouth to tell them they didn’t. Justin cut in.
“This idiot stole information about the ship,” the pilot said. “Then he used Lance as an unknowing mule. Only the way Price is getting ripped into, I’m assuming it was all his idea?”
The pilot looked up at Lance, both his eyebrows raised, semi-judgmentally. With the slightest twitch at the corner of his mouth, the first lieutenant gave away everything to his lifelong friend.
“Oh my goodness, you tried to take the fall, didn’t you?!” Justin exclaimed.
“I’m the squad leader and ranking officer of this team,” Lance explained. “Anything you all do reflects on me, which means the blame, is also on me. By the way, Michael, did you even take into consideration that all that information could’ve easily been taken by the Veles? That could’ve been disastrous.”
Michael looked away. He fell silent and nodded. His shoulders hunched forward as he crossed his arms.
“Am I off your squad?” he asked in a whisper.
“If it were up to me?” Lance asked, a tinge pulling at his heart, like he walked through waist-deep liquid concrete. “I don’t know. Regulations would have you off in the blink of an eye. We’ll see what Cadence and Leo have to say. Once we return to the Manifest Destiny, you will take a shuttle back to Mars and confine yourself to barracks until a decision can be made.”
“And us?” Dexter asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice as he ran his fingertips over his armor.
“You’re going to be joining me tonight back here to partake in a Galio sport called Ball of Slam,” Lance explained. “It’s their monthly tournament and they want us to participate. It’s a good way to build rapport.”
“Why don’t they just call it slam ball?” Dexter probed.
“Amber asked me the same thing,” Lance said while shaking his head. “Best guess, it’s a translation error.”
“MEN!” Leon’s voice bellowed from the ship. “GET YOUR BUTTS UP HERE!”
“SIR, YES SIR!” they all shouted in unison.
“I’ve heard THAT tone before,” Justin muttered.
“What tone?” Mattias asked as they made their way to the ladder.
“The tone that usually resulted in someone getting spanked so hard, they can’t sit down for a week,” Lance replied as he stepped aside to let his men go up first.
“Sometimes late at night, I can still hear the screaming,” Justin added as he ascended the ladder.
Mattias and Michael followed the pilot up the ladder. Dexter stopped. He looked up at the ship’s entrance. Concern was strewn across his face.
“He’s not actually going to do that to us, is he?” Dexter asked.
Lance couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.
“No, Dex, he’s not going to. One, you’re not his son, and two… I’m fairly certain there’s at least a hundred regulations covering why that’s a bad thing,” Lance replied before pointing at the open door. “Now get up there!”
Dexter climbed the ladder. Lance followed closely behind. As they entered the ship it sealed behind them. Price stood in the back of the ship with his arms crossed. Lance never thought he’d see such a strong-looking man appear like a whipped puppy.
Justin immediately went to the cockpit. As he started the pre-flight checks, the craft’s engine hummed to life. Lance activated the magnets in his boots before grabbing a handrail at the top of the ship’s wall.
“Moving forward, Cadence will be in charge of the S4 while planet-side on Mars,” Leon informed the group. “I will be in charge when you’re in space.”
“Major Price is being relieved of duty pending an investigation and returning to Earth,” Cadence added. “Michael, you will be confined to the base pending a character review, and depending on how well you cooperate, will dictate your future with the alliance.”
As they informed Hrafn squad, Lance couldn’t help but feed into the tinge of guilt that plagued the back of his mind. He tried to suppress it but failed. The palpable tension in the air was unlike anything he’d felt in years. Not since he and Lincoln accidentally burned up the neighbor’s backyard with fireworks.
“We got lucky,” Cadence finally added, breaking the tension slightly. “If your squad leader wouldn’t have been so honest, Nara’Tul may not have been so merciful. She may have forgiven us, but actions like that take time to make right.”
“Speaking of which. She sent a formal invitation to have me and Hrafn squad come back at sixteen hundred hours to participate in a monthly athletic tournament,” Lance added. “Michael, of course, should return to Mars, but I request permission for the rest of us to participate. It may be a good way to start strengthening that trust.”
Cadence and Leon looked at each other like parents making a decision for a child. After exchanging several micro-expressions, Leon turned his attention to them and nodded.
“You may, but only you four,” he said as he pointed to Lance, Dexter, Mattias, and then to Justin. “You do what you need to on the Manifest Destiny then have a little friendly competition. Uk-Ta-Ha is complete, so no one stays on this ship overnight.”
“Yes, sir,” Lance replied. “Now might I suggest those who don’t have mag-boots report to the cockpit and get strapped in. Justin is fond of the power this thing can throw around.”
Cadence and Leon made their way to the cockpit. The others turned on the magnets in their boots and held on to the rails above them. Disappointment fell over the first lieutenant as he looked at his direct commander, a man who’d been training him directly for months now.
Slowly, he approached the Major. A thought sprouted into his mind. A horrible thought that made his stomach turn. Lance’s body temperature spiked. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as his heart rate soared. This is horrible, don’t do this! The soldier thought to himself as his conscience sprang to life. You’re betraying your Major!
“What are you doing, First Lieutenant?” Price asked as he got closer.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Lance said as he reached for his multi-tool. “Know this isn’t personal. That I was brought up and trained by my father, by Foltur, by you to always make sure a job is done properly… I have to make sure this is done properly.”
He activated the UV holographic projectors. He held it to one side of Price’s neck. The Major’s eyes widened as a snarl of betrayal left his lips. Lance moved to the other side; no marks. Price slapped Lance’s arm away.
“Are you kidding me?” he hissed. “I’m not one of them! I’m loyal to my alliance and to the human race. I just want to make sure we’re protected!”
“So do I, sir,” Lance replied as he turned the multi-tool off. “So do I.”
Lance turned back toward his team. Zero gravity encompassed the ship as they exited the hangar. Their magnetic boots kept everyone in place. A strange silence filled the ship. The first lieutenant looked at Michael. Worry consumed the young man’s face.
Sympathy for the young man weaseled its way into the back of Lance’s mind. He quickly snuffed it out. It may not have been Michael’s idea and he was just following orders, but a good soldier knows when an order is wrong. They must also be willing to accept the consequences of their actions. Be steadfast, an example to others, even in their failure.
As he hit the deck, his suit adjusted itself accordingly. Lance didn’t even feel the force of the impact.
“You’ll know which ones are yours by the size,” Lance explained. “When you get there, hold your new multi-tool to your old multi-tool and the data will transfer.”
“Copy that!” Michael said, excitement brimming in his voice.
Lance held up a hand and shook his head.
“Not you, Michael; you’re coming with me,” he said as he nodded Mattias and Dexter toward the ship.
“Oh no, don’t worry about me, I’ll just stay here with the ship,” Justin shouted, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You got this, buddy!” Lance yelled back, not turning around and holding up a thumb.
“Is there a problem, sir?” Michael asked as they approached the elevator, manned by a Galio soldier.
The first lieutenant nodded at the soldier, offering him that awkward, forced smile. As the doors opened, they stepped inside. Within moments, the box started moving.
“Ia owkna atwha ouya idda,” Lance said in a stern tone. “Anda ouya oinga ota ellta araNa anda ommandca.”
Michael’s face turned white. His eyes widened as his brow knitted together with concern.
“Irsa, easepla, Ia iddn’ta eanma anythinga yba ita,” Michael pleaded. “Ia aswa ustja oingda atwha ia oughttha aswa estba orfa oura eoplepa.”
The elevator doors slid open. Lance stepped into the hallway, with Michael by his side. The Galio stayed inside, likely returning to the hangar. Approaching the command center, the first lieutenant banged on the door. His heart pounded as a flicker of rage settled within his gut. Not knowing what to do with Michael, he prayed that his honesty would displace the theft of information.
“The best thing for our people is to foster and maintain a healthy relationship with the Galio,” Lance hissed. “We’re not alone in this universe and there are likely bigger and meaner things out there than us. We can’t face them alone should they decide they don’t like humanity!”
“Yes sir,” Michael said in a deflated tone.
The command centers door opened. Nara’Tul greeted them with a smile and a partial bow. At the table sat an exhausted Major Price. Cadence sported small bags under her eyes. Without knowing her, one wouldn’t know she was ready to pass out as well. Leon swiveled in his chair. Lance wasn’t the least bit surprised.
The Major General was still as fresh as a daisy, likely the one who kept the other two on ship to push through negotiations. Lance couldn’t help but smirk to himself. Anything to get the job done, boys, echoed in the back of his mind. Memories of countless nights spent up working on school or house projects came flooding back. Nights where he and his brother should’ve been asleep five hours before, but their loving father insisted the job had to get done before rest.
“I trust your trip was fruitful,” Nara’Tul said as she waved them in.
“Yes, ma’am, it was,” Lance replied. “We ran into a few speed-bumps, but it’s nothing we couldn’t work out.”
“Speed… bump?” Nara asked, her horns bristled together.
“It’s a saying,” Lance explained. “We have bumps that are on our roads that force vehicles to slow down so they don’t run anyone over.”
“Fascinating,” Nara murmured as she pursed her lips in contemplation.
Lance looked around the room. Kolar, a handful of guards, and several command center workers.
“Ma’am, may we have the room?” Lance asked as he motioned toward the other Galio.
“What for?” Kolar sniped.
“Please, son, these humans haven’t shown any hostilities toward us and have been more than fair with what they’re willing to bring to the table,” Nara countered. “May we have the room?”
Her question held a hint of an order to it. She gave her son a stern gaze. After several moments, he huffed before ordering his men to leave. Those monitoring the systems left as well. Lance’s heart raced in his chest. He knew what he had to do, but it felt like an anchor was wrapped around his throat, trying to pull him into silence.
Looking at Michael, Lance nodded toward the table. His squadmate slowly walked over and sat down across from their commanders. With a reluctant sigh, Lance made his way to the table as well. Standing at the head, he noticed Nara watching him with curiosity as she sat at the opposite end.
“Commanding officers, Nara’Tul, I owe you all an apology,” Lance said as he leaned against the table, the weight twisted tighter around him. “I should have kept a closer eye on my men. I allowed myself to get distracted, and as a result, there was a breach of trust.”
Cadence and Leon leaned forward against the table. Price didn’t move. Nara’s expression of curiosity shifted to that of an expectant understanding to intrigued. She leaned forward as well.
“Go on,” she said with a wave of her hand.
“While on the Perseus Observatory Station, I was made aware that I’d smuggled in-depth information about your ship that was not freely given, off this ship. It was transitioned to me in the form of a digital library,” Lance said as he turned his gaze to Michael. “I should’ve double-checked the files before I left, and for not doing that, I apologize, ma’am. Rest assured, I deleted the stolen information before it was able to be taken from me.”
The first lieutenant felt his voice quake as he spoke. His nerves burned as the cold stare of his commanders caused his mouth to dry. What he wouldn’t give to be in a firefight right now. Anything to get out from under the terrifying gaze of his superiors.
Turning his attention back to Nara, surprise danced through him. She didn’t look angry, frustrated, or even disappointed. A pleased expression spread across her face as she sat back in her chair. She leaned her right elbow on the arm rest before motioning to him.
“Please, go on,” she said.
“It was my command, and I take full responsibility for the actions of my men,” Lance said as he grabbed his multi-tool and slid it off his arm before scooting it across the table to Nara.
“That’s alliance property,” Price said, his tone deep with warning. “You have no right to surrender it before a treaty is signed.”
“I’m aware of that, sir,” Lance said as he looked at his Major. “But there’s been a breach of trust. Information was wrongfully taken and put in a device whose hard drive has been fried. Before it was destroyed, though, all of its contents were transferred into that multi-tool. If we’re going to be a race worth allying with, we need complete transparency. With all due respect, sir, the inner workings of this ship are much more sensitive than our multi-tools. The Galio deserve an opportunity to investigate.”
Price sat forward for the first time. He cleared his throat with a stern expression formed across his face. As he stood to his feet, Nara’Tul cleared her throat. It drew everyone’s attention to her. She stood at the other end of the table, Lance’s multi-tool in her hands.
“We were aware of the theft from our medical bay,” she said as she looked at Michael. “And we know exactly who stole the information. Surely you didn’t think with such advanced technology, our sensors wouldn’t have detected data being copied to non-Galio devices. The truth is, I let you leave with our information.”
She slowly walked around the table. Adrenaline surged through Lance as a flood of emotions nearly overwhelmed him, sending a state of numbing shock through his system. Nara approached the first lieutenant and handed the multi-tool back to him.
“A diplomat could say whatever they wish to one’s face only to stab their ally in the back afterward,” Nara explained. “The true measure of a friend is one who admits to wrongdoing, even if it means taking the fall for another.”
Nara turned her attention from Lance to Price. A pit settled into the young man’s gut.
“Just because someone’s not around doesn’t mean we can’t still see and hear everything that goes on in our ships,” Nara added. “Major General Warder, your Major has proven that duplicity exists in your race, as it does all others. Your son, has proven that there’s honesty among your people as well. The line of Tul will consider itself a friend to the line of Warder for all time. Allow me to reach out to my superiors and formally suggest we welcome humanity to the Alcazar.”
Cadence’s face turned red as she looked at Price. Leon stood up, cool and collected as always. He straightened his uniform and approached Nara. He extended his hand to her.
“I appreciate your understanding,” Leon said as he shook her hand. “And rest assured the guilty parties will be dealt with. Honesty and communication are the keys to a flourishing relationship.”
“I agree; that is why I’ll have any file that isn’t classified ready to be sent to your ship upon the First Contact Treaty’s signing,” Nara said before releasing Leon’s hand. “I’ll allow your people to take a reprieve. You’re more than welcome to stay if you’d like, while I make the arrangements.”
“I think we need to get back to the Manifest Destiny,” Cadence said as she stood up, pulling Price with her.
Relief washed over Lance. His legs nearly gave out as butterflies fluttered in his gut. The tension that built within him vanished. He leaned against the table and let out a relieved sigh, despite still having cotton mouth. The first lieutenant slid his multi-tool back on.
Thirty-Two
Integration
Lance walked over to Michael. He waved the technician to his feet before pointing toward the door. His nerves started to settle as a sense of confusion mixed in. Lance wasn’t about to question the mercy of this Galio; such treachery would be a court-martial at least, and had resulted in wars on Earth.
“We have a monthly Ball of Slam tournament occurring tonight,” Nara said as she raised her hand to stop Lance.
The soldier looked back at the graceful diplomat. With a tilt of her head, he could tell she wanted him to join in. He cracked a smile and nodded to her.
“I’d love to play,” he replied. “Am I joining Sune’s team or will I be bringing one of my own?”
“If you’d like to bring a team of your own, we’d more than welcome it,” Nara replied. “It’s not often we’re graced with another race willing to, or physically capable of participating safely. It starts at what I believe you call sixteen hundred Earth standard time.”
“I’ll bring my guys,” Lance said before pausing. A wave of gratitude washed over him like a crashing wave. “And thank you, once again, for your understanding.”
With that, Lance escorted Michael back to the elevator. They took it back to the hangar before reporting to the experimental craft that was lent to him. Muffled shouts rose from inside the ship. Dexter, Mattias, and even Justin stood outside the ship, their eyes widened and as stiff as boards.
“Do we even want to know?” Mattias asked, arms folded across his chest.
Lance opened his mouth to tell them they didn’t. Justin cut in.
“This idiot stole information about the ship,” the pilot said. “Then he used Lance as an unknowing mule. Only the way Price is getting ripped into, I’m assuming it was all his idea?”
The pilot looked up at Lance, both his eyebrows raised, semi-judgmentally. With the slightest twitch at the corner of his mouth, the first lieutenant gave away everything to his lifelong friend.
“Oh my goodness, you tried to take the fall, didn’t you?!” Justin exclaimed.
“I’m the squad leader and ranking officer of this team,” Lance explained. “Anything you all do reflects on me, which means the blame, is also on me. By the way, Michael, did you even take into consideration that all that information could’ve easily been taken by the Veles? That could’ve been disastrous.”
Michael looked away. He fell silent and nodded. His shoulders hunched forward as he crossed his arms.
“Am I off your squad?” he asked in a whisper.
“If it were up to me?” Lance asked, a tinge pulling at his heart, like he walked through waist-deep liquid concrete. “I don’t know. Regulations would have you off in the blink of an eye. We’ll see what Cadence and Leo have to say. Once we return to the Manifest Destiny, you will take a shuttle back to Mars and confine yourself to barracks until a decision can be made.”
“And us?” Dexter asked, a hint of trepidation in his voice as he ran his fingertips over his armor.
“You’re going to be joining me tonight back here to partake in a Galio sport called Ball of Slam,” Lance explained. “It’s their monthly tournament and they want us to participate. It’s a good way to build rapport.”
“Why don’t they just call it slam ball?” Dexter probed.
“Amber asked me the same thing,” Lance said while shaking his head. “Best guess, it’s a translation error.”
“MEN!” Leon’s voice bellowed from the ship. “GET YOUR BUTTS UP HERE!”
“SIR, YES SIR!” they all shouted in unison.
“I’ve heard THAT tone before,” Justin muttered.
“What tone?” Mattias asked as they made their way to the ladder.
“The tone that usually resulted in someone getting spanked so hard, they can’t sit down for a week,” Lance replied as he stepped aside to let his men go up first.
“Sometimes late at night, I can still hear the screaming,” Justin added as he ascended the ladder.
Mattias and Michael followed the pilot up the ladder. Dexter stopped. He looked up at the ship’s entrance. Concern was strewn across his face.
“He’s not actually going to do that to us, is he?” Dexter asked.
Lance couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.
“No, Dex, he’s not going to. One, you’re not his son, and two… I’m fairly certain there’s at least a hundred regulations covering why that’s a bad thing,” Lance replied before pointing at the open door. “Now get up there!”
Dexter climbed the ladder. Lance followed closely behind. As they entered the ship it sealed behind them. Price stood in the back of the ship with his arms crossed. Lance never thought he’d see such a strong-looking man appear like a whipped puppy.
Justin immediately went to the cockpit. As he started the pre-flight checks, the craft’s engine hummed to life. Lance activated the magnets in his boots before grabbing a handrail at the top of the ship’s wall.
“Moving forward, Cadence will be in charge of the S4 while planet-side on Mars,” Leon informed the group. “I will be in charge when you’re in space.”
“Major Price is being relieved of duty pending an investigation and returning to Earth,” Cadence added. “Michael, you will be confined to the base pending a character review, and depending on how well you cooperate, will dictate your future with the alliance.”
As they informed Hrafn squad, Lance couldn’t help but feed into the tinge of guilt that plagued the back of his mind. He tried to suppress it but failed. The palpable tension in the air was unlike anything he’d felt in years. Not since he and Lincoln accidentally burned up the neighbor’s backyard with fireworks.
“We got lucky,” Cadence finally added, breaking the tension slightly. “If your squad leader wouldn’t have been so honest, Nara’Tul may not have been so merciful. She may have forgiven us, but actions like that take time to make right.”
“Speaking of which. She sent a formal invitation to have me and Hrafn squad come back at sixteen hundred hours to participate in a monthly athletic tournament,” Lance added. “Michael, of course, should return to Mars, but I request permission for the rest of us to participate. It may be a good way to start strengthening that trust.”
Cadence and Leon looked at each other like parents making a decision for a child. After exchanging several micro-expressions, Leon turned his attention to them and nodded.
“You may, but only you four,” he said as he pointed to Lance, Dexter, Mattias, and then to Justin. “You do what you need to on the Manifest Destiny then have a little friendly competition. Uk-Ta-Ha is complete, so no one stays on this ship overnight.”
“Yes, sir,” Lance replied. “Now might I suggest those who don’t have mag-boots report to the cockpit and get strapped in. Justin is fond of the power this thing can throw around.”
Cadence and Leon made their way to the cockpit. The others turned on the magnets in their boots and held on to the rails above them. Disappointment fell over the first lieutenant as he looked at his direct commander, a man who’d been training him directly for months now.
Slowly, he approached the Major. A thought sprouted into his mind. A horrible thought that made his stomach turn. Lance’s body temperature spiked. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as his heart rate soared. This is horrible, don’t do this! The soldier thought to himself as his conscience sprang to life. You’re betraying your Major!
“What are you doing, First Lieutenant?” Price asked as he got closer.
“I’m sorry, sir,” Lance said as he reached for his multi-tool. “Know this isn’t personal. That I was brought up and trained by my father, by Foltur, by you to always make sure a job is done properly… I have to make sure this is done properly.”
He activated the UV holographic projectors. He held it to one side of Price’s neck. The Major’s eyes widened as a snarl of betrayal left his lips. Lance moved to the other side; no marks. Price slapped Lance’s arm away.
“Are you kidding me?” he hissed. “I’m not one of them! I’m loyal to my alliance and to the human race. I just want to make sure we’re protected!”
“So do I, sir,” Lance replied as he turned the multi-tool off. “So do I.”
Lance turned back toward his team. Zero gravity encompassed the ship as they exited the hangar. Their magnetic boots kept everyone in place. A strange silence filled the ship. The first lieutenant looked at Michael. Worry consumed the young man’s face.
Sympathy for the young man weaseled its way into the back of Lance’s mind. He quickly snuffed it out. It may not have been Michael’s idea and he was just following orders, but a good soldier knows when an order is wrong. They must also be willing to accept the consequences of their actions. Be steadfast, an example to others, even in their failure.
