Courage, Fire and Hell

[Switchback]

“It’s been an honor serving with you.“
The crack in the bridge’s windshield expanded rapidly, shattering.

____


Andrew Bates snapped awake, shifting to get his bearings. He quickly adjusted to the ambient light and sighed a breath of relief. Getting out of bed, he walked over to the viewport.

Outside, a pair of Guardian fighter craft patrolled the airspace around Washington Shipyard, one of the Liberty Navy’s main production shipyards. Looking in the other direction, he could see the LNS-Drayton, a Liberty Assault Battlecruiser which was nearing completion. Andrew smiled as he looked at the glistening un-painted hull of the Drayton, as it was to be his first command. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the notification strobe on his computer pulsing softly, indicating a new message.

Andrew began to walk towards his desk, but then stopped. He shifted and walked to the lighting console near the door, switching the lights on. He squinted for a second and once his eyes adjusted he walked over to the kitchenette within the room and pulled out a pitcher of water. Pouring himself a glass, he walked over to his desk and sat down, the computer automatically sensing his presence and hummed to life.

“Identification and Activation Code please.”

“Andrew Bates, Commander, Liberty Navy. Identification Three Zero Two Nine Charlie Tango”

“Identification Confirmed.”

The screen connected to the Washington Shipyard Intranet, showing Andrew’s new Neural Net Messages. Skipping over a few, he activated the link to the current Duty Roster. Much to his dismay and annoyance, no Executive Officer had been assigned, with most of the other officers being newly trained Richmond Military Academy graduates. Rapidly, Bates typed a quick message to the bureau of Navy Personnel, requesting an XO be assigned.

Skimming the message he had just written, he tapped the send button. After downing the glass of water, Andrew put his computer into standby. Getting up, he walked over to his dresser and picked out his uniform for the upcoming day. Stepping into the bathroom, he closed the door and turned on the Shower, beginning his daily routine of getting ready.

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Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.