Tides of Change

[ophidian]

Captain Cauthon entered the bar with a grim look on his face. He saw the few officers hanging around in the pilot country. Some seemed to be having a relatively bad day on their side as well. It didn't matter, life was hard at best in Omicrons.

Mat wasn't exactly having a joy ride as well. He was on board the Deviator as a part of the instruction team, teaching how should they handle things to the new personnel. Best treat was to go out on the field and practice against real odds, real enemies.

They were in Delta, patrolling around the Iota junction and bumped into some alien wing. It was an easy prey and rookies did a good job in eliminating the targets. All was well until one of the capacitators overcharged and caused the communications panel to explode, bursting sparks and flames all around. Lieutenant Jr. Grade Lawson had a serious burnt on his face. He was dragged into the sickbay for treatment but everyone knew that he would be lucky to have his eyes seeing again, set aside having a face without the marks.

Everything was falling apart in Order. They simply lacked the necessary resources for maintainance and their ships were getting old. Too many battles to fight and too little time to soothe the scars.

Mat experienced the pain of officer Lawson but what hurt him more was to see his eyes. They were dull as if this was something expected for Lawson, for all of them. They no longer feared death. Their emotions, senses were dulling against the ever lasting battle. Casualties were becoming more of a statistic rather than friends to mourn.

He sat near a big glass window and looked outside, feeling dizzy and lost in his own thoughts...

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