Julie thought for a moment what to do next. “Vish, scan the ship’s interior and identify all human life signs that are missing a pip transponder.”
“Scanning. One human life sign found.”
“Where?”
“The brig.”
It suddenly clicked for Julie. John’s behavior, the missing dead Screen body, the forged intake form. It all led to one conclusion.
“Oh my gosh, John. What are you doing?”
Julie ran out of the quarters and headed down to the brig. “Vish, what’s the status of the Screen in the brig.”
“Based on known Screen physiology, I show elevated distress levels. Commander, one of them shows levels indicative of extreme stress.”
Julie ran faster to the lift. A few minutes later she reached the brig, but the doors wouldn’t open. “Vish, open the door!”
“I’m unable to comply. The doors have been sealed, priority one, captain’s authorization.”
She had to get in there and stop him. She pounded the door. “John! Let me in!” But it was a futile effort. She doubt he could hear her at all. “Olson to Doctor Myers. I don’t have time to explain, but I need you to override the lock on the brig door.”
“Understood, commander,” said Myers.
Julie felt it took an eternity for something to happen.
“Lock has been released per chief medical officer’s authorization,” announced Vish.
“Open the door!” shouted Julie. As soon as the door opened she rushed in, but stopped when she saw the most horrific scene she ever witnessed.
There laying on a table was a Screen, strapped down and unable to move. Standing over the prisoner was the captain, holding some sort of medical instrument. Julie couldn’t tell what it was, but what caught her attention was the Screen’s arm. It was completely dissected. The skin had been removed and tendons and ligaments were exposed. When Julie entered, John was in the middle of dissecting its leg.
“John, stop! What are you doing?” John casually turned and looked at Julie, showing no surprise of her walking in.
“I’m in the middle of interrogating the prisoners. Please leave.” There was no hint of emotion in his voice, no sense that he cared what he was doing to another sentient being.
“John, don’t do this,” pleaded Julie as she slowly approached the table. She showed her hands to let him know she wasn’t armed. “I know you want to get back at them for what they did, but this isn’t the way. This isn’t you. Please, stop this!”
“I’m merely extracting information from them,” replied John.
“This is torture,” said Julie, who was now on the other side of the table.
“We’re at war,” countered John.
“This isn’t right.”
“Careful, commander,” warned John. “It almost sounds like you’re sympathizing with the enemy.”
“I hate them for what they did to us, just as much as you,” reiterated Julie. “But this won’t accomplish anything. I’m trying to save you from making a horrible mistake.” She reached out her hand to him, tears streaming down her face, realizing how much trouble her friend was in. “Please, John. I don’t want to lose you. I need you. The crew needs you.”
John looked up at her, and Julie could see the hesitation in him. She could tell he was struggling with his emotions. But then he shook his head. “No, they need to pay for what they’ve done.”
“Not like this.” Julie slowly inched her arm forward. “This isn’t going to accomplish our mission.”
“They all need to suffer like I’ve suffered.” Julie reacted and whacked the knife out of his hand. “What the hell are you doing?” He looked around for where the knife fell as Julie came around the table.
“I’m not going to let you do this,” Julie said as she put her hand on his shoulder. He smacked it away and spun around at her, overtaken with anger.
“I’ll kill you!”
“Stop it!” Julie screamed as she rushed him and slammed him against the wall. John tried to struggle free, but the adrenaline coursing through her body gave Julie the strength to hold him. “This isn’t you! You not cold hearted!”
“Fuck you!” screamed John. “You don’t know me!”
“Yes I do!” Julie shouted back. “You’re not a monster!”
“I need to be strong! I need to destroy them before they can hurt us again!”
“You are strong!” said Julie, holding him in place. “But not this way. What would Donavin, Drix, and Martin think if they saw you doing this?”
“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it.”
“What would Alex’sis think?”
Hearing her name turned a switch on in John. He was unable to hold back the emotions he kept down for all these months. Julie felt the strength drain from him as he cried out in agony.
“She wouldn’t want you to do this,” said Julie. “She loved you.”
Julie felt him go limp and held him as he crumbled to the floor. “Why? Why did she have to die?”
“I don’t know,” Julie said as she comforted her friend. “I miss her so much too.”
“The Ni could have saved her,” cried John.
It finally all made sense to Julie. John blamed the Ni for not stopping the Screen at the start of the battle. That’s why he was angry at Jacks. It was the focus of John’s anger towards the Ni.
“I’m so alone,” moaned John. “I don’t have anyone.”
“That’s not true,” said Julie. “You have me. I’m not going anywhere. We’re all here for you and we’re going to help you through this.”
John continued to cry, letting the emotions he bottled for all these months flow out of him. Julie stayed and held him tight. The Screen in the cell looked on and was confused and scared on how these humans were behaving.
After a while, Julie escorted John out of the brig and to her quarters. She contacted Myers and had him meet her back in the brig. He was horrified at what he saw, but Julie wouldn’t elaborate about what had happened. She merely asked him to treat the Screen and say nothing to anyone. Myers suspected what had happened, but honored Julie’s request.
A couple of days later, Julie was sitting in John’s office. She was reading the procedures and rules regarding removing a captain from command and court martial procedures.
“Come in,” said Julie as the door chime rang. She was relieved to see Thresha enter.
“I came to see how you were doing,” said Thresha. Julie had confided in Thresha that John had a breakdown, but didn’t elaborate on the details. She didn’t want his image tarnished with anyone. She didn’t want Thresha, or any other alien, to learn that humans were capable of unspeakable acts.
“Awful,” admitted Julie. “I’ve been reading our protocols regarding what to do in order to remove someone from command.” She quickly turned off the desk screen. “I don’t know why I’m even looking at this. Despite what he’s done, he’s still my friend.”
“Then why read up on your procedures?” asked Thresha.
“I don’t know,” said Julie. “Maybe to feel like I’m still able to act like a military officer. Maybe to get some guidance on what to do. Thresha, I never thought I’d be in this position.”
“Have you decided what to do with the Screen?” asked Thresha.
“We planted a tracking device on the cruiser,” explained Julie. “I’m having the Screen returned to the ship. An Onixin cruiser is not too far from us and will track it once it leaves the area. Hopefully, they’ll return to their homeworld or to another installation. They’ll probably recount their experience on PHOENIX to their superiors, which won’t do anything to establish any sort of relations with them. But keeping them on board doesn’t feel right either.”
The door chime rang again. “Come in.” Julie was shocked to see the captain enter. “Captain.”
“It is good to see you,” said Thresha.
John nodded at her, but did not smile. He was wearing civilian clothes and Julie saw he was holding a
black box. She recognized it as the box that held military command bars.
“What…?” started Julie, but John held up his hand. He placed the box on the desk.
“Vish, transfer all my command codes to Commander Julie Olson,” ordered John.
“Transferring command codes will transfer command of PHOENIX to Commander Olson,” explained Vish.
“I understand,” said John. “Transfer the codes. Captain’s authorization, priority one.”
“Acknowledged,” said Vish. “Command codes transferred. PHOENIX is now under the command of Commander Julie Olson.”
John looked at Julie. “We both know I’m no longer capable of commanding this ship. I can’t figure out how to deal with my problems, so I’m no good to anyone.”
“Captain, allow us to help you,” offered Thresha.
“How can anyone help me when I can’t even help myself?” said John. He looked back at Julie. “The crew’s better off with you.” He turned and headed out of the office.
“I’m not giving up on you,” Julie said to him.
John stopped for a moment. “Then you’re alone. I’ve already given up on myself.” The door closed as he left.
Julie picked up the box and cradled it in her hands. “There’s still hope for him. He gave up command so I didn’t have to make that decision. He spared me that choice.”
“The captain was wrong,” said Thresha. “You are not alone. I have faith he will return to us.”
John went back to his quarters and packed up his clothes. He headed to Central, to one of the buildings where he arranged to rent an apartment. By the time he was in his new home, word had already gotten around the ship that he was no longer in command.
John pulled a chair up to the bedroom window and looked out at the people walking through Central. He was only there a few minutes when he heard the front door open. He went to the living room and found Chris Anne and a bot entering.
“Put the bags on the counter,” Chris instructed the bot. “I’ll put the groceries away myself.” The bot complied as Chris looked at John. Neither said a word until the bot left.
“If you want to talk, you’re wasting your time,” said John.
“My place is with the captain,” said Chris as he began putting away the groceries.
“Don’t call me that. I’m no longer the captain,” reminded John.
“You’ll always be the captain,” said Chris. “You do whatever you need to do. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Whatever,” said a dejected John as he returned to the bedroom. He picked up the bottle of vodka sitting on the window sill and turned it in his hands. He looked out the window but saw no future for himself. He felt he no longer had a place on the ship.
CHAPTER EIGHT
President Butu was sitting in the cabinet conference room, surrounded by several staff members and a couple of Earth Security commanders. A few hours ago, Earth Security reported what appeared to be a mass exodus of TERRA personnel leaving the planet. It was twenty-four hours after Butu was re-elected as president that TERRA officers began departing Earth. With the elections now over, Butu resolved on finally reigning TERRA in.
Commander Merrit, who had been listening to the chatter of his officers over his ear piece, spoke up. “Madam President, we finally have confirmation that TERRA has ordered all their people to leave Earth. They’re abandoning their installations and heading to Luna and Mars.”
“No coincidence that they’re leaving after I won reelection,” remarked Butu. She and her administration were aware that TERRA had conducted a propaganda campaign against her on Luna and Mars. The citizens on both those worlds overwhelmingly voted against her. Luckily, Earth still comprised the majority of the human population and the residents here supported her, ensuring her victory.
Her chief-of-staff Charles spoke up. “Madame President, there’s a transmission coming in from Luna. It’s Admiral Donalds.” After two years of refusing to speak with the president, Donalds was finally granting her an audience.
“Put it through.” Butu activated the terminal in front of her. The display flickered and there she saw Admiral Donalds. “Admiral, I’m surprised you’re contacting me now.”
“Only to tell you to not interfere with TERRA’s evacuation of Earth.” Donalds was blunt and not wasting any time. “If Earth Security tries to stop us, we will respond.”
Butu wasn’t surprised by his brazen attitude. “Enough, admiral. You have overstepped your bounds. I’m ordering you and the council to resign their positions and submit yourselves to government jurisdiction.”
“I’m not taking any orders from you,” replied Donalds.
“I am your commander-in-chief…”
Donalds cut her off. “TERRA doesn’t recognize your authority. You think my officers will listen to you? They know the command council is the only one who’ll protect humanity from the Screen. It’s you who will submit to us.”
“Or what?” said Butu. “You’ll initiate a coup? I can’t believe that the men and women in TERRA would consider such a thing. But if they did, don’t forget we’ve spent the past year building up Earth Security, many of them from your academy. They will fight to protect the government. All you’ll accomplish is civil war. Is that what you want? To weaken humanity for the Screen to swoop in?”
Donalds didn’t immediately reply, considering her words. She had already threatened to fire upon TERRA personnel during the Bolivia incident.
Butu waited for Donalds response, but instead he terminated the transmission.
“What do you want to do?” asked Charles.
“I won’t antagonize him and risk him doing something stupid,” said Butu. “Commander Merrit, instruct your men not to interfere with TERRA’s withdrawal.”
The commander nodded as he was getting some information from his field officers. “Madame President, we’re getting an anonymous message on a covert TERRA channel. The message is requesting a team to converge on a set of coordinates.” Merrit checked his DAT for the location. “The coordinates is a location of a suspected secret TERRA facility.”
“Why would someone from TERRA make such a request?” asked one of the president’s advisors.
“We don’t know if it’s coming from TERRA. It could be someone using their links,” explained Merrit. “I’d like to send a small strike team to investigate.”
“It could be a trap,” cautioned Charles.
“If it is, TERRA would only create a catalyst to plunge us into civil war,” said another advisor.
Butu nodded in agreement. “I’ll let you make the call, commander.”
“I’ll have my team ready to go in ten minutes,” said Merrit.
Elsewhere, Billy and David were sitting in their cell. About an hour ago they watched as guards and personnel began rushing back and forth in the corridor, as bots walked or rolled by carrying boxes.
“What’s going on?” David asked his friend.
“Don’t know,” replied Billy. Since being arrested both officers had been interrogated extensively by security. David was certain his father would come and bail them out, but Admiral Block never showed. Neither were allowed to contact any friends or family and they lost track of how long they had been in custody.
For fifteen minutes they watched as officers passed their cell. Soon the foot traffic ceased and there was silence.
“What the hell’s going on?” David asked his friend, but Billy was just as confused.
Suddenly, they heard a door open in the detention center. “Clear,” they heard someone said. Moments later they saw two Earth Security officers appear, pointing weapons at Billy and David, who instinctively raised their hands.
“Don’t shoot!” pleaded David. One of the officers held up a device and scanned them.
“David Block and Billy Pedia,” announced the soldier. TERRA never announced their capture or made public that they were the ones who were distributing PHOENIX’s transmissions for fear of creating a resurgence in the PHOENIX move
ment. But Earth Security learned through their intelligence that they were responsible.
“Yes,” confirmed Billy. One of the officers fired on their cell’s lock control, terminating the energy field.
“We’re with Earth Security,” explained the soldier. “Come with us and we’ll take you to safety.”
“What’s going on?” asked David. “Where’d the TERRA officers go?”
“TERRA’s abandoning Earth,” revealed the soldier. “You’ll be apprised of all developments later. We need to go now.”
Billy and David were not about to debate the issue further. They were glad to be free. They followed their rescuers out of the detention center.
Outside stood someone at the edge of the nearby forest, watching as Earth Security evacuated the detention center. Admiral Vespia smiled, glad that her plan was moving right along.
CHAPTER NINE
Julie sipped her hot coffee carefully as she sat in the patio of the Stardust Café. The last few weeks had been difficult for her, having to assume command of the ship. It didn’t feel right. John should be the one commanding PHOENIX. When she broke the news to the senior staff, they were full of questions as to what happened. The aliens were the most vocal, wanting to know why the captain would resign his post abruptly. But Julie refused to divulge any information, merely saying that John had stepped down as captain. Even more questions arose from the crew when Chris Anne cancelled his performances. Only a handful of people were aware that he was looking after John.
Julie looked up at the nearby building, staring at the window of John’s new home. There was a light on, but she couldn’t see any shadows or movement. She kept in touch with Chris Anne to stay up to date on how John was doing. Unfortunately, Chris said John was mired in a deep depression. All Chris could do was sit there and watch John suffer in misery.
A plate of food was placed on the table. She looked up to see Mu, the three eyed Rifva cook. “I know you said you were not hungry, but Mario has told me numerous times that humans sometimes do not mean what they say. He also says that humans sometimes use food for comfort.”
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