Light Years Away by Christine Wright

Author:Christine Wright [Wright, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-22T06:00:00+00:00

He smiled. His look and touch made me feel warm inside. Again, I wanted that connection, so I crawled into his embrace, my body slightly turned towards his to stay off my painful ass. He kissed the top of my head and I wriggled from embarrassment. “Shhhh,” he said, and as he hugged me tightly, he added, “This part of your discipline is over, my little one.”

Alarmed, I squeaked, “This part? There’s more?”

“I’m afraid there is, Del. You are a part of the crew as well as my mate. The crew will decide your fate as First Officer.”

-------------------

He helped me dress and, when I was ready, led me by the hand through the ship’s corridors. I was dragging my feet, stalling.

“Wait, wait,” I begged him as he pulled me along. He slowed and looked back at me. “What do you mean, they’ll decide my fate?”

He glanced towards the Bridge doors and finally answered me. “Just what I said, Del. They will decide if you will remain our First Officer or not.”

“Why can’t you decide that?” I asked, yanking my hand out of his. I rubbed my fingers back to life. “I mean, you are the Captain.”

“You have a responsibility, Del, to the whole crew. They accepted you as First Officer and have the right to decide whether or not you are fit to retain that position. I do have final say, but I warn you, I will probably side with them should they decide you are unfit. Don’t look so shocked. On your first mission, you left your team and fled the ship. Doesn’t exactly exude trustworthiness or bravery, I’m afraid.”

I sighed. Being in trouble aboard this ship really sucked. I’d never been fired before and the thought of the crew deciding if they wanted me or not, frankly hurt. I followed the Captain onto the Bridge.

All the crewmembers turned and pinned me again with their icy green stares. I flinched and moved behind Captain Quinn instinctively. He cleared his throat and turned, pulling me in front of him. I looked at the floor, not daring to glance up at them as he spoke. “Crew, it is time for Del to hear your decision. Security Chief, you are most senior. What is the answer of the bridge crew of the Narada Marant?”

Kasen replied, “The crew’s decision, Captain Quinn, is that Del Foster has failed to show he is ready for the position of First Officer.”

Tears formed in the corner of my eyes, but I lifted my head and demanded, “Wait! Don’t I get to say anything? Plead my case?”

The Captain’s hand landed firmly on my shoulder. “That’s not how this works on Xolia.”

“We’re not on Xolia, though! Can’t you make an exception- once- for a human? What harm could there be just to listen a minute? I want to say something. Please? Quinn, please?”

“I’ll allow you to speak, Del, but if it doesn’t change their minds, it is the end of the issue, all right?”

I nodded in agreement. I looked around at the Bridge crew, bravely.

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