Obsidian Fleet by G J Ogden

Author:G J Ogden [Ogden, G J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ogden Media Ltd
Published: 2021-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Bury the dead

Sterling had barely set foot on the Far Deep Nine mining research station before the stench of decaying bodies assaulted his senses. Even for someone accustomed to the smell of death, it took Sterling by surprise.

“I never thought we’d be back here again,” said Banks, stepping beside Sterling. She too then scrunched up her nose and held a hand over her face. “We might need to send a cleaning crew though here first, though.”

Colicos entered the docking area next and immediately bent double, hacking and coughing like he was about to throw up. Shade was close behind, weapon in hand.

“Get a hold of yourself, doctor,” Sterling ordered, showing the scientist no sympathy. “The sooner you finish your work, the sooner we can all get off this station. Just think of the smell as your incentive to work fast.”

“This is intolerable!” Colicos complained, though he was still gagging so badly it sounded like he had a sponge in his mouth. The scientist staggered over to the wall and propped himself up against it, clasping a hand to his mouth. Sterling had thought that the scientist was acting up on purpose, but the longer this hacking and gagging routine continued, the more it appeared genuine.

“I’ll assemble a team to clean up the dead, sir,” said Lieutenant Shade. She still had her plasma pistol aimed at Colicos, despite his apparent helplessness. “What do you want to do with the bodies of the commandoes?”

“They’re just rotten meat now, Lieutenant,” Sterling replied, stepping over the body of a dead Sa’Nerran warrior. “But we should honor them in the manner of their choosing. See to it,” Sterling added.

“Aye, Captain,” Shade replied.

Sterling watched Shade step away and tap her neural interface to make the necessary arrangements. All the while the weapons officer continued to watch Colicos like a vulture watching a crippled animal, waiting for it to fall and die. Sterling had witnessed and participated in too many horrors to believe in a higher power. Certainly, if one existed then Lucas Sterling would not be in its good graces. However, he respected the wishes of those who did believe, regardless of which god or gods they worshipped. In truth he didn’t know whether any members of his crew were spiritual people, but he would respect their various funeral customs, whatever they were. This was despite him believing that such occasions were a pointless waste of resources and manpower. A sentimental outpouring of emotion – energy that could better be spent on more important tasks. However, he also knew that hope was a powerful ally, and that the loss of hope could be as crippling as any injury or disease. If it provided comfort to his crew to honor the dead in a specific manner then so be it. And so, for their sake, he would do what was expected of him.

Sterling continued to watch his officers and crew set to work and took a moment to reflect on the events of the last few hours.

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