The old par had closed his eyes to think of a way to save as many of the poor humans as he could. There wasn’t much hope for the colony now that the Encicon had arrived. He rubbed his bald scalp and brow with is long fingers while negotiating the rules of engagement and regulations of genocide in his head. 

 

The bridge was buzzing with incident reports and combat updates of the battle displayed on the VTD (Visual Tactical Display). The old par opened one eye to look at the screen for an update, ‘Got to hand it to those humans, they are not being completely decimated like most’ he thought to himself. 

 

Before closing his eye Captain Hest noted his youngest crew member, the sensory officer, had turned around to take note of his commanding officer. He knew the look on the young ones face. He knew the question the child was going to ask. He knew the conflict and torment this new officer was in. Just as the sensory officers mouth opened to ask the same question he asked when he was wet behind the ears, Captain Hest said in his quiet and firm voice, “Do not. You already know the answer.”

 

Between a plea and a whine Lieutenant Jous stated, “But sir, they are the last colony in this sector. They haven’t broken any Protectorate laws…”

 

With that, the captain knew he would not get away with a simple reply. He opened his eyes and sat up while rubbing his scalp vigorously a few times.

 

Lieutenant Jous saw the quick movements of the captain. He bit his lip to stifle the fear on his face, ‘Crap, you’ve done it now’ echoed in his head. He has seen the Captain frustrated a few times, and though he never yells, the receiving end never seems to win or forget. 

 

In his firm lecturing voice, Captain Hest began, “Lieutenant Jous. Please remind all of us on this bridge why we can not engage the Encicon, and why we can not retrieve the human colony. While your at it, recite the Protectorate oath, since you brought that up too.” 

 

The bridge became silent for a moment with only the audio signals of the VTD reporting a human fighter went out of existence. The hesitation of Lieutenant Jous was broken by the sliding of the bridge air lock.  Major Palus enterned the bridge noting the tension of the bridge crew.  Never had Lieutenant Jous been so glad to see the Major. Looking back and forth between the captain and the major, Jous could only babble, “Um … Um … sir, the um … we can’t engage because of um … restrictions on engagement of … um … with Encicon …” He knew the regulations and guidance, why could he not get it out.

 

Major Palus stopped short of Jous, with her briefing papers folded against her chest and a patient look on her face. ‘Poor boy.’ Is all she could think to herself. She knew what had happened without being present. She looked up at the frustrated captain and then back at the stuttering Lieutenant Jous. 

 

This was taking too much time from the issue at hand, Major Palus summarized the lecture the captain had given her so many years ago. “We can not engage the Encicon because of Class II Order 21354 restricting engagement with that race. We can not override Order 21354, because the humans are not part of the Protectorate. The total human population in the quadrant has not been diminished to a critical level, and the humans home world, though a long way out, is stable … relatively. Therefore, human colonies are not covered under the Preservation regulations. So, now that we all have gotten our regulation refresher for the day, lets let our captain get back to figuring out how he is going to save those humans before they all get killed … OK?”  With a cock of her head and a smile, Major Palus turned sharply to face the captain.

 

Lieutenant Jous turned around and noticed his lip was beginning to bleed from where he had bitten right through during the majors’ quick lecture. He sat down at his com and dabbed the blue blood with a rag from his pocket. He returned to tracking the human fighter locations and watching them fizzle off the screen. Lieutenant Jous hated this part of the job. Slowly the human fighter and colony populations decreased. Though the Encicon were suffering equivalent losses, their population was ten times greater. While the humans were already fully committed, the Encicon had yet to release a second of four battalions of fighters. Jous knew what the outcome would be, why did he have to embarrass himself like that in front of the whole bridge.

 

Major Palus looked up at the captain in his seat, which she teased him in the off hours looked like the Emperor’s thrown. The captain was a humble man and that comment normally received a grown. However, today was not a day for jokes. She knew that fake sleepy and hung-over façade he put up for others. He was deep in thought and struggling with the rules and regulations dictating his actions. She knew they would step in at the last minute and save the last 20 percent of the population as mandated, but it was the other 80 percent that causing him to age by the second. 

 

In her matter of fact tone, the major delivered her report. “Sir, the human population has reached 60 percent and at the current rate of decline they will reach the response point within the hour. If the Encicon follow their typical pattern they will not engage the full force of the second battalion. The third and fourth battalions are still locked in their hangars. We may want to…”

 

Helmsman Cuan interrupts the majors’ report, “Sir! There has been an explosion on the Encicon carrier ship. The ship does not appear to have been disabled, but I have no missile track for the explosion.” 

 

“Get a visual on the VTD now!” Captain Hest hopes for the humans’ sake this was just an internal systems malfunction, but in his gut he already knows the answer. The Encicon are a proud race hell bent on “the hunt.” They are meticulous and known for making few mistakes, especially in battle. Short of keeping their armor spotless, they keep their ships in top condition, admitting to himself, the only time he ever saw a malfunctioning Encicon ship was a destroyed ship. 

 

As the VTD display zoomed into the explosion the captain stated out loud for his younger officers to learn, “If those humans attempted a sneak attack, the Encicon will respond with everything. Once you disrespect their view of honor and combat, they will eradicate you quickly, loosing the interest of the hunt and concentrating on revenge.” 

 

The VTD displayed a small human fighter speeding away from the Encicon carrier ship for a fraction of a second, and then it was gone in a puff. “Damb!” the captain exclaimed as the third and fourth battalions were released from the carrier.

 

The major took her cue. “Helm, give me a solution in 3.”

 

“Aye sir.”

 

“Sensory, I need all fighter and colony locations finalized and sent to response crews. Prioritize by population.” 

 

Putting a hand on Jous’s shoulder, the major says in a cautious voice, “You may just get your wish Lieutenant.”

 

Looking sidelong at the major, Captain Hest decides to let her handle the combat prep as he begins the Priority Order list for his crew. Just as he begins the Command Com lights up and the VTD splits. Admiral Zolins appearson the VTD and gets right to the point, “Captain Hest, you are not to recover those humans.”

 

Captain Hest cuts in abruptly, “With all due respect Admiral, we can qualify this as Genocide Code 4. We have historical proof of what the Encicon will do in these situations.” 

 

“Granted, but the order was handed down to me, so I’m giving it to you. No human recovery. Understood?” The admiral stated under a strained voice. 

 

With a long pause, and through clenched teeth, the captain replies, “Understood.”

 

Relaxing his shoulders, the admiral takes a deep breath, and asks “Concerning anouther matter, has Zon taken the Wedge XT out for test flight yet? It’s a mighty fine area your in … not too many … obstacles to get in his way. Anyway, I better let you get back to solving your problems.” Noting Palus on the bridge, the admiral adds in a caring voice, “See you soon Major.”

 

Distracted with all the command changes that just occurred with the admirals’ order, Palus stops in the middle of her tasks and sternly responds, “Yes Admiral, I will return at the end of this tour.” As she returns to her rapidly increasing number of duties she laments on letting her father know which ship she got assigned. With that the VTD returned to normal.

 

Captain Hest weights his options for only a moment. “Com, contact the Visis. If we can not recover we will blockade. Sensory, I need an ETA on the Enci fighters to the colony air space … now! Helm … solution … now. Major, get the Wedge XT and the Silver Squad in LR.”   

 

“Sir, the Visis is on Com 2”

 

Knowing the Visis captain does not play by the book, Captain Hest opens the Com optimistically, “Captain Belhim I have a situation.”

 

“I know you do. The whole damb fleet knows you do. Who the hell did you piss off? I just got a message from Captain Jesslin that he was given orders to stay put. I haven’t gotten any such order yet … that may be due to our Com problem … our intermittent Com problem.” 

 

“Thanks Belhim.” Captain Hest replies.

 

“Thanks for what, I haven’t done anything … yet.” With that, Captain Belhim winks and the Captains private screen goes black. “Helm! Solution.”

 

“Yes captain! Solution is loaded and fold drives are charging sir!”

 

“Send your solution to the Visis helm. With luck they will be only a few minutes behind us.” Captain Hest looks to Major Palus “Give the shipwide dispatch order.”

 

The echoing voice of Major Palus is heard across the Manta, “All hands, prepare for combat fold, I repeat, all hands prepare for combat fold. Silver squad, prepare for launch. Silver squad prepare for launch.”

 

An unmistakable voice instantly replies to the bridge com, “Listen pretty lady, I’ve been sitting in this thing since the little Enci’s started to pick this fight. Silver Squad is LR.” 

 

Annoyed with another out of context comment, Major Palus replies tartly “You will give respect to…”

 

[Fold]

 

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This still needs some work.  I have not revised it.  I have a few ideas to add yet, but it gives you an idea of where I'm going.