It takes a strong mind to kill another human being.\u00a0 Some become hard and uncaring.\u00a0 Some minds scream in protest at it.\u00a0 The fires of war destroy some people.\u00a0 Some people become stronger, become what they need to be to survive.\u00a0 Some people fail and their mind fractures.\u00a0 I learned long ago that killing is hard.\u00a0 Killing face to face is harder.\u00a0 What is hardest of all is living on as if nothing is wrong after taking human lives.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Machineguns chewed through armor and debris while tracers lit up the battlefield like laser beams.\u00a0 Missiles streaked across the battlefield and the air itself wavered as lasers burned anything they touched.\u00a0 Mortars dropped from the sky and flames burned everything in sight.<\/p>\n
Captain Jack Hart walked into the manmade Hell with machineguns firing at maximum rate.\u00a0 He swung his arms from target to target and the arm-mounted guns spat fire.\u00a0 His shoulder-mounted gun buzzed like a chainsaw.\u00a0 Bullets bounced off his powered armor and he rode with the impacts.\u00a0 A missile lived up to its name as he leaned to the side and the exhaust scorched his powered armor with its passage.<\/p>\n
Three figures in powered armor strode with him and spat death at the enemy.\u00a0 He watched the enemy fall by the dozens.\u00a0 Weapons fire came from every direction and they died by the hundreds.\u00a0 The counterattack swept across the battlefield and the Chinese invasion force evaporated.\u00a0 Others would have surrendered.\u00a0 But the Chinese soldiers had grown up reading Sun Tzu.\u00a0 \u201cIn difficult ground, press on.\u00a0 On hemmed-in ground, use subterfuge.\u00a0 In death ground, fight.\u201d\u00a0 They fought.<\/p>\n
Jack strode through the nightmare of fire and death.\u00a0 All he had to do was point at a man or woman and they died.\u00a0 He was the chooser of the slain.\u00a0 He\u2019d killed more Shang and Chinese than he could count, but this was different.\u00a0 He could see their faces and count their breaths.\u00a0 He watched their eyes lose focus and the scent of death filled his nostrils.<\/p>\n
It was empowering.\u00a0 Jack had never felt so alive.\u00a0 It was terrifying.\u00a0 Jack had never seen so much death.\u00a0 It was soul crushing.\u00a0 Jack had never seen so much suffering.\u00a0 He was the cause of it all.\u00a0 He was the killer.\u00a0 He quailed at the realization.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want to be a killer.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t want this wanton slaughter.\u00a0 He tried to stop but his body continued to move with merciless speed.\u00a0 He pointed and people died.\u00a0 He tried to shut his eyes but they saw everything.\u00a0 He tried to scream but his voice was silent.<\/p>\n
\u201dIt\u2019s OK,\u201d a voice said in his ear and a new smell tickled his nose.\u00a0 Chamomile.<\/p>\n
Chamomile did not belong on a battlefield.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s OK, Jack,\u201d Natalie whispered and he could feel her robotic body holding him tight.\u00a0 \u201cIt was just another nightmare.\u201d<\/p>\n
He opened his eyes to see the bulkheads of his small quarters in Los Angeles<\/em>.\u00a0 The battle was over.\u00a0 Over.\u00a0 Just like every morning.\u00a0 He tried to speak but his ravaged vocal cords just squeaked.\u00a0 He\u2019d been screaming in his sleep again.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything will be alright,\u201d Natalie soothed and he let out a very long breath into her shoulder.<\/p>\n He coughed and tried to speak again.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m\u2026sorry.\u201d It came out as a dull rasp.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be.\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked and cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2026don\u2019t want to do that again.\u201d\u00a0 He\u2019d been killing the Shang and Chinese for two years.\u00a0 It was fun.\u00a0 He enjoyed it.\u00a0 At least he thought he had.\u00a0 But now he couldn\u2019t push the reality of just how ugly war was out of his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 Natalie\u2019s soothing voice massaged his battered mind with understanding.<\/p>\n He blinked again.\u00a0 They were not tears.\u00a0 He was not crying.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing.\u201d\u00a0 Natalie gave him a supportive smile.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re good.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack tried to laugh but it came out closer to\u2026not a sob.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t feel good,\u201d he admitted though.<\/p>\n Natalie laid a hand on his chest.\u00a0 \u201cIt hurts you to hurt people.\u00a0 That\u2019s good.\u00a0 If it ever stops hurting, then I\u2019m going to have to start worrying about you.\u201d\u00a0 She made a theatrical sniff after saying that.\u00a0 \u201cNow I just worry that you need a shower.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s response was much closer to a laugh this time.\u00a0 At least he fervently hoped it was.\u00a0 He decided it was and that was good enough for him.\u00a0 \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he finally whispered and levered himself out of bed.<\/p>\n She helped him stand and guided him to the small shower.\u00a0 He stopped at the entrance, not wanting to let go of his anchor but not certain what to do next.\u00a0 He really did need to shower.\u00a0 But he didn\u2019t want to be alone either.\u00a0 Maybe the shower wasn\u2019t necessary after all.\u00a0 He aimed a questioning look at her.<\/p>\n Her laughter washed over him like warm sunlight on a spring morning.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not going to shower with you.\u201d<\/p>\n He blinked.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t actually thought about that.\u00a0 But now that she mentioned it he didn\u2019t mind the visual.<\/p>\n Natalie rolled her eyes and pushed him.\u00a0 \u201cGo on.\u00a0 You can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t fight her and she turned on the water before shutting the door to leave him alone.\u00a0 All alone.\u00a0 More alone than he could remember feeling in a long time.\u00a0 Real warm water ran down his face and body, and more tears than he wanted to admit flowed down with it.\u00a0 It washed the stink of sleep and terror dreams from his skin, but couldn\u2019t touch the memories.\u00a0 \u201cOh God,\u201d he whispered, not certain himself if he was swearing or praying, and the tears came stronger.\u00a0 He stood sobbing with the water running down his body for an eternity.<\/p>\n And then he opened his eyes.\u00a0 Only the comforting bulkheads of Los Angeles<\/em> surrounded him.\u00a0 He was safe from the dead he\u2019d left behind.\u00a0 He breathed in and out, sucking in great mouthfuls of clean air as the water continued to cleanse him.\u00a0 He felt new again.\u00a0 Fresh.\u00a0 Good.\u00a0 Well, maybe not good.\u00a0 Probably more like all right.\u00a0 Mostly right.\u00a0 Not so bad.\u00a0 Jack laughed at the sliding scale he was giving himself, and at least this time he was certain it was a laugh.\u00a0 He nodded in shaky approval and stepped out of the shower to grasp a towel.<\/p>\n A few seconds later he was dry and ready for another day.<\/p>\n He stepped back into in his quarters and scanned them.\u00a0 His Marine dress whites hung from the bulkhead his bunk had folded into.\u00a0 He stared at them for a moment before turning to Natalie.\u00a0 She stood next to his bed with a calm smile that would never suggest he\u2019d woken up anything other than ready.\u00a0 Their morning ritual was working just fine.\u00a0 \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d he asked, filling in his side of the ritual almost by rote.<\/p>\n \u201cReinforcements have arrived.\u201d<\/p>\n The words didn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 They weren\u2019t part of the ritual.\u00a0 And then they did make sense and it was like something clicked in Jack\u2019s mind.\u00a0 Long-denied hope bloomed even as realistic protests clambered at him there was no hope.\u00a0 Seven days was too long to lose on a forty-lightyear trip.\u00a0 But he still asked, \u201cEnterprise<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Natalie shook her head and Jack\u2019s hope failed.\u00a0 \u201cAneerin\u2019s fleet,\u201d Natalie clarified at his look.<\/p>\n \u201cOh,\u201d Jack whispered, disappointment coloring his tone.\u00a0 Then he began to do what he did every day.\u00a0 He buried the feeling of lose under the fa\u00e7ade that was Captain Jack Hart.<\/p>\n Natalie gave him an understanding smile.\u00a0 \u201cThey surfaced a few minutes ago and are moving into orbit as we speak.\u201d\u00a0 She aimed a meaningful glance at the dress whites.\u00a0 \u201cYou should wear the good stuff.\u00a0 Aneerin is coming, and you should look your best when you meet your commanding officer.\u201d\u00a0 She looked down with a meaningful gaze.\u00a0 \u201cAnd red and white boxers will not do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her a weak smile.\u00a0 \u201cHow about the black ones?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPink?\u201d Jack asked with something like real amusement.<\/p>\n Natalie sighed in his general direction.\u00a0 \u201cDo you even have<\/em> any pink ones?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Jack said with a frown.\u00a0 \u201cBut maybe I should get some.\u201d<\/p>\n Natalie waved towards the uniform.\u00a0 \u201cGet dressed.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes Ma\u2019am,\u201d Jack said and reached out for the uniform.\u00a0 He slipped on the white shirt first and snapped it up with quick precision.\u00a0 Then he put the white pants on, one foot at a time like everybody else.\u00a0 There was a lesson in that but Jack didn\u2019t feel like dwelling on it at the moment.\u00a0 The white cowboy boots came next, fingers pulling them on through the loops.\u00a0 His feet popped into place in the boots and he came to his feet to swing his way into the white jacket.\u00a0 More snaps fitted it in place and Jack smiled as he reached for the white cowboy hat that completed the Republic of Texas Marine Corps dress uniform.\u00a0 He dropped it on his head and turned to the mirror with a smile.<\/p>\n The uniform was clean and white, a solemn promise the wearer was above reproach, an honorable defender of the United States of America.\u00a0 Jack was pretty certain he\u2019d fail on being above reproach, but he actually liked the monkey suit.\u00a0 It felt good to slip it on and let its history sink into him.\u00a0 American Marines had worn dress uniforms similar to this for five centuries and he always imagined he could feel them standing behind him.\u00a0 He hoped they approved.\u00a0 Or tacitly accepted at least.\u00a0 On third thought he\u2019d be happy to escape their disapproval.\u00a0 Jack sighed and smiled.\u00a0 Between the shower and the new uniform, Jack felt like a new man.\u00a0 Or at least a modestly recycled man.<\/p>\n Jack turned away from the mirror and aimed what might actually be a real smile at Natalie.\u00a0 \u201cVerdict?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou look good,\u201d Natalie said with one thumb raised.<\/p>\n \u201cJust one thumb up?\u201d Jack asked in a disappointed tone.<\/p>\n Natalie raised one eyebrow at him.\u00a0 \u201cUnlike some who shall remain nameless, I will not pander to your delusions of grandeur.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack laughed out loud and it felt good.\u00a0 It felt shiny good.\u00a0 He nodded and smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThank you for saving my sanity,\u201d Natalie said with a smile.<\/p>\n Jack nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder as he leaned in close.\u00a0 \u201cAny time.\u201d<\/p>\n Natalie covered his hand with one of hers and the smell of Chamomile filled his would again as she whispered, \u201cI hope you don\u2019t need to do it again.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFrom your lips to God\u2019s ears,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n Natalie laughed and shooed him towards the hatch.\u00a0 \u201cOut you.\u00a0 Aneerin\u2019s coming.\u00a0 You should meet him.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned at her from the hatch.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re not coming?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo.\u00a0 I need some time to think,\u201d she said and shook her head.<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s frown deepened.\u00a0 That sounded ominous.\u00a0 Not as deathly terrifying as \u201cwe need to talk\u201d but certainly on a level with \u201care you sure you want to do that?\u201d\u00a0 Which of course meant \u201cyou don\u2019t want to do that, or else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeed a sounding board?\u201d Jack asked, trying valiantly to maintain a calm demeanor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not like that,\u201d Natalie said with a laugh and stepped over to push him out.\u00a0 \u201cNow go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d Jack answered and turned into the very short rabbit warren of corridors leading to the main hangar bay.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t been an official onboard pilot so he didn\u2019t have pilot quarters, but at least they\u2019d found him something close.\u00a0 And it was more private than the pilot quarters, something he\u2019d been grateful for in recent days.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do for anyone to see Captain Jack Hart crying over dead Chinese after all.<\/p>\n Jack veered away from that rabbit hole of thoughts and stepped into the hangar bay to see activity everywhere.\u00a0 Marine shuttles, tanks, and mechs littered the decks above and below with technicians trying to bring them back online.\u00a0 The ruins of fighters occupied another corner of the bay, while those still working readied themselves for another sortie.\u00a0 The Battle of Serenity was over, but Los Angeles<\/em> had to be ready to defend the world against anything.\u00a0 She was the last and only line of defense left after all.<\/p>\n Or at least she had been.\u00a0 Jack\u2019s eyes strayed out through the open hangar bay doors to see the Guardian Light<\/em> hanging in the star spangled space.\u00a0 She was a gleaming white spire a kilometer long with a glowing weapons ring wrapping around her.\u00a0 Four gravitic cannons that had to be nearly half a kilometer long on their own spun around the central cylinder in time with the gentle circuit the weapons ring made each minute.\u00a0 It was a quite literally otherworldly sight and Jack wondered yet again what it had been like to see that ship for the first time.<\/p>\n \u201cWow,\u201d Jack whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a beautiful ship,\u201d Captain Wyatt said in a confident tone and Jack turned to see her for the first time.\u00a0 Well, that wasn\u2019t entirely accurate.\u00a0 His eyes had seen her but his mind hadn\u2019t recognized her until that moment.\u00a0 She\u2019d been just another part of the chaos filling the hangar bay, but now he couldn\u2019t imagine her white uniform being anything other than that belonging to the captain and \u201cMistress after God\u201d of the warship that had become his home.\u00a0 She beckoned him over with a twitch of her head and a smile.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom your lips to God\u2019s ears,\u201d Jacks said for the second time this morning and walked over to stand next to her.<\/p>\n \u201cHow are you today?\u201d she asked, not turning her head but he could feel her eyes on him.<\/p>\n \u201cBeen better,\u201d Jack said honestly.\u00a0 \u201cBeen worse.\u00a0 I can say I\u2019m alive though.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd any day you can wake up and say that is a good one?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d\u00a0 Jack studied her for a moment from the corner of his eye, taking in the uniform perfectly tailored to compliment her frame without making it look like she was advertising it.\u00a0 She looked good.\u00a0 In more ways than one.\u00a0 But still, he had to be sure.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you?\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s smile grew and she actually turned towards him for a second.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m alive.\u201d\u00a0 Then her smile became truly happy.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we found another escape pod today.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked and turned to face her.\u00a0 \u201cWho?\u201d\u00a0 Dozens of warships had died over, or sometimes on, Serenity during the battle and they\u2019d been picking up escape pods ever since.\u00a0 Those with working transmitters had been found right away.\u00a0 Those running silent due to damage or other reasons were much harder to find.<\/p>\n \u201cHarrington\u2019s<\/em> bridge crew,\u201d Wyatt said.\u00a0 \u201cThey took the last pod out a few seconds before she crashed and the shockwave broke everything in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sobered.\u00a0 \u201cHow are they?\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cLucky to be alive.\u00a0 But they are<\/em> alive.\u00a0 We\u2019ll have them walking again in time to sail the next Harrington<\/em> out of New Yosemite,\u201d she said with a wink.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019ve already called dibs on her.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack imagined that with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cFaith has got be ecstatic.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe was beside herself.\u00a0 Literally.\u201d\u00a0 Wyatt chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cShe welcomed them all at the same time.<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 Cybers didn\u2019t normally show more than one holoform at a time.\u00a0 It was a decidedly inhuman ability that they avoided like the plague unless they had no choice.\u00a0 She must have been very excited to violate that practice.\u00a0 He was about to say something when his eyes caught movement and he turned to see it.<\/p>\n A gleaming white shuttle slipped through the energy curtain holding the atmosphere in and came to a graceful landing in an open part of the hangar bay deck.\u00a0 She was as graceful as the warship she flew off, long and lean with pointed tips on either end.\u00a0 Something from an age long ago, or maybe one yet to come.\u00a0 It was hard to decide where Peloran warships fit in human history because they just didn\u2019t.\u00a0 He\u2019d been with the obviously Terran warships of Third Fleet for months and now his eyes saw just how alien the Peloran warships were once again.<\/p>\n A hatch in the shuttle\u2019s mid section opened with a quiet hiss and lowered to become a ramp that two men walked down.\u00a0 Jack smiled as he recognized them.\u00a0 The first wore a white uniform identical to his.\u00a0 Charles Edward Hurst walked like a son of one of the richest families in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.\u00a0 One of the richest families on Earth if Jack was being honest.\u00a0 Which made it one of the richest families in all human space.\u00a0 The Terran branch of humanity at least.<\/p>\n The second man was the one that made Jack\u2019s mouth go dry.\u00a0 He was human.\u00a0 There was no doubting that.\u00a0 But his white uniform sported lines and tailoring no Western Alliance military had ever used.\u00a0 And very few humans born of Earth could boast of wearing the sharp and angular features of this man.\u00a0 Even fewer had the pointed ears barely visible beneath his long hair.\u00a0 Aneerin walked with the competent grace of a civilized killing machine.\u00a0 Every Peloran ever born was a killing machine after all, a legacy of the genetic engineering that made them super soldiers.\u00a0 The man could snap every person on this ship in half, with the possible exception of Jack and Charles.\u00a0 Jack fervently hoped he would never have to fight the man to find out.<\/p>\n \u201cCaptain,\u201d Aneerin said with a bow of the head towards Wyatt.\u00a0 \u201cMajor,\u201d he added in Jack\u2019s direction, giving him the honorary promotion tradition demanded.\u00a0 There was only ever one captain aboard ship.\u00a0 Charles echoed his words and motions and Jack smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAdmiral,\u201d he responded towards Aneerin and turned to Charles.\u00a0 \u201cReal<\/em> Major.\u201d\u00a0 He saw Wyatt turn towards him in the corner of his eye and he smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u00a0 It\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt shook her head and turned back to the two visitors.\u00a0 \u201cAdmiral.\u00a0 Major.\u00a0 Welcome aboard.\u00a0 It\u2019s an honor to have you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is an honor to be here,\u201d Aneerin responded.\u00a0 \u201cIt is not every day one meets a person who saved a planet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t save it,\u201d Wyatt corrected.\u00a0 \u201cMany men died for this victory.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d\u00a0 Aneerin gave her an approving look.\u00a0 \u201cYou and yours are all war heroes for what you did here.\u00a0 Never forget that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shivered at Aneerin\u2019s tone.\u00a0 Something was wrong here.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Wyatt said with a nod and Aneerin turned his steady gaze towards Jack.<\/p>\n \u201cYou did well.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned and looked away.\u00a0 \u201cI lost Snake.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin pursed his lips.\u00a0 \u201cIt is not our job to save the lives of all those we command, but to spend those lives wisely.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gritted his teeth in disagreement.\u00a0 \u201cWhile losing three hundred<\/em> warships?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin blinked.\u00a0 \u201cYou saved Natalie.\u00a0 You saved Los Angeles<\/em>.\u00a0 You saved Serenity.\u00a0 And you brought us word of this new Shang weapon.\u00a0 Each of those victories will change The War far more than you can possibly imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cI think you overestimate things.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I think you under<\/em>estimate things.\u00a0 You are aware of the nail?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack scowled at him.\u00a0 \u201cIs this really the time for poetry?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201c\u2019For want of a nail a horseshoe was lost,\u2019\u201d he quoted.\u00a0 \u201cAnd the horse and the rider and the battle and the war,\u201d he paraphrased and looked around the hangar bay.\u00a0 \u201cEverything here is as valuable as that nail.\u00a0 We will need them all if we are to win this.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin turned back to Wyatt and pulled something out of a uniform pocket.\u00a0 He held it out and Jack saw a silver pin shaped like a stylized sun and moon.\u00a0 It was real silver.\u00a0 Jack recognized it.\u00a0 Every Peloran Confederation Battle Fleet captain wore one.\u00a0 \u201cWill you accept this?\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s eyes widened as she looked at it.\u00a0 They didn\u2019t come in boxes of Cracker Jacks after all.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t think I should.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin cocked his head in curiosity.\u00a0 \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI already have a commission,\u201d Wyatt said.<\/p>\n Aneerin waved a hand towards the silver moon and stars emblem on Jack\u2019s uniform.\u00a0 \u201cSo do they.\u201d\u00a0 Only Peloran fighter pilots and those welcomed into their service wore them.\u00a0 And the genetically-engineered Peloran considered very few people worthy of that service.<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s mouth opened and closed and Jack realized she was at a loss for words.\u00a0 He\u2019d thought that was impossible.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d she finally pushed out after several seconds.<\/p>\n Aneerin continued to hold the pin out for her.\u00a0 \u201cBecause you earned it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt shook her head and stepped back with hands raised in a defensive gesture.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not comfortable with this.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin did not move as he continued to study her.\u00a0 \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n She glanced at Jack.\u00a0 \u201cNo offense, but I\u2019ve seen the way he plays with the chain of command.\u00a0 I don\u2019t want anything to do with that.\u00a0 I am American.\u00a0 I serve in the navy of the United States of America.\u00a0 I will not spread my allegiance.\u00a0 Period.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cI understand.\u201d\u00a0 Then he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cJack.\u201d\u00a0 Jack glanced towards him and Aneerin tossed the pin up into the air towards him.<\/p>\n Jack snatched it out of the air without hesitation but frowned at the much older man.\u00a0 \u201cNo offense, but I don\u2019t normally go for sloppy seconds.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cIt is not yours.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, thank God,\u201d Jack said in forced relief.\u00a0 \u201cI didn\u2019t want to be a fleet captain anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin turned back to Wyatt.\u00a0 \u201cThe offer has been made.\u00a0 I will not rescind it.\u00a0 The pin and everything that goes with it belongs to you.\u00a0 He will hold it until you are willing to accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt actually swallowed and Jack realized how nervous she was.\u00a0 But she didn\u2019t back down and Jack had to give her props for that.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m honored.\u00a0 But don\u2019t hold your breath.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cIt speaks well of you to be so loyal.\u00a0 I will be honored to fight beside you in the future, Captain.\u00a0 Whatever insignia you wear.\u201d\u00a0 The Peloran bowed deep in a most unmilitary fashion, rose back up, and took in a long look around the hangar bay.\u00a0 \u201cYou have a beautiful ship, but I have other duties that must be attended to.\u00a0 By your leave?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGiven,\u201d she answered with a bow of her head.<\/p>\n \u201cWill you walk with me?\u201d Aneerin asked as he stepped past Jack.<\/p>\n \u201cSure,\u201d Jack answered and turned to follow.\u00a0 Charles remained though, and Jack paused.\u00a0 Aneerin\u2019s hand pulled him away and Jack gave the much older man a questioning look.<\/p>\n \u201cGive him a few moments, please?\u201d the Peloran asked and Jack allowed the man to lead him away.\u00a0 He kept an eye on Charles though and saw one hand slipping into a pocket and bringing out a small piece of paper.<\/p>\n When he handed it out to Wyatt she looked at it doubtfully.\u00a0 \u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA business card,\u201d Jack heard him say.\u00a0 Charles sighed in response to her disbelieving look.\u00a0 \u201cI happen to be a traditionalist.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt accepted the business card with a raised eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cWhy are you giving me this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am putting together a project on the side.\u00a0 One that needs good ship captains.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI already turned down Aneerin. \u00a0What makes you think I would accept your proposal?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause the project I am organizing will change the future.\u201d\u00a0 He looked around the hanger with a sly smile.\u00a0 \u201cMuch like this little project has done.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt\u2019s eyes narrowed.\u00a0 \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI plan to colonize a new world in Alien space,\u201d Charles said with a conspirator\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n \u201cColonize?\u00a0 Right now?\u201d\u00a0 Wyatt\u2019s voice was in the full disbelieving range.\u00a0 \u201cYou are aware there is a War going on?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIntimately,\u201d Charles answered.\u00a0 \u201cThey are threatened by us.\u00a0 They attacked us because they are afraid of what we will do, of what we will become if they let us.\u00a0 And if we let them deny us that future, they win.\u201d\u00a0 Charles paused and leaned closer to her.\u00a0 \u201cI will not allow that.\u00a0 We are going to tell them that we are no longer children squabbling over the sandbox of our tiny little planet.\u00a0 We are coming.\u00a0 We are still<\/em> coming.\u00a0 No matter what they do to us we will always<\/em> be coming.\u00a0 They will not bottle us up in our little corner of the galaxy forever.\u00a0 Because we will never give up on our future.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt pulled in a long breath and examined him far more closely.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty speech.\u00a0 Did you practice it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn the mirror,\u201d Charles answered with a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cDo you like it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d\u00a0 Wyatt shook her head and slipped the card into her pocket.\u00a0 \u201cBut I\u2019m very much afraid that I will have to decline your offer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe says as she pockets the card,\u201d Jack whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a gift,\u201d Aneerin returned.<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n Charles acted as if he didn\u2019t hear a word from the peanuts gallery and held Wyatt\u2019s gaze.\u00a0 \u201cIf that is your final answer, I believe I will go endure a briefing from a certain juvenile delinquent we both know.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt laughed.\u00a0 \u201cGood luck.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAre they talking about me?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n Aneerin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cCan you think of anyone else who would fit the description?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack snorted.\u00a0 \u201cNot helping.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo how are you?\u201d Aneerin asked and Jack froze.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected that question from the man.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m alive,\u201d he said in a guarded tone.<\/p>\n \u201cAh yes,\u201d Aneerin returned with a wry smile.\u00a0 \u201cAnd any morning you can wake up and say that is a good morning.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin sighed.\u00a0 \u201cI understand you have engaged in ground combat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2019Every Marine is a rifleman,\u2019\u201d Jack quoted the old adage but made no other answer.\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t feel like talking about it.<\/p>\n \u201cI also understand it was your first time.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack aimed a raised eyebrow at Aneerin.\u00a0 \u201cYour point?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin turned to face Jack and their gazes met.\u00a0 Aneerin\u2019s eyes betrayed the memories of a man who had been fighting since before Caesar crossed the Rubicon into Italy and formed the Roman Empire.\u00a0 \u201cDo you trust me when I say that I have been there?\u201d\u00a0 Aneerin\u2019s face showed more steely gentleness than Jack had ever seen on it.\u00a0 And understanding.<\/p>\n Jack nodded though said nothing.\u00a0 This time he was just at a loss for words.<\/p>\n Aneerin smiled.\u00a0 \u201cIf you ever wish to talk about it, I will come.\u201d\u00a0 It was an oath.\u00a0 Jack recognized that but had no idea why Aneerin would make it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin shook his head very slowly.\u00a0 \u201cBecause, Captain Jack Hart,\u201d he said in a whisper.\u00a0 \u201cYou could grow up to be as old as I.\u00a0 And I will not see such promise lost because\u2026\u201d Aneerin trailed off and shrugged as he waved a hand towards the open hangar bay door facing Serenity.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause I can\u2019t handle shooting a few Chinese bastards?\u201d Jack asked with a bit more bite than he meant to.<\/p>\n Aneerin shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cBecause you see other human beings as bastards who deserve death.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack met his hard eyes and shivered.\u00a0 Aneerin was laying down an ultimatum.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sorry, Jack.\u201d\u00a0 Aneerin placed a hand on his shoulder and the grip was iron.\u00a0 \u201cBut you must understand me.\u00a0 They are every bit as human as you are.\u00a0 They are not Chinese bastards.\u00a0 They are someone’s father, mother, sister, or brother.\u00a0 You have to remember that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt would be easier if I couldn\u2019t,\u201d Jack snapped back harsher than he planned.<\/p>\n Aneerin blinked and then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cYou remember them in your dreams?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gritted his teeth and did not respond.\u00a0 Which was all it took for Aneerin to read the novelized version.<\/p>\n \u201cI am sorry,\u201d Aneerin said and Jack saw the compassion still in his eyes.\u00a0 \u201cBut that is good.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy?\u201d Jack bit out.<\/p>\n Aneerin studied him for a second before responding.\u00a0 \u201cBecause if we allow ourselves to ever see any other people as less than us, as less deserving of living than us, we will become the monsters we fight.\u201d\u00a0 Aneerin\u2019s eyes bored into Jack with an intensity Jack had never felt.\u00a0 \u201cAnd we dare not become monsters.\u00a0 Who would fight us if we did?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack licked very dry lips at the question and his heart pounded.<\/p>\n Then Charles stepped into the conversation and broke the spell.\u00a0 \u201cThank you for doing your best,\u201d Aneerin said as he released Jack.<\/p>\n Charles shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cShe will not accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer loyalty cannot be bought by pretty words,\u201d Aneerin returned with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cIt is adamant.\u201d\u00a0 Then he speared Jack with a look.\u00a0 \u201cStay with her.\u00a0 Earn her loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t certain he could follow all the crazy going on at the moment.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u00a0 What is all this?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin aimed a long look towards where Wyatt still stood.\u00a0 \u201cThat woman walked into the Fleet 2300 Project\u2019s cruiser division and made it work.\u00a0 She built this ship.\u201d\u00a0 Aneerin nodded at Charles.\u00a0 \u201cAnd if this little project is to have any chance of success it will need someone who can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack glanced towards Wyatt to see a thoughtful expression on her face.\u00a0 \u201cThen\u2026you know\u2026why not recruit someone else<\/em> who can?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cThere are options.\u00a0 But she is my number one draft pick.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt smiled and Jack swallowed.\u00a0 \u201cYou know she can hear all of this, right?\u201d<\/p>\n Aneerin echoed her smile.\u00a0 \u201cIt is her ship.\u00a0 I would expect nothing less.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou really like to play dangerous games, don\u2019t you?\u201d Jack said with a sigh.<\/p>\n Aneerin turned an iron gaze on Jack.\u00a0 \u201cThis is no game, Jack.\u00a0 You can lose a game and live.\u00a0 The future of your race stands on the edge of a knife, and I do not intend to watch you lose it all.\u00a0 But for now I must be elsewhere,\u201d Aneerin said in a firm tone.\u00a0 \u201cYou stay with her.\u00a0 Guard her.\u00a0 That is an order.\u00a0 She will need a guard.\u201d<\/p>\n Wyatt crossed her arms in obvious disagreement.<\/p>\n Aneerin did not respond other than nodding towards Jack and then Charles.\u00a0 \u201cNow a good day to you.\u00a0 Time is of the essence,\u201d he finished and walked away.<\/p>\n Jack and Charles watched until the older man stepped inside his shuttle, the hatch closed, and it left the bay before speaking again.\u00a0 \u201cYou know, sometimes he weirds me out,\u201d Jack whispered, still not certain Aneerin was entirely out of earshot.\u00a0 If anyone could hear them speaking through the vacuum of space it would be that man.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are not alone in that,\u201d Charles said with a shake of his head.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It takes a strong mind to kill another human being.\u00a0 Some become hard and uncaring.\u00a0 Some minds scream in protest at it.\u00a0 The fires of war destroy some people.\u00a0 Some people become stronger, become what they need to be to[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3740","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2307-angel-strike-earc","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-medron-pryde"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3740","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3740"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3740\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3744,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3740\/revisions\/3744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3740"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3740"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3740"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}