CHAPTER 7: JOHN

He just stood there, for a long few seconds, acutely aware of the gravity of his next move, knowing precisely what would transpire the moment he put his foot forward even an inch further. He counted on it, relished in the anticipation, and basked in its glory. With deliberate care, he shifted his weight and moved his right foot, placing it down just barely a meter from the door. In response, the automated system made a resounding "click," signaling the release of the door. The hatch split in two, revealing the intricate internal structures of the metal creature, gleaming in the dim light. The next, and undoubtedly the best part of the moment arrived when he placed his foot just inside the hatch, officially boarding the ship. In that instant, the computer system registered the event, and a wave of exhilaration washed over him as it began to play his favorite tune. "WarpStar Arriving" resonated through every speaker throughout the mighty destroyer, filling the vast metal corridors with a sense of triumph. It was only a few months since he had taken command of the ship he had painstakingly designed, packed with an experimental faster-than-light drive system that promised to take humanity to the stars. Commanding a starship had always been his lifelong dream, and he never imagined it would manifest in a vessel of his own creation! He held a tight smile, cherishing the moment for every second he could, fully aware he could not enjoy it for even a millisecond longer.

"Welcome back, sir!" Heidi exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she held a quick salute, her posture perfectly disciplined as her commanding officer boarded the ship.

"Thank you, Commander." John replied, returning the salute with a nod of appreciation as they began to walk together, the metallic hum of the ship enveloping them. "Do we have everyone?" he asked, glancing around to ensure the crew was assembled and ready for their next adventure.

"Yes, Sir. The crew has returned from liberty, and the Russian Minister is settling into her quarters. The Vice President and the Senators are currently gathered in the wardroom and occupying the observation area on the bridge. Enki is with them, facilitating discussions. All stations are reporting ready. Do we have a plan, sir?"

They paused for a brief moment at a wall com terminal, the hum of the ship's machinery a constant backdrop. John picked up the mic, his fingers deftly adjusting the knob to channel 18. "We do, but no one will like it." Heidi looked at her commanding officer in confusion, seeking clarification, but John simply pressed the button on the mic in response. "Con, CO, point us towards Sirius and execute all ahead flank. Continue burn until further orders."

"CO, Con, Aye." The young officer of the deck replied promptly, acknowledging the command with a crisp professionalism that belied her youth.

John then flipped the knob to channel 01 and transmitted ship-wide. "Attention all hands, I need every single one of you at your best in the coming months. We are tasked with the most vital operation any Federation ship has undertaken. I can't go into details at this moment, but know that what we are about to do will save Earth from this invasion. You are the best of the best that humanity has to offer, and I am proud to serve alongside each and every one of you. Orders will start coming down soon; for now, every station and every system needs to be in better shape than it was when we left Utopia Planitia. Thank you. All senior officers, please report to the wardroom in 15."

"Sir, why do we have multiple VIPs onboard? What is going on?" They continued walking toward the lift, a sense of unease settling in.

"You do realize we are headed to the wardroom to explain just that, right?" John replied, offering a playful smile to his Ex-O, trying to lighten the mood.

"I know, sir, but as your right hand, I feel I should know the plan so I can help you execute it." The lift doors slid open, and they stepped inside, the small space suddenly feeling even more cramped. John pressed the button for the command deck, the familiar hum of the lift easing the tension just a little. He glanced at her, chuckling to himself at her eagerness. Sensing his amusement, Heidi got the hint to drop the subject, shifting gears. "So, how much trouble am I in? Should I expect this to be my last patrol?"

"You took a Federation asset into combat without authorization and against direct orders to not interfere. The survival of humanity rests solely on this ship." His tone was serious, leaving no room for doubt.

"So, my last patrol. Got it." Heidi looked down, a wave of sadness washing over her as the weight of her actions sunk in. The realization that her career was officially over hit her like a ton of bricks. Her dream to command a starship, something she had poured her heart and soul into, was now slipping through her fingers faster than she ever anticipated. All those years of training for command felt utterly wasted in an instant. Controlling her emotions became increasingly difficult in the suffocating confines of the lift, and she fought back tears that threatened to spill over. Just then, John burst out laughing, cutting through her turmoil like a knife.

"What the actual fuck?" she blurted out, not caring in the slightest that she was speaking out of line to her commanding officer. What else did she have to lose? She had just lost everything she had ever worked for.

"Heidi." John pressed the hold button on the lift, effectively freezing the moment between them, and looked directly into her eyes, his gaze intense and unwavering. "You saved the life of an Alien Admiral, an alien who is trying to rally support on our behalf with his government. Someone who could very well save us from the brink of disaster. You used your judgement in the moment and acted decisively, destroying four ships that were far superior to you, in both firepower and technology." Her mind raced, unable to process his words as shock washed over her like a tidal wave. "I'm actually proud of you."

"So." She struggled to articulate her thoughts, her voice trembling slightly. "What the fuck, sir? I disobeyed a direct order, and just like you said, I took the Federation's most prized asset right now into combat. How do I even still have these command pips?" Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the weight of her defiance.

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"Between Enki and me, we made a pretty convincing argument to the Admiralty board. They wanted to arrest you for treason right then and there. I convinced them to wait and hear you out; then Enki insisted you get high marks for your actions. Well, he even wanted you promoted to Admiral!" John's voice held a mix of admiration and disbelief, as if he couldn't quite believe the audacity of their choices but respected the courage behind them.

"Admiral?" A smile began to form on her face, washing away the sadness that had overtaken her like a dark cloud, lifting the heaviness that had been pressing down on her. "Well, what the shit? Why didn't they agree to his terms? I should be giving you orders by now!" The sound of their laughter echoed in the confined space of the tiny lift, releasing the tension that had been building like a pressure cooker ready to explode.

"I do believe I had a hand in preventing that," John quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"And what the hell for, Captain?" She playfully spoke down to him, her tone teasing yet affectionate.

"Why do you think? I can't have you bossing me around now! You disobeyed a direct order, Commander!" Their banter continued each jibe lighthearted and filled with camaraderie, as the lift resumed its ascent. At that moment, they spoke more like close friends than officers bound by a rigid chain of command, each exchange reinforcing John's belief that she was indeed the right choice for the position after all.

The atmosphere shifted as the two command officers stepped into the wardroom, where the rest of the senior staff had already gathered, busy with their own conversations. John spotted a cup of coffee that appeared to have been brewed recently and, opting for the warm black nectar over a glass of water, he took a moment to savor its rich aroma. "Alright, folks," he began, pausing as he took a sip, feeling the liquid awaken his senses. Sitting at the head of the table, he noticed Enki taking the seat to his right, and at the far end, he was taken aback to see the Vice President of the Federation, engrossed in whatever was on her data pad. "Madam Vice President, with all due respect, this meeting is intended for the senior staff." His voice held a mix of formality and surprise, as he tried to navigate the unexpected presence in the room.

"Why?" the Vice President replied flatly, her gaze still glued to the data pad, as if the captain's words were an unwelcome distraction. "There is no meeting. You have your orders; carry them out. Why are we all wasting time sitting here?"

John struggled to suppress his irritation. His crew needed to understand the mission; asking them to perform blindly would not only undermine their effectiveness but also reflect poorly on him. He relied on his senior staff for guidance, insights, and opinions, and he refused to adopt the typical dictator-style command that so many others employed.

Finally, the VP looked up, her face now etched with greater irritation. "Well, why are we still here? Let's go!" she nearly yelled, her impatience palpable.

"Fine." John acquiesced, opting for compliance rather than a confrontation with the second-in-command of the Federation. "You'll all be briefed individually in flight. Ensign Winmer," he directed his orders to the new weapons officer, who sat nervously at the table, "calculate firing solutions…"

"Firing solutions? You need to get us the hell out of here right now! Your orders do not include bringing us into combat." John felt his patience fraying at the edges with this woman, VP or not; he had about reached his limit.

"I need firing solutions..." He tried to continue, determined not to yield to her escalating demands.

"Who the hell is the pilot of this pile of junk?" She stood up, looking around the room as if searching for someone to blame. "Get us the hell out of here! Right now, I am giving you a direct order."

"Madam Vice President!" John stood as well, his anger bubbling to the surface. "With all due respect, this is my ship. I understand our orders at large, and I fully intend to carry them out..." she interrupted him once more.

"You are not following your orders to the letter. You are to exit the system as soon as you are clear of the space dock. I will not say it again—get us the hell out of here!"

"I understand that you are too scared to stay in the system..." she continued, her voice dripping with condescension.

"I beg your pardon, Captain! You better watch—" It was John's turn to cut her off.

"This is the situation. The President opted to remain here to guide the government and citizens through this difficult time. We have senators onboard who can ensure continuity of government at Alpha Centauri..." She attempted to interrupt him again, but he slammed his hands down on the table, silencing her. "No, you will listen to me. One of my responsibilities is to make situational judgments in the field; that is also part of my job description as Commanding Officer. I will carry out my orders, but I will do so as I see fit..." He raised his hands again to prevent her from speaking. "My orders specify getting you and the other VIPs out of the system. I only have orders to transport the Senators to Alpha Centauri. There are no orders detailing where you should go. If you question my commands again in front of my crew, I'll drop your ass off at Sirius..." He paused, watching her face flush a deep crimson and her eyes narrow, but she finally sat down and fell silent. "Now, Weaps, I want targeting solutions that will deliver the most damage possible. I intend to unload our entire arsenal of rail darts, missiles, and torpedoes. How long will that take?"

"I just need at most fifteen minutes, sir," Ensign Winmer, fresh out of the academy, replied with clear confidence. John felt a flicker of gratitude for the young officer's enthusiasm.

"Sir," Heidi interjected cautiously. "I don't feel comfortable unloading our entire arsenal, especially since we know these bastards are vulnerable to kinetic weapons."

"We have two resupply points, Commander. Our first destination is Andronov. We hope the Republic will be generous enough to provide us with munitions."

"The Russians?" Donovan asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"Yes, we have their Foreign Minister onboard. We have officially signed a ceasefire agreement with the Kremlin." A soft murmur spread through the room, but John pressed on. "If we can't secure munitions from them, our final destination will be Alpha Centauri, where we will requisition a resupply. Nav, plot an FTL course to the coordinates that will be provided to you by our Republic guest. Helm, upon my final order, execute at the fastest possible FTL speed."

"Sir," Char responded, a frown creasing her brow. "I don't even know what our fastest point theoretically is. We haven't tested the ship beyond 3c."

"Get with the good Doc down in engineering. See if you can't muster up a number and report back to me. You have one hour." With that order, everyone in the room acknowledged him and began to leave, leaving the VP just staring at John, her expression inscrutable. He couldn't quite decipher whether she wanted to devour him or string him up. Either way, it was clear that she harbored no pleasant thoughts for the captain.