CHAPTER 9: JOHN

As he wandered the dimly lit corridors of his ship, John couldn't help but notice a recurring theme among the crew that struck him like a cold wave. Everyone was visibly nervous and perpetually on edge, their tension palpable in the air. They were being asked to undertake the impossible—embarking on a lengthy voyage through the treacherous and unknown folds of space, all in the name of reaching a colony world that was firmly under the control of their long-standing enemy state. To make matters worse, they were tasked with carrying one of that enemy's representatives aboard, a constant reminder of the precarious situation they found themselves in.

Despite the gravity of their mission, the crew was expected to maintain smiles plastered on their faces while diligently performing their duties. Deep down, however, they longed for the comfort of home, yearning to be actively engaged in the fight against the alien invasion that relentlessly encroached upon their territory, poised to slaughter their brothers and sisters without mercy. The weight of uncertainty loomed heavily over them; without communications to Earth, no one aboard the ship could ascertain the fate of their planet or the well-being of their loved ones. John bore the difficult responsibility of keeping morale at its highest possible level for as long as he could, fully aware that their spirits would prove crucial in the face of such overwhelming odds.

John entered the ship's galley, preferring to eat among the crew rather than in isolation. He believed it helped boost morale for the crew to see their commander sharing a meal with them, and it also provided him with an opportunity to get to know them better. He despised the idea of senior staff having a private chef who prepared better meals for them than for the rest of the crew. While he still kept the higher-quality cooking staff typically reserved for senior officers, he had them prepare meals for the entire crew instead. It was the little things that truly mattered; John always paid attention to those details, and today was a prime example. The five-star chef had crafted a meal that not only tasted exquisite but also paid homage to the great tragedy they had suffered, serving as a poignant reminder for some crew members of their lost home.

"Good morning, sir!" Heidi exclaimed as she sat down across from John with a fresh bowl of Martian Beef Stew. Despite its name and primary ingredient, the meal had been prepared to honor the lives lost in Orion and, in part, to utilize the last of the Orion Tangie root. The stew consisted mainly of beef grown on Mars, but also featured a potato-like root that could only be found on Orion—the Tangie root. Named after the botanist who discovered its nutritious properties, the root had quickly become Orion's biggest export. Not only was it extremely nutritious, but it also boasted a low starch and carb count, tasting like a sweet potato while possessing the texture and versatility of an Earth-grown potato. The root had quickly garnered a reputation among consumers all across the Federation. Now, with the destruction of Orion, botanists faced the daunting challenge of either synthesizing the root or adapting it to grow in Sol or Alpha Centauri.

"Good morning, Commander. How was your shift?" John asked, savoring the last of the Orion specialty himself.

"Oh, you know, the usual. Had to kill a few Ruskies!" She intended the comment as a light-hearted jab at their long-time enemy, but she realized her misstep too late. John's expression conveyed a silent reprimand, a look that said, 'What the hell are you doing?' He didn't need to voice his concern; the instant regret etched on her face screamed 'Oh shit, what have I just said?' With the current ceasefire between the Republic and the Federation, the long-time enemies stood at the precipice of a potential lasting peace. No one wanted to jeopardize that with a careless joke.

"Don't worry about it, Commander. We all have slip-ups now and then." She smiled, grateful for her commanding officer's generous leniency.

"I know you love her; that must be rough." She took a gamble on his response, hoping she understood him well enough to predict it. John simply stared at her, caught in a moment of uncertainty, unable or unwilling to articulate his feelings. She could not discern which it was. "Listen, we've known each other for a long time." John nodded, taking another spoonful of the thick stew. "I think I know you well enough to consider you not only a great CO but a friend."

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"Oh, do you now?" he replied wittily, a playful smirk gracing his lips.

"Why did you ask me to be your exec?"

"Easy, you're good at the job. You're born for command; that much was proven when you were thrust into the role without any prep."

"I won't accept that." John stared at her, his expression dumbfounded. "I was a complete bitch to you in the academy."

"Yeah, that you were."

"And you were an asshole to me in response."

John chuckled. "That I was."

"So, why did you request me? First, you allowed my posting on the ship, then you requested me to be your right-hand woman. Considering our history and how toxic we were to each other, I would never have guessed we would end up here."

"I don't dwell on the past. I've seen how you've grown. I meticulously reviewed your record from the last time we saw each other to the day your file landed on my desk. You transformed from a cocky know-it-all teen into a respectable, mature leader. What you did on Europa took courage and demonstrated true leadership skills. I didn't see that when we were at each other's throats. I recognized it when we were fleeing from the aliens. I've come to respect you, Heidi. I'm quite proud to have you onboard."

She blushed, taken aback by John's openness and honesty. His words signaled a welcome relief from a past she had always regretted. "As with me, John. What you did on the Avenger truly inspired me. That's when I knew you weren't just this arrogant jackass who thought he was better than everyone."

"And what in Sol would give you that impression?" A grin spread across his face.

"Oh, come on! Between you and that firecracker over there, it was a daily competition to see who had the bigger balls!" They both laughed as they glanced over at Char, the subject of their discussion. "I knew you loved her the day she waltzed into Sarg Parv's class." The three of them had shared a few semesters in Sergeant Parvenski's Flight Operations class at the academy. All naval personnel were required to have basic flight ops training, even tactical officers specializing in explosives and weaponry needed to grasp the fundamentals of space flight. "I saw it when you two were racing each other on the track. She cut you off on day one and never let you forget it, despite your best efforts. You developed a crush on her for that—she was the first person to successfully challenge you, and a beautiful woman at that! You fell hard from that day."

"Perhaps," was all John could muster, failing to bury his feelings as deeply as he wished.

"Don't worry. I, nor anyone I know on the bridge that day, filed a report about what happened between you two." John's heart raced, fear gripping him at the thought of the kiss that could jeopardize his career. "It's okay; no one will ever say anything. But you know, you can talk to me if you need to."

"Thank you, Heidi." John didn't even realize they had begun referring to each other by their first names; it just felt natural to both of them. "I keep telling myself the same thing my mom always said when I was a stupid, arrogant teenager: 'Love is far more important than duty or honor. Embrace it, cherish it, and never let it go!'"

"Your mom sounds like a lovely and wise woman!" Heidi smiled warmly.

"She is. But she is right." John cast another glance toward the red-haired beauty he was in love with. "If circumstances were different, I would file that report myself."

"Why?" Confused, Heidi struggled to comprehend why he would risk court-martial over a kiss.

"Because she means more to me than service. I would gladly give up these wings for her."

"Then why don't you, if you love her that much?"

"Because I can't. I can't be selfish; I don't have that luxury. Earth needs me, Sol needs me. Hell, all of humanity needs me. This alien threat requires all hands on deck. If I quit now for one person, it could spell doom for us all. And I know that's pretentious of me to say, but it's the hard truth." Heidi looked down, acknowledging the weight of his words. He was right, despite the god complex he may have just admitted to. He was a strong leader, a skilled pilot, and more importantly, a great human being. No matter what he thought, he was correct. Humanity needed him; they needed all of them. The WarpStar might be the most crucial starship the Federation had.