“It’s always a sight seeing a ship in repair.”

Taliseen stared up at the “Duty” as multiple small repair craft whizzed around it’s hull, sparks raining down from above. Suspended by anti-gravs and cables, the “Duty” was a sight to see. The damage was extensive, and required many days to be repaired. In the mean time, Taliseen was regulated to desk duty meant to “relax his mind” from the stress caused by the Battle of Tau Ceti. Though he appreciated the gesture, he was in sound condition, and would rather get back in the fight than write papers and referrals.

“Certainly, but you should see it when one of the bigger ones get repaired, like a dreadnought or a battlecruiser.”

A voice from behind him spoke up. Taliseen turned around, searching for the speaker. A man in a gray naval uniform was walking up to him, and he saw that Taliseen had turned around, he raised his right hand in greeting. Uncertain as to who he was, Taliseen took a glance at the ranking insignia on the man’s shoulder. Upon seeing the six-point golden star on his shoulder insignia, Taliseen instantly snapped to attention.

“Major, sir!” Taliseen saluted.

“At ease soldier.” The major waved his hand.

Taliseen relaxed slightly. “May I ask why what you’re doing here major?”

“What, I can’t take a stroll in the hanger?”

“N-no, of course you can, sir! I was just curious as to why-”

“I know, I know,” The major dismissed his excuse with a chuckle. “I just wanted to tell you that Reacher’s looking for you.”

“Captain Reacher,” Taliseen was confused. “But isn’t she a lower rank? Why are you searching me out for her?”

“We’re friends. She wanted to see you and I didn’t have anything to do. She’s in the medical ward, room 514.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Taliseen once again saluted to the major, then began the walk towards the medical ward. As he was far above the medical ward, he had to take the elevator down multiple floors. Twelve minutes later, he was walking into the medical ward, and stepping up to the reception desk. He patiently waited for the receptionist to finish her work on the computer.

“How may I help you?” The receptionist looked up at Taliseen and asked.

“I’m here to visit Captain Mary Reacher. I was told she was in room 514.” Taliseen replied.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Mary Reacher… Yes, down the hall to your left and her room will be in the right.”

“Thank you.”

Taliseen gave the lady a smile and went to the left, glancing at the room numbers on the right, looking for 514. After passing by a number of doors, he spotted the black “514” next to a door, the braille underneath it. The knocked on the door three times, and heard a muffled “come in” from the inside. Straightening the ensign cap on his head, he pushed open the door and walked in.

Inside was a bed, table and a TV opposite the bed. On the TV was a news station currently covering the Battle of Tau Ceti. Under the covers of the hospital bed was a woman with long blond hair that was currently tied up in a ponytail. Her left arm was wrapped up in a cast, and her other arm was covered in bandages. As Taliseen entered, she turned her head away from the TV turned her gaze to Taliseen. Her right eye was covered by an eye patch, and multiple other bandages dotted her face as well. Her sole, uncovered jade-green eye stared back at him, welcoming him in with a smile and a nod of the head. Taliseen returned the greeting with a salute. He walked over to the desk and pulled out the chair, setting it next to the bed and sitting down on it.

“Major Williams found you then?” Captain Reacher asked.

“Yes,” Taliseen nodded, then chuckled. “I’m surprised you managed to get a major to listen to you, even going as far as to ordering him around. You are more mysterious than you let on.”

“No no, it’s nothing like that. Me and Michael were just friends since before we joined the military. Also, what you mean ‘than I let on?’ Since when have I even ‘let on’ anything?”

“Ever since you fell down the stairs and landed yourself in the hospital?”

“It was the stairs of the capitol building! You know how dangerous they are!”

“Yeah, they don’t call them the seven thousand steps for no reason.”

Taliseen laughed as he imagined the dignified Captain Reacher slipping on a stair and falling down to the bottom. It was something quite out of character.

“Anyway, what did you need me for?” Taliseen stopped laughing and asked her.

“I never got the chance to thank you for saving the “Charmer” in Tau Ceti, did I?”

“You didn’t, but don’t worry about it. I was following orders, there’s no need for you to feel thankful to me.”

“Orders that seemed like suicide. I’ll admit, if I was in your position, I’m not sure if I would follow through with them.”

“You don’t need to be so humble. If you were in my position, you probably never would’ve received that order in the first place. Many of us see you as a genius strategist and a banging hottie, there’s no way you would’ve had to struggle like I did.”

“Thanks for the compliment, but please don’t say ‘banging.’” Captain Reacher made a disgusted face.

“Yeah, that was fucking terrible.” Taliseen agreed.

There was a brief moment of awkward silence, before Captain Reacher coughed.

“Right,” Captain Reacher turned serious. “Ensign Avet!”

“Yes, ma’am?” Taliseen stood up and gave a salute.

“I have new orders for you. You are to report to Denns back on Earth, I have recommended you for officer training. You have done good work soldier, I’m proud of you.”

“...”

Taliseen was silent for a moment, completely stunned. Earlier, he was being humble when he said he just following orders. He was rather proud of surviving that battle, but he knew he could’ve only done it with the work of his crew, so he didn’t dare brag. Therefore, for him to be recommended for officer school because of that surprised him. He was excited, but at the same time, he felt as though he didn’t deserve it. Even so, he still decided to accept the offer.

“Understood ma’am, I shall leave immediately!” Taliseen saluted, then turned and left the room, heading towards the elevator that would take him to the hangar.

Back inside room 514, Captain Reacher sighed. She didn’t believe Taliseen was yet ready for officer school. The man had talent, sure, but talent wasn’t enough. To succeed in officer school, one often needed years of front line experience to know how to command troops. For Captain Reacher, she had once been faced with the task of commanding her own troops in a mock battle, where she had failed drastically. It was because of this she realized how hard being a strategist was. She couldn’t just throw her troops at the enemy, hoping that they would do the rest. No, she had to think, to find flaws in the enemy, to recognize the strengths and weaknesses in play, to do more than just fire a gun.

The only reason she had recommended him for officer school was to draw out his talent. Taliseen was a natural strategist, capable of calm decisions and even creating miracles from hopeless situations. In the Battle of Tau Ceti, Taliseen had, multiple times, risked his own ship to save other ships. Yet, despite the mounting odds, he had managed to survive long enough for reinforcements to drive the enemy back. To pay back her debt, and bring forth his hidden talent, Mary Reacher had decided to send Taliseen Avet to officer school. For better or for worse, she did not know.

But war is approaching swiftly, and humanity needed every man, woman, and child out there. Come hell or high waters, she would do whatever it took to destroy the enemies of humanity. It was her duty.