Sol-Date: 2215-51-62

We've had some deaths on board. The captain ordered an emergency docking at one of our most advanced medical space docks orbiting the star Foma'i; a red dwarf, with a few uninhabitable planets nearby that are rich in resources. If you haven't seen Religence, it is a sight to see if you're looking for somewhere to visit. If I were at this station under any other pretense I would be happy.

The medical staff aboard the Mineya found an early detection method of what they're now saying is a virus. They still have no way of slowing it down or killing it. The captain ordered a full decontamination and screening of crew members as we unboarded. He does not want the virus spreading into the dock. We had to strip down naked and step into a small room, almost like a closet. A robotic arm extended and pricked you in the bicep to take a blood sample. After, we were blasted by several rounds of decontamination including both air and liquids. If I had to guess it would be to kill any of the virus that was on our skin. It took three days to get through everybody on board. After we exited the room, they told us to turn either left or right. They didn't tell the men which was which, only which direction to go. I ended up being clean. I turned right. Others weren't so lucky.

As I was checking the news, I saw a news video of the senate declaring martial law on Kyou and deploying several military units to contain the outbreak. Kyou was a madhouse. The capital city we visited had all but fallen. The planetary defense was doing all it could to contain what was left of the city, but the things people became were smart. Smart enough to take a fallen soldier's rifle and fire back. The video also said something about the government considering fire-bombing the city. Fucking tragic. There's a lot of art and history in that city.

I put in a request for military leave, but it was denied. Shortly after, the captain requested that I meet him at the Space Corps' embassy on-station. I had no choice but to oblige.

I entered and he didn't even wait for me to sit after I had closed the door.

"I have a job for you to do," he said, gesturing to a chair. I did not sit, and neither did I stand at attention. He walked over to a decanter and poured some brown liquor into two glasses and offered one to me. I took it. "You're going to the Senate."

"Captain," I said. He held up a hand to stop me.

"I know," he said. "Nobody likes that kind of politics except those that pursue the career." He sipped his drink.

"You're goddamned right. Nothing but lies and corruption. What do you want me to do there?"

"Just a simple explanation of what you had found. Your experiences before and after Kyou. The more I think about it the more I'm convinced something was in our ship before we docked." He finished the drink. I followed suit, and he poured us another glass.

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"That can be done with a holo-vid." I said. "What's the real reason you want me to go to the senate?"

He sighed. "Part of why I want you to go is to be away from this situation. So that you can be with your wife before the shit hits the fan."

I was about to offer a retort but stopped myself. I thought for a long moment. "With all due respect, sir, go fuck yourself." The captain seemed surprised. I rarely spoke out of turn like this to his face. His surprise turned to confusion, but not anger. "You would allow me to spend time with my wife," I explained. "What about the thousands of other wives waiting for their husbands, some of which may never come home because of this virus?" His confusion turned to what seemed like shame. "I will not be offered a respite simply because I had requested some military leave - which was more just a formality anyway since there is nothing to maintain while we are in decon - and my relationship with you. So I say again, with the utmost respect, go fuck yourself. Please don't disrespect me like that again." I finished my drink and set the glass down on an end table. It may have been more like a slam. I crossed my arms.

The captain smiled and bowed his head in the traditional Japanese fashion. "Thank you," he said.

This surprised me. "What?" I asked.

He looked up at me. "Thank you for voicing your opinion about the matter."

"Was this a test?" I hated being screwed with, and he knew it.

"Of a sort. I knew that a holovid would suffice for the senate. And you are right, there is nothing to maintain while the ship is being decontaminated." He took a small drink from his glass and set his glass on the desk. He walked to refill mine. "How long have you served as Lieutenant Commander?" He asked. He walked around to a drawer of his desk and opened it.

"This is my sixth year, sir." I was confused by the question. The captain was throwing me for loops I had not thought I'd encounter with this meeting. I thought it best to stay at least a little formal after telling him to fuck off.

"Six years. That's a bit long to serve as a Lieutenant Commander. Especially in maintenance where, if you ask me, you're wasted."

"What are you getting at?"

In a rather stern but quiet tone he called me to attention. I obliged. He was my senior officer after all. He opened a small jewelry-like box and produced a silver pin shaped like a leaf, the symbol of a Commander. "Horus Makan, after Six years of dutiful service I hereby promote you to the rank of Commander. You will be restationed under my direct command, and assist me in any and all matters of this ship. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir," I said. "Thank you, sir."

There was nothing I could do. I have refused promotion in the past and I knew he wouldn't have it in this situation. I saluted my new Admiral, and he returned it.

"You will be my personal advisor. The voicing of opinion you just showed me confirmed what I needed to know. But know the limitations of such opinions when we are in front of the crew. I do not wish to be undermined. Understood?"

"Understood."

"At ease." He handed my glass back to me. "To what is to come, whether it be for good or for ill." We raised our glasses in toast and downed the liquid. "If you have no other questions, you are dismissed. Report to your new office after the weekend. I look forward to working with you, Commander."

"And I, you, Captain."

I left and shut the door behind me. I almost fell down.

I'm shocked.