Chain of Command

  Titanium 6-3k floated among the thick purple and blue clouds of the Heartser Orbital nebula.

  Location: 317UXG - Valconalla

  Status: Unstable

  Current time: 0820 local

  Type: Dwarf Planet

  Diameter: 1,882 km

  Population: 1,132

  Solar System: Nok - 17

  Inhabitant: Tuttwana

  Attributes: red, yellow and orange skin tones. Long claws. All genders are capable of pregnancy. Pregnancy lasts for 3 months. Lifespan is shortened due to the harsh climate. Most offspring do not survive infancy.

  “I see…”

  Hornet pulled down his reading glasses and put away the holographic screen.

  “The situation in 317 is critical. Shall I start the engine to thrust towards the Nok-17 system?”

  “Yes. You may.”

  I nodded my head, turning around to head back out of his office room. I closed the door behind me once I exited and headed towards the command room.

  As soon as I entered, I spotted everyone in their seats. Finally, those fools have stopped playing around and settled in their seats.

  “We just completed a mission, and we are already diving into another.”

  Doxie whined.

  She had a habit of being petulant.

  I walked past her seat and headed over to mine at the front, controlling the helm. I settled down, unintentionally listening to Doxie complaining even more.

  “Doxie. It is our job to provide aid to anyone who needs it across the galaxy.”

  Coven scolded her.

  Doxie has been with us for four years, and yet she has not changed. I remember the day she got all pissed when Hornet named Coven as her mentor. Because Coven joined GOU after her, she believed she had superiority over him.

  Yet he passed through the ranks in a flash.

  What took me years to do, Coven did in two.

  Even I felt a little jealous of his success.

  Coven scooted his chair closer to mine, looking over at me.

  “So where are we heading?”

  I pulled the lever to turn on the engine of the spacecraft. The ceiling lights dimmed down and the LED outlining the panel outshined.

  “We are heading towards the Nok-17 system that is 33 light years from us.”

  “Right.”

  “Start the thrust sequence.”

  I instructed, doing my own in accordance with his.

  One… two…

  “Three.”

  The craft pierced the cloud of gasses, accelerating as it entered the quantum drift lane.

  Hours have passed since we left on our new mission, and not a single minute has gone by since Doxie has been complaining.

  It was starting to hurt my mind at this point.

  I rubbed my temple with my forefinger, listening to her.

  “Why do we have to go? There is another section of GOU who does this kind of thing. Our job is to eliminate danger, not to be babysitters. Wait, if we were to rescue the people of the planet, then that means they will be here. The ship will be overcrowded. The ship was not designed to be overloaded.”

  The ship was enormous, and could hold up to two thousand people easily. The planet of Valconalla had merely the population of 1,100 — estimated. So I didn’t know what she was complaining about.

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  No one was going to be taking her quarters.

  “Seriously, what was Hornet thinking sending us — his tired crew to another mission? When we were fighting against those beasts a day ago.”

  I pulled my chair over to the drawer, intending to take out the earmuffs to block out her noise. Coven noticed and immediately pointed it out.

  Damn fool.

  “Agile. Are you cutting out Doxie’s valuable opinion?”

  My eyes narrowed, and I shot him a glare.

  I pulled open the drawer and shoved the earmuffs inside before shutting it closed.

  Thud.

  I rolled my chair over to the craft’s panel as Doxie continued her ramble.

  “Who does Hornet think he is? I heard his great-grandfather was a better leader. One of the best. Hornet really thinks he can outdo his great grandfather. Nepotism. I say Nepotism.”

  I turned around, having enough of her whining.

  My eyes widened when I noticed Hornet standing by the door, arms crossed.

  How long has he been listening to Doxie’s toxic words?

  I cleared my throat to silence her, but she didn’t notice because she was too lost in her toxicity.

  I turned my head towards Coven, who was facing the panel. I nudged his feet. As his head turned towards me, I gestured towards the door. When he turned around, his eyes widened as much as mine did.

  He also tried to clear his throat to snap Doxie out of her rambling, but she didn’t stop.

  “If I were the leader, I would make us go on a trip to Dibriyama**. Oh, that would be so relaxing.”

  She said, stretching out her arms and turning around. Finally, she noticed Hornet standing by the door and stopped for once.

  “Hornet!”

  She abruptly stood up, fumbling over her words in front of him.

  “Hor-hor-hornet… I was just…”

  He stood still, watching her with a stern gaze.

  “Agile, can you follow me?”

  I stood, looking over at Coven one last time before following behind Hornet. Doxie was surprised by Hornet’s sudden presence, and I looked at her with disappointment.

  I followed behind Hornet, unsure of why he wanted me to tag along.

  Should I tell him Doxie meant no harm?

  Her tongue was sharp, just as her name, but she had a heart… behind all that toxicity. I had seen it.

  “Hornet…”

  He continued walking, but I was sure he heard me, so I continued.

  “Doxie meant no harm.”

  “I know it, Agile. I know it.”

  I remained silent for a few seconds before speaking up.

  “Then… why didn’t you tell her to stop?”

  “Why should I? That wouldn’t be fair.”

  He pressed the button; the door slid open. He waited for me to enter first. Hornet closed the door behind me and walked over to his chair, sitting down.

  I took a seat across from him.

  “I am a leader, Agile. Not a fascist.”

  I nodded. Hornet was a great man. The best I have known since I could walk. He was my father’s friend.

  When my father passed away, Hornet offered me this job.

  “Of course, I will try to talk to Doxie to lower her bad omen.”

  “No need. People don’t change. She has not changed in four years, what could change her now?”

  “Alright. Why did you call me to your office?”

  “I want you to take the lead on this mission. Ensure you do things correctly.”

  I nodded.

  “Of course. I will make sure things don’t go sideways.”

  “Good. You may go now.”

  I stood up, heading out of the room.

  ???