Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write in the SCIENCE FICTION genre (05/10/07)
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TITLE: Necrosis | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mike VonFabian
05/11/07 -
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The Lorainians were waiting for us. The battle was brutal. We were on a routine scanning mission of the fourth planet in the Wolf 359 system.
They hit us out of nowhere. They used the system’s solar radiation to mask their ship.
We lost Tompkins and Anderson. Necrosis is a strong ship, but she couldn’t take the pounding with her shields down. Presently, we’re dead in the water. Engineering crews are working to restore ship’s systems.”
This is the first time since we’ve been out here that I’m scared to death. I hate this job sometimes. End personal log.”
Captain Evans stared at the screen for a moment. ‘I need to pull myself together. I can’t let my crew know how I’m feeling.’
He stood. Wild thoughts still plagued him. He ran the battle over and over in his mind. ‘You got lucky! You shouldn’t be here right now. They caught you with your pants down and you should be dead!’
‘But why aren’t you? It wasn’t your stellar command skills!’ BUZZZZ. “Come.”
A man about Evan’s age entered the room. “I just wanted to update you on our repairs. We’re going to be here for a least a week--maybe two.”
Evans remained silent.
The man waited for a few seconds. “Captain?”
Evans came out of his fog. “Yes—thank you, commander—Lou.””
The man started to leave and stopped. “Look, I know something’s going on here, captain—Jim. You and I have been friends since the academy. What’s bugging you?”
Evans didn’t answer right away. He motioned for the commander to sit. He walked over to the hatch and stared out into space. His back straightened. “What’s bugging me is I’m…scared.”
Lou was silent. He wasn’t expecting that answer.
Evans looked over his shoulder. “Cat got your tongue?” he said with a sheepish grin.
Lou cleared his throat. “Well, to tell you the truth…yes! I didn’t see that coming.”
Evans turned fully around. “I didn’t either. That’s what’s got me so unnerved. I’ve been over that fire fight over and over again. We were off guard—vulnerable—we should have been blown to Hades. I violated regulations today—I should have been prepared. I wasn’t. I lost Tomkins and Anderson today. I’m responsible for their deaths—and I’m frightened that, next time, I’ll screw up even worse.”
Lou got up and put his arm on Evans’ shoulder. “Jim, you’ve only been a captain for, what, six months? We are all human. We make mistakes. What should be scaring you even more is that you want to quit and not use this…tragedy to move you forward. Do you know what made the difference today?”
Evans shrugged his shoulders.
Lou looked Evans in the eyes. “You made the difference. You didn’t see how the crew believed in you and knew they would survive this because of you,” poking Evans in the chest. “Jim, you are one of the best officers I know. Heck, I signed up for this bucket of bolts because of you!”
Evans chuckled. “Watch it! She’s my bucket of bolts!”
“Let’s go get a cup of coffee. I think you should reconsider leaving,” Lou offered.
Evans smiled. “I already have. I can’t let the fear of failure stop my mission…our mission out here. I’m going down to the engine room. Can I meet you in the mess in about 15 minutes?”
Lou nodded. “Sure thing, boss. See you there.” He started out of the captain’s quarters.
“Hey Lou?”
Lou stopped and turned.
“Thanks.”
Lou smiled and nodded as he left.
Evans walked to his desk and brought up his log. He hit the delete button and headed to engineering.
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