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19 February 2254 The bridge of EAS Monolith
"So, givmme the news" - Major's deep quick voice rumbled on the bridge. His face, abundantly figured with multiple scars, was filling the screen completely, giving him a strange alien look. - "Did he jump to real space at Sheffer?"
"He will, in about 5 minutes given his current speed profile" - replied Downard, obviously trying not to look directly at the screen.
"Excellent!" - Monolith's commander said loudly, just short of shouting. - "I knew there was nothing to worry about!"
"Actually, there was, Sir." - It was obvious that Downard was trying to take one step at a time - "Sigma Squad reported that Alpha 1 made close contact with Black Omega Squadron near Kotok beacon. They seemed to talk like old buddies."
"What?! What are you saying?"
"I'm saying", - sighed the Commander, - "That Alpha 1 made contact with Black Omega. They had a conversation, and then they let him go. His ETA at Sheffer - about 5 minutes."
It took a few seconds for Rotane to confine his emotions and calm down, looking away from the screen. He inhaled sharply and deeply, as is he was in physical pain, and then he looked back at Downard. When he spoke again, his voice was at least one octave lower than usual.
"Where is Sigma squad now?" - asked the Major slowly. - "Are they still tracking him?"
"No, Sir, they're not. When Black Omega jumped to real space, Commander Blinkhorn has approached Alpha 1 and ordered him to change course and follow him."
"And he did that against my orders?"
"He took full responsibility upon himself, Sir. He thought Alpha 1 will surrender at the sight of the superior force... Or so he said before we lost contact."
"Arrogant fool!"
"Sigma Squad attacked Alpha 1 and soon after we've lost all communications, Sir. Except for the tracking beacon. It's still in place and Alpha 1 is apparently approaching Sheffer."
Suddenly, Major chuckled and his features softened, while the anger was still there, but more latent.
"Commander, do you know what will happen if you make a fool pray?"
"No, Sir, what will happen?" - Downard was clearly not in the right mood for charades.
"He will break his head open".
Then, there was a beep, a small burst of static, and the screen went blank, leaving the bridge in uneasy silence.
BACK - The Black Case
NEXT - Pain Killer
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A series of drabbles and short pieces
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