The Way It Is

time to go - part 2

My eyebrows lift at this revelation. Damaging a Zu'Lar ship is impressive, but she continues like it is nothing. No big deal. We finally found a way to damage that massive Zu'Lar ship. You know, everyday stuff.

"Once they do, their military personnel on the planet will be here in a heartbeat. I suggest you have your men get on board one of the ships as soon as possible so we can be on our way. We plan to warp out within three planetary hours. But we need you to come with us right now, Zea. That's an order."

"We had to remove some people from the compounds for security purposes..." I trail off. It sounds so wrong when I say it out loud, but a vision of Britt in the back of my mind forces the words out.

"We are aware. We have read the reports. Not to worry, all living persons on the planet will be collected unless the Zu'Lar find them first. We cannot afford to engage with them at this time."

Collected. Now there is an appropriate word.

I hope Britt has stayed safe. I think of him as I had seen him last. I am not sure he will have made healthy choices, but I can hope. This is so fucked up. Suddenly I am not very successful at controlling my emotions. How long did it take them to clear the last continent?

We have been stuck here for six fucking sun rotations. Unnecessarily if you ask me. The moneymakers should have been here without us struggling to survive on this dying shit hole and fighting off the Zu'Lar. What the hell was Armada playing at?

However, I have no right to answers, and I am in no position to ask questions. So I need to get over it.

Breathing in deep through my nose, I nod to Sica. Giving my silent understanding.

I find myself struggling with one last thing. I need to decide what I want to do. For some reason, I can't shake the image of Nadia's face. The whole thing has gotten to me. I can't explain why.

I almost don't say anything but finally, decide I will hate myself more if I don't.

"The three small encampments to the South have several Humans who have turned cannibal. I just found out moments before your arrival. We don't know the exact numbers or who. But they haven't shown any effort to control it."

I feel like shit. It is incredibly possible children will now be aggressively extracted from their parents while everyone is tested. Armada is all about efficiency, not tact. But it is better than finding a half-eaten Human on the ship at a later date.

"That's extremely unfortunate," Sica says it like it is truly a shame, but her eyes hold no sympathy. She taps something wrapped around her wrist, it flickers to life, and she speaks, "Captain Gour."

"Here, Lady Secretary."

"The encampments you are rounding up in the South, they have a cannibal issue. Quarantine everyone until we have time to test them." She states it so matter of fact. Like she hasn't just commanded the imprisonment of innocent men, women, children, old and sick alike along with the cannibals.

I feel my stomach churn in distaste. She is cold and efficient. I see why she is the Secretary. It is out of my hands. I hear Captain Gour give confirmation. I turn to my Lieutenant-Generals. Well, I guess they aren't mine anymore.

"You heard. Pass it on, and hopefully, I will see you all up top when this is all over."

I look at each of them, making sure to make eye contact, connecting one last time. I want to give them what reassurance I can. This should all work out. It always does, as long as you keep your head down and do as you are told.

Now and again, something happens to you, giving you the warm fuzzies. I'll be honest. I haven't had many of those in my life.

So right now, as all of the Lieutenant-General's stand at attention, saluting me, chorusing, "Yes Marshal!", giving me their support in more ways than one, I am beyond moved.

Part of me wants to turn smugly to the Commander. So there, asshole. But that won't do anyone any good. Even though I may not be classy, I do have some dignity. So I ignore the Commander. Instead, I turn to Sica.

"Lead the way Lady Secretary. I am ready when you are."

I see a slight smirk play at her fur-lined lips. She noticed. Maybe her respect for me has just jumped a notch? Perhaps not, but she enjoyed my men's direct jab at the Commander's attempt to demean my position here. They may as well have all flipped him a rude hand gesture.

"Is there anything else Gentlemen, or may we proceed and brief Zea on her next mission?"

Whoa! What?

I see her smirk grow a little more prominent as a wicked glint touches her eyes.

Fuck!