Am I Good Enough? (ISWM Mack x Reader)

Chapter 1: WAKEY WAKEY

I once again got launched out of my cryopod. I see the familiar red lights and hear the warning sirens throughout the ship. I would normally be worried, but after experiencing the same exact situation over and over and over again, I knew what to do before it even happened. Soon, either Mark will get shot out of his cryopod and fly around the bridge like a rag doll OR I go over and release him myself. 

I didn't want to wait, so I ran over to Mark's pod and opened the door "WAKEY WAKEY MAAAaaaa…." Wait. This isn't-

"What's the problem Captain?!"

"Mack? Where is-" Mack and I stumble as the ship violently shakes around. 'No. No this isn't right! Why is Mack here? What happened to-'

"Computer!" Mack yells. "Damage report!"

"Meteorite impacted Life Support. Fire detected. Systems failing."

I immediately went to grab the fire extinguisher. "Don't worry! I got this!" Mack pushed my hand away before I could. "WOAH, hold on there captain. No need to be so hasty."

No need to be hasty? "What do you mean? There is a fire detected! We have to put it out. At least let me go and take care of Life Support since we need that for, y'know, LIFE." The first time a fire happened here in my OG universe, I took care of Life Support which thankfully also took care of the fire. Maybe if I do the same thing here, it would solve at least the majority of our problems. 

Mack made his way to the control panel. "I got this. Computer, reroute to Auxiliary Life Support. Active Fire Suppression System." Did we have that this whole time and no-one told me? What the hell?

Wait, hold on. Fire on bridge, Life Support failing, what else was there…

The window.

I reached over to press the Blast Shield button, but before I could, Mack tightly grabbed my wrist and gave me the dirtiest look. I looked at him surprised as I wasn't expecting him to do that. "Sorry. I was just trying to reach the-" Matt pressed the button himself, not taking his eyes off me. 

'Good lord, why is he so pissed at me? What did I do?' 

"Brace for impact."

The lights go out for a second as Mack and I get tossed into the control panel. We grab onto it to maintain our balance. 

"Are you okay?" I asked Mack. 

He doesn't answer as he turns his attention to the crewmates now entering the bridge. I went over to tell them the situation before Mack pushed me back. "Stand back Captain! We've trained for this."

'Why won't this man let me do anything?!'

"Judy, Cryo. Kai, Life Support. Roderick, check navigation and make sure the blast didn't throw us off course. Gabriel, reactor. Make sure nothing back there is in danger of going ka-blewy." 

I went to follow Gabriel to warn him about the massive black hole that could be- IS in the reactor. "Wait, Gab-" 

"Aaaaand Captain." Matt rose from the ground and blocked me off.

"Oh my god." I muttered. "What Mack?" I was getting really sick and tired of this guy.

"I think it's time we have a little talk. Hmmmm?"

"Yes, it is." I tried to keep my composure before I ended up blowing up on him."What did you want to talk about?"

"This way." We took about four or five steps to the left. "I get the sense you're not a real… hands-on sort of captain, so…"

"Excuse me?" 

"Why don't ya just take a break?" He gave me a smile, but it was very obviously fake. 

"A break?" I asked, my annoyance slipping through a bit. "Why do I need to take a break?"

Mack's voice becomes more gentle, but has a sinister undertone to it. "You know, relax. Let's be honest with ourselves," he leans over to me a tad and mutters "It's not like you're gonna be able to help anyway."

I gave Mack a tight smile. "Enlighten me, Mack. I don't seem to be following along."

"You just got on board the ship, you're learning all the systems. Leave everything to ME, that way you don't get in the way." My eyes widen and my jaw drops. Is he for real? "Trust me, nothing's gonna bring down this ship when I'm in charge! And that is a Mack Guarantee!" He gives me a thumbs up with a confident smile. Like he knows he's won me over. "What do you say, Captain?"

"..."

"All you have to do is make one choice."

"..."

"Take the guarantee." He whispers.

I kept staring at Mack. He kept staring at me with his thumb up and a really confident smile. "Are- are you done? Am I allowed to speak now?"

He nods. "Of course, Captain. Just awaiting your answer."

"Good." I take a long, deep breath. As much as I want to tell and scream at him, it wouldn't be the correct response. As Captain, I have to respect my crewmates.

But respect is a two way street. 

"How dumb do you think I am?"

Mack looks a little taken back by this, but kept his composure. "What do you mean, Captain?" 

I crossed my arms and stood tall as I stared him dead in the eyes. "I know what you're up to. Always wanting to get the last words, not allowing anyone to help, forcefully taking charge, and now you're telling me to take a break so YOU can be in charge of the ship? You're trying to take control over everything."

Mack lowers his thumb and laughs nervously. "Hahahaaa what are you talking about? Me trying to get rid of you and take over the ship? Oh! Oh that's rich."

I narrowed my eyes on him. "Hmm… Mack, I want you to listen to me, okay?" I lean towards him a bit so I can make sure my words go through his thick skull. "I understand that you don't trust me. A new captain suddenly appears who knows nothing about the ship or their crew instead of someone who's been on the ship before and has experience? I would be skeptical too."

"So you understand what I'm-"

"Mack. Stop interrupting me." He shuts up. "Understand this. No matter what, I will care for you and everyone aboard this ship. It is my job and my mission to make sure you are all safe and sound. I don't know many things, yes. But I know that I will risk my life over and over again if it means saving you guys." I soften my gaze. "I need you to trust me, but I can't do that if you won't let me do my job."

For a few moments, neither of us said anything. We just looked at one another. Analysing the other person to see what they would do or say next. 

I decided to keep talking, because who knows when I'll get another chance around him.

I lean away from him to give him his space back. "Look, Mack. I know you are an incredibly intelligent man. And I will admit, I'm going to need your help learning more about the ship considering you know it better than anyone else here. I appreciate your concerns and everything you've done so far and trying to do." This time I gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm gonna have to say no. I have a job to do and I think you do too."