I Monstrum

Chapter 20 - Flight to Osler

      On board, they were officially welcomed and given the respect of their ranks. Of course it seemed weird to both Steve and Samantha that both of them were the leading command officers on board and they were married. They noticed the odd thoughtful stare every now and then, but that was okay. It was, after all, a very unusual situation. In fact, they never even heard of it before. They wondered if there were any regulations against it. If there were, the General had obviously made an exception. Samantha and Steve both agreed to not have displays of affection in front of the crew. They would show each other the dignity and respect that were standard practise in the Space Navy. This way, there would be no distractions to hinder them or the crew from performing their duty. In their quarters however, they could be a typical couple.

      The next morning Steve looked at himself in the bathroom mirror.

      "I bet you never thought you'd be wearing the uniform again."

      "No, I didn't."

      "Well, if it's any consolation. Neither did I."

      "Yeah, but I don't like how this thing looks on me. It's too... stuffy."

      "Just relax and you'll look great."

      "Easy for you to say when you look like a knock out bombshell in yours. Believe me, all eyes will be on you when you walk onto the bridge."

      She smiled and put her arms on top of his shoulders, entwining her fingers. "Well, I guess we'll have to test that out, since that's where we are about to go."

      "True." He leaned down and kissed her on the lips.

      When the lift doors opened and they stepped onto the bridge, the second officer immediately noticed, "Captain on the bridge." Everyone at their stations looked at them both and straightened up, showing respect.

      "At ease... Report, Mister Lee."

      "We are now about 2 ½ days out from our destination, sir. All ship systems are functioning optimally. One crew member is in the med bay."

      "Really. What's wrong?"

      "She had an... altercation..."

      "Ms Blake, you have the con. Come with me, Mister Lee."

      After they were alone in the adjoining tactical room, Steve sat at the head of the table. "Please sit down, Mister Lee... Now, first of all, what's her name? I'll need to know that when I talk to her."

      "Tara Sprague, sir. She's a combat soldier."

      "What happened in this altercation?"

      "According to witnesses, the victim and herself, she punched a fellow soldier. In the eye. "He's got a... shiner sir."

      "Wow... Why would she do that?"

      "He said that she was an ignorant, crazy, Martian maniac who was just a weak grunt . He also said... bad things about her parents."

      "Okay, that would be insulting, but enough to punch someone in the face? She should have more control than that. I'll speak to her about it. She's in the med bay, so, how was she hurt in the altercation?"

      "She injured her hand, sir. Broke her finger when she punched him in the eye."

      "Okay. Keep her there in the med bay, until I see her after my lunch. What about the other soldier?"

      "Mister Chris Maclean is also in the med bay, the Doc is examining and doing tests on his eye."

      "Keep him there too, I want to talk to him, but keep them apart... until I get there. Okay?"