Radiance: Part One

V2: Captain?

Lydaleigh was quickly pulled away from the group by Va Nessa. It seemed that perhaps he had been lied to, in regards to the leadership system aboard the ship. Vyrik raised a brow at the whole scenario. The other humans sighed collectively.

"She's not aware of her leadership status." Ymarah said.

Vyrik raised a brow at her, "Why?"

"We didn't tell her." Lane said.

"Why?" His confusion only deepened the furrow of his brow.

"We...we went off on the theory that no one who wants to be a leader deserves to be. It wasn't meant to be this abrupt." Darmah sighed. "We were all informed. She was meant to be awoken today, a week before us, and briefed. Then given a week to process and come to terms with her new position. That couldn't happen, though." She gestured to the table, towards him and his general.

"Would it not have benefited you to inform us of this? Don't insinuate this is in any way a fault of ours." Vyrik's voice timbered on the edge of outrage.

"Yes, it would have, but there is a reason that Va Nessa was second in the vote."

"Ah ...I see." He nodded. He did not. It made no sense at all.

A short time later, Lydaleigh strode back into the room, chin up, shoulders back. She certainly held the presence of a leader, albeit a nervous one. He wouldn't be surprised to find out that their strange vote had been unanimous. He felt his own attention being pulled toward her. She demanded it without a word.

Taking her place back at the head of the table, she laced her fingers together and leaned forward against it.

"I've...uh- I've just been informed that I'm the captain of this ship- it certainly would have made sense to know earlier, but...here we are, I suppose." She leaned back in her chair and sighed.

"I'm sorry we couldn't tell you..." Darmah mumbled.

"The way they explained it to us, it sounded sort of...heroic? Though now, with the poor execution, we realize the situation isn't...ideal." Eryk held up his hands in mock surrender.

Vyrik shook his head and grinned, leaning forward on his hands like a curious child. He couldn't decide whether he was just stunned or completely outraged. It was a wonder their people had survived as long as they did.

Lydaleigh set a heavy hand on the table to draw everyone's attention again. Her expression was tight, but Vyrik would have sworn he could see the wheels turning behind her eyes.

"What else do we need to discuss?" She looked around the room, meeting everyone's eyes at least once, but coming to settle on Vyrik's.

"I do believe that was the bulk of it, Captain Lydaleigh." He nodded. "I suppose General Wie and myself should depart, then, so that your schedule might progress unhindered for the duration of your voyage." Vyrik bowed his head. He desperately wanted a reason to stay behind as a means to get to know these new people- they were all-together far more interesting than he'd previously assumed- especially Captain Lydaleigh.

"I'd hoped you'd dine with us before your departure." the Captain pipped.

"I suppose it would be rude to deny you that, after our blatant intrusion." He said curtly, trying ever harder to keep emotion from his voice. He need not let his intrigue cause problems.

"I'm not really feeling the whole, eating, thing, actually." Darmah shook her head.

Eryk nodded at her, "I'd actually like to head to the library for a little while, maybe have some coffee...or whatever we have equivalent to it."