The Orion Project (Rewrite) (indefinite hiatus)

Chapter 45

The airship flew at a snail's pace. At least, to Devon it did. His perception of time had seem to slow to a crawl as soon as they were picked up from Larisa's tower. He couldn't stop his foot from repeatedly thumping against the floor as they flew back to Orion.

He had his hands clasped in front of him as he was deep in thought. His helmet sat next to him and he stared blankly at the floor.

"You should feel nervous." Rose harshly said.

"Shut up." Devon hissed.

"This is on you!" She said. "You're gonna make our squad look like a pack of scared puppies! All over some pathetic 'feeling' you had." She air quoted 'feeling'.

"I know, Rose! Now Shut. Up!" Devon barked back at her.

"Don't talk to her like that!" Lucas growled. "She's right and you're going to have to explain to Doctor Seraph why you ran away like a coward!"

"I KNOW! So shut your damn mouth!" Devon roared at him.

Eune and Alyssa shared a worried glance as the trio continued to argue. Alyssa grabbed his hand and squeezed it slightly.

"You can't make up an excuse for what you did back there!" Rose yelled. "We should have, at the very least, tried taking her down! But you had to act like a little bitch and 'stand down'!"

"You're going to tell me that my actions and order were wrong?!" Devon scoffed. "You didn't even think to look at the woman?! How unnaturally calm she was? How she didn't even seem to care that five soldiers just burst into her home with the aim of killing her?! Tell me I'm wrong on that, Rose!"

"You were!" Lucas bellowed. "We could've fought her and beaten her if you hadn't pussied out! You're a coward!"

"I made a judgment call! I gave the order in the hopes that one, if not multiple, of us wouldn't have been slaughtered! You can't call me a coward with the hope of avoiding that!" Devon yelled.

"I can and I will! I'll make sure to report everything to Doctor Seraph! Hell, I'll report it to the whole damn company about how you chickened out of an assignment!" Lucas said.

"Oh yeah? Go ahead! Like I give a shit what you do! No matter what you do, Doctor Seraph will make the call on what our punishment will be." Devon said.

"He's going to punish you!" Rose grabbed Devon's arm.

"Let him! I'll tell him exactly why I gave the order. I'm the leader of this squad and I'll take care of you all like I damn well should! So shut up, and let me be!" Devon growled.

Rose sighed and let him go. Lucas scoffed and crossed his arms while Eune and Alyssa sat there in a worried silence. Devon leaned back in his seat, sighing as he closed his eyes.

...

Doctor Seraph leaned back in his chair. He set down a report from Jackson on his desk and side eyed Devon.

"So, you didn't engage in any kind of combat with Larisa?" He questioned.

"No sir, we did not." Devon replied, standing at attention.

"And, tell me again, why you gave the stand down order?"

"Because I had a feeling, sir, that I'd lose multiple members of my squad if we engaged in combat with her." Devon answered.

"..."

"I take full responsibility for my actions, Doctor Seraph. The rest of my squad were only following my orders." Devon quickly said.

"Hmm...I can see that, Zealot. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed in you." The Doctor stood.

"You have been a fine leader for several missions after your elimination of Slavore. Your insight has proven valuable in each encounter you and your team have been a part of." Doctor Seraph said calmly.

Devon stood firmer at attention, waiting for the 'but'.

"However, this assignment, just like the one I sent Jackson and his team on were to test you and your team against an impossible opponent. So you giving the stand down order does not bode well with me."

"I understand sir, this feeling I had just-"

"No. I don't want to hear it. Your, ugh, feeling? Told you that you'd lose members of your squad? Against Larisa? I highly doubt that." Doctor Seraph scoffed.

"S-sir?"

"No, what I believe is you purposely gave the order in spite of your assignment. I will not tolerate disobedience, Zealot. The next assignment I give you, you will follow it to the letter! Do. You. Understand?" Doctor Seraph growled.

"Yes sir."

Doctor Seraph leaned over his desk and pressed his finger against his ear. "Tell me loud and clear, Zealot. You will what?"

"I will follow your orders to the letter on our next assignment." Devon said.

"Good." He handed Devon a data pad. "This is your next assignment, Zealot. Do not disappoint me this time." He sat down at his desk and started reading Jackson's report again.

"When do we leave sir?" Devon hesitantly asked.

Doctor Seraph looked up and over the report.

"Tomorrow. Now leave."

Devon's eyes widened in shock but he quickly shook himself from his stupor and saluted him before he left Doctor Seraph's office. He looked down at the data pad and began reading through the briefing. He started to make his way back to their barracks when he bumped into Jackson.

"Oh! Hey Devon. Is something wrong?" He asked after seeing the expression on his face.

"N-no, I'm fine, thank you." Devon muttered as he read further into the briefing.

"You sure? I heard your assignment didn't go so well." Jackson said concerned.

"No, I screwed up and this is our punishment due to my actions. It's fair, I guess." Devon looked up at him.

"I see, well, it couldn't have been too bad, right? Dad still has you as team leader yeah?" Jackson patted his shoulder.

"Yeah, he does. But, I pulled us out when we came face to face with our target. I dunno, some...feeling inside me just screamed at me to stop or I'd be in danger. All of us would have. When we met her....she was so calm and, strangely, kind to us. I didn't like it. It was weird." Devon tried to explain.

"I get it. I think I know what feeling you're talking about. I felt it too when we were on our last assignment, but I tried to force it down and do my best. I probably would have done the same if I were in your shoes. Or boots, rather." Jackson chuckled.

"Ha....thanks. I better get everyone ready. We leave tomorrow." Devon said.

"Tomorrow? But you literally just got back an hour ago! Let me talk to my dad, maybe I can delay your departure." Jackson said.

"No, no I think this is our punishment. I'll take it as it was given. Thanks though. I'll see you later."

Jackson watched he walk down the hall until he turned a corner.

"Good luck."