Gabatrix: Veleshar

Chapter 9: Planning Ahead Part 2

Scott resided in Veleshar's quarters. He sat on the couch as he typed a letter from his projected hand.

It was a grueling task. The man's right finger would tap on the little keyboard. While simple to do, it was as if his fingers were made of lead. The look of pure anguish resided on his face.

The email message so far read out as "I wish to go home. I formerly request to retur....," but he froze. He couldn't type another word as his hand fell to his legs. He looked straight ahead, hands ready to clench shut down while he fought with his emotions. He didn't seem scared but frustrated.

The door slid open as Veleshar stepped inside. She turned her head and immediately saw the man sitting there.

"Scott?" She called out to him.

The door closed. She froze a little bit before a look of concern could be seen on her face. Scott said nothing to her as his hand trembled a little bit.

"Scott, talk to me," she politely told him. "Please...."

She kneeled down to the ground, her fin tail neatly wrapping around her knees and touching the man's boots.

It was enough to distract the man from what he was typing. Veleshar began to read it.

"Oh.....Scott," she said with discernment in her voice.

The man took a deep breath before closing his hand, shutting off the message he was typing. He closed his eyes before he recomposed himself.

"You know...." He explained. "I should have known what I was stepping into when I came aboard this ship. Coming aboard....putting myself in danger....no excuse. I would return home, and the others would say, 'I told you so.' Maybe they would just tell me that I was on some fool's errand. Others would just expect me to lay with the Itreans and retire from military service, be the good boy, and make babies."

"Scott....," she remarked.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you? You waited for me to come onboard before you planned out one of the most dangerous missions to ever come into existence....something that would get us all killed."

"That isn't true," she said, shaking her head. "What you did was wonderful in helping me out earlier. Thank you for speaking on my behalf."

"I was protecting you from them.....but I know that one.....five? Five ships.....against an entire armada? It doesn't take a genius to know that we would be walking straight into a hornet's nest....no....make that dozens of hornet's nests." He chuckled a little bit. "Sure.....why not? The human needed a little joy ride. Let's just fly around the Aksren capital....hope nobody shoots us down in the process."

Veleshar gripped the man's hand. "Would it make you feel comfortable to know that I'm scared, too?" she explained with sincerity. There was a hint of fear in her voice that seemed to take the man by surprise.

"Why then?" he asked her. "Ok.....so....let's go and.....let's just try to do what we did before. The bad guys send a few ships, and.....we go after them.....yeah. I patch up your holes....make your guns work....all good."

"Because this war needs to come to an end, Scott." She stood up, while holding the man's hand before sitting down next to him.

"Then let's have a better plan, Veleshar....one that won't get us blown to bits in the process."

"There is no other plan," she explained. "The T'rintar wouldn't accept it. They're too scared to engage in offensive operations unless they absolutely know they will win."

"I know...."

"I've thought long and hard on this, beloved mate. I remember when this ship was designed. I pictured that it would be able to slip through most defenses if it was done correctly. Gular'shel wanted this warship to be the ultimate anti-Emphra ship. He got his wish....I believe this ship can protect us from the Emphra, but it can do so much more. He never wanted to admit it to me, but he felt that this ship design.....if the Itreans built enough of them, could force the enemy to surrender. It can shape all our destinies."