Into The Stars

Into The Stars_008 // Chapter_2_Power //

Chapter 2: The Game of Power

Roshid stepped out of the station, the cool air of Earth wrapping around him like a cloak of uncertainty. The weight of the events that had unfolded hung heavy on his shoulders, yet within that weight lay a spark of opportunity. The mission had ended in chaos, but it was the chaos he could leverage.

Arriving at the government compound, Roshid was met with the sterile corridors, echoing with the hurried footsteps of officials. He moved swiftly, his mind racing with a concoction of lies and half-truths he was prepared to weave. Today, he would exploit their fear, their need for control over the unknown.

In the dimly lit conference room, he faced a panel of government officials, their expressions a mix of skepticism and concern. Roshid cleared his throat, projecting a facade of gravitas. "Gentlemen, the mission aboard Star Shuttle 01 was compromised by Admiral Kensen's reckless decision to send unconsenting personnel into deep space. We lost contact, and now we face the consequences of that folly."

The officials leaned in, captivated by the tension in his voice. Roshid continued, painting a vivid picture of the shuttle's launch—a sequence of missteps that could have catastrophic implications for Earth. "We must acknowledge the dangerous experiments conducted in the name of progress. It's imperative that we shift our focus and funding towards a new agenda—one that ensures the safety of our people and the integrity of our scientific pursuits."

As he spoke, he could see the gears turning in their minds. They were averse to failure, especially one that could tarnish their reputations. Roshid leaned into their apprehension, emphasizing the need for a controlled, safe approach to space exploration, one that he could spearhead.

"What we witnessed in that launch was a violation of trust. If we allow this to continue, who knows what horrors we might uncover? It is essential that we allocate resources to my proposal. We can't afford to ignore the risks any longer."

The room fell silent, the officials exchanging wary glances. Finally, one of them spoke up, "You're suggesting we abandon our current projects and shift funding to yours?"

Roshid nodded, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Exactly. The failure of the Star Shuttle mission is our opportunity to correct course. I assure you, I will not only uncover the truth behind our space endeavors but will also safeguard our future in the cosmos."

As they questioned him, one of the government officials asked, "But what makes you think you'll manage the funds better than the previous scientists?"

Roshid replied confidently, "It's not that I claim to be better, but I've learned what mistakes to avoid. I saw firsthand what they did wrong and what they failed to do. If I have access to investigate the station and assess the aftermath, we can learn critical lessons and lay a more secure foundation for future space travel." Roshid knew this meeting was a pivotal opportunity. He was banking on his reputation as a competent agent, despite the fact that the reality was far from it.

"Can you give us a clear account of what happened?" another official asked, suspiciously. "How did they mismanage things so badly? They were supposed to be evacuating, not experimenting. What went wrong?"

"I suspected Admiral Kensen was planning one of his usual reckless maneuvers," Roshid began, layering his words with well-practiced lies. "I arrived just in time to see him prepping the shuttle without considering the risks. His crew, equally irresponsible, boarded without regard for the consequences."

The official looked skeptical. "And you couldn't stop this?"

"I did everything I could," Roshid answered, with a feigned sigh. "I had to confront Kensen, but before I could prevent him, he launched the shuttle, knowing it was doomed. His irrational actions condemned three of his own squad to perish in the void."

The first official nodded solemnly. "A tragic end to his recklessness. Admiral Kensen's failed experiment cost lives and valuable resources."

The second official concluded, "We'll review your report, Roshid, and carefully evaluate our next steps. In the meantime, prepare your proposals for the new project. Meeting adjourned."

With that, the officials ended the session, seemingly more concerned about the financial losses than the failed mission itself.

As he walked out of that room, Roshid felt the thrill of victory coursing through him. He had planted the seeds of doubt and fear, and now it was only a matter of time before they would bear fruit. Little did they know that the truth of the mission, the first FTL journey, was far more complicated than he had let on.