The Seven Revels

Military of Republic One

Indigo sat crosslegged on the floor of her room. Charlie laid in her lap, purring as she ran her hand over his back. Before her sat her grandmother's box that she'd brought from home. It seemed so long ago, but it had only been five days... Indigo could hardly believe it.

They had two days to figure out what to do. They were still too close to Earth... Unless they figured something out quickly, none of what they had gone through in the last five days would mean anything. Indigo pushed tears off of her chin and reached forward into the box. She pulled the pile of photographs off of the top of the box's contents and set them aside. Just beneath them was the journal she had discovered when she'd left home. She stared at her grandmother's handwriting on the cover for a long time before she opened it. The spine of the notebook crackled as she separated the cover from the front page.

January 24, 2373

Today I was called into Commander William's office for an urgent meeting. I've only been a soldier for a little over a year, and since I just got back from my fifth mission, I assumed William wanted to clarify some points in my report. I was amazed to find that William wanted to discuss my promotion to Captain. It has all happened so fast. I've only completed five missions and I'm not sure I'm ready to be a Captain. William said he was "enthralled with the success of our missions and thoroughly impressed with the reports of my performance under such dire circumstances." Frankly, I am amazed that he would send us rookies on such high-stakes missions in the first place. It's times like these I wish Mom was still here. I could really use her advice right now. Unfortunately, there's nothing to be done about that, so I'm forced to rely on my own wisdom to make the decision. Becoming a Captain will be good for my career. It will show that I am trustworthy and strong. However, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leading a team off-planet, especially if missions are to be as dangerous as the most recent one I completed. I'm torn. It has been my dream for years to be admired for my strength, courage and leadership, but so soon? I'm afraid of making the wrong choice. If I turn down the offer now, I may never get the chance again...

January 30, 2373

Yesterday I spoke with Commander William about my promotion to Captain. It's official. I received my new uniform this morning and I've been sitting on my bed staring at it for the better part of an hour. I don't want to do this anymore. I am so full of doubt that I can hardly breathe. I'll be receiving my first mission as Captain within the week. William asked me to come see him in his office once I received my uniform...

March 16, 2374

Today's mission did not go at all how we had anticipated. Tyler's entire team was decimated by gunfire from an enemy ship. Only one man survived, and only because I was able to get him into my ship and to a medical staff in time. He has several severe wounds in his back, and we are still not certain he will live. In my year of being a Captain, I have never lost as many brave soldiers as I did today. William has assured me over and over again that the failure of the mission was not my fault, but the fault of our inaccurate intel. He seems to have forgotten that it was my second squadron that collected the information, and we were all sure it was accurate. I am hurting so much for Tyler and her team tonight. I have not been able to sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see their ships exploding, one right after the other, white flashes searing across the infinite blackness of space. I could not hear them scream. I've been praying that they did not suffer. That their deaths were quick and painless. I've been put in charge of informing Tyler's husband and daughter of her death. I am not sure I'll be able to. I am considering renouncing my title of Captain. After I saw the extensive damage the explosions caused, as well as the wounds of the man we rescued, I have the feeling I may never be able to fly my ship again. I will always be afraid of what will happen to me. I've never been afraid of death before today. But today I am terrified.