Save Us!

Chapter One (Cedrik)

 [CEDRIK]

September 6th, 2059

“Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”

George Orwell

“Welcome back, Agent Thirty-One,” one of the Petty Officers – Petty Officer Lawson, I think – said, winking at me as he saluted my escort and me as we entered the building. I flashed him a smile and we both returned the salute.  

“At ease,” Officer Hartmann said, and we passed through the door.

“Thank you!” I called through the closing door.

Officer Jacobs – I called him Bern, as we didn’t bother with titles – met us in the lobby. “How’d the rally go?” he asked us, saluting.

“He was a hit,” Officer Hartmann replied as we returned the salute. “At this rate, we’ll have control in no time.”

Bern smiled at me and clapped me on the back. “Good work. The Commander will be pleased. He will want to see you both: he’s expecting a report.”

“We’re on our way,” Officer Hartmann said, unsmiling.

He nodded and stepped out of the way.

We passed through the lobby, down a hallway, turned left, went down another hallway, and then stopped in front of the door to the Command Center.

Officer Hartmann reached the door and knocked twice.

“Come in,” the Commander said from within.

Officer Hartmann opened the door and I stepped inside. He followed me, closing the door behind him. We both saluted, then waited as he finished debriefing Officer Mills. “I want the schedule for the space tours. Rawlins was hinting at an increase in the number we do per month, and I assured him my scientists and technicians would be on it.”

“Yessir.”

“Make sure we can do that, and if we can’t, do it anyway.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Very well. He also wants to know the projection of the completion of Project MD.”

“Yessir.”

“That will be all, Officer.”

Mills saluted then went out, nodding at us as he passed.

“Well,” Commander Kaiser said, setting his holo-screen down and looking at us once the door shut, “how did it go?”

“They loved me,” I said, the corners of my lips rising.

“Good, good. Although, I’m not surprised,” he murmured, glancing at me. “How many new ones did you see?” he asked, turning his attention to Officer Hartmann.

“At least ten, sir,” Officer Hartmann said.

“That brings us up to at least half of the population.”

“Yessir.”

“Excellent. Any disturbances?”

“No sir, not today. Looks like the Rebellion is backing off.”

“Well done. You can take the rest of the day off, Cavy Agent.”

I nodded.

“You are both dismissed.”

We turned and left the room. I lowered my hand: the Commander had never returned the salute.

“Well Cavy, looks like you get to spend the day as you wish,” Officer Hartmann said.