Progenitor

Progenitor (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2: Ethan

"Fleet Ship Hercules, do you copy. I repeat, Fleet Ship Hercules, do you copy?" Are the words I hear as I come to.

My head is splitting with pain. I look around with no memory of the events that transpired. I look down at myself, my body is covered in blood and gore. I notice various cuts from blades on my arms and legs. I feel a tickling sensation, and, raising a hand to my head, I feel the warmth and sting of pain.

I'm a mess, but the sight before me is a travesty. Not a single soul is left alive. The entire bridge crew has been, not just killed, but mauled beyond recognition.

Blood lies everywhere: On bodies, on consoles, on monitors. The floors have large puddles scattered all over. The Sekrid didn't just shoot these people, they kept shooting. They fired their guns until they were empty and proceeded to use their knives on those who were still clinging to life.

My forearms burn from the knife wounds as I clench my fists closed in anger. My head snaps to the door as it suddenly opens and I pull my pistol from its holster as fast as I'm able, aiming down the sights, my hand trembling.

"Jesus Christ...what the fuck happened here?" I hear as a soldier steps through the door.

Another enters behind him, sees me, and raises his weapon.

"Put the gun down now!" He orders as he advances on me.

Relief washes over me as I drop my pistol and slouch back, resting my head on the wall my body sitting against. I hear the soldier kick my sidearm away. Their leader kneels down in front of me, removing his helmet.

"What happened here soldier?" He asks, authoritative.

"Sekrid...surprise attack...nothing we could do," I reply before the combination of exhaustion and blood loss causes me to pass out again.

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"We now convene for the non-judicial punishment hearing of one Ethan Blake," The captain says in a general fashion to those of us in the room.

I stand there silent in my service dress uniform, awaiting my punishment to be 'awarded' to me.

"Blake. Do you understand why you're here today?"

"To be honest ma'am, no I don't. I hardly recall the events that transpired on the Hercules and I have no recollection of my own particular actions," I explain.

"All that being said, the charges are still present and will be addressed. You are charged with desertion of duties in a crisis situation. You lost your head in the midst of the action and abandoned your post in order to satisfy your want for revenge," The captain points out.

I say nothing.

"You and the Security Lead on your ship were close, no?"

"Yes ma'am,"

"So, you admit that when you witnessed him being shot and killed, you forgot about your duties as a soldier first, and proceeded to go on a killing spree,"

"If that's what you say ma'am,"

"Excuse me?"

"Ma'am, I told you, I have no recollection of what happened on that station. I know Jake was shot. After that...nothing,"

"Let me remind you then," The captain says as she taps a button on her podium.

A video appears on the screen next to her of footage from the Hercules.