Trying to get my writing mojo back. So...as an exercise to get back into the habit of writing, I'm going to post some excerpts of ideas that I have. Hope that you enjoy....
The stars of deep space illuminate the sector, aided by various nebulae that dot the interstellar landscape in the distance. This quiet serenity almost has a peaceful feel to it, were it not harboring some deep dark secrets, and other nefarious intentions behind it. Something was amiss, and a wrong needed to be righted...
Space Station Gallagher floats along her merry way, as a multitude of spacecraft enter and exit her ports. Formerly an asteroid mined for her mineral ore, it was decided that, once her supply was exhausted, rather than allowing it to uselessly float through space, they could make use of it's cavernous cavity, and turn the empty hunk of rock into a space station. Known primarily as a transfer point and refueling station for the member worlds of the Intergalactic Astral Alliance, she also serves as an installation for the military component of the Alliance; the Astro Corps. Various classes of spaceship and star cruisers orbit the station, or are docked in her ports. One such star cruiser currently sits in one of her ports, in dire need of repair of both her body and crew....
Commander Angelinda Santos sits in her quarters, her cinnamon face illuminated by the screen of her holo-computer. She diligently works at her computer station, mercilessly tapping away at her keyboard, trying to finish her reports. She briefly pauses, and wearily sighs, rubbing her bleary eyes, tired from staring at holo-screens all day. She was a long way from Earth, and was glad to be away from the planet; being back in space was where she belonged. She wanted to be back on a star cruiser bridge, not riding a desk at Earth HQ, being at the admiral's beck and call. It kind of sucks when the military is your family business, and certain relatives can make or break your career on a whim. Unfortunately, her career path ended up being collateral damage because of a war that was brewing within the family. She was on a steady career path to becoming the captain of her own ship before turning 31, before all the drama started to happen. She ended up getting yanked from her position as a tactical officer at her old interstellar unit, reassigned to being a paper pusher at the United Nations of Earth HQ. Angelinda still bristles at the humiliation of it, all because of the actions of another family member...
Angelinda shakes the thoughts of animosity out of her head. She needed to focus on the job at hand. The one benefit of working at HQ was being able to come across the case that she was now helping with. The crew of the United Alliance Star Cruiser Vindicator were being tried for mutiny against her captain. The Vindicator had gotten into a nasty firefight with three other allied ships; a Simiantaren science vessel, and two Feralisian combat ships that had come to it's aid after the shooting started. For whatever reason, the Vindicator's captain Don Parker had made the decision to open fire on the science vessel, unprovoked. The Simiantaren scientists pleaded with him to cease fire, eventually sending out a distress signal. When the two Feralisian battle cruisers arrived, that's when things got really ugly, when Captain Parker decided to turn, and fire on them. Had the Vindicator's junior officers, along with the ship's XO, not mutinied, and taken over the ship, surrendering to the Feralisians, there might not have been a ship left to tow back to the station.
Angelinda had heard of Captain Don Parker, and was not a fan of the man. Though he had a celebrated and storied 35 year career with the Astor Corps, full of accolades and commendations, she felt that he was a hot head, and the worst purist she'd ever met. He had an unbridled hatred for XTs that she could not fathom, and despised anything not human, or from Earth. From what evidence she could gather, he ran his ship like a frat house, full of cronyism and nepotism. Humans were promoted over XTs, and Colonials were treated as if they were second-class citizens, beneath Earth-born humans. Many under his command were made to feel miserable, if they didn't believe and feel the same way he did, and their tours on his ship were made to feel long and unbearable. Angelinda wondered how the ship was able to function, under conditions like that. There was no place for that kind of thinking on a military ship; it wasn't efficient, or effective. Once she began her investigation of the ship and her crew, she immediately contacted the JAG officer for the defense, siding with the junior officers; much to the chagrin of her superiors; her family included. Her parents were not happy with her decision, and let it be known. They had already done enough to damage her career, up to this point; what did she have to lose. Angelinda had made plans to catch the next transport out, and help the defense team.
Justice had been swift, and the decision had be handed down; the Vindicator's XO and junior officers had been found not guilty of treason, mutiny, conduct unbecoming, and disobeying a direct order. They all breathed a heavy sigh of relief, fearful of facing jail time, and having their careers ruined and ended. Captain Don Parker, on the other hand, was found guilty of dereliction of duty, and conduct unbecoming an officer. To say that he was infuriated is beyond an understatement, needing to be restrained from going after the panel of judges, his pale face all snarled up, and contorted. Angelinda was glad to see him get what she felt he rightfully deserved; he was an embarrassment to the uniform, and didn't deserve his command.
Angelinda wearily sighs again, and finally shuts off her holo-computer. She smooths out her coarse brown hair, pulling it back into a neat puff ball. She then rises, smooths out her uniform, and turns around, heading for the wall screen. She steels herself for what had to come next...
"...-Computer", she commands, "Open a channel to Astro Corps Command, Earth Division!"
The Astro Corps insignia projects on the center of the screen, with the 'stand by' icon flashing under it. Moments later, she sees an identical looking coffee face staring back at her; much older, and wearing the same uniform, accented with gold shoulder pads, and a short gold cloak. Angelinda crisply salutes the face, holding her own stoic gaze. "...Admiral Santos", she barks, "Commander Angelinda Santos reporting in". Nilda just flashes her a tired smile, amused by her formality.
"...So formal today, are we, dear?"
"...-Please address me by my rank, Admiral."
"Would it be so hard for us to talk like mother and daughter for once, dear?"
"Motherrrrrrr", Angelidna begins to angrily whine, through grit teeth.
"...Fine, fine...", Nilda wearily replies, "Please proceed...commander."
"The trial against the Vindicator's crew have been concluded. These are the results, and my findings..."
To Be Continued.....
