OLD GUARD
STARDATE 08.26.25
SECTOR 50
Captain Stephanos Severick awoke to find himself in a strange sickbay. It was some kind of alien ship where even the walls seemed alive. Tending to him was a medibot and a squid-like humanoid nurse. It wasn’t long before he figured out he was on a Krakenfish Dreadnought. He rested until he regained a good portion of his strength. Then he sat in his Anti-Grav wheelchair and was led to a nearby conference room.
Waiting for him was Captain Melina Dequest, his old love, Descry Brookside, his First Officer, and Admiral Beddiax, the person who initiated the offensive to destroy the Babylon P10A Battleship. She was also a good friend who he has known for a long, long time.
“Welcome back to the land of the living, Captain Severick,” Admiral Beddiax said with a hint of fondness in her voice. “We are all happy that you survived your encounter on the Bridge of the Old Guard. However, it was your own inept decisions that put you and your crew into that position. Now it is time to face the consequences. This is an informal hearing due to our current circumstances.”
Captain Dequest and Commander Brookside were quiet as Admiral Beddiax spoke. They simply kept their eyes fixed on Captain Severick.
“The Old Guard’s orders were to protect the Europa Dreadnought, Stonehenge. Yet you broke formation and gave orders to provide assistance to a Europa Heavy Cruiser, the Parthenon. Captain Melina Dequest commands the Parthenon. Commander Brookside, did you not protest and inform Captain Severick that he was disobeying direct orders?”
“Yes, Admiral Beddiax, I did,” Descry answered in a reluctant voice.
Admiral Beddiax turned her gaze back to Captain Severick. “Explain yourself, Captain Severick.”
Captain Severick was quiet. He sat proudly in his Anti-Grav Wheelchair, with a straightened back and a lifted chin. Finally he said, “Many years ago, I made a grave error regarding Captain Dequest. It was a personal matter and we were lovers. But duty and Captainhood tore us apart. I put my career ahead of my feelings for Melina. And I have regretted it every day since.”
Captain Severick looked over at Captain Dequest. Their eyes met and remained locked on each other.
“Haven’t you ever made a mistake you regretted, Admiral? One that you would have given anything to fix? When I saw the Parthenon under heavy fire, and realized that Captain Dequest was about to die…that I was going to lose her forever…I had to act. Orders or no orders, I had to save her. No matter the cost.”
“And that cost was high, Captain Severick,” Admiral Beddiax replied while shaking her head. “The Old Guard was wrecked and much of your crew was lost. Unfortunately, you used Europa assets and the lives of your crew to ‘correct the errors of your past.’ That is unacceptable, Captain Severick.”
Admiral Beddiax looked away for a moment. She took a deep breath. Then she resumed the sentencing.
“Captain Severick, for disobeying direct orders during a time of war, I should strip you of your rank, court martial you, and throw you in the brig. However, because of your extremely long and distinguished career, all the lives you have saved over the course of that career, your reasons for disobeying direct orders…and because I am your good friend…I am going to overlook your recent actions. The official story of what happened will look quite different from what has been discussed today in this room.”
“You see, Captain Severick, Europa Command has great need of the Old Guard, particularly right now. You may wonder what I am doing on a Krakenfish Dreadnought. The P10A Battleship was only a cover story for the Europa offensive. Our real reason for being here involves a Rift that was discovered by Babylon inside of their space. Through this Rift, Babylon made contact with an enemy empire, one far more advanced than Europa. We have to close that Rift permanently, Captain Severick, no matter the cost.”
Captain Severick was intrigued, and shocked, by the revelation. If he could have stood up at attention, he would have. “I am at your disposal, Admiral!” he said in a loud, stern voice.
“The Old Guard is being repaired as we speak. Commander Brookside will fill you in on the details of our plan. I expect you to follow your orders to the letter, Captain Severick. That is all.”
Admiral Beddiax moved to leave the conference room, but Captain Severick intercepted her in his Anti-Grav Wheelchair.
“Admiral, you have my apologies. I promise to do better in the future.”
Admiral Beddiax tilted her head and peered at Captain Severick with one eye.
“Don’t tell me, Captain Severick…”
“TELL EVERY CREW MEMBER WHO DIED UNDER YOUR COMMAND WHILE SAVING THE PARTHENON.”
