Initial Perspective

Posted on Wed Jul 3, 2019 @ 3:29pm by Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

312 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: Plaga Navis
Location: Turbolift
Timeline: Immediately Following the Briefing

Cassandra's long legs kept pace with Nicole all the way to the turbolift. They stepped into the car and the doors closed and Cassandra leaned back against the wall. "So...that went well."

Nicole huffed. "I'm starting to understand why the Captain gets so aggravated at mission briefings," she said. "Can you believe that?"

"Yes, you were a bit 'miffed,'" Cassandra deadpanned.

"Me?" Nicole said, incredulously. "That nas-kaluk--"

"Language!" Cass said, sharply.

"I've never been so embarrassed," Nicole grumbled.

"Yes you have," Cass countered. "And it doesn't help that she does have a point. You're making decisions for hundreds of thousands of people because you feel that's what's right. And, if you'd like a reminder--"

"Rule 21," Nicole sighed. "Trying to do the right thing doesn’t make what you’re doing right, I know. But Cass, we are really pressed for time here. I'd like to believe we'll somehow solve this within the next few hours, but reality says we're going to watch them all die. And I can't take a survey, because if we leave any infected, the virus will still be able to spread and hurt others. It's all or none!" She sniffled as her eyes started to water. "I am not letting a colony die because someone's got their nose out of joint."

Cass nodded. "I never said I didn't understand your reasons. I'll work with colony officials and see if we can alleviate concerns. People just tend to react badly to words like 'assimilate' and 'without a choice.' It's difficult to make a decision on someone else's life when you can't see the future."

The lift stopped and Nicole stepped out. "So...what do I do?"

"The right thing, as best you know it," Cassandra said as the doors closed.

Nicole took a breath and headed for the quarantine lab, case in hand.

 

RSS Feed

Comments (1)