The Captains Wager (Short Story)

"Captain, we should stay on the bridge and wait for the power to come back on."

The words bounced around his head, lost their momentum and fell to the back of his mind.

There was too much to do without being distracted by the incessant ramblings of another of Ortines gunners.

"The ship has been impacted, sir. I'm told its a driller, it would be unwise to leave." Thirne said.

"What were your orders?" Captain Vance asked.

Thirne looked confused. The Mulu to his left let their arm hang loose, while eyeballing Thirne.

"Ortine ordered me to take the remaining men here," his voice trailed off.

"And?" Vance asked, as he swiveled back and forth in his chair staring at the men send to "protect him" from the boarding party.

"General Ortine commanded us to come here and unsure you were armed and ready." Thirne said.

Captain Vance stood up, as onlookers of his immediate crew turned in their stations to watch him. Thirne and his small fireteam also watched by the door. As he made it to the blank wall oppisite his own station he pressed against one of the panels, and automatically it opened, revealing the Captains armory.

"Don't you worry, we're well equipped here." He said cheerily as he picked up his personal weapon; a rifle, hand crafted by a weapon smith back on Scoosha. A carved grip and stock, wearing the green of his family. "Burst fire kinetic, particle beam, and even concussive rounds." He smiled. "All means of takedown, and enough weapons for everyone on the bridge."

There were nine crew manning stations on the bridge alone, and some more relief staff waiting to takeover at a moments notice.

"As for being ready, I am. Kagira Brunt,"

"Sir," the young man launched from his station and stood straight.

"You have the bridge while I'm gone, once the power returns I want a full report, all systems will check in and if you deem safe, we move."

"Sir," Kagira replied as they eased up and marched to the captains own station.

"As for us, Thirne, we make our way to the impact zone. When they cut through and board, I'll be there to blast them back. I want everyone of them dead before they have a chance to set foot on my ship." The captain said as he marched passed the small collection of Ortines men. "Kagira, ensure everyone is armed, nobody is permitted access to the bridge without my permission."

"Sir," Kagira said, loud enough for a slight echo to occur. "You heard Captain Vance, I want to see that weapons stash empty." He commanded loudly, while maintained his calm composure.

As he finished, Vance could hear the shift and shuffling of people leaving their stations. The door remained open for a moment as he left, but soon the methodical footsteps of Ortines men could be heard following him, once out of range of the door it closed behind them.