1.7.1

Chain of Command

Anders mired them in small talk about her martial training while she snacked. Between bites, she explained that as she understood it, all Channelers across the Sanctuaries studied the same style.

Though its developer must have made a small fortune, Anders suggested she allow some room for improvisation. Its applications would have to broaden in her future, he warned.

Only after she downed a few of the bars, and color retuned to her face, did the lieutenant turn their attention to the next lesson of the day.

Anders provided her with her own data-tablet for personal use.

“The Aldebaran supports its own network, but we can’t send messages outside the ship until we dock somewhere. Ports, cities, stations—they’re all good places. Tenya usually has a pile up by then.”

“You can just… send messages?”

“To each other, yes. And with an outer connection, to anyone else, if you’d like.”

Astrid held the device in her hands.

In the Sanctuary, tablets and electronic devices were nonexistent, as they provided power for reckless Channelers at worst, and at best, were subject to destruction whenever someone like Maya expelled an involuntary discharge.

“We weren’t permitted contact with the outside like that. Anyone I would want to reach out to would still be restricted to letters.”

“You’ll make new connections, Astrid. Even outside this ship. After the mission is over, I suspect the captain will send you for more thorough basic training at one of our bases. You’ll make more friends.

“For now, consider it data storage. You can take notes on anything you learn. Which will be good because there will be a lot.”

“Thankfully, studying has never been a problem for me.” Astrid rearranged on the crate to fold her legs beneath her. “Where do we start?”

“Well, the first thing to understand is that the Earthen Military Service itself is only a century old. It was formed from many nations, and each nation contained several branches. When we started to work together, a lot of ranks and titles didn’t correspond well. Now we determine pay grade by a new set of classifications, but individual job titles are separate from that, and rarely denote actual rank or paygrade.

“For example, Tenya is a Gunnery Chief, meaning that her specific role here is with weapons and their use. If she were stationed elsewhere, they might change her job title dependent on their needs. But her work would still be based in weapons or work on a ground team.

“As you know, Dell is our Technician, but he’ll probably always been an engineer or procurement officer of some type. We call Romo an Agent, but his specialty is really in interrogation and intel. And Rue is what we like to call ‘Shock Trooper’. But she’s a straight up fighter, pure and simple.”

“And me?”

The edge of his mouth twitched in a little smile. “Our first ever Energy Specialist. But there’s nothing on paper yet, so you might get a say.”

Anders looked a little proud when he straightened to continue.

“Because of the nature the Service took on, the Chain of Command has to be determined at the start of each tour and isn’t necessarily based on pay. It’s more about relevance to the operation. For example, in this case, Captain London is at the top, then Commander Kendall, then myself. But if we were more specifically a strike team instead of covert op, Tenya or Rue might have my place.”

“Chain of Command is the order of who is in charge, right?”

“Correct. Formally, everyone on the ship is theoretically in line. If enough of us died in some horrific accident, Navigator Hammond or even Officer Shaely might be in charge. At that point, however, their main objective would just be getting whoever’s left home in one piece.”

“That’s… grim.”

“It can be,” he conceded, “but it also keeps things simple should the situation arise. The last thing you need in that scenario is a stunned crew or a power struggle. Just like in everything else we do, preparation saves lives.”

The thought that Anders could be so cavalier about their chances gave Astrid pause. It proved an abstract notion, and she wondered how long, or what, it would take to sink in that fatalities remained a distinct possibility.

“We should also address basic rules. Things like infighting, back-biting, lying… Realistically, those things can’t be micromanaged. But it’s a matter of respect that it isn’t openly tolerated.

“Unfortunately, at this scale, those issues fall under the commander’s purview, and the priorities of command don’t often allow for a lot of diligence on petty offenses. Anything larger than that, like insubordination, theft of military property, or abandonment of duties, often results in formal charges. And that’s a lot more serious.”

“So, what happens when someone breaks the rules here?” Astrid asked.

“That doesn’t happen often, especially on smaller ships like this. We convert storage spaces to a brig until the matter settles or the instigator can be taken to proper detention, should the offense be grievous enough.”

“And for Channelers?”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you have any plan in place if someone like me were to get out of line?”

Anders almost huffed a laugh. “You don’t seem the type.”

“Supposedly, there will be others like me, though, right? If we’re to become like any other soldier, there must be something in place for when we behave like any other soldier.”

“And a storage brig wouldn’t satisfy that?”

“Not if it’s engaged with powered locks. With the wrong Channeler, an armed guard could be drained and killed, the Channeler could manipulate the door controls, and wreak havoc before you could do anything about it.”

The lieutenant’s brow knit at her stark hypothetical.

“Should I be worried it took you only a few seconds to work up that scenario?”

Astrid shrugged awkwardly. “You have your training, I have mine. We were made keenly aware of our lethality.”

“And you can drain people that easily?”

“We would need a place to then expel that energy, but yes, the potential is there. Channeler abilities do not strictly manifest in moral people. We’re still people.

“Take the worst person you’ve ever met, then imagine them with my abilities. Such a combination is virtually inevitable.”

Anders frowned with her point made. “We need a careful screening process.”

Astrid nodded in whole-hearted agreement. “I can help. That’s part of my purpose, right? To make this a possibility for more than just myself? I need to make sure you can do this safely.”

A third voice broke through their dialogue from the dark corner of the Bridge steps.

“I think that is an excellent idea,” Captain London announced. He stepped into the light.

Astrid wondered how long he stood, watching them.

“If the final goal is integration, we would be careless to not listen to Hale’s recommendations.

“If you are willing, Hale, I’d like you begin a file of proposals, as well as detailed accounts of your concerns for such eventualities. We would be remiss to overlook your insights.”

“Yes, sir.”

“But,” the man continued, “on your own time. I’m afraid we have precious little to spare. For now, I need you to focus on using your talents to aid our current mission. Your cooperation here is still a ‘proof of concept’, and I’m going to need you in the field sooner than expected.”

“Captain?” Anders prodded.

“We just got a tip from an infiltration squad in the port colony of Tetris. They report a sighting of our mysterious new armaments, but their own mission prohibits them from getting involved. If we have any hope of reaching Tetris in time to track it, we must leave tomorrow.”

The captain turned from his lieutenant to their most recent addition.

“I’m sorry, Hale. I’d hoped to give you more time. It should be uneventful, but I still suggest spending every waking moment you can preparing. We’ll need you.”

The thought of being put to the test so soon made Astrid uneasy, but she so badly didn’t want to let anyone down.

“Yes, sir.”

“Back to the hold then. Service education can wait, but weapons training cannot.”

The captain quickly exited. The two that remained shared an anxious pause.

“Come on,” Anders finally prompted. “We should meet with Tenya and Romo and pass the message we’ll be moving up some of your exercises.”

“Wait.” Astrid hopped from her seat to follow. “If I’m going to have to drain more weapons like that rifle yesterday, I need more practice. And at greater distance.”

“Let’s hurry then,” he agreed. “I have an idea.”