Sevs left the commander's office and found Bexy waiting for him outside. As he started walking back to his office, she fell into step with him. They were still getting used to the ship's gravity after an extended stay back on humanity's third planet. It had been a busy few years, but the system had rewarded them greatly for their efforts. New recruits were coming in so fast that they were having trouble processing and training them.

There were talks about getting rid of the mandatory service. Already the bureaucracy was having to expand to the point where service wasn't even near a combat role for some. Sevs didn't really care, but if pressed, he would be on the side arguing that removing the mandatory service would actually reduce the number of ascensions they would see.

After a few steps of silence, Bexy finally broke down and spoke. Sevs had been hoping she would just leave it be, but there was little chance of that happening.

"Did you accept it?" Bexy asked with an expectant tone.

"Accept what?" Sevs said while shaking his head. He wasn't surprised that she knew about the conversation before it had taken place, but he had to keep up appearances. Even low-grade confidential information should have been outside of Bexy's reach, which meant she was getting help. It wasn't hard to figure out who was assisting her.

Receiving her withering look, Sevs caved. "No, of course not."

Bexy's face fell for a split second, she tried to cover it up with a winning smile, but it was too late.

"That ready to get rid of me then?" Sevs asked in a wry tone.

"No. No, not at all. Besides, we would probably still be under your command just under Carl first." She said, waving her hands in front of her as if trying to ward off any accusation. "Really, we love to have you here. We do so many cool things… but I'm pretty sure we are holding you back."

She finished with an uncharacteristically large exhale. Sevs understood; at least, he hoped he did. "Maybe you are."

Smirking to himself as conflicting emotions wared over Bexy's face before he continued. "Maybe if I spent some more time and effort, I would rise through the ranks and be leading the human armies. We could conquer the entire galaxy and force the system to give every player the option to start a new dive or ascend. We would beat the odds and live happily ever after.

"But Bexy, I don't want that. I don't feel any desire to lead large groups of men to battle. I'm already where I want to be. This play-through was about people. It was something I should have done a long time ago. Conquest is fun and all, but it can only tell me so much more about myself. I don't need to know how to maneuver around generals; I need to work with a small group and really get people again.

"So of course I turned down the promotion. If I'm not with you all I'm not really learning. Not learning new things. I would just be practicing, for the most part. Sure maybe commanding larger groups would be beneficial at the start but it's just not for me." Sevs stopped in front of his door. Unlocking, he held it open for Bexy to follow him in.

Going behind his desk, Sevs sat down. Lieutenants weren't supposed to be given offices like this, but somehow he kept getting access to it. Eventually, he just gave in and used it. Space on the ships was a precious thing, and it wasn't right to squander it out of pride. Bexy took one of the two leather chairs facing his desk.

"I get that. We all do. We want to keep playing with you, but we can all see that you are getting frustrated." Bexy said, trying to explain. "It's clear you want to move on, but we aren't sure how we can help anymore.

"How many more great victories can you win? After we finally integrated with the Grrrrrelen I figured your role in that would be enough. How many more ground breaking interpersonal revelations do you need from us?" Bexy was nearly shouting now. "Do you realize that Soshal already has the option to ascend? She has had it for years for Christ's sake! She isn't even a thousand yet!"

Sevs almost lost his temper but restrained himself from slamming his hand on the desk and yelling, "I don't know," back at her. Instead, he watched as she continued.

"We just want to help," tears were welling up in her eyes. "But we just don't know how.."

Pushing down the urge to comfort his friend as Sevs knew it would only make it worse, he met her eyes calmly. "This isn't going to stop me. You don't need to worry. I'm still growing and learning. Even if I was not, I wouldn't trade my time here with all of you for the world."

"Only for Ascension." Bexy said in a whisper that he didn't think he was supposed to hear. That cut deep; it was true in some ways and not in others. He would leave eventually, but he wasn't going to the instant he got the option, was he?