Distant Reality Chapter Two
GRID Traveler Trinity: Distant Reality
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter 2
It is the small things that command the most attention. Ego, pride, and shame are sprung from the same fountain of emotion but to differing degrees of appreciation. The sin that causes the most pain is not necessarily the sin most presented.
Chapter 2
Sean stood in the hangar bay watching Captain Spaarin’s shuttle dock. His stomach twisted up in knots in anticipation. The docking rings locked into place and the green “all-clear” light, flashed. The hangar door hissed open and Captain Spaarin stepped out. She was met by a small contingent: Sean, Dawn, and other officers.
Robin saluted, “Captain Robin Spaarin here to take command of GRID Ship Johnson.” She held her salute and stood stiff. It was only a moment but it felt like forever minus one hour.
Sean waited. He slowly stiffened and saluted back, “GRID Ship Reginald L. Johnson is temporarily in your command.”
Robin nodded and dropped her salute, Sean did likewise.
“You’ll be moving into my quarters. I’ll move into the VIP.”
Robin searched his face for distress she found none. “That won’t be necessary Commander. The VIP room will do nicely. The Johnson is your ship and my stay on board will be brief.
Sean held himself in rigid control; he would not give her any reason to feel superior. Sean nodded once. “Follow me, Captain.” He turned and walked out before she could reply.
The walk was more for his sanity then for her benefit. He wanted her to follow him for once. He knew the Johnson, she didn’t, and she would have to admit that.
She picked a spot at the back of his neck and stared. She could feel his tension, his stress, he was giving up his ship and that in itself had to be stressful. It didn’t matter she knew he hated her. She resolved not to let it impair her decisions. She was in command now, at this moment that was the only thing that mattered. Robin cleared her throat. “Commander, take me to the Johnson’s bridge please.”
Sean stopped short, “Yes, ma’am.” And entered the nearest lift.
“Top Deck.” He spoke when everyone was in the lift.
The computer replied, “Yes, Commander.”
The door opened and a flood of deck chatter washed in. Robin held her breath as she stepped out into the ‘Top Deck.’ Immediately the chatter stopped. Robin froze as she realized that she was a complete stranger to this particular crew. Eyes stared at her from all corners.
Sean stepped from behind, said, “As you were people. Superior officer on the deck.” The Top Deck sighed; Robin released the breath she held. Sean walked down the ramp to the command center and sat in the XO chair. Robin walked from station to station observing. The situation was indeed awkward. She pushed the thought of uneasiness aside. The Johnson was hers, for now, but only on a word. Sean was in command, she was just sitting in his chair. That was the important thing to remember. Robin walked to the commander’s chair and sat heavily. She reached for the CRT and typed in several keys. The computer blinked with access denied. She caught a quick glance from Sean. He was trying not to watch, but was failing in concealing his curiosity. She typed in another combination of keys. ‘Access denied’ again. She looked up and over to Sean.
“Commander, may we talk in private please.”
Sean nodded, got up and headed for the conference room. Robin got up and followed.
Just before the conference door hissed closed Robin snapped, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Top Deck heard, “What the hell . . .” and the rumors would fly.
Her cheeks bright red from the anger she no longer held back.
Sean stared and kept his mouth shut.
He cleared his throat and said, “Captain, what am I doing?”
Robin placed herself in check. What had he done? That was his chair out there, not hers. He sat there and conducted ship’s business very well. In fact, he was getting a commendation. Then what had he done? He shut her out, his ship, his chair, and his people. He shut her out and was not going to give her easy access to any of them. She realized she was going to have to earn her place. Robin looked at Sean. His forehead was wrinkled in a frown. Yes, she was going to have to earn it from now on. “Commander, please give me access to all command systems.”
Sean smiled, “I was . . .”
“But?”
“Never had a chance to finish the process. You sat in my chair and started typing away.”
Robin nodded.
“May I do it now, or do you have anything else you want to talk at me about?”
Robin stood in silence musing over the many ways she could handle his request. She sighed slowly, said, “Yes,” and grinned.
Sean frowned, “Ah, yes to which question?”
“Which one do you want first?”
Sean looked into her eyes. Too much pain, too much sorrow, he thought. “I’m sorry, Captain. I’ll give you access now, may I go?”
Robin nodded.
Sean sat in the command chair, stared at the CRT and began typing. He gave her access to all his files, all the ships files, and everything else she may think she needed, he didn’t care.
“Mr. Foster,” Sean said, “please call Commander Dawn to Top Deck.”
Robin stared out the view window. She thought of Sean and the life they would have had. She thought about her career, and how satisfied she was for making the choice she made. Life had been good to her. She turned and stared at the beige bland wall. ‘Oh, Sean, I am sorry for what happened, but life goes on.’