Kevin's Watch

Captain Jordan Mimak stood on the bridge of the Puissant, literally staring into space. He looked to the stars, and they enthralled him. Usually, while in front of his crew, his attention always remained completely focused on his task at hand. But now, the space the Puissant traveled through had captured his attention. This was relatively new territory: the frontier, and rather barren, Galaxy 4431. During his long naval career, he had never been here before. In fact, few Federation Navy officers had, or citizens…
“Sir?” he heard distantly. “Captain Mimak?”
He turned, finally. There stood Lieutenant Draig, this shift’s bridge officer. By the look on the junior officer’s face, eyebrows raised, a concerned frown, Mimak could tell the young man had been waiting for some moments. “Yes, Lieutenant? What is it?”
Draig extended a gloved hand, clutching an information card. “Orders, sir. Straight from High Command. For Admiral Penne. We just received them.”
Mimak looked at the card in his hand. This surprised him. The Sixth Fleet did not often receive direct orders from High Command. He examined the card briefly again, gave a curt thank you to Lieutenant Draig, turned on his heel, and walked off the bridge.
As the captain strode through the corridors filled with officers’ rooms and battle-stations, he was reminded of the truly massive size of this starship. The Puissant had to be large, as flagship of the Sixth Fleet. The Sixth Fleet patrolled the outer fringes of the Federation, and sometimes, such as its current incursion into Galaxy 4431, actually went beyond the borders. The Federation Senate, which headed the government, gave orders to High Command and Intelligence to make Galaxy 4431 ready for colonization—in other words, find hospitable planets and civilizations, and destroy civilizations that stood in the way of Federation colonization. The Sixth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Penne, received orders to leave Federation borders, and they dispatched themselves to Galaxy 4431. Intelligence sent three taskforces, which were journeying throughout 4431 looking for anything that would make an ideal colony or anything dangerous to the Federation. The Sixth provided the muscle, and Penne, who had nothing but dislike of Intelligence, had the entire crew of the Puissant, and the Fleet’s other ships, on their own lookout for planets with life.
Intelligence, in its arrogance, did not report any of its various findings to Penne and the Sixth Fleet. They reported straight to the Senate, keeping the Sixth ignorant of Intelligence’s actions. Intelligence and the Sixth are lucky, thought Mimak, that 4431 is so barren and lifeless. If we had enemies here, they would surely take advantage of our differences with each other and use them against us.
Captain Mimak entered the lift, which took him to the senior officers’ floor. On this floor were his rooms, and the Admiral’s Quarters. The Admiral’s Quarters, occupied by a pair of admirals before Penne, consisted of a living suite, a sitting room that Penne often saw civilian leaders in (it had not seen use at all during the months the Puissant spent in 4431), and the office.
All of these rooms were in a private wing of the ship. To get through to them, one had to get by the marine that guarded it. The marine stood stiffly in front of the single door that lead to the Admiral’s Quarters; tall, broad-shouldered, uniformed, and clutching a rifle, he looked like one of the Federation’s finest. And probably is, mused Mimak.
The captain walked up to the marine. “I must see the admiral.”
“Admiral Penne left me specific orders not to be disturbed. He is in his office.”
“I must see him,” Mimak repeated. “I have received orders straight from High Command. They are for his eyes only, and they are urgent.”
The marine hesitated. “One moment, Captain. I will ask him.”
Moments later, the marine admitted Mimak to the office. Sitting at an expensive-looking, large wooden desk sat Penne himself. Lining the walls were information volumes, containing text on everything from Naval records to Federation and ancient history to fiction, all cased in equally expensive-looking shelves. The room had a very formal feel to it, with dimmed lights that caused Mimak to strain his eyes, and the smell of the wood filled his nostrils. But the admiral looked up from his small computer screen, and smiled at the captain amiably. “Greetings, Captain Mimak. Orders from High Command, I hear? Maybe we’ll finally see some action out here.”
“Yes, Admiral.” Mimak stepped towards the desk, handing his superior the data card.
“Many thanks, Captain.” Penne took the card, and slid it into his computer screen. The admiral had a strong, jutting jaw, a laughing mouth, twinkling brown eyes that Mimak knew lit up when he was either angry or in the heat of battle, brown-gray hair, and a brilliant mind.
The High Command orders flashed on his screen, and Penne read the encrypted message. Those eyes, to Mimak’s surprise, lit like a flame, and he clenched his jaw. His mouth laughed no longer. He finished reading, and sighed. “We will indeed be seeing some action, Captain.”
“Sir?”
“Intelligence,” Penne spat the word, “has found several planets that have life. A few are ready for colonization. One has a savage civilization. One that the Puissant has been ordered to destroy.”
Mimak’s stomach wound up in knots. I was afraid of this. I hoped we wouldn’t have to destroy any planets. “I see, sir. So this civilization is a danger to the Federation, and our interests here in Galaxy 4431?”
“Not dangerous, per se, Captain. Not yet. The Senate wants it destroyed. On top of the fact that this planet may rise and become a potential rival, it is a savage and barbaric planet that would stand in the way of Federation colonization of that particular solar system. In addition, the Senate wants 4431 purified of such primitive peoples.”
The bags around Mimak’s eyes tightened. “We are purifying, Admiral? Purifying means destroying innocent peoples?”
The admiral gave a tight smile. “Now, now, Captain. Let us not jump to conclusions here. Did I say they were innocent? I said they were primitive. But they are indeed far from innocent.”
“How is that? And how do you know this?” Then he quickly added, “Sir.”
“Intelligence filed a lengthy report on it for the Senate. I’ve received several parts of it over the past few weeks, and another part of it was contained in the orders I just read. The Federation now knows a great deal about this people.” He paused for a moment, and looked at the screen briefly, as if to help him remember. “They are a planet beset by national differences. For millennia, their leaders have waged war against one another. Their cultures, even today, fight over ancient grudges and differences. Meaningless treaties are made up. Genocide continues throughout the planet. The fighting will not stop.”
“What causes the fighting?”
“Many things. Oftentimes, they quibble over borders. Or one invades another. Like I said, old differences keep them fighting one another. Religion often plays an important role in their constant warfare. One religion fights another, century after century. Their technology advances, Captain, but their leadership does not.”
“But, Admiral, even today’s Federation fights against other intergalactic states.”
Penne nodded. “Quite right, Captain. However, consider this. Even before space travel, most, if not all, planets within today’s Federation had succeeded in unifying themselves. In addition, they have been given ample time to unify, according to Intelligence.”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t see how any of this justifies their destruction at the hands of the Federation, a completely outside force to this planet.”
“Well, Captain, I suppose that I cannot completely answer that question. I, after all, did not dispatch this order. But this is the argument I will use: They are, in the Federation’s opinion, a danger to themselves. They would also be an annoying insect upon the Federation’s colonization in that solar system. We would be putting them out of their own misery. But aside from their amorality, they are potentially dangerous.”
Mimak thought for a few moments. “I can understand these arguments, sir. However, I see one fundamental flaw in them. There is no such thing as a perfect society. The Federation, even, often has differences among the Senate. Two decades ago, a sector threatened secession. It has taken our galaxies centuries to come this close to a more perfect government. Why then, don’t we leave this planet alone to work out its own differences? Why don’t we leave it alone if it’s no real threat to us in the first place?”
“The Federation, through my starship, has the power to destroy a planet,” Penne snapped. “I would rather see the quick and relatively painless destruction of a flawed planet that could threaten the Federation than its continued existence while the Federation extends its near-perfection throughout 4431. The day the Federation establishes its first colony in Galaxy 4431 will be a great day for freedom.” There was a pause for a few moments. By now, Admiral Penne had stood up and was looking Captain Mimak straight in the eye. Often, men were disarmed by Mimak’s blue eyes, but Penne was not. “Also, Captain, consider your duty to the Federation. High Command dispatched this order. The Senate gave High Command that order. The Senators are elected by the people. Therefore, this is the will of the people of the Federation.”
Mimak could debate no longer with his superior, whom he had the utmost respect for, over the morality of destroying a planet just because they could. “Yes, Admiral.” The monotone of the captain’s response indicated that Penne had not convinced him. But the admiral dismissed this.
“Excellent, Captain. Let us go to the bridge.”
The two officers exited the office, and left the Admiral’s Quarters. They walked in silence, and Mimak began to think about what he would have to do when they arrived at this planet. I will be giving an order to destroy an entire planet, rife with life. I will crush a civilization, destroy societies, end lives. These thoughts were not comforting. All for the glory of the Federation, he thought bitterly.
Penne preceded Mimak in the entrance to the lift. While the two stood there in awkward silence, waiting to arrive on the bridge, Penne turned to the captain of his flagship. “Captain Mimak,” he said.
“Admiral?”
“Captain, you have always been the most loyal of officers. Never have I had such a competent second-in-command. You have served the Federation with distinction and honor for decades. I know that even now you grapple with the order that the two of us will have to make. But remember that it is the Senate’s command, and that it is our duty as officers of the Navy to fulfill that command.”
Mimak swallowed. “Yes, sir. I see that. But I still feel that what they want us to do is morally wrong.”
Penne shrugged. “This is not for us to decide, Captain. Obviously, the Senate disagrees. They must feel that it is morally justified, although you do not.”
“How do you feel about this whole thing, sir?”
Silence for a few moments. “Captain, I prefer not to think about that. During my career in the Navy, there have been more than a few commands that I’ve been given that I have no wanted to follow through with. But I always do, always will. That is the oath that I took when I enlisted in the Navy all those years ago.”
Mimak remembered that oath. .....Lastly, do you solemnly promise that you will always obey the will of your superiors? The will of High Command? Of the Senate? Mimak mouthed some of the words to himself, and Penne saw them. He gave a small smile. “Yes, Captain. That is the oath. I swore by it. So did you. Let us not forget that. In addition, I told you about the problems with this planet. Regardless of how I feel about the orders given me, I still feel this planet does not deserve to survive. We might receive a briefing on the bridge regarding the planet. Colonel Boralter from the Intelligence taskforce will unfortunately be gracing our bridge with his presence. Or at least a hologram image of him.”
“Intelligence is briefing us, Admiral?”
Penne smiled. “How is that for irony, right Captain? The Senate actually forced them to, according to High Command. We need the specifics on how to actually destroy the life on this planet.”
The lift stopped. They arrived at the bridge. The lift’s door opened, and Penne and Mimak stepped onto the bridge. The bridge was rife with activity, and officers walked to and fro between the various computers, stations, equipment, and communications with the rest of the Puissant. The bridge was the epicenter of activity for any starship, and it was here that the captain commanded.
Penne walked to the center of the bridge, and sat in the admiral’s chair. He looked to the stars, as if for guidance. Mimak followed him, and received a quick briefing from a lieutenant on anything important on the bridge that occurred when he was with the admiral.
Lieutenant Draig approached the two. “Admiral Penne?”
Penne turned, and looked at the lieutenant. “Yes?”
“Sir, Intelligence officer Colonel Boralter has just opened a communication with the bridge of the Puissant. He wishes to speak with you at once.”
Penne waved his hand. “Transfer the communication to my chair.”
Draig rushed off to follow the order. Penne turned to Mimak with a smile. “Here we go, Captain.”
A hologram image of Colonel Boralter appeared on the arm of the admiral’s chair. The image was of him from his chest and up. He had on the black Intelligence uniform, and wore a simple insignia. His face was lean, his eyes a deep black. He did not smile. “Admiral Penne. This is Colonel Boralter, commander of the Intelligence 14th Taskforce. Our men are experts on Galaxy 4431. You have received orders to destroy Planet 10003, correct?”
“Yes, Colonel Boralter. That is correct.”
“Excellent, Admiral. The Senate has requested that I brief you quickly on this planet. You know of its history? Its endless warfare, corrupt governments? Also, you know that Planet 10003 has the potential to become a rival to Federation colonization in the area?”
“I do.”
“Good. Then you do not require a history lesson, or a briefing. All intelligent life on this planet is located on the landforms. They must be burned by the Puissant’s gunnery. After you have completed this, Intelligence will check the planet and make sure you did your job well.”
Penne’s face darkened. “I do not think that’s necessary.”
Boralter gave a small smile. “And I think that the Senate disagrees. We don’t want anything on this planet to survive. You may proceed now, Admiral.”
“We will proceed with this planet’s destruction when I say so.” His eyes lit up again. “Captain Mimak, set course for Planet 10003.”
“Yes, Admiral.” He turned to the lieutenant. “Relay that order to navigation. Set course for Planet 10003.”
Mimak watched as the navigation officer punched the name of the planet into the navigation computer. When the officer punched the name of the planet in, its coordinates would appear, and the navigation officer could set course for that planet, and with that Puissant would jump into space in that direction.
The captain raised his eyebrows as he saw the small frown on the officer’s face. He looked up from his screen. “Captain Mimak? There is no Planet 10003 in the navigation computer, sir.”
Mimak turned to the admiral. “Sir? Planet 10003 does not register with the navigation computer.”
Colonel Boralter spoke up. “But 10003 is the name of the planet. Didn’t High Command update—”
Admiral Penne cut the Intelligence officer off. “My apologies, Captain. Planet 10003 is the Intelligence name for this planet. The real name of the planet, the one that High Command must have updated onto our computer, is,” he paused for a moment, dramatically, “Earth.”
Mimak’s stomach twisted in knots again. Somehow, knowing the name of the planet made this whole experience more difficult for him. Mimak liked the name “Planet 10003”; it was simple and distant. Mimak turned to the navigation officer. “Set course for Earth.”
“Setting course for Earth, Captain.”
Within a half hour, the Puissant had jumped from their location on the outskirts of Galaxy 4431, to orbit around the planet.
Penne stood. He looked outside at the green-blue of the planet beneath them. He turned towards the captain. “It is time to begin bombardment, Captain.” Mimak did not respond for several moments. “Are you still having reservations, Captain?”
“Yes, Admiral. I just do not find it just.”
Boralter spoke up. “Don’t find it just? Admiral, if this officer does not carry out your orders, he should be court-martialed!”
“Silence, Colonel! I will handle this!” the admiral snapped. Turning to Mimak, Penne gave a small sigh. “Captain Mimak, throughout history men have thought about their actions before a great moment of truth such as this. Most, if not all, have had reservations. The few that overcome them are remembered. They answer the call of destiny.” Penne shrugged. “Destiny calls, Captain.”
Mimak nodded slowly. The call of destiny…and the call of the Federation. Indeed, I must answer. Captain Mimak, defender of justice, made his decision.
And he chose Federation and duty over Earth and compassion.
Right below the Mimak’s neck was a small device that kept the captain, on the bridge, in contact with the battle-stations. He pressed it now. “This is Captain Mimak speaking from the bridge.” Mimak took a deep breath. “Focus weaponry on the landforms of the planet. Gunners, you may fire at will….”