Next Colony: Nemesis Chapter 9, Page 13

The Yamatos finally made their way back to Starbase Genesis1, and their was a sense of great festivity in the air as the heroic figures of the Genesis Starfleet had been reunited on the Motherplanet where it all began. Jack Steel, however, was not feeling so jovial about the uncomfortable circumstances he found himself in. It seemed to him that Lieutenant Rafalski was taking advantage of the vengeful sentiment of the colony members who still harbored a lot of anger inside for what they all went through during the Great Siege. The Lieutenant had that look of hunger for power that always leads to impulsive and irrational actions. Jack had to think carefully, and seek out his own sympathizers to hopefully shift the tide in another direction.

While everyone celebrated, Mr. Steel, walked off on his own, making his rounds through his old stomping ground. So many memories! Commodore Curione, knowing that Jack was returning, kindly asked the Officer living in his old quarters if he could move to another location, so that the young Steel could revisit his past. The Officer understood and empathized with the situation. This was also the Commodore's way of letting Jack know that he still valued their friendship. It was a good sign for the confused Admiral Steel, who felt very much alone in this moment of uncertainty.

In his old quarters, Jack reflected on the days when he was just a simple volunteer, spending his days with the Chief, just trying to his best to be of service to others. Those days seemed so far away as he stared at the strange man in the mirror, with his shiny gold pips on his collar. It was evening, so Jack could not enjoy his usual morning meditation with the rising sun. Besides, this was no time to relax. Lieutenant Rafalski's men still had control of the Yamatos, and there was no telling what they were planning to do with them. Something had to be done, before all hell broke loose! Jack decided to finally sit down with Commodore Curione, in the hopes of finding some alternative path to pursue.

Before leaving, however, Mr. Steel gave another glance at the mirror, and decided to humble himself first. He reached into his duffle bag and pulled out his old clothes from the days when he was simply a normal citizen of the Genesis Project. It was time for Jack Steel to just be Jack Steel!

Entering the Commodore's quarters, Mr. Curione was surprised to see Jack looking so... well... plain!

• Admiral Steel, you're always full of surprises, aren't you?!

Please, this evening I'd much prefer to just be Mr. Steel, if that's okay. Thanks for agreeing to leave the celebrations to share some private time with me. And thank you for arranging for me to have my old quarters; that was very thoughtful of you.

• No need to thank me, son; I'm not one who really enjoys these kinds of social gatherings, so in essence, you did me a favor. And as for your quarters, I thought it would help you ground yourself in this moment of ambivalence.

So you feel it too, Sir?

• I'm afraid I do. You know that I've been doing this for a long time; since our days on Earth, so there's very little that escapes me. Add to that my sidekick Captain Davis, and I have the blessing and the curse to see certain things coming; sometimes good, sometimes bad.

I've always enjoyed that I could speak so openly with you, Sir. The Lieutenant is consumed with the poison of vengeance, but far worse is that glow in his eyes that signals a thirst for power.

• I'm afraid you're right, son. He has the wind to his back, and he commands the mood of our colony members.

But he's very clouded and limited, because this is not the mood of the entire Starfleet. We're only two planets here, out of 40. He's also very much overestimating the power of those Yamatos.

• We've tried to explain this to him, but he's convinced that 4 Yamatos can do what one Yamato couldn't. He's blinded by it's size compared to the other ships. But he refuses to look at our data concerning The Cryptoriddler's fleet.

We have to do something, Commodore!

• I agree, but unfortunately, I really don't know what to do at this moment.

Is there any way you can buy me some time? Some kind of distraction, to keep the Yamatos here.

• Well, Captain Dixon on Genesis2 is having a problem with a nearby planet that has amassed a fleet to interrupt his Resource Recovery Missions. Perhaps we can ask the Lieutenant to assist Genesis2, giving us time to consider our next move.

That's a good idea, Sir. He's so gung-ho at the moment, that he'll jump at the chance to lead a mission with the Yamatos!

• The downside, however, is that this will only fuel the flames of aggression. We have to find a way to shift the mood of the crew. But how?!

Jack sat silently for a moment, staring introspectively out of the window at the starry night sky. He did his best to re-frame as much of the bigger picture as he could, considering as many possibilities as he could muster up. It was obvious that the Lieutenant was planning on attacking Starbase P2. Suddenly, an epiphany took form!

Commodore, what if I take two Destroyer Rockets and give them to The Cryptoriddler as compensation for the attack. I could explain the situation to him, and point out the fact that this was simply a rescue mission. I'm sure he would understand that even he would have done the same thing for his men.

• I don't know, Mr. Steel. That sounds very risky. And I don't see how that would change the mood of the crew.

Sir, if I'm on Starbase P2, the crew certainly would not agree to attack. And I'm certain that Vice Admiral Maxwell will come with me. This will give us time to calm the waters, and abate the Lieutenant's aggressive momentum.

• An Admiral and a Vice Admiral, together, going to negotiate a truce, is a very unorthodox move. You're right about it shifting the mood of the crew, but we don't know much about this Cryptoriddler, and what he might do.

Do you have any other suggestions?

• I'm afraid not.

Then this is all we have for the moment. We have to try!

• Very well, I'll send the Lieutenant on that mission to Genesis2. You talk to Mr. Maxwell, and I'll get those Destroyers ready for you. Good luck, son!

Thank you, Sir!

Next Colony: The Steembook - Chapters 1 thru 8

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