Major Luthor's second thoughts
Aug 12, 2016 12:52:15 GMT -5
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Post by capthawk on Aug 12, 2016 12:52:15 GMT -5
I knew something was wrong the moment I entered the bridge of the Righteous Fallen. Major Luthor and Nyra's customary positions stood empty, and Sargeant Kathos greeted me at the door.
Though this could hardly be called a greeting. Kathos' head was hung low, he didn't seem to be able to look me in the eye. Where usually voluble, he had only one sentence to say to me.
"Major Luthor wants to see you, in his office," he said in a sombre tone.
"In his office?" I replied, perplexed. We never met in the Major's office to discuss missions. Offices were for Templar Command to strategize, but missions were assigned from the bridge. "Kathos, what's going on? And where is Nyra Ridaan?"
"You'd better talk to the Major about that," was his only reply.
More confused than ever, I took the elevator to Deck Two, which contained the senior officers quarters and offices. I'd been here a few times, entertained by the Major with a celebratory vudka or two after a successful mission. Come to think of it, I hadn't been here in months, though.
Arriving at Major Luthor's office, I took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," answered the unmistakable voice of the Major.
I entered, and now I knew something was really wrong. The Major stood, out of armor and back turned to me, gazing out his window at the sweep of Cirm. Behind his desk sat Nyra! What was she doing here?
Seeing the obvious confusion on my face, Nyra addressed me. "Hawk, please, have a seat."
I did so, and Nyra continued. "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here, too. It's, ah, for HR related purposes."
Now Nyra wouldn't meet my eyes either! Major Luthor had no such problem as he then turned to address me.
"Let's not drag this out," he said, "I've had second thoughts about that battle field promotion I handed out. We've come to that parting of the ways, Templar. I'm officially removing you from command, effective immediately. Do you have any questions?"
"But... why?" Was all I could manage to stammer out.
"Seriously?" The Major barked back, "You really didn't see this coming?"
"No!" I fired back, "I didn't! I thought I was doing well as a Captain!"
"Well, honestly," Major Luthor said," For quite some time, you were. When we needed you to be Brutal, you were Brutal. When it all turned into a Nightmare, you became the enemy's Nightmare. But when we asked you to be an Ironman? Nyra, please explain."
"As you know, Hawk, the death of a Templar before he or she can pass on lineage ends that line, and is very sad. We just can't afford to let you keep leading them to slaughter. By Shalun! Guillaume,Scout, KIA, Ferrari Lance. Dalan Ortho I-VIII,Soldiers,KIA, multiple missions. Vox, Engineer... Nyxos,Hydra... Must I go on?"
I sat numbly, knowing they spoke true. Other names flooded my mind: Lorencio, Demeos, Adovar, Fury... I was no Ironman of a Captain, not at all. My future suddenly looked empty, hacking and fragging Xenoforms and Narvidians was all I knew.
"However," Major Luthor growled, drawing me from my reverie," We would never let Zendu blood go to waste. Have you considered a career in communications? Kathos needs an eager Private to train..."
Though this could hardly be called a greeting. Kathos' head was hung low, he didn't seem to be able to look me in the eye. Where usually voluble, he had only one sentence to say to me.
"Major Luthor wants to see you, in his office," he said in a sombre tone.
"In his office?" I replied, perplexed. We never met in the Major's office to discuss missions. Offices were for Templar Command to strategize, but missions were assigned from the bridge. "Kathos, what's going on? And where is Nyra Ridaan?"
"You'd better talk to the Major about that," was his only reply.
More confused than ever, I took the elevator to Deck Two, which contained the senior officers quarters and offices. I'd been here a few times, entertained by the Major with a celebratory vudka or two after a successful mission. Come to think of it, I hadn't been here in months, though.
Arriving at Major Luthor's office, I took a deep breath and knocked.
"Come in," answered the unmistakable voice of the Major.
I entered, and now I knew something was really wrong. The Major stood, out of armor and back turned to me, gazing out his window at the sweep of Cirm. Behind his desk sat Nyra! What was she doing here?
Seeing the obvious confusion on my face, Nyra addressed me. "Hawk, please, have a seat."
I did so, and Nyra continued. "I suppose you're wondering why I'm here, too. It's, ah, for HR related purposes."
Now Nyra wouldn't meet my eyes either! Major Luthor had no such problem as he then turned to address me.
"Let's not drag this out," he said, "I've had second thoughts about that battle field promotion I handed out. We've come to that parting of the ways, Templar. I'm officially removing you from command, effective immediately. Do you have any questions?"
"But... why?" Was all I could manage to stammer out.
"Seriously?" The Major barked back, "You really didn't see this coming?"
"No!" I fired back, "I didn't! I thought I was doing well as a Captain!"
"Well, honestly," Major Luthor said," For quite some time, you were. When we needed you to be Brutal, you were Brutal. When it all turned into a Nightmare, you became the enemy's Nightmare. But when we asked you to be an Ironman? Nyra, please explain."
"As you know, Hawk, the death of a Templar before he or she can pass on lineage ends that line, and is very sad. We just can't afford to let you keep leading them to slaughter. By Shalun! Guillaume,Scout, KIA, Ferrari Lance. Dalan Ortho I-VIII,Soldiers,KIA, multiple missions. Vox, Engineer... Nyxos,Hydra... Must I go on?"
I sat numbly, knowing they spoke true. Other names flooded my mind: Lorencio, Demeos, Adovar, Fury... I was no Ironman of a Captain, not at all. My future suddenly looked empty, hacking and fragging Xenoforms and Narvidians was all I knew.
"However," Major Luthor growled, drawing me from my reverie," We would never let Zendu blood go to waste. Have you considered a career in communications? Kathos needs an eager Private to train..."