Might And Compassion at Odds

by Rigel99

Space is a dangerous place. No crew knows that more than that of the Enterprise NX-01. As the Security Team and the MACOs begin to find mutual ground on which to co-exist and work together, will it be enough to safeguard those under their protection? Part 2 of the Matthew Hayes Resurrected series. (Enjoying exploring the Reed/Hayes dynamic. Let's just see where it goes...)

1. Prologue

Prologue

People harbour some serious misconceptions about what it means to be a soldier.

People tend to think in stereotypes - a fundamental element of the human condition allowing them to compartmentalise and make sense of their world - that a love of weapons, battle and kicking the living crap out of things are a soldier's prime motivators. Now, of course, Matthew Hayes can't speak on behalf of all soldiers and of course, such men and women are not uncommon. But the system within which he operates is designed to train, control and channel the drives of those particular people in a way that benefits the system. Otherwise the system wouldn't work. But Matthew Hayes knew himself well enough to know his prime motivator had always been to protect.

True, it can be difficult to see past the BDU, the camouflage gear designed to allow them to blend into their surroundings; the weapons strapped to their thighs; the pulse rifles cradled in their arms like a loved one; and then there's the eyes. Those betrayers of our deepest-seated fears and desires. Of course, when you're trained in the Art of War like Major John Matthew Hayes, the mask required to conceal those emotions from the enemy comes as easily as hitting a target cleanly at 100 paces.

He drew his attention in to study his features in the porthole's reflections. Those eyes weren't a steely mask of military reserve right now.

Hayes looked away from the porthole and the star-lined vacuum of space towards the sleeping form of Malcolm Reed. For the second time in his life, Matthew Hayes had been broadsided by destiny. Destiny. That pain in the balls unseen force of the Universe. The force that now and again reminds you that control over your own life is a self-inflicted illusion - another fundamental of the human condition - kidding ourselves... He sighed deeply. Yes, he had allowed himself the luxury of caring beyond what that meant within his rigid definition of soldier. Returning to the bed, he crawled back underneath the sheets. As a warm arm came up to wrap around his waist, Matthew wondered if he could still be a fit soldier, a worthy protector of the people on Enterprise. Yes, came the subconscious answer. All he had to do was remember how much the crew of this ship meant to the Head of Security. He closed his eyes. And dreamed of his family…