When Every Second Counts

Chapter 10
Loyalties

The world glowed with a beauty of its own. It was still green in places, despite the ravenous affects the Phantoms had on it, and it was always a wondrous shade of blue.

Dr. Sid sighed. He remembered so clearly when the world had been greener, and he could have sworn it had been bluer. He hated the Phantoms for destroying the beauty, but at the same time had them to thank for his freedom in research. Or had had them to thank. Now it was pretty clear what General Hein was going to try. The failure of the barrier would give him the access he needed to use the Zeus Cannon against the aliens.

Sid wondered how the barrier could have failed. It had been stable for years. Maybe that was the problem, the scientist reasoned, it was all a matter of time. Why then? Why, when he was so close to the solution. He could have ended the war in the next week and fewer people would have been hurt.

An idea emerged from his mind, and he pushed it away. It was impossible. But then, so had been the Gaia theory itself at one time.

---

"So can you or can't you?" Gray asked, trying to keep his anger in check. He did not want how it was done explained, and he did not want to know the various other things that the request reminded Neil of, he just wanted a definite answer. "Maybe," was the response he got.

"I thought you said you'd done something like that for a science project," Ryan commented from the sidelines.

"Ah," Neil said uncertainly, "I did, I did. I just sorta messed up and made a little explosion instead."

"How little an explosion?" Gray asked, not really wanting to know.

"Well, the school had to replace a wall," Neil replied, "But, captain, that was fourth grade. I'm sure I could do it now."

"Good," Gray said, feeling just the opposite. Dr. Sid and Aki were both so adamant about their newest plan, but it made him sick to think about it. He had not told the Deep Eyes of it, and did not plan to. Going into the Leonid Meteor impact site was insane and he wanted their minds to be at ease, or as well as they could be since... when? It was hard for Gray to think of a time when fear or tension was not part of life.

The success of the plan required that the Quatro that was stored on the Black Boa be in working order. He problem with that was it was uncharged. It would not move, let alone offer protection against the Phantoms. So he had asked Neil if he could transfer enough power from the ovo-packs and other energy sources they had to the Quatro's power-cells.

Now all he could do was wait. He did not wish to wait, because waiting prompted thinking. He did not want to think of what could go wrong, or what had already gone wrong.

---

"Do you know what Dr. Ross is really trying to do?" the general asked. The manner he asked was in an almost friendly or conversational tone.

"No, sir," the corporal behind him was almost deathly still when she answered.

"So, I would suppose that when I ask the same question about Captain Edwards, you wouldn't know that either, hmm?" General Hein moved his fingers over the holographic keypad with precision as he spoke.

"No, sir, I would not," Jane replied. He is trying to save Earth, like all other military personnel and scientists on the planet.

"And you, what are your intentions?"

"I don't understand the question, sir," Not that I understood the others that well either.

"Dr. Ross and the captain are both working under the Phantoms' influence," the imposing man turned to look over his shoulder. The gaze was indiscernible, though foreboding filled the woman's mind, "Whose side are you on?"

"I fight to rid the world of the Phantoms, sir," Gray is doing the same.

"How could I be sure of your intentions, corporal, if I thought you might be lying?" Hein turned back to the console, "How could I judge if you spoke the truth?"

"You couldn't be sure, and could only judge by my actions, sir," Jane almost regretted the words as the next question reached her ears.

"And yet you attacked two of my men who were assigned to the Deep Eyes to protect a suspected traitor, how could I judge that action?"

"I ... " What was there to say, but the truth, "I was protecting a friend, sir," I couldn't do any less.

"Our friend Melissa Warren seems to think it was simply loyalty to Captain Edwards that provoked your unwarranted behavior against my men," Hein glanced towards the sleeping woman, "And she claims that you deserve a second chance to regain the trust she believes you are worthy of."

"Tell me, corporal, would you do it again, given the same circumstances but with the knowledge you have now?"

"Yes sir, without hesitation," I couldn't lie if I wanted to.

"Do you want a second chance?"

Silence. The general looked behind him yet again, and observed the almost vacant look on Jane's face. She did not look nervous, yet she did not look completely calm. "Did you hear me, soldier?"

"Yes, sir," Why does it feel wrong to say that?

"So what is your answer?"

"Yes, sir, I do want a second chance." Not at the expense of their lives.

"What would you do for a second chance?"

"I don't know, sir," what would I need to do? "What would you have me do?"

"Renounce this loyalty to Captain Edwards," Hein centered his attention on the screen before him, "It seems to be causing a bit of trouble."

"I ..." What could she say? "Yes, sir,"

"'Yes sir,' what, corporal?"

"I renounce my loyalty to Captain Edwards, sir," I'm sorry.

"Good," Hein smirked, "You are dismissed from the Deep Eyes, you will serve under me until further notice."

Jane felt sick. What else could she have done? Fight back; tell him where to he could shove his proposal; tell him something other than cowering. Was she afraid? Hell yes. Why did fear matter now, when facing the Phantoms was so much more terrifying?

What could be said? "Yes sir."