Chapter 23 – Flights of Fancy … Fighting Fate
As the last rays from the nearby solar flare diminished within the interior of her stateroom, Amelia drained the few remaining drops of her once-steaming lattoid from the lukewarm mug that sat before her. All options had been exhausted. She had tried to think of any way other than the one which kept presenting itself to her. But the last encounter with the rebels had solidified Amelia's decision. She couldn't afford any more damage to her ship, and she wasn't going to needlessly risk her crew's life. No, she decided, the solution was obvious. She'd have to draw them out in battle and take prisoners. As a rule, she generally disliked seeking confrontation, but she had little choice. Prisoners could be made to talk. And right now, she needed information. She had to know who was leaking information to the opposition.
Her ship was consistently coming under attack. Resources were being depleted, and the crew's morale was seriously starting to wane. Lightoller, intelligent First Mate that he was, had done his best to dissuade her from pursuing this futile line of action, but Amelia knew there was no other option. They had tried to ferret out this leak with no success. Every day nearer to Ronan closed her window of opportunity that much more.
It seemed the only feasible solution, but that didn't mean she had to like it. Still, when faced with the other options presented to her, she was left with little choice in the matter. She sighed. It was moments like that these when she momentarily questioned her career choice.
She wondered what it would be like to have a "safe" career – one that didn't constantly put her in harm's way. Would she carry on as a spacer captain once she was safely married, ensconced in a home bounding with little children? She doubted Delbert would be amenable to her frolicking through firefights at that … She paused. Where had that thought come from? Children? Delbert? She wasn't terribly eager to continue that line of thought, but if she were to be fair with herself, it would be an avenue she'd have to consider at some point. Far too often, and more than she was comfortable with, she had found her thoughts straying to Delbert's gaffe when Wellington had made his not-so-subtle play for her back in her stateroom. He had almost called her his wife. She closed her eyes and allowed the faint shadow of a smile to cross her lips. It sounded good. Better than she thought it ever would, in fact.
"I must be getting soft in my old age," she chuckled. But she had to admit, if he asked, she wouldn't say no. And knowing him, he'd stutter through the proposal. It'd be something elaborate, she'd be willing to bet money on it - something that would require intricate planning and detail and something that would inevitably lead to him tripping up along the way.
She smiled one last time. The flight of fancy was nice, to be sure, but she had more important things to worry about in the present.
There were rebels waiting for her next move and that was that. No time for any more lovey-dovey nonsense.
Ah well, she conceded with a mental shrug. If that's how things must be, then they must be.
A/N
I know how frustrating it is when you wait for a story, and then a small chapter is posted. Chapters 22 and 23 are short – they're setting scenes. But, I wanted to post both of them together to help atone for their lack of length! Hope it helps take off some of the sting! More soon!