This story is also being posted on AO3 under the same username I have here.
"Thank god," a security officer painted as she stopped just in the door to the bridge. The rest of her team.
Seth relaxed.
It was only the security team she had passed on her way to the bridge.
"Reporting, captain." The officer straightened and saluted Seth.
Her team followed.
"What are your orders?"
Orders?
Seth glanced around the bridge.
That was right. She was the highest-ranking officer there. It was up to her to find a solution to the situation her brother had reported.
"Wha—" Seth started, stumbling over the word. Phlegm coated her throat. It blocked the words.
What would Abel?
Seth forced her eyes to remain open.
Her dearest brother would take charge, right? He was strong. There was nothing Abel couldn't do when he set his mind to it.
Seth squared her shoulders. Hopefully, it made her look more imposing like her dearest brother.
Seth cleared her throat. "What's the situation?"
A shiver raced through Seth.
This, it wasn't – she wasn't supposed to take command of anything. She couldn't. There was no way.
Seth forced herself to remain standing tall. All she had to do was think on how her dearest brother would act and she could get through this.
"Ma'am, we spotted several masked figures on their way to the bridge," the security officer reported.
"Were any of them wearing their UN uniforms?" Seth frowned. If this was the group her brother had been talking about then it did make sense
"No, ma'am, not from what we saw."
"Outside of your group, no one should have seen me leave the party and arrive here," Seth whispered to herself. At least as far as she had been able to tell no one had. Granted she didn't have Abel's sensitive ears or sharp sight.
Seth's eyes widened.
If no one outside of this group knew she was here; then this meant the real target was— "The bridge," Seth breathed.
"The bridge, ma'am?"
"It has to be what this group wants," Seth informed the security team. "We need to barricade it, but it would be for the best if we don't fight this group here." She glanced towards Alexander.
"Yes, yes, no harming this beautiful girl." The pilot didn't grin, his eyes dark.
"He's right, if any of these instruments were damaged, we would be unable to stay on course, forget a safe landing on Mars itself," another of the bridge crew stated.
"There is a fork in the hall on the way here." Seth had to think fast. She might not be Abel, but she could still defend these people. It was her duty as one of the command staff, right? "We should set the barricade there."
"Understood, ma'am." The security team saluted Seth. "You should stay here where it's safe," the leader added.
Seth shook her head. "No, I'll fight too." Her hand dropped to the gun at her hip. It was the only weapon she had on her and one she wasn't used to fighting with. This would have to do for now.
"Captain," the leader of the security started.
"We need everyone in this fight to protect the bridge. If it falls, we lose control of the ship."
The security team exchanged glances. "Ma'am!" The team straightened and saluted Seth.
Seth led the way off the bridge and into the hall. There wasn't much they could use for barricades which was to be expected given the design of the ship. It was likely the UN had never thought there would be a group trying to take control of the ship out from under the UN forces.
"We'll have to make do with the energy fields," the leader stated.
Seth nodded. She had read how they worked. It would have to do against the guns the group was carrying, but any blades and they'd be sitting ducks.
The team setup on either side of the hall just before the divide. Seth kept more to the back. She drew her gun as the soft sound of boots against metal trickled to her.
"They're coming," Seth warned the group. "Be ready."
The team drew their guns.
Seth's heart flickered.
If only she hadn't left her weapons in her and Lilith's room. The gun was only warn during ceremonies after all. She had been trained in it, but daggers and throwing knives were more her specialty than guns.
Seth tried to wet her dry mouth. Her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth. Her senses heightened, every sight, every sound magnified. Her heart racing as if she'd been sprinting for hours.
This wasn't a test.
These weren't robots.
This time, everything was real.
Her life was really on the line.
She would be forced to kill.
Seth inhaled.
It would be fine.
It would all be fine.
She had to focus on protecting those around her.
If she didn't, the bridge would fall. They would be in far greater danger and the UN would never forgive her for a such a blunder.
Far more important were the soldiers around her in the here and now. She was in charge. It was her duty to ensure they lived.
She could and would do so.
Seth relinquished her breath.
The beat of boots raced ever closer.
"Ready," Seth kept her voice even. She hoisted her gun, finger hovering close to the trigger.
A flash of black appeared.
"Fire!" Her voice rang out, echoed by the thunder of guns firing.
Screams of shock and pain were muted as Seth ordered another volley to spray at the oncoming enemy.
"Retreat!" a male voice screamed.
The dark figures scrambled.
"Aim for their legs!" Seth ordered.
Gun fire echoed her ordered.
Blood sprayed.
Seth darted forward, around the bullets, her eyes locked on the man who had ordered the retreat.
He was gone.
Seth gritted her teeth.
She'd failed to capture the leader.
Her grip tightened on her gun.
This meant they would try again.
No!
Seth breathed.
"Report?" she turned to the soldiers.
"No injuries on our side," the leader reported.
Seth glanced around.
A few of the team were gathering the enemy who were too crippled to follow their leader.
"Damn!" spat one of the soldiers. "Most are dead."
"There's one here," another called.
"We'll take him to holding," the other soldier stated as she cuffed the survivor.
"Captain, your orders?" the security team leader asked.
Seth nodded. "We'll send two with the captive. The rest of us should remain here until this has passed to ensure the safety of the bridge."
"Yes, ma'am!" The soldiers saluted.
That had been easy.
Yet, the enemy now knew Seth's location.
Seth shook her head.
It didn't matter.
What did matter was the safety of her soldiers and the bridge. It was her job to protect both in the here and now. Not to worry about her own skin.
"Were any of the barricades damaged?" Seth asked.
"No, ma'am, they didn't have the time to return fire."
"Good. We'll remain here then."
"Understood."
x – Solomon – x
There was nothing, nothing at all mentioned of someone to protect the lieutenant-colonel. It was as if Abel, during that radio call, was far more concerned with everyone else's wellbeing then his own safety.
This wasn't good.
Solomon gritted his teeth, but not against the searing pain coursing through his body.
This really wasn't good.
Lieutenant-Colonel Nightlord had sent away all of his guards. Solomon was still the closest. But to return would be in violation of a direct order.
This wasn't right. It wasn't good. If the command staff were being targeted then the Lieutenant-Colonel needed someone there as a guard. In the same instance, Solomon wasn't the kind of guard who would be of use to the Lieutenant-Colonel. In the end the best option would be to find Lieutenant Barack or Private Asran and have one of them return to guard the lieutenant-colonel.
To do so would then mean Solomon wasn't in violation of his orders and neither would be the two of them. In the end a commanding officer would be safe.
Damn.
That was right, the lieutenant-colonel had ordered both Lieutenant Barack and Private Asran to stay with Major Nightlord as his guard.
Solomon stopped just as he reached the medical bay. The door opened and he stepped inside. There was no sign of either soldier at first glance around the room.
"Lieutenant Solomon."
Solomon's gaze flickered to who had called his name.
A doctor was striding towards him. Kayson Williams if Solomon remembered the manifest correctly.
"Come with me."
Solomon didn't move. His gaze flickered over the medical bay.
"Now, Lieutenant!" a sharp note edged into Doctor William's voice.
"Doctor Williams," Solomon started. "Where is the major?"
"Not here." Kayson's eyes narrowed. "You need to follow me."
"Do you know the location of Lieutenant Williams?" From the message Abel had sent out she could be on her way here. Still the party location was further from here than it was from here than Abel's location was.
"On her way here with several civilians," Doctor Williams informed him. "However, you are not to join her if a battle is about to come."
Solomon's jaw tightened.
Damn it, that wasn't the point.
"I need to speak with her." He turned.
If she wasn't here then it would be faster if Solomon met her halfway. It was far too dangerous to inform her over the radio Lieutenant-Colonel Nightlord had order all of his guards away.
"No, you're not leaving." The doctor moved to bar Solomon's way.
"Doctor," Solomon started, "this can't wait."
"Then contact her over the radio." Doctor Williams took hold of Solomon's arm.
That was it, there was nothing Solomon could do. "With all due respect, Doctor Williams, this matter is far to sensitive for the radio."
"Your health is my priority. Relay this to her when she arrives."
"Doctor," Solomon started, voice still even, still devoid of any annoyance or agitation.
The sound of the door opening filled the space followed by a scurry of activity.
Civilians were rushing into the space, Lieutenant Williams standing not far from them.
"Let me inform her then I will follow you." Solomon looked at the doctor.
"Very well."
Solomon nodded and moved to Lieutenant Williams' side. "First Lieutenant Williams," Solomon started.
"Yes?" Lieutenant Williams looked at him.
"The lieutenant-colonel sent away every security member around him. He is unguarded," Solomon informed her in a hushed voice.
Color drained from her face. "Thank you for reporting this." She touched her radio. "Lieutenant-colonel, come in."
Nothing.
Then, what little color remained drained from her face. "Understood, sir."
Bang!
The floor shook on Solomon. He swayed, legs unsteady even as he widened his stance just to remain on his feet.
"Lieutenant Barack, Private Asran, with me!" Lieutenant Williams shouted over the noise. She raced towards the door.
"Come." Doctor William's grip tightened on Solomon's wrist. "You've done enough, you need to rest."
Solomon's gaze remained locked on the door.
Then, slowly, he looked at the doctor. He was met with an intense stare. It would be a waste of precious energy to struggle against the doctor's hold.
For now, Solomon would go with the doctor. It was only a matter of time before Doctor Williams was forced to attend others, especially in a battle. Then, and only then, would Solomon be able to join the fight.
Solomon nodded.
(Author's note: Finally figured out how I wanted Seth's part to play out. So here we are with a new chapter!)