“Motion before thought leads to chaos and imbalance”

  Old Drexari idiom, Vol Clade.

  The brief Chen gave her was fleeting and nondescript.

  “Investigate a derelict relay platform. No engagement is required. Nothing’s alive. Just check and leave.”

  “That’s it?” was all Feebee asked.

  “Yes. If you come across any hazards, mark them so they are known. Also, confirm the structural integrity of the platform so it can direct the determination of next steps. I’ll give you two marines. Support.”

  Feebee sat in the rest room, at a table she'd specifically reserved. They were in the middle of a shift change, it was packed. She'd just come from an hour in the gym, had showered. Was wearing plain camo fatigues; they bore no rank, name or branch insignia. The table was away from the entrance, serving areas and toilets. No doors or windows were behind where she sat, and she could see all comings and goings. It felt safe at a primal level.

  Two marines arrived and stopped just inside the restroom. They were the two Chen had assigned to her.

  The shorter, Alpha-2 was lean and wiry. Built for endurance. He carried a smile that didn’t quite reach the blue steely eyes. His brown hair was thinning and kept regulation-short. Clean shaven. A note in his service record had stood out, “Exceptional situational awareness. Technically adept. Mentally resilient.”

  The other, Alpha-3, was solid, compact, the shape that comes from work rather than the gym. She noticed that he walked on the balls of his feet. Well balanced for his size which was a good six to eight inches taller than her. Black hair, greying at the temples. Stubble, two or three days old. His file said he was “Reliable under fire. Aggressive when required. Trustworthy.”

  Alpha-2 was positioned slightly ahead of Alpha-3 who scanned the room. Classic recon, shield and spotter. His eyes rested on her without recognition or interest. Then moved on. They both looked worn, not worn out. Just worn.

  They crossed to the coffee machines and poured themselves a mug each. Alpha-2 sorted through the small packs of biscuits and picked out two which he kept. Alpha-3 grabbed a couple of apples and a banana. He skinned the banana then deftly chopped it up, along with a couple of apples into a bowl, added some granola and milk from the dispensers.

  The two sat a couple of tables away from her and were talking in whispers. They weren't to know she could still hear all they said.

  "Nineteen! How can a full Captain only be nineteen? Not possible."

  "Well, her file mentioned cry exposure. Maybe that's it."

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  Feebee felt it was time for her to introduce herself. Anymore and they may dig themselves into a hole too deep for her to ignore.

  But first, 'How did they access my file? You said it was locked down.'

  The QI responded, carefully, 'That's true. But access is always possible.'

  Feebee thought she heard the QI laugh, almost girlishly, 'Did you just giggle?'

  'Oh. Did you hear that? Sorry.'

  'So, they either hacked it or were shown it. Chen?'

  'Yes. That'd be my guess.'

  "Mind if I join you?" She asked in her most neutral of tones.

  "Not at all." It was Alpha-3 that responded first, looking her up and down, undressing her.

  Really, she thought.

  Alpha-2 saw her reaction and asked Feebee a question as she took a seat. Distraction. He's good, she thought.

  "What is it you do on The Measured Response?" He asked.

  "Not much. Only just got here. About to go on an op."

  Alpha-2 put it together first. "You're Captain Jones." It came out as a statement rather than a question.

  "Correct. Captain Feebee Jones. Alpha Team."

  The two of them nearly knocked the table over as they leapt up and saluted her, "Alpha-2 reporting Ma'am."

  "Alpha-3 reporting Ma'am."

  She showed them a smile and gave them a small laugh to make light of the situation, "Stand easy. Sit if you wish." She pointed to their seats.

  Both sat down. Ramrod straight. Neither said a word. Years of institutional training kicked in.

  "You've been briefed on our mission. Thoughts?" The leap caught them off guard, they looked at each other, how did she know? Chen had briefed them "in confidence".

  They reappraised her. Cryo exposure or something else? Stuff always seemed to get weird around Chen.

  She asked again, "Thoughts?"

  Alpha-2 spoke up, "How come you got this assignment Ma'am?"

  Fair question. A good question if you’re putting your life in someone else’s hands.

  "I have a lot of relevant experience."

  "With relay platforms?" He was dubious.

  "Similar. Derelict spacecraft." She let her words hang and watched as they processed them. Their reaction told her that Chen hadn't disclosed much outside the mission parameters. Good.

  Alpha-3 spoke for the first time, "We should plan for this to be more than expected."

  "How more?" Not her best use of English but they got the intent.

  "More intricate, more...." He paused, searching for a better word, "Complicated."

  Feebee smiled, "Complicated. Nice. So we're on the same page, I'll share my mission brief." She continued, "Investigate a derelict relay platform. No engagement is required. Nothing’s alive. Just check and leave.” She quoted Chen's words verbatim. "If we come across any hazards, we are to mark them so they are known and to confirm the structural integrity of the platform. You two are to provide support."

  "Matches what we were told." But then Alpha-2 continued, he found himself liking her. Felt he could work with her. She wasn't like a lot of the others. "We were also asked to report back."

  She nodded, "Of course. I'd expect nothing less. It's the first time I've worked in this unit. Makes sense."

  The two marines exchanged a glance. "And you're OK with that?"

  Feebee shrugged, "Orders are orders. Would it matter?"

  They laughed. "I guess not."

  Feebee was issued with a small, long range craft, more a shuttle than a ship but it would get them there and back quickly, easily. The QM had checked and double checked her Qualifications and their Currency. All was in order but he wasn't convinced. Must be a mistake. He'd never seen a pilot so young with such a range of current quals.

  But when she sat in the seat, her hands flew instinctively, without looking, across the controls as she ran through the pre-flights. The QM watched; impressed. She certainly knew what she was doing and was doing it well. He'd seen many experienced pilots 'bump' the ship on the way out. He hated that, the paperwork was a bitch. Cryo exposure was the only explanation he was given. Everyone else seemed to accept that so he just went with it.

  As she took them to the jump point, Alpha-2 asked when she'd learnt to fly.

  "Before... A while ago." She wasn't dismissive or flippant but somehow, the way she answered shutdown the subject to further questioning.

  "Strap in. We jump in thirty. On my count."

  "Alpha-2 good."

  "Alpha-3 good."

  She hadn't expected their response. It carried respect. "Oh. Ok. Good."