The galley door slid closed behind Hartwell. He took a few steps towards the counter and paused—having realized that his appetite was lacking. A worrying sense was needling the back of his mind. The lieutenant was about to do something he might soon regret. Hartwell about-faced and re-entered the corridor. He ran back to the men’s habitation chamber. Right as he reached the entrance a loud thud stopped him in his tracks. That sound was coming from inside the chamber.
No way.
There was simply no way Biancuzzo could have done the unthinkable. A few moments of silence passed as he waited for the door to open. The lieutenant exited, with a sidearm tethered to each hip. He seemed to be somewhat startled by Hartwell’s presence.
“What happened?”
“What had to be done.” The lieutenant answered.
The two men stood almost chest to chest. Emotions were boiling over. Biancuzzo sighed.
“Come on, we still have work to do.”
He walked back towards the cabin simulator as Hartwell slid his hand over the control panel. His curiosity was getting the best of him. Lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood was Sanhueza. The lieutenant had done it.
“Bloody hell.”
I can’t believe he did that.
He waved his hand back over the control panel to close the chamber door and followed after Biancuzzo. He entered the cabin simulator to see that the lieutenant was almost halfway to the mission control.
“Lieutenant.”
He came to a stop. His back still facing Hartwell.
“Are we really not gonna talk about what just happened? About what you did?”
Biancuzzo turned around. He looked somewhat irritated, almost as if he couldn’t believe that Hartwell would dare to question his judgment.
“You think I should’ve let him live? Even after what he’s done?”
His tone was calmer than Hartwell had anticipated. He sighed. The questions Biancuzzo had posed weren’t exactly the easiest to answer. There was no doubt that the deceased, former captain had erred in judgment—and his mistake may have potentially cost the lives of two-thirds of their team. With that being said, that still didn’t give Biancuzzo the right to be the sole judge, jury and executioner. Wearing that many hats would only make him just as likely to make the same mistakes Sanhueza did.
It was true that Biancuzzo commanded their respect, but even in their current circumstances, it was also true that it would take Sarker and Yuliya’s ingenuity to figure out how to rescue their mates. Like Hartwell, Ono and the androids, the lieutenant would be pressed into the role of spectator, while the technicians did their thing.
“I think...” He took a deep breath. “Maybe that should have been a group discussion. That’s all.”
Biancuzzo broke eye contact with him, lowering his head.
“If you’re gonna be the one to lead us, then you of all people should be of sound mind, don’t you think?” Hartwell went on. “Especially, if we’re all going to be expected to lay down our lives, if necessary.”
Biancuzzo exhaled and shook his head. His eye contact returned. There was some coldness behind those dark brown eyes. Hartwell gulped as the lieutenant approached. The last thing he ever wanted was to have a go with the old dog. They were not enemies.
“You know what, Quin? You’re exactly right.” Biancuzzo pointed. “You’re exactly right.”
The lieutenant turned around and resumed walking to the mission control. Hartwell breathed a sigh of relief before following after him. He entered to find Yuliya at the tactical command post searching for answers, while Ono hovered over her. He found a spot to lean against while the lieutenant approached them.
“How we doing in here? Any progress?” Biancuzzo said.
“It’s looking good so far. The data transfer from the moon base to the Yellow Rover’s computer is nearly complete.” Yuliya said.
“Good news. Can Kalene still hear us?”
“I can. Loud and clear.” Sarker chimed in.
Biancuzzo sighed. He looked at Yuliya and Ono, who were giving him their undivided attention. He turned back to Hartwell, who gave him an approving nod. Telling them what he had done was the honorable thing to do.
“Captain Sanhueza’s dead.”
The room fell silent. Neither Yuliya nor Ono displayed a physical reaction to this news, which somewhat surprised Hartwell.
“I killed him. In cold blood.”
Yuliya and Ono glanced at one another for a moment. It seemed the realization of what he had told them was finally hitting them.
“I understand that—that was a decision that should have been made collectively—and I took that decision away from you all.”
The lieutenant rubbed the back of his balding head.
“This mission is never gonna work if we can’t rely on one another. So with that being said—I’m willing to relinquish my rank for dereliction of my duty. Thoughts?”
Yuliya and Ono looked at one another again.
“Yeah.” Ono smirked. “Can I see the body? I mean, at least before we shitcan it into the ethos, like we do the rest of our waste.”
Ono started laughing as Yuliya snorted, covering her mouth to hide. Sarker could also be heard chuckling via the communication channel. Was this simply a guy thing? How was it that Hartwell was the only one who seemed the least bit bothered by what had happened?
“None of you are mad. Kalene?” The lieutenant asked.
“No sir.” Sarker answered. “I believe you wouldn’t have done it, if you didn’t think you were making the right decision anyway. Besides, what’s the value of a captain, who no longer has the trust of his command?”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Ono co-signed.
“Amen.” Yuliya said.
Biancuzzo’s shoulders relaxed as he looked around the room. If neither Yuliya, Ono or Sarker had an issue with what the lieutenant had done, Hartwell wouldn’t either.
“Okay. Carry on.”
The lieutenant turned to exit, but immediately stopped in his tracks.
“Oh and just so we’re clear, this doesn’t make me the new captain.” He went on.
“I don’t know. Those two sidearms you got there, say differently, Cap.” Ono remarked.
Biancuzzo looked at her. One thing that could be said for Ono, she had a unique way of seeing the world. Funny ass bird.
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
She shrugged as Biancuzzo scoffed. Although, she did have a point. His decision to kill Sanhueza meant that he would have to take command, even if the thought of it was overwhelming. He turned to Hartwell.
“I’m gonna take a shower. Wash this stink off me. Keep me posted?”
“You got it.”
Biancuzzo tapped him on the shoulder on his way back to the cabin simulator. The door slid closed as Hartwell turned back to Yuliya and Ono, who were both staring at him.
“What?”
“Did you see it?” Ono asked.
He scoffed. It was obvious what she was talking about.
“Yeah, I saw it.”
“Man, I can’t believe he actually went through with it. Remind me never to get on his bad side.”
“Well, if Yuliya and Kalene can’t figure out how to decrypt this alien info, you won’t have to worry about that.” He said.
“Hey. I resent that remark.” Yuliya said.
“Ditto.” Sarker agreed.
“I’m just saying ladies. The clock’s ticking.”