Down in a hole and they've put

All the stones in their place

I've eaten the sun so my tongue

Has been burned of the taste

I have been guilty of kicking myself in the teeth

I will speak no more of my feelings beneath

Alice In Chains - “Down in a Hole”

Once again Nassat found himself at Raichret’s side, as he replayed for her the confrontation with Admiral Fujimoto. He could sense her growing apprehension as the tale unfolded, and as he finished, she stood up and faced him.

“I begged you not to do this,” she said, now distraught, “for the sake of our children, I begged you. Did you not hear my words? Did you not listen?”

Nassat winced, as he rose to join her. “I did, my wife,” he said in placating tones. “But you have seen with your own eyes how the Admiral has reacted to all that has happened. As a Healer, as someone who has experienced pain and loss herself, tell me...were she your patient, what would be your diagnosis?”

Raichret froze, thrown for a moment as he engaged the professional side of her persona, instead of her emotional one. “I would be forced to say…” she said, “that Admiral Fujimoto is exhibiting the classic symptoms of Post-Traumatic Embitterment Disorder, besides obvious signs of Post-Traumatic Stress.” She grimaced and shook her head. “But considering what has happened to their homeworld, I expect that most humans would exhibit those same signs.”

“Most humans are not in command of a fleet of ships, capable of rendering the Khonhim extinct,” Nassat replied, “but they are not the ones I fear for. If the humans continue down this path, their very souls could be in peril.”

“They are barbarians,” she said, “both the humans and the Khonhim. Let them destroy each other. The universe will be a far better place without them.”

Nassat sighed and reached for his wife’s hand. “Barbarians they may be, but those same barbarians came to our aid, in our hour of need. Without their help, neither you nor I would be here today...and our children would never have been born at all.” He reached out and stroked her cheek. “How can we turn our backs to them now, in their darkest hour?”

She grimaced and looked away. “It is a fool’s errand, Nassat,” she said. “You are but one person. How can you keep the humans from their path of revenge?” Raichret forced herself to turn and look into his eyes. “All you will do is incur their wrath, and only the Creator knows what they will do to you then.” She stepped closer, clutching at him. “Please, I beg you...do not do this. After all that has happened, all that we have suffered...I cannot bear to lose you, too.”

He bowed his head and pressed it against hers. “I must,” he whispered.

Raichret shuddered, as tears filled her eyes. “...of course you must,” she answered. “Was there ever a battle you walked away from?”

“I did not choose this path, my wife,” he said gently, “and no one knows better than you how I have struggled against it, at every turn.” He shrugged and shook his head. “But it would seem that my fate is not mine to chart.”

“Nor mine, it seems,” she said. “So...your path leads you from General to mutineer?”

“I pray it does not come to that,” he replied.

“Then how?” Raichret demanded. “For I can see no other way.”

Nassat sighed. “I believe the human term for it is...‘Calling in a Marker’.”

Prime Minister Singh shook her head in disbelief. “You have got to be shitting me.”

Nassat looked abashed, as he stared at her image on the screen. “I can assure you, Prime Minister, that I am not.”

Leandra snorted. “No kidding. They strangled your sense of humor at birth.” She sighed, leaning back into her chair. “You want me to relieve Admiral Fujimoto for doing what every single human in the galaxy wants her to do?”

“Well…yes, Prime Minister,” Nassat replied. “You must see the danger in letting her continue in her crusade?”

“Perhaps you should take a moment to consider the danger if I don’t,” she shot back. “There isn’t a single human alive that doesn’t want payback for what the Khonhim have done. Three colonies destroyed. Our homeworld attacked. Governor Granville and Marshall Antuma, both dead,” she spat out. “Humanity hasn’t been this pissed off since…” She paused for a moment, cocking her head. “Actually, I don’t think we’ve ever been this pissed off...and if you’re familiar with our history at all, that should fucking terrify you.”

“It does,” Nassat said quietly, “more than you know. But I also know that if we do nothing to rein in that impulse, that desire for revenge, it will only grow stronger and more dangerous with each passing day.” He shrugged. “Isn’t this why you and Marshal Antuma groomed me for this post? To prevent your species from acting out on its darker urges?”

The Prime Minister blinked in surprise, and then managed a brief chuckle. “Touché,” she said at last before the smile disappeared. “Here’s the problem, Nassat. Even you can’t argue that we’re the aggrieved party here. They attacked us, without provocation, using tactics that go beyond the pale...and in our eyes, there is only one way to balance the books. The Khonhim must pay for their crimes. My orders to you and Admiral Fujimoto still stand. You want to quibble over tactics? Fine...but you need to recognize I gave that order for a reason. Unless we break the Khonhim now, in another ten years we’ll be forced to do this again. Sooner, maybe. Do you want that on your conscience?”

Nassat shook his head. “No, Prime Minister...but there is a right way, and a wrong way.”

Leandra shook her head. “You’re dancing on a razor’s edge, Nassat. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“So do I,” he admitted.

The Prime Minister steepled her fingers and regarded him. “If I do this...there would be certain conditions attached. Namely, that the fleet continues to carry out my orders.” She fixed him with a hard stare. “That is non-negotiable.”

“Understood,” he nodded. “There are still many details that would need to be worked out...locating a suitable replacement, to begin with.”

Her smirk came back with a vengeance. “Oh, don’t worry...I already have someone in mind...”

Nassat marched down the corridor to Zaaronq’s bridge, with Sergeant Major Lin at his side, pausing as they reached the guards stationed outside the hatch. The ranking Petty Officer nodded at their approach, as he thumbed the com button. “General Nassat to see the Admiral,” he informed the bridge...only to earn a scowl from Lin.

“What’s the matter with you, PO?” he barked. “Have you gone blind or something?”

The guard blinked in confusion, his eyes going wide as he did a double-take. “...my apologies, Sir,” he stuttered, as he hit the button once more. “Correction…Marshal Nassat, to see the Admiral.”

The hatch slid open, allowing them entrance, as the pair approached Admiral Fujimoto...who stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the Saurotaur.

“What’s the meaning of this?” she demanded. “And what’s this “Marshal” nonsense?” She stared at his shoulder boards, as her eyes narrowed. “Is this some kind of a joke?”

“...I wish it were,” Nassat sighed, as Sergeant Lin held out a tablet. Hélène snatched it out of his hands, her nostrils flaring in anger as she read the brief message.

“By order of Prime Minister Leandra Singh, I am relieving you of your command, Admiral,” Nassat said in firm tones, “...effective immediately.”

The Admiral read the message again and then tossed the tablet aside. “Like hell. This is my command, and I don’t give a damn what strings you pulled!” Her head snapped around, as she called over one of the armed ratings. “Guard, arrest this traitor!”

“Admiral, you’re making a mistake,” Nassat said quietly, as the rating approached, “I beg you to reconsider.”

“The only one making a mistake is you,” she snarled, as the rating withdrew her sidearm. “No one will start a mutiny on my ship!” The glint in her eye was full of malicious glee...until she felt a gun barrel pressed against her head.

“...oops,” Tango smirked.

Hélène stared at Tango in shock, then darted away, trying to escape...only to come skidding to a halt when she spotted Whisper blocking her path, also dressed in a naval uniform, cleaning his fingernails with a dagger.

“...going somewhere?” he giggled.

Her head whipped around like a caged animal, her face contorted in rage. “What are you doing? she shrieked. “You answer to me!”

“In fact, we report to the senior ranking officer of the Tetrarchy armed forces,” Musashi said, rising from behind a console, “...and as of two hours ago, that’s him,” nodding towards Nassat.

“Sergeant Lin was concerned you might not...react well,” Nassat after a moment, “hence the subterfuge.”

“You won’t get away with this,” she growled.

“Admiral, believe me...this is the last thing I wanted,” he said, before turning to Lin. “Please escort the Admiral to her quarters.”

“Aye Sir,” Lin nodded, as he took her by the arm. “This way, Admiral.”

The former fleet commander looked around the bridge for support, but there was none to be found. The officers and ratings were all looking elsewhere, and once that sank in the fight seemed to go right out of her. Lin and the others escorted her off the bridge without further incident.

Nassat watched her leave, filled with regret. He had so hoped it would go differently. Gazing around the bridge, he motioned to the XO.

“Your orders, Sir?” the Captain said.

The newly minted Marshal gazed at the empty command chair and sighed. “Best speed to Gzuj,” he said quietly. “We still have a war to fight.”