With everything that was happening, Michael decided it would be best for the Sojourner to escort the fleet to the NDC territories. “I’m glad to have you aboard. Setsuya seems… well, experienced but young. However, as for you, Mr. Oaklen, I will escort you to your quarters post haste before I head to the bridge. Follow me.” He commanded as he walked away from the group back towards the mid decks.
The crew quarters were fairly lavish despite the relatively small interiors of the ship. “These are your quarters. Your palm print will open the door. Security can override a lock as can I but you shouldn’t see anyone bothering you unless we’re under attack. On a side note, you’ll have a week notice before a training drill occurs so you’ll know when you’re going to be bothered by security.” He informed Oaklen.
The quarters had a double bed, dresser, a bathroom, wardrobe and an equipment locker within them. All of these were of course bolted to the floor to prevent them from flying about in the loss of gravity of atmosphere. There was ample room for a single individual in here but a family would have been tighter. Naturally of course, family rooms are also larger on their ships and more akin to a full apartment than a dorm room. “Make yourself at home. The common room is the room directly connected to this one and will generally have crew members inside it but that’s where the entertainment is unless you want to go to a recreational room. Just swipe your hand over your computer inside the room with the gauntlet equipped in order to download the maps. Your gauntlet, by the way, is in the top left drawer of your dresser. It’s form fitting so expect it to be a little tight or loose at first. There are credits already loaded within them.” Michael explained before giving a curt nod and hurrying himself to the bridge.
It took him a few minutes to get there. “Comms, contact the fleet.” He commanded before the radio crackled to life.
“Greetings Captain Oliver. We see you’ve been busy with the locals. Anything to report?” an unseen admiral spoke as Michael sat down in the Captain’s chair.
“Negative. They appear to almost be exactly as we are. The ambassadors from Dovania? I believe it’s Dovania anyways… seem unwilling to assist us aside from small scale involvement. I don’t believe we’ll have trouble from them but I wouldn’t count on them in a fight unless relations drastically improve. NDC appear helpful and, as my officers no doubt transmitted before, are willing to let us dock at their shipyards for repairs and refit for the time being. As for this other government… Yamatai… they seem to be willing to let us stay within their territory as refugees though I doubt this will be necessary or wanted by our people.” Michael informed them.
“Sh’la’zam…” the other voice spoke. “It is good to hear this news. Our people won’t have to worry about their ships falling apart for now. I will transmit this news to the other ambassadors. However, your involvement has not gone unnoticed already.”
“Ma’am?” Michael responded, unsure of the meaning.
“It is because of your involvement that the admiralty did not see fit to open fire preemptively in order to defend the fleet. Ambassadors and senators on both sides are suspicious of these new encounters as always. Therefore, in order to keep relations moving in the right direction we have decided that you will become an ambassador.”
“I would rathe-…”
“We are aware of your wishes and your disdain for politics. Which is why we are only granting this in an official, paper written capacity. In practice you will command your ship as you have been. Given that you are a free citizen, we cannot order you to perform this task. However when you speak to any foreign nations you will be the mouth of the UCS. And if necessary you will be the hand that directs our blade.”
Aliens. Why was it that the UCS alien population, at least as far as the species on the other end, still spoke in metaphors? “I understand. So what would you have me do?”
“My council would prefer to see you made Praetorian. Potentially even Centurion. We understand of course that you haven’t the time to do that. Others wish you to become a Captain… though not the kind that UCS recognizes. You are responsible for putting the best foot forwards for not only your own species but for all. There is much weight on your shoulders. From now on my people will call you Atlas; for you carry the weight of not only our worlds but all our sins on your shoulders.”
“I’m not sure I understand that…”
“God damn it all. Look, the Council of Tribes, the War Council of Elders, the UCS Senate and the damned governments that reside therein are making you an ambassador to represent us to the NDC, Yamatai and Dovania. Consider yourself an acting ambassador, Mr. Oliver.” Another voice spoke.
“Got it. I’ll see to it that the UCS’s will be done.” Michael responded. With nothing further, communications were closed and the heads of various governments went back to squabbling with one another in order to make things function yet again. “I hate bureaucracy.” Michael grumbled as he passed a hand over his face, wiped his forehead and shook his head. “Alright… set course to match the NDC’s target destination. Let’s see what awaits us. I will be in the chapel. You can reach me over radio if I’m needed, the PA system if that’s not working or for God’s sake get a runner out there.” Michael commanded the bridge. “XO, take command.” He said with finality as he sent instructions that would redirect Setsuya to him if she came after he had already left the bridge.
Michael was there in a short time. The chapel, or at least this one, wasn’t far. Species from around the cosmos prayed here to various gods. Still, however, the majority of humans here prayed to Allah, Ellijah, the Lord Christ, Harold or various other long standing religions. Michael? Michael prayed to Christ as always; stoic and ungiving. He stood at the church doors and removed his pistol from his belt, removed the magazine, removed the round from the chamber and put it into a pocket. From there he reloaded the weapon but pointedly did not keep a bullet in the chamber in the house of the Lord, his God. A quick crucifixion over his heart and he entered the holy site; ready to have his prayers sent beyond where they could be heard by mortal ears.
“Heavenly Father, you know every decision I have yet to make and will make as well as the decisions I will and must make in order to ensure the safety and guidance of my people.” He began as he took a knee before the altar, drew a sword from nearby and held it before his face with the point touching the ground and the pommel before the Lord. “I pray to you now for guidance, strength, courage and more Lord. Through your grace alone may I see these tasks and trials before me completed. Help me be like Nehemiah, help me come to you for guidance, strength, provision and protection. As I face tough choices and hard situations, help me remember my belovedness, help me remember that I am Your child and Your representative to the world around me. Thank you for the people that you have provided me whom provide me with direction and purpose. Please Lord, above all else help me ensure the safety and prosperity and freedom of my fellow man; here and abroad. Give me a heart of discernment to know when You are using someone to speak instruction into my heart and my circumstances, and give me the strength and courage to follow through with that advice, even when it’s hard. And above all else, Lord, I beseech thee to keep me upon the path of righteousness where I may guide my people to salvation in this life in your omniscient wisdom. Amen.” Michael whispered as he kept his hands placed upon the pommel of the blade.
It was, for Michael, a well learned prayer that he had spoken many times. Before, it was for the safety of himself and his comrades whom he led into battle. Now… it was to lead the entire will of a nation across the stars; unofficial as his position might have been.
