"A Pact with the Devil "
(previous post “Debates”)
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Stardate: 60309.1245
Setting: New Alexandria: General Alvarez’s Office
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Much to his surprise Prav didn’t have to wait too long before being ushered into the General’s office. He hadn’t gotten tow steps into the room before the General had barked his first order.
“Sit!”
He sat down in a Spartan hardback chair directly centered in front of the general’s oversized desk. The chair was uncomfortable but Prav knew that had been intended. The General was not known for his hospitality or welcoming mannerisms.
The Hispanic commanding officer had been fiddling with a PADD when Prav entered and continued to look at it even after the 2nd Lieutenant had sat down. Prav knew that it was the General’s way, make whoever it was in that chair sweat a bit, even if they initiated the meeting.
Finally he looked up at the Enaran. “What can I do for you today, Lieutenant?” he asked with a stern look on his face.
For just a minute, Prav forgot the reason he had come to see the man, thinking maybe he had done something wrong and was going to be reprimanded any minute. He blinked a few times and realized that the General was waiting for him to speak.
“Sir,” he started but paused as he searched for his words. The hesitation was long enough to annoy the General.
“Stop wasting my time Lieutenant,” he growled and then leaned over his desk, eyes narrowing on the Enaran. “You’re already on my shit list as it is.”
Prav hadn’t expected that and lost all track of what he had come to request. “Sir?”
“I don’t like losing Marines,” he roared.
“Yes, sir, I understand sir,” Prav responded back automatically. “That’s why I’m here sir.”
Alvarez nodded his head skeptically. “And that is…?”
Prav took a deep breath and then looked the man straight in the eye. “When I first came here, when I was assigned to the USS SCARAB Admiral Konecki offered me additional, um, training.” He quickly dropped the eye contact and stared at a random spot on the man’s desk.
The fact that he was feeling uncomfortable in even discussing this matter should have been a indicator to him that maybe he had been hasty in making this decision.
The General watched the Enaran carefully as he floundered around the request that both Alvarez and Konecki knew the young Marine would eventually make. Unfortunately for Alvarez, Konecki’s predication of the conversion was right on target and the General would be delivering a case of Ydrian floswine to the Admiral as soon as the Lieutenant cut to the chase.
“I, uh, passed on the training,” he continued, hoping his commanding officer wouldn’t ask him to explain his change of heart. “But I would like to take the Admiral up on his offer,” he glanced up and caught the General’s eye again. “If the offer is still good?”
Alvarez stared at the young man sitting in front of him; it was kind of like having a magnifying glass over a bug. “I’d have to check with him on that,” he replied, knowing full well that Konecki wanted Prav in that training immediately. He leaned a little closer and said pointedly, “You understand what that requires of you?”
Prav swallowed hard and nodded. He had sworn he’d never become like them, his father and grandfather. Using abilities and power to manipulate others but here he was, sitting in a General’s office and agreeing to do just that. “I do.”
“Wait outside,” Alvarez said, dismissing the Lieutenant.
Prav stepped outside and stood against a wall, he just couldn’t relax enough to sit down again. A few minutes later the doors to the corridor opened and two marines entered. “You are to follow us,” one of them said emotionlessly.
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Matt Kelly (downwitmal@yahoo.com)
Writing for:
2nd Lt. Pravat 2005 post #106
MCO
USS ANUBIS
