Page 68 of The Darkest Parts of Me

He isn’t wrong. It’s crucial for every crew member to get a mental health evaluation a couple of times a year. Space can be a very solitary place, it’s easy to get lost in your own mind.

“It’s not that, but thank you. I swear I feel fine,” he says with a heavy sigh. “But maybe ask me again in six months,” Renn adds with a reassuring smile, knowing that Nate will most definitely check on his mental state if he needs him to.

“Are you nervous about the admiral coming in the next couple of days?”

Renn shakes his head. Admiral Grey has been a great mentor to Aldrenn throughout his career. He served as his first officer for a couple of years, and he owed a lot of his success in moving up the ranks so quickly to the admiral. He isn’t so much nervous as he is stressed. This will be the first time the admiral will see Renn in charge of his own crew, and he wants to make him proud.

“Well, whatever it is that’s got you in this mood, you know I’m here.”

Before Renn can respond, a tone sounds from the console on his desk.

“Oh, good,” he says, sounding dreadful.

“What is it?”

“I’m meeting with Locke in five minutes. That was my reminder, as if I needed reminding. I’ve been dreading it all day—all week, actually.” He lets out a heavy sigh.

“Understandable. I really hate that guy.”

“You’re telling me. How he ever made his way through the academy without killing someone, or someone killing him, is beyond me.”

Nate scoffs. “It’s because of his family. That’s the only reason. If they weren’t so wealthy, and didn’t fund so much of the association, I doubt he would’ve ever been accepted into the academy. Plus, don’t forget about all the planets they’ve generously offered to supply with goods,” he says with sarcasm. They aren’t strangers to the fact that the Locke’s have a long-standing reputation within the association in many ways, good and bad.

Renn nods his head in agreement. “You’re not wrong. I’m tired of all the politics. If you ask me, they’re starting to intervene too much with the association.”

Nate hums in agreement, jumping out of the chair and stretching his arms over his head. “Well, you’ll have to tell me how it goes later. I don’t want to talk to him if I don’t have to.”

“I envy you, and I will.”

“See you later, Renn,” Nate says, letting out a small chuckle before leaving the office and shutting the door behind him.

Alone once again, Renn gazes out the window at the endless universe for a few more seconds before returning to his desk. He runs a hand through his short hair before placing his elbows onto the desk, interlocking his fingers so he can rest his chin on top of them.

No more than thirty seconds later, there’s a single knock on the cabin door.

“Come in,” Renn calls out, and the visitor steps inside, no urgency in his steps—practically dragging his feet.

Colin Locke’s black hair and cold, dark eyes make him appear nothing short of menacing. He’s one of those men who thrives on being the alpha. He revels in putting people down because he’s stronger; it makes him feel good. There is no question as to why he pursued a career in combat, and there were many times over the years when Renn questioned his tactics. Locke has a reputation, and not a good one as far as Renn is concerned. He’s aggressive and brutal. Unfortunately, he carries other characteristics that make him very good for his type of work. He’s strong, determined, and skilled in what he does.

It doesn’t happen a lot, but not every encounter on these missions are friendly. The main goal of Locke’s team is mostly protection for the crew, but Colin and members of his team often find excuses to involve themselves with negotiations on other planets, and they rarely end well. It’s why Renn personally requested that Locke was on his crew. It isn’t because he likes working with the man, it’s to keep an eye on him. And over the past year, Locke has pretty much behaved himself.

“Hello, Lieutenant Locke. Please take a seat.” Renn gestures to the chair Nate was sitting in earlier. Locke still says nothing as he strolls over and sits. His uniform is a dark green—Head Lieutenants wear green, while the rest of the crew mostly wear black and gray—and he has a gun strapped to his hip. “First things first, is there anything you want to discuss with me before we dive into your report?”

Locke’s emotionless face looks at Renn’s, shaking his head once in response. Renn is used to this behavior from Colin; there’s a mutual understanding that they don’t like each other, so they keep their relationship strictly business.

“Alright then. I looked through your report, and everything looked pretty standard, but I did have one question.”

Locke crosses his arms in front of him before letting out a cold, “And?”

Renn makes note of the arrogant tone but goes on like it doesn’t bother him. “I saw that you requested an additional ten security officers. Why?”

Locke’s eyes narrow, challenging Renn to balk, but he holds his gaze, undeterred. “We are getting further into deep space. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to have some extra support in case we encounter something hostile.”

Renn leans back in his chair, not surprised in the slightest at the response, but thinks for a moment on how to react without being condescending. “We haven’t had any issues this last year.”

Locke seems to puff out his chest as he narrows his gaze at his captain. “As you are aware, Captain, you never know what can happen out here.”

Another challenge. Renn could tell him “no” and it would be the end of it—his orders are final. But he still has two years working with Locke, and he doesn’t want the rest of their time together to be miserable if it doesn’t have to be.

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