Page 73 of The Darkest Parts of Me

“You’ll be fine, sir. Just let us get you to safety.” Renn recognizes the voice of Officer Johnson. Once they are finally away from the explosion, the captain gazes around the room to see several members of his crew, including Nate. “Captain, what’s going on?” Johnson asks as someone else undoes the cuffs from their hands.

“Did you not hear the announcement from Admiral Grey?” Renn asks, trying to clear his throat the best he can.

“We did, sir,” another officer speaks up. He turns to face Officer Kent as she steps forward. “But we knew something wasn’t right. Locke instructed us to remain in our cabins, but we saw them take you and Officer Hayden, and we knew we had to do something.” The captain doesn’t know if he should laugh or cry, but as he looks around at the crew members, he feels an overwhelming sense of pride. “They are contained on the bridge for the moment, but not for long,” Officer Kent adds.

Everyone looks at Aldrenn. “Tell us your order, Captain, and it will be done.”

Each and every one of them, including Nate, waits for his command.

“I don’t know any other way to get out of this alive. If you do what the admiral says, you will be spared.” They look at each other.

“But why, sir? What has happened?” a female officer, whose name is Alisha, asks.

They all look at him with trusting eyes. At this point, they are already out of time, so lying to them won’t change anything. He tells them the truth as transparently as he can in the short time that they have left. “Lieutenant Hayden and I learned of some illegal activities happening across the galaxy. We confirmed Admiral Grey and Lieutenant Locke are involved, but there are many others.” The crew members look at each other wide-eyed then back to him.

As if on cue, the tone indicating a message sounds through the ship one again. “Attention: Crew of the Seraphim. This is Lieutenant Colin Locke. Those of you involved in aiding Captain Anton and Lieutenant Hayden will receive the same fate as they will unless you return them immediately to the bridge. For the rest of the crew, remain where you are and await further orders from Admiral Grey.” The message ends, leaving them solemn, a few of them have tears in their eyes. Renn smiles, trying to reassure them, but he knows it won’t change what is happening.

“Thank you for your courage. Each of you. All I ask is that you help the rest of the crew remain calm. We don't have much of a choice until we can find out who we can trust.”

For a few seconds, no one moves or speaks until Officer Johnson stands up straight and salutes the captain. “It’s been an honor, sir.”

One by one, they all follow suit, even Nate.

“Thank you.” His voice breaks for a moment. “Now, return to your stations.”

They file out of the room until it’s only Renn and Nate. Renn types on his wrist device to broadcast to the entire ship, then lifts it to his mouth to speak. “Attention: Crew. This is the last time I will be speaking to you as your captain. It has been my honor to serve with you, but in light of the current circumstances, things have changed. I ask you to not panic. This will be my last command. Stay strong. Goodspeed. Anton out.” There is a moment of finality after he speaks. He can feel it to his very bones.

“Let’s go,” Renn says. They walk out into the ship corridors where some crew members are lingering, but Renn pays them no mind, instead facing ahead. It’s the only way he can manage to keep his expression neutral. Locke is waiting for them outside the bridge, a new pair of handcuffs in hand.

“The admiral has arrived. Let’s move.” Locke waits for his team to detain them again before they make their way to the transport vessel taking them to the admiral’s ship. No one says a word, but Locke keeps his eyes on Renn, a smirk on his face during the few minutes it takes for them to disembark the transport onto the Zenith—the admiral’s ship. Renn knows he’s enjoying this, mostly because he finally has what he’s always wanted: an advantage over him after being second for so many years in all aspects. They are taken directly to the bridge where the admiral lounges in his chair like it is any other day.

“Ah, there you are, Aldrenn.” Renn searches his face for any signs of the man he thought he knew. The last time he saw him in person, he was pinning a captain’s pin to his uniform at his induction ceremony. He wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t experienced it first hand. Nate is placed next to him, both forced back onto their knees, holding back grimaces as they practically shove them down. “Now, let’s not beat around the bush. Where are the files, Aldrenn? I thought we decided to do this the easy way.” Renn feels Nate shift slightly beside him.

“Ensure the crew will not be harmed, and then I’ll tell you where the files are.”

Nate is looking at him now, but he keeps his eyes on the admiral.

“You are not in the position to make demands. Tell me. Now.”

Renn holds his glare, his mind working out what he can do, but Nate interrupts his thoughts. “I have them!” Nate shouts.

Renn turns to him, his face etched in disbelief. Grey nods to Locke, and he pulls Nate onto his feet and begins searching his jacket until he finds the small photon drive.

“Locke, if you would.” Colin shoves Nate back to the ground before placing the drive on the admiral’s console, and immediately, the files appear. “Very good. Thank you, Lieutenant Hayden. At least one of you has some good sense.” Nate gives Renn a quick glance before turning back to the admiral, and Renn doesn’t see defeat, but rather a mischievousness in his dark eyes. He has a plan. Renn’s anxiousness eases a little, knowing he should have never doubted him.

“Okay, you have what you want. Now let the crew go. Let them return to Earth unharmed.” The admiral scans Renn’s face for a moment, pursing his lips in thought. Every second that passes makes Renn more unstable.

“Officer Green.”

A man stands, bringing his attention fully to the admiral. “Yes, sir?”

Without taking his gaze off Renn, he gives the order. “Set all weapons on the Seraphim. Fire on my command.”

“NO!” Renn hurls forward only to be punched in the stomach again, dropping him to the ground. Instead of being dragged back up onto his feet, Locke holds him down, only allowing him to turn his head. The officer doesn’t so much as flinch at the order. Neither do any of his crew sitting at their stations. They must all be in on it.

“You son of a bitch!” Nate struggles beside him, seething, trying to break loose. “We gave you what you asked for!” he yells.

“And how do I know you didn’t tell anyone else on your crew what you found, hmm?” Grey says as he stands to move closer. “Locke filled me in on your attempted escape. I told you to follow my orders and no one would get hurt.”

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