Page 6 of Uprooted
That gets the result I was hoping for. The slouchers sit up straight, the sleepy ones perk up, and those talking give me their undivided attention.
“We’re going to try something a little different. I’m going to offer up the best post, and you all are going to try and convince me that you deserve it.”
Most captains would just give out assignments and move on with their day. For some reason Commander Rialto lets me have a little fun here and there. And I can’t pass up any opportunity to break up the monotony of the day.
“You can cut my hair.” Bennet is the first to speak up.
“Bennet coming in hot, ready to give up his boyish good looks so he can sleep in. That’s gonna be hard to beat. Who else?” I scan the room, looking for the next offer.
“I’ll clean your bunk every morning and bring you breakfast,” Viktor says.
“Oh, and here’s Viktor going in the opposite direction, I’m not about to hinge my mornings on your culinary skills. I’ve seen what you eat for breakfast. Disqualified.”
“You can have half of my overtime credits!” I hear from the back of the room.
“Paying for a post? That is called a bribe. You’re out. I’m leaning towards Bennet. Anyone else out there willing to sacrifice their dignity? Tai? You look like you’re overdue for a haircut.”
Tai twitches his ear at me. The rude gesture is the only acknowledgement that he heard me.
“I’ll take three of your shifts,” Locke offers.
“Very tempting… Any three?” I clarify.
“Any three.” Locke leans back in his chair and props his feet up on the desk. He lifts an eyebrow, the one with a scar right through the center, as he scans the room, daring anyone to outbid him for the post. He's mastered the art of intimidation, never giving us an answer for how he got the scar through his brow, along with the half-moon-shaped scar on his cheek below it. Everyone around him avoids eye contact. Bennet looks especially defeated.
Locke's offer appeals to me the most, but I really can’t pass up the opportunity to mess with Bennet. We all win if he lets me give him a cut. Well, everyone except Bennet.
“Tough choice, but I’ve got to go with the sheers. Bennet, congratulations—First Watch Sergeant.”
“Okay, enough of that,” Commander Rialto says and relieves me of the podium. “The humans assigned to MuraDome IV will be arriving in the next EM. It’s our job to make sure everyone is safe, follows the rules, and it’s out of our pay grade to determine what happens next.”
“One last thing,” Deputy Petrok says. “In an act of solidarity, the Council has asked us to adjust our dietary options to match the humans.”
“What does that mean?” Tai asks.
“It means we’re eating noodles, boys.” No one dares to complain about this in front of the commanders, but I know I’m going to hear about it later.
Everyone thumps the desk with their palms in unison, acknowledging his instructions. The announcement of our new visitors makesmy mind wander back to the treaty reception on Earth. Throughout the entire night my eyes kept wandering back to a woman. I watched the way she would duck her head every time someone would congratulate her. She held onto her champagne glass like it was a lifeline. Some unknown part of me needed to go stand next to her, to shield her. Clearly the man following her around like a lost quinstak wasn’t providing her any support. Before I could go introduce myself to her, she disappeared.
“There will be no fraternizing with the humans. You will not discuss your personal beliefs on matters of interplanetary policy. You will not bring in outside contraband. The humans will be restricted to MuraDome IV. That all being said, they are not our prisoners. Be accommodating and make sure they feel welcomed. And most importantly of all, don’t fuck this up.”
The room erupts the moment Rialto steps out from behind the podium. “Aro, with me,” he orders.
I follow him into his office and he sits down at his desk, leaving me standing while he settles into his chair.
“You obviously knew about this prior to today.”
“I did, sir.”
“You know how important this treaty is for us. I expect you to keep everyone in line,” Rialto says.
“Will do, sir.”
“Our top priority is making sure we uphold our end of the treaty. If we lose Earth as allies, we’re vulnerable. Make sure the humans get what they need. The sooner they finish their research, the sooner they can get back to Earth.”
“Understood.”
“Now go make Bennet earn his post.”
