House of Cards

[Akhetaten]

[LNS-Akhetaten, Captain's Quarters, 07-09-828 A.S.]

The atmosphere within the bridge of the Akhetaten had not been a pleasurable one the past few days and every officer was well aware of it, none of them however addressing the elephant in the room. That was until the warship's CO, Captain Mary Uhmen, called the flag officer, Christopher Edwards, to her quarters.

"So what's it gonna be, Chris? For how long will this story keep up?" She spoke as she shut the door behind them, taking a seat at a previously pulled-out chair in front of a glass table positioned at the center of the quarters. She crossed her legs and took a glance at the contents of the table; a half-empty bottle of whiskey and a small glass. She pointed towards the opposing chair with her eyes. Christopher sat down, sighing.

The Commodore's conduct over the past few months had been questionable at best and traitorous at worst in many regards, including but not limited to his friendships with the Auxesia and the Vagrants. Uhmen had given him time, hoping that he'd realize what he was doing was not correct.. She was beginning to believe, however, that her hope was misplaced.


"Uhmen, may I remind you of your position and rank within this warship? The least you can do is call me sir." Christopher replied with a tone that sounded more disappointed than it did annoyed, looking into the CO's eyes. It was immediately evident that Uhmen was everything but happy with the flag officer's response.

The sound of silence echoed in the chambers as Mary rubbed her eyes with her right hand, while at the same time taking ahold of the bottle of whiskey with her left, filling half of a small glass' worth of the liquid and taking a gentle sip.

"Edwards, they've had enough of your ****." She leans forward, un-crossing her legs and hitting the glass table with her right fist in anger.

"Sheer called you a coward under his breath the other day," Uhmen begun speaking again, her speech evidently covered in anger, "Ferrel's having second thoughts on the job he picked," she continued, pausing for a few seconds as she looked away in disgust.

"Matthews hesitates to hop on the god damn radio and what do you do?" She looked back towards the Commodore.

"I-" Christopher is interrupted by Mary's left fist hitting the table. "You have Watson take over as you go out on dates with ******* Revenant. -That's- what you do." She leans back into her chair, the tension and anger being visible on the expression covering her face.

"Don't," Mary interrupts Chris yet again, catching him about to start speaking with the corner of her eye, "I don't care what you have to say." Her voice sounded cold, almost emotionless; a complete turn from the anger that followed her every syllable just moments earlier. An unnerving silence followed.


"I'm going back to the bridge. Good day, ``Commodore``." Mary continued, breaking the silence while getting up from her chair and exiting the quarters, closing the door behind her. The sarcasm was evident in her earlier tone.

Christopher was breathing slowly, his eye fixed on the half-empty glass Uhmen had left behind.


Yet his thoughts were at everything but the glass.