The Force of Temptation - Chapter One, Page Two

Malcolm woke up early like normal to do his rounds. He always liked to keep things rather orderly, and continue to have a strong presence in the day to day operations of the ship, despite not really feeling needed as they maintained the status quo. He could already hear his first officer, Commander Alex Dryerson, in his mind, as he repeated the morning briefing almost exactly the same each day.

Taking out an old fashioned straight blade razor that his wife had given him before he left, he was reminded of why he was on this mission. It wasn’t about saving the whole world to him, but instead, just saving his wife, Samantha, and his eight year old daughter, Lili. He wanted to give them a better place to live. They were still back on Earth in one of the Savior Center domes in southern Alaska, both waiting for him to return home with good news.

He looked at himself in the mirror. He had gained a little bit of weight since leaving, something that he decided he would rectify. Malcolm had a very boring, and simple daily schedule that left huge blocks of time he could use for exercising, if he just chose to motivate himself and do so.

Scraping the small stubble from his face, he contemplated his day. He tried to stay positive, and thought about how close they must be getting to some planets by now. They had surveyed very few thus far, and each time had been unable to find the various elements they were looking for in any vast quantity.

He focused, once again on his daughter and wife, and though about sending them a message today. The delay would be nearly two months and cost them many credits to respond, but he missed his family, and needed to feel connected to them in some way to keep his mission relevant in his heart and mind.

Finishing shaving, Malcolm put on his uniform. It was tight, which would be uncomfortable to most, but felt secure to him. It also made him feel like a new man. It gave him focus, drive and even changed what people would say was the air about him. He slouched less in uniform, he was much less chatty, and he was all about doing his job. It got to the point where junior officers would avoid him while in uniform, and converse with him only when he was in his standard wear.

Walking to the exit of his quarters, he looked around his room quickly to make sure there was nothing misplaced or forgotten. He grabbed his tablet, a small portable computer interface that gave him statistics on the ship, as well as the current shift roster, and other important details. There were no messages waiting for him, but that was entirely normal at this point.

His room was small at only twelve feet by fifteen feet, though everyone else on the ship had to share a room with at least one other person, and it wasn’t much larger than this. It was a place to sleep, read, or relax.

Leaving his quarters, he started down the hall, he looked at his tablet, despite not needing to as various officers rushed by him. Malcolm felt that a good Captain had to maintain a certain separation from their crew, and that is the environment he had created. It felt lonely sometimes, but it also kept him focused on his goal. Entering the main transport tube, he waited to arrive on the bridge. He quickly looked over the names of those on duty, and realized he would be running into the Commander.

“Seems like it is going to be a good day,” he said leaving the transport tube and entering the bridge.

Commander Dryerson looked over at Malcolm and smiled. “Coffee?” With a cup already in hand outreached, the Captain grabbed it and inhaled the intoxicating aroma. The coffee hadn’t come from a bean, instead it was synthetic, but the smell was still entirely enjoyable.

Sitting in his chair near the back of the bridge, the Captain docked his tablet to the arm of his chair.