I'm still working on the dynamics of the relationships after Chell's outburst. Here's a rough version. ------------------------------
“Do you really want to end it like this?” asked the Admiral, his eyes hard and cold as ice.
The First Officer was still on his knees beside Adrian. His eyes lowered and his head bowed. The courage of a moment ago had not failed him, but he accepted the authority of the man over him. “If that is your wish, sir.”
“You think what I’m doing is wrong?”
“I think,” Chell hesitated, the torrent of words and feelings had passed, leaving him to try to understand what had prompted it and why. “There are better ways than trying to hurt people. You said it earlier, sir. You understood why the Lieutenant would hate people. It’s because of what they’ve done to him. How can he not hate them? But he’s strong too. Like you. He refuses to give up who he is just because people find it inconvenient that he has a will of his own. ”
Silence descended as they stared at each other. There was no ship outside full of people, only the three of them facing a moment of truth.
Adrian said, “Do you really think I will do what you want without being forced?”
Chell looked down at him. “I think you’re both smart enough to find a way. You’re both Firsters after all.”
“If I didn’t know any better, Chell,” said the Admiral. “I'd think you were trying to manipulate us.”
And so the two Firsters close ranks against the non-Firster! Still, Chell seems bright enough to deal with that. I bet he does manage to broker a compromise.
Go, Chell! You have a revolutionary idea, but sadly I don't think a tortured and abused crew will respond properly when command has maltreated them up till now; the change of mind won't be trusted. Perhaps someone new like Chell could take over.
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“Do you really want to end it like this?” asked the Admiral, his eyes hard and cold as ice.
The First Officer was still on his knees beside Adrian. His eyes lowered and his head bowed. The courage of a moment ago had not failed him, but he accepted the authority of the man over him. “If that is your wish, sir.”
“You think what I’m doing is wrong?”
“I think,” Chell hesitated, the torrent of words and feelings had passed, leaving him to try to understand what had prompted it and why. “There are better ways than trying to hurt people. You said it earlier, sir. You understood why the Lieutenant would hate people. It’s because of what they’ve done to him. How can he not hate them? But he’s strong too. Like you. He refuses to give up who he is just because people find it inconvenient that he has a will of his own. ”
Silence descended as they stared at each other. There was no ship outside full of people, only the three of them facing a moment of truth.
Adrian said, “Do you really think I will do what you want without being forced?”
Chell looked down at him. “I think you’re both smart enough to find a way. You’re both Firsters after all.”
“If I didn’t know any better, Chell,” said the Admiral. “I'd think you were trying to manipulate us.”
“I wouldn’t dare, sir.”
Adrian said, “You would.”
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