“Captain?”

“Yes” the captain finally answered, coming back to his senses and shaking his head. He could barely hear the young lieutenant over the emergency sirens blaring from every direction.

“Orders, Captain…?” the lieutenant asked, bordering on panic. In truth, the whole ship was teetering that line. 

The captain looked around, still in semi-shock. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Staring out of the observation window on the bridge, he only wondered. Wondered of their mission, and how it could go so exceptionally wrong. He trusted everyone on his ship. Everyone. He screened them and met with every single one himself. He knew, KNEW, each one would give his or her life before letting this mission fail. He knew… Or so he thought. 

One person. Just one. She led them into the hands of the three star ships hovering, weapons loaded and locked, before the captain and his crew of 874. Correction. 873. One no longer belonged to them. 

Closing his eyes he spoke softly, but directly, to his lieutenant. “Abandon ship.”

The lieutentant eyes widened with awareness and despair. Letting the severity of their ship’s situation sink in, he didn’t move. He only waited, hoping, for the Captain to elaborate, or change his mind.

The Captain opened his eyes, and without looking over to his young lieutentant, nodded, silently repeating his orders. As he walked toward the observation window of the bridge, of his ship, he heard his orders echoed from the lieutenant behind him.

“Abandon ship! Abandon ship!” he shouted, then looking to his captain he stated with sorrow “abandon ship.” His voice hinting with goodbye.

The bridge flew to near mayhem. With more, louder, sirens now screaming, everyone made their way quickly, but sadly, to the lower half of the star ship. Once loaded, it would detach from the bridge, sleeping quarters, and other sub-compartments, set straight to autopilot, and head for the nearest, allied, landing station.

“Lieutenant…” the Captain called, calmly.

“Yes, Captain?” he answered, with obvious hope.

“Before you board the escape sector, bring me the first communications officer. I need a quick word with her.”

Eyes dropping, dissappointed, the lieutenant replied “aye, Captain” and followed the others out.

With the bridge completely deserted, the Captain walked the room. She was the best ship he’d ever commanded, and he hated to see her go down like this. But, he be damned if his entire crew were to be lost. They had wives, husbands and families. His family and life was this ship. He always planned to end when she did. Nodding, again, he knew his decision was the right one. “Yes” he said softly, gliding his hands over the control panel, nostalgically. 

“You wanted to see me, Captain?” a soft, feminine voice asked.

“Yes, officer. Do come in” he answered, almost smiling.

The young woman walked toward him. She held her head high, but the rest of her was trembling.

With the Captain’s hands still gracing the control panel, they heard the lieutenant’s voice encircle them.

“Captain” he said. “The escape sector awaits you and the officer. Other than that, we’re ready for detach and departure.”

This time, the smile broke through as the Captain ordered “You are clear for detach and departure, Lieutenant.”

“But, Captain!” the lieutenant begged. “That’s nothing but an old tradition! You don’t have to-”

“You’re right. It is an old tradition. One that will be honored. I’m doing what needs to be done, as is your responsibility… Captain.”

There was a brief silence from the young man. Nothing was heard, save blaring alarms.

“Aye, sir” the new Captain finally said. 

“God speed, Captain” 

“God speed. Detaching now.”

“Wait!” the officer said lunging herself at the control panel.

“It’s too late… Communications are severed once they’re detached” he told her.

“But, what about me?!” she asked.

“ I decided that if the Captain is going down with his ship… Her traitor should as well…”