4. What Will You Do, Boy?

4. What will you do, boy?

 

“Wow.” William said as he came out onto the bridge.

 The bridge was a large square room, thirty feet high and two hundred feet long. Its size complemented its magnificence, because the walls and ceiling weren’t built of steel or wood. No, the walls were completely clear, opaque, transparent.

Indeed, it appeared as a room made of glass, though the material was many thousands of times stronger.

            And the more magnificent: through it, the incredulous boys gazed out at the magnificence of space.

 Billions of stars gleamed above them. the Blood Nebula seemed to pulse to their racing hearts. And the bright orb that was their home floated below, a sleeping giant, it seemed.

            After a few moments in awe, Mathaias attention shifted to his true purpose: floating in orbit directly in front of the station, though hard to directly make out against space, was a dark red battleship.
            “Whoa. Dude, you were right. It’s the same ship...”

            “Things do get pretty unbelievable when you’re dealing with him.”  Mathaias whispered, reffering to the man in whose presence they stood.

             He had turned to face them the moment they entered the room.

            Captain Doreau was a tall, broad shouldered, dark skinned man. His hair was dark and long, and it ran down to his shoulders like a shadow. His dark blue uniform and brooding gaze made Mathaias shiver a bit.

            “Boys,” he remarked quickly, “are not allowed on the bridge.”

            “Can you make an exception, sir? I need to ask you something.”

            “Bold, aren’t you, boy? Make it swift. I’m in the middle of something rather important.”

            Mathaias hesitated, then said,

            “I’ve lived here my whole life, and I have never actually felt afraid. I’ve lived a normal life so far, really.”

            “And your question is…?”

            “But recently, there’s a lot of things that are kind of making me nervous, Captain. To put it more bluntly, I’m frightened.”

            “Get on with your question, boy.”

            “I will. But first, I need to point out some things that I’ve noticed. First, I can hear space planes being tested. We’re a peaceable colony. It doesn’t make sense that there would be space planes here, yet I hear them through my vents every night.”

            “So you come here complaining because you can’t sleep? Detestable, boy.”

            Mathaias returned the Commander’s steel gaze.

William, to Mathaias’ side, shifted his weight back and forth.

            “Ummm…dude?” He said.

            “Let me finish, William. Second, Captain, I’ve seen the artillery on the side of the colony from the observation deck.”

            The commander glared at them, silently, with angry eyes.

            “Third, and most obvious. There’s a ship outside. I don’t have to mention that. What worries me is something else.

            “We thought it was a cargo ship; we were told that yesterday.”

            “I was coming to that, William.”

            “That’s true, boy.” The commander stepped towards the boys, then began to circle around them, slowly. “What of it? Why does it make you afraid?” Doreau said angrily.

            “It makes me afraid, commander, because that isn’t a cargo ship.”

            “Dude, sir-dude?” William said, shaking, “You should see what this kid does in his spare time. He reads, like, everything. News from the planet, poetry, science fiction, stories, and technology books. He’s got this one here-“

            “Won’t you stop butting in, idiot?” Doreau snapped.

            “Yes, William, stop.”

            “But-“

            “Stop.”

            William groaned his irritation and watched Doreau silently.

            “Though Will does have a point. I have this book, and it has a technical chapter on a particular ship.” Mathaias held up the book and opened it to the “cargo” ship’s page.

            Doreau had circled around and was now in front of the boys. His eyebrows furrowed as he saw the ship on the page.

            “Only this ship, in the book, isn’t a cargo ship. It’s a warship. Now, I notice that this ship on the page and the ship outside are awfully similar. They look like the same ship. Actually, they are.”

            “Boy, I ask you again, spit out your question or get to the point. I’m getting tired of this.”

            “Yeah, dude, this is getting weird.”

            “William.” He remarked shortly.

            “Sorry.”

            “My question: why do all these things point to the preparation for some sort of fight between a group of civilians and a warship? It doesn’t make sense.”

            Doreau stopped in front of the boys. All the tension suddenly left his frame and he laughed.

            “Dude…” William said, quietly, as he squirmed.

            Mathaias remained impassive,

            “That’s my question. I won’t leave until I know.”

            The commander’s laughter halted slowly as he tried to contain his gaiety, or derision. He eventually stopped, but he grinned at the two nervous young people before him.

            “Gee…” William spouted nervously, “We must be pretty funny…”

            “Yes, you are quite entertaining, my young gentleman.” He said, heartily. His tone then became savage,

            “Entertaining though you may be, defeat me you won’t.”

             William began, “Defeat? So that is a-“

            “Were there any other clues as to my ‘intentions?’”

            “Yes. One more, really.”

            “Then tell me. I’d be delighted to hear.” Doreau crowed as he smiled. He stood with his hands behind his back.

            “This is the game point, Captain. I’ve asked you many other questions before this, no?”

            “Surely you have, boy.”

“Every time I’ve gone on about the things that I’ve been worried about, you respond as if you were mad. Furious, even.”

            “Have I now?”

            “Dude-“

            “Yes. As if, something that all the adults in the world couldn’t figure out, a14 year old kid did, and it-“ The commander finished Mathaias’ sentence, drawing the words out lightly.

            “-makes me angry.”

            “Seems so, Captain Doreau, sir.”

            “Mat you-“

            “Clever. Boy, you are unlike anyone that I’ve ever met in my life. You see things and know things that others have no inkling of.” He smiled as he spoke, cheerily, as if he were complementing Mathaias.

“Even among adults, boy, you’d make a fantastic spy, or a statesman.”
Mat remained silent, staring stolidly at Doreau.

“Knowing that-“

“Dude!” William interrupted loudly. Don’t you see his hands he’s got-“

“A weapon. You’re both incredibly perceptive.” He revealed a pistol from behind his back, pointing it at Mathaias.

“So I was right all along?” Mathaias stood aghast.

“You were. Here now comes an end to your triflings!” He laughed, “What will you do, boy?”
”Dude!” William exclaimed, and stepped between Mathaias and Doreau, facing Mathaias.

“Run. I believe everything. Go and find someone!”

“Insolent child!”

Doreau knocked William on the side of the head. William fell instantly, but Mathaias was already fleeing towards the door.
He burst into the Elevator that went down into the ship, and the doors slid shut.
            “Who should I run to?” He thought, quickly. He stood in the elevator, outwardly composed, inwardly panicking.
            Another few moments in the elevator.
            “Who do I trust?”

            Another few moments.
            “There’s only one person that I can go to now. I have to calm down and get there.” As the elevator neared it’s destination, he breathed calmly, intentionally
            “How could I forget? I’m a fool for panicking. We have a plan…I just never thought I’d have to put it to action.”

            The elevator doors opened, and Mathaias burst out, running for his life.