Although the universe certainly is a little lonelier for it.
Chapter Four
Olarte
My sleep that night is more disturbed than it usually is after returning to the space station from the planet.
I am still upset by La’loorn’s actions.
The longer that I ponder his actions, the more the situationangersme.
This is not something that has happened before. I have never dealt with an incident like this among my crew. Everyone else on my team is reliable, diligent in their ways.
Alone in my bed, I stare at my darkened ceiling and replay the entire exchange in my mind and make sure I did not miss anything which would indicate I was at fault.
There is nothing. It is La’loorn who clearly violated our company’s guidelines.
I am incapable of understanding why La’loorn would act the way he did, and I am used to working with humans, who can sometimes prove temperamental, at times.
The events of today are unparalleled, however.
Dread fills me as I contemplate the disciplinary meeting in three days. I am sure La’loorn will cite a litany of excuses as to why he believes his behavior was justified.
The fact that I have Fullstein’s support is meaningful, to me. It means I am not alone in my thinking that La’loorn’s behavior is out of line.
My preference is not to bring this situation to my supervisor, if I can avoid it. I have earned this position through hard, diligent efforts, and do not wish to make my supervisor regret promoting me and giving me these duties.
As a result of these tumultuous thoughts, I sleep even more poorly than I usually do. By the next morning, I realize that I will need to deal with this issue sooner than I had anticipated, because otherwise, it will not leave my thoughts.
I use my handheld to log into the system and call up the work schedule. La’loorn is scheduled to work today. The X-Kaffer class cargo freighter did safely dock yesterday, and it looks like Fullstein got Bob and Bakely back to work as I instructed.
At least Fullstein is reasonably dependable. He has never exhibited any behaviors to make me believe he will fail to perform his duties adequately.
After consuming my breakfast, I dress in my uniform, including tunic, and make my way to the berthing sector control room. Fullstein is already on duty, a full hour earlier than required.
Needless to say, that eases my mind and confirms I made the correct decision by promoting him.
“You are not scheduled to be here today,” Fullstein says.
“I know. The events of yesterday still concern me. I wish to talk to La’loorn today instead of waiting.”
He scowls. “My apologies, but I have not prepared the staffing for this to occur today.”
I wave off his apology. “It is all right. This is unofficial, and more to ease my mind.”
We both turn at the sound of the control room door opening.
There stands La’loorn. His cheeks flush blue at seeing me standing next to Fullstein.
“I want to speak with you,” I tell him.
“B-before we do, p-please allow me to apologize,” he stammers, his gaze uncharacteristically downcast. “I was out of line. I-I have been going through some personal issues I have not and do not wish to discuss.”
That gives me pause. Everything about him speaks to this, from the sound of his voice to his very demeanor.
“Will this continue to be an issue with you performing your duties?” I finally ask.
He nods. “It will. That is why I would like to request an unpaid leave to deal with these issues.”
