“Tomas,” Zac said.
“Zac.” Tomas’ smile was amiable as he stood to greet Zac. The two warriors clasping forearms and leaning close to touch their foreheads together, smiling. Tomas turned to greet T’arq with the more formal fist to chest, which was returned with the addition of a nod.
“I’m guessing you have orders for us?” Zac asked.
“Zac,” Tomas began, “how much do you know about humans?”
Zac’s brows drew together in thought, “Only what I know from that mission to pick up Oren Ka’Ress from Earth a few weeks ago. Why?”
Tomas leaned back in his chair and pursed his lips. Ignoring Zac’s question, he asked another of his own, “You passed the physical tests for combat. Are you ready for a new assignment?”
Zac’s face slipped into a well-practised blank mask, at odds with his racing heart. After being forced to watch while starship after starship headed into battle with the Xakul, was he finally getting what he wanted?
“I’ve been ready for weeks, Tomas.”
The starship captain’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded, handing a tablet to Zac.
Taking the device, Zac quickly glanced through the communication. “What is this?” Confused, he flicked through the pages.
“It seems pretty obvious to me, Zac.”
It detailed his new orders. Zac re-read the communication, more slowly this time. This was not what he had expected.
T'arq cleared his throat, obviously curious and, unable to hold himself back, asked, “What's the news?”
Zac passed him the tablet. “See for yourself. It looks like we’re not going anywhere near a battlefield. We’re going to betraininghumans so they can battle the Xakul themselves.”
T'arq’s eyebrows shot up. “What? This has to be a joke, right?”
Zac scowled. “They can choose someone else. I won't do this.” Zac took the tablet from T’arq and tried to hand it back to Tomas, who refused to take it, hands held up, palms facing out.
“They said you might try to decline. Why do you think they asked you, Zac? We’re stretched pretty thin right now.”
Zac released a string of expletives. Just what he needed, a mission that was a glorified babysitting gig.
“Look,” Tomas said. “We’re here at the space station for a week while we complete some routine repairs. Take some time tonight to get used to the idea before you meet up with the humans. They’re due to arrive tomorrow. Despite what you think, this is an important mission. If we’re to have any hope of finally eliminating the scourge of the galaxy, we need as many trained humans as we can get. And you, my friend, know more about this than anyone.” With that, Tomas left the bridge, leaving Zac and T’arq behind.
Fuck.
T’arq slapped him on the back, and Zac turned to look at his friend.
“Zac, this could be just what you need.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s time for you to get back to work. Whether you like it or not, this might be perfect for you right now. You think I missed the way you hesitated in those firing drills?”
Zac grimaced, remembering the recent laser pistol scores that had been some of the worst in his career. He was still a skilled marksman, but was performing well below his usual high standard. According to the doctors, he should be physically as capable as he was before the injuries. It was his confidence that had taken a hit. T’arq was right. Nothing but practice and time would fix that.
His friend continued, “Besides, we need to train them in weaponry and battle tactics, and we’re experts at that, right?”
Zac knew it was now or never. If he didn’t take this mission, who knew where he would end up? There was a very good chance he would be relegated to some desk job—likely on some backwards planet in the outer reaches—that he would hate.
T’arq smiled reassuringly. “What better way to prove that you’re ready to get back into the fight? It’s perfect!”
Zac scowled. He sure hoped T’arq was right.
* * *
