* * *
The entire time the Gorsbee was offloading its cargo of Marines and supplies, the head medical officer had been begging Captain Buetra Sega to assist in taking the wounded back to PrasiaOdous. “There are insufficient facilities here to care for all the critical needs patients. If you don’t help, many will die!”
The captain argued, “My orders are to join the fleet, which is also under attack and in desperate need of help. You will have to care for these people yourself.” He turned to his bridge officer. “When the Marines have departed, secure the ship for takeoff.”
Frantic, the medical officer clutched hold of the captain’s shirt and snarled, “You’ll be responsible for the murder of these people! And I’ll make sure the world knows what you’ve done here!”
The captain’s face flushed red. He shook his hand at the medical officer. “Major! I’ll…” He paused, looking around at his crew.
From all eyes came the message ‘we must help our brothers’.
There comes a time in an officer’s life when orders must be disobeyed. The captain glanced down at his hard-won braids and then sighed, “Do as you see fit, Major. I’ll be in my cabin when you’re ready.”