Page 8 of Farborn

His mouth gapes. “You can’t do that!”

“If you do not like what I am going to do, then you should have considered the full ramifications of your actions before behaving so recklessly with company time and personnel. An X-Kaffer isthelargest vessel we deal with, and youcannotshort personnel for berthing.”

I am…beyondangry. His actions reflect poorly onme, and on others in my crew, and I cannot tolerate that.

Anger is not an emotion I am used to feeling, and I do not like it when it grips my system.

I walk out of the control room and down the docking arm where the mining vesselPalmarian Rubayne, a gigantic cargo freighter, will be berthed upon its arrival.

I find Fullstein on duty, diligently manning the tractor control panel of the beam that is currently drawing the large vessel toward us. There is a control tower at the end of the station, which oversees and directs all berthing and departure activity, and manages the tugs that help guide the vessels in once they are closer.

“This is to inform you that, as of when I come back on duty in three days, you will be promoted to second-in-command for our crew. Please study the personnel handbook in the interim and be sure to notify me what additional training you shall require for your new duties.”

He looks up at me, his bushy grey eyebrows arching in apparent surprise. “What about La’loorn?”

I quickly detail what has happened, and he snorts in anger. “I knew that was a story he was giving me earlier.”

“What do you mean?”

“He told me you approved us being short-handed, and then I threatened to contact you myself if it wasn’t resolved immediately.”

“He did, did he?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.” Inside, my anger blossoms anew.

“If you play back the control room logs, the conversation should be there. This happened within minutes of me coming on shift two hours ago.”

“Thank you.” I return to the control room and La’loorn wheels around at my entrance, the blue now even deeper on his cheeks. He stands at the master console.

“Move,” I order.

“Wh-what are you doing back here?”

“Trying to control my temper.” I activate the biometric lock again and pull up the logs, playing them out loud and not through a headset.

The Shalfin’s face is a shade of deep blue by the time I hit the button to end the playback.

I stare at him, not speaking.

He finally breaks first. “I just want them tolikeme!”

“Your job is not about being liked. Your job is about berthing vessels. If you are incapable of performing those duties, then I suggest you find another line of work before you are terminated from this one.”

“But you can’t fire me!”

“I believe you are incorrect on that point. Especially after you have just falsified a statement to me, and I have it on record.”

“Please don’t fire me! I need this job! If I get terminated, I won’t be able to find another job on the station, and I don’t have enough money to move!”

I reach over to the intercom and page Fullstein at his console.

“Yes, Olarte?”

“You are officially promoted as of right now. I am sending La’loorn down to relieve you. Please report to the control office immediately.”

“Right away.”