Emerald Flight: Season Two: Hawkes

“Come in, Lieutenant,” Colonel Ralston told Hawkes, sparing just a momentary glance toward the hatchway.

A young and thin Lieutenant in command-level colors waited while Ralston read over and approved a handful of orders. He set two of the sheets aside, evidently to read in more details later.

“That should do it, Shaun,” he told the young lieutenant. The young man gathered the remaining sheets and tablets into a neat stack, saluted, and exited the office, closing the hatch behind him.

Ralston walked back behind his desk, picked up another tablet, but did not sit down. The colonel was, Hawkes judged, about his own age, within five years or so on either side. Old enough to have seen some action

“Thank you for coming, Lieutenant . . .” he hesitated, glancing down at the tablet, “Hawkes.”

Hawkes remained standing at attention. The customary greeting did not seem to warrant a response. Ralston studied the tablet again for a moment, glanced up at Hawkes when he realized that the lieutenant had not responded, raised his eyebrows slightly in bemused surprise, and then turned his attention back to the contents of the tablet.

“Have a seat, Lieutenant,” Ralston offered absently, still studying the tablet display.

Hawkes sat down in the chair nearest the now-closed hatch. He retained his rigid posture, giving the impression that, even while sitting, he was still at full attention. His hands rested lightly in his lap while he waited for the colonel to speak.

Ralston looked up from the tablet, studying Hawkes’ face. “I have an opportunity for you, Lieutenant.” When Hawkes did not react immediately, he went on. “The Powell is looking for a Chief Tactical Officer,” he told Hawkes. “She’s not exactly state-of-the-art, but she packs quite a wallop nonetheless.”

Hawkes watched Ralston as the colonel paced slowly behind his desk. The colonel seemed increasingly discomfited by Hawkes’ lack of response.

“Their Executive Officer is retiring after this mission,” Ralston explained. “It’d be quite an opportunity for you,” he went on. “With a corresponding promotion to Lieutenant Commander, of course.” The colonel gave him a quick, sincere smile.

Hawkes sat in silence while he considered the offer. Ralston seemed to grow impatient, doing only a mildly acceptable job of hiding it.

“I must decline, sir,” Hawkes said finally.

Ralston frowned. He glanced down at the tablet and then tapped it slowly against the palm of his hand.

“It says here that you’ve turned down promotions before?”

“Yes, sir.”

“May I ask why?”

Hawkes waited a moment before answering.