Emerald Flight: Season Two: Hawkes (continued)

“If you wish.”

His response seemed to definitely annoy the colonel. Hawkes’ expression remained even and bland. There was no evidence that he was attempting to suppress any trace of impudence.

Halston did not bother to hide his annoyance. “I am asking you, Lieutenant,” he snapped, but managing to keep his voice low enough not to echo within the confines of the office pod.

Hawkes’ voice remained calm. “I did not wish to pursue those opportunities at that time.”

Halston’s stare became one of suspicion. “Opportunities like that are what our careers are made from,” he asserted. His eyes narrowed as his suspicious frown deepened. “Or do you plan to stay a Lieutenant forever?”

“No, sir.”

There was nothing even faintly deferential or apologetic in Hawkes’ tone. Still, Halston seemed satisfied by his response.

“Well, think about it,” he told Hawkes. “The Powell won’t be shipping out again for at least a week.”

“Yes, sir.”

Haltson studied Hawkes for a moment, apparently both mystified and frustrated that he had been unable to read the man.

“That’s all, Lieutenant,” he said formally. “You’re dismissed.”

Hawkes rose, his posture hardly shifting from its rigid pose. He saluted Halston and then exited, leaving Halston shaking his head slowly behind him.

#

Hawkes paused in the corridor, reflecting on his conversation with the colonel.

The offer was not without its merits. The Powell and its crew were both well-regarded within the fleet. Serving as the Executive Officer position there would be a coveted posting for most officers. A full-sized battle cruiser, it was many times larger than the Emerald Flight had been—and with a correspondingly larger crew to match. He would be spending far more of his time on administrative duties and far less of it actually performing tactical duties, except when they were in actual combat.

Although he was not a man driven by intuition, something felt wrong about the posting. There was nothing that he could readily define; no conclusion based on facts. There was much that he did not know about capabilities of the ship and its personnel, but the information—most of it anyway—was available to him.

The colonel had given him a week to make up his mind. Hawkes intended to use that time wisely.