Red Alert, Blue Eyes: The Fleet's New Master

BIIP BIIP BIIP—this is what woke the mere 20-year-old Arthur. When he opened his eyes, red filled his vision; it took him a second or two to grasp what was happening.Alert— he thought with complete calm. He sprang out of bed and immediately began dressing, pulling on his deep blue uniform, boots blacker than the night, and a snow-white belt. The entire process didn't take more than a few seconds. How could it have, when he had done it so many times before? Once finished, he looked out the window, through which he saw nothing but his own reflection. Not bad, he thought, seeing his own blonde hair and blue eyes flashing in the red light filling the room. But before he could lose himself in admiration of his own appearance, as he had so many times before, he saw something in the darkness: a red light streak."Hmm, someone really didn't want to be discovered. I almost feel sorry that they were stupid enough to attack this ship," he said out loud this time.Just then, he heard hurried footsteps from the other side of the door. He turned his head, and the door opened just as he did, without any prior warning."Lieutenant," came the panicked yet captivating voice.Arthur recognized her: it was Riley Verno, his right hand. Riley was a 23-year-old village girl who had joined the UEE because she wanted to explore the systems of the galaxy, other species, be they the peaceful Silicoids or the dreaded Chronoscopes. Her appearance, however, did not reflect a village life or the harsh military existence. In a word, she was beautiful. To human eyes, those long legs ending in a marvelous rear, like a professional volleyball player, and an even flatter stomach and wonderful, perfectly palm-sized breasts were even more eye-catching."They caught a spy who was just planting a bomb on the hyperdrive," she said between two deep breaths."Haah?" came the least intelligent response from Arthur."Doesn't that idiot know that if he detonates the drive in the middle of hyperspace, the ship will, at best, crash into a star, and at worst, the whole thing, including us, will turn into space dust?""He didn't have time to explain, sir. The guards tried to capture him, but they had to neutralize him.""Hmm, and that?" Arthur asked, pointing over his shoulder out the window, where fighters were currently battling."It was the captain's order," came the reply. "A preemptive measure in case there were more spies on board. To our greatest misfortune, we exited hyperspace next to a quarantine planet overseen by the Chronoscopes.""I see, those arrogant bugs," Arthur said, holstering his pistol. "Let's go then, Riley." Arthur gestured ahead of himself as he stepped out of the cabin.Riley rolled her eyes as she headed toward the elevator, taking large strides, almost running. "Just relax," Arthur said, proceeding with measured steps toward the lift."But we have to hurry," Riley said, not really understanding why her superior said this, but doing as she was told. After all, she knew a couple of things about Arthur. The second thing she learned was that he was always right. The question might arise as to what the first thing was: well, that was simple. Arthur was a playboy. She knew why he always let her walk ahead, even though he was her superior."Aren't you done with the view yet, Lieutenant?" came the tired question."What is he talking about, Sergeant? You love that I'm looking at you," came the flirty response.Nervousness overwhelmed Riley; she didn't know exactly why. Was it because she didn't understand why Arthur couldn't be sociable with others? Why did he always have to be cold and measured with everyone else, even his superiors? Or was it because he was right? She loved that he watched her; how could she not? Arthur was stunning, with those cold blue eyes that could melt any woman's heart, or that blonde hair that was still wonderful even when covered in the blood of his enemies. She would love just to grab him and force Art—the one who was always so tough and dominant with his enemies—between her legs. She was curious as to whether he was as dominant during sex, or if he submitted to the woman then.While she was thinking about this, they reached the elevator, out of which two soldiers sprinted, nearly knocking them over."I really don't understand why everyone is panicking; the spy has been neutralized, and the Chronoscopes are only a danger on the ground because of their disruptive abilities," Arthur said, as if this were the most natural thing in the world."The spy is the problem, there might be more," Riley said, pressing the hangar button in the elevator."There are no more spies," came the curt reply from Arthur. "He was the only one I let on board. I hoped I could interrogate him, but even I didn't expect him to be this stupid. I thought he might try to kill the captain, or maybe me, but to start such a self-destructive activity? That truly is a surprise.""Excuse me? You knew there was a spy on board and that they might come after you, and you didn't even warn anyone?" came the response in a raised tone."Silence," Arthur said, slapping the wall next to Riley's face and leaning closer to the girl's ear. "You can only raise your voice at me in my bed," he said coldly and measuredly; although it sounded like an invitation of sorts, there was nothing pleasant or inviting about it."What I do and how I do it has nothing to do with you," Arthur said, moving away just in time, because the elevator door opened then.After they stepped out, the captain could already be heard over the loudspeaker."Attention, all personnel," came the excited, thin voice."We have managed to make contact with the Spiders; they are letting us go without further conflict. Once the fighters return, we will proceed toward Zargliss.""Wonderful," came the reply from one of the pilots. "Once again, just when we get to the point of a fight, it stops," he said frustratedly."Don't be surprised; who would be so foolish as to completely anger the United Earth Empire?" said Alex Chin, a senior officer."Ah, Lieutenant, we meet too infrequently for being on the same ship," Alex spoke again."Is there anything I can do for you, Ensign?" Arthur asked."As a matter of fact, yes. Our pilots would really like to fight, and could you help with that?" Alex hinted."If you don't mind me beating them up, they can come to the gym," Arthur said with the greatest confidence."No, no, no, I mean a real fight—" He couldn't finish because Arthur's fist was already connecting with the side of his temple."If you can't even react to this, nothing but death awaits you in a battle," Arthur said, visibly frustrated."I'm going back," Arthur said curtly as he walked back to the lift with Riley and pressed the button for his cabin level, while the small group remained silent, as they had never seen such a fast punch. Or rather, that was the problem—they hadn't even seen what happened. They only realized what had transpired at the mild threat."You shouldn't have done that, sir. They are good people, just quite bored. They just came from the academy and thought they could fight," Riley said."Rather, they are horny young men who, because they can't get a woman, resort to fighting," Arthur said."You know, Riley, we have another 6 hours before we're on duty again," Arthur said seductively as they arrived at the chosen floor."We arrive at Zargliss in 3 hours, sir," Riley said, quickening her steps so Arthur couldn't see her face."3 hours is enough time for many things." Arthur grabbed Riley's hand and quickened his steps toward the cabin until they arrived.