"The Shadow"

[FredM 0]

"The Shadow"

Mission Related Log - Stardate 0706.04

 

 

"Six point seven."

 

 

Silence.

 

 

"Six point six."

 

 

Silence.

 

 

"Six point five."

 

 

Still silence.

 

 

"Six point four. Preferred targeting range achieved."

 

 

The horror of Perdition's Flames.

 

At first, the bright light might have been entertaining. Once one's brain realized it was a targeting mechanism of a device that was likely to have already fired, the fun was dimmed somewhat. Even the hull of a starship was little comfort. Impact only made such thoughts clearer. Secondary explosions only made it worse. In fact, with one exception, everyone was feeling the exact same way. After years of exploits, years of planning and turmoil, they had finally come to the final chapter of the book that was to be their life. Coming to terms with this fact is something everyone must eventually do. Attempting to deal with the choices a person made during their life is an entirely different matter.

 

On a slightly risen platform, a taller gentleman who seemed shockingly out of place sat with his gaze locked on the viewer. The explosions, fires, alarms and screams around him did not change his focus. He sat motionless, his clean shaven face never flinching. His tailor made jacket never even moved, his carefully combed hair drifted only slightly with the wind of explosions. This was a man with a clear purpose, a clear objective.

 

When he moved, when he acted, it was swift and determined. Over the decades, he had been underestimated by almost everyone. He had achieved what most could only dream, seen what most could not fathom. Slowly, he stood and closed his eyes. Softly, below the hearing of anyone, he said a silent prayer. It was not what one might expect, a request from an almighty deity for mercy or compassion. In fact, it was something no intelligence had ever noted. An act no infiltrator had even been able to identify. It was a request from the spirit beyond to grant passage to those this calm man was about to vanquish.

 

“Six point three, increasing speed! Charge complete, primary ready!”

 

At this announcement, the man opened his eyes and looked to his right. He nodded once and looked back at the viewer.

 

Approximately two point six seconds later, subspace within the surrounding area went silent.

 

 

“Two point one.”

 

 

Silence.

 

 

“One point five.”

 

 

Still silence.

 

 

“Zero point five.”

 

 

It was finished.