Date sent:        Mon, 20 May 1996 21:20:22 +0000



Filename: hex.txt
Uploader: PearsE
Email: sundown@mailhost.world.net
Language: English
Subject: English
Title: Fear of Failure
Grade: 89%
System: High School
Age: 17, year 11
Country: Australia
Date 17th May 1996

EARTH ORBITAL STATION 3024.17
"With respect sir the last time I made personal private contact with a
Geradi war cruiser, I sent it straight to hell!"  I proclaimed.
A due silence and then he responded, "Yes, I understand that fact,
I was at the battle of the line as well captain!"
He expected shock and anger and instead I gave him compassion, "Okay
then sir, what's the game plan," then I continue with what I though
was right, "so maybe I take the 'Agalant' and jump out to Hex-Epsilon..."
I was unjustly cut in half thought by a command repeated from the recently
deceased president of Earth.  "You will take a transport, and nothing
bigger, through the jump gate and appropriate command of the space
station..."

HEX EPSILON SPACE STATION 3024.18
Evoyne Middleton is stating her status report so her computer may
dictate.  "It is now 8 days since the death of the Earth president
and 5 days since commander Sinclair was recalled to Earth with no
explanation and the whole place has gone straight to hell."
Evoyne now turns around to an open door, all 5 alien diplomates
that are stationed on Hex Epsilon.  Each of them yelling their
own points of view at the beautiful human Lt. Commander.  She
managed to catch something about bad seating arrangement, before
she had had enough and started to interrupted.  "Well as far as
I'm concerned your little problem can wait until the sun explodes.
And if your not happy with your seating arrangements then I will
personally see that your seats are moved outside, down the hall,
across the station, into the medroom and into the fusion reactor,
respectively.  Am I absolutely, perfectly, crystal, clear on
this point!"
The 5 diplomates bow and see them selves out of her quarters.
"I can only conclude that I am paying off Karma at a vastly
accelerated rate.  Status reports end."

HEX EPSILON JUMP GATE 3024.19
I now arrive through the jump gate, refreshed and starving.
We dock and Lt. Commander Evoyn is there to greet me, I can tell
it's her because she is the only English women I've seen since my
mother died.  In fact probably the only women I've seen on this
station so far.
"Sir I have had your quarters made up and ready, I suggest you
visit them before you address the staff."
"I was also thinking of a shower a shave, and maybe something to
eat,"  I say.
"Sir all personal are reasoned to Vib-Showers, but I can arrange
for a fresh bowl of fruit to be sent to your quarters."  She
replies with respect in her poetic voice.
"That will be fine; dismissed,"  and then I remember, "Excuse me,
do you know where my quartes are at."

THE BRIDGE - 1 hour, 15 minutes and four apples LATER
"Staff of Hex-Epsilon I present the new Captain, Stephen
Grant..."  Evoyn introduced.
Private Ducule then interrupted "Captain we have something coming
through the jump-gate.  It's a Geradi cruiser, weapon systems are
operational and she is on an attack vector, bearing 60.77, 80.99,
repeat sir attack vector."
"Red alert all quarters, activate defence shield, put all
squadrons on standby, but I won't any actions the may be
considered provocative."  I anouse.  Evoyn complies with
"Scrambling all fighters."
"This is Captain Stephen Grant of Hex Epsilon, what is it I can
do for you?"
"This is the Elite Devon of the Geradi war cruiser Techan, you have
murdered our ambassador, for this your whole Earth station shall
die."  The message ended.
"Captain, she's launching fighters"," some voice on the bridge said.
Now filled and driven with fear, I attempt once again to make peace
over the radio for if I do not, I may fail us from peace and fail
the entire universe from it as well.
"Devan recall your fighter any attack on this station will be
considered an act of war."
"Look here Captain, the only thing that remains now is honour and
death," Devon ended.
Another announcement cried out from the vidcom "Sir this just in
the Geradi Ambassador is dead, suspected suicide."
Now the weight was really on my shoulder's.  I was now more scared
of failing my race than ever before and probably ever again.
Evoyn now speaks due to my silence.  "All fighters intercept Enemy
fighter's."
A reply echoes through the speaker.
"Roger that Hex-Epsilon control."
"All fighters hold your positions on my mark," I commander,
"mark", I finished.
"Sit what the hell are you doing?" Evoyn questions
"C'mon Hex-Epsilon control give us a chance out."  Another question
of my command comes from fighter squad leader.
"I hope you know what you're doing"  Evoyn says.
"So do I!"  I exclaimed.
The fighters disgusted by not been fired upon now return to the main
ship.  When the last fighter had docked a huge energy emission came
from the ship.  The ship blew up.  My fear had gone, I had finally
succeeded.