Alex Chou's Log for: 1/25/2352 12:32


This morning I had a brilliant idea. Before going to the command center I stopped by the infirmary and talked to Dr. Moore. I told him to start doing psych evaluations of everyone: Officers and crew, Fleet and marine. When he asked why I made up something about recent events being tough and "taking a toll" on everyone.

He complained about already being understaffed.

I pretended to listen and then told him to "make it happen" anyway.

"Who should I start with?" he asked.

"Do it alphabetically by last name. That way people will know that we're not discriminating", I told him as I left. What I left out was that it would mean that Cortez would be among the first to undergo an evaluation. With any luck he'll be found unfit and the good Doctor can take him off duty.

I was on my way to the Command Center when I saw Cortez in the corridor. He was about 15 meters away and talking to Lieutenant Taylor. His back was to me so I don't think he'd seen me.

I walked up behind him. While waiting for him to notice me, I looked over the different sites in the corridor. I couldn't help but overhear his conversation in the same way a bank robber can't help but take the money after breaking into the safe.

Cortez was talking. "... 12 ships is not a fighter wing. It's a scouting contingent. Now you and the mechs go figure out how to get more of them flying. I'll be damned if we're all reduced to nothing but Chou's scout ships." I noticed that Taylor was leaning over and looking my way.

I cleared my throat.

When Cortez turned around and saw me within a few centimeters of him he nearly jumped. "What do you want?" he growled.

I told him about Dr. Moore's upcoming psych evals. Then he told me something I didn't expect.

"I'll tell everyone to report when needed. Oh, and forget about those engine tests."

"Uh, Ok." I tried to hide my relief. "Why?"

"I have more important things to worry about." Cortez then turned back around to Taylor.

I was so happy that he no longer wanted to waste our time with useless tests, I decided not to ask what was "more important". Instead I asked, "Should we leave the system now?"

"No", he said without even turning around.

"Then what are your orders?"

Cortez turned back around to face me. "Damn it Chou, I dunno. Just... Just hold position. We're going to be testing some of our fighters later today."

"Yes sir", I said and I walked away without waiting for his acknowledgement.

That guy is as fickle as a 7 year old choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream. That psych eval can't happen soon enough.

System Command: End Log