Welcome to stories from Among the Stars. You're listening to The Last Watch by J.S. Dewas.

Chapter 5

Once again, Adequin found herself sitting in that awful chair.

The half dozen bridge crew worked at their stations, the silence cut only by the occasional

console beep or muted cough.

At the foot of the tiered levels, the main view screen still showcased the inevitably vacant

outward view. Outward view.

A tear down, Jackin stood at his terminal, arms crossed, eyes trained on his holographic screen.

His boot tapped out a slow rhythm on the metal floor as he scratched his short black beard and released a long slow yawn.

Adequin shifted in her seat, resisting the urge to mimic him. It wouldn't be particularly motivating

for the crew to see their EX as bored senseless as they were. A damp sloshing passed behind her as that pain in the ass new recruit pushed his

mop across the floor. She prepared a judgmental glare, but Kavillon's eyes

stayed focused on his work.

He'd been mopping the upper deck all damn mourning, and though she generally appreciated attention

to detail, it started to feel suspiciously like stalling.

He was probably afraid to find out what sure she'd come up with next.

But only because he didn't know any better yet, giving him something to do, even if Menial was really just doing

him a favor.

Jackin's terminal beeped and Adequin sat up.

Boss, it's done. he called over his shoulder.

Finally, she pushed up out of the rigid captain's chair and descended the short set of steps

toward him.

...