Catelyn RedAndCosmoteer
The captain of the Rebel Heavy Frigate Impulsive Swan sighs with relief. His name is Captain Vladimir and he's the brother of Sargent-Major Tomski. As the ships warp out of the area to split up and go into hiding until the heat boils over, Vladimir notices that there is an urgent message incoming.
He sits down in his command chair, relishing the feel of power. He was the Captain of the ship and leader of the Erimus fleet.
He answers the call and is immediately greeted with the harsh figure of Commander Ranzor, Vurtyas's Second Hand, who should be the Second-in-Command of the Rebels, but isn't.
"What did you find at the asteroid field?"
Vladimir begins to sweat and answers honestly, "A fleet of ships that attacked us"
Ranzor stared at Vladimir before asking, "And, what were they protecting?"
"A research ship"
Ranzor growled at Vladimir before snapping, "I don't think you understand that when you speak to a senior officer, you address them by their title, Captain."
He spat the word 'Captain' out like one would if they were talking about a hobo that lived in the city. Vladimir cringed from the insult before replying, "But Commander... we completely destroyed the ships and showed them what the rebels are made of..."
Ranzor ignored him and instead yelled, "WHAT WERE THEY DOING THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!"
Vladimir was now becoming increasingly worried and mumbled, "They were looking for the source of the energy surges as well."
"And, did they find it before us?"
"No"
"Don't you mean..."
"No, Commander"
"That's better"
Ranzor paced around before saying, "You know, your brother was far more effective than all your ships put together."
"Ranzor, this isn't the time..."
Ranzor just continued, "He'd be a much better replacement as the leader of the Erimus fleet."
Vladimir stood up abruptly and shouted, "Ranzor, without me, the expedition force would be nothing but... DUST on the side of a ASTEROID"
Ranzor laughed, "I was thinking out loud, Captain Vladimir. Take a seat and chill out."
Vladimir laughed mockingly and noticed that the temperature of the room had dropped slightly. He stamped his feet to keep warm, then walked over to the room thermostat. The room was becoming increasingly colder and colder. Vladimir found his fingers were becoming numb. He turned to the video screen and shouted,
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
Ranzor idly replied, "Helping you chill out"
By now, the temperature had reached 0 degrees Celsius. Vladimir felt tears cascade down his cheeks, freezing just above his chin. He finally reached the Thermostat, but Ranzor had predicted he would do so. Vladimir tried to lift his arm, but the room was just getting colder and colder. His arm was frozen to his side. His legs gave way to the numbness and Vladimir lay on the ground, feeling the icy coldness spread over his body like acid.
Vladimir's head began to spin and he blacked out. But still, the room got colder. Eventually, the room reached -30 Degrees and stopped going down. But Vladimir was long dead by now.
Ranzor remotely heated the room up until it was back at the normal temperature. He watched as some crew came in and dragged Vladimir's body out of the room. He laughed to himself before turning to the technician seated next to him and saying, "Get me Sargent-Major Tomski"
