CHAPTER 2

  He enters his quarters, Blake follows suit. Dean straightens his uniform preparing to recline into his chair. As he settled comfortably, he glared upwards studying the officer’s body language, a curious reaction plastered his face. "Is something amiss, Commander?" Blake shudders then sat nervously unsure if his posture was easily readable or if the captain had great intuition. " Dean continued. "Is it the sorcery that troubles you? I concur the little we know, it’s difficult to make a correct evaluation of the situation.” The officer tries to adjust himself but falters in addition to shuddering at the captain's question. A displeasing frown replaced his current expression as silence filled the room for a tangible few second. The captain broke the silence and finally began to speak, in a harsh brooding manner.

  "How familiar are you with Magic, Commander? Any insight to the arts of this abomination… " the voice faded off. Blake cocked his head away slowly, looking out off to the distance then eventually re-centring to position himself towards the captain. "I-” He paused as he briefly stuttered, his words interrupted that of what he was about to announce. " Suppose so… only a minority of knowledge on the subject, with what the academy taught us back in the day.” He finishes but spoke with clarity “the academy constant reminded us of why magic is forbidden, humans used it less, therefore… magic became obsolete. A theory most plausible in the era of science.” Continuing, he murmured as thoughts dwell on his childhood. Whispering to himself “mother didn’t need to-”

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  Dean cut him off. “Excuse me? What was that about my mother? He spoke up. “No-nothing sir. N-not your mother… my- its-it is not important.”Attempting to get back on track he spoke once more. – “But I suppose… even now... humanity still has not fully grasped the concept of what magic truly is."

  Dean continued. “I chose you; because I know how you rationalize very effectively. Time and time again your wise actions have led me to believe this conclusion.” The Commander lightens up slightly. “I’ve known you long enough that I feel I can trust you, for our crew, for the benefit of what's at stake here."he sighed. The captain stood up and beamed a smile of acceptance. His posture settled as he accepted the officer’s commendation. "You corrected my ill judgement and took the captain's wrath with great resilience, it’s reasons like that as to why I enlisted you in the first place. Many of the cadets at the academy would have most likely lied or even outright disowned their own failures, I commend you."

  Blake, relieved of his nerves, restored his posture too. “I am honoured you still chose me. Thank you, captain, this ship, the crew, and you mean everything to me, the success of colonisation and a better future for humankind.” The officer bowed leaving for the bridge. Yet the captain's feeling still stirred within him, there had to be a way to prove Vanity’s powers. Any necessary way to boast about humanity’s achievements.