A Deputy's Routine (Part 2)

Posted on Sun Nov 8th, 2026 @ 12:45am by Lieutenant James Phoenix
Edited on on Sun Nov 8th, 2026 @ 12:48am

585 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Creatures of the Night
Location: USS Washington
Timeline: Current

James walked through the corridors of the Washington. He'd just come off duty. As he walked, he reflected on the day's events. He had what he considered a weird day, however the weird days were becoming more and more common that they were beginning to be the norm.

He took the command test and passed. But to do so he had to sacrifice a fictionalized version of Ash. Then, he went to a derelict ship that tried to bring Callie and Viviana under its influence, then he returned and stopped a fellow crew member from taking over the ship while she was under the influence of these ethereal beings. He had to fire on Ensign Lawrence. He didn't like that he had to do that, but it didn't bother him much.

What was nagging at him was having to order the holographic version of Ash to die. It wasn't real, but he feared the day where that could potentially happen. He didn't want to make that call. Ever. He feared that he would freeze up in the moment. But then again would he? He didn't in the test and in the moment of action he had forgotten that it was one. He stopped himself from thinking that morbid thought. Ashlynn was alive and that was that.

Nevertheless, James found himself in front of her quarters. He pressed the door chime. A second later he heard a faint "Come in."

The door slid open to reveal his best friend, who was currently sporting her usual off duty attire. Ash was holding Reeve, who quickly wriggled out of her arms to greet James.

Reeve then pawed at James so the latter could pick up the orange cat. James complied and held him like a baby. "He's spoiled rotten" he quipped.

"He's warmed up to you" Ash returned.

"That he has" James chuckled as the cat started purring before walked further into the room. "How's things?"

"Boring" Ash said. "But I hear you've had quite the day."

"Yeah" James trailed off as he let Reeve out of his arms, who mewed. "Ghosts and Vampires, more so the former."

Ash nodded. "Heard you now out rank me" she smirked.

James gave a cheshire grin. "Technically I've always outranked you since you came to the Washington."

She gave him a playful frown. "Yeah but only because tactical always dwarfs the science department in cases like ours. But now you're qualified to assume command."

"There is that" James trailed off again, his thoughts going back to why he passed.

Ash saw this and pushed herself into his arms.

"What's this? James asked as he sank his head into her shoulder.

"You passed. I'm so proud of you" she said.

"Thanks"

"But I also know you had to do something you didn't want to. It's pretty easy to guess what you had to do" Ash said. Nobody had told her, but it was easy to put two and two together especially with how well she knew him.

"Yeah. I did" he replied. "But it wasn't the real thing."

"Would you do it if you were in the real situation?" Ash asked honestly.

"I don't know. I don't want to think of that day."

Ash pulled away. "If you do, you shouldn't hesitate. I know how much I mean to you, but your job is to the ship."

"I know. I'm terrified of making that call Ash."

She hugged him again and smiled. "I know. But I believe you'll make the right one."

 

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