Dawn

[attack_condor]

2411.7
Nekkar III

The members of the board for the Colonial Dawn empire watched the replay of the attack on the Cue Cappa homeworld. They watched their vaunted battleship brush aside the best the Cue Cappa had to offer. They watched their most publicized – and beloved – commander lead the assault.

And then, they watched and heard her do something inexplicable.

They continued to watch and listen...

Drepana I
(last month)...onboard CDS Bulldog...

The radio blared to life. “Bulldog, this is McKinley – please repeat your order.”

O’Rourke’s voice was definitely heard. It was clear and unbroken.

“McKinley, this is Bulldog. I am exercising command authority. You are ordered to recover your ground forces immediately and join formation. Confirm, McKinley.”

The captain of the transport responded, and he was bewildered at such a command.

“Commander O’Rourke, are you serious? We've got these bastards on the ropes. We'll have control of the planet in less than a week!”

What happened next was impossible to comprehend.

“Konigsberg, this is Bulldog.”

”This is Konigsberg, how can I assist you, commander?”

Again, the calm and level voice of O’Rourke was heard giving the order.

“Konigsberg, exercise command override, code one-seven-four – new hostile target designate. Signal ready to copy.”

”Ready to copy, commander.”

There was a short pause, and then it continued.

“McKinley, this is Bulldog – will you comply?”

The video feed showed the bridge crew of Bulldog unable to take their eyes off of O’Rourke. She was calm, and looked for all the worlds like she was navigating a space port docking. It was impossible to tell that she was a hair’s breath from infamy.

“Bulldog, this is McKinley – commander, what are you doing?!!? Whose side are you on!!? We’ve received no such recall order!!!”

Again, the calm voice came through.

“McKinley, for the last time sir, will you comply?”

After what seemed an interminable silence, a new voice was heard.

“This is McKinley transport control, all ground forces disengage and return to drop point alpha. Stand by for recall.”

O’Rourke again was on the display.

“Konigsberg, cancel override, target is friendly. North Weald, escort McKinley to Drepana III and recover colonists. All other forces will disengage from planet blockade and return to Mentocka warp point. Konigsberg confirm.”

“Konigsberg confirms, commander. No hostile target. Disengage and return to Mentocka warp point.”

Nekkar III
present day...

The board members were quiet. The most publicized – and beloved – commander of the empire had just been recorded ordering the abandnment of the Drepana system and committing what might be the first act of treason in the empire’s history.