Far and beyond

A friend in need

Steph entered the wide spacious office belonging to Viktoria. She was sitting in the comfortable chair behind her desk looking out the window that was at the corner of the building.

- You know. I can see most of the city from here. I can see what is happening in it. I can feel it. I can feel the energy of it. The vibrations of life. The hustle of the morning. The heat of the long day. The optimistic sigh at sunset. I can influence most of it as well. I can make the hustle start earlier in the morning. I can make the days feel longer. I can make the sighs feel less optimistic. However, I can never truly control it. No matter how hard I try. It is like a ship, and I it's captain. I grapple with it, trying to steer it into the harbor, away from the shallows and away from the rocks that would sink it. But do you know, what can most easily cause it to sink? - Viktoria did not turn her head at all until the time came to ask the question. Now she was looking directly at Steph. 

- A storm? - he answered looking straight back into her eyes.

- No, no. There have been many storms I've steered it through. A storm can be seen from a far. It builds up, giving you time to prepare. Sure, the first ones can cause the ship to rock, but once you get the hang of it, you can navigate them without much trouble. No, Steph. Not a storm, but a single man. A single sailor deciding that he knows better. Someone who was important to you. Who you considered loyal. Someone who was helping you steer the ship to safety deciding that he knows better. - her gaze was piercing Steph. It made him uncomfortable. She knew it did. She had used it many times with the same effect. People respected her but they also feared her. She knew this well. - Steph why did you punch Mike?

- He was out of line. He was saying things he shouldn't. He had it coming, I warned him Viki I really did. - Steph was fully aware that he was wrong but something inside of him still made him try and defend himself.

- First of all. Do not call me Viki ever again. I am not your friend, I am not your sister, I am your boss. And I am the boss of your friends and your sisters should you have any. Secondly, are we savages? Do you think that we are out here on this planet because we punch each other every time someone says something. We are past that point as a species. You, personally, are past that point. When I approved your application to come here, I had people doubting my decision. So far, they were silent. Why are you giving them reason to speak again? If you have fight in you wanting to escape I can send you to a place where you can unleash it. Do you want that? - Viktoria did not change her tone at any moment. She was composed and focused.

- No Viktoria. I do not. - Steph answered concisely. 

- Good. Now, I hope that this will never happen again. Are we clear?

- Yes. We are clear.

Then Viktoria stood up. She clicked on her computer. The windows turned black.

- The recording is turned off now. Steph... I heard what he said. I think the bastard deserved it. But you can't lash out like that. It is against the rules. - Viktoria now had gotten up and stood in front of Steph. He voice was friendly and her face echoed compassion. -I know it's hard for you to not know where Monsa is or what she is doing, but don't worry, I have my eye on her. She will be okay. No harm will come her way. I promise, I won't let it happen.

- Viktoria, thank you. And I'm sorry for what I did. I promise, it will NOT happen again. I just lost control. But really, thank you. I really appreciate all that you have done for me, and I will not let you down again. - Steph felt a dose of relief. He really needed to hear this from someone.

- Well, lets not act like I'm doing it all for you. I am married to her sister you know. If anything happens to Monsa I would never be able to hear the end of it. - Viktoria even let a slight smile make home of her face for a fraction of a second. 

- I knew you were going to say that. Why can't you ever admit that you care about other people? 

- Because if I do they will start acting up. So don't get your head in the clouds okay?

- You got it V.

- And you also need to hurry with that report. If you don't finish it tomorrow, I would have to submit Mikes report as he is the only one who submitted one. And oh god, he is so bad a writing those. He always talks about how he feels and what he thinks instead of just focusing on the facts. You should see it, it goes overboard with the alien crap. 

- What? He really wrote about aliens in his report?

- HE DID!! Would you believe it. Please don't make me hand that in to the guys in the spaceships. If they read how one of my most senior engineers is babbling about aliens they will start questioning who I actually send out on these missions. Just write what you saw. You don't have to overdo it, just mention damages, repairs, end result. You know, the things we know. Personally I think it was those bastards from Nebograd trying to cover something up, but we will know more after an investigation. For now, I just need you to put in the facts and let me handle the rest.

- You got it V. It will be on your desk first thing tomorrow!

- I sure hope so. Now go, you wouldn't want to miss your train. And try not to smell of beer the next time I see you please. - Steph was already out of the door when she shouted the last part at him.

As Steph left the office Viktoria had a friendly tone and a relaxed demeanor. But as soon as he left and the door was closed, that changed. She walked behind her desk. Took out a glass and a bottle of whiskey. She pored herself a double dose. No ice. She took it as a shot and poured another. She let out a sigh and closed her eyes. She hated what she had just done. She hated lying to Steph. But it was a necessary evil. She felt of him as her own son, she cared about him deeply. It hurt her to know that she was telling him what he wanted to hear while she knew it wasn't true. She drank the glass in one go then turned to her side where a big screen was mounted in the wall. She turned it on. It was an aerial view of the expedition. She knew what they were walking into.