>>5976548“I know that already. Do you want to say something else?” Silas would never accept such a brazen tone, but to think he would stoop to mimicry. “If not, you can leave.” He signals to Park to unlock the ankle restraints. Tim's forehead creases slightly, uncomprehending, “So, aren't you going to cuff her? Read out her rights?”
Silas frowningly shakes his head, “No, it is completely in her power to do so. Operational discretion, you see.” Underneath the steady surface, you sense the slightest crack in his voice, “Operational discretion?” Your right hand quietly slips behind your back, its fingers curling around the taser. Silas sternly disarms you with a quick glance. He has this under control.
“Yes, operational discretion. She and I, we already discussed the matter. It is clear that even behind bars, the mutineers continued to pose a threat.” He strains his voice to emphasise every word, “Not just for those in this ship, but also innocents at home. Salzar's kin, in particular.” Tim carefully mulls over Silas' words.
Now it's your turn. “Yes, I ordered the execution, but only with a heavy heart. After every other alternative had been considered and found unsatisfactory.” Eyes blinking, mouth twitching, voice rumbling like distant thunder, he stands up, “And all this is done behind my back? Why did no-?” You raise a finger, “let me finish first.”
“'During a state of emergency, the three most senior-ranking officers in a Navy vessel must avoid sharing the same space.' Do you know where that comes from, Lieutenant Commander Johnson?” Tim falls back into his chair, “Yes, Navy Operations Manual, Extended Mission addendum. ‘Any important decision made therein should be relayed to the other senior officers ASAP through electronic or physical means, above all without unduly compromising COMSEC.’" You toss your head Silas' way, “Yes, that's right. He wanted to go instead, but I figured a diplomatic touch would be better.”
Tim wasn't listening. He bitterly smiles at himself. "The same paranoid Miss Noem was responsible for picking my boardroom.” You sit down opposite him, arms propped on the backrest. How can detectives get so life-worn they think this posture is okay?
<span class="mu-s">Recovering some of his inborn confidence, Tim locks eyes with you again, “You are correct, then, in ‘executing’ Chernov's crew. But tell me, do you think it is right? What are you fighting for, Commander Thornton?”</span>
>"Money. No need to delude ourselves with grand causes, we are all mercenaries here.">"Memory. I want to know what my father saw in these barren rocks worth dying for.">"Adventure. I have read so many novels, now is time to start living one.">"Right now? Just trying to stay alive, keep this company afloat.">"Justice. The same reason your sister sacrificed her job. We are all on the same side here.">"My reasons are not mine alone." (write-in) 