Inglorious End

The end had come for Far Reacher Station, and while Captain Samworth may have preferred a glorious end, one in defense of the Coalition, that end eluded Far Reacher.

No, Captain Samworth knew this end would be notorious for its utter ridiculousness. The station ended because the mother doted on her child. Samworth would dare anyone to fare better against the Countessa though.

She’d arrived with her husband, in a swirl of petticoats and fuss. While Samworth normally only controlled day-to-day minutia for the Count, all operations had been declared tedious.

The Count remained absent as the Countessa demanded a greater quota of oxygen for her dear son.

Absent when the Countessa had demanded additional energy to grow a thriving ornamental garden in their over-expansive quarters.

And certainly, he couldn’t be bothered when the Countessa ordered a whole sector remodeled into a play palace for her boy.

No, Far Reacher Station would not end because of glorious service. Far Reacher ended because one man would admonish one woman about proper station balances.

Captain Samworth glowered as the Countessa, the Count, and their retinue boarded their frigate. That ship could have easily carried a quarter of the station’s population. Instead, it carried barely two dozen. Nor did they look back or abashed.

Captain Samworth breathed a sigh of relief when the doors slid closed. He turned toward the masses awaiting departures as the systems shut down. One last problem for Samworth to deal with that they could not bothered with.