VC Chapter 23-The Wrong War

Sector 1200

Planet 1201

January 24, 2052

“Commander, he's awake.” a medical officer interrupted Parks in her captain's quarters as she was reading a book.

“Good, I'll be there shortly.” Parks closed her book and stood up to straighten her uniform.

Her desk was very neatly organized with two picture frames of her receiving medals for her war campaigns. On the back of her wall was a small Australian flag clipped to a small flagpole beside a photo of her graduating the VEGA Officer Corps program. She looked at the mirror to adjust her ranking pins on her collar to make sure they were flush to the edges. Parks had no idea how to begin conversation with Charlie because it had been years since she had seen that man. She walked out her quarters and closed her door so people knew she was somewhere on the ship.

“How is he?” Parks asked the officer as she followed him to the medical bay.

“Stable condition and ready for VEGA interrogations.” the officer reported.

“Good to hear. Please excuse us.” Parks replied as she entered the medical bay and waved the the remaining medical technicians.

The technicians left the room leaving her and Charlie alone in the room.

“Sarah?” Charlie turned his head to identify the woman.

“What are you doing here?” Parks grabbed a seat beside Charlie and whispered.

“What am I doing here? You captured me.” Charlie eyed the handcuffs on his bed.

“Do you have any idea what happens when you get caught by the VEGA corporation?” Parks said with frustration.

“Good to see you Sarah. You're not a fan of greetings...” Charlie attempted to change the subject so he can catch up with her on missed events.

“Charlie...you broke into Tachyon Industries. You are lucky it wasn't another VEGA officer or they would not be so kind.” Parks ignored Charlie's comment.

“I didn't expect...” Charlie glanced at her uniform to identify her rank.

“Didn't expect what?” Sarah interrupted.

“That I would ever see you again after the Earth incident.” Charlie replied as he studied her face closely.

“We all had sides to choose...to survive. VEGA corporation was kind to take me in and train me into an officer.” Parks crossed her arms.

“Commander Parks now eh? How many people did you have to massacre to earn that rank?” Charlie questioned.

“Yes, I am a commander for the corporation, but you are wrong Charlie. What about you Charlie? What organization are you and what rank?” Parks countered.

“If I tell you who I am and what rank...I'm afraid your superiors will execute me publicly like they have done before.” Charlie thought about his friends unaware of his living existence.

“You think I'll let that happen?” Parks took out a set of keys from her belt and unlocked Charlie's restraints.

“What's going on?” Charlie had a very confused look.

“Just hear me out okay? There are two sides to every story.” Parks took the restraints and clipped it to her belt.

“Go on...” Charlie rubbed his wrists and then reached to touch her hand in appreciation.

“The VEGA corporation are not the bad people here Charlie. We are the number one corporation in resource collection and perhaps the wealthiest in the universe.” Parks watched as Charlie listened attentively.

“That's probably from hitting all the miners who oppose you.” Charlie assumed.

“No, those people are the ones who destroy our resource ships. Bandits, thieves, and pirates all want our resources for their own monetary gain especially the Antimatter. The Antimatter is the only resource our VEGA technology can harvest from the alien artifacts compared to those savages. Since we are the ones able to harvest Antimatter, we became the target.” Parks continued to explain.

“Please continue.” Charlie looked amused.

“When word got out that VEGA started hitting back against these barbaric pirates, others joined in hitting us thinking that we are the evil corporation. Just like you.” Parks pointed.

“Why don't you tell the others?” Charlie raised his eyebrow.

“Do you think they will believe me after our name has been tainted?” Parks laughed lightly.

“I guess so...” Charlie thought deeply.

 “Charlie...you are fighting the wrong war.” Parks ended her storytelling.