In Mars' low orbit, the San Jacinto completes a full revolution around the planet in just under two hours. During this period, she continuously conducts fighter deployment and retrieval, tests combat command and communications systems, calibrates sensor detection equipment, and trains soldiers at various stations in system operations.
Each day unfolded with clockwork precision according to the schedule, and for three months, operations had proceeded smoothly without incident—the ship's systems seemed in excellent condition. But compared to the mechanical and electronic systems, the personnel proved less reliable. At the mess hall tables, Brittany's favorite pastime was sitting in a corner with Lübeck, eating while feeding him the latest gossip among the crew.
“So, that blonde one, Gassley—pretty, huh?”
“Mhm,” Lübeck replied, glancing up.
“She's already gone through three boyfriends—one every month on average.”
“Aren't we supposed to stick with our chosen partners?” Lübeck asked, puzzled.
Brittany burst out laughing, turning to look at him proudly.
“They don't have my discerning eye like I do. They all go for the wild and fiery types, while I chose someone as steady and reliable as you.”
“Oh,” Lübeck replied with a smile. Seeing the look of pure contentment on her face, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction knowing he could bring her happiness and peace of mind.
“Besides, I'm faithful too. Don't you think we're a perfect match?” Brittany emphasized, turning to ask Lübeck.
“Yes.” Lü Beck set down his fork and gently touched her hand.
His unassuming demeanor and composed expression never made grand declarations, yet the gaze he directed at his partner was always so focused and deeply affectionate that Brittany could never bear to break their tender eye contact.
“So, does this affect the relationships among the soldiers?”
“It's manageable, though I've heard some fights break out over it. They're just hormonal, what can you do?” Brittany took a bite, her smile widening.
“I don't care for such boorish men.”
“Why?”
“They're unreliable. I find them unreliable.” She chewed thoughtfully, gazing contentedly at Lübeck. “Am I reliable in your eyes?” Lübeck asked Brittany with a smile.
“Yes,” she answered firmly and happily, chewing with her mouth closed, her eyes crinkling into slits as she smiled.
“Did you know from the very beginning?” Lübeck asked curiously.
“Hmm...” Brittany hesitated, rolling her eyes as she thought for a moment.
“No, I didn't know what kind of person you were back then.”
“Then how did you choose me?”
“Hmm...” She pondered before saying,
“I guess you could call it love at first sight, okay?”
“Alright, thank you for your love,” Lübeck said, touching her thigh.
“At first I wasn't sure either. I just wanted to get close to you, not knowing what kind of person you were either.” Later I realized you must be a good person.
“How did you come to that conclusion?”
“Because you're different from the others,” Brittany gasped, realizing she'd said too much. She hurriedly explained,
“I mean, you're not like those frivolous guys. You don't know how much we medics get harassed by male soldiers. They come to our department for no reason, spouting those flippant, flirtatious lines. I absolutely hate those people.”
“Oh, I see.” He wrapped an arm around Brittany's waist, gave her a playful pinch on the butt, and smiled at her.
Seeing that Lübeck hadn't taken offense at her earlier words, Brittany's happiness still shone on her face.
After their brief lunchtime gathering, Lübeck returned to his post, overseeing bridge operations. This afternoon involved routine fighter deployment and retrieval. He’d never piloted the Interceptor fighters aboard the San Jacinto, but he knew those craft possessed time-space traversal capabilities—likely derived from secret space program technology, possibly even direct alien origins. He was aware the U.S. government had signed certain agreements, but that was the extent of his knowledge. The deployment and retrieval of these fighters followed orders from higher command. Once airborne, their pilots navigated not only through space but also through time. Lübecke could monitor their actions through the ship's electromagnetic and gravitational sensors, observing the disturbances they caused in the ship's surrounding space field.
The Interceptor pilots were young men and women, brimming with energy and a thirst for the unknown. Their operational directives remained classified even from the captain. Whether they adhered to orders could only be verified upon their return by cross-referencing data—though they usually found justifications for deviations, rarely facing repercussions.
Today was no different. They were like pigeons released to fly solo—no one knew where they'd gone or when they'd return. Duty shifts were covered, and Lübeck clocked out when her shift ended.
Their post-dinner strolls with Brittany no longer focused on scenery, though the ship did feature some artificial landscapes. With the vessel soon deploying to deep space, Lübeck held her hand as they walked along the passageways of each deck. He wanted Brittany to familiarize herself with these routes so she could evacuate correctly in a crisis. In days past, his Ruth had simply stayed home in the rear, waiting for his return. He hadn't felt much pressure then, for Lübeck had always been fairly confident in himself. But now things seemed different. He'd grown sensitive and cautious. Beyond taking care of himself, his worries now centered more on Brittany.
The upper deck was manageable, housing standard facilities like conference rooms, crew activity and living spaces, with the aircraft hangars flanking the central corridor. Lübeck led Brittany inside, greeting mechanics servicing planes while explaining aircraft launch/retrieval procedures and airlock protocols. Yet she seemed uninterested—women, he thought, when it came to matters of life and death. Lübeck resolved to explain things to her gradually later, for in the event of an accident or conflict, a medic might be needed anywhere on the ship. Compared to Lübeck's explanations of the ship's facilities, she seemed far more captivated by the soldiers saluting the captain standing beside her. Lübeck returned the salute, his peripheral vision catching her expression—that look of delight, even admiration, directed at him, perhaps tinged with a touch of pride at standing by his side.
Perhaps it was a common trait among young girls—a superstitious reverence for authority. Or maybe it wasn't quite that; perhaps it was simply a woman's nature.
Back in the cabin, Lübeck asked curiously,
“Brittany, if I weren't the captain, would you still choose me?”
She paused, taken aback by the question.
“Not sure,” she replied, seating Lübeck on the bed and carefully removing his outer coat. Standing there, she studied him.
“You don't have a rank now,” she added, her gaze lingering.
“Hmm, I still can't answer. It feels different now. We've already...” She paused awkwardly, then lifted her face, cupping her chin with her right hand as she rolled her eyes upward in thought.
“When I first saw you... Was it your looks? No. Your rank? No. I didn't know you were a captain back then. Wait, no—before I even met you, during mission assignments, I heard your name. For some reason, I volunteered for this mission.”
As Brittany spoke, Lübeck took her hand, pulled her to sit beside him, and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Seeing you then didn't feel particularly special. It was only through later interactions that I gradually realized you were someone I could rely on.”
“Reliable enough to be my partner for the next twenty years?” Lübeck asked softly.
“I wasn't sure back then either. And you were so frustrating—you didn't choose me, leaving me heartbroken for ages,” Brittany said with a hint of playful resentment.
Lübeck gently pulled her into his embrace and said,
“Thank you for appearing before me that noon.”
“Mhm,” Brittany murmured, lifting her gaze to meet Lübeck's eyes before nestling her cheek against his chest, basking in the warmth of his embrace.
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