Links for Part 1 and 2 if you have not read them:
Tears of Destruction Part 1, Part 2
Krill's Nest, flagship of the Velgoran battle group, waited between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, hiding from the primitive electronic eyes of Earth. All aboard believed their fleet undetectable and invincible. The dominant species on the third planet had yet to colonize their nearest neighbors in their own star system. Only the possibility of close-quarters combat with the taller, longer-limbed inhabitants concerned the alien navy’s commanders.
"All components ready for launch, Captain," said senior helmsman Lieutenant Tragnfel.
Korsblin nodded and said, “Then let us be on our way.”
Tragnfel pressed several buttons and spoke into his microphone. Systems hummed and the throb of the engines increased as they built up power for the light-jump. As the ship started a slow turn, the curve of Jupiter slid out of view.
Bridge screens not dedicated to flight control or invasion preparations showed news transmissions from Earth. Though an infinitesimal group of Earthlings did seem to care what happened beyond their atmosphere, they were largely ignored. Most of the others were so concerned with killing each other or surviving the dangers of their own inhospitable landscapes ort governments that they barely had time to look up. The chaos and backbiting in business, politics, and electronic social forums had convinced Captain Korsblin to launch the invasion now instead of waiting for their Earthling spy's signal.
The Black Holes of Carrikan-3 take the admiral, Korsblin fumed. Our might will crush these people with ease. I’m tired of waiting. Now is the perfect time to strike!
A hiss alerted Korsblin that someone had entered the bridge without his permission. Only one Velgoran aboard Krill’s Nest would dare.
"Why have you ordered the invasion to proceed?" Admiral Brikeltek raged as he loomed over the Captain’s chair. "I gave explicit orders not to engage until we hear from the spy and are assured of victory!"
The bridge crew gained new focus on their screens while pretending they weren’t listening to the naval group’s top officers quarrel.
Like scavengers hovering to see if there’ll be a corpse with any good meat left on it. Korsblin made a mental note to double-shift the current bridge crew after their conquest.
Velgoran military courtesy dictated that the senior officer already present give up his chair when a more senior officer entered the room. It often led to interesting entry delays at military conferences as men who disliked their subordinates timed arrivals to force said subordinates to stand up for them.
Captain Korsblin settled deeper into his chair to drive the insult home. Admiral Brikeltek’s eyes bulged, and purple anger droplets seeped from the ducts next to his nose. Unfazed, Korsblin studied the status screens.
"The Earthmen are clueless," he told the admiral. "They’re more interested in home-brewed entertainments or the personal lives of famous people than they are in defending their home world.”
"Wait for the signal," barked Admiral Brikeltek. "That was my standing order, and you have disobeyed—"
"The invasion," Captain Korsblin waved a dismissive hand, "starts with or without your approval in thirty minutes." He redirected his gaze to an entertainment video about a group of perfectly sized nomads in brown robes selling robots to desert farmers. He laughed as one of the robots blew a circuit. Stupid farmers.
"You have usurped my power for the last time. I invoke supremacy by combat!" yelled Admiral Brikeltek. His purple tears went clear as he stepped back from the chair.
Everyone on the bridge turned to watch, ignoring duties that might change depending on the outcome of the fight. Bets were quietly made, and credit chits given to trustworthy non-betters.
So predictable. Korsblin smiled at how easily he’d manipulated his superior into a physical fight for command. He rose from his seat and pushed a button on the command chair’s arm. It slid into an alcove, clearing a space big enough for the two Velgoran leaders to battle.
Though he wasn't worked up like the admiral, Korsblin's clear tears told everyone in the room he was prepared for violence. Crouching with arms out, Korsblin mimicked the admiral, and they circled each other while bridge lights reflected in the wetness coating both officers’s cheeks. They moved forward at the same time, clashing with a grunt, arms and hands flailing at one another, struggling for advantage.