 I sensed ill intent towards the captain. Being the first-mate, I was the barrier between the crew and the captain. Not only in rank. I was the reason that tried to quell the talk that would lead to mutiny. First with jokes, then with warnings. I feared that threats would be required next, but that only halts them for a moment.
An angry crew beats a captain and his loyal first-mate any day.  “The system’s up and running, sir,” the engineer informed the scientist. “But keep an eye on the output, if it reaches red again, you will damage more than the wires.”
“Do me a favour and go the extra mile for once,” the scientist snapped, his glasses falling off his nose. “We have the funding! Start work on a stronger system immediately. We lack time!”  It’s very easy to go down the wrong road in the wrong place. It’s a risk you take whenever you go someplace unfamiliar and confusing. Signs don’t tell you what the people can tell you. Yet, I did ask someone for directions, they did feed me mornings and in return, I simply spat a few at them. A reaction my brother had a problem with.
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