Novus stood patiently in the waiting room and Jack was lying down beside her. He looked around the room and sniffed for several minutes before he settled down and began to clean himself. Novus looked around, trying to find out where the obnoxious snorting and grunting was coming from. When she noticed it was Jack, she quickly turned away.

"Must you do that here?" she asked staring straight ahead.

Jack turned to look at her.

A guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do.

Novus looked at the dog and she swore that he had replied to her comment. She shook her head. Dogs couldn't reply to you. Right?

As she was absorbed in her thoughts, the door opened and Adam stepped out. Of course, at first Novus didn't realize it was Adam in his tailored suit and combed hair. She nodded a greeting and Jack merely continued grooming, uttering a 'Sup' to Adam.

"Novus. I wasn't expecting you," he said neutrally. Inside he was happy to see her, as the more time he spent with her, the more she seemed to have a personality.

"Captain Quinn has ordered a debrief. He would like you to come as well."

"Not sure I'll be that much help," Adam mumbled as he followed Novus and Jack out of the therapist's offices.

"We're only a short way away from the bridge, so I figured we could walk. Adam nodded and walked alongside her and his mutt. After a brief silence Novus spoke again. "How was the session?"

"It was good," Adam said awkwardly. "What have you been up to?" he asked, wanting to keep the conversation going, even if only to avoid any long silences.

"Not much really. I often go to the library and read, but other than that, I don't really do much."

"Well, I still need a tour of the ship. I would be happy to have you as my tour guide," Adam replied. Novus was taken aback for a moment before smiling and happily agreeing. "What do you read? I used to love to read back when I was in the city," Adam said, for once thinking of the city in a positive light.

"I read anything I can get my hands on. From old classics to modern novels, you name it. I also on occasion watch a movie or holovision show."

Adam guessed a holovision was some form of T.V. Making a mental note of checking out the library, Adam heard Jack snorted disgustedly.

Nerds.

As they walked through the corridors and halls, Novus and Adam talked about their favorite books and authors. Jack was bored out of his mind as the two morons babbled on about Moby Dicks, Charles Dickens – they really talked about dicks a lot, Jack mused to himself.

Adam was glad to have finally found someone who shared his interest in books. He hadn't had such a great connection since . . .

Before the pair knew it, they were at the door to the bridge. Adam had never seen Novus so alive and excited, and he had to admit, he was too. The large double doors parted to reveal the massive viewing decks. Many levels of monitors lay in front of them, staggered, like giant stairs. Hundreds of crew members hurried about, and even more sat at the translucent blue screens in front of them. Black and grey metal made up the floors and walls and the grid of bars on the oversized window.

A lone security officer stood, blocking some of Adam's view of the impressive decks, and the breathtaking view of space. "Right this way, please," the officer beckoned. His words were friendly enough but his tone wasn't. The helmet with blank, black eyes added to the hostility as well. The officer ushered them into a smaller room off to the side. Black and grey seemed to be the theme of the ship, as this room had grey floors and black walls as well. "They're here," the officer announced.

"Oh, thanks Sherlock, I never would've guessed if you hadn't stated the obvious." Adam looked at the man who had just spoken the blatantly sarcastic words. He wore the same armor as the soldiers that had escorted Adam, Jack and Novus to the ship, and that of the security officer that he had just spoken to. His light brown hair was slicked back and practically buzzed on the sides and back. The man had a gaunt face and eyebrows that conveyed he thought of everything as a joke.

"That's enough, Iokus," Quinn said. Adam hadn't noticed the captain standing in the corner with his arms folded over his chest. He was a hard man to miss, with his tricorn hat and large presence. "Please forgive my Head of Security. Sometimes he doesn't know when to hold his tongue." The last few words were spoken with fire and Iokus flinched a little. Quinn motioned for Novus and Adam to sit opposite Iokus. They took their seats at the simple metal table and Jack plopped down as Quinn began.

"As I'm sure you've heard from Scou – Novus, we were led to believe that Earth was lifeless, and incapable of sustaining it. You are obvious evidence against that," Quinn said as he motioned towards Adam.

"Where is the scout for Earth?" Novus asked, ever the logical thinker.

"Unfortunately, she passed away shortly after she returned," Quinn continued. "Adam, how many people would you say currently inhabit Earth?"

Adam thought for a few moments. "Maybe a few million."

Quinn nodded silently and Iokus began before Quinn could respond.

"Listen man, here's the deal: There are over two billion people on this bucket of bolts, and she's on her last legs. We're low on materials and food and we're in the middle of a hostile system. And there's no way two billion people can survive on that desolate shit-hole you call home."

"Iokus. That's enough," Quinn growled. His voice was low, but it was all the more menacing.

"Can't you just land on another planet?" Adam asked, ignoring the comment about his home.

"What you not get about 'hostile system?'" Iokus said sarcastically.

"Despite his blunt explanation, Iokus is right," Quinn started again, leaning on the table. "We cannot survive much longer out here. And we will surely not survive on what Earth has become. Our only hope is to terraform the planet."

"Can't you terraform another one, maybe Mercury?" Novus interjected.

"If we do something as brash as terraforming a hostile planet, the fragile armistice will shatter, and we'll have another half-century of war!" Quinn said, his voice rising in tempo. "It boils down to this: Do the lives of the many outweigh the lives of the few?"

"There has to be another way!" Adam said, not wanting to sacrifice either party.

"There is no alternative. This is what it has come down to."

"How can your heart be so cold? Don't you care about those millions of people down there?" Novus added angrily.

"I do!" Quinn bellowed. "I do," he continued more quietly. "But I care for the men and women under my command, whom my immediate decisions affect. And when you've been in the places I have, made the decisions I've made, seen the things I've seen, done the things I have . . . well, then you no longer fear when your heart turns cold."

"But this can't be the solution," Adam continued to protest.

Quinn sighed, and thought for a while. "Very well. You seem to be very adamant in your opinion. I will not give the order to begin the terraforming." Iokus shot Quinn and angry look, and Quinn shook his head, almost imperceptibly. Adam and Novus didn't notice the silent exchange.

"Just like that?" Adam asked, suspicious of Quinn's sudden change of heart.

"Just like that. You have my word."

Adam knew little about Quinn, but he knew enough of the gentleman to know he wouldn't break his word.

"I guess we're done here," Iokus said hostilely, motioning for the three to leave.

"I guess we are," Adam responded in the same tone. He stood abruptly and Novus followed suit. Jack slowly rose to his paws. Leaving the room without another word, angrily leaving the bridge. They walked in silence through the corridor. At the first intersection, Adam suddenly grabbed Nouvs by the arm and nudged Jack behind the safety of the wall.

Quinn thought silently for some time. He paced the room in silence, his hands clasped behind his back.

"I assume you were lying," Iokus said, leaning back in the chair with his arms folded over his chest.

"No."

More moments of silence passed.

"Then what the hell was that about?!" Iokus yelled angrily.

Quinn didn't respond immediately. He knew the impatience of his partner, but he still needed time to consider and to plan.

"You are to go to Dr. Malcom and tell him to continue as scheduled."

"I thought you said that you weren't lying."

"I'm not. I said I wouldn't give the order. You are free to do as you please."

Iokus smirked. "You arrogant prick." He stood and left the room, heading for the core of the ship.

Quinn stood, still deep in thought. There was a time when decisions like this weighed heavily on him. Before the war when there was a brief second of peace. But one couldn't have the lives of everyone they've failed lingering in their mind as a general.

"War, war never changes," he muttered to himself. "Arlios."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Keep an eye on that Adam character. I don't need any wrenches thrown into this already delicate operation. And have a security detail tailing them."

"As you say, sir."

Adam peered around the corner. Much to his dismay, Iokus strode out of the viewing deck and headed for the nearest warp-elevator. The Head of Security gave a suspicious glance over his shoulder, eyeing every possible hiding spot before stepping into the lift.

"Damn him," he muttered. Novus too saw Iokus make his way to the warp-elevator.

"What do you think he is up to?" Novus asked.

"I don't know. But whatever it is, it can't be good. He turned to his canine companion and spoke, serious for once. "Jack, I need you to go back to our rooms. I don't want you getting wrapped up in all of this." Jack seemed to nod and turned to head to another warp-elevator. Adam had said the words before he even had time to think. Before any of this had happened, he would have kept the dog by his side no matter what. But something had changed, and Adam was suddenly very concerned for his long-time friend's well-being. Adam then turned back to Novus.

"I know this is asking a lot, but will you help me? I'm not entirely sure what will happen, but I can't do this alone," Adam pleaded with Novus, knowing he was hopeless in this enormous ship without anyone who knew what they were doing.

"Of course I will, I can't just let those people die." Adam smiled his gratitude.

"Where do we start?"

Novus thought for a moment. "Quinn is no fool. He will probably have Arlios, his A.I., tracking us. He's probably listening right now. No matter what we do, he will know about it."

"Where would Iokus most likely be heading?"

"He's probably going for the core. A terraformer would need a massive power source, much like the ship's."

"Does shit like this always happen?"

"Only every other Thursday," Novus replied with dry sarcasm.

------------------------------------

Thanks for reading and as always votes and comments go a long way to helping me continue to write. 

Whose side do you take? What could have possibly happened to Quinn? Can you think of any solution? No really, I need a solution ;)