A Day in the Life of Marine Captain Cross before the Zoastra Affair Part Twelve
Meanwhile, Captain Cross was giving a speech to his young crew. “Officers on the flight deck were taken right from our midst this morning. They disappeared from their seats with a technology that our own Academy has not figured out yet. You knew signing up that a battle might come. Well, today is the day you trained for.
“If we remember our training, remember the mission, and trust one another with our lives, then there will be a tomorrow morning.” Cross cleared his throat to finish. “And I’ll be right with you, every step of the way.”
Applause from a single person behind him broke out. Cross refused to look back and seem weak in front of his men. The last thing his crew needed was doubts about the mission, and he feared Colonel Hunter’s return. He told his team, “Let’s strap ourselves in.”
“Is there is a seat for me?”
Relief coursed through him. Major Newman walked to the shuttle to stand next to him. “Yes, sir.”
Newman looked determined. “We’re getting them back.”
“These men are the best there is, so there is little doubt.” Cross understood that the team needed words of encouragement right now. They might not know everything that they were walking into, but doubt waited for another time and place.
But his assembled team had discipline problems. Colonel Hunter was on Cross’s suspect list after seeing the supply and crew lists. Cross had enough pull to arm his team, despite Hunter’s orders, and he pulled strings.
Going into battle without enough ammo meant a suicide mission. Newman joining showed that the Brigadier General Aurelius understood the dangers. Despite his mistrust of everyone, Aurelius knew his job.
Cross had faith that they’d pull through this mission. The shuttle took off for the planet below.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/Buah-LGT4tA” width=”400″]
Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HGYVLTW/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_6WbUsb050CRCJ
http://www.soulmatepublishing.com/the-zoastra-affair/
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Captain Cross motivate his crew before a dangerous mission in The Zoastra Affair?
Captain Cross motivates his crew by acknowledging the threat directly — officers were taken from their seats using unknown technology — then reminding them they trained for exactly this moment. He emphasizes trust, mission focus, and personal commitment, telling them he will be with them every step of the way. Major Newman’s timely arrival reinforces his message and signals command-level support.
What is Captain Cross’s concern about Colonel Hunter in The Zoastra Affair?
Captain Cross lists Colonel Hunter as a suspect after reviewing supply and crew lists that raised red flags. Hunter had issued orders restricting armament, which Cross viewed as effectively sending his team into a suicide mission. Cross used his own influence to arm his team anyway, defying Hunter’s orders to ensure they had adequate ammunition for the mission ahead.
Is Major Newman trustworthy compared to Colonel Hunter in The Zoastra Affair?
In this section of The Zoastra Affair, Major Newman comes across as trustworthy and mission-committed, voluntarily joining Cross at the shuttle and declaring ‘We’re getting them back.’ Colonel Hunter, by contrast, sits on Cross’s suspect list due to suspicious supply discrepancies and orders that would have left the crew underarmed. Newman’s presence signals that Brigadier General Aurelius recognizes the genuine danger of the mission.
