Heroic Dramatics Chapter Five

[butterflyslinky]

Title: Heroic Dramatics
Author: butterflyslinky
Pairing(s): Eventual Linkara/Spoonette; Spoony/80s Chick; one-sided Linksano/Spoonette
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 17,778
Warning(s): Violence, off-screen character death
Summary: Having been rejected as an actress and with nothing left to lose, Spoonette takes her brother’s place in the US Space Corps to fight off the coming threat of Lord Vyce. Now, she has to deal with army drills, her high school stalker with the ability to hack the Pentagon, and a captain who is both way hot and way annoying. Bogus.
Author’s Note: Inspired by this prompt, though I don’t really know if it qualifies as a fill for it. Special thanks to pompoko and ladydiskette for beta-ing, and of coursetrulyamindlost, robynred, and lizynob for their lovely bonus content

It was hard to say how much time had passed. All Spoonette knew was that things had gotten much better. She was stronger now, and faster, and above all, more confident. And once she had managed to solve one problem, she found that she felt a lot smarter as well.

She wasn’t the absolute best, of course, but she had improved immensely and Linkara noticed.

“I think I’m going to promote you, Antwiler,” he said one evening after finding her in the weight room.

She laughed, not even pausing her bench presses. “As if. I’m sure there are other men who deserve it more.”

“Really?” Linkara said. “Because I don’t think anyone’s worked as hard as you have. And you’ve proven you have good leadership skills and ideas…and most importantly, you know when to ask for help and take the unconventional route.” He stepped up beside her as she stopped her workout and sat up on the bench.

“Okay,” she said. “So what do you want me to do?”

“Exactly what you’ve been doing,” he answered. “I want you to keep working hard and help the others to work hard as well.”

She nodded. “I can do that,” she said.

“Good.” He smiled. “Congratulations, Sergeant Antwiler.”

*

It got so much easier. Spoonette knew that she could do anything now.

She had been put in charge of a sub-unit that included her roommates and a few others, none of whom questioned her authority. It was a bit strange, but as Linksano pointed out, as long as she was Spoony, no one was going to say a word.

And after several months of training, Linkara knew that his crew was as good as he could make them without practical experience, and he said as much to Pollo.

“Your soldiers have improved immensely,” Pollo admitted. “But are you certain they are ready for battle?”

Linkara shrugged. “War’s not gonna win itself, and they’re not gonna get better.”

Pollo nodded. “In that case, we will send the proper transmissions through to Washington and Admiral Finevoice and…”

“Incoming transmission,” Nimue’s voice cut through the air. “Admiral Finevoice wishes to contact Captain Lovhaug.”

Linkara turned immediately. “On screen.”

“Communications have been damaged on their ship. I only have audio.”

“Fine!” Linkara said.

There was a crackle of static and Harvey’s voice came in. “Kid! Can you hear me?”

“I hear you, Admiral,” Linkara called. “What’s happening?”

“I hate to do this, Kid, but…we need you in sector seven as soon as you can get here. We’ve held them back so far, but they’re wearing us down.”

“On our way.” Linkara nodded to Pollo, who hovered over to get the ship moving.

“Keep communications open as long as you can. I don’t want to—damn it, Walker, hold that door!—I don’t want to leave you in the dark.”

“Harvey, what’s going on?” Linkara asked, his voice cracking.

“They’ve breached the lower decks.” Linkara could hear the regret in Harvey’s voice. “I’m sorry, Kid. But you’re gonna have to save the world.”

“But…”

There was a loud bang from the intercom. “Get to Sector Seven!” Harvey yelled. There were several explosions, several swear words, and then static.

“Harvey? Harvey!”

Nothing. Linkara slumped back in his chair, his hands over his face. Pollo hovered beside him for a moment. “Awaiting orders, sir.”

Linkara didn’t move. “Sir?” Pollo repeated. “Captain?”

Nothing.

Pollo turned to the console and opened the in-ship communication. “Sergeant Antwiler, please report to the bridge. Sergeant Antwiler, to the bridge.”

Linkara finally looked up. “Why him?” he asked quietly.

“You seem to be friends,” Pollo said. “And Sergeant Antwiler has a more sensitive disposition than the other men.”

“Pollo, I…”

“I am not programmed for emotional support.” Pollo turned as the door opened. “So I’m leaving you with someone who is.”

Spoonette entered the bridge, looking confused and scared. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Captain Lovhaug has just received word that Admiral Finevoice has been killed in action,” Pollo said. Linkara was shaking now. “I think it would be best if you stayed with him while I get the ship moved to sector seven and speak to the men.”

Spoonette nodded and Pollo left the room. She looked at her captain, who had curled up in his chair, obviously trying not to cry. She went to him and knelt beside him. “Linkara?” she asked quietly.

“He should have called us sooner,” Linkara said. “We should have been there.”

“And what would you have done?” she asked. “If they got to Admiral Finevoice, it means they got through the rest of the Space Corps. We all would have died, too.”

“You don’t know that. One man can make a difference in war.”

“Maybe…but now, we’re still here. We can still save the world.”

Linkara looked at her, his eyes quickly filling with tears, and it suddenly occurred to Spoonette how young he was—younger than her, probably, and suddenly in charge of keeping Lord Vyce from destroying everything they loved. Her heart went out to him and she moved closer, putting her hand on his shoulder.

“How can we save the world?” Linkara asked. “The entire Space Corps has been reduced to one ship with fifty crew members who have never seen battle.”

“That’s all we need,” Spoonette said firmly. “You just have to lead us.”

He took several deep breaths. “Right.” He hastily wiped his eyes and stood up. “Thank you, Spoony.”

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