Change in Leadership

Captain of the Angel Strike Force

You’re the Captain, so calm down and breathe.

“Nothing can beat you.” If only you were so naive.

Shadows in the corners of your eyes.

Behind each corner you swear there’ll be pixies.

And when you close your eyes, you hear whispering.

-

Angel Strike Force stands at attention.

They salute you, you must stand stoically.

No fearful expression may cross your face.

No hesitation in your words, no mistakes allowed.

It’s not just saving face, it’s saving lives.

-

As long as you’re leader, no one has to die.

Silence the cries for violence.

Chase down Screamers, teach them a lesson.

Just criminals that think that laws don’t apply to the dead.

Your city, your laws. Respect them or expect to be behind bars.

-

Your husband never hurt you, but he was taken away.

So why did you join the same team that killed him?

Is being a Screamer a crime worthy of death?

What would you do now, as Captain?

If your husband was still alive, would you take his life?

-

Needlessly reckless, your team faced the greatest foes.

Lost your arms, your foot and your other leg.

Was it worth it? Saving the lives of humans at the cost of Screamers?

Then finally, the terrible confrontation.

You fought more than just Screamers, you also fought humans.

-

A rebellion in the Outer Villages.

You’re an elite military force. It was only natural.

As you incapacitate militia-men, Screamers raid the village.

You can’t help but feel guilty, though you were just following orders.

Now the milita-men rot in prison. Strange, you haven’t heard back about them.

-

Only 25 left, you had to reorganize.

One-by-one, each of them died.

In the field of duty, death was common.

You soon found yourself in an authoritative position.

No more death or reckless risks. You’ll make a difference.

-

Your armcannon is now armed with tasers.

You don’t talk about how it used to hold explosive ordinance.

Your five-headed flail has been replaced by a grappling hook.

You no longer arm the agents with firearms.

They are prepared with diplomatic and defensive tactics.

-

You get orders directly from the Council.

Classified, so you can’t ask your captains for counsel.

You never were one to disobey commands.

So why start now? What is your plan?

They’ll just replace you. You know that, right?

-

The Council speaks, “Give up your fight!”

What do you seek to accomplish, running off in the night?

Recruit the hundred. We need canon fodder.

If you won’t do it, then we’ll find another.

Maybe it is time for a renewal, a change.