Anomaly

The anomaly was visible as soon as the ship came out of the jump. The journey from outer orbit to the Estralus galaxy had taken only minutes, thanks to the prototype spacefold engine on board. And yet, it was only the second most astonishing thing the crew experienced that day, and was forgotten almost as soon as it happened. All eyes were now fixed on the "hole" in space that was visible ahead of the ship, or more precisely, on what could be seen inside.
Palm trees lining a beach of pristine white sand, gentle waves lapping against the shore of a crystal blue lake floating right in the middle of space.

Politics

     "There's a line between politics and blackmail Addi," Terrence replied, "and what you're doing is not politics."
     "Go ahead and draw your imaginary lines, Mr. Andrews," Addi responded coolly. "We have a country to protect... a job that I will see accomplished by any means necessary."  Terrence slammed his fist again the wall in frustration, eliciting a response from the two guards standing near the Secretary, who waved them back.
     "You can't stop the devil by becoming him, Adison," Terrence said softly as he turned to leave.

.22

     "Hey Gat, I got a question for you," Stones said, raising his voice enough to grab the attention of everyone in the room. Gat looked up from the broken terminal he was fixing, annoyed at being disturbed.

     "Nothing stopping you, Stones," he said.

     "How long you been selling secrets to Gerecon?" Stones asked, whipping out his .22 and aiming at the traitor's head.

Under

She had no idea how long she'd been down here; having blacked out a few times as they dragged her down old stone hallways had removed all sense of time and direction. She still had her experience however, and it helped her now, if only somewhat. Looking at the floor and the walls, she could tell by the architectural design of the room that she was somewhere in a layer known as the middle city, built some three hundred years earlier.

     "If they torture me with a history test, maybe I'll have a chance," she joked dryly.

Promotion

     "Firing somebody who points out your flaws isn't evil, it just makes you a jerk. You want to be an evil boss?"
     "I am an evil boss."
     "Then instead of firing them, promote them, earn their trust, make them think they have a real shot, and when their hopes couldn't possibly rise any higher, then you fire them."
     "That's... brilliant! You've just earned yourself a promotion my friend!"
     "... ... I'll see myself to the door then..."