Carpathia IV: Episode 295 - New Orders
Space, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Urgency directed the next 24 hours on the Shadowdancer. At first glance, it appeared to be chaos all around, but this was an illusion created by speed. Further inspection would reveal exceptional efficiency. Everyone had exactly one job, whether it was inventory, supervision, or simply passing a box from a cart to a person. Simple, frantic, but effective, and they had the cargo loaded with two hours to spare. As completion of the operation neared, Aire took his seat on the bridge and monitored.
Joust: Captain, based on our progress, I estimate 15 minutes to finish loading.
Aire: Kit, shipwide channel.
Kit: Yes, Captain. You are live.
Aire: Attention crew. The loading of critical equipment from Polaris Deep is almost complete. Officer, verify that your staff are on board. If anyone is unaccounted for, report the names to the bridge immediately. For those managing assigned evacuees from the station, check your lists for anyone not on board and send to the station. We leave in thirty minutes. Anyone not on board will have to find another ship. Once again, ensure all personnel in your charge are on board. We leave in thirty minutes. Aire out.
Kit: Channel closed, Captain.
Aire: Kit, contact the station and request an announcement that Shadowdancer crew and evacuees assigned to Shadowdancer should board immediately.
Kit: On it, Captain.
29 Minutes Later
Aire: Amenaru, sound one minute to departure signal and get ready to clear moorings.
Amenaru: Yes, Captain.
Aire: All stations report in.
One by one, each department signalled ready. Exactly one minute after the start, Amenaru replied last.
Amenaru: Clearing moorings and activating running lights.
Aire: Take a good look, everyone. It'll probably be the last time we ever see Polaris Deep.
In the short time before final departure, the bridge crew cast longing glances out of the bridge window.
Amenaru: Moorings cleared. All systems nominal.
Minnie chimed in from engineering.
Minnie: Full power at your command.
Kit: Elai ringship is ready to escort us.
Aire: Teek, 10% thrusters until we're clear of the station and then one quarter induction to put us behind the Elai ringship.
Teek: Yes, Captain. Setting course.
Reylen: Communication from the ringship. They want you to park 1000 meters directly off the stern. After that, we'll synchronize at one half induction before activating the microfold drive.
Aire: Teek, you heard the bunny.
Teek: Understood. I will park 1000 meters off their stern.
Teek maneuvered the Shadowdancer toward the ringship and carefully came to a halt at the designated position off the stern. From there, the ringship accelerated to one half induction while the Shadowdancer followed. In time, with speeds synchronized and positions set, the ringship activated their microfold drive and both ships sped off to Tokkastra.
Ready Room, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Only an hour after departure, Aire sat in his ready room, obsessively refreshing his console for news from the admiralty or any other captain chatter there might be. Nothing new, aside from evacuations. The sound of the door chime delighted him, for it meant that he could focus on something else for a change.
Aire: Enter.
The door slid open, revealing Darius on the other side. He stepped just far enough inside the doorway for it to slide shut behind him and wrung his paws together.
Darius: You wanted to see me, Captain?
Aire: Yes, Darius. Have a seat.
Darius: Yes, Captain.
Darius marched stiffly to his chair and sat, keeping his spine so erect that Aire thought it eject itself from his body.
Aire: Relax, Cadet. I just want to talk.
Darius sank into his chair, but only a little, finally resting on the seatback, if only just a little.
Aire: First, how's Mikado?
Darius: Physically, he's doing well. I'm worried about his mental state. Tamati told me that Mikado is the kind of person whose identity is closely tied to his physical abilities and that's been taken away from him.
Aire: I'm not surprised that it will take him time to come to terms with this. For you, Darius, I have good news and new orders for you.
Darius: Yes, Captain! What are your orders?
Aire: Dr. Lianne Leingod, Phobos's grandfather, offered to construct a complete set of artificial limbs for Mikado. He was already on Tokkastra for a conference when the evacuations started, so he's waiting. When we arrive, Mikado will be transferred to Tokkastra-Carpathia Research Hospital.
Darius: ToCar? Wow, that place is expensive. Not usually covered by the government.
Aire: Indeed. Though Dr. Leingod and Quenya are not related, he thinks of her like a niece. He will be footing the bill for Mikado and you too.
Darius's ears fluttered as he tipped his head to the side.
Darius: For me?
Aire: As Mikado's caretaker, Dr. Leingod wants you to have convenient and spacious accommodations, moreso than the Exploration Force would generally provide. Your orders are to see Mikado through his recovery.
Darius: I see...
Aire could see from Darius's lowered head and pensive body that he felt conflicted.
Aire: We all owe you a lot, Darius, and I don't want you to feel like you're abandoning us, because that's not what this is about. I need to send someone to be with him since everyone else is going to be busy with evacuations and accommodations. If not you, then someone else from the medical staff and your friendship with Mikado makes you the best person for the job.
Darius looked up and gazed at Aire with glassy eyes.
Darius: I understand, Captain. I will do my best. Permission to... um... speak personally?
Aire: Of course, Darius.
Darius: When I first got here, I was excited, but nervous, for many reasons. One of those was that I was afraid that I might not be able to do anything. Just file paperwork and maybe observe a procedure once in awhile. Everyone here took me in, included me, and became my friend. I couldn't have asked for a better placement.
Aire: Rest assured that we feel equally fortunate. If not for Lazmaedia, I know that a lot of captains would be prioritizing adding new cadets right now. That will be your legacy.
Darius: I hadn't thought about it like that.
Darius stood, straight and proud with his hands to his side.
Darius: Captain, I'm giving you an order!
Aire lifted his head, intrigued.
Aire: Oh? And what might that be?
Darius: If you get into a fight with the Blood Agony, come back alive.
With a smile, Aire stood and rounded his desk so he could stand face to face with Darius.
Aire: Thanks to you and Mikado, I have my full crew and that gives us the best possible chance. If you join the academy, we'll be thrilled to have you back.
Darius: Thank you, Captain.
Aire: Now back to your station. Dismissed.
Darius: Yes, Captain!
Darius marched out of the ready room, much prouder and more confident than when he came in.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
