Carpathia IV: Episode 296 - Polaris Deep
Space, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Though the Shadowdancer cruised smoothly behind the Elai ringship, the atmosphere aboard was still tense. Aire pressed for information from the admiralty and government but only received messages ordering him to carry on with his mission to Tokkastra and await further instructions. With little to do, officially, Aire and Joust worked out potential battle strategies that they expected that Carpathia might employ and then run through the scenarios.
The rest of the crew carried on with their regular duty shifts and things were briefly normal, aside from how much more crowded the ship was, particularly in the atrium. This made Amenaru's and Kit's quarters a more attractive location for a gathering and a game.
Amenaru: I'm glad you could come, Darius.
Darius tried to answer, but instead let out a toothy, cavernous yawn and rubbed his eyes.
Darius: Sorry about that. Truth is that Dr. Teagan had to throw me out. I've been by Mikado all day every day, sleeping in my chair even. She was right, though. I need rest.
Sylvar: I'm surprised you didn't go straight to your quarters and go to bed.
Darius: That was the plan, but Kit invited me as I was leaving and I thought I should have some social time with people who are capable of talking back to me. Mikado sleeps most of the time.
Quenya: If you need to go sleep, it's okay. We'll understand.
Darius sighed and nervously shuffled the cards in his paws.
Darius: I suppose you'll find out sooner or later. I'm leaving the ship with Mikado when we get to Tokkastra. Captain Valro ordered me to stay by his side. I want to spend time with you guys before I go.
Defying Darius's expectations, no gasps or any evidence of surprise came from his gathered friends.
Kit: I expected something like that.
Sylvar: I think you're the best one for the job.
Amenaru: You're definitely the best one for the job. I know that firsthand.
Darius: Thanks. I will do my best. I still feel bad for leaving you all behind.
Quenya: You're doing an important job.
Sylvar: We don't even know what we're going to be doing yet. Do you think we'll fight?
Amenaru: I'd bet on it.
Sylvar: I hope you're right. I want to end Lazmaedia permanently.
Quenya: And we all want a home to go back to.
Amenaru: We should get back to the game. I forgot whose turn it is.
Darius: Mine. I'll play a comet mana card and put an ice valkyrie on the field. End turn.
Engineering, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
The engineering staff all huddled around a small, empty connector port poking out from a nondescript control panel. It was the sort of panel with a small screen, a few buttons, but nothing that would attract any attention. This one, however, despite appearances, was special.
Minnie: Okay, Sassy, we have finished the interface panel to your specifications. It's up to you to finish it.
Sassinesa pranced up behind everyone holding a small device, cube-shaped and about the size of a person's fist, but with a cartoony image of his face sketched upon one side.
Sassinesa: Here it is! I promise that there's no reethalit tech in it that might destroy your ship.
Minnie: I should hope not. We'll be able to disable it if it causes problems, I hope.
Sassinesa: Of course! Just yank it out. Or shoot it. That would do the job too. Don't bother trying to scan it or take it apart. I've made it people-proof!
Ramei: At least there's fun to be had if it does go bad.
Minnie: We're not going to shoot it, Ramei.
Sassinesa: Hey, have some faith in my engineering prowess! As long as you don't mess with it, it'll work just dandy. Saying you can remove it is just to give you peace of mind. Go on! Plug it in.
Sassinesa flashed a toothy grin at Minnie, who wasn't sure if this was reassuring or not.
Minnie: Shame we can't test it, but at least we can make sure it's not messing up anything.
Minnie slid the module onto the connecter until it clicked into place. Ramei buried his face into a console monitor nearby and tapped at the buttons.
Ramei: Sensors clean. No noise in any of the signals or throughout the systems. Power draw is minuscule and even. Looks like it's functioning well.
Minnie: Keep monitoring. For now, Sassinesa, thank you for your assistance.
Sassinesa: You're very welcome! Next, I need to make one for the tokki ship, but I'll have to study a bit on how their systems have changed. Bio-neural circuitry can be a pain, you know. I'm going to visit cute little Aire first. Toodles!
With that, Sassinesa disappeared, off to entertain himself with the Captain.
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Aire: Nalma, can you get a visual on Polaris Deep?
Nalma: I can, Captain. Approach monitors are still functioning. The Blood Agony is close to firing range.
Aire: On viewer.
Polaris Deep appeared on the screen, more placid and serene as ever, a never-before seen moment of the station without any ships soaring around it or docked at any of its ports. Lights on, but dead inside. As Aire reminisced, he noticed Sassinesa appear next to him, though he did not react. To his credit, Sassinesa appeared to pick up on the general sense of melancholy on the bridge and was not his usual, boisterous self.
Sassinesa: One last look, Aire?
Aire: The Blood Agony will be in firing range any moment now. So, yes, I suppose you could say it's a last look.
Sassinesa: I'm surprised you want to watch.
Aire ignored the statement and turned back to Nalma again.
Aire: Ready to get readings?
Nalma: I'm patched into every sensor I can manage. I'm sure that the Admiralty is watching too.
Aire: Of course, but the more eyes on the data the better. Sassy, I don't want to watch, but as a matter of professional obligation, I will. Everything we can observe about their combat capabilities is important.
Sassinesa: Of course. I was just about to head over to the tokki ship. I have finished the demigod detector for Shadowdancer.
Aire: Much appreciated, Sassy. Every little bit helps.
Silence prevailed for a time, while the crew observed Polaris Deep still serenely floating in place, its end coming soon. Finally, Sassinesa reached up and gently caressed Aire's shoulder with his paw.
Sassinesa: Do you need anything else?
Returning the gesture, Aire placed his hand on top of Sassinesa's paw and gave it a squeeze.
Aire: Your friendship is enough.
Nalma: Captain, the Blood agony is opening fire. Polaris is autofiring back.
Aire expected Polaris Deep to be wiped out in a matter of seconds, but the stout station held up surprisingly well, in his estimation, taking a full, concentrated volley for several minutes from its considerably overpowered foe. In time, the inevitable came, and nothing was left aside from chunks of floating debris.
Aire: I hope the Admiralty comes up with a plan soon.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
