Carpathia IV: Episode 297 - Fond Farewell
Tokkastra
After coordination with the Elai ringship, the Shadowdancer broke its bond with their microsingularity drive and slowed to induction speed. Shadowdancer shared the approach to Tokkastra with dozens of other ships, Carpathian and Tokkastran, with hundreds more parked in orbit around the planet. If it were possible to have a traffic jam in space, this was it.
Kit: We are receiving an approach vector. The tokki have established arrival and departure lanes.
Joust: Sensible. Relay to helm.
Teek: Vector received. Adjusting course.
Kit: I'm now receiving coordinates for geostationary orbit. Relaying to helm.
Teek: Got it. That's our parking spot.
Joust: Take us in as per instructions.
The ready room door slid open and Aire hurried down the stairs while Joust switched seats.
Aire: Just got off the horn with Admiral Zhang.
Joust: New orders, Captain?
Aire nodded.
Aire: We are to prepare for battle. She said details will come later. That means that we'll be putting off all evacuees, Polaris Deep equipment, plus all of our on-board scientists and their projects here. If it's not for battle or sustaining life and systems, it goes. We'll be bringing aboard some extra maintenance equipment from Tokkastra.
Joust: Evacuees and Polaris Deep equipment is already organized. I'll get started on the rest right away. Anything else?
Aire: Just one more. I spoke with Tuomas earlier. He'll be leaving with Mikado and Darius. I thanked him for his service on the rescue mission and for everything else. A fire ability isn't especially useful in a space battle.
Joust: He's already gone far above and beyond what would be expected of an on-board artist. He has my respect.
Aire: Mine too.
Kit: Captain, we're being put in the priority lineup for landing. Estimated three hours after we park.
Aire: Three hours to get ready, Commander.
Joust stood and pointed at three of the bridge crew in turn.
Joust: Got it. Amenaru, Baal, Trex, with me. The on-board scientists are probably packed anyway, but we need to hurry them along.
Amenaru: Right! Let's get them moving!
The four officers piled into the elevator to begin their rounds in the science areas.
Later, Sick Bay, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
In Mikado's room, Darius prepared a wheelchair for leaving the ship when the door chime sounded.
Mikado: The doctor is going to give me one last checkup?
Darius: She already did that an hour ago. It's probably Tamati to help move you to the chair. Enter!
The door slid open revealing Tuomas on the other side.
Tuomas: Ready to go? All our stuff has been taken out already.
Darius: Oh, I was expecting Tamati. We're almost ready.
Tuomas: That explains why he's right behind me.
On cue, Tamati appeared behind Tuomas and stepped inside, clutching the a big, floppy stuffed bear, the one everyone knew as Mr. Fuzzy the Second, and joined Darius next to Mikado's bed.
Tamati: It's going to be sad to see you go. Let's get you into that chair.
Mikado: I hoped I could say goodbye to everyone before I left.
Tamati: No worries about that. You'll have your chance. Ready with the sling, Darius?
Darius: Ready!
Tamati: Mikado?
Mikado let out a heavy sigh, several seconds at least, and paused even more before answering.
Mikado: I guess. I haven't been out of this bed since I got in it. Will this hurt?
Tamati: It shouldn't, but let us know if you feel any discomfort.
Mikado: I'm ready.
Tamati: Darius, you'll do the honors.
Darius nodded and took the controls. Not a difficult maneuver, more like working a claw machine than anything else. Slowly, at first, only a few millimeters per second, to let the sling properly cradle his entire body, Darius lifted the sling. Once Mikado was clear of the bed, Darius shifted him to the side and gently guided him to the wheelchair, lowering him inside.
Mikado: That wasn't so bad.
Tamati: Well, say goodbye to this room, then. I'm sure you'll be pleased to see the other side of it. Here, you take this.
Tamati set Mr. Fuzzy on Mikado's lap and he responded instinctively by squeezing his arm around it. Darius gripped the handles of the wheelchair and pushed him out of the room with Tamati and Tuomas close behind.
Lift to the Cargo Ramp, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Darius: Mikado, I'll bet you're looking forward to see your family... erm, enclave. However that works.
Darius couldn't see Mikado's face, but he knew he said something wrong when he lowered his head and clutched Mr. Fuzzy even tighter than before. For a moment, he thought he'd ask if he was okay, but thought the better of it just as the lift doors opened.
Trex: Attention!
Trex's voice boomed out through the cargo bay. On either side of the vast room were lines and lines, hundreds, of Shadowdancer crew members. At the opposite side, just before the ramp and the blue sky beyond, were the senior officers. At Trex's command, all crew stood straight and stiff with their hands stuck crisply at their sides.
Darius wheeled Mikado down the line of silent crew, catching the eyes of several individuals as he went. As he approached the end, Captain Valro stepped in front of them.
Darius: Permission to disembark, Captain.
Aire: Permission reluctantly granted. All three of you are welcome back any time.
Amenaru: And my house!
Mikado: I'll never forget my time here. I don't regret any of it.
Quenya: You're in good hands. Lianne will take good care of you. He looks a little scary, but he's super nice.
Quenya rushed forward and gave Mikado a gentle hug, carefully avoiding his many sensitive spots. From there, the floodgates opened, with the rest of the senior officers paid their respects.
Aire: As much as I'd like to let this moment go on forever, we all have places to be. Speedy recovery, Mikado, and best of luck to you Darius and Tuomas.
Tuomas: Thank you, Captain. I'll have some good paintings to show you when you return.
Joust: We've taken the liberty of calling for a van so you don't have to push Mikado down the ramp.
Darius looked around and there was, indeed, a van parked to the side at the top of the ramp. With everything else going on, he hadn't noticed it.
Sorchae: Tamati and I will get you in and sorted.
Darius: Thank you, Doctor.
Darius pushed Mikado toward the van amidst a parade of waves.
Trex: Shadowdancer crew, dismissed!
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
