Carpathia IV: Episode 314 - Tributes
Ready Room, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
After returning to the Shadowdancer, Aire decided to take an hour of self-care. With sick bay quieting down, he was first able to get his wounds, mostly superficial, tended. After that, he took some time to get himself a shower and change into a fresh uniform. Until his shower, he hadn't realized how much the crusted blood all over his body made all of his movements uncomfortable.
Shined and showered, he next retreated to his ready room, a place he hadn't managed to see yet, despite planning to go before the conference room meeting earlier. On approach, only one side of the doors slid open, leaving him to squeeze himself in sideways. Inside was about as he expected. Chairs thrown all around. Not a single book left on the shelves. His antique clock was likely somewhere, but not that he could see just yet. Most important to him was the Blue figure that he always kept on his desk. After some light searching, he found it, underneath his toppled desk chair. After a quick check, he was pleased that it appeared undamaged. After placing the figure back on his desk and flipping his chair upright, for the first time in months, something about the universe felt right again.
Aire did not have much time to relax, however, as he got a call from Azrael on his cracked computer screen.
Aire: Good evening, Azrael.
Azrael: Hello, Aire. I wanted to check in to see how things went down there.
Aire: As well as can be expected.
Aire told the story of his vashta visit starting from the moment he exited the shuttle and ending with his return.
Aire: I hope I made an impression, but I'm not sure how much effect I could possibly have.
Azrael: I admire you for trying. I expect that your words will resonate, even if it's only in a small way. You are correct, however. Their future is their own now. What is the status of your repairs?
Aire: We should have our inertial dampeners at full capacity by tomorrow. After that, we will hold a funeral for our dead. I suppose we're going to have to decide what to do after that. We can't get a message to Carpathia this far away. We'll have to go back alone.
Azrael: We'll definitely need to top up our supplies and I'm not keen on the idea of raiding the vashtari for them. They're not likely to have silmarite anyway, since their ships don't use them.
Ryuu: I can help with that!
The voice came from the door to the Deck 1 lift. It was Ryuu, poking his head through the one side of the door that was still open, the other still stuck in position. Just before Aire got out of his chair to go help, Riven poked his head through and started to push on the stuck side.
Riven: Let me get that door for you.
It was a struggle indeed to get the door pushed open, but Riven managed it in small bursts, each yank sliding it a few centimeters. Finally, Ryuu was able to limp inside.
Riven: Commander Joust has taken the bridge, Captain.
Aire: We'll send you back soon, then. Come in. May as well hear what Ryuu has to say too. But, Ryuu, should you even be up here?
Ryuu's continuing limp made Aire feel like he was correct, but nevertheless, he plodded on and sat in front of the desk. He had a large bandage around his body before, hastily applied, but this one was far neater and tidier.
Ryuu: I'll live. I wanted to talk before you went anywhere.
Aire: You could have called. Besides, we're not going anywhere in a hurry anyway. Anyway, since you're here, what's on your mind?
Ryuu: If it's supplies you want, and even repairs, I recommend Nerada. It's the komodo home planet. I expect they'll be pleased to see us and I'm curious what's going on there anyway. It's only about a week away from here.
Azrael: I must admit that I am curious too.
Ryuu: Since they're so close, I'll bet that was the first world the vashtari conquered. I'd like to help them off to a new start. Nothing grand. Just do a little trading and exchange information.
Aire: I was a little nervous until that last part. Indeed, we're not going to hang around for long, but saying hello would be a good thing.
Azrael: I presume you know the exact location.
Ryuu: I do. I can give the coordinates to Baal.
Aire: Thank you, Ryuu. We'll discuss, but I think it's a good idea. What else brings you here?
Ryuu's eyes suddenly became shifty.
Ryuu: Erm... That's it. I just wanted to see you.
Aire scrunched up his lips, both flattered and annoyed at the same time.
Aire: Ryuu, I appreciate the sentiment and I was looking forward to seeing you again too, but you really need to rest. If I promise to visit you later, will you promise to stay in bed?
Ryuu: Yes, Captain.
Aire stood and rounded his desk. He kneeled in front of Ryuu and patted him on the head.
Aire: I'm glad you're here and I want you healthy. Riven can help you to your quarters on his way to the shuttle bay. Maybe pay a quick visit to Baal to show him here Nerada is.
Riven: Happy to help, Captain.
Aire: If there's anything you need, let me or Sorchae know.
Ryuu: Thanks, Aire.
Riven escorted Ryuu out of the ready room to the lift outside while Aire turned back to Azrael.
Aire: Looks like we're going to Nerada. I don't think we need to discuss a relief crew while we hold the funeral. I trust you'll choose well for us.
Azrael: Not to worry. I have the requirements you sent right here.
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A, The Next Day
With the intertial dampeners repaired, both the Shadowdancer and Cerberus departed the vashta homeworld on their way to Nerada. Aire took one last stroll through the bridge, electing to take the stairs down from his ready room and take the lift from there. It was, indeed, odd to have Cerberus crew where his own usually sat. Not much for them to do other than mind the systems and make sure they kept on going in a straight line.
Aire: All set, Commander?
Riven: All systems reading normal. We're all set.
Aire: You have a direct line to all the senior officers just in case, but I don't anticipate issues.
Lyari: Not to worry, Captain. We'll keep her safe for you.
Aire: Right. Well, then, Riven. The bridge is yours.
Atrium, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Entering the Atrium, Aire found nearly all the crew already assembled, all tidy in their dress uniforms. That, however, was not the first thing he noticed. Straight in front of him was a mass of coffins, 191 in total, mostly in rows of ten, going straight down the center of the atrium. Many of them were makeshift, scrounged together with whatever they had. If they had been home, they would be at a starbase where the dead could have been treated with a little more dignity, but they had to settle for the best his crew could do, and on short notice. His crew, he noted, did an admirable job of putting it all together.
The mood was somber, as expected, with the entire crew congregated into small groups, murmuring in low tones punctuated by occasional sniffles. Aire moved through the crowd, bouncing from group to group to offer condolences, moving quicker than he'd like, for they did have a schedule to keep. Aire hadn't even made it halfway before Joust ascended the podium and made an announcement.
Joust: Everyone, please take your seats.
Little by little, the groups dispersed and found a chair. Joust was patient and allowed people to take their time. When the crew, most of them, at least, were finally seated, Joust invited Aire to the stage.
Joust: I would like to invite Captain Valro to deliver the opening remarks.
Aire climbed the stairs to the stage and took Joust's place behind the podium.
Aire: We gather today to pay tribute to the brave crew who lost their lives in defence of Carpathia. Their sacrifices ensures the future of our people now and of future generations.
Aire spoke for only around five minutes, first, preferring to not make the proceedings about himself and, second, to ensure plenty of time for others to speak. It would be a long day, after all.
Aire: In a moment, I shall invite designated speakers from each department to say a few words about the deceased in their areas. First, I hereby grant promotions to all of the fallen. I shall now read out their names with their new ranks.
Aire began at the top of the rankings, Commander Minnie Calloway, then to Lieutenant-Commander Nalma Silaron. On down the list until he read out all 191 names. When he finished, it was time for the ones who knew the deceased best to have their say, a few brief words about each of the departed. To the surprise of all, Ramei went first, to speak about Minnie. As expected, he struggled to get his words out. However, he made it all the way through without going to pieces. Next up was Kit, to pay tribute to Nalma.
Kit: I want to tell you how Nalma saved my life.
Kit then regaled the story of the nightclub explosion. How Nalma found him in an alleyway, dying. That he summoned immediate medical care. How Nalma cheered him all the way through the Academy. When he finished, all thought it was over, but Kit had one more surprise waiting. He began to sing, his voice soft and plaintive.
Kit: At the end of the river, the sundown beams.
On all the relics of a life well-lived.
Here, weary traveller, rest your soul.
Sleep the journey from your eyes.
Very few had heard Kit sing, at least, not in person. Though there was a viral video, filmed from the deck of a ship, far from the beach where he sang, it did not compare to hearing him in person.
One by one, various crew rose to give brief vignettes about their fallen brethren, all of which lasted a few hours in total. When the last speech had been given, Aire rose again to finish the service.
Aire: We now commit our dead to the great beyond. May they all live on in our thoughts and hearts until our paths cross again.
Conference Room, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
While the senior staff and bridge officers took the lift directly to the conference room, Aire made a quick stop at the bridge first.
Riven: Good evening, Captain. The bridge is ready for you.
Aire: We'll just need another thirty minutes or so. I just wanted to stop by on the way to the conference room.
Riven: Understood. Your chair will be ready when you are.
With the bridge in good hands, Aire ascended the stairs to the conference room to find the entire senior staff waiting for him. After a quick nod, he went to the cabinet on the wall and plucked a bottle of alcohol from inside.
Sorchae: That looks very old. Earth?
Aire: I think so. Old Forrester bourbon. I stole it from Admiral Zhang the last time I was in her office. She said that nothing from her liquor cabinet would be evacuated form Polaris Deep and I decided that I couldn't just leave it.
Joust got the idea right away and rushed to the cabinet, gathering up glasses for each of them.
Aire: Thank you, Joust. I can think of no better time to drink this than now. Kit, I know that you can't partake, but we all understand that you'll be with us in spirit.
With the glasses assembled, Aire poured a bit of the bourbon into each. While Aire poured, Joust fetched some mango juice and arranged a glass for Kit. With all the glasses ready, Aire raised his, prompting the others to do the same.
Aire: To Admiral Zhang, who delivered the final, crippling blow to the Blood Agony.
All repeated the words, "To Admiral Zhang," and drank. For the next half hour, the senior staff shared their memories of their fallen leader.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
