Carpathia IV: Episode 316 - Yes, Chief
Ready Room, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
One thing that never changed, meetings. This meeting, however, was one of the more enjoyable ones. Yes, bureaucratic nonsense, but Quenya remained giddy throughout. Mostly. Moments of loss came and went, but the excitement overcame all. As she sat in her chair, near the end of her meeting, she looked over her new uniform even more frequently. Feeling the new chest plate. Rubbing at her sleeves. Taking in all the sights and feelings.
Quenya: I only wish the Chief could have seen me like this.
Aire smiled and leaned in close, putting his elbows on the desk.
Aire: I'm sure she did, in her mind's eye. She knew that a day like this was inevitable. Anyway, I think we're sorted now. Is there anything else you'd like to ask?
Quenya: Actually, there is something else. If it's possible, I'd like to be a certified pilot on the Falchion-class. Not long ago, Teek showed me the simulator in his quarters and I realized that I work on the engines, but I don't really understand how the pilots use them. I should learn that.
Aire: Marvelous idea! I'll just note that down and have Joust adjust your schedule. He'll also have to find someone to teach you, but I think we might have the perfect dinosaur for that.
Quenya: That'll be great!
Aire: Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask something. How is Ramei?
Quenya started squirming in her chair and took her time answering.
Quenya: This is confidential?
Aire: Of course.
Quenya: He's been like a zombie. Maybe you don't know this, but he saw everything. Sylvar and I were behind the core when... it... happened. We didn't see a thing. We're all sad, of course, but he had a front row seat and saw it all. I think that made a difference.
Aire: Thank you for that. Every little bit helps me in my approach. Anyway, I've got another meeting on the way, so let's get down to the bridge and let everyone see you in your new uniform.
Quenya jumped out of her chair like a spring that had been under full compression, seemingly ready to leap straight out the door and skip the stairs altogether. Aire took his time, closing out his screen before following Quenya to the door. When he opened the door, he motioned for Quenya to go first. She descended the stairs like she was at a fashion show while Aire announced her presence like an English butler reading out the latest arrival at a dinner party.
Aire: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Ensign Quenya Vayhama!
Heads turned. Applause broke out. Quenya enjoyed every minute of it, hamming it up with every step.
Trex: Looking sharp, Ensign!
Quenya reached the bottom of the stairs and did a little twirl.
Quenya: Thank you, Commander!
The lift doors opened behind Trex and Ramei stepped out.
Ramei: Oh, Quenya's here! You look great.
Though Ramei's admiration was genuine, his voice trailed off, like he was about to cry.
Quenya: Thanks so much, Chief!
Ramei shivered and immediately shook his head.
Ramei: Oh no, no. I appreciate it, but please don't call me that.
Quenya: Sorry. It does seem weird to say now.
Aire: Ramei, I'll see you in my ready room now. Quenya, I'll leave you to Commander Joust to start working on your schedule.
Quenya: Yes, Captain.
Aire beckoned Ramei up to the ready room and he obliged, plodding his way up the stairs and through the door.
Aire: Have a seat.
Ramei nodded and picked the chair nearest to the door.
Aire: How is Engineering?
Ramei nodded slowly, his mind seeming slower than usual as he took his time answering.
Ramei: Surprisingly good, really. We took heavier damage to surrounding systems. The engines held up extremely well, a testament to... Chief's... leadership.
Aire: We all owe a lot to the durability to our engines and Minnie's leadership. That said, you've been a great steward so far. I would like to change your Acting Chief Engineer status to permanent.
Ramei scrunched himself up in this chair, making himself even smaller than he was before.
Ramei: Surely there must be someone more qualified. Maybe one of the engineers from the Cerberus can take over?
Aire: Ramei, you're unquestionably the best choice. I don't think you give enough credit to your abilities.
Ramei: I don't know...
Ramei's voice trailed off while Aire turned and opened one of the drawers behind him. With a tablet in hand, he placed it on his desk and pushed it to him.
Aire: Minnie left a message for you. I was going to give it to you later, but she told me to show you sooner if necessary. I think it's necessary. She recorded it not long after the Blood Agony showed up.
Ramei stretched himself out again, peering over the desk at the tablet. He began to poke at it with his claw, afraid, as though it might jump up and bite him.
Ramei: What does she say?
Aire stood, giving a tug at his uniform. He rounded his desk and gave Ramei a pat on the shoulder.
Aire: I don't know. It's for you. Take all the time you need.
Aire stepped quietly across the ready room to the door and exited.
Ramei didn't see Aire leave. Only the sound of the door sliding open and closed told him that he was gone. Now he was alone with his thoughts. It was quiet, for even the hum of the engines barely reached this far away from Engineering and even less so on the starboard wing. So quiet he could hear himself breathe, a rare sensation for him.
Ramei spent minutes slouched in his chair, staring at the tablet, occasionally glancing to the windows to watch the stars zing by. After considerable time staring at the tablet, he finally picked it up and tapped play. Right away, Minnie's face appeared on the screen.
Minnie: Hello Ramei, and congratulations on your new gig as Chief of Engineering. Or, if Captain Valro had to give this to you ahead of schedule, then you're balking at accepting. Either way, we need to have a talk. I'll just get straight to it, then. You are going to be a fantastic chief engineer and I hope that you will surpass me in every way. You have a way of making people feel comfortable around you that I lack. Except, perhaps, those times when you sleepwalk naked into the canteen. Really, you should at least wear underwear when you go to bed. Anyway, if I have one failing, it is that I did not instil in you the confidence that I should have. Perhaps it's too late to make up for that now, but I can sure try. I'll say it again. You will be a great chief engineer. You have the knowledge. You have the talent. You have the creativity. You have the people skills. You have the team. You have everything you need to take what we've built together and make it even better. I'd say to make us all proud, but I already know that you will. You've got this.
The video ended with the screen frozen on the last frame with Ramei holding the tablet in his shaking hands. Almost imperceptibly, he whispered out the only two words he could manage before he broke down.
Ramei: Yes, Chief.
And from then on, he slouched in the chair and wept.
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Aire relaxed in his command chair reviewing repair progress while Joust tended to the bridge.
Joust: Been awhile, hasn't it?
Aire: A little over an hour now. It's okay. I told him to take all the time he needs and I meant it.
The bridge returned to its usual quiet, with little more than ambient beeps and system hums to keep them company. The renewed silence was short lived, however, as the door to Aire's ready room slid open. Ramei plodded out, looking a right proper mess. Hair mussed. Ears pointed in asymmetric directions. His face looked as though it had partially melted off his body. All watched as he oozed down the stairs, the image of an emotionally exhausted man. When he reached the bottom, he stood as straight as he could, mustering up as much dignity as he could manage in his dishevelled state.
Ramei: Captain. I accept your offer.
Aire rose with a smile and, to Ramei's surprise, eschewed the customary handshake and gave him a hug.
Aire: Everyone on this ship will be pleased. Now take a few minutes to collect yourself and wash your face. Then we'll both go down to Engineering and reintroduce you.
Ramei: Thank you, Captain. I would like that.
Aire nodded with a smile and returned to his chair while Ramei went down the stairs at the back of the bridge to the reception room bathroom.
Amenaru and Kit's Quarters, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Amenaru yawned as he sat on the floor, sorting all the various things scattered around into piles according to type. Music-related items over here. Kit's wood carving implements over there. Another spot for tablets. The word "mess" was the understatement of the day. While he worked, the door slid open and Kit stepped in.
Kit: Oh, I thought you'd be in bed after your 12-hour shift.
Amenaru: I didn't want to go to bed before I saw you, so I thought I'd do a little organizing. Four days since the battle and neither of us have had a chance to clean up all the stuff that got tossed around.
Kit nodded as his eyes darted around to each of the different piles. When he reached the music pile, his eyes kept darting between that and the shelf on the wall, where his violin remained secure.
Kit: Another violin?
Kit pointed to another violin case resting in the music pile.
Amenaru: Ah! Yes, I haven't used this in awhile. Let me show you.
Amenaru took the second violin case from the pile and opened it. Kit looked intently at how different it was. The one on the wall was a classic wood and varnish design while the one Amenaru showed him now looked far more modern, vaguely violin-shaped, but mostly just for show, black, and made of some sort of composite material. Electronic connections were visible as well.
Amenaru: Electric violin. It's very versatile. It can sound like a normal violin, but not quite as good. It can sound like an electric guitar. A synth. Just about anything. We've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to play with it.
Kit: I'd like to hear that sometime.
Amenaru: I'd play it now if my amp wasn't broken. We should do a concert. I think everyone could use a little pick-up.
Kit: Yeah... I could sing if you want.
Amenaru stopped everything he was doing instantly, full attention focused on Kit.
Amenaru: Seriously?!?
Kit gave neither a yes nor a no. Instead, he answered with a song.
Kit: ♫ Let's roam the streets, and just forget about the world tonight.
Grab my hand... ♫
Kit extended his hand to Amenaru, who accepted it with an entranced smile, allowing Kit to pull him to his feet.
Kit: ♫ ...and we'll run until we're out of sight.
I've waited half a lifetime just to have this moment.
I'd wait another ten. I know that you would too.
And now we're standing in the rainy night together.
And all I know is that I'm home when I'm with you. ♫
Still with his hands clutching Amenaru's, Kit pulled him even closer.
Kit: ♫ 'Cause you are the sun when I'm feeling down
You are the calm when I need a hand
You are the warmth when I'm feeling cold
You are the child when I'm feeling old
You are the star in the night sky
You are the diamond in my eye
You are my shelter when I cry
You are my love until I die. ♫
Kit held the final note before trailing off and pulling Amenaru in close for a passionate kiss.
Kit: Leave all that stuff for later. Let's go to bed.
Amenaru could say nothing, only gaze into Kit's royal blue eyes, only millimeters away. From that perspective, two deep, limpid lakes, crisp and clean enough to dive straight to the bottom. All he could do was nod and allow Kit to lead him to the bedroom.
Song: You, by Thomas Bergersen
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
