Carpathia IV: Episode 264 - Unwelcome Guest
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
Aire stifled a yawn as he stepped out of the lift and onto the bridge. Amenaru in the command chair. Kit at comm. Baal on helm. Phobos running ops and science. Right in front of him was Shep. The bare minimum necessary to run the bridge. Unsurprising, considering how many of the crew were probably hung over this morning. Either that, or worn out from other activities.
Shep: Good morning, Captain.
All eyes turned to the Captain, for some, particularly helm, only briefly.
Aire: Good morning. I'm glad we have enough conscious people to run the ship.
Amenaru: This might sound strange coming from me, but alcohol was the one thing that I never really liked. How are you feeling, Captain?
Aire: Oh, no worries about me. I only had two glasses of whiskey on the rocks. I'm just a little tired because I stayed up late.
Amenaru: Everything is fine, Captain. I thought this might be an issue so I talked to Commander Joust. Turns out he was already on top of things anyway. I hope you weren't worried.
Aire: I wasn't worried. More curious than anything. I knew that Joust would have something ready. Baal, first time in the helm chair?
Baal gave another quick glance back at Aire before returning his focus on his console.
Baal: I am certified on this class, but yes, this is my first time actually doing it. Very smooth compared to other ships.
Aire: That's good. Amenaru, I assume Joust will be coming up soon.
Amenaru: Yes, Captain. He said he'd join us at 0900 and bring a relief team.
Aire: Sick bay is going to be busy with hangover remedies. Send him up to my ready room as soon as he gets here. I just want 15 minutes of his time and then he can take over the bridge. Kit, no communications unless it's either urgent or Admiral Zhang. I'm going to start getting through some of the mountain of paperwork that's piled up over the last few days.
Kit: Understood, Captain.
With a nod, Aire trudged up the stairs to his ready room, trying to look not quite as tired as he actually was and with hope that he wouldn't fall asleep at his desk. Once the door closed after entering his ready room, Aire let fly with a long, luxurious stretch, cricking his neck from side to side. Before him sat his desk, where most of the boring things happened.
???: I'm not sure what I expected when I came here, but it wasn't this level of frivolity.
Aire froze solid as a steel potato. This was a voice unlike anything he'd heard before, even Aionaptara's. Whereas Aion's voice seemed to come from the very air itself, enveloping all as one, this one was different. This one assaulted his ears from many directions. Not a blanket, but more like arrows. Aire turned, for if the voice was not outside, there was only one place it could be, his lounge behind his desk. And that's what he saw it, a being with impossibly black skin, glossy and gorgeous as a brand new piano. Skimpy, red clothing covering the bare minimum and wings spread wide from the sides of the chair upon which she sat. Sitting, or inhabiting, for she filled it all. Aire guessed that if she were to stand up, she would have to stoop to avoid hitting her head on the ceiling, a good five feet above his own head.
???: Flying around a planet in those little nuggets. Such a waste of time.
If this wasn't Lazmaedia, Aire thought, then it must be a high level general or advisor of some sort. Based on what he knew, this being Lazmaedia herself seemed most likely and it seemed prudent to proceed assuming that she is. They each locked eyes, or what Aire presumed to be eyes, for he found nothing in her sockets aside from a glowing white and red void. For several uncomfortable, silent seconds, they glared at each other from across the room. What to do next? Only vaguely realizing what he was doing, Aire slowly reached into his vest pocked and pulled out his communicator. Before he could do anything. Lazmaedia thrust her hand toward his, sending it hurtling away, shattering into pieces before it even hit the wall.
Lazmaedia: Really, Aire, who could you possibly call? You know who I am and you know what will happen if you have your pathetic little security guards come in here and point their toys at me.
She was right, of course, and Aire would have realized that if not acting on instinct. The question now was what to do next and now that he had collected his thoughts, he determined that there could only be one possible goal, to keep everyone on his ship alive. And he would have to do that himself.
Lazmaedia: Come, Aire. Sit. It seems like it would be best to go around the other side.
Again, correct. True that Aire would rather not pass closer to Lazmaedia than he had to, but she was huge, with her legs splayed out in front of her, making her chair look like something made for a toddler, and her wings spread wide, covering up the windows. Aire backed away, keeping Lazmaedia in view for as long as he could and discovered that the entire situation was even scarier when she was out of sight. After going around the credenza and emerging at the other side, he found Lazmaedia still in her chair, patiently waiting for him.
Aire maintained eye contact as he moved to the empty chair, not noticing the empty bottle on the floor until he kicked it. A glance at the floor revealed many empty bottles, all familiar, and he knew where they came from. A quick look at his liquor shelves and nothing remained.
Lazmaedia: I admit to being pleasantly surprised at the skill of spirit-making in these lowly species. It is not anywhere near the level of vashtari, but passable. I think the human ones are the best.
Not that it would be easy to tell what a good mood in someone like Lazmaedia would look like, but Aire took this as at least an encouraging sign. A infinitesimal one, for sure, but better than nothing. He swiped the bottles away with his foot and slowly lowered himself into the chair.
Lazmaedia: My Valro! What a surprise to find one of my Valros this far from home!
Anger replaced fear, as the words, "My Valro" elicited a visceral response, prompting his fingers to dig into the armrests so hard he nearly tore the fabric. Despite the certainty of being torn to shreds if he tried, Aire resisted the urge to hurtle across the room and attempt to strangle Lazmaedia to death.
Lazmaedia: You are more quiet than I expected. Not at all like you were yesterday.
The time had come for Aire to say something. He'd rather not, but Lazmaedia would only prattle to silence for so long and it appeared she had reached her limit.
Aire: I have nothing to say to you.
Lazmaedia smiled, an evil toothy grin, and Aire did not know if this was because she was amused or annoyed.
Lazmaedia: Ah, my stubborn Valro. Typical. An annoying, but useful trait. Maybe it will be useful, for, you see, I have an offer.
Right, Aire thought. Here comes the bullshit.
Aire: I won't accept, but I suppose that won't stop you from saying what it is anyway.
The defiant act was working so far, at least playing into Lazmaedia's expectations and not making her angry. It made sense to continue, even though he understood that going even a little bit too far would probably end with him being eviscerated.
Lazmaedia: We shall see. It appears there are a lot of vashtari out here. I am most interested in them. Turn over all vashtari, including yourself, and I will leave everyone else be. You shall have a place of honor and leadership amongst the Valros.
Aire believed the first part. There were, indeed, many elves in Carpathia, but he did not believe the second part for one second. Leave everyone else be she says. One part bothered him, however, and it wasn't that her request was almost boring in its predictability, but why was she asking him?
Aire: I wouldn't do that even if I had the authority. Why ask me? I'm just a captain. This is a question for the politicians, but you'd get the same answer out of them anyway.
Lazmaedia: I overheard someone mention a Lord Krek as your leader. This is a komodo name. I would not stoop so low as to present any offer to such a lowly species. You, so far as I can tell, are the highest ranking vashtari I can find.
Aire: You have my answer.
Lazmaedia grimaced and looked away, sniffing the air.
Lazmaedia: The air in here stinks of Aionaptara. He was clearly on this ship. Perhaps you made an alliance? Is that where your confidence comes from? You will find that neither he nor your saucepans you call spaceships are a match for me or my fleet.
Aire leaned forward in his chair and, difficult as it was, glared directly into Lazmaedia's eyes.
Aire: We do not want a fight, but we will fight if we have to. We value our free and open society above all else and no matter what you do, we will persevere in the end, even if it takes a thousand years. Those like you may win in the short term, but you will have no legacy except within the good people who will work to undo your actions.
This time, there was no grin. No expressions of amusement. Lazmaedia glared at Aire with malice.
Lazmaedia: So be it. But when millions die, remember that you are responsible.
With that, Lazmaedia disappeared. Normally, with demigods, there was a little cloud, but with her, nothing. To where, Aire did not know. He exhaled for the first time that he could remember since walking into his ready room and slumped in his chair, surrounded by empty liquor bottles. The tension flowed away like a broken fire hydrant, leaving him feeling like an empty husk.
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
As the time grew near for a relief shift, Amenaru relaxed in the command chair, arms on the rests and legs crossed, watching everyone go about their business. Nothing to do but look pretty and keep an eye on things.
Amenaru craned his neck at the ready room door when it opened and out trudged Aire, looking quite ghostly pale. He didn't say anything as he watched Aire trudge down the stairs to the first landing and then turn to the second set. His face was blank, expressionless, and his eyes vacant. He appeared zombie-like, as though bereft of his very soul. Something happened, but he wasn't sure if he should ask. Aire only spoke when he reached the end of the stairs.
Aire: Chair.
Amenaru: Yes, Captain.
Aire's flat, emotionless tone caught the attention of the others on the bridge, even Baal, who turned away from his helm console rather longer than he should be allowed. Aire did not seem to care. Amenaru returned to his usual station with an eye on his captain the entire time.
If they expected Aire to say anything, they were sorely disappointed. He simply sat in his chair, eyes unfocused, staring off into the distance. Thus it was for at least a solid five minutes before he finally spoke.
Aire: Lieutenant Pendergast.
Amenaru: Yes, Captain?
Aire: Seal my ready room. Nobody in or out, including me, without direct authorization from Admiral Zhang.
Amenaru hesitated. Yes, this was a thing he could do, but he'd never been asked to do it or anything even remotely like it.
Amenaru: Understood, Captain.
Aire: Ensign Savea, summon Admiral Zhang to the bridge, urgent.
Kit: Yes, Captain. Contacting Admiral Zhang.
Aire: Shep, I want a full security sweep of the entire ship.
Shep: I will begin with a comprehensive scan.
Aire: Time to Polaris Deep?
Baal: Approximately eight days, seven hours at present speed, Captain.
Aire: Slow to Q2.
Baal: Yes, Captain. Slowing to Q2
Aire: Ensign Leingod, I want a full forensic analysis of the Shadowdancer computer system. Look for any intrusions or malware. Leave no detail overlooked.
Phobos: Understood, Captain. Just so you know, this will take at least a week.
Aire: Then begin immediately.
And through all of this, Aire still stared straight ahead, never looking anyone in the eye. He seemed glazed over, like someone sucked his soul straight from his body.
Kit: Admiral Zhang is on her way, Captain.
Amenaru gave a nervous swallow and mustered up the courage to speak.
Amenaru: What happened, Captain?
But Aire did not answer. At least, not directly, but his next order made the picture considerably clearer.
Aire: Ensign Savea, initiate Omega Directive, level 11.
Dead silence on the bridge, even from Kit, who was usually quick to answer orders immediately, no matter the situation.
Kit: Erm, there is no level 11, Captain.
For the first time since he sat down, Aire's head moved, his gaze directed to Kit. Not with anger, but with an unmistakeable sadness. This was, Amenaru thought, still an encouraging sign, for it appeared that whatever dream state that he had fallen into was now dissipating.
Aire: There is now. Initiate.
Kit: I will make the necessary changes, Captain.
Aire: Thank you, Kit.
Amenaru's mind raced with ideas, but one stood out for how terrifying it was. Level 11? Could it be that Lazmaedia herself showed up?
Amenaru: Captain?
At last, the color began to return to Aire's face, looking like he was coming back to life after being dead for some time.
Aire: There's no easy way to say this and, frankly, there's a part of me that doesn't think it was real. Lazmaedia was here. She and I had a rather uncomfortable chat. I will speak with Admiral Zhang first and fill you in after.
A pause on the bridge, while Aire's words sunk in, and then each attended their respective tasks with double diligence.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
