Carpathia IV: Episode 90 - Fallout
Rotunda, Polaris Deep
There were only two times that Aire had a moment to himself to enjoy the festivities. One was the concert, which gripped the attention of the tokki absolutely. The second was Kit's final affirmation chant, which, again, commanded the full attention of the tokki. Put simply, nearly all of Aire's time during the reception was taken up by tokki wanting to meet him. This, he didn't mind, but he was grateful that he was able to see the finale of Kit's ceremony entirely uninterrupted.
However, interruption was inevitable. He was only glad that Admiral Zhang came up to him and patted his shoulder after Kit's ceremony was complete.
Admiral Zhang: Walk with me, Captain.
Aire: Yes, Admiral.
It appeared that Admiral Zhang meant this literally, for she walked, he followed, and nothing more was said. One of the oldest sales games in the book. In any negotiation, the person who talks first, loses. Straight ahead was the lift to Admiral Zhang's office, which overlooked the rotunda four floors above and he presumed that's where they were going.
Along the way, he spotted Kit, chatting with Jaze and Toma, who he recognized from the visions Ryuu shared with him between the Ksenva battles. Jaze had his hands on Kit's arms and was saying something, but he was too far away to make out what it was. As he passed close, he caught a small snippet of something Jaze was saying to him.
Jaze: I know that Ryuu showed you the most difficult time in my life. There's something someone said to me during that time. He said "You need lots of hugs."
The last sight Aire had of them together was Jaze and Toma both giving Kit a strong, smothery hug. Aire nodded after he passed. This was what he needed to see. Yes, he disobeyed a direct order from the Admiral. Whatever happened next, court martial, dishonorable discharge, imprisonment, didn't matter. Aire held his head up high, confident that he made the right choice.
After a silent lift ride to the Admiral's floor, Zhang ushered him into her office. Instead of directing Aire to the naughty chair in front of her desk, she instead gestured to the couch.
Admiral Zhang: Have a seat, Captain.
Aire did as he was told, making himself comfortable on the couch and occupying himself with admiring the small, flowering plant that sat on the coffee table between him and the couch on the other side. Meanwhile, Admiral Zhang proceeded to her liquor cabinet.
Admiral Zhang: What sort of drink would you prefer? It's late, so I'm going to have some ice wine.
Aire: Ice wine sounds good to me too, Admiral.
This was altogether a good sign, Aire thought. Admiral Zhang would not likely offer him a drink if she were preparing to give him a full dressing down. Unless part of the punishment was shoving the bottle of ice wine up his ass.
Still, he said nothing while Admiral Zhang poured two small glasses of ice wine and returned to him. She offered him one and took a seat on the opposite couch.
Admiral Zhang: Well, then. Let's cut the crap, shall we? I know what you did and I know that you know that I know what you did.
Aire lowered his head, nodding slightly.
Aire: Yes, Admiral.
Admiral Zhang: You're in luck. The Admiralty has decided to forget that any of this happened. As far as we're concerned, the order you disobeyed was an illegal order.
Of course, Aire was pleased to hear that he appeared to be in no trouble at all, but he was still taken aback by this illegal order information. The order came from her, after all.
Aire: Illegal order?
Admiral Zhang: You haven't seen much of the news lately, have you?
Aire: I saw Rhalma getting arrested. Besides that, I've been keeping busy with ship's business, collecting reports and seeing to Kit and the crew.
Admiral Zhang: Understandable. What do you know of the recordings that Commander Joust took?
Aire: I haven't had a chance to watch them myself. Commander Joust took care of that. He did give me a general overview, mostly about Rhalma, but that there was some unflattering information about Lord Anai in there too.
Admiral Zhang cocked her head to the side and smirked.
Admiral Zhang: "Unflattering" is an understatement. Rhalma and others made several passing remarks in those recordings about providing logistical and monetary support for her elections and a even a few of the senators. Investigations are already underway and the information that's been turning up keeps getting worse and worse. For the moment, the Senate is balking at a full trail, but most people think it's inevitable at this point. The order that I gave you, to resume your mission, was given to me directly from Lord Anai. As far as the Admiralty is concerned, that order was given under the influence of a hostile power and is thus illegal.
Aire didn't know what to say. All he could do was stare straight ahead with his drink in his hand.
Admiral Zhang: You kicked an awfully big hornet's nest, Captain. The good news is that nobody seems interested in who did the kicking. The recordings and the other new evidence speak for themselves. Yesterday, the Admiralty held a meeting and we have unanimously decided to announce that we are rescinding our confidence in Lord Anai. In practical terms, that doesn't mean anything, but it should carry enough symbolic weight to prod the Senate into action.
This was becoming a little too much for Aire to take. Though he didn't regret Rhalma's fate, nor did it seem that he would regret whatever befell Lord Anai, but all he wanted to do was rescue Kit. He had only considered the possibility of an interstellar incident if he failed, not if he succeeded. He couldn't blame Joust either. He was only doing what was right. Nevertheless, something inside him snapped, if only for a moment. Aire gulped down half his glass of ice wine.
Aire: Unbelievable. You know, 20 years ago, Carpathia was just a vague idea to the people of my world, something we weren't even sure really existed and we didn't know of Tokkastra at all. Now you're telling me that my decision has not only overturned the balance of power on Tokkastra, but that I may have also just knocked out the Carpathian Head of State? I mean holy shit...
Admiral Zhang: Language, Captain.
Aire: Sorry, Admiral. You know, when I was a kid, I used to fantasize about what Carpathia might be like. Later, when you found us, I was just in awe of everything. If you'll pardon me, Admiral, this is a bit much for me to take.
Admiral Zhang: I understand that your world hasn't had to deal with much government corruption from King Riven's time onward. After all, you had Blue to keep your politicians in line. Unfortunately for the rest of us, vigilance in monitoring our elected leaders is a fact of life.
Aire nodded and took a more measured sip of his wine.
Aire: Yes, Admiral. Sorry for the outburst. I suppose the only thing I really need to know is if I'm still Captain of the Shadowdancer.
To Aire's delight, Admiral Zhang smiled and nodded.
Admiral Zhang: You are. Ultimately, I think all of this will be a positive, despite all the temporary turmoil. Aside from the illegality of the order that I mentioned, you have clearly earned the loyalty and respect of the Elai tokki and your crew. I think there would be a tokki riot down there if we removed you. I was planning on asking you personally to meet you here before the concert rather than after, but I couldn't get to you through all the tokki stopping me to tell me how much they appreciate you.
Aire was pretty sure he was probably blushing a little. Not that he could hide it by crossing his legs and trying to appear more relaxed, though he tried.
Aire: That's nice to hear.
Admiral Zhang: Not just the tokki, but your crew. One particularly animated crew member told me, "I'd cross Hell in a skiff if Captain Valro asked me to." There's something to be said for that kind of loyalty, don't you think?
Now, Aire was sure he was blushing. The tips of his ears wouldn't feel as hot as they did if he weren't.
Aire: Thats... really nice to hear, Admiral.
Admiral Zhang's console beeped. Not unexpected, but the intrusion had a deflating effect on the mood.
Admiral Zhang: Give us a couple more minutes.
Admiral Zhang seemed to know what it was about, but Aire didn't have much time to think about it, for she turned to him with a sudden severe expression on her face, with her lips pursed and eyebrows creaked towards the center of her face.
Admiral Zhang: One more thing, Captain. Don't you dare run off like that again without at least dropping a message buoy first. Do you have any idea how many resources we expended looking for you? We thought you and your crew were dead! No amount of tokki accolades or illegal orders are going to save you next time.
Aire sat up straight on his couch, adopting a serious demeanor matching Admiral Zhang's.
Aire: Yes, Admiral!
Admiral Zhang tapped her comm button again.
Admiral Zhang: Okay, send them in.
Admiral Zhang stood and Aire followed suit. He turned just as the door opened and three familiar faces entered, Ryuu, Tayet, and Quenya, along with three more he did not know.
Admiral Zhang: Tomorrow, we'll be doing a performance review for your cadets. I thought a meet and greet with their parents might be in order, since everyone's here and they're keen to meet you. Just a quick drink and I can send you all back to the party.
Aire extended his hand and shook each of theirs in turn.
Aire: It's a pleasure to meet you both.
Kaoru: An honor, Captain.
Quilyon: Adell has told us a lot about you. He's very proud, you know.
Admiral Zhang: And this is Zet, Ryuu's husband and Tayet's father.
Zet: I was so surprised that Tayet has wings now. Can he fly? He keeps changing the subject when I ask.
Aire: He's working on it, for sure. He keeps jumping off of the trees in the atrium.
Zet scrunched up his face and nodded.
Zet: Yup, that sounds like something he would do.
Ryuu: They'll probably get bigger. For now, with practice, he might be able to glide a bit.
Admiral Zhang directed everyone to the couches.
Admiral Zhang: What would you all like to drink? My cabinet is well-stocked.
While the others took their seats, Admiral Zhang returned to her cabinet to offer everyone the drink of their choice. Through the window, high above the party, they could still hear the sounds of merriment below.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
