Carpathia V: Episode 8 - Andrast Shipyard
Andrast
For the first time since the Chrono Blade bore witness to the destruction of Cytosia, a beautiful, living world filled the bridge windows. After a week of staring at the ass of a tokki ringship, it was more than a welcome sight. Though it was the night shift, the day crew were all at their stations to attend.
Kau: Captain, we are ordered to dock at Cradle E7.
Ivy wished she could hold onto the view for awhile longer. Better yet, to land on the planet itself, but the Chrono Blade was in no condition to do so.
Ivy: Send acknowledgement. Helm, take us to Cradle E7.
Riku: Understood. I would like to request push shuttles. We are still missing a lot of thrusters.
Ivy: Understood. Kau, request push shuttles.
Kau: Yes, Captain.
As the ship turned, aiming for the orange moon, Andrast slid away from the front window, now filling up the side. Ivy stood and wandered to the opposite side to avoid distraction. As pleased as she was to be at a Carpathian planet, she had a docking to conduct and a crew to manage. The great exhale would have to wait.
Ivy: Kau, shipwide channel.
Kau tapped at his console.
Kau: You're live, Captain.
Ivy: Attention crew of the Chrono Blade. We have arrived at the Andrast Shipyard and we are preparing to dock. Soon, command of this ship will be taken over by the shipyard master. Accommodations have been arranged in the shipyard hub for all of you. Should you wish to visit Andrast to relax or visit family, be sure to keep your communicators with you at all times. For now, I do not know what the future holds for us, but I will let you know as soon as I have information. I want to thank you all for your duty, bravery, and diligence. Because of you, we have a future. Ivy out.
Sena: Whatever happens, Captain, I hope they keep us together.
Ivy: I intend to advocate for that strongly. The problem is that there are no other complete ships that are as big as this one. I don't want to speculate.
Ivy continued wandering the bridge, making her way from the side window all the way to the point at the front.
Kau: Captain, I have a message from... wait. It says Admiral Yoshida.
Ivy raced to get behind the viewer, back to her command chair.
Ivy: Sounds like Lord Flinn is wasting no time rebuilding the admiralty. On viewer.
With a few button taps, Admiral Yoshida appeared on the viewer.
Admiral Yoshida: Welcome home, Captain Tyler.
Admiral Yoshida paused and looked around.
Admiral Yoshida: I see you're not in your ready room. I bid the crew of the Chrono Blade a welcome home too.
Ivy: I'm afraid I left my ready room scattered around the Polaris Sector, Admiral. If you would like for me to go to my quarters, we can continue the conversation there.
Admiral Yoshida: No need, Ivy. I just wanted to welcome you back and to get a meeting scheduled with you. I'll put a few options on your calendar and you can pick one. I'd like for you to bring Teren, so find a time that works for both of you.
Ivy: I'll do that as soon as we're docked. Also, congratulations on your promotion, Admiral.
For a split second, Admiral Yoshida appeared to turn somber, the smile vanishing from his face as he dipped his head. When he looked up again, the smile returned, though a bit sadder than before.
Admiral Yoshida: If only it were under different circumstances, but thanks very much for the sentiment. Admiral Zhang left behind big shoes to fill.
Ivy: I'm sure you'll be great, Admiral. Will there be anything else?
Admiral Yoshida: Nothing that can't wait until we meet. Happy docking and again, welcome home. Yoshida out.
The screen went dark and Ivy glanced out the side window, the one that had once been filled with the sight of Andrast. It was now behind them and the orange moon filled the forward view.
Riku: I have confirmed approach vector to Cradle E7. Push shuttles also confirmed standing by.
Ivy: Very good. Slow to 5% thrusters and follow vector procedures.
Riku: Understood, Captain.
All that was left was for the crew to put their trust in Riku as he guided the ship towards what may, perhaps, be its final resting place. Nobody knew. He gently steered the ship toward the cradle as the push shuttles approached with barely-audible thunks to help guide the ship where the damaged thrusters could not. With practiced precision, the Chrono Blade slipped into its cradle and Ivy gave her final command.
Ivy: Send Engineering, finished with engines.
Even if the core never powered the Chrono Blade again, it would find life in another ship someday. The Chrono Blade's future was in the hands of others now.
Captain's Quarters, Chrono Blade, Three days later
The shipyard supplied the Chrono Blade crew with trunks and gave everyone three days to pack up their stuff. Anything not going with them to their temporary quarters on the station went to trunks for storage. Some packed quickly, particularly those with friends or family on Andrast. Others, who had no rush, went slower. Finally, slower still were the ones who felt the most attached to their ship, their oasis in space.
And none were slower than Captain Tyler. Just two hours before the deadline and she was only just getting started, kneeling on the floor next to an open, empty trunk, surrounded by the accoutrements of her captaincy. No matter, she thought. They would hardly throw the Captain out if she were late. At least, that's what she hoped, because she had no chance of being finished in time. There was nobody left on the ship, or so she thought, so her door stood open, giving her a view of a small section of corridor beyond. As she packed, she looked up briefly just in time to see a calico-colored tail pass by.
Ivy: Is that you, Kau?
Ivy watched the open door as a few seconds ticked by in anticipation. Finally, Kau's confused face appeared in the doorway, peering inside. He was in his uniform, with the chest plate catching the glint of the lighting and holding an axe of blackened steel over his shoulder.
Kau: Captain! I thought I was the last one on the ship.
Ivy: That makes two of us. If you're not in a rush to go anywhere, would you keep me company?
Kau hesitated for a moment before stepping inside.
Kau: Certainly, Captain. I promise I'm not here to cut your head off or anything.
Ivy smiled, perhaps her first on the day in which she did nothing but dread the time when she would have no choice but to start packing. Kau kneeled on the other side of the trunk, laying his axe on his lap.
Ivy: That's some axe you have there. Would you tell me about it?
Kau looked down, running his paws up and down the axe handle.
Kau: It's a traditional ceremonial axe of the nekomi, usually given as a coming-of-age gift. My parents bought it at an auction just before I left for the Academy. It's probably over a thousand years old, but it isn't rare. There are quite a lot of these, in fact, but this one is in great condition.
Ivy: May I see?
Without hesitation, Kau lifted the axe and presented it to Ivy. She took it with grace and care, leaning in close to study the metal carefully.
Ivy: Not a single pit or scratch from what I can see. Surprising for something so old. It's a great find. I'm surprised at how light it is.
Kau: Lucky, if you ask me. I just couldn't bear to put it in a trunk and let it get tossed around storage. I'd have been very upset if it got damaged after surviving the entire battle without a scratch.
With a nod, Ivy picked up a stack of neatly-folded clothes and placed them in the trunk.
Ivy: How have you been? It's been a rough time for all of us.
Ivy reached down for another stack of clothes to place in her trunk while Kau squeezed his paws tighter around the axe handle.
Kau: Would you like some help, Captain?
Ivy finished setting the clothes in the trunk and then looked around her room, her eyes eventually landing on a nearby bookcase.
Ivy: Thank you for offering. I'd like to mix books and clothes so that the weight of the trunks stays even. If you could grab some of those books?
Kau: Of course!
Kau stood, axe in hand, and propped it against the wall next to the door. Then he retrieved a stack of books from the shelf.
Ivy: Right in here. I just got them reorganized. I knew something like this might happen, but I just had to do it.
Kau placed the stack of books into the trunk, dead center, while the clothes took up the outside. Ivy reached in as well and they both wrestled with the items together to adjust the organization.
With the arrangement settled, Kau went for more books while Ivy placed more clothes at the sides. Finally, Kau, while taking more books from the shelves, answered the question he'd been asked earlier.
Kau: What comes next will be my third ship in less than a year, assuming I even get a ship. I've often felt like I don't belong anywhere, until now. The war made me realize that this is where I should be with all of you. I don't mind a new ship. I don't want another crew. I belong with you.
With his arms now loaded with books, Kau brought them to the trunk.
Ivy: I think many of the crew feel as you do.
Ivy leaned forward, reaching out to put her hand on Kau's shoulder and giving it a strong squeeze.
Ivy: I agree. You belong with us. The good news is that Admiral Yoshida agrees and he's working on keeping us together. Don't tell anyone, though. We can't get people's hopes up if it doesn't work out.
Kau nodded.
Kau: I understand, Captain. I won't tell anyone.
Ivy: Now, shall we continue? I appreciate your helping me pack, but I appreciate the company even more. What sorts of things do you do for fun?
Kau's ears perked straight and tall on his head and a grin spread across his face.
Kau: Several things! Let's see... erm... Oh, I like just about any sort of card game. Anything from regular playing cards to adventure card games.
Ivy adopted a thoughtful expression, even going so far as to stroke her chin.
Ivy: Crew game nights might be something fun for the future. Something to think about, at least.
Together, Ivy and Kau continued packing for many hours and, thankfully, nobody from the shipyard came to kick them out.
Shuttle Bay, Andrast Shipyard, Four days later
Admiral Yoshida awaited next to an open shuttle door, arms folded across his chest. Though he settled in for a break of watching station workers come and go, he didn't have to wait long. Soon, Ivy strode to him at a brisk pace with Kau in tow.
Ivy: I hope you don't mind that I brought Kau with me. He was teaching me a game called Stellar Sorcery when you called.
Admiral Yoshida: Not a problem. Shall we proceed? I want to show you your new ship.
Though Ivy comported herself with dignity and grace at the news, only raising an eyebrow, Kau was much less composed.
Kau: Oh! What is it? What is it?
Admiral Yoshida: You'll see when we get there. Shall we board?
Kau wasted no time launching himself into the shuttle while Ivy took her time, flashing a wry smile at Admiral Yoshida as she passed.
Ivy: Fine. Keep your secrets for now.
Ivy made her way to the pilot seat, though she didn't sit down. If Admiral Yoshida was the only one who knew which ship they were getting, he was the only one who could fly. Sure enough, he was right behind her and took the controls right away. Within moments, the shuttle was free of the deck, flying outside the door into space.
As they zigzagged around all of the parked starships, each one presented the potential as their next ship. Soon, even Kau started getting deflated. Each ship they passed was vastly inferior to the Chrono Blade, all smaller, slower, and with far fewer amenities. A situation that he and Ivy knew already, but now seemed more real when confronted with this fact.
But one turn changed everything.
Kau immediately squashed his nose on the windscreen and shouted.
Kau: Shadowdancer!
Ivy: But how? It crashed on Sassinesa's planet.
Admiral Yoshida: Welcome to your new ship. Yes, it crashed, but the damage wasn't as catastrophic as we thought. It took over a year of repairs to get it space-worthy again, but it's not ready for any sort of battle. It's been converted into a museum ship and the plan was to have her travel around Carpathia with exhibits and for recruitment. For now, temporarily, she is yours until we can get you something better.
Kau: Whatever the reason, I think it's perfect.
Admiral Yoshida: Kau, care to take the comm and request docking permission?
Kau, now fully re-inflated, jumped into the copilot seat and put on his headset.
Kau: Yes, Admiral!
Commissioned art in Carpathia from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
Nalaxa Art
