Carpathia IV: Episode 312 - Generations
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
With the Shadowdancer clear of the planet and shattered moon, Joust flopped into his chair and let out a deep sigh, sinking further and further into the cushion as the air escaped his body, like a deflating pool toy.
Joust: Status.
Joust's order came in a low tone with breathy exhaustion. Responses, however, were terse and immediate.
Amenaru: Minimal new damage on top of what we already have. Mostly scraping on the hull plating.
Shep: Most of the fortress fragments remain in orbit, but some are burning up in the atmosphere. Cannot yet confirm strikes on the surface.
Trex: No sign of the creature or Lazmaedia. What's interesting is that power is failing all over the planet and it's getting worse. It's not just power plants. In the darkest areas, I'm not picking up even the slightest electrical discharge. No lights. No vehicles. Not even a remote control.
Joust sat up straight at this last bit of news and turned toward Trex.
Joust: Nothing at all?
Trex: Nothing artificial. I'm getting explosions all around. It looks like anything that was in flight isn't anymore.
Joust: Very peculiar. Hopefully Captain Valro will have some insight when he gets here.
The lift door near Trex opened and Aire trudged out. Joust, shedding all weariness in an instant, jumped out of his chair and wrapped his arms around him.
Joust: Captain!
Aire, weary as he was returned the hug until Joust suddenly jumped back. Just as he was about to say something, Joust smacked him across the face.
Joust: If you try to kill yourself like that again, I'll kill you!
Aire returned the sentiment with an exhausted smirk.
Aire: Good to see you too, Joust.
Trex: Oh, but Captain! You're injured! And your uniform is in tatters! Shall I call the doctor?
Aire: No need. It's superficial. She'll be busy enough with Ryuu. He'll be fine but he took a beating down there.
Shep: And Lazmaedia?
Aire: Not only dead, but pulverized. Possibly eaten. What of the creature? You must have detected it.
Trex: If you mean that giant... thing. It seems to have gone.
Aire: Hopefully one less thing to worry about, but keep a watch out for that. I'll tell you all about what happened in a minute, but first, Kit, shipwide channel... wait. Is that Cerberus outside the window?
Shep: Cerberus showed up just after you entered the shield. They kept a vashta ship away from us while we worked out how to get through the shield.
Aire: It's good not to be alone out here. Kit, Azrael first and ready a shipwide channel when I give you the signal.
Kit: Yes, Captain. I'll let you know when I have everything set up.
Aire plodded around the security console and made straight for his chair, dropping down into it like a sack of potatoes, grunting all the way down.
Aire: You came for me.
It was a simple statement, but Aire's tone suggested one of surprise. Joust moved to answer, but Kit beat him to it before he could even open his mouth.
Kit: You come for us. We come for you. That's the rule. I am sure Quenya and Sylvar would agree.
Amenaru: Did you think we wouldn't?
Aire: Honestly, I hoped it wouldn't be necessary. Whatever happens to me, I want all of you to live your lives in peace. Still... thank you.
Kit: I have Cerberus. Putting on viewer while I patch simultaneous ship-wide broadcast.
Aire: Thank you, Kit. Keep Azrael on after my announcement.
Azrael appeared on the viewer, wide screen, so that he could see the entire bridge.
Azrael: Captain Valro. I'm pleased to see you back on board.
Aire: I'm glad you came. We have much to discuss, but first, I will make a brief address to the crew that I want you to hear.
Azrael: Understood. I will initiate a shipwide channel so the Cerberus can hear your words as well.
Azrael turned and nodded at his communications officer, who immediately set to his controls.
Kit: Ready, Captain.
Aire stood, struggling his way out of his chair and tore his uniform even more when he gave it the customary tug.
Aire: Attention crews of the Shadowdancer and Cerberus. This is Captain Valro. Thanks to your efforts, Lazmaedia is dead. Carpathia is safe. Whatever happens from here on, that's what matters. Now, we must make repairs, pay tribute to our victorious dead, and celebrate your phenomenal work. There will be generations of future Carpathians because of you. Aire out.
Kit: Shipwide channel closed, Captain.
Aire: Not that we're in any condition to go through a wormhole again, but I presume it has closed.
Azrael: That is so, Aire. We came through just before it collapsed.
Aire: Then we are stuck out here unless Ryuu knows something about making wormholes, but that isn't likely. No activity from the planet?
Trex: The planet is completely dead now, technologically speaking. Not a single functioning electronic device.
From the moment Aire returned, he expected... no, he knew his crew would immediately inform him of any imminent threat or critical circumstance. The questions he asked up to now, he already knew the answers. This, however, was a bit different. Aire heard the confusion in Trex's voice. It wasn't just the First One containment system that was tied to Lazmaedia being alive. It was everything. A kill switch, so to speak. Lazmaedia's final "fuck you" to the vashta should she ever be killed.
At least, that's what he deduced. Confirmation was needed and Ryuu could help once he was well enough.
Aire: I really didn't think Lazmaedia would go that far, but she did.
Joust: You know something.
Aire: I have a pretty good guess, but I'll need to confirm. Azrael, I suggest we take two hours to tend to our ships and then meet for a conference with senior staff from both our ships. We can link our conference rooms through comms.
Azrael: Agreed. Riven, see to repairs. I will tour the ship and speak with the crew about what they need.
Riven: I will see to it, Captain.
Azrael: If there is nothing else, I will see you in two hours, Aire.
Aire: That will be all for now, but we'll have much to discuss later. Aire out.
Azrael disappeared from the screen while Aire returned to his chair. He considered sitting, but changed his mind as he knew he would just have to stand up again in a minute.
Aire: What repairs are needed most right now?
Amenaru: I recommend the inertial dampeners. At 50% capacity, we can't use the quantum engines or we'd all just end up as greasy splats on the back wall.
Aire: That's a good candidate. If there are no objections, we'll put a priority on that.
No objections came.
Aire: Good. Amenaru, supervise inertial dampener repairs. Baal, map the planet. Trex, keep monitoring for any threats. Shep, you and your team inspect every area of the ship that the vashta infiltrated to make sure they didn't leave any surprises. For everyone else, if I didn't give you an order just now, make yourself useful. There's plenty to do and Joust or someone else can find something for you if you're not sure where to start. I need to visit sick bay. Joust, you have the bridge.
All on the bridge responded with a chorus of "Yes Captain!" and immediately set to their tasks while Aire hobbled to the lift.
Joust: Captain, you're just going to sick bay, right?
Aire turned and read very clearly the skepticism plastered all over Joust's face. Considering what recently transpired, it was a fair question, Aire thought.
Aire: Not to worry, Commander. Just sick bay and then to my ready room after.
Joust sent him a skeptical squint before acquiescing.
Joust: I'll see you back here, then.
With a weary nod, Aire entered the lift on his way to sick bay.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Colourbrand
Falke2009
