ROC
STARDATE 05.16.26
FIMBULVETR
Captain Bellafina Rainbow Freefeather sat in the Captain’s Lounge deep inside of a Unity compound on Planetbase. In her hand was her favorite drink, a wine glass full of light green liquid made from the eggs of her reptilian relatives. She has already drank more than her fill. She meant to drink even more.
“May I join you, Captain Freefeather?”
Bellafina looked up. Standing tall above her was the four armed Captain Hervor. Captain Hervor stared at Captain Freefeather with her four eyes, waiting patiently for a response. Bellafina’s mind was dulled from all the alcohol she consumed.
“Captain…?”
Bellafina came back to her senses. “Oh…of course! <SQUAWK> Please sit down, Captain Hervor.”
Captain Hervor calmly sat down. She ordered a glass of water and a salad from the waitress. Then she put one hand on Bellafina’s forearm.
“You missed the Captain’s Briefing. I’m worried about you, Bellafina. Are you alright?”
Tears formed in Bellafina’s eyes. “I lost my younger sister <SQUAWK> and my younger brother in that Neo-Invader Hauntling <SQUAWK> attack. Did you know that <SQUAWK> when the Neo-Invaders launched their <SQUAWK> Second Invasion, I went out of my way to pick <SQUAWK> them both up so that they would be safe <SQUAWK> on Planetbase? But they both insisted <SQUAWK> on serving with me on the Roc. They wanted <SQUAWK> to make a difference. Now they <SQUAWK> are gone forever. I find it <SQUAWK> …difficult…to move on.”
Captain Hervor squeezed Bellafina’s forearm. “I know this is hard. I’ve lost people close to me before as well. But your sister and brother would want you to go on living…for their sakes. You must find a way out of of this well you are drowning in. Please…let me help you, Captain Freefeather.”
Bellafina looked out of the window. The stars were shining bright. “Have you ever wondered <SQUAWK>, Captain Hervor, about tha <SQUAWK>t other dimension scientists say exist? The one where the <SQUAWK> Neo-Invaders never returned to invade us a <SQUAWK> second time? Can you imagine what <SQUAWK> it must have been like there? Second Generation <SQUAWK> X-Technology would have been developed <SQUAWK> after the First Invaders were repelled. All of the empires <SQUAWK> would have rebuilt their fleets. There would have <SQUAWK> been an era of peace and prosperity. Nothing <SQUAWK> like our dismal state of being. Do <SQUAWK> you think…in that other dimension…my <SQUAWK> brother and sister are still alive?”
Captain Hervor went quiet. She knew exactly where Captain Freefeather was coming from and why she was saying what she was saying. She desperately wanted her sister and brother to not be dead. Her mind would pursue any idea, any reality, that allowed them both to be alive once again. But this pursuit was a very dangerous thing.
“Captain Freefeather, we must not consider other dimensions or realities. We are in this one for a reason. You are needed here…right now. Unity needs you. I and the other Captains need you. You are the Captain of the Roc, a valuable Unity starship. Your crew needs you. You must face the tragedy that has befallen you…and overcome it. You have to be strong for those around you who are weaker than you. They look to you for strength, Bellafina, for leadership. You must climb out of this pit you are in. You must rejoin the living.”
Captain Bellafina Rainbow Freefeather turned and stared at her good friend, Captain Hervor. She was right. Bellafina knew it, it was just so…difficult. She pushed her wine glass far away from herself.
“You are right, <SQUAWK> Captain Hervor. Thank you for reminding me <SQUAWK> of my duties as a Captain. My sister and <SQUAWK> brother will always be with me. But it is time to <SQUAWK> go on living. We have a <SQUAWK> war to fight.”
Both Captains stood up firmly. Their eyes met each other, unwavering, unfaltering, unshaken. Their inner strength flowed freely between the two of them.
“Forgive my <SQUAWK> weakness, Captain Hervor.”
“Welcome back to the living,” Captain Hervor said as she hugged Captain Bellafina Rainbow Freefeather with her four arms. “You are no longer the person who sat in that seat minutes ago. We both leave that person behind.”
“LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD.”
