A chat with the other side

[STSF_Scooter 0]

Audraya stood before the recently dedicated plinth at Starfleet Academy, a cold wind whipping off the Bay. The weather suited the Orion commander’s mood perfectly: cold and dreary. The plinth, made of polished granite was topped by a golden command insignia and listed the names of those lost in the Battle of Vulcan; the biggest defeat of Starfleet since the early battles of the Earth-Romulan Wars.

 

Her purple eyes picked out the name of her mentor easily amongst the others listed. “I’ve been promoted,” she said, as she sat on a bench facing Bob Wesley’s name. “I finally made commander, and I think Starfleet has it in their infinite wisdom to assign me to a new ship.” She paused as, though listening to a reply from the other side.

 

“I know, Father. But I don’t know if I’m ready to head back into space. What if I freeze at a particularly inopportune moment? Or I lose another crewman under my command?

 

“Yes, yes, I know couldn’t prevent the death of Lieutenants Perry and Nelson anymore than I could have prevented the destruction of the Truman or Entente. We were lucky that Nero was so intent on destroying Vulcan that he neglected to look at any surviving lifesigns. Not that there were many after the Narada opened up on us.

 

“I know, I know, we wouldn’t be having this conversation this way.” Audraya stood, and straightened her landing party jacket. “Admiral Coyote wanted to see me; which is why I think I’m going back into space. I wonder if she’s related to Wily E.

 

“We’ll talk again later, I hope.” As she turned to leave, Audraya paused and knelt in front of the plinth. She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out her class ring. She gave it one last look, before placing it in front of the plinth. “Thank you, Father, for believing in me, and giving me a chance,” she said quietly.

[Crash Calestorm 0]

“Admiral Coyote wanted to see me; which is why I think I’m going back into space. I wonder if she’s related to Wily E."

 

You *can* ask the Rear Admiral that particular question Commander, but I disavow myself from any prior knowledge of the resulting unimaginable violence.

 

...Meep Meep.