OIC (40)
MegaZone23
"A warning to anyone still in command/Of their possible
future to take care."
--Pink Floyd
Zoner entered the bridge of the Wayward Son for the last
time and took his usual place. He still wasn't sure how he
was going to break the news to the crew. They had served
well, beyond all his expectations, and part of him felt as if
he were deserting them.
He mechanically attended to his duties as he worked on
the problem. He was still mulling it over when the comm
screen on the arm of his chair beeped. He keyed up the
message and Eve's face filled the screen.
"The task you requested of me is complete. When are you
planning on...," Eve just short of shrugged her shoulders
since she didn't want to say it out loud.
"Well, no time like the present. I'll see you in the
hangar bay. Zoner out."
As Eve vanished from the screen he addressed the bridge
crew. "Excuse me, I have something rather important to say."
Everyone turned to listen.
"As you all know Gryphon has fled the ship while
awaiting trial for alleged war crimes. Kei is currently
packing as she plans to track him down..." he paused before
adding, "and kill him. Before you say anything I would like
to say that I am not going to prevent her from leaving. They
can settle this on their own. But that isn't the
announcement I need to make. I just wanted to make that
clear. What I need to tell you is that I am resigning my
position..."
A beep from the tactical console interrupted him. ReRob
read the display. "Hangar 13 reports the Lovely Angel has
just departed."
Zoner continued, "That would be Kei. As I was saying I
am resigning my commission as Captain and leaving the WDF and
the Son. I do not feel that I am capable of leading this
crew any further due to personal reasons. I would also like
to add that Yuri will not be accompanying me when I leave."
That drew a number of murmured comments.
"The problem at hand is picking a new Captain. That
will be my last task before I leave... ReRob?"
"Yes?"
"In light of Gryphon's hasty departure you are next in
line for succession. I want an honest answer. Do you want
the position as Captain of the Wayward Son? And if you do,
do you honestly feel that you are prepared for that role?"
ReRob thought it over for a minute before answering. "I
do not desire to become Captain. I feel that I can better
serve this ship and the WDF if I remain in engineering and
R&D. I'm sorry."
"Don't be, you do a good job down there and I'd like to
see your work continue. q?"
"Like yo."
"Due to ReRob's deferment you are now next in line for
the position as Captain of the Son. I ask you the same
questions as I did him."
q thought it over for an even longer time than Rob and
finally gave his answer. "I would be, like, honored to serve
as Captain of the Wayward Son. Like, I'll do my, like, best
to continue the successful career that the WDF has, like, had
so far."
"Very well. As my last act as Captain of the WDF vessel
SDF-17 Wayward Son I appoint John Todd, AKA q, to be my
replacement at such time that I resign said position." Zoner
took a deep breath and paused for a moment before continuing
in a small voice. "I, Brian David Bikowicz, AKA MegaZone, do
hereby resign my commission as Captain of the WDF vessel
SDF-17 Wayward Son. I turn over command of said vessel to my
appointed replacement John Todd, AKA q." Zoner look q in the
eyes, "q, she's all yours. Take damn good care of her.
She's a good ship, a bitch sometimes, but she'll always give
you her all."
"Like, I'll do my best."
"I know you will. Farewell everyone. Break the news to
the rest of the crew after I'm gone. I don't think I could
keep it together long enough to do it myself." Zoner headed
straight for the door, ignoring their questions. He wanted
to leave with some dignity and it wouldn't do for them to see
him crying.
Zoner ran straight to the Daytona from Hell and checked
over the packing job. Good, everything was in place. He
strapped in and punched up the coordinates of the nearest
inhabitable planet. He figured on stopping there until he
could make the decision as to his final destination. That
did it, he was all set to go. By all rights he should just
leave... But he couldn't just yet. He punched a button on
his dash.
"Eve?"
"Yes, I'm here."
"Please prep the Angels' VT-1FD for long duration warp
flight and send a couple of droids to Yuri's quarters to help
her pack."
"Will she be joining you after all?"
"No, but I think she'll be leaving on her own."
"Very well."
"Thanks Eve."
He punched another button.
"Yuri?"
"Z-Zoner..." She was still crying.
"Yuri please listen to me. I'm sorry. I had no right
to be so cold. But I still can't stay. I want you to go
find Kei. Patch things up. I know that inside she still
loves you."
"She never wants to see me again," Yuri sobbed.
"You know that's not true. That was her anger talking.
Please, for what we once had, don't let her get away too. I
had Eve prep the VT-1FD for you and a couple of droids should
be there shortly to help you pack."
"What about you?" Yuri asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry Yuri, but I'm still leaving. Maybe someday
I'll have gotten over this. But until then you need Kei and
Kei needs you. I have to go now."
"Where?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'll find somewhere to settle."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"Hell, it's a small universe. I'm sure you will."
"Take care of yourself," she paused, "I love you."
"You take care too. Goodbye." I love you too, he
didn't add.
Zoner powered up the Daytona from Hell and blasted out
through the open hangar doors. He made an orbit around the
SDF-17, taking one last look before blasting off into space
and parts unknown.