LtCmdrs. Christopher Caldwell & Lael Rosek-Skyfire: All Good Things, Pt. 1
Lael Rosek-Skyfire
((Pagrati Lounge, Deck 6, USS Astraeus))
No one else had arrived yet. Mei had allowed her the liberty of arranging the final awards ceremony before the transfers came in and it had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done. Despite her determination to stay focused on the task, she’d had to excuse herself a couple of times to work through swells of emotion.
She knew the rumor mill worked fast and her announcement to the senior staff had likely already circulated around the ship. Both the good and the bad.
Her hand went unconsciously to her abdomen, protruding only slightly beneath the dress uniform jacket she wore. The flutters that accompanied the second trimester were only beginning to surface. A sad smile touched the corners of her lips, realizing that the twins wouldn’t get to grow up running the Astraeus’s halls like Maddy and Kadain had. Oh, the trouble the older of her two children had made.
Caldwell: ::Simulating a com call:: Caldwell to Rosek-Skyfire, are you reading? ::Chuckling:: Penny for your thoughts? Or is the going rate an entire bar of latinum these days? ::Forcing a smile and gesturing around the room:: How’s it looking?
The sound of a familiar voice drew her from her thoughts and she forced her features into a mask of composure.
Rosek-Skyfire: Hey, Chris. Everything looks great. Are we ready for everyone to start arriving?
He gave the room a final, appraising scan. The chairs were arranged, the lighting was appropriately subdued, the medal presentation cases were all to hand. It all looked right, but it felt... hollow.
An awards ceremony was meant to celebrate the end of a chapter, but to Christopher, this felt more like an abrupt end of the book. Like still being in the first act when an enraged Brikar suddenly appears and slams the book closed on your fingers. In this case though, it was probably even worse than that, malice he could understand… he could even appreciate, but this was just bureaucracy. It was as if the book itself had suddenly and unexpectedly been cancelled by the Vulcan Narrative Efficiency Directorate, citing ‘redundant character arcs’ and ‘logically inconsistent plot progression’, only for them to immediately be censured over a frankly bizarre but hotly-disputed incident involving a holographic moose, resulting in their replacement by the Tellarite Committee on Literary Oversight, who, after arguing for sixteen hours solid, ultimately failed to reach a consensus on the minutes of their own meeting which had therefore resulted in the entire story of the book being tabled indefinitely.
Caldwell: As ready as I think we’re going to be, just need the actual people.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods:: I’ll send a reminder out over the comms in a moment.
Caldwell: Speaking of being prepared, how are things going with you?
He asked the question quietly, his tone shifting to something more personal. His experience with women didn’t really extend to being naturally comforting. He felt a sharp pang of guilt, he knew he needed to be a better friend to others.
It took a great deal of effort to not release weeks of pent up frustration. At least Command had been kind enough to warn her.
Rosek-Skyfire: I’m managing. We’re packed up. Just waiting on formal orders. About the only thing I’m certain of right now is that I won’t be moving to another first officer position.
He heard what sounded like weariness in her voice, no doubt frustrated by being stuck in a phenomenon far more dangerous and far harder to escape from than the event horizon of a quantum singularity; Starfleet’s bureaucratic vortex. He had to fight hard in order to resist an involuntary shudder.
Caldwell: ::Shaking his head:: Waiting for a desk jockey on Earth to decide on your family’s future. Still… all things considered, I suppose you’ll have lots of other responsibilities to focus on.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods:: It’s been a good run, but all good things must come to an end. ::smiles:: The wonderful thing, though, is that just because it’s the end of the chapter, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the book.
He listened to her words. Rather than being bitter, she was instead philosophical. She demonstrated a dignity and grace that was far beyond his own abilities. He couldn’t help but wonder how much of it was true and how much of it was her just putting on a brave face. Given her current status, she had plenty of things to focus on.
Caldwell: Well whatever comes next, I hope you get what you deserve ::Chuckling softly:: maybe it will be a little less about exploding planets and sentient plants…
His voice trailed off as a montage of near-disasters, bizarre discoveries and outrageous situations flashed through his mind. He felt what was, for him, a rare moment of genuine sentimentality, a feeling that was quickly followed by a sense of professional discomfort.
Caldwell: ::Clearing his throat:: Anyway, we’ve got a job to do.
He quickly shifted the mood, returning them to safer, more practical ground. He turned his attention to a PADD that had been left on a nearby table, pulling up the list of confirmed attendees. He didn’t look at her, focusing on the PADD, but he could feel her gaze on him.
She nodded. It was a task she should be enjoying rather than one she was dreading. It truly was bittersweet, with tonight being the end of a time she’d hoped never would. Still, she was determined to celebrate the accomplishments of her crew.
Rosek-Skyfire: What about you? ::smiles:: You have any thoughts on what you’ll do when things are said and done?
He looked up from the PADD as she spoke.
Caldwell: Oh I don’t know about all that, besides someone has to keep the lights on and sign off on the duty rosters, I’m sure they’ll keep me plenty busy.
He tried to be dismissive, defaulting to his rather cynical view of his own administrative duties. It was just easier to deflect than to properly consider his thoughts and feelings.
Rosek-Skyfire: The rumor mill has been awfully busy of late. I know that there was discussion of bringing the Astraeus in for the standard repairs, but it didn’t sound like it was going to be an overly long stay.
Caldwell: Well, nothing’s been confirmed yet but it wouldn’t be the first time the ship has been out of commission for a little while. How long was she in the yard following Frontier Day?
Rosek-Skyfire: ::grimaces:: Months. But then, she took a lot of damage and it was more extensive than replacing a few fried circuits. I’m pretty sure a lot of ships requested that the Fleet Formation software be removed. ::shakes her head:: I still will never fully know what Command was thinking with that. Even with all of the security measures to limit access, there was still a chance an enemy would hack in and then have control over the entire fleet.
Caldwell: Well I’m sure there will be plenty of time, even if not, one thing at a time, right?
He waved the PADD in dramatic fashion.
Caldwell: Is there anything that looks like it’s been missed? I want to make sure everything’s just right.
She scanned the collections of boxes, making sure everything matched her mental checklist. Her and Chris had spent at least an hour yesterday planning the order and making sure there were enough replicated. They’d also conferred with the Captain to make a few last minute decisions.
Chris was right. Given that this would be their last time together, she wanted it to be something the crew would remember.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::smiles:: Everything looks perfect. ::to Chris:: You ready for this? One last time as a team?
She hadn’t forgotten the incredible support he’d provided her during her brief stint in the big chair during Mei’s temporary absence. All of that seemed a lifetime ago now. If anyone would have told her that they’d face so many changes so soon after that, she would have looked at them like they’d grown a third head.
A wane smile crossed her lips. She’d watched Chris grow from an Ensign to a Lieutenant Commander and it had given her great pleasure to do so. It was one of the many things she loved about this job. Chris was amazing and she knew he’d go on to bigger and better things. She only hoped the big wigs at Command realized just how blessed they were to count him among their rising stars.
Caldwell: ::Snorting a laugh:: Oh I wasn’t aware that there was a choice?
Her words, “one last time as a team”, hit with a surprising amount of force. For Caldwell the words threatened to unlock thoughts and feelings he’d hoped to keep sealed away. He’d already had his fill of last times during his career, albeit this was the first one that was going to include a polite award ceremony and glasses of champagne. He wasn’t sure what was better, not realising when something was happening for the last time or having fore knowledge. He did his best to set such thoughts to one side, he owed this to the Captain, to her and to the rest of the crew.
Caldwell: I suppose we have to be. I think it’s time to get started.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods and taps her commbadge:: =/\= Attention, senior staff. Please begin making your way to the Pagrati Lounge for our dinner and awards ceremony. =/\= ::turns to Chris:: Can you check with the kitchen on the night’s refreshment. ::grins:: And our surprise for Captain Mei’konda?
He chuckled, her grin was pretty infectious, a welcome spark of genuine fun. It felt appropriate given the circumstances.
Caldwell: ::Feigning confusion:: Surprise?... a surprise for the Captain? ::Clicking his fingers:: Ah yes, the extra large saucer of milk? ::Looking for a reaction:: No? The huge ball of string? ::Narrowing his eyes:: You mean the laser emitter? ::Studying Lael’s face:: Of course, the big box? ::Chuckling:: Yes I’ll check in but I promise you, it’s ready.
==========/\==========
Lieutenant Commander Christopher Caldwell
Mission Specialist & 2nd Officer
USS Astraeus, NCC-70652
A240101CC1 &