Something beautiful. (Part 2)
r.rahman
((Cakapunnual - 4 months later...))
Blake sighed. After Veritas entered dry-dock to undergo a major refit, her friends had been reassigned to the far reaches of space. Some had followed Wil Ukinix and ended up in the Delta Quadrant -- far, far away from the Shoals. Others ended up with Rahman on her new assignment, the Galaxy-class USS Kitty Hawk.
And some were lucky enough to remain in the area.
Zhou: ::shaking his head:: I had to come out here to see it for myself… Sky Blake, Coalition Marshal.
Blake’s head fell, chin touching her chest as she hid a bright smile. When she rose to look at Zhou Tai-Sheng, she saw a complete Starfleet uniform.
Blake: Fancy meeting you here.
Zhou: Could say the same to you. Thought you took a desk job?
Blake: I did.
Zhou walked up to his old friend, the air sending bits of dirt past them as a gentle breeze ran across the lush jungle landscape.
Zhou: So how is marshal life treating you?
He gave her a knowing look as he reached closer to her.
Zhou: Or should I ask how are you treating the marshal life? Whip them all into shape?
The Brekkazoid raised an eyebrow for a brief moment.
Blake: Not much to whip into shape.
Zhou: Mmmhmm… you look *good*, Blake.
She frowned. He rolled his eyes, chuckling.
Zhou: Well, that too, but I mean you look *happy.*
Blake: Hm. Well, I’m not fighting against a wall, I suppose. I think this suits me better.
Her friend nodded, thinking it over.
Zhou: I suppose it does.
Blake: What happens to you now, then?
Zhou: Well, I’m sure you know now there’s not just one but two Veritas class ships in the region.
Blake: So I heard. Does that mean you’ve finally got one of them?
Zhou: Yup.
He gestured towards the blue sky overhead with not a cloud in sight.
Zhou: The Concordia is just parked up there… you might be able to see it catch the light if you squint just right.
Blake:::amused:: I’d rather not risk my eyesight.
Zhou: Anyway, we’re about to head on over to Donova… finish what we started back on Esperance. But I wanted to say hello while I had the chance… it might be a few months before we make it back to your new gig.
Blake: I appreciate that.
Zhou took another glance around the dense vegetation of the tropical planet. Ever since Captain Rosa Carrero’s death five years ago here, he’d found it hard to have good feelings about the colony. But seeing Blake here now… it was the first time in a long time he felt something besides bitterness and regret standing on the planet’s surface.
Zhou: Take care of yourself, Blake. Things are changing fast here… everywhere across the Shoals. Yesterday’s friends, tomorrow’s enemies… something like that.
He shrugged.
Zhou: You know I’m not one for speeches.
Blake: And here I thought I was the pessimistic one. ::with a smile:: “Trust the system,” wasn’t it?
He looked back at her and then grinned.
Zhou: Doesn’t ring a bell.
He took something out of his pocket and handed it over to Blake as one final memento. It resembled an old flip communicator but about half the size.
Zhou: You know that whole 3G thing? Turns out Starfleet’s been given a priority channel. You ever need anything, don’t be afraid to call. I mean it, Blake.
He dropped the retro communications device in her open hand.
Blake: I know. Same goes for you. You ever need back up or a quick get-out-of-jail-free card… I think I’ve got some strings to pull.
He nodded before he tapped his combadge.
Zhou: =/\= Zhou to Concordia, one to beam up. =/\=
Concordia: =/\= Aye, captain. =/\=
Zhou Tai-Sheng dissolved in a swirl of lights, leaving nothing but humid air in his wake. With a slight, knowing smile, Blake crossed her arms, beginning a walk through the small setting of Cakapunnual.
The town had become more permanent since she'd last spent a significant amount of time here. The passage between each building was still pure dirt, of course -- patches of green grass had managed to grow at the vertices of each stone metal building. The town had been precariously placed on a cliff-side. Now, it was home -- until she had to leave to Antor or Meridian, assuming her boss could decide where the CCMS headquarters would be relocated.
Now, the cliff's edge had been railed off, safe for visitors to lean against. Blake's hands clasped together as she leaned her elbows against the railing.
In the far off distance, a light flashed across the sky. The light was a ship. On the ship was her friend, ready to face another day.
THE END
CUE SERIES END CREDITS: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GJlrTTr2N_ZrQ6EeGiETw1XRqjAWkKjo/view?usp=sharing
Sky Blake
Vice Chief Marshal
Colonial Coalition Marshals Service
C238803SB0
&
Captain Zhou Tai-Sheng
CO, USS Concordia
I238705TZ0