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Chapter 68

Mother Confessor:

Been a long time since I had the pleasure of encountering Uldivarions. Though that was under less than optimal conditions. They are really fascinating as a species. It is good to get to see them in a social environment, even if they are getting inebriated. I could tell that the Captain got lost in some of what they brought up even in jest. Every once in a while I had to mentally catch up, as they are a very advanced society.

Nursing a second ale, as it began dulling my senses a fraction. We continued our conversation with the Uldivarion techs. Sa’bork seemed to be the one to hold rank. His comrade, Mor’ll, is actually quite the verbal clown. The more intoxicated he becomes, the more it showed through his otherwise no nonsense persona as a hard nosed soldier. They seem to enjoy the story that Commander Riley, had shared with me under less than friendly terms. Though I omit that from the equation. Am not going to allude to my past, just want to be apart of the conversation. Besides we are all swapping funny stories, amongst other things.

Checking on the Captain, as he begins in on his fourth bottle. He seems to be troubled, despite his best efforts to hide it. I dare not overstep my boundary, and ask him. I am sure he has quite a bit on his mind. After all is said and done we are all serving first and foremost. This little fact was eating at me, as in a way the Captain and I are friends. But things have changed since our first encounter. As much as I want to be his friend, I was his subordinate. This bothers me to see him like this, but I hold my tongue out of respect for him, and of my status under his command.

Graxis:

After taking another generous swig on my fresh bottle of ale. I look about the cantina. Feeling a bit unknowledgeable in the subject being discussed at the table, and curious to see who else may have shown up. Well look what the veraut dragged in. I see the Ober-Commander enter with Red Wolf. The smile falls from my face when I see their demeanor as they walk in somberly. What in the stars happened out there on the moon? Whatever it is, it did not concern me despite my concern for them.

“Will you excuse me”, I politely say to the trio discussing some theoretical principal.

“Not a problem, Captain”, Sa’bork says looking up from their conversation,” hope you come back. Got a funny story about a Zemosion squad.”

“Not a problem, just have some business to attend to”, I reply to the Uldivarion beaming up at me.

Leaving the trio to their discussion. Collecting my bottle and making my way over to the somber pair. Feeling the light hearted effect of the drink turning sour in my stomach as I walk to them.

“Go and have a seat, Red”, the senior officer tells her, before addressing me,” Hey, Graxis.” His tone low. We stand at the bar, the moment is dark as I feel his burdened mood.

“Something for the lady, nothing for me”, he says to the bartender, then turning his attention back to me.

“See you made it back in one piece”, I say to him, looking into his eyes,” I must apologize for my disobedience, but it was the only way I would have caught the traitor.”

Placing a hand on my shoulder,” I know, Graxis”, he says to me,” Don’t let it get to you. I had a feeling that Janxica would not have been able to do it all by herself.” Cocking my head slightly to the side puzzled at how he could have possibly known, looking at him curiously.

“But how?”, I ask perplexed,” I don’t follow what y…”

He raises his hand to stop me,” You learned that despite my orders, you would do whatever you had to do in order to catch the traitor. “ Taking a moment to process this.

“So you knew I would have to go against your orders to ultimately succeed”, I return curiously.

“That’s right, Captain”, he explains placing his hand back on my shoulder, “ Sometimes the rules have to be broken in order to win. Never thought you had it in you, but now I know you are willing to do what it takes to succeed. Orders be damned if they are counter productive to gaining success. I am actually proud you did. By the way who was it”, he concludes this explanation by moving on to the matter itself.

“It was Admiral Santoth. After decrypting the transmission, we found out it was a hit directly aimed at you, sir” , I begin my own explanation,” having him locked up, we are waiting for the Council of Elders to get back with us so he can stand trial. As of yet we do not know what his motives are in this blatant betrayal. For now all we know is that it is not going to bode well for him, seeing as you are a sanctioned being by the Council. They do not take such matters lightly.”

“That is comforting”, he says, looking over to where Red Wolf had taken occupation,” What are the Uldivarions doing here?”

Taking a swig from the bottle, I tell him my thoughts on this, “ To be honest, I would like to know the same. We have been invited to dine with Commander Kionxxia in the next few hours. Then we may get an answer amongst other things.”

“Sounds good. If you will excuse me I have some personal business to attend to. When are we dining with the Commander”, he asks.

“Twenty one hundred hours, sir”, I give him the exact time. Patting me on the shoulder he collects the drink the bartender had placed before him, and goes off to join Red Wolf. I head back to the Uldivarions and my responsibility at the table. Looking forward to the story Sa’bork made mention of.

Marckus:

Carrying the wide glass of purple liquid that smelled of spirits and exotic fruit over to where Red Wolf is waiting. My mind plagued after hearing the news of my worst nightmares for her realized. I blame myself, even though I could not have foreseen or controlled the events. Setting the drink in front of her, and taking a seat across from her in the booth. Her face still wears a mask of anger, in her violation. Looking at her in such a state only justified my actions after I had found her.

“I am not going to tell you that I understand what you’re going through. Far from it, as I have no idea”, I offer my comfort as best I can,” I feel responsible, and am deeply disgusted by what happened. I only wish I could have made it out there sooner. Again it is not your fault, and I understand if you hold me in contempt for what happened as I am the one who sent you. “ S~ᴇaʀᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Looking up at me, her eyes blinking back tears of pain. Taking a sip of the purple liquid in the silence.

“As much as I would like to blame you”, she starts,” I just can’t.”

Taking another sip, she continues,” I know you never intended things to turn out as they did. Captain Flurren did try to protect me from that pig.” I feel the contempt in her voice as she speaks the last word.

“I saw that, took off a couple of fingers. Must have been painful as hell. I am just glad that you took out that disgusting excuse for a soldier, and that you are safe”, I tell her,” I don’t blame you for taking a swing at me. I knew you were not meaning to, just that you were extremely upset and were not in your mind. If you ever need to just talk, I will be there for you. If that feels to personal, you can speak to someone who understands psychology better, like one of the medical or surgical techs.”

“I will be alright”, she says,” sure I feel violated, but in time I think I will get beyond it. Don’t want this to rule my life, nor define me.” She takes another draw on the drink.

“That’s good”, I say to her,” as hard as I try to protect you. I know that I cannot always. Something I will have to come to terms with.”

Looking at her as she works on the half empty glass before her. Still hard for me to let go of the fact that she was not a little girl anymore. I was both proud and dismayed when she had decided to join the service. It has conflicted me ever since, but I respect her decision. Deep down she will always be my little adopted girl.

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