Aftermath
Wade
Wade received the report only a day after it happened. He was in his private chambers on Axis. The words were clear and easy to understand, but he had trouble processing them just the same.
It was a report of what had transpired in Sector Two aboard Denigen’s Fist. The entire Republic was up in arms about it, with constant newscasts condemning the actions of Captain Kristi Grove.
The actions of the Ministry.
It was a firebomb dropped into his lap, and he was terrified to think that he had orchestrated the events. He was responsible for the deaths of all those people: criminal or not, they didn’t deserve to die.
His daughter didn’t deserve…
“Oh God, what have I done?”
There was a knock on his door. It opened after a few seconds and an attendant stuck her head into the room. “The Minister would like to speak with you.”
“Did he say why?” Wade asked, a hollow feeling in the bottom of his stomach.
“He did not,” she said. “He is waiting in his office.”
Then she disappeared, leaving Wade alone. He fought down his panic, taking deep breaths and forcing himself to relax. He knew the Minister would receive word of the events that had taken place aboard Denigen’s Fist. Events performed in his name and the name of the Ministry.
The walk to the Minister’s office felt like miles, but before he knew it he was standing before the double doors. Hands shaking, he pushed the door open.
“Ah, Wade,” the Minister said, smiling at him and setting aside a paper he was holding. “I’m glad you could join me.”
“Of course,” Wade said, hoping his voice wouldn’t crack. “I was told you needed to speak with me.”
“Yes,” Givon replied. He didn’t offer for Wade to sit. “I received a report recently about Ministry actions taken against criminals.”
“Yes,” Wade said, “and I assure you I will speak to Captain Grove regarding the events that transpired and make sure it never—”
“I approve,” Givon interrupted. Wade trailed off.
“You what?”
“I approve of her actions completely,” he said. “It is about time people came to understand that the Ministry isn’t a spineless entity leading sheep. It is past time they realize just how important faith is in these faithless times.”
Wade floundered for words. “I see.”
“I wish to release a statement fully sanctioning the actions of the Captain and our young Minister aboard Denigen’s Fist.”
“I understand,” Wade said. “I’ll draft up documents and have them sent to you immediately.”
“Good,” the Minister said, smiling and picking up a piece of paper. Wade thought he was dismissed and started walking toward the door. “It seems that your daughter is going to have a long and fruitful career aboard her new vessel. You made a most excellent decision, my friend.”
Wade felt the words cut into his stomach, but he didn’t dare show his emotions. “Thank you,” he said.
Then he left the Minister’s office, drenched in sweat and wondering if the world would ever stop spinning.
Jayson
It was a few days before Jayson could visit Richard in the infirmary. His friend was heavily bandaged and still looking pale, but they’d already been informed that there would be almost no time to rest. They would begin training soon, and their days would be long and arduous.
Part of Jayson was thrilled at the prospect…the other part was terrified. He didn’t know just what he’d gotten himself into and was hoping he might find a way to get himself back out.
“How are you?” he asked, sitting in a chair near Richard’s bed.
“I’m all right,” his new friend said, then coughed. “Apart from the excruciating pain and constant nausea.”
“Training starts tomorrow,” Jayson said.
“That’s what they said,” Richard said. “Think they’ll go easy on me?”
Jayson shook his head. “No.”
Richard coughed again. “No, I don’t think so either.”
“But we’re past initiation, so things can only get better from here, right?”
Richard stared at him. “I’ve seen a lot of things, and been to a lot of places, so I know something about how things work. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.”
“Aren’t you optimistic?”
“Just a regular ray of sunshine,” Richard said. “Kid, you’ve got some talent, and maybe the pain is making me sentimental, but I wanted to tell you: Don’t let them break you. They’re going to try and you just have to be strong.”
“Sure,” Jayson said. “I won’t let them break me.”
“Good,” Richard said. “There might just be hope for you yet…”
Richard trailed off as the drugs kicked in, slipping back to sleep. Jayson sat with him for a while longer before heading back to his chambers.
The academy would be where he would stay for the foreseeable future. He would train and learn, but this would never be his home.
Vivian
Vivian settled the ship down in the hangar in the city Fasbend on the planet Eldun. They had been traveling for a few days, and Vivian was sorting her feelings and emotions out after everything that had happened on Jaril.
She hadn’t spoken much to Traq, and he had stayed in his room. She knew he wasn’t handling things very well, but he was only a child.
“Children are resilient,” she said aloud. She knew it was true, but she was afraid that such resiliency wouldn’t be enough.
The life she had thrust him into when she took him from his home…it wouldn’t be easy. He would always be at risk, and if the wrong people knew he existed, they would stop at nothing to retrieve him.
Dead or alive.
She stood and moved to Traq’s room aboard her ship. She knocked on the door, waited for a second, and then pushed it open. He was sitting on his bed, head down and despondent.
He looked up as she came in. “Where are we now?”
“Eldun,” she said.
“Why?”
“This is a lawless backwater planet, constantly on the verge of war. Which means it’s dangerous.”
He scrunched his face in confusion. “Shouldn’t we go somewhere else if it is dangerous here?”
She looked at him, so small and fragile on the bed. He had a good heart, so full of life and hope. He didn’t understand how bad things would be, and without help, he wouldn’t stand a chance in the world.
“We’re here because it’s dangerous. Your training starts today.”
Kristi
“Have you never heard of patience?” Jamar asked.
Kristi looked over at him, frowning. “I have been more than patient these years. It is time some things changed.”
“You don’t need to accomplish everything all at once,” her servant explained. “Sometimes it is best to let the dust settle.”
“Every day there are more problems. More dust. If we let things settle how they may, then we will be picking up the pieces of this Empire in only a few years.”
“It isn’t an Empire.”
“Isn’t it?” she said. “A rose by any other name...”
“Then what do you propose?” Jamar asked. “We attack every lowlife we can get our hands on and single-handedly clean up the entire galaxy?”
“I’m not proposing anything,” Kristi replied. She stood up, towering over Jamar. “Last I checked, I’m Captain of this vessel. My word is law.”
