Carpathia IV: Episode 43 - The Other Ship
Space, NCCS Sentinel
Dinner with Kain and Faelon would come, but the Sentinel was nearing the position of the Furious Spectre and the other Vashta ship. Still there were no signs of a firefight according to the sensors, but until they could establish communication, Aire was not keen to lower the Sentinel's guard. What shields remained and remnants of the weapons were ready to go, but they were in no condition to fight.
Nalma: We're close enough for clear sensor data now. Furious Spectre is undamaged and surrounded by shuttles, holding position a half light year from the other Vashta ship. I can give you a visual, Commander.
Aire: Let's see that other ship.
Nalma acknowledged the order while inputing the commands.
Nalma: Putting it on viewer, Commander.
Aire: It looks worse than I expected.
Nalma continued to scan the vessel as he spoke.
Nalma: It's even worse than it looks. There are barely any habitable spaces inside that ship. I'm amazed it made it this far.
Aire: Teren, are we in communications range?
A beep from Teren's console answered Aire's question before Teren could.
Teren: Incoming transmission from the Furious Spectre.
Aire: On viewer.
A moment later, Captain Yoshida appeared on the screen.
Aire: Captain, is everything okay?
Keiichi: We're fine. We can chat soon, Commander. For now, I need you to stay at least a quarter light year away from the Vashta ship. Their drive system is losing containment.
Aire: Understood. Shall we join you, then?
Keiichi: That will be fine. See you soon.
Captain Yoshida abruptly disappeared from the viewscreen, leaving behind the previous view of the Furious Spectre and shuttle swarm.
Aire: Teek, slow to induction speed and adjust course to bring us alongside Furious Spectre.
Teek tapped at his control panel and adjusted the throttle.
Teek: Yes, Commander. Slowing to induction.
Ramei turned his chair around to face Aire.
Ramei: Everything seems to be okay, but Captain Yoshida sure seems occupied with something. Managing a rescue, maybe?
Aire: Looks that way. Kain did say that he expected they'd be pleased to see us.
Ramei: I think we should stand down all alert status. That will free up more crew to help with repairs.
Aire: Yes, I think we're safe for that. Teren, stand down yellow and security alerts.
Teren: Yes, Commander.
Aire and Ramei watched the Furious Spectre on the viewer for awhile, noticing that the swarm of shuttles was slowly getting smaller as they would dock, one by one, a few minutes apart. It was a peaceful, yet busy sight, like watching a beehive going about its business.
Teek: We are approaching position. Slowing to thrusters.
Aire: Thank you, Teek. Park us about 20 kilometers off their starboard.
Teek: Yes, Commander.
An alert sounded from Nalma's station.
Nalma: Commander, the other ship has lost containment. Overload is imminent.
Aire: On viewer.
They didn't have to wait long for the show to start. Almost as soon as Nalma switched the viewer to the Vashta ship, it exploded. Just like Ksenva's ship, a small black hole formed in its place, crushing all leftover debris. It only lasted a few minutes and then dissipated.
Ramei: That's some engine core they have. And I thought ours was dangerous.
Again, Teren's console beeped.
Teren: Transmission from the Furious Spectre.
Aire: On viewer.
Captain Yoshida appeared on the screen again, this time looking less rushed.
Keiichi: Sorry about earlier, Commander. We were just finishing up the rescue.
Aire: Not a problem, Captain.
Keiichi: We were monitoring your battle on sensors, but just to confirm, Ksenva is neutralized, yes?
Aire: The Vashta ship is destroyed and Ksenva is dead.
Keiichi nodded, now having confirmation of what he already suspected.
Keiichi: I'm almost afraid to ask, but where is Commodore Amaranth?
Aire: He'll be fine, but he's going to be out for a few days. Ksenva really did a number on him.
Keiichi sighed with relief.
Keiichi: That's good to hear.
Before Keiichi could say anything else, he suddenly started shifting to the side as though something was pushing him.
Keiichi: Hey, wait just a minute! You'll have your chance!
Keiichi's protests were for naught as a rather excitable komodo barged into into the viewer.
Strange Komodo: Let me see! Let me see!
Keiichi finally gave up and introduced the strange komodo.
Keiichi: Commander Valro, this is Voxx, the leader of this little band of escapees.
Aire took note that Keiichi pronounced both X's at the end of Voxx's name. It would be tricky to pronounce, but he wanted to get it right when they invariably met.
Voxx: You said Ksenva is dead?
Aire: That's right.
Voxx: Well I'll be a damned salamander! Ksenva taken down by a whitey! And a male on top of it all! That's the greatest thing I've ever heard! Sylvar will love this!
Voxx turned and shouted to someone off screen.
Voxx: Hey, Sylvar! Come see this!
Once again, Keiichi was muscled further to the side as he stood where he was with his arms folded across his chest, seemingly having resigned himself to the mayhem. This time, a young elf with heavy scarring on his face appeared in the viewer, presumably the one called Sylvar.
Sylvar: What is it?
Voxx: This guy killed Ksenva! And look at him! He's in charge of a spaceship!
Sylvar: For real?
Aire nervously scratched the back of his neck, for now he was starting to get a little embarrassed.
Aire: Well, she kinda ended up killing herself while trying to kill us.
Rather than disappointment, both Voxx and Sylvar seemed to find this information delightful.
Sylvar: Ha! Typical. She'd do anything not to lose. Mostly because Lazmaedia would have made her wish she were dead anyway.
Keiichi now thought it time to reassert himself and began to nudge Voxx and Sylvar away.
Keiichi: Okay, okay, you two. You'll get a chance to meet in person later.
Voxx and Sylvar trotted jubilantly out of frame while Keiichi took center again.
Keiichi: As you can see, they're a bit excited. So, would some repair crews be helpful? Our medical team are tending the refugees, but we can spare some of them if you need.
Aire: Whatever you can spare would be helpful.
Keiichi: We'll send them right over.
Aire: Would you care to come over for dinner? We have much to discuss and there are some people I'd like you to meet. I'm afraid I can't leave the Sentinel with our bridge team as depleted as it is. Our kitchens are mostly undamaged.
Keiichi: That sounds good. Just send over the time when you can.
Aire: Will do. Aire out.
The viewer went dark and Aire slumped in his chair, glad that the news from Captain Yoshida was all good. Much work lay ahead, but it was preferable to a battle and he was glad of it. Next to him, Ramei picked at his claw and stated the obvious.
Ramei: Some day, huh?
Commissioned art in this episode from:
Jenova87
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
