[AU] Into The Light

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 6:05am by Captain Nycolas Temple & Sasha Vieers (Deceased) & Mauricio Arnaldo
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 4:56pm

Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Captain’s Ready Room
Timeline: One Month Later

A Mission Post by Captain Nycolas Temple & 1st Lieutenant Mauricio Arnaldo & Ensign Sasha Vieers
Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Captain’s Ready Room
Timeline: One Month Later

A month had passed since the crew of the Pandora had discovered they were stuck in a bubble universe, swept away from reality by the particle beam of the Indigo Sky into a small parallel world with no escape. Plans for making an improvised probe to reach outside of the bubble universe were still underway, but with only three decks of the ship and limited resources, progress was slow and painstaking.

The Captain's mood was doing little to lighten the mood either. He had dispensed with the "can-do" enthusiasm around two weeks into this waking nightmare and replaced it with a steely, cold determination that left little time for pleasantries or motivational speeches. Like most of the crew trapped in this situation, he had hoped they would've been rescued by now. That he would be at home in bed with this wife, his daughter next door sound asleep, and their unborn baby growing happily. Instead, reality was a cold and empty place that showed little sign of ending.

Sensing that Temple's dour mood was not improving, Ensign Veers and First Lieutenant Arnaldo attempted a visit to the Captain's Ready Room to try to make some kind of impact. Ensign Veers approached first, knocking lightly on the door frame.

"What?" Barked Temple from inside his office.

"Ensign Veers and L.T. Arnaldo to see you, sir." Sasha spoke up.

Nyx furrowed his brow and sighed, turning away from the window to greet the arrivals. "Come."

Entering quickly, the two junior officers scampering into the room with their hands behind their backs. "Sir, how are you?"

"Tired." Nyx replied honestly. "Do you have reports on your progress?"

Sasha bit her lip and looked to Mauricio. "No, sir, this isn't an official visit. We were hoping for a more... informal chat?"

Nyx looked between the two, the grimace on his face threatening to turn into a full scowl. "Do you think that's a suitable use of our time, Ensign?"

"Yes." Mauricio spoke up. "In the name of... crew morale?"

The Captain shrugged somewhat and returned to his seat, holding out his hand to indicate for the others to sit down also. Mauricio and Sasha did so quickly, though they both teetered on the edge of the couch cushion.

"I know what you're going to say, officers, but morale is secondary to survival." Nyx began, raising an eyebrow. "I can worry about our feelings when we're back in our real universe."

Sasha nodded, "That's true, Captain, but what if the crew can't work towards our survival because we feel additional pressure from you?"

"That's my job." Nyx replied incredulously. "If you ever hope to be Captain of your own ship one day, either of you, you'll understand it's a different point of view."

"It's you we're worried about." Mauricio spoke up boldly. "Maybe you're too busy being a Captain, you're forgetting to be part of the crew?"

Nyx's eyes withered at the young Marine for a moment, but then the words really sunk in and he relaxed again. He knew he had been distant and strict, he had heard his harsh tone leaving his mouth before he had a chance to stop himself. To Nyx, he thought this was how to get through the situation; that his coldness would somehow translate to strength and resolution. In truth, all it had brought was tension.

After a moment, he gave a short laugh. "That's something Emilie would tell me."

"Talk about her." Sasha encouraged, "I... I know we don't have a personal friendship, sir, but it might help?"

Nyx smiled and he nodded, "I've been trying to block her out. My wife, daughter, brother, all my friends left behind. I keep telling myself it's so I can focus on getting back to them, but I think it's just so I don't break down. What if we never..." He took a deep, staccato breath. "I'm trying to stay on target."

"We all are." Sasha said warmly.

"I found it helps to have a little bit of normal." Mauricio added, thinking of his picnics with Ensign Fick. "Something to look forward to?"

"Me too." Sasha added. "I decided to start learning another language to add to my repertoire. You can never know enough languages."

"What about you, sir?" Mauricio asked. "Apart from your family, what did you like to do to relax?"

Nyx could see where they were going and he smiled again. "Physical fitness, training. But we don't have holodecks or the Gifted gym anymore."

"Who needs those?" Mauricio smirked. "We have hundreds of metres of circular corridors and no one to run into. We didn't bother with the fancy stuff during Basic Training. I'm sure I could run you through some drills."

Nyx nodded, "I'd like that."

"And I have some Security Training." Sasha spoke up. "I'm not at your level, but maybe you could train me?"

At this, Nyx held up his hands. "Okay, you two, I get it. You're trying to get me out this office."

"We're trying to stop you from becoming a weird, loner, hermit." Mauricio replied with a little bit of sass. "With respect, sir."

Nyx laughed, "Of course. Alright, I will take you both up on your offers. But be warned, I don't do anything half-heartedly. If you want to run or spar with me, you'll be expected to be prepared and give it your all."

"Yes, sir." They replied in unison.

Standing, the Captain moved to look out his window, staring into the black emptiness. Even if the smile he was putting on was only a show, he had to admit he was touched by the young officers' eagerness to wrestle him out this darkness and back into the light. There was a selflessness and maturity to their words and he hoped they were doing it out of genuine affection for him.

"I've seen you post-battle, sir." Mauricio said. "I know you can be a beast when you want to be."

Nyx was struck for a moment, remembering the young Marine was the one he'd spoke to after assassinating Balek the Butcher all those months ago. He hid his guilt with another smile. "A different situation, but I appreciate the compliment. Now, if you don't mind, I think I will have my dinner in the Conference Room tonight."

Pleased with themselves, Mauricio and Sasha immediately stood and bowed respectfully to the Captain, thanked him for his time, and departed. They may have even given each other a high-five on the way out of the door. Nyx watched for a moment, feeling that sense of pride and joy inside him. And although the smile quickly faded and his mood returned to it's gloomy depression, he was glad to have that moment of hope back again.

OFF