Departure Vector (Backpost)

Posted on Thu Jul 31st, 2025 @ 9:10am by Captain Rovak & Chaplain Lucreavus Palu & Captain Bob Eliss
Edited on on Thu Jul 31st, 2025 @ 9:11am

660 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: The Serpent's Tooth [3]
Location: Multifaith Chamber, Civilian Sector
Timeline: Late Afternoon - MD13 (after ✱25)

“Thank you so much for waiting, Vicar. I appreciate it. I’m sure Eris would have too.” Captain Eliss told the Chaplain.

“It’s fine. Not like she’s getting any deader, hmm?” Chaplain Palu said, thankfully out of earshot of the mourners gathered for the funeral.

Eliss’ expression became a mix of affable and horrified, he sort of nodded and moved back into the crowd, taking a seat between Captain Rovak and Commander Flynn.

The entire navigation department was there, as well as the senior staff, and most of the department heads and their deputies.

“We are here today to celebrate a life, and also to mourn its loss. Lieutenant Eris sh’Rhavar was, by any metric, far too young to have been taken. And yet, to the great Andorian tradition of explorers, warriors and pioneers, she is a new light to be lit on the wall of heroes in the Imperial valley.” Palu began.

“She went from a ward of the state as an orphaned youth to a steward of the skies as a Starfleet Navigator. Known to friends for her love of discovering and sharing foods of the galaxy, and to her colleagues for her exceptional skill at the helm.” Palu said.

“Starfleet and the Federation are poorer for having lost her, but we know that the great list of Andorian heroes is strengthened for having gained another name. May we all know such esteem in death.” Palu said, confident it was one of his better eulogies. “Now, her commanding officers and friends will say a few words.”

Rovak spoke first, then Eliss, then a few members of the navigation department. There was a brief musical number on Andorian instruments, some words from the Andorian enchiridion, another performance, and everyone was invited to refreshments elsewhere.

“Captain, I already thanked the Chaplain for waiting, but I don’t think I want to speak to him again. Thank you for indulging me, though.” Eliss said to Rovak.

“Think nothing of it, Captain. We are grateful for your assistance. That aside, the Lieutenant was in your service a great deal longer than she was in mine.” Rovak responded.

Eliss made an appropriately solemn grimace, and looked around the room. “Are there many takers for the trip to Earth?” He asked.

“Some. Myself, my daughter, Admiral Gali. Lieutenants Qrork and Pfeiffer have requested transfers, and so will be joining us also. I believe around two dozen others who have made more general leave requests.”

“That’s good. Not heaps of room on the Reliant-class.”

“Indeed.” Rovak said with a nod. He looked around for Flynn. She knew Eliss better than he did.

“Your anomaly here is quite something, huh? Entirely new universes. Starbase 80 thought they were all that with their multiversal portal. Although that turned out to be just a whole lot of the same thing with slight variations. I don’t think they ever linked to an entirely new universe without all the usual details.”

“We have only really encountered the one reality that is demonstrably unlike our own, otherwise all the encounters we have had with multiversal beings have been through devices we acquired from an interdimensional entity, or who arrived here through methods unknown to us. The majority of universes the anomaly has connected us to are too far from any matter to allow us to make any judgements.” Rovak explained, hoping to throw cold water on any of the mystique the anomaly may have possessed.

“Yeah, yeah. They’re all living down on the third planet now though, right? The arrivals from E-5?” Eliss asked.

“Correct. There are two colonies in the northern hemisphere.” Rovak said.

“Well, I’m sure you’re all looking forward to seeing how that goes. Anyway, if you’ll excuse me, I think I see an old academy roommate. I’ll see you aboard first thing tomorrow?”

“Indeed, Captain. Until then.” Rovak said with a nod, as Eliss departed into the crowd.

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