“I… this is all a bit confusing for me.” She sighed with frustration. “But one station using that much power? That can’t be good for the Initiative. Why don’t we move on for now? After all that’s happened today… I don’t have much of an appetite.”
{If I might make a suggestion.} Adrianna’s voice arose. {I would personally quite like to see the accommodation area. That would be the next most important place here, I should imagine.}
“It’ll be alright!” Aegis quickly tried to reassure the carrier along with a gentle hand on her shoulder. Emphasis being, tried.
“The antics I’ve seen over the years aren’t dangerous, just random. Most of them happen down in the labs and holodecks. No shortage of others wanting to try new tactics or experimental tech.”
A courier drone flew by, carrying a small box of what appeared to be components for small electronics. Aegis glanced at it curiously before it disappeared further down the corridor.
“Anyway, if the Fleet Admiral hasn’t told you already, you’re free to customize your quarters however you like. Helps with morale and the like.”
“There are a plethora of decorations available that a quarters’ standard replicator can construct. Most shipgirls often tend to choose a hover-capable scale model of their former selves, among other things.” Serina helpfully supplied.
Tempest only nodded with a muted acceptance.
But looking up, she could gaze into the eyes of her Fleet Admiral, and that at least brought some solace.
“… Can I see it now? My quarters?” She asked quietly.
{We were unaware of that. Thank you.} Adrianna spoke up on her partner’s behalf. {I’d like to see the interior as well, please.}
Aegis nodded in return, knowing how overwhelmed Tempest likely felt. “Of course. Right this way, please.”
The trip up another few floors via the turbolift was spent in relative silence. Upon stepping out, Aegis led Tempest past a few doors until they reached a door with Tempest’s full name on it.
A brief scan passed over the carrier, ending with a cheerful chime as the haptic indicator bar at the top of the doorframe went from red to green.
The door slid open with a whisper, and Aegis led Tempest inside for her to survey her quarters for herself. “Well, here we are.”
It was like a miniaturized apartment. As far as interiors went, it was still Initiative standard, at least until its occupant would decide to change it to their liking. Spotless white metal walls and furniture, a dark grey carpet, and ice-blue haptic displays that served as environmental controls. The lighting was a crisp white, lending the quarters a bright yet calming ambience.
A lounge-like area was the main highlight, with a small table and sofa opposite a divider that held a holovision projector module built into it. Also built into the wall was a replicator, ready for use, whether for making meals or items.
The wall opposite the door was dominated by a wide window, with a view of Zephyr similar to the Atrium from before.
Past the divider and it’s own door was the bedroom, and what might have surprised Tempest was that it held a comfy-looking double bed, instead of a single one as most would have thought. Opposite the bed was a single table and chair, as well as another window.
Along the rightward side of the bed were a few built-in empty shelves awaiting decorations. On the leftward side was a built-in wardrobe and the bathroom.
“We believe that no matter what, every effort must be made to ensure you can call your quarters home. Thus the level of customization available. Holopic frames, adjustable interior colors, free space for additional modules. All these and more.” The calm voice of Serina explained.
Aegis looked to Tempest, gesturing around. “Go ahead. It’s yours.”
With another wordless nod, Tempest proceeded to the bedroom, sitting down on the foot of the bed. “This is all so much… just for me?”
{Well, I’ll be here too.} Adrianna tried to lighten the mood with a joke. {Yes, Tempest. It’s just for you. A luxury befitting a captain, I would say. You are your own captain now, after all.}
“You think I don’t know that!?” She snapped suddenly. She moved further onto the bed, burying her face in the pillows.
“I don’t deserve this… I don’t deserve any of this at all!” She screamed into the pillows. “All those people died and I was powerless to save them! You should be throwing me in a cell!“
Aegis had always been one of the more empathetic shipgirls. Whether it was because of her status as the flagship of the Initiative Navy or simply because she viewed all the others as being under her protection, she didn’t know.
But it didn’t really matter to her. If someone was in need of help, she would provide it. If one needed to vent, she was there to listen.
And more than anything, she understood how seriously her sisters-in-arms took their oath of service. They all knew it, deep down. Duty, protection, sacrifice. To fail in upholding that duty, even if only in perception and not reality…it was a wound to their soul.
A memory sprung unbidden, of a similar time from years past. How much Tempest reminded her of Lumi in this very moment.
So when Aegis heard Tempest’s self-deprecating words, she enveloped the carrier in the warmest, most comforting hug she could, even as her drive core ached for her fellow hurting shipgirl.
“You’ll be alright. I’m here for you, Tempest. I’m here…” came the whisper from Aegis.
Initiative Archival Network 