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Standing in the doorway to Jaya’s office, Apollonia knocked on the wall to get her attention.
The commander turned around to face her.
“You know, the system informed me that you were here. You do not need to knock on my wall.”
“Just habit,” Apollonia replied absently. “But I came down here to . . . well, to tell you that I’ve decided to accept the offer you guys made. Well, the Captain, and I guess you. You guys want me to join up and all that . . .”
Her words tumbled out, and her sentence trailed off.
Jaya arched an eyebrow. “You seem uncertain, Ms. Nor.”
“No, I’m not!” she said. “Honestly I feel this is right. I just . . . Maybe it’s pride. I feel like I’m giving in or something, by doing this. But I’ve thought about it a lot – along with a few other things – over the last few days. I know you wanted an answer more promptly than this, but I do want to have more control over my life. While I know I’ll be accepting some new restrictions by joining, I also think it will help give me the tools to control myself better.”
Jaya listened, her face passive but attentive, and Apollonia rambled on, not meeting the other woman’s eye.
“I wake up and I don’t know how to take care of myself beyond simply existing. I grew up with just making it through that day being the goal. I can’t even keep a steady sleep schedule, I don’t think about trying to be my best.”
She let out a breath, and turned to look Jaya squarely on. “I need structure. And help. But I’m ready to do something, to be part of something.”
Jaya rose slowly to her feet, and held out her hand.
“Welcome to the crew, Apollonia.”
Now two days out from the death of Michal Denso, the situation around Medical Station 29 finally seems to be returning to a semblance of normalcy.
After claiming possession of Denso’s body, Director Freeman’s ship departed early in the morning watch. He left no standing orders or communications with either myself or Admiral-Doctor Urle before doing so, leaving me to wonder just what the long-term repercussions will be. I am as content with my conduct – and Verena’s conduct – as I can be whenever the issue pertains to Leviathans.
Response Team One’s return only a few hours ago was a relief, and Dr. Logus has reported that his initial talks with Lt. Commander Caraval suggest he has suffered no lasting damage – but that the man should be temporarily removed from command of the team. I have agreed to this suggestion, and will be giving Caraval at least two weeks of recovery time before we consider his return to duty.
Dr. Logus and I . . . I have considered that I owe him an apology for my conduct. I have, at times, viewed him in an adversarial light when I should be better than that.
It is something to think on.
At 0800 we will be leaving the Chain. Though we came here to bring life and safety to the helpless of New Vitriol, we leave with ten thousand and seven hundred who are seeking better lives.
It is time to bring them home.
Other Terrestrial 