Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Bridge- Post Dinner

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Bridge- Post Dinner

(snip)

As she took a seat Kel offered him one of her rare smiles, even if it was small. “You’re still doing better than I am. I have an in-depth knowledge of Kobliad physiology and a firm grasp of genetics, but stars and planets and the like? Not a clue. But is most definitely pretty.”

Kel gazed back at the screen and shook her head slightly. “You know, a long time ago our people did explore. Before we got ourselves into trouble, of course. We had the capacity and the desire, or else we never would have achieved warp drive. But Sair was always curious about everything. It got her into trouble too, but she was just plain delighted by anything and everything. I would sometimes joke with Sal that giving birth to a Super-Celler was like giving birth to someone from a different species. Some days I swear Sair came from a different generation entirely, that she harkens back to those days. It’s pretty rare for any Kobliad to venture too far from our world, for concern of running out of deuridium. But a few people do, for different reasons. A part of me always knew that Sair might be one of them.”

She looked back at Alex, dropping her voice a little so they weren’t overheard on the quiet bridge. “She feels everything very deeply- it’s always been one of her strengths. But on our world, in medicine? You have to inure yourself to a great deal in order to remain standing, to keep fighting for everyone, even when losing ten patients day is pretty normal. And her generation has has it the hardest. They collectively have the worst rates of everything, both mental and physical health related. I know that’s why she had to come out here, I do. I just… I worry. I can’t help it. I’m her mother. She’s used to seeing people die, Captain, but it’s different when it’s someone you love. Promise me you’ll look out for her, and for Sal too however long as he decides to stay?” The stoic expression she had maintained slipped a little, her eyes all but pleading.

~Kel Songz

Cochrane was silent as she spoke, and after she had finished he simply sat and looked at the vista before them.

“I have been very fortunate in my life to uave known many exceptional individuals.” he said softly. “Many I call friend to this day. But some… some have been lost. Many, really… far too many.” and his voice softly cracked a bit. “But with all of that loss, I have also been privy to many, many beliefs of what happens when we die. Many different versions of an after-life… many more versions of nothing. But one view has always resonated with me.” He turned and fixed his icy-blue eyes on Kel.

She met his gaze with a measure of curiosity.

“Every single atom… every quark… every bit of energy that make us who and what we are… all of it has existed since time began. Every micro-joule of energy that is Kel Songz and Alexander Cochrane has always existed. Because energy cannot be created or destroyed… only changed. So when we pass… our energy simple changes. Like those stars there…” and he pointed at the screen. “They are energy… the black hole is energy… and while we know that the stars are slowly being drawn into that… we know that their energy will continue on. We don’t know how… but it will.” and he looked at Kel.

“Focus less on the change, Madame. Focus on the energies around you now. Rejoice in them. And know that no matter what happens in the next few months… this isn’t the end. It is but another step on our infinite journey. And I am quite grateful that our journeys intersected. And I am sure that at some point in time… the energy that is you and yours will intertwine again. Just like those stars.” and he turned back and looked. “Billions of years in the making… billions of years more to tale that next step. But I’m sure they are content they are taking that step together.”

Cochrane, CO

Kel was quiet for a few moments before she finally spoke. “My people as a whole aren’t particularly good at just being. Idleness is not something I’m used to. But… I have nothing else to do but right now,” she said with something that actually came close to a smirk. “And besides, that grandson of mine is full of delightful energy. It’s lovely to be around.” He hadn’t answered her question. It was more like he had answered a different question. He didn’t fully understand the concern that made her plead with him, but maybe that was okay. She couldn’t control any of this, so maybe she would just have to trust that others would be aware, be on the lookout.

Gazing back at the screen Kel Songz inhaled a deep breath as a nerve on her hand twitched. She flexed her hand and breathed again before looking at Cochrane. “It’s late and I should get some rest. Thank you for dinner and… everything.”

~Kel Songz