Posted by Jennifer Ward in Side sim River’s office: when one is alone, voices are louder

Posted by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) in Side sim River’s office: when one is alone, voices are louder

Posted by Jennifer Ward in Side sim River’s office: when one is alone, voices are louder
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
“That’s wonderful that they have someone looking at it. I keep up with the medical journals and news still. The new Nightingale class has all the latest equipment and the best doctors and researchers in the fleet. So maybe cause for a little bit of cautious hope?”

“Have you thought anymore about making that memory box for Lily?”

Revna

River nodded “Maybe some hope. So long as the scientist in charge is doing it for the right reason, not just to win an award or galaxy wide recognition” she said cautious optimism in her voice .

“I have found, in my experience, that most have a desire to do good, the accolades are so far down the list of importance. Do you know the name of the scientist? I still have contacts in Star Fleet Medical, I could ask about him or her.”

River gave her a look of ‘really, of course i do’ She had already done some research anyone trying to help after Acheron was a person of interest to River “It’s a Lieutenant Alexis Bonner. Her record seems good. bit of a work acholic. However her record only says so much. so if you might no someone who might know her more personally. ‘d be very interested.” Rive said simply

Revna nodded and River could see her making a note on a PaDD. “I’ll see what I can find out.”

“How would i make a memory box. All her stuff is to big to fit in a small box. and the whole point of our dive through them was to keep them out. Not shut them away again. Right?” She asked.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“Well first we would make it from scratch so it is big enough for the largest thing. And it would be fronted with glass so that the pictures, drawings, more delicate things are protected from damage from light or air. Actually, I heard the new CNS on board is quite talented in that area. She might be able to help you get the dimensions right. Then you’d back it with a padded board and then attach the pieces to the board.”

Revna

River raised an eyebrow. it sounded like a good diea but she could see where this was headed “Was the point of this call just to try and get me to see the knew CNS?” she asked simply not giving away exactly how she felt. she wanted to see Revna’s reaction and how she interpreted her question, to see if she was still a sharp as River knew she was. River didn’t feel any sort of negative emotion about the situation she was planning to se the CNS anyway just much, much later.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“Really River, I’m a bit insulted. If this was about getting you to go see the new counselor I would have said so from the beginning. No, Lt O’Farrell is a brilliant counselor but she doesn’t have the certifications required for the treatment services the Marine Corp set up for those who served at Acheron. You’re stuck with me. However, she could help you with the design and not ask a bunch of invasive questions. Your file still has me listed as your counselor. And if you wanted someone to physically be there with you while you work on it, rather than me over the conn, she would be. If you want to talk to her you will, when you choose, I wouldn’t force that on you. I’m simply trying to offer you options.”

“I am your friend and when you need, your counselor. I called today specifically because I know how hard this month will be, and I wanted to remind you, you aren’t alone.”

Revna

River put her hands up defensively “Ok Ok calm down i was just messing with you. I knew you weren’t calling for that. But I haven’t teased anyone on a while and was missing it” she said amusement in her voice. she hoped it would calm down her friend. she wasn’t very good at the whole banter thing

“But seriously thank you. This month will need be hard. this time last year I lost lily and at the end of the month is the year anniversary of when Abi was captured. Its nice to have someone to talk to. I feel like the other just wouldn’t understand. you know” she added after a short pause.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

Revna grinned and chuckled softly. “I know and you are always welcome to tease and banter. It will never upset of offend me. I was just teasin’ back a bit.” Revna nodded with a noticeable but silent breath. Her gaze momentarily very far away in the past. “We dealt with the aftermath, and that was horrifying enough. I can’t even imagine what it was like in the midst of it.” So many lost, but it wasn’t the dead that Revna mourned for, it was the ones they rescued but couldn’t save from the nightmare their life had become. She really hoped this person on the Ogawa could help.

Revna

River sighed “It was hell. Bodies being buried in mass graves or left where they fell, because we couldn’t get to them. Constant bombardment, screams. Running low on supplies. Almost everyone lost faith in the federation and I couldn’t blame them. Then I lost the two things that had kept me going” she said shaking her head “And that dam Ferengi. demanding this, that and the other, causing civil unrest, stealing from others and being a fowl creature. I’m glad I put a phaser shot through his head” she added lost in thought for moment. He had made an impossible situation worse and never seemed to grasp the severity of what was happening. So when he killed someone River was more then happy to serve justice under martial law

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

Revna didn’t try to interject or comment. The two of them might share a common event, but this was River’s story. Many, Revna knew, baulked at the measures River had to take under martial law to keep the colony safe. She also new River would carry those decisions and what ifs with her. Revna also knew that River made the best choices given the circumstances. And given the exact circumstances again the same choices would have to be made. So, Revna let her talk, whatever she needed to get out about that time, to release a bit of the weight for a time.

Revna

“Sorry keep doing that” River said shaking her head “Going off on one” River added pausing for a moment. then it hit her “You might find this interesting” she said pressing a few buttons. Moments later a couple picture file would arrive at Revna’s computer . The first to pictures were of the same place one during Acheron and one recently taken. They where picture of the Azure Lake a popular park on Acheron. In the picture during Acheron the trees where scorched and the wreck of a federation star ship lay partial submerged in the lake now a sickly green colour. The second showed the lake back to its blue colour and the area looked as good as new.

The other picture was on it own and it was a plan for the memorial park a huge area where all the dead would be buried properly and monument erected. The plan showed the park split into section one for each faction at Acheron and the final one, perhaps the saddest was a small section dedicated to the children of Acheron.

“The planet is slowly recovering. I think they plan on ding some huge service when the park is completed. At least somethings are healing” She said sadly.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

Revna stared at the pictures silently for some time. Shadows and demons contained in memories chasing across her face. “I’m glad they are healing. It’s a long ride for everyone. We should both go for the ceremony.”

Revna

“I’ve already been invited, as the commanding officer they want me to do a speech. its a fair ways off yet. But they seem to be planning to invite representatives from each faction and do some joint ceremony. So I’m sure as a member of the crew of one of the ships in the relief fleet you could get invited, or I’ll just make you my plus 1” River said kindly, well kindly for River “It will certainly be interesting, a lot of bad blood as left over after the battle. Especially between the Klingons and the federation. Over the federations handling and treatment of certain officers” she added.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“Well hopefully this will be a way to remind everyone that we are not just our species or faction, but people first. And why they all stood for you. And I would be happy to be your guest. Any more problems with civilians inciting fights between the marines and security?”

Revna

River shook her head “No, but I’m pretty sure Mardusk believes I was to soft on my Marines. If i could have been harsher I would have, but the fact of the matter is Marines don’t have the near unlimited number of personnel that security does. Every Marine I demote or discharge causes a hole that isn’t always easy to fill.” she said truthfully “However the Sargent that started it all was demoted and transferred. I received word that he was killed in action.” she added shrugging her shoulders “I guess that happens when your sent to the most dangerous front available. Maybe that will cheer Mardusk up” she said coldly

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

Revna sat back crossed her arms and didn’t say a word. River and Mardusk might not agree with how the other ran their departments (which really wasn’t the issue - the issue was brass being dumb a$$e$ and River and Mardusk having to deal with crap rolling down hill), but that was uncalled for. River knew it and so did Revna. River was having a hard time with the anniversary, needing to vent and dump, but that wasn’t an excuse. Gravel Mardusk would mourn the death of that marine and wonder what he could have done to prevent the fight that led to his transfer. Hell he’d sit with River while she mourned him, he’d sit with her, listen, drink, rage with her through the memories this anniversary brought if it would help. He was a good person and so was River. Both put in a near impossible situation.

So Revna sat, neither condemning not reinforcing River’s words, letting River figure it out.

Revna

River sighed deeply and shook her head “I’m sorry that was uncalled for. I just get so irritated and annoyed and I lash out.” she said putting her hand to her head “How is it i can stare down literal hell, yet when it comes to people all I can do is fail miserably and blame them for things they haven’t done.” she added after a short pause.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

“You are in a difficult situation and it’s frustrating. And there aren’t enough constructive outlets. As for people,” Revna paused debating momentarily, “it’s easier to push them away rather than possibly loose another person.”

Revna

“When everyone you do get close to ether moves, dies, gets mentally tortured and broken or just doesn’t talk to you anymore, you learn to keep people at arms length.” River said simply “As it all ends the same way. I get left behind and end up alone. So far you are the only person, who as ever contacted me once they moved away” she added. It was something River had accepted a long time ago. Its easier for people to leave her to rot. So why should she make the effort only to be abandoned once again.

She knew life moved on but just because it did, didn’t mean that River should be left to rot.

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)

River wasn’t wrong; she also wasn’t right. It was a matter of perspective and feeling and those things could never be judged in black and right, right or wrong. Only time could help her decide if she should change her mind or not. “Tell me about your new recruits. And Qrow, how is he doing?”

Revna

“The recruits are ok, there all just out of boot. A few hotshots and show offs but a couple of them might have potential. I’ve just got to weed it out of them. Although their all scared of me. It seems my exploits have been over exaggerated at Boot. One of them dropped something when i did an unscheduled inspection of the barracks. I went to pick it up and he flinched. I asked him about it later, and he said he was told that’s what I do to those who step out of line. Crush them under my boot” River said slamming her fist on the table “I am not a monster, I told him. Now i have to address all of them to push these rumours aside. I’m sure it not all of them but its better to be safe then sorry” she added her tone one of annoyance and anger

“What the hell are people saying about me back home, if that is the response I’m getting form marines under my command. All I can say is I’m glad i have Qrow. He may have his own demons that still plague him. But he will sit there and let me vent at him. He’s a good man, that’s why I made sure he was at my side despite the calls for him to be stood down.” she added after a short pause

Lieut Styxx (Marine OIC)