She sat in her chair long after the Mathis’ hung up and she had made the requisite call to the security detachment, and Eela forced herself to take a couple deep breaths, just like she had had Ren do. Unlike the most recent crisis that had crashed upon her, Eela could shift into a different mindset. Her entire adult life had been about guiding others through things, and this was no different. Right now she could draw upon all that experience and work through what she needed in order to act.

Rising from her desk, she felt the weight of the situation. It could be nothing, and yet that look in Jeanette’s eyes told her everything. She’d been in difficult positions like this before and done what she needed to do. This moment was no different. She had blamed Cory for making her distrust her instincts, but that wasn’t the whole picture. Outside of his influence she had been able to make decisions based mostly on what felt right in the moment. That inner guide had not failed her, even when it still cost her something.

For a brief moment she was standing on the bridge of the Steadfast, faced with an impossible decision. Leave the bridge, or go help where her particular expertise could be more useful. It was a decision that had changed everything for so many people. It was a decision that bought them time and allowed many more to live that might not have. But it was a decision full of consequences, repercussions. For her crew, and especially for herself.

Stilling the unease that wanted to lay claim to her, Eela moved off to her bedroom and got dressed. It was slightly earlier than she normally got up for work, but it had been a late night and she had had three hours of sleep at most. There would be no sleeping in this morning.

A little while later and dressed in simple stretch black trousers and a dark blue sweater, Eela heard the comm chime again and moved swiftly back to her office, hitting the key as she fell into her chair. Ren appeared, a somber expression on their usually calm and joyful face. Eela’s heart sank. “How bad is it?” she said, forcing her voice to be above a whisper.

||It’s not good. Eela…|| Ren sucked in a breath and continued. ||The Medics and Police have arrived and we’re waiting for confirmation, but Ensign Murdoch said Dash was, um.||

Everything in Eela went very still. ||Dash is dead.||

Ren nodded. ||I’m sorry Eela.|| They looked on the verge of tears.

“I’m sorry for all of us.” Dasca blew out a breath. A sudden sequence of necessary tasks went through her brain and she could recognize this for what it was: crisis management mode. It was what was needed right now and it was something in which she was had exceptional training and experience. “There are things I need to do as Lieutenant Governor, so I’m going to go. But, I’ll check on Jeannette in a bit. If there is further news, I might be out but call me. I’ll have anything from your residence forwarded to my comm.”

||Okay,|| Ren said softly, just as they realized that they were not alone. ||He’s gone?!|| Jessie’s voice sounded from the other side of the room. Ren gave and apologetic look, but Eela just nodded in understanding. The screen went blank.

Alone in her office once again, Eela barely seemed to register the thoughts and decisions before she acted on them. Gathering her work bag, she left her apartment and told her security she was going to the Quill.

A few minutes later, she got out and moved to the locked door, a few lights on indicating what she already knew: that people she needed to see were already there. Eela knocked loudly, her expression and emotions surprisingly neutral.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.