Post by Scribe on Sept 12, 2009 23:45:05 GMT -5
THE MEDICAL SHIP SURAK
IN ORBIT AT THE EDGE OF DENORIUS BELT
Stardate: 19.01.2169
"Everybody out!” Sgt. Renee Richards ordered, not looking at Merrick as she spoke. “The Major needs the floor.”
When the Vulcan Captain Skon entered the cargo bay where the Sharks were presently undertaking the laborious duty of an inventory check, no one had paid much attention. After all, since they had come aboard the Surak, the Sharks had been interacting with the ships' crew and Skon often had discussions with Major Merrick. It all seemed routine. However, on this occasion, the man's expression had appeared stonier than ever and while some may not have noticed it, something caused a sliver of concern to run down Luke Randolph's spine.
This was further exacerbated when Sarge began shouting to clear the deck. There was something in the way that Sergeant Corporal Renee Richards had barked that order, coupled with the manner in which Skon had entered the room already that made that feeling in his gut go from uneasy to downright anxious in a matter of seconds. In the middle of cataloguing the inventory after the latest supply delivery, Luke abandoned the duty of counting powers packs to meet the Sarge's eyes.
What he saw there was even worse than what he heard in her voice.
Looking across the floor, Luke made contact with Sean and said wordlessly.
Something's wrong.
Sean locked his gaze on the sergeant for a moment, the hitch in the atmosphere of the room finally catching his attention. He looked at Luke and at the others, where everyone had suddenly taken to abandoning their equipment and heading for the door. Something was definitely wrong. He didn't need Luke's IQ to realize that. "Cori, Kenz..."
The crate of body armour in front of them hadn't been their main topic of conversation but they were managing. That is, they were until the Sarge called out. Cori straightened up, glancing back at where the Major stood before turning back to look up at Luke. "Come on," she said to Mack, setting down her padd and getting to her feet.
Mack too hadn't been paying attention until Sarge had spoken and then she left the job she was doing, following Cori towards the door, watching with growing apprehension as Sarge ushered everyone out the door. There was a terrible sense of foreboding over the room, even though they didn't know what it was, it was there, heavy and ugly. She drifted into the hallway, following the throng as they filtered out of the room, leaving the Major alone with Captain Skon.
Sarge was the last one out and as she passed through, she paused and stared at the Major, her expression was unreadable as the doors began to close, leaving the two men alone to discuss whatever it was that required so much privacy. Mack felt her heart clench in dismay because there was only one type of news that needed to delivered with such urgency.
Once the doors to the cargo bay had closed behind then, Ren took a deep breath and regarded the faces before her that looked at her with growing apprehension. When you were a Shark, relying every day on your squad to watch your back, depending on each other out of sheer necessity that was very much life and death, your comrades became your family. The company before her was young but they had ridden the war together and that the bonds forged out that camaraderie was strong. While, there was no need for all of them to be here, she suspected some would remain because when things got tough; families didn't cut and run.
"You're all dismissed." She said to the group nonetheless, knowing some would go and some would remain, before turning to Jazz. "Jazz, I need you to get me a channel to the Lieutenant. Tell communications if they give you any shit that it's an emergency, tell them that Governor Hayes' wife is making the request." She didn't often use that card but this occasion seemed to warrant it.
Once out in the hall, with a chill in her spine, Cori turned to the red-head on the heels of her request to Jazz. "Sarge?" she asked. Her voice on the shaky side as things clicked in her head. The Sarge ordering them out, the way the air seemed to crush her and that Vulcan walking so stiffly, so... formally...to the Major.
Whose awesome wife commanded a starship on the front lines.
Gasping, Cori covered her mouth with one hand, eyes on Ren, begging to be told something different than what logic was.
Moving to his brother's side, Sean could only wait for the news that was inevitably bad.
Ren didn't answer Cori straight away. She didn't want to speculate until she knew for sure. Her gut was twisting in to several kinds of knots waiting outside that door but she refused to speak even though she knew the squad was waiting in anticipation for her answer. Fortunately, they did not have long to wait when the doors slid open, and Captain Skon emerged. Before the doors slid close, Ren spied Major Merrick just standing in the middle of the room like a statue, staring at something only he could see and Ren knew from that despaired look on his face, what the news had been.
Still she had to ask. "What's happened?"
Captain Skon seemed to consider whether or not he ought to inform the crew of what had happened and then realised that there was no logical reason not to tell them. By now, the new of the battle at Azati Prime was moving through the remaining fleet like wildfire, in a short time, they would learn it anyway. Taking a deep breath, he responded. "I am afraid I have to report the loss of the NX-03 Saratoga at Azati Prime. There were no survivors."
And there it was, the truth that was so clear even though Ren prayed otherwise. She uttered a soft gasp of anguish for just for the loss of Alexandra Styles and those souls who served with her but for her friends who was undoubtedly devastated on the other side of the door.
"Jesus," Luke muttered, the news impacting upon him like mortar shells. He didn't know what to say, if there were any words that could help in this situation.
"Oh God," Mack exclaimed. "Poor Captain Merrick," she turned immediately to Sean, not caring if it appeared weak or not when she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, weeping for the loss of the woman who was their commanding officer's love and an a wonderful starship captain.
Not saying anything, Christ, how could he, Sean pulled Mack to him, eyes darkening as he nuzzled against her hair. Captain Merrick... holy shit…his gaze fell on Cori, who was staring at the Vulcan, tears welling up in those big, expressive eyes.
"But..." Captain Merrick. Suddenly sick to her stomach, Cori's other hand joined the first one at her mouth. Captain Merrick, so vibrant and so…ballsy and so…everything Cori wanted and wanted to be.
"Thank you for telling us," Ren said softly, giving the Captain of the Surak acknowledgement for his efforts even as her eyes misted over in tears.
Skon nodded gently before he walked away, leaving the humans to their mourning.
Ren stood at the door, her hand resting against the cold surface, trying to decide if she should go into the room or not. With the news that Major Merrick had just heard, he shouldn't be alone but she also knew the man well enough to know that he probably would not appreciate the intrusion either.
Finally Ren turned away from the door and caught sight of Jazz still there, she snapped. "Go now, get Gunny here."
Quietly, Jazz nodded, feet already moving as he brushed by Cori, who was still standing there, tears leaking out down her cheeks, over her hands. Finally, she lowered them, mouth tight as she dashed the tears away. "What..." Her voice cracked and Cori licked her lips. "What can we do?" she asked, fighting back the tears. Alex Styles Merrick was so strong…she wouldn't cry, probably hadn't in the…end. Her throat seemed to convulse but Cori choked it back, her gaze on Ren.
In his arms, Mack seemed to be shaking so Sean tightened his hold on her as he glanced at his brother.
"You can't do anything," Ren stated simply, wiping the tears from her own eyes, "there's nothing to be done. The Major needs the space. The best that you can do is not be here when he comes out of there. He needs a wide berth so we're going to back off until he needs us."
"Yeah," Luke understood that, looking at the others and deciding to put his Lance Corporal stripes to go use. "Come on, let's give the man some space," he urged his comrades. "He doesn't need to see us all out here, when eh comes out of there." Luke placed a gentle hand on Cori's shoulder, offering what comfort he could because he knew just how much Cori liked the Major's wife.
She didn't respond but Cori let Luke pull her away. She glanced at Mack, tucked into Sean's arms, where he was strong for her. For Cori, she closed in on herself, like a star collapsing her face hardened and the tears died. Falling back on years of forcing herself not to give her mother a desired response, Cori shut down and moved down the hall, away from her friends. Some place…empty, she had to find someplace empty . Usually, Mack had been the only witness to the torrents of anger and tears. How ironically bitter it was that the woman she was about to shed tears over was the one whose mothering style wouldn't have called for such a measure of self-defence.
Watching after Cori, his cheek on Mack's head, Sean glanced to his brother and canted his eyebrows in Cori's direction.
Luke nodded, picking up the unspoken suggestion by Sean and was more than willing to do what was necessary as he put an arm around Cori, "come on," he said gently. "Let's get out of here," he said leading them away from the door where the Major was probably in anguish over the news of his wife. "Let's give the man some space."
That was a good idea. Sean kissed the top of Mack's head. "Come on, Kenz," he said quietly. "Let's go." Glancing at the Sergeant, her face was still an unreadable mask and he was glad she'd thought to call for the Lieutenant. He and the Major were thick and the man would need his friends right now. Especially right now. "You going to be okay, Sarge?" he asked.
Ren looked his, her gaze had been fixed on the door as she tried to decide if she ought to go in. His words pulled her from those thoughts and she nodded. "Yeah I'll be fine." She wished she could say the same for the Major and wished Derick was on the ship. More than anyone else, Gunny would be able to help the Major through this.
Cori only nodded, hugging herself, not even aware of where Luke was taking her.
As the group in front of the cargo bay doors drifted away, Luke and Sean walked the girls back to their quarter. Cori hadn't said a word and Mack was still being held by Sean. None of them looked very Shark at the moment but as they moved through the halls of the ship, the news of the Saratoga's destruction and thirty five other ships began to show on the faces of the other people. There was crying in the hallways, people wearing dour expressions on their faces, some talking in hushed tones. It was as if the angel of death was walking through the ship.
Arriving at the Tank, what Alpha Squad called the area of the Surak designated for their use, the twins ushered the two women into the room they shared together.
Once inside, with the door shut, did her breath escape her with the whoosh of the door. Alex Merrick, who had been so kind to her, so encouraging…so much like the mother her own never was. A sob broke loose from Cori as she stood in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands.
While Mack took her place in Sean's embrace again, Cori's expression of grief was different. She was so accustomed to putting on a brave face that Luke could only watch those walls disintegrate in the face of her grief. They all knew Alexandra Merrick. Since becoming a member of Alpha Squad, Luke had remembered going to the Merrick home for summer cookouts. He remembered thinking she was pretty cool for a Fleeter and a starship captain who treated everyone she came across as equals. He thought about how the Major and Alex affected each other, the sparkle in their eyes whenever one of them strayed into each other's orbit. How that light was now gone forever. He didn't feel as emotional as Cori but he understood her pain.
Stepping forward, he bundled Cori up in his arms when she gave into her tears, willing some of his strength into her as he held her close, whispering softly, "Let it out baby," he cooed softly. "Let it out."
Sliding her arms around his neck, Cori buried her face in Luke's shirt as everything came apart. The stone face, the stiffness melted away as she held onto him tightly. Alex, the handful of friends stationed on the Saratoga…as tough as Cori thought she was, or the rough life she'd left behind, she'd never really experienced death. Hardship and poverty, yes but death... that had always been the one visitor that had mercifully stayed away.
Luke continued holding her. Until today, they had sailed through this war without losing anyone really close to them. Sure there were comrades who fell in the line of duty but Alpha Squad hadn’t lost anyone the way they'd now lost Captain Merrick. They'd be invited to her home, they'd shared meals with the woman and watched her play with her daughter, this loss cut to the bone so much because it was just so personal.
After a while, could have been an hour, Cori had no clue, the tears subsided, enough for her to dash a few away. She stayed where she was those, feeling so cold and Luke was so warm against her. "You think..." She sniffed, not looking up. "You think the Major's going to be alright?" She wasn't sure, what with how crazy in love he was with the Captain, with the kind of devotion that every girl wanted.
"No," Luke said without hesitation before lifting his gaze to Sean, to see if his brother had anything to say on the subject. "How is anyone alright after losing someone they love? I mean eventually I guess but for right now?" He shook his head, "I hope Lt. Rickman gets here soon."
"He will." Cori nodded. That was the kind of friendship she understood, because it was her and Mack. She'd do anything, anytime, anyplace for her friend and she had seen that from Day One with those two men.
Mack finally composed herself enough to speak. "Did you hear, it wasn't just the Saratoga. There were 30 other ships lost at Azati Prime. Thirty." She whispered. "So many died today…"
Sean looked up at Luke across, over Mack's head, thoughts on his friends, on.. God. Ron. For a moment, his chest seized before remembering that Ron would be on Gaia. Had been for the last month. Stroking Mack's hair, he held her tight.
Grateful for his strong arms, feeling terribly weak even though she was meant to be a Shark, Mack allowed herself to grieve. "I didn't think it would end this way." She whispered to him but the others could hear. "I didn't think it would end with so many dying like this. Until now, we've had battles but nothing like this…"
"Maybe we've been lucky until now," Luke remarked, stroking Cori's back. "I guess until now we've haven't seen the kind of war that they fought when Earth was destroyed."
Arriving at the Tank, what Alpha Squad called the area of the Surak designated for their use, the twins ushered the two women into the room they shared together.
Once inside, with the door shut, did her breath escape her with the whoosh of the door. Alex Merrick, who had been so kind to her, so encouraging…so much like the mother her own never was. A sob broke loose from Cori as she stood in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands.
While Mack took her place in Sean's embrace again, Cori's expression of grief was different. She was so accustomed to putting on a brave face that Luke could only watch those walls disintegrate in the face of her grief. They all knew Alexandra Merrick. Since becoming a member of Alpha Squad, Luke had remembered going to the Merrick home for summer cookouts. He remembered thinking she was pretty cool for a Fleeter and a starship captain who treated everyone she came across as equals. He thought about how the Major and Alex affected each other, the sparkle in their eyes whenever one of them strayed into each other's orbit. How that light was now gone forever. He didn't feel as emotional as Cori but he understood her pain.
Stepping forward, he bundled Cori up in his arms when she gave into her tears, willing some of his strength into her as he held her close, whispering softly, "Let it out baby," he cooed softly. "Let it
After a while, could have been an hour, Cori had no clue, the tears subsided, enough for her to dash a few away. She stayed where she was those, feeling so cold and Luke was so warm against her. "You think..." She sniffed, not looking up. "You think the Major's going to be alright?" She wasn't sure, what with how crazy in love he was with the Captain, with the kind of devotion that every girl wanted.
"No," Luke said without hesitation before lifting his gaze to Sean, to see if his brother had anything to say on the subject. "How is anyone alright after losing someone they love? I mean eventually I guess but for right now?" He shook his head, "I hope Lt. Rickman gets here soon."
"He will." Cori nodded. That was the kind of friendship she understood, because it was her and Mack. She'd do anything, anytime, anyplace for her friend and she had seen that from Day One with those two men. Sighing, Cori unconsciously leaned into Luke as the door opened, revealing Sean and Mack. Pulling away from Luke, she went to Mack immediately, throwing her arms around her friend.
Mack finally composed herself enough to speak. "Did you hear, it wasn't just the Saratoga. There were 30 other ships lost at Azati Prime. Thirty." She whispered. "So many died today…"
Sean looked up at Luke across, over Mack's head, thoughts on his friends, on.. God. Ron. For a moment, his chest seized before remembering that Ron would be on Gaia. Had been for the last month. Stroking Mack's hair, he held her tight.
Grateful for his strong arms, feeling terribly weak even though she was meant to be a Shark, Mack allowed herself to grieve. "I didn't think it would end this way." She whispered to him but the others could hear. "I didn't think it would end with so many dying like this. Until now, we've had battles but nothing like this…"
"Maybe we've been lucky until now," Luke remarked, stroking Cori's back. "I guess until now we've haven't seen the kind of war that they fought when Earth was destroyed."
Kissing Mack's temple, Sean reached out a free hand and squeezed his brother's shoulder. His eyes said it all to his twin that he was damn glad they and the girls were alright.
"I didn't think it would end this way either," Cori said finally. "One ship.. or three maybe.. but... " She couldn't say 'thirty'.
"It wasn't just our ships," Luke clarified because he had been listening to the talk when they were walking back. "It was also Alliance ships." There was mourning over a dozen worlds today, worlds that had thrown their lot in to fight the Xindi and were now paying the price.
"Bajor, Betazed, Vulcans...." Even the peaceful Deltans had a unit to help them. Pushing at Mack just slightly, he kissed her forehead. "C'mon, baby. Sit... " Pulling her with him, he sat at her desk and pulled her into his lap.
"This is why we joined though," Cori said softly. "It's why everyone joined."
Not resisting, Mack lowered herself into Sean's lap, grateful that he was here, grateful that the four of them were still safe even if the world had gone insane around them. Sliding her arms around his neck, she pressed her forehead against his. "I don't they thought this could happen, not really."
"Me either." Sean replied. "I mean.. thirty ships.." he whispered, wondering just what the count would be among family friends, the people he and Luke had gone to school with. Still in shock, he simply gathered Mack to him.
Cori on the other hand, pulled back from Luke slightly, glancing at the door. "We should go find the Sarge again," she said determinedly. "See what we can do. There's got to be search parties, for.. evac pods or something, right?" she asked Luke. "I want to do something..."
"Wait a bit Cor," Luke said gently. He had seen the Sarge's face and knew she was holding it together for their sake but she had been affected just as badly if not worse because she knew Captain Merrick longer. "I think Sarge is hurt worse than she lets on."
Opening her mouth to protest, Cori bit down on it for once as met Luke's eyes. "I want to do something.. I can't sit here..." Because she'd cry again, with the grief so heavy it pulled on her physically. This was how she coped but even then, Cori realized Luke was right. The Captain, who had let her watch Lexie and play with her and had listened about Bethany and all Cori's hopes and dreams for her. Alex had taught her how to change diapers... before Cori knew it, she was crying again.
Luke saw her weep fresh tears and once again went to offer her his shoulder, this time without any prompting from Sean. One thing was certain, he couldn't stand to see her cry any more than Sean could handle it. "I know you can't," he said quietly, holding her, "but everyone's too raw right now, give it a bit of time and we'll both go and see if there's anything we can do, okay?" He lifted her chin and made her look him in the eye to prove his assurance.
Nodding after a moment, Cori realized he was, as usual, pretty wise on some things. She managed a sad sort of half-smile and nodded. "Thanks," she said, grabbing his hand and glancing over her shoulder where Mack and Sean sat quietly. "Just.. don't go anywhere for now. Please?"
A small smile formed on his lips, devoid of the usual jackassery that was so much his trademark. With complete sincerity he said, "I'm here for as long as you need me." It surprised him how much he meant that.
"Same here, Cori," Sean said, hand on the nape of Mack's neck.
Dashing away a tear, Cori smiled gratefully at him. "Me too. For all three of you," she said, moving away from Luke to slump into her desk chair. "God knows we need our friends even more now."
IN ORBIT AT THE EDGE OF DENORIUS BELT
Stardate: 19.01.2169
"Everybody out!” Sgt. Renee Richards ordered, not looking at Merrick as she spoke. “The Major needs the floor.”
When the Vulcan Captain Skon entered the cargo bay where the Sharks were presently undertaking the laborious duty of an inventory check, no one had paid much attention. After all, since they had come aboard the Surak, the Sharks had been interacting with the ships' crew and Skon often had discussions with Major Merrick. It all seemed routine. However, on this occasion, the man's expression had appeared stonier than ever and while some may not have noticed it, something caused a sliver of concern to run down Luke Randolph's spine.
This was further exacerbated when Sarge began shouting to clear the deck. There was something in the way that Sergeant Corporal Renee Richards had barked that order, coupled with the manner in which Skon had entered the room already that made that feeling in his gut go from uneasy to downright anxious in a matter of seconds. In the middle of cataloguing the inventory after the latest supply delivery, Luke abandoned the duty of counting powers packs to meet the Sarge's eyes.
What he saw there was even worse than what he heard in her voice.
Looking across the floor, Luke made contact with Sean and said wordlessly.
Something's wrong.
Sean locked his gaze on the sergeant for a moment, the hitch in the atmosphere of the room finally catching his attention. He looked at Luke and at the others, where everyone had suddenly taken to abandoning their equipment and heading for the door. Something was definitely wrong. He didn't need Luke's IQ to realize that. "Cori, Kenz..."
The crate of body armour in front of them hadn't been their main topic of conversation but they were managing. That is, they were until the Sarge called out. Cori straightened up, glancing back at where the Major stood before turning back to look up at Luke. "Come on," she said to Mack, setting down her padd and getting to her feet.
Mack too hadn't been paying attention until Sarge had spoken and then she left the job she was doing, following Cori towards the door, watching with growing apprehension as Sarge ushered everyone out the door. There was a terrible sense of foreboding over the room, even though they didn't know what it was, it was there, heavy and ugly. She drifted into the hallway, following the throng as they filtered out of the room, leaving the Major alone with Captain Skon.
Sarge was the last one out and as she passed through, she paused and stared at the Major, her expression was unreadable as the doors began to close, leaving the two men alone to discuss whatever it was that required so much privacy. Mack felt her heart clench in dismay because there was only one type of news that needed to delivered with such urgency.
Once the doors to the cargo bay had closed behind then, Ren took a deep breath and regarded the faces before her that looked at her with growing apprehension. When you were a Shark, relying every day on your squad to watch your back, depending on each other out of sheer necessity that was very much life and death, your comrades became your family. The company before her was young but they had ridden the war together and that the bonds forged out that camaraderie was strong. While, there was no need for all of them to be here, she suspected some would remain because when things got tough; families didn't cut and run.
"You're all dismissed." She said to the group nonetheless, knowing some would go and some would remain, before turning to Jazz. "Jazz, I need you to get me a channel to the Lieutenant. Tell communications if they give you any shit that it's an emergency, tell them that Governor Hayes' wife is making the request." She didn't often use that card but this occasion seemed to warrant it.
Once out in the hall, with a chill in her spine, Cori turned to the red-head on the heels of her request to Jazz. "Sarge?" she asked. Her voice on the shaky side as things clicked in her head. The Sarge ordering them out, the way the air seemed to crush her and that Vulcan walking so stiffly, so... formally...to the Major.
Whose awesome wife commanded a starship on the front lines.
Gasping, Cori covered her mouth with one hand, eyes on Ren, begging to be told something different than what logic was.
Moving to his brother's side, Sean could only wait for the news that was inevitably bad.
Ren didn't answer Cori straight away. She didn't want to speculate until she knew for sure. Her gut was twisting in to several kinds of knots waiting outside that door but she refused to speak even though she knew the squad was waiting in anticipation for her answer. Fortunately, they did not have long to wait when the doors slid open, and Captain Skon emerged. Before the doors slid close, Ren spied Major Merrick just standing in the middle of the room like a statue, staring at something only he could see and Ren knew from that despaired look on his face, what the news had been.
Still she had to ask. "What's happened?"
Captain Skon seemed to consider whether or not he ought to inform the crew of what had happened and then realised that there was no logical reason not to tell them. By now, the new of the battle at Azati Prime was moving through the remaining fleet like wildfire, in a short time, they would learn it anyway. Taking a deep breath, he responded. "I am afraid I have to report the loss of the NX-03 Saratoga at Azati Prime. There were no survivors."
And there it was, the truth that was so clear even though Ren prayed otherwise. She uttered a soft gasp of anguish for just for the loss of Alexandra Styles and those souls who served with her but for her friends who was undoubtedly devastated on the other side of the door.
"Jesus," Luke muttered, the news impacting upon him like mortar shells. He didn't know what to say, if there were any words that could help in this situation.
"Oh God," Mack exclaimed. "Poor Captain Merrick," she turned immediately to Sean, not caring if it appeared weak or not when she buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, weeping for the loss of the woman who was their commanding officer's love and an a wonderful starship captain.
Not saying anything, Christ, how could he, Sean pulled Mack to him, eyes darkening as he nuzzled against her hair. Captain Merrick... holy shit…his gaze fell on Cori, who was staring at the Vulcan, tears welling up in those big, expressive eyes.
"But..." Captain Merrick. Suddenly sick to her stomach, Cori's other hand joined the first one at her mouth. Captain Merrick, so vibrant and so…ballsy and so…everything Cori wanted and wanted to be.
"Thank you for telling us," Ren said softly, giving the Captain of the Surak acknowledgement for his efforts even as her eyes misted over in tears.
Skon nodded gently before he walked away, leaving the humans to their mourning.
Ren stood at the door, her hand resting against the cold surface, trying to decide if she should go into the room or not. With the news that Major Merrick had just heard, he shouldn't be alone but she also knew the man well enough to know that he probably would not appreciate the intrusion either.
Finally Ren turned away from the door and caught sight of Jazz still there, she snapped. "Go now, get Gunny here."
Quietly, Jazz nodded, feet already moving as he brushed by Cori, who was still standing there, tears leaking out down her cheeks, over her hands. Finally, she lowered them, mouth tight as she dashed the tears away. "What..." Her voice cracked and Cori licked her lips. "What can we do?" she asked, fighting back the tears. Alex Styles Merrick was so strong…she wouldn't cry, probably hadn't in the…end. Her throat seemed to convulse but Cori choked it back, her gaze on Ren.
In his arms, Mack seemed to be shaking so Sean tightened his hold on her as he glanced at his brother.
"You can't do anything," Ren stated simply, wiping the tears from her own eyes, "there's nothing to be done. The Major needs the space. The best that you can do is not be here when he comes out of there. He needs a wide berth so we're going to back off until he needs us."
"Yeah," Luke understood that, looking at the others and deciding to put his Lance Corporal stripes to go use. "Come on, let's give the man some space," he urged his comrades. "He doesn't need to see us all out here, when eh comes out of there." Luke placed a gentle hand on Cori's shoulder, offering what comfort he could because he knew just how much Cori liked the Major's wife.
She didn't respond but Cori let Luke pull her away. She glanced at Mack, tucked into Sean's arms, where he was strong for her. For Cori, she closed in on herself, like a star collapsing her face hardened and the tears died. Falling back on years of forcing herself not to give her mother a desired response, Cori shut down and moved down the hall, away from her friends. Some place…empty, she had to find someplace empty . Usually, Mack had been the only witness to the torrents of anger and tears. How ironically bitter it was that the woman she was about to shed tears over was the one whose mothering style wouldn't have called for such a measure of self-defence.
Watching after Cori, his cheek on Mack's head, Sean glanced to his brother and canted his eyebrows in Cori's direction.
Luke nodded, picking up the unspoken suggestion by Sean and was more than willing to do what was necessary as he put an arm around Cori, "come on," he said gently. "Let's get out of here," he said leading them away from the door where the Major was probably in anguish over the news of his wife. "Let's give the man some space."
That was a good idea. Sean kissed the top of Mack's head. "Come on, Kenz," he said quietly. "Let's go." Glancing at the Sergeant, her face was still an unreadable mask and he was glad she'd thought to call for the Lieutenant. He and the Major were thick and the man would need his friends right now. Especially right now. "You going to be okay, Sarge?" he asked.
Ren looked his, her gaze had been fixed on the door as she tried to decide if she ought to go in. His words pulled her from those thoughts and she nodded. "Yeah I'll be fine." She wished she could say the same for the Major and wished Derick was on the ship. More than anyone else, Gunny would be able to help the Major through this.
Cori only nodded, hugging herself, not even aware of where Luke was taking her.
As the group in front of the cargo bay doors drifted away, Luke and Sean walked the girls back to their quarter. Cori hadn't said a word and Mack was still being held by Sean. None of them looked very Shark at the moment but as they moved through the halls of the ship, the news of the Saratoga's destruction and thirty five other ships began to show on the faces of the other people. There was crying in the hallways, people wearing dour expressions on their faces, some talking in hushed tones. It was as if the angel of death was walking through the ship.
Arriving at the Tank, what Alpha Squad called the area of the Surak designated for their use, the twins ushered the two women into the room they shared together.
Once inside, with the door shut, did her breath escape her with the whoosh of the door. Alex Merrick, who had been so kind to her, so encouraging…so much like the mother her own never was. A sob broke loose from Cori as she stood in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands.
While Mack took her place in Sean's embrace again, Cori's expression of grief was different. She was so accustomed to putting on a brave face that Luke could only watch those walls disintegrate in the face of her grief. They all knew Alexandra Merrick. Since becoming a member of Alpha Squad, Luke had remembered going to the Merrick home for summer cookouts. He remembered thinking she was pretty cool for a Fleeter and a starship captain who treated everyone she came across as equals. He thought about how the Major and Alex affected each other, the sparkle in their eyes whenever one of them strayed into each other's orbit. How that light was now gone forever. He didn't feel as emotional as Cori but he understood her pain.
Stepping forward, he bundled Cori up in his arms when she gave into her tears, willing some of his strength into her as he held her close, whispering softly, "Let it out baby," he cooed softly. "Let it out."
Sliding her arms around his neck, Cori buried her face in Luke's shirt as everything came apart. The stone face, the stiffness melted away as she held onto him tightly. Alex, the handful of friends stationed on the Saratoga…as tough as Cori thought she was, or the rough life she'd left behind, she'd never really experienced death. Hardship and poverty, yes but death... that had always been the one visitor that had mercifully stayed away.
Luke continued holding her. Until today, they had sailed through this war without losing anyone really close to them. Sure there were comrades who fell in the line of duty but Alpha Squad hadn’t lost anyone the way they'd now lost Captain Merrick. They'd be invited to her home, they'd shared meals with the woman and watched her play with her daughter, this loss cut to the bone so much because it was just so personal.
After a while, could have been an hour, Cori had no clue, the tears subsided, enough for her to dash a few away. She stayed where she was those, feeling so cold and Luke was so warm against her. "You think..." She sniffed, not looking up. "You think the Major's going to be alright?" She wasn't sure, what with how crazy in love he was with the Captain, with the kind of devotion that every girl wanted.
"No," Luke said without hesitation before lifting his gaze to Sean, to see if his brother had anything to say on the subject. "How is anyone alright after losing someone they love? I mean eventually I guess but for right now?" He shook his head, "I hope Lt. Rickman gets here soon."
"He will." Cori nodded. That was the kind of friendship she understood, because it was her and Mack. She'd do anything, anytime, anyplace for her friend and she had seen that from Day One with those two men.
Mack finally composed herself enough to speak. "Did you hear, it wasn't just the Saratoga. There were 30 other ships lost at Azati Prime. Thirty." She whispered. "So many died today…"
Sean looked up at Luke across, over Mack's head, thoughts on his friends, on.. God. Ron. For a moment, his chest seized before remembering that Ron would be on Gaia. Had been for the last month. Stroking Mack's hair, he held her tight.
Grateful for his strong arms, feeling terribly weak even though she was meant to be a Shark, Mack allowed herself to grieve. "I didn't think it would end this way." She whispered to him but the others could hear. "I didn't think it would end with so many dying like this. Until now, we've had battles but nothing like this…"
"Maybe we've been lucky until now," Luke remarked, stroking Cori's back. "I guess until now we've haven't seen the kind of war that they fought when Earth was destroyed."
Arriving at the Tank, what Alpha Squad called the area of the Surak designated for their use, the twins ushered the two women into the room they shared together.
Once inside, with the door shut, did her breath escape her with the whoosh of the door. Alex Merrick, who had been so kind to her, so encouraging…so much like the mother her own never was. A sob broke loose from Cori as she stood in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands.
While Mack took her place in Sean's embrace again, Cori's expression of grief was different. She was so accustomed to putting on a brave face that Luke could only watch those walls disintegrate in the face of her grief. They all knew Alexandra Merrick. Since becoming a member of Alpha Squad, Luke had remembered going to the Merrick home for summer cookouts. He remembered thinking she was pretty cool for a Fleeter and a starship captain who treated everyone she came across as equals. He thought about how the Major and Alex affected each other, the sparkle in their eyes whenever one of them strayed into each other's orbit. How that light was now gone forever. He didn't feel as emotional as Cori but he understood her pain.
Stepping forward, he bundled Cori up in his arms when she gave into her tears, willing some of his strength into her as he held her close, whispering softly, "Let it out baby," he cooed softly. "Let it
After a while, could have been an hour, Cori had no clue, the tears subsided, enough for her to dash a few away. She stayed where she was those, feeling so cold and Luke was so warm against her. "You think..." She sniffed, not looking up. "You think the Major's going to be alright?" She wasn't sure, what with how crazy in love he was with the Captain, with the kind of devotion that every girl wanted.
"No," Luke said without hesitation before lifting his gaze to Sean, to see if his brother had anything to say on the subject. "How is anyone alright after losing someone they love? I mean eventually I guess but for right now?" He shook his head, "I hope Lt. Rickman gets here soon."
"He will." Cori nodded. That was the kind of friendship she understood, because it was her and Mack. She'd do anything, anytime, anyplace for her friend and she had seen that from Day One with those two men. Sighing, Cori unconsciously leaned into Luke as the door opened, revealing Sean and Mack. Pulling away from Luke, she went to Mack immediately, throwing her arms around her friend.
Mack finally composed herself enough to speak. "Did you hear, it wasn't just the Saratoga. There were 30 other ships lost at Azati Prime. Thirty." She whispered. "So many died today…"
Sean looked up at Luke across, over Mack's head, thoughts on his friends, on.. God. Ron. For a moment, his chest seized before remembering that Ron would be on Gaia. Had been for the last month. Stroking Mack's hair, he held her tight.
Grateful for his strong arms, feeling terribly weak even though she was meant to be a Shark, Mack allowed herself to grieve. "I didn't think it would end this way." She whispered to him but the others could hear. "I didn't think it would end with so many dying like this. Until now, we've had battles but nothing like this…"
"Maybe we've been lucky until now," Luke remarked, stroking Cori's back. "I guess until now we've haven't seen the kind of war that they fought when Earth was destroyed."
Kissing Mack's temple, Sean reached out a free hand and squeezed his brother's shoulder. His eyes said it all to his twin that he was damn glad they and the girls were alright.
"I didn't think it would end this way either," Cori said finally. "One ship.. or three maybe.. but... " She couldn't say 'thirty'.
"It wasn't just our ships," Luke clarified because he had been listening to the talk when they were walking back. "It was also Alliance ships." There was mourning over a dozen worlds today, worlds that had thrown their lot in to fight the Xindi and were now paying the price.
"Bajor, Betazed, Vulcans...." Even the peaceful Deltans had a unit to help them. Pushing at Mack just slightly, he kissed her forehead. "C'mon, baby. Sit... " Pulling her with him, he sat at her desk and pulled her into his lap.
"This is why we joined though," Cori said softly. "It's why everyone joined."
Not resisting, Mack lowered herself into Sean's lap, grateful that he was here, grateful that the four of them were still safe even if the world had gone insane around them. Sliding her arms around his neck, she pressed her forehead against his. "I don't they thought this could happen, not really."
"Me either." Sean replied. "I mean.. thirty ships.." he whispered, wondering just what the count would be among family friends, the people he and Luke had gone to school with. Still in shock, he simply gathered Mack to him.
Cori on the other hand, pulled back from Luke slightly, glancing at the door. "We should go find the Sarge again," she said determinedly. "See what we can do. There's got to be search parties, for.. evac pods or something, right?" she asked Luke. "I want to do something..."
"Wait a bit Cor," Luke said gently. He had seen the Sarge's face and knew she was holding it together for their sake but she had been affected just as badly if not worse because she knew Captain Merrick longer. "I think Sarge is hurt worse than she lets on."
Opening her mouth to protest, Cori bit down on it for once as met Luke's eyes. "I want to do something.. I can't sit here..." Because she'd cry again, with the grief so heavy it pulled on her physically. This was how she coped but even then, Cori realized Luke was right. The Captain, who had let her watch Lexie and play with her and had listened about Bethany and all Cori's hopes and dreams for her. Alex had taught her how to change diapers... before Cori knew it, she was crying again.
Luke saw her weep fresh tears and once again went to offer her his shoulder, this time without any prompting from Sean. One thing was certain, he couldn't stand to see her cry any more than Sean could handle it. "I know you can't," he said quietly, holding her, "but everyone's too raw right now, give it a bit of time and we'll both go and see if there's anything we can do, okay?" He lifted her chin and made her look him in the eye to prove his assurance.
Nodding after a moment, Cori realized he was, as usual, pretty wise on some things. She managed a sad sort of half-smile and nodded. "Thanks," she said, grabbing his hand and glancing over her shoulder where Mack and Sean sat quietly. "Just.. don't go anywhere for now. Please?"
A small smile formed on his lips, devoid of the usual jackassery that was so much his trademark. With complete sincerity he said, "I'm here for as long as you need me." It surprised him how much he meant that.
"Same here, Cori," Sean said, hand on the nape of Mack's neck.
Dashing away a tear, Cori smiled gratefully at him. "Me too. For all three of you," she said, moving away from Luke to slump into her desk chair. "God knows we need our friends even more now."