Installment 16A – Legends of the Fireflies Series – Book One: Journeys of the Rangers – Chapter 4: Perceptions At The Gihon Survivors’ Base Camp Second Evening Aground – Twenty-Two Hours After Landing 28,192 Hours Into Mission (3 Years, 2 Months, 18 Days, 13 Hours Into Mission) Delis was troubled by the thought of Arty making her way alone to Lieutenant Rhyon’s quarters. The more he thought of it, the more it grated on him. The Gihon had become a dark, dank, dangerous ship cluttered with warped bulkheads, broken beams, cracked struts and temporary shoring. Most the damage hosted razor sharp edges that could easily cause serious injury given the dark lifeless hulk that the Gihon had become. ‘I’ll not have my Captain ducking under twisted supports, stepping around temporary shoring and skirting split bulkheads with only a headlamp on her brow.’ The mere thought of such a vision made Delis feel ill. To lose the Captain now would turn their current dilemma into a total catastrophe. Long before he had left the officer’s mess tent Delis had decided to pay the Gihon a visit. Delis stepped out of the mess tent into a tropical paradise. A warm gentle breeze stirred the grasses beneath him; several puffy white clouds dotted the azure sky above and before him stood the cobalt blue waters of the cove. He was oblivious to the scene, stopping only to gauge the position of the sun. “A good two hours before sundown as I reckon it. More than enough time,” he said to no one in particular. He quickly set off for the shore where he found Shayra unloading the last of some cargo off a small skiff. “Are you done here midshipman?” he asked. “Yes Sir,” Shayra replied saluting. He returned the salute saying, “I’m commandeering this vessel.” He paused for a moment and then added, “Midshipman Shayra, you will accompany me.” “Aye, Aye Sir,” Shayra said without giving her change of assignment a second thought. Delis was her section chief. It was not her place to question his orders. “Might I ask what well be doing sir?” she said as they entered the skiff and took up oars. “We’ll be restoring auxiliary power to the Gihon and with some luck we’ll be transmitting power to our little base camp as well.” “Yes Sir. Very good Sir.” Shayra glanced toward the Gihon as they began rowing. It resembled an immense dull gray clamshell whose base was barely immersed in water. She could see several of the massive stanchions extending into the lagoon, supporting the enormous weight of the Gihon on the gravel bar below. At One Hundred Forty feet tall, Three Hundred Fifty feet wide and nearly One Thousand feet in length; the ship made for a truly colossal clamshell. Huge scars, gashes and jagged holes were smeared across the once pristine hull. They were testaments to the terrible wounds the Gihon had suffered in battle. As Shayra eyed the great ship that had been her home for more than three years a puzzled look stirred upon her face. Delis instantly noted her expression. ‘Bet she’s wondering about the state of the Gihon; wondering if we’re ever getting off this rock. Best to get it out in the open, I suppose’ Delis thought to himself. He looked over at Shayra and asked, “Do you have a question midshipman?” ‘Those keen eyes never miss much,’ Shayra told herself. She remained silent, debating whether to ask the question. It had long been on her mind. Some would consider the topic totally inappropriate. As she wrestled with the notion a series of frowns and roguish smirks played across her face. She was no closer to deciding when Delis, firmly yet gently interrupted her thoughts. “Shayra,” Delis softened his normally gruff voice as he spoke; “you may ask me off the record if that be your wish.” “Off the record?” she cautiously replied frowning ever so slightly. “Aye lass, off the record just this once.” Never missing an oar stroke, she warily eyed him from beneath her brow for a moment; then relaxing, she looked up at Delis and spoke. “When I was assigned to the Gihon there were some who whispered she had been … had been … built by Star Rangers. Is that true Sir?” she blurted out; “Was she in the service of the Green and Gold Star?” Now it was Delis turn to look puzzled. A frown flashed upon his face as he grappled with a flood of emotions he had not felt for longer than he cared to remember. ‘Well I’m the fool who just let her ask whatever off the record,’ he grumbled to himself; ‘Never thought she’d be asking this.’ He held up a hand and they ceased rowing. “I’m sorry Sir,” Shayra said eyeing the deck, hanging her head in shame; “I should not have asked.” Delis slowly reached over and placing one large finger of his massive hand under her chin he raised her head to look at him. He gave her a sad smile. She had never seen him look so fatigued. “Off the record, right?” he said staring her in the eyes. ‘Yes,’ she nodded. “Aye lass,” delis sighed; “she was built by Star Rangers. Built in their massive shipyards on the third moon of the gas giant Alcubierre 4. That’s true enough. But she was never in their service. They built her for us. She’s was born a Grey Ranger.” Shayra spoke her next words slowly and warily, almost cringing, “Meaning no disrespect Sir, but how do you know that?” Delis’ response caught her off guard. He broke into hearty laughter. “How do I know that? I was there lass,” he laughed all the louder; “I was there.” “You Were There?” she exclaimed in obvious awe; “but they say no outsider was allowed to get anywhere near those legendary shipyards, yet you were there?” “Aye lass.” “But how? How could that be?” “What do you know of the Fourth Heliosian War?” Shayra looked up at the clear blue sky trying to recall all that she’d been taught on the subject. “Two Thousand years ago the Heliosians surprised us. They simultaneously attacked every system on the rim of our realm. A small force of Dark Rangers heroically held onto Golundian 5. Eventually a great combined fleet of all the Rangers relieved them winning a magnificent victory that put an end to the Heliosian threat forever” “Is that their story? What else did they teach you?” Delis grumbled. “That’s it, Sir. They said further details of the war were deemed inappropriate for disclosure.” “Inappropriate For Disclosure. Is that what they’re saying? Humph!” Delis shook his head, running his huge hand down the length of his face while quietly cursing under his breath. “Did I get it wrong Sir?” Shayra asked totally bewildered by Delis’ grumblings. “Not entirely,” Delis gruffly replied. He stared down at his hands while rubbing them together. He seemed far away, lost in thought. Shayra sat in silence wondering if she’d done something wrong. At last Delis looked up at her and asked, “Would you hear the truth of it lass? The truth of that wretched war?” Shayra nodded ‘Yes’ and Delis gave her a hard look adding, “Best you think again lass. Those who think it ‘Inappropriate For Disclosure’ won’t take kindly to you knowing the truth. It’d be off the record and strictly between us. Is that understood?” Shayra took a moment to compose her thoughts. She sat up straight, turned and looked straight into Delis’ eyes. Again nodding ‘Yes’ she somberly said, “I spent most my life doing all I could to become a Ranger, longing for half the chance to be posted aboard an Explorer. Well Sir, I Am A Grey Ranger, Guide and Guardian. We Keep The Flame of Truth Alive. We Tend It. I would know the truth Sir.” Delis’ stern face broke into a smile. “And so you shall midshipman. So you shall. Now take up your oar. I’ll tell you the tale as we make way.” Shayra glanced over her shoulder as they pointed the skiff’s prow at the Gihon. Even at this late hour sunlight still illuminated the eastern side of the lagoon. Patterns of gold studded with flashes of diamond blazed across the eastern lagoon’s sapphire surface. The eastern cliff face glowed in rich olive tones streaked with bands of gold. The dull gray lifeless hull of the once living ship stood in stark contrast to the bright blue waters and colorful cliffs that framed it. As they dipped their oars in unison, Delis began his tale.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 23:00:44 +0000
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