089

[truth_is_cold]

[Public | Audio]

[Rhade's voice, steady and flat.] I have my deal, and my mission is over. If you have any parting wishes, I would like to hear them now. I am sincerely hoping that returning won't be necessary.

[Private to Riddick | Audio]

The invitation stands when you're ready. I'll leave you with the access code to the planet. You'll have to forgive the defenses, we have more thieves to worry about in the galaxy these days. Giant civilization shattering wars tend to do that.

[Private to Ben | Audio]

You make me very proud. Take care of your people.

[Private to Friends | Audio]

Thank you. I would never have returned in the first place if I didn't know that people like you would be there. If you have something special that you would like to be kept safe, I'd like something to take back to the Collection with me. [He wants keepsakes, and keepsakes that'll be preserved for a very long time.]

I do want to see you again. Come find me when you have the chance. The Barge has been helpful in giving me that chance.

Comments

[Private]

[inhistorybooks]

[Trip still really doesn't know what to think of all this. It's not exactly something you expect to hear - that you're going to marry the person you've definitely got feelings for and have a daughter with her, one way or another, and that that child is going to be put in mortal danger by situations well beyond your control - but there it is, and he's been trying to just wrap his mind around the whole thing.

It's hard to really figure out what he wants to say to Rhade when he sees the announcement, because he's beyond grateful, but he feels weird, that he doesn't know anything about what happened beyond what he's told him, and that this wasn't a responsibility he'd stepped up and taken.

But there's one thing he knows he has to say, so he keeps it simple.]

Thanks.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

You'll see me again one day. I'm going to go make sure my deal happened before I return home.

[It's an awkward situation, but given that he'll always care for T'Pol a little bit and the friendship she gave him, he can't regret the time he spent here.]

Private

[with_my_teacup]

I think I can understand security.

...thanks. I'll see you in Barge Time.

Private

[truth_is_cold]

Take care of your inmate. She's an admirable woman. I hope she leaves with the same confidence, if not more.

[Private]

[fearcutsdeeperthanswords]

Are you going to see your family?

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

First I'm going to see a friend's family and make sure they're alright.

Then I'm going home to mine. I'll probably eventually tell my daughter about you, when she's old enough to understand.

[ Private : Video ]

[warisart]

[It takes Ben a very long time to come back to this. He isn't sure what to say.

When he does, it's video. Ben is sitting cross legged on his bed, as he often does, and he's picking at his boot laces, eyes downcast and shoulders straight, which he doesn't.]

You'll get to see your daughter now.

[ Private : Video ]

[truth_is_cold]

Yes, I will.

You should come by my room. I have something to give you.

private/video

[tolaywaste]

[For a long time, Alex really doesn't know what to say to this. On the one hand, he knew this would happen someday, but he knows Ben will be torn up to see Rhade leave.]

[He's earnest, intent, a little awkward when the feed comes on.]

Sir, we don't know each other well, and I know that. I regret that. But I'm glad you've got what you need, and -

I wanted to say thank you. For being there for Ben, and for helping him. He deserved someone like you on his side. He deserved that a long time ago.

private/video

[truth_is_cold]

Yes, he did.

I'm glad he still has someone like you here, too.

[Because he does know Ben will be torn up by him leaving, but now he has friends. And he needs friends more than he needs a caretaker, or a supervisor. He's ready for that life.]

[Private]

[timesbureaucrat]

[It's odd. He and Rhade were always at odds, and yet he's sad to think that they're going their separate ways and may never see each other again. Much like he'd felt when he'd witnessed Braxiatel falling through the portal to drift into another universe where they thought they could never retrieve him.

But he can't say any of that, or admit to Rhade that he'll miss him.]

Give my regards to Braxiatel.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

I will.

Is there anything specific you would like me to tell him?

[Spam]

[hunt4commonwealth]

[Dylan doesn't call him on the network first, just walks the few doors down and knocks at Rhade's door.]

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[Rhade has cleared out the books from his room. The swords are gone from their cases. It's lonely, most of the things have been sent on, and even with all the furniture it still looks sparse when he opens the door.

Still, the moment he does he takes Dylan by two handfuls of shirt and pulls him in without giving him much time to say anything or have much of a look around.]

[fuckingvisions]

The games not gonna be the same without you man, but congrads on beatin' the system. I wish you all the luck on your journey from here. If you're ever in LA in the early 2000's look me up yeah?

[truth_is_cold]

I'll try. I've honestly never been back that far in time. But I know a charming woman who might take it upon herself to visit.

[Private]

[logistical]

[Spock's voice has an unusual quietness to it. He did not know this man well, but Rhade knew T'Pol enough to be friendly with her and take care of her. That's not the reason he's replying, but it is certainly an incentive.]

Live long, and prosper.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

[And it's because of T'Pol that the Augment equivalent knows the proper response to this. And also because of T'Pol that he can give many of his kind families they desperately want.]

Peace and long life.

video;

[some_kinda_hero]

Damn, you too, huh. I mean, of course I'm happy, just...sad too. I'm glad I got to say goodbye, though. You take care of yourself, Gaheris, 'kay?

video;

[truth_is_cold]

You as well.

[Private]

Go out and remind people that superiority doesn't mean conquest or laziness. It's about doing more with the skills that you have, and using your advantages.

[Spam]

[sharpsuitfluffytail]

[Kozak doesn't do so well with communicating what he's feeling. So he simply heads on over, with Perry's pet gimpybot on his shoulder. It roams around his neck, its tiny clamps using his suit for support.

He arrives and knocks at the door. His hands move anxiously together more than usual and there's an odd fluttery feeling in his stomach. He's not the best at goodbyes, partly why he never formed emotional connections with anyone before this damned ship.]

[Spam]

[truth_is_cold]

[His room is sparse when the door slides open, and he immediately pulls Kozak into a hug. There's no warning. Just a hug.]

[private]

[surrenders]

Glad you came back the first time.

[She'll be over later, after she thinks about whether there's anything she should give him.]

[private]

[truth_is_cold]

I'm glad I came back when I did.

I would have missed a lot of valuable opportunities.

[bybloodandhonor]

Congratulations to you and your charge. I'm glad that you've gotten what you need and to have met you.

[Private]

[itstopped]

You're going? [Felix doesn't know what to think, much less what to say. It's not unusual for him to feel torn into pieces, but he used to be better at reconciling them. The selfish part of him is angry and hurt to be losing a friend, to be stuck here with even fewer people; the better half, relieved, happy for Rhade. Maybe even perversely relieved for himself, because it's one less person he has to play this game of trust and fear he's put together in his mind.

In the end, he's not looking at the camera, but he manages a wan smile.]

I hope you won't be angry if I say I hope I never see you again.

[Private]

[truth_is_cold]

I honestly do hope I never have to come back.