Old Friends

Posted on Wed Aug 14th, 2019 @ 11:28pm by Lieutenant Vasily Andropov II

Mission: Episode 01: "Vestal Hearth"
Location: Starbase Montgomery
Timeline: Day 01, 1200 Hours

ON: [[Starbase Montgomery, Day 01, 1200 Hours]]

“How’s the arm?” Chief Petty Officer Tony Abara, 2nd Platoon’s chief NCO, motioned to the arm lifting a forkful of potatoes. It had been a fortuitous meeting, 13th Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) company had been mobilized for an exercise in the sector and Vasily was sent there to wait on his new assignment. As soon as Vasily found out his old team was on post he made it a point to track down his old friend.

“It was the leg that was replaced,” Vasily set the fork down, noting that the rigors of being a Senior NCO had started to take their toll. Specks of grey began to show, wrinkles forming. He definitely wasn’t the youthful man he met nearly a decade ago, “Not the arm.”

“Meaning that it’s new, the rest of you not so much,” Taking a bite of his sandwich, he noted that Vasily hadn’t seemed to age much since the day he left for Deep Space 5. It appeared that life in the Core had done wonders for him, as much as he could tell the Vas missed being a team member, “That arm of yours took a serious shredding.”

“It healed well after a few months of physical therapy,” Instinctively Vasily moved the arm up, flexing his fingers. It had been fortunate that his hand had been spared, the rest of the arm not so much. While technology had moved to the point where scars were mostly a thing of the past, he had no intentions of having cosmetic surgery done to clear it up. Knowing this was not a conversational rabbit hole either of them wanted to go down he shifted the subject, “How’s the team doing? I see a lot of new faces.”

“You know life in the teams,” The rest of the statement went unspoken, both knowing what was being implied. Life in their line of work was rarely compatible with longevity. Taking a drink of his beer he continued, “Some of them retired or went back to the regular service. I think I may be the last of the old crew, lots of young kids.”

“Even Torres? I didn’t think that man would ever get out of the teams,” Vasily cut into the Chicken Kiev, a surprisingly indulgent dish for an apparently simple man. Food was one of the few luxuries he indulged in, having been taught an appreciation for cuisine by his father.

“He passed away a few months ago,” Tony let the statement sink in, noting a subtle sadness at the response. Nodding a little he continued, “Stabbed after a local accused him of cheating at poker.”

Vasily chuckled a little at the comment, knowing that his old friend had been a sly one, “Did he?”

“What’s two Ace of Spades among friends?” A wry smile crossed the NCO’s face, biting into a chip. It was a macabre thing to joke about, but considering what they saw in their line of work it was the best defense mechanism they had. After sharing a small laugh Tony’s face turned a bit pained, “When you’re younger you don’t really think about mortality, always thinking you’re invincible. It’s not until you’ve had one too many close calls that you realize the ride will stop at some point.”

Vasily had been chewing thoughtfully as his guest made his point. Letting the comment linger for a second as he sipped a dry white wine, he looked the man in the eye with a serious glare, “What happened to me on Deep Space 5, it wasn’t your fault. I was the one that commanded the team, it was my choice to be there, it was my failure.”

“And if I hadn’t been on quarters that day you would have still been in one piece,” Tony’s voiced rose, anger lacing it. Whether he was mad at the universe for causing the situation, Vasily’s acceptance of it, or his survivor’s guilt he couldn’t be sure. It was likely a combination of all three.

“I wasn’t the best man at your wedding just to leave your lovely wife a mournful widow,” The Russian offered a smile, a bad joke in an attempt at reassurance. It wasn’t something he was particularly great at, but the intention was there at least, “Besides, who else is going to give the eulogy when I pass on?”

“And that is why you were my first choice,” Tony shook his head, appreciating the attempt. While it was a guilt that he would probably carry with him for the rest of his days, at least the victim of it seemed in good spirits, “Considering your immortal nature you’ll be the one giving the eulogy. I’m expecting at least one tear from you. A final wish if you will.”

“Undead is the word you’re looking for. A small but distinct difference,” Vas stabbed a few more potatoes, pointing them at the man before taking a bite. Chewing thoughtfully he watched confusion cross his friends face, “Immortal would imply I have a soul.”

“I guess I won’t be getting that tear then,” A laugh escaped the enlisted man. Grabbing his beer he held it up to his friend. Without hesitation he watched Vas do the same with his wine glass, “Hell is where we’re from!”

“Not where we’re going!” The cheer brought a host of stares as the men clinked glasses, laughing as if they were the only ones there. It was the 13th’s motto, something the NCOs had decided on after several bottles of liquor and a fist fight or two. It felt apt at the time.

After another hour of talking and drinks they reached the natural end of their conversation, Vasily picking up the bill much to Tony’s protest. After a few more minutes of light bickering both men chuckled and stood up, “You know Vas, we’ll be here for a few more days. Maybe you can teach these youngin’s a thing or two. They need it and I’m sure you’ll love another chance to have your fangs out, even if it’s only an exercise.”

“I would be a fool not to join in the action,” As they exited, Vasily offered his hand. Feeling Tony's rough palm against his relatively smooth one told him everything he needed to know about his new lot in life, “Though my comfortable lifestyle as of late may slow me down.”

Tony laughed, looking his old friend in the eye. Vas was a bit softer now, but his eyes still held the same fire, “Good, maybe now I can catch up.”

OFF:

Lieutenant Vasily Andropov II
Chief Security Officer
USS Vesta (NX-94200)