Funeral for a friend.

Posted on Sat Sep 13th, 2025 @ 10:04pm by Rear Admiral Jarred Wallace & Captain Jason Elliot & Lieutenant Mario Pranjić

746 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Into the unknown
Location: Rocky Mountain House, Earth
Timeline: 10 years ago.....

On:

The Grey clouds and rain matched the mood of the group who were in the cemetery. ten people stood around the grave, the majority of the group were in long coats holding umbrella's, the widow of the deceased was bracing herself against the oldest member of the group, his scared face was solemn and somber as they listened too the words of the officiant speaking some of which were drowned out by the rain. "In his name amen." were the only words that were clearly heard.

As the group walked back to the small outbuilding, the youngest men followed at the back of the procession. Jason leaned over "I feel like the odd man out here."

Mario leaned back "No kidding, we were both kids when these guys were out there doing some crazy things."

A voice from the front of the line "We did some crazy shit, but dropping a bomb on a starship makes you too the craziest."

The group broke into a light chuckle as the entered the building, lowering their respective umbrella's as they entered the building, taking off their respective long coats. A server approached with a tray of drinks each of the group taking one they stood in a circle, Fleet Captain Wallace spoke breaking the silence o the moment "To Ryan, through swamps, snow, rain, jumping out o shuttle craft into the line fire doing what he needed to do, the phantom is finally at rest."

As the glasses clinked and they drank, the widow broke the silence next "Thank you for all coming, Ryan would and was happy that you all came at the end including our two newest friends."

"Thank you Mrs Price, being here part of this group means something, I just wish this gathering was under happier circumstances." Mario spoke next, "It was a privilege to meet him let alone knowing what he has done in his lifetime."

Jason looked up "When I was asked too meet with Captain Wallace after the Blackburn incident, Mario and I thought our future was toast but instead we were sat down, Ryan explained that there was going to be a day when we would have to do something that needed to be done and we needed to surround ourselves with those who are willing to be a part of it."

The group raised their glasses again, "To Jon for putting this in motion."

"Back in the days after the war we all gathered for the first time we all agreed that we stood for the federation and what it was, is and can be." Wallace said "Men like Layton and Richards threaten that we had to stand up, that time may come again."

As the group broke up with the other mourners arriving Captain Wallace quickly walked over too Mario and Jason "Thanks for coming boys, I wish we had more time to meet with him, he was literally one of a kind." he swirled his drink "How did your testimony go?"

"Memphis will likely only get eight years, Tse and Mooran got five in a deal, Mercer got eight-teen months but could be out in side of ten months." Jason said in a lower voice

Mario looked up "Collins will be out in a year, there's a rumor he's already joining the one's who weren't arrested or convicted on Campor upon release, What about Layton?"

"He'll be on release in a few weeks, with all of the upheaval in Intelligence there are day's I'm locked out so it might be wise Jason too take the desk job to keep the information flowing for now." Captain Wallace said his scarred face and disfigured eye causing on lookers to turn away.

"What about me?" Mario said knowing the possible answer

"Take your next assignment as we discussed, this new head of Intelligence has most of the Rittenhouse era heads and other department staff out or retired." Wallace said pausing to take a drink "Including me, I'm headed to the territorial border."

"Shit" Jason said not hiding his contempt "What about..." he paused as other mourners walked by "What about this guy uh...Lucas Grant?"

"He's worth a sit down, isn't he a candidate for the First officer job on the Yellowknife?" Wallace said

"I'll talk to Silvia in personnel when I get back." Mario said

"What about me Captain?" Jason said

"For now check in as planned tomorrow, keep a low profile." Wallace said

"Understood." Jason said

End

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