Dark Fate, Book 14 Prologue (Patreon)

Prologue – Trade Chat

(Internal Discussion Forum, CRN Mercurial)

**SECURE FORUM. DO NOT LINK TO EXTERNAL SITES.**

WrenchMonkey, Sulu, Trapper, Goddess, Critter, Bookworm, Shinobi, Snake, Skipper, Bloodsucker, Bobcat, Kitten, Heretic, Puritan, Charmander, Professor, Anonymous1, Rerun, Doc, ThoughtSo, BadGirl, CallMeDaddy, Hentai, and Chatty are in the chat.

WrenchMonkey: Fortunately, we were far enough back from the actual fighting that Mercurial didn’t take any shots. Fighter crews weren’t as lucky.

Bloodsucker: Yeah, but the flight ops managed to get a few escape pods, so not all the downed pilots died. A couple are still in medical, but at least they’re alive.

Critter: Still, losing anyone hurts. It isn’t a game out here. We have to be at our best, and even then the best isn’t always good enough. But Beast Squadron will bounce back from this. Scuttlebutt says there are no more engagements foreseen between now and us getting back to Ceres, so hopefully we’ll be back at full strength before our next fight.

Professor: It is just weird, knowing that they were here yesterday, and now they’re gone.

Puritan: But there are six billion people on that planet that are alive because we were able to take out those ships, and burning out the surface defenses allowed the boots on the ground to kill off the local Queens. They still have a bunch of cleanup left, but it looks like Ulora is safe, for the moment.

Charmander: That’s what I’m holding on to. But doesn’t make it easier. I knew Padawan my whole life. We went to the same school, and everything. Now he’s just… gone.

Anonymous1 is now named DarkLord.

DarkLord: There are two things you can do for the fallen. Live your life that much more, so that their sacrifice meant something, and turn your wrath upon the enemy, so that they do not have the chance to take from you ever again.

Bloodsucker: Wait, DarkLord? Isn’t that the Admiral’s handle?

DarkLord: It is. I had intended on just lurking, but I figured this was a topic I should weigh in on. It is a fact of command, and of war, that you will lose people, even if you are perfect. Eventually, the overall losses become statistics, but when the individuals you know dying no longer moves you, then it is time for you to step back, away from the front line.

BadGirl: So, it doesn’t ever get easier?

DarkLord: Yes, and no. As I said, the individual losses hurt, when someone you’ve known for years dies. When those losses stop hurting, you’re on your way to becoming little more than a monster. But the wider casualty numbers eventually become less painful, less traumatic, like a dull ache or cracked rib instead of a gaping wound.

Professor: “The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of a million is a statistic.”

DarkLord: Yes, the famous Stalin quote. Each of those individuals in the million is a personal tragedy for someone, but you should not feel bad if the million as a whole leaves you numb. That is just human nature.

DarkLord: And I will remind you all that the Chaplains and Counselors are available. There is no shame in getting help processing this.

Bobcat: Hope this isn’t too forward, but did you ever get therapy? You said you’ve been in multiple time loops, right? That has to have been crazy.

DarkLord: The first time through, I did not. Didn’t have the time for it, when pirates were taking over Earth and things were literally burning to the ground. I was thrown into the forefront of an army built from scratch, desperately trying to throw out the invaders. I didn’t have time. If I had made time, or at least confided in someone, perhaps I wouldn’t have been betrayed, or at least I would have seen it coming. Who knows?

DarkLord: As for now? Well, I do have a session every two weeks with a counselor back on Ceres, but these are old wounds for me, and I’ve worked hard to ensure I do not make the same mistakes again.

Chatty: Really? I mean, you usually seem all put together. Not saying this right, but y’know?

DarkLord: That is because I’ve had a bit more perspective on things. And, as a Greater Incubus, having a healthy sex life keeps me balanced and thinking clearly.

Hentai: So, you literally fuck your problems away? Damn! That sounds awesome!

Heretic: What he isn’t saying is that when an Incubus or Succubus doesn’t get enough sex, they have a tendency to spiral out of control more easily.

Puritan: Oh, Heeereeetiiic! What have you been up to? Iceman and I saw you and Goddess slipping out of the cantina with a yummy bit of man meat sandwiched between you. And Trigger saw you coming back to our berths this morning. Did my favorite Catholic schoolgirl get naughty?

Hentai: Ooh, Heretic and Goddess tag teamed some lucky guy? Damn, I wish there was video of that!

Goddess: No, there is no video!

Kitten: But something definitely happened, hmm?

Critter: *laughs* Might as well get it out in the open, girls. I don’t think these louts are going to stop until the tea is spilled.

Heretic: Well, um, yes, we did hook up with a guy. Together. And spent the night in his quarters.

Skipper: Not just ‘a guy’. I do believe I saw you heading through Officer Country when I got off shift. *chuckles*

Sulu: Wait, the Skipper knows who it is? What do you say, boss? Got details for us lowly scrubs? Did you go picking up pilots last night?

Skipper: Oh, I’m happily married, but I did see them, and heard a couple things this morning, while I was doing paperwork. I think I’ll let these three decide what, and how much, to tell.

Bookworm: Paperwork? Ooh! Did you get hitched? Is there going to be a shotgun wedding?

Goddess: No! I am not getting married. Though, um, there was a bit of ‘change in status’.

Heretic: Yes. It seems that, while our date was fucking us senseless, he asked us something, and we agreed.

Puritan: So, there was some three-way fucking going on! Yes! Now, we just need a name so we can see who won the pool!

Goddess: You were betting on whether we hooked up with someone?

Puritan: Oh, there were a couple people who betted against that, looking for the longshot, but most of the bets were on WHO you got with. Current leader is Lieutenant Yokota, or Sulu as he’s known on the forum.

Sulu: What? I’m a helmsman, and I was Asian-American before I became Ceresan. It fits!

ThoughtSo: He’s also not the guy, because he was in MY bunk last night, thank you very much!

Puritan: Damn. That leaves Chief Engineer Thomson as the next most likely, at 2 to 1 odds.

CallMeDaddy: Who is the longest odds?

Puritan: Longest odds is the Skipper, at 45 to 1. Followed closely by DarkLord himself, at 40 to 1. They’re both too important to go slumming in the cantina, after all, so someone would have noticed them.

DarkLord: Unless, of course, they were able to shapeshift or use glamours.

BadGirl: Wait, so you mean?

DarkLord: Just because I have a normal ‘human’ guise does not mean I can’t take on other looks. After the excitement of the day, I needed a good meal.

Puritan: All right. So, there was only one vote for DarkLord… and it was by DarkLord. Damnit, why didn’t I notice that!

DarkLord: Probably because I placed the bet electronically.

Puritan: Bah, cheating bastard! *pouts* Fine, sending your winnings along.

DarkLord: Thank you for the lovely contribution. I’ve already set aside some of the funds to ensure that the cantina is well stocked when we hit our next port.

Snake: So, if DarkLord won the pot, what was the change of status Goddess mentioned?

Goddess: Well, um, we have a Master now.

Hentai: OOOH! I’m coming over now! TELL ME EVERYTHING!