by C. R. Turner
Prime Stiles places all three SF Mustang shields, and a MOSAR prime places a gold shield and square black scarf on the empty casket of SF Mustang’s MOSAR attachment.
One of the Makri counsellors places a white flower on top of Teenan’s casket. It’s a strange flower I’ve not seen before and I wonder if it’s from Lithion.
Bradley approaches Dropa’s casket and places a gold SF Raptor shield on top. He rests his hand on top of Dropa’s casket for a second. It’s the first time I’ve been to a cremation ceremony, and I feel deep sorrow as I remember Teenan and Dropa’s faces. So many lives lost in the pursuit of justice.
Dozens of small token fires come alight around the caskets, and seconds later, a large steel curtain rises up to the hood. When the curtain is fully closed, I hear the flames roaring within. The hood creaks and ticks from the heat.
Back outside, Bradley and Hawkins chat with the MOSAR prime, then wander over.
“What was Jade’s riders’ name?” Sam asks.
“Romano,” Bradley says. “Listen, I’ve been wanting to ask you. How can we repay you for your service?”
“For now … we’d like to go home … to Arcadia,” I reply.
Bradley nods. I think I finally understand the true meaning of service and why so many people are willing to risk everything – it’s about being selfless and helping others. It’s a huge about-face for me, from not trusting anyone in uniform to seeing these extraordinary men and women in action and what they stand for. I’d trust them with my life. I hope in my own small way I’ve helped make the uniform stand for something good again.
I saddle Max and we’re almost finished packing our things. Sam and I have accepted that she won’t be able to keep Jade and that she’ll go to another MOSAR paramedic. We’re both feeling a little blue about having to say goodbye after bonding with her. They’re such amazing animals. I suppose we should just be grateful for having Max in our lives.
Bradley approaches. “Ready to go?” he calls. He picks up Jade’s saddle and hands it to Sam.
“What?” Sam asks, stunned.
“Jade will go to a MOSAR paramedic once we line one up, but I’ve spoken to the MOSAR prime where Jade came from, and for now, you can take her back to Arcadia with you.”
I chuckle as Sam’s eyes glisten with joy.
Sam holds her arms out to take the saddle. “Thank you. How long will we have her for?”
“Probably a month or two. Hurry it up, now. The Kyt’s not going to wait forever.”
Sam gives me the biggest smile.
When we make landfall, I see Arcadia is transformed into a white winter wonderland again. It’ll be tough work making it through the season, but I’m looking forward to it with excitement and a new-found sense of confidence.
As the Kyt’s ramp lowers onto the snow-covered field, the cold air hits us. It’s snowing, a slight wind makes the snowflakes dance about with exuberance. Sam and I lead Max and Jade down the ramp, then turn to say goodbye to Bradley.
He holds his arm out and we grip each other’s forearms. He places his free hand on my shoulder. “Thanks again.”
“Thanks for giving us the opportunity,” I reply.
Bradley and Sam say goodbye, then Bradley turns and heads back up the ramp. I wave as the rotors spool up and the ramp begins to close. I feel something heavy in my pocket and pull out a small black case and a piece of paper. Confused how they got there, I catch a glimpse of Bradley smiling just as the ramp closes.
Sam steps closer. “What’s that?”
“I don’t know,” I reply as we’re buffeted by the Kyt’s lift-off.
I open the piece of paper. Sam reads over my shoulder.
Joel,
I know you wouldn’t want to make a big deal of it, but Striker Force Raptor wanted to show their appreciation for your service.
Prime Bradley.
I look at Sam, then open the case. A gold medallion sparkles inside. Roughly two inches in diameter, it has some weight to it. A Canine Maximus head is embossed on the surface in black metal.
I smile as I admire the medallion. “It’s the MOSAR medal of service.”
“How do you know?”
“My father had one.”
Sam frowns. “Why did your father have one?”
“I don’t know,” I reply. “Whenever I asked him about it, he clammed up.”
Pride washes over me. I’m not one for possessions, but this is something I’ll treasure forever.
As the Kyt flies away, I know it won’t be the last time we see SF Raptor. As much as I’m looking forward to some downtime, I can’t wait to complete my training and head back out. I know Sam would love to study starships, and I can imagine she’ll thrive in such a challenging environment. Although everything is changing so fast, and there’s a lot of uncertainty, for the first time in my life, I feel our future will be brighter than our past.
As we reach the cabin, we take Max and Jade’s saddles off to let them run around for a while. I enter the cabin and drop my backpack on the timber table, then do a double take. There’s a stranger standing in the kitchen. He’s tall with grey hair, probably in his mid-forties, and is wearing Union clothing. I hear Sam chatting away to Jade and Max from the veranda. The stranger’s stare snaps over to her as she enters.
Sam lets out a little scream, drops her gear and covers her mouth with both hands.
The stranger takes a few steps forward. “Samantha.”