Old Soldiers, Memories Past and New Family - Part II
Posted on Tue Nov 25th, 2025 @ 5:54am by Commodore Samantha York & 1st Lieutenant Kara Melo & Major Cameron Bourne & Lieutenant Bela Swain & 1st Lieutenant Maria Zamorano & 1st Lieutenant Mazal Falk
Edited on on Tue Nov 25th, 2025 @ 5:56am
1,555 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Broken Mirror
Location: Marine CO's Office
[PREVIOUSLY]
Pouring out a drink for himself, Cam picked it up and held it out, “here’s to you, boys, Jack, Sam, Dean and Tim. You boys were the friends of my youth, and I’ll miss you. See you soon” he said, drinking down the Ale before pausing for a moment. After a pause, Cam turned back to pour out a glass for everyone, “right, out with the old, in with the new.” He said, handing out glasses to everyone. Once everyone was ready, he held up his glass, “here’s to friends, Companions and loved ones”
[CONTINUED]
Sam raised her glass. "To friends and loved ones." She struggled to keep her voice neutral, but she did it. She also had a tight control on her mental shields so she wouldn't leak any of her emotions.
Kara also raised her glass. "To companions, friends, and loved ones." She took a drink, then cast a glance at Sam, then looked back at Cam.
Bela took her glass and raised it. She did not like that Cam suggested that he would be seeing his friends soon in the afterlife. He had a very long life yet to live, if she had anything to say about it. Nonetheless, she raised her glass and said, "Here here. To Friends, Companions, and Loved Ones!" and then downed the entire shot of Romulan Ale in one quick motion.
"To those who have made their final dash and saved us all." Mazal commented, "And to new friends and companions." she paused after she had the drink, looked at Cameron. "Sir, this is for you." holding out the jet black metal box towards him. "Inside there is a bracelet of remembrance, I wear one myself." pulling back her sleeve to show her own. "I carry my own here names of those who I honor." The bracelet was the same color of the one contained in the box.
Taking the box from Mazal, Cam gave her a small smile, "thank you Mazal. I never thought about something like this" he said, taking out the bracelet. This touched him rather deeply, though he was still marine enough not to outwardly show it.
Bela suddenly felt slightly awkward. She knew there were more toasts to come but how many? And she took a full shot at once. She looked at her empty glass and then to the Romulan Ale and tried to mentally calculate how much of it would be needed for how many toasts. She also wondered if Cam would read her mind to pour her another glass full. She would have to remember to sip on the next toast, as Bela knew that Romulan Ale was not only tasty, but could be quite strong.
Waiting for everyone to finish their current glass of ale, Cam went around to full up the glasses of those who wanted it. He'd only intended for this to be a short memorial to old friends and new beginnings, but it seems to be turning into an impromptu wake. Not that he'd ever complain about a reason to drink with friends. "Anyone else for a refill?"
Bela took the refill and watched everyone else. She would make another toast, but for the moment, she wanted to see what anyone else might do.
Kara shook her head. She still had most of her drink and wanted to be sober in case Cam wanted to talk later.
Sam met Cam's eye. "I'd like to make a toast." She raised her glass. "To never forgetting the ones we've lost and the sacrifices they made." Then she finished her drink.
Kara raised her glass. "To never forgetting." Then she, too, took a drink.
"To never forgetting!" Bela repeated, her glass in the air. Once again, she drank the Romulan Ale, this time only imbibing about half the glass. Something about that drink was rather smooth and tasty. It just eased down her throat.
“Lest we forget” Cam responded, sipping his ale. As the Bottle of Romulan ale ran dry, Cam cracked open one of the bottles the others had brought.
Sam raised her glass and took another drink. "Cam, tell us about your friends."
Bela had heard some of these things already in counseling. However, she was never going to refuse hearing more. After all, who knew whether it might be helpful to him or lend her a clue on some more of his behaviors.
Both Mazal and Maria watched as Bela downed her drink, then exchanged glances. It wasn't said in words but they both knew that Bela was drifting down the hill of becoming rather tipsy. Just an exchange of a smile then accepted another drink of the ale.
Sam's combadge beeped. "Commodore, could you come to the bridge?"
Sam tapped her combadge. "On my way." She stood and nodded to the others. "Thank you for the invitation. Cam, feel free to take a few days off."
She glanced at Bela, but decided to say nothing. With another nod to Cam, she headed back to the bridge.
Maria and Mazal looked towards where Kara and Cameron were, then looked at each other, then to Bela.
"Say Bela." Mazal spoke softly, "Why don't Maria and I take you to your quarters. I think it’s time to let the Major and Lieutenant Melo have some time alone." Mazal looking over towards the two she spoke of.
Maria gave a nod in agreement.
Mazal turned to salute Cameron and Maria did the same.
"Be well, Major and thank you for giving us a chance to be a part of this." her voice once more soft and low. "It means a great deal to us, Especially me." trying to keep her emotional level in control.
Turning back to Bela, Mazal said. "So, Bela I heard you give great hugs?"
"Why don't you come with us, we'll be waiting outside for you." Maria said kindly.
"Good Night." Maria remarked to Cam and Kara, and left with Mazal to wait for Bela.
Bela's eyes were downcast when she was advised to leave. She did not think that the ceremony was over and she wanted to be there for Cam. However, she did feel a little fuzzy. "Oh, I don't think we have to go yet, do we?" she asked with a pout.
Kara hadn't stood with the others as she wasn't ready to leave. Now she turned to Cam to answer the counselor.
Cam nodded, “I think we should wrap this up. We’ve burnt through a couple of bottles and plenty of emotions. Goodnight Counselor,” he said, looking over to Kara, quietly hoping she’d stick around for a bit.
Bela wandered over to Cam and draped herself all over him, letting her weight fall on Cam, pressing tightly against him. "Well, if you insist, Cam. I bet that you have a much better night planned anyways."
Kara relied on her Marine training to not chuckle at the sight of an inebriated Bela. "Thank you for your support, counselor," she said quietly. She wasn't sure if she should help Bela out the door, or just help detach her from Cam. She wanted to have some time alone with him in whatever way he needed.
Bela looked over at Kara, her pupils dilating, "I don't think you need any support, but you have more of what Cam needs right now than I do." She gave Kara a knowing grin. Reluctantly, she started to pry herself from Cam. "I don't want to intrude further...."
"That's appreciated, counselor," Kara replied somberly. "I think Maria and Mazal are waiting for you outside."
"Oh, are they?" Bela asked. "There's no need for them to wait for me...." She stopped for a moment and said, "Well, perhaps they may need me to help process their emotions with this event. I'm sure that must be it."
"Yes, I'm sure they wish to talk with you," Kara encouraged. "And, as you said, Cam and I have a few things to talk about as well."
"Of course! Of course!" Bela answered. "Well, I'm always here for the crew!" Her voice was a little overly jovial, even for Bela. She gave an overly exaggerated wave to Kara and Cam as she said as she left, "See you all again soon."
Once Bela was gone, Kara went over to Cam and hugged him. "I'm here if you need me."
Returning her hug, Cam just stood there resting his head on hers, taking in her scent. He found it comforting that at least this small piece of his life was getting back on track. “I’ll be fine, Kara. This one just hit a little harder. I saw him not long before I re-enlisted. He was so excited about his trip. Civilian contractor. Neither of us knew it was his last,” he said as he finally allowed a few tears to escape his eyes. In front of the others, he had an image to uphold, but here, alone with the woman he loved, he could remove that mask.
A post by
1st Lieutenant Mazal Falk
Marine
USS Calypso
1st Lieutenant Maria Zamorano
Marine
USS Calypso
Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso
Major Cameron Bourne
Marine CO
USS Calypso
Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Calypso
1st Lieutenant Kara Melo
Squadron Leader
USS Calypso
RSS Feed