Radiance: Part One

L6: Cold Storage

September 2nd, 2686 CE; 1755 hrs

"It would make perfect sense to start waking everyone in groups." Healer Ezrii, a male T'sari with pale green skin and gold hair and eyes, spoke, the rest of the group nodded in agreement. The entire crew, sans General Wei, who watched over Marnie, had gathered in the mess hall, sitting at the largest round table in the center of the room.

"We can begin tomorrow, working up from the bottom, yes? But, we had better start with security and get that group ready first." Lyda leaned forward with her elbows on the table.

"As we amass a decent group on the first day, they can help to wake the next group after. We can pace it over three weeks and be ready for an emergency landing in under a month if we can manage complete cooperation from the crew. There's plenty of room to make sure nothing gets too messy. We all got along just fine on Earth." Darmah grinned across the table at Eryk.

"What of the families of the deceased?" Ymara questioned.

"That was another matter of discussion. We can't expect everyone onboard to be able to hold off on their grief, we'll make whatever accommodations we can for the families, but it needs to be stressed that this is about the lot of us- we need to function as a cohesive group in order to get this right." Lyda decided to stand up, the anxiety pulsing through her becoming harder to control, she always thought better on her feet, anyway.

"So, this evening we can wake thirty, and they will function as our minor security under General Wei. If we start now, and it's..." Ymara glanced at her wrist, "nearly 1800, we can have them up and ready in four hours."

"I'll prepare the cryo chambers on your orders, Captain." Eryk nodded.

"Let's get to it." She nodded, "Eryk, prep the chambers. Ymarah, relieve General Wei for the time being so that he might bestow the Gift." Lyda glanced at Prince Vyrik, hoping she wasn't overstepping any boundaries, he only nodded. "Prince Vyrik, how many of you are able to bestow the Gift? I know it's not something everyone can do, but the more the merrier, in this case."

"General Wei and Healer Ezrii are the only two among us who can bestow the Gift." The prince nodded.

"Healer, would you be willing to assist? It's quite the task, but it would be very helpful. We might even manage to cut the time down so we can all get a decent night of sleep." Lyda smiled at him endearingly.

"Captain Lydaleigh, if I may?" He pitched formally. She was really starting to hate the formalities. Especially having to go by her whole name. It had never fit, so she preferred the nickname, but she was unsure how to approach the topic and still hold her position of leadership in the same light. The topic lived on the back burner of her mind, but sometimes even that boiled over.

"You don't have to ask permission, Healer, you're already doing us a huge favor by being here to help, you don't need my permission to speak, you never will." It at least made sense to do away with some of the formality if they were meant to rely on each other. She hoped to have all of them as close friends when they landed.

"Captain, I only meant to mirror your statement. We are all gratified purely by having the experience of helping your people. Anything that I can do to assist your colony with integration at all, I am willing to do." He gave her a half bow.

"Our grandchildren will celebrate us both, one day," Lyda nodded, "So, if you don't mind, you'll help General Wei. Ymarah will be watching after Marnie, instead- and Lane, would you mind being the human face in the room? I would also like for one other person to assist; whomever is willing." She took a look around the room.