Skyreign

54: Epilogue

The Ophelian fleet managed to successfully evacuate the residents of both Pillars and Nywan—just barely. By the time the last dropship had exited Suragaa Three's atmosphere, the Behraanese were long gone, and the Bentorii tightened their grip upon the world.

There were many in Nywan who would remain, hiding in the vast underground networks beneath the Groaning Giants. There, they would hold out for months, even years, until the time was right to usurp the new Bentorii occupants.

The Skyreign, accompanied by Maal's Dragonfly and Jaegrynn, docked into the battleship Ophelia. Thereafter, as planned, the Ophelian fleet made its leap towards the lush Theyradaas nebula.

While in transit, Laura took the opportunity to do something she never got to do in her life.

On the bridge of this unfamiliar ship, she approached the tall man in the centre of the room, whom appeared to be the ship's captain.

"Hello, father," said Laura, her words short, reserved, as she looked up to the man known as Zodiac.

The man returned the reserved look, nodding with a faint smile, "Hello, Laura."

"Have some time?"

"We have some time, yes," said Terrance as he turned fully to face his daughter, "To my ready room. I imagine you have quite a lot to say. So do I."

Seeing her father's room reminded her of the office she used on Behraan to interview her own crew, months before. Clearly, the Ophelia was built to be solid, not luxurious.

"Please, sit," he offered his hand to a chair which was positioned from across his desk in the middle of the room.

Hesitantly, she sat, legs crossed and still occasionally eyeing her silver bangs.

He slowly sat as well, placing his hands on the desk.

"You look well," he said, not knowing what else to say. Then he added, "and you made something of the Skyreign, I saw. Glad you've been keeping that tough old ship running."

"You're my mystery benefactor," Laura concluded, "My academy instructor never did tell me who you were."

"I go by a few names," he replied, "Terrance Vinfield is, of course, the real one. Zodiac or Arden Bensen, with the Ophelians. Proteus Malus in some circles. Your instructor might have known me as Proteus Malus."

"I might have heard that name before," Laura thought back to those days, still unable to recall completely.

"Took a bit of jostling to get the school to accept such a...large award to give to you for your exemplary grades," he added, "of course, if they knew who I really was, the implications--"

"They told me you were a pirate lord," said Laura, "I know better, of course, but—it's so much easier to start hating, than it is to stop."

"I may not be that pirate lord," he replied, sighing, "but that does not excuse me for not being there in your life. I can never reclaim those years."

Laura listened, remaining silent.

"You have your mother's eyes," he smiled, "and apparently, her gift. Some of the prisoners from Pillars told me about how two guards suddenly turned on each other in your cell. And Haren told me about the airship, at Nywan."

"What was she like?" Laura asked, "I don't remember her. All I knew about her, I got from the school, and from Olsein just days ago."

Terrance sighed, looking at the desk as he pieced his words together. Clearly, the matter still weighed heavily upon him. "She was wonderful," he mustered, "she was—everything. And when we had you, you became part of that everything."