Chosen Legacy (Book Five of the Chosen Universe)

Chapter Twenty-Three

CAPTAIN SMITH
He stood over Estos with an urn in his hands. Staring at the face of the man he'd once considered a friend, Captain Smith was overwhelmed with memories.

"Sir..." Kizzie said softly.

Taking a deep breath, Captain Smith recited the burning spell that turned remains to ash. The ashes were quickly swept into the urn.

"What happens now?" B'Danna asked.

"We bring the remains to Sage. She has agreed to keep them on the Reservation, as she did with her cousin, so that Zell may never attempt to resurrect him again," Captain Smith replied.

"What about Neptune?"

"We must do everything in our power to help bring Logan back to his senses. That boy was practically Raff's son. I will protect him with all that I possess."

"I spoke with Allie earlier. The poor dear is terribly traumatized by all of this, but it seems their team is recovering well enough," Kizzie said. "Disturbingly, it appears that the morphers they use are not truly theirs, so Mena has gone in search of the real set."

"It is a miracle they survived," Tedius said softly. He stared at the urn. "The threat they faced was significant."

"I don't think anyone warned them about Marinessa," B'Danna said with a small grin. "The girl took out half of the attacking Rebels at the Counsel Building on her own."

"Nessa is certainly impressive," Captain Smith agreed. "And I am quite appreciative that she eliminated Estos for us."

"He was great at the tactical side of things, but Micah and Neighbelle are the true threats," Tedius said.

"Give me five minutes alone with Neigh and she won't be a problem anymore," Kizzie vowed.

"I'd buy tickets to that show," B'Danna said with a laugh.

Captain Smith's mind wandered once again as the others talked. He saw Carolena's face is his mind. He recalled her beautiful, reassuring smile and how it gave him strength. He remembered the way she'd call him Capitan. He missed her terribly, even after all this time. Then, his mind turned to Marie. He could not allow that. It hurt too much to remember what had become of his daughter.

He took a deep breath to compose himself. "Sir, how are we to find Logan?" Kizzie asked softly, drawing his focus back.

"I suppose we can try a tracking spell, although I fear it shall not be so simple," Captain Smith replied.

"B'Danna, Tedius, return to the house," Kizzie said. "We shall join you in a bit."

"Of course," B'Danna replied, quickly leading Tedius away.

"Sir... I realize how difficult all of this must be for you," Kizzie said gently. "Tell me, how can I help?"

Captain Smith gently touched her cheek. "The fact that you are able to stand by my side helps immensely, Kizzie," he told her.

"I'm not going anywhere, Sir," she vowed. Softer, she added, "You can talk to me, Sir."

He nodded. "I know." He sighed. "I suppose all of this has reopened old wounds. I miss them, Kizzie... It still hurts to know how I failed them."

"You didn't fail them, Sir... Just as you reminded me I didn't. You couldn't have known what was coming. None of us ever suspected they would betray us. We trusted them. They were our friends."

"Part of me hopes to find them again... Every day, I see proof of reincarnation before my eyes with the Stone Warriors, and I wonder if part of Carolena's soul has returned."