Incident at Saris

Chapter Twenty-Three

Saris Prime- Observation Station -Next morning

"What should I wear to this blasted ceremony?" Rik groaned to Ren the next morning walking into his brothers quarters with two sets of formal  robes over his arm "the black or the blue?"
Ren who had just finished his morning meditations, exercises and communion looked up as his brother walked in.
"The blue," he said, it was a dark blue almost purple over slate underrobes.
Rik said "you think?" he held them up against himself.
"Yeah," said Ren "I'm wearing my black and silver ones, but it is your ceremony, so stand out a little".
Rik said, " still don't think I deserve a medal".
"It's not just about the medals today Rik," said Ren "we also remember the 100 or so dead".
"I know," said Rik "the girls are all using it as a chance to dress up a little as well".
Ren nodded "you did buy Kayla a nice dress or dress robe, didn't you?"
"Yes, she got herself a nice blue and black velvet dress," said Rik.
"Technically we should get her to wear her robes, but well, the poor kid probably hasn't had much chance to get dressed up," said Ren.
Ren said " still don't think I deserve it," he said then "but the blue it is then" and walked out.
Ren smiled and started to get dressed himself and lit a candle and some incense "this is for all of those who have been lost" he said softly "I shall sing for you all" he was naturally more mystical than Rik, but he knew that his counterpart would have done something similar in his quarters " fare thee well and may the Path and the way be with you all, you are now part of it forever" he said softly and hummed slightly "your song will not be forgotten" and then lowered his head and prayed for all of their souls.

Rik got dressed in his quarters and admired his robes how they fitted him and fell on him, allowing himself a moment's vanity "looking good Guardian Rik" he said to himself and added his belt and his weapons.
He then paused at the memory shrine that he had in his room and said "over 100 voices silenced....such a loss, one yet unborn" that was the one that haunted him the most of all, the lost baby, it's mother hadn't even known she was pregnant he closed his eyes "I won't forget you little one" he paused and made a gesture " may the Way be with you all".

"Ready to go?" Ren asked a few moments later when Rik joined them on the Flight Deck, Kimmie, River and Kayla were also all there, Kayla had used the chance to wear her new dress, River was in a nice top and skirt, and Kimmie was also dressed up some, Ren was in his black and silver robes.
"My don't we all look fine" Sera teased appearing.
Rik said, "I feel I need to make an effort seeing I'm receiving a medal".
Sera said, "I will prep the ship to travel so that we can leave tonight. I will plot a course in".
"We need to stop on Severus to disguise the Serendipity," said Ren " before heading to Asfarus, to junk her up Sera".
Sera said, "I understand, I can make our thrusters look slightly faulty as well, trail smoke that sort of thing".
"Ok, but I know how proud you are," said Ren.
"your friend has a point, a disguise is a good option," said Sera "this ship is a rare treasure, pirates and raiders wouldn't have any qualms about trying to steal it".
Ren said " disguise it we shall then...but right now, we have a ceremony to attend".
"Ok," said Sera " enjoy yourselves" and vanished.
"I wonder if she can leave the ship," said Kimmie.
"I don't think so, seeing she is the ship," said Ren as Bob and B80 joined them, Bob had been cleaned up and repaired and was shiny, Saffi also joined them.
" you may need a translator droid Master Ren, Master Rik," said Saffi.
"Ok," said Rik "just not used to having so many Droids I guess, apart from Bob".
"I came with the Serendipity" Saffi told them.
Rik said 'so where we supposed to go?"
"The garden I think," said Ren as they got a transport "Rik for goodness sakes! This is your first medal, try and look a little happier about it!"
"I still don' t think I've earnt it!" said Rik.
"They seem to think you have," said Ren as they boarded the transport getting a few looks from everyone and sat down.
Kimmie said, "I haven't seen too much of the station".
Rik said " not much to see, it was built for the miners and their families originally, it's grown and become a point of call for the system, but it is still basically a station.
Kimmie said "I guess" she peered out of a window "Saris Prime is a weird colour today".
"Yeah the storms still blowing," said Ren "but that is what it is, a storm".
Kimmie nodded "is there any life at all down on the planet?"
"Not really, it has a core a hard one, but it's small, and some silicon type creatures live there apparently, but's it's mainly non-habitable, it is a Gas Giant," said Ren.
Kayla said, " all my life I have grown up with that view" she indicated the Gas giant.
Ren nodded "it was the first thing Rik, and I saw too, that is the first thing I remember seeing, looking up and seeing that huge planet and then I heard a hiss, I looked up and saw Rik leaping towards me..." he paused "not our proudest moment I admit, we will tell you that story sometime".
"I can't imagine you hurting anyone master Ren!" said Kayla "Rik yes, but not you".
Ren shrugged " we did though".
Rik said, "yes, and you can imagine me hurting someone?"
Kayla said "yes your more predatory looking".
Rik said, "I guess".
Ren said, " he can be".
Rik said "I'm what I am" as they got off the transport.
"Relax Rik it is your chance to shine," Ren said as they walked towards the gardens.