The atmosphere within MIRA's central command was thick with an almost tangible weight, an amalgamation of grief, uncertainty, and determination. The memorial service for the fallen crew was held in one of MIRA HQ's largest and most prestigious halls, a room that now felt like a sacred place for reflection and reverence. The vast chamber, once designed to showcase MIRA's technological prowess, was now transformed into a somber, reflective space for remembrance.
The room was meticulously prepared for the occasion. Holographic projections of the Skeld II's fallen crew flickered in the air, the light soft yet respectful. Each face appeared as if in mid-motion, capturing the essence of those they had lost. The images were not static; instead, they moved subtly, as if frozen in a moment of life that could never be recaptured. The crew members were not just faces of the fallen—they were symbols of MIRA's mission, their ideals, their sacrifices. There, amongst them, Jean stood with Ryan, both visibly shaken but firm in their resolve.
The air was thick with the scent of burning candles, a quiet hum of technology in the background as the atmosphere was designed to honor those lost in the tragedy. The hall was filled with the somber presence of soldiers, officers, and the grieving families who had come to pay their respects. They were all united in one shared sorrow, each feeling the sting of loss in their own unique way.
Jean stood, his gaze fixed on the image of Lena. She had been so full of life, so full of purpose. Lena was more than a colleague or a comrade—she had been the emotional anchor for Ryan, who had looked to her in moments of doubt and fear. The thought of how she had been taken from them seemed unreal. Jean's stomach twisted as he felt her absence, just as Ryan seemed to shrink, his demeanor crushed by the weight of grief.
Ryan, once full of life and mischief, stood silent next to Jean. The cheerful spirit that had always defined him seemed buried beneath layers of sorrow, and now he barely seemed to recognize himself. His eyes were locked onto Lena's projection. There was no outward sign of life left in him, just the hollow shell of a man who had lost the one person who had given him a sense of purpose in the darkest times.
"We should be doing something more," Ryan muttered, his voice trembling as he struggled to keep himself composed. "She... she didn't deserve this."
Jean's heart tightened. What could he say? What words could possibly offer solace in a moment like this? He stood by, unsure of how to provide comfort, knowing that words often fell short in the face of such profound loss.
"I don't think any of us deserved this," Jean whispered, his voice barely audible. "But we'll carry on. For her... and for everyone else."
Ryan shook his head slowly, his lips pressed into a thin, strained line. "I should've been there. I should've protected her. I couldn't even... I couldn't even protect her."
Jean placed a hand on Ryan's shoulder. It was all he could offer, a gesture of solidarity in a time of unimaginable loss. "You can't blame yourself. We all did our best. We all lost someone."
There was a long silence between them, a silence that spoke volumes of the heartache and pain both were struggling to come to terms with. As the ceremony continued, the room became quieter still, the voices and footsteps of mourners fading into the soft, haunting strains of an orchestra that had been hired to provide music throughout the event. The notes of the violin echoed through the hall, but for Jean, it was as if they carried little meaning. The speeches, the prayers, the moment of silence—each of them felt distant, rehearsed. No words could ever encompass the true loss they had all suffered.
The speeches began, led by the high-ranking officers of MIRA, including General Charles Ross, commonly known as General Cheese, and Commander Alvin Dietrich, both of whom had been close to the operation and its crew. Their words were designed to honor the fallen, to keep MIRA's reputation intact, to frame the loss as a noble sacrifice. The rhetoric of bravery, duty, and sacrifice was familiar, and though their words were meant to provide solace and honor, they rang hollow to Jean. What could anyone say that would make this pain bearable?
General Ross stepped forward first, his figure imposing as he stood at the podium. He cleared his throat, and the crowd fell into an expectant silence. His voice was steady, commanding the attention of everyone present.
"I stand before you today," General Ross began, his tone solemn but unwavering, "to honor those who gave their lives for MIRA, for humanity's future, and for the integrity of our mission. These brave men and women were not just soldiers—they were family. They were comrades in arms, each of them working together to ensure our safety, our future in the stars. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."
Jean closed his eyes briefly, trying to focus on the words, but they felt like empty platitudes. He wanted to hear something more real, something that acknowledged the humanity of those lost. Yet, he understood that the military had its way of honoring its fallen—through a strict ritual that allowed for no room for individual grief.
"The courage displayed by each of them in the face of terror," Ross continued, "was nothing short of extraordinary. And though they are no longer with us, their legacy will live on in the heart of MIRA, in every soldier, every officer, and every civilian who benefits from the peace and stability they fought to maintain."
Jean's thoughts drifted to Jayden. He thought of how Jayden had been there for him, taking him under his wing when Jean was still a rookie. Jayden had been the kind of man who cared for those around him, who put others first even when his own survival was at risk. To think that he was gone—that someone like Jayden, who had so much more to give, would never return—was a bitter pill Jean could not swallow.
The speech continued, but Jean barely heard the words. He could feel the weight of their absence pressing in on him. He looked around the room. The faces of those who had survived the mission, like Ryan and himself, were marked with the same hollow grief. He knew they would never forget what had happened on the Skeld II.
When General Ross finished his speech, Commander Dietrich stepped forward. The crowd's attention shifted to him. Dietrich's demeanor was one of quiet strength. He was a man who understood the weight of responsibility, and Jean could see the burden of this day upon his shoulders.
"Today, we come together to mourn, but also to remember," Dietrich said, his voice grave but calm. "The events on the Skeld II were tragic, yes. But they remind us of what it means to serve—what it means to protect not just the people of Marley, but the future of all humanity. These men and women did not die in vain. They gave their lives for a cause greater than any one of us."
Dietrich paused, his eyes scanning the faces before him. Jean knew that Dietrich understood the pain they were all feeling—he had lost many comrades over his years of service. But Jean also knew that Dietrich's focus was always on the mission, always on the future. He wasn't here just for the memorial; he was already planning the next steps.
"We will honor their memory by ensuring that their sacrifice counts for something," Dietrich continued. "We will not let their deaths be in vain. The Skeld II was more than just a mission. It was a test of everything we've worked for, and though we have lost so much, we will persevere. That is the MIRA way. We will rise from this tragedy stronger than before."
As Dietrich concluded, the room seemed to hold its breath. Jean felt the weight of the moment settle over him. Now it was his turn. It had been a struggle to convince Dietrich to hold the memorial so soon after the disaster. The pain was still raw for everyone, and Jean had been adamant that a public gathering would be necessary to honor the fallen properly. But even more than that, he needed it for his own peace of mind. He needed to speak. He needed to say goodbye.
Jean stepped forward, feeling every pair of eyes in the room settle on him. His hands were shaking, his stomach churning with nerves, but he forced himself to stand tall. He cleared his throat, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat.
"Two weeks ago, we lost more than just comrades," Jean began, his voice breaking slightly. "We lost friends, mentors, and people who meant the world to us. I didn't think I was ready to speak today. I didn't think I could, but now I know it's something I have to do. Not just for me, but for them. For Jayden... for Lena... for all of them."
He paused, looking down at the floor for a moment. He could almost hear Jayden's voice, laughing as he tried to convince Jean to take on impossible tasks. It felt like a betrayal to speak those words aloud. How could he live up to the expectations Jayden had set?
"I didn't think I was ready for this mission," Jean went on, his voice steadier now. "I was new. I was scared. But Jayden—he was always there, pulling me through, making sure I wasn't alone. He didn't just look out for himself. He looked out for me. He made me better. He made us all better. I—" Jean's voice cracked, but he took a steadying breath before continuing. "I owe him everything. And I swear, I won't forget him. I'll carry on his legacy in whatever way I can."
The room was silent, the only sound the quiet hum of the lights above them. General Ross and Commander Dietrich watched him from the front, their faces impassive but filled with understanding.
After a long moment, Jean finally turned to face the memorial. "This isn't the end," he said. "We will honor them. Every single one of them. And we will keep fighting."
The ceremony closed with a final salute, and the mourners filed out in somber silence. But for Jean, the real battle was just beginning.
---
Later that evening, after the last of the mourners had left the hall, Commander Dietrich summoned Jean and Ryan to his office for a private debriefing. The room was stark, illuminated only by the cold glow of holographic maps and schematics. Dietrich sat at the head of a large table, flanked by General Cheese and several other senior officers.
Jean and Ryan entered the room quietly, their faces still shadowed by the events of the day. Dietrich nodded for them to sit, his expression unreadable.
"We've given them time to mourn," Dietrich began, his voice low and serious. "But we need to be practical now. We can't afford to wallow in grief. Our next step is clear."
Jean took a deep breath, his mind still heavy with the faces of the fallen. "What's our next move, Commander?"
Dietrich's eyes hardened as he shifted his focus to the holographic map before him. "We need to recover the Crimson Blade. It's imperative that we take control of it before our enemies do. But first, we need to wait for Ninja to recover. He's vital to the mission."
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "What's so important about the Crimson Blade?"
Dietrich's gaze locked onto Ryan's. "It's a weapon. A devastating one. Whoever controls the Crimson Blade will have the power to change the course of this war. We need it, and we need it fast."
Jean nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "How long until Ninja's ready?"
Dietrich's jaw tightened. "It's hard to say. He's in bad shape, but we've had worse recoveries. We need to be prepared for what comes next, and we need to move quickly. Our enemies aren't waiting for us to heal."
Ryan's gaze flickered toward the floor, a flicker of something dark crossing his face. "Understood, Commander."
"Good," Dietrich said. "We'll discuss further plans when Ninja's up to speed. But for now… we rest. And we prepare."
As the debriefing came to a close, Dietrich motioned for the others to leave, his mind already turning over the complexities of their next steps. The mission was about to take a much darker turn. And Dietrich knew that the stakes were higher than ever before.
Before they left, he paused, turning to Jean and Ryan with a final thought.
"We'll also be talking about the Crimson Blade's connection to the Skeld II incident soon," Dietrich added. "I believe it's time we address that particular threat."
Jean exchanged a glance with Ryan. Whatever lay ahead, they would face it together. But for now, they needed to recover. They had no idea what they were truly up against.
End of Volume 1.
Next Chapter Releasing on Jan 7th, 2025