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Today was a wonderful day for everybody on board the Orville. Two of the children who had grown up so much on board the ship would be leaving the ship for a very long time. Both Marcus Finn and Topa would be leaving the ship. They would be going to Union Point to undergo officer training.
The senior staff, Klyden, and several other crew members were all there to see Marcus and Topa off. The Orville had many accomplishments over the years, but seeing two of the children that they had all watched grow move on to the next part of their lives was one of, if not the greatest, moments that they had ever gone through together. Music was playing. Topa had a bag slung across oner shoulder as Bortus and Klyden were giving her countless advice. Topa was clutching her bag close, showing a little bit of nervous even as she smiled in equally valid excitement. Marcus was on the receiving end of a hug from Ty. Ed gave words of congratulations and handshakes to both the soon-to-be cadets.
All too soon, the two were boarding the shuttle for the short ride to Union Point.
Claire felt a mix of pride and sadness as she watched the shuttle take off.
“Both Marcus and Topa have a 26% greater chance of success at Union Point than the average biological cadet,” Isaac said. “This figure was attained by computing a mix of the natural abilities of Topa and Marcus, the successes of their parents, and both the education and experience attained on the Orville.”
Claire gave Isaac a small smile, putting her hand in his and squeezing. “Thank you, Isaac.” She always appreciated the way he reassured her in his own unique way.
Kelly walked over to Claire. “Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to go have a drink in my quarters?”
“I’d like that. Isaac, can you make sure that Ty makes it back to our quarters?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Ty happily left with Isaac, talking to him all about his plans for his upcoming science fair project, while Isaac gave constructive criticism.
“I’ve got a bottle that I’ve been saving for today,” Kelly said.
Together, the two women went back to Kelly’s quarters. They shed their outer uniform jackets as Kelly pulled out a bottle of wine and a pair of glasses.
“How are you holding up?” Kelly asked. She was pouring the wine into the glasses.
“Good, good. I’m so proud of Marcus, but I already miss him. What about you?”
“Topa has already had to put up with more shit in her life than most cadets have to go through their entire educational career. I think she’s going to kick ass. Bortus and Klyden though…”
Kelly held out a glass to Claire, who took it and sipped from it.
“I can’t imagine what they are going through.” It was common knowledge that Topa was part of the reason for Moclus leaving the Union and aligning with the Krill. There was a small, but vocal, group that felt that one person wasn’t worth a war. Topa would have to face that without her fathers or the rest of her Orville family around her.
“They mentioned a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer marathon. I’m going to be joining them for dinner after it.”
“Good.” Claire cradled her wine glass before taking another sip. “It felt like it wasn’t that long ago that Marcus was just a baby. You know I spent a few years working on a station when my boys were still little. I didn’t want to go back to serving on ships until they could understand what to do in an emergency.”
Kelly nodded. “What was the first emergency like?”
Claire laughed. “Terrifying. It was just a minor skirmish, but as soon as it was over, and the patients were stable, I rushed back to my quarters to make sure they were okay. I found them both sleeping in Marcus’s bed. Ty was scared and Marcus calmed him down and had them sleep together so Ty would feel safe.”
“Marcus cares about others. He’ll make a great officer. Do you know what he’s going to focus on?”
“He wasn’t sure yet,” Claire said.
“He’ll have time to figure it out.”
Claire stayed awhile longer. They had more wine and she shared some of her memories of Marcus with Kelly. She only left when Kelly had to start getting ready for her dinner with Bortus and Klyden.
She returned to her quarters to find Isaac working and Ty playing a game. Isaac turned his head. “My sensors indicate that you are closer to your standard parameters.”
“I am feeling better.” She walked over and sat down on the couch next to Isaac. “It was nice spending time with Kelly. We talked about Marcus, memories mostly.”
“When we returned to quarters, I found a letter addressed to you. There is a 98% probability that it is from Marcus based on the handwriting and timing. Should I retrieve it for you?”
“Yes, would you please.”
Isaac rose from the couch in one smooth movement. He retrieved a letter from a table and brought it over. Claire remembered when Marcus was young, they had made letters as a fun project to learn about history.
“Thank you, Isaac,” Claire said as she took the letter from him.
“You are welcome, Claire.” Isaac sat down again with the same easy movement.
Claire didn’t know what to expect when she opened it up.
Mom,
I love you.
Marcus
Her eyes watered as she read the short letter, the effort to make a physical letter showed just how much Marcus loved her. She held the letter to her heart.
“Mom, are you okay?” Ty asked sweetly, concern in his young eyes.
“I am sweetie. I just miss your brother already.”
Ty abandoned his game to come sit next to Claire on the couch, squeezing himself in, Isaac easily adjusting to make room for him. He put his arms around Claire and hugged her.