Chapter Text
"..question?" Pyrondi's voice came from the main room.
"What? Wait, I'm in the shower, I can't hear you well," Faro shouted. There were 15 seconds of water left. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the last moments of the hot stream on her head.
A click, and the water flow stopped. Faro stopped the sonic shower mechanism that had just started automatically.
"Repeat, I couldn't hear you," she told Pyrondi, opening the shower cabin and grabbing the towel.
"I was wondering if I could ask you a question,” her friend said. “It's work-related. I know I shouldn't take advantage of our friendship, but... it's important," Pyrondi’s voice sounded close, as if she were on the other side of the door.
"What is it?" Faro called.
"Could you tell me when the operation against the pirate bases in the sector is going to happen?"
Faro, who was drying her hair with a towel, stopped for a moment. Information about the schedule and planning of operations was strictly confidential, accessible only to those with the rank of captain or above.
Pyrondi noticed the pause and tried to explain.
"I was planning to request a few days off for a week from now. But if we're expected to be in the middle of a major operation, all requests for days off are paused or canceled outright."
For a moment, Faro thought it was selfish of Pyrondi to ask for confidential information, taking advantage of the friendship they shared, just for the sake of a vacation. But almost immediately, she realized there must be another reason, because her friend had never asked for something like that before.
"Why do you want to go on leave now?" Faro asked, poking her head out of the bathroom door, after wrapping another towel around her body.
Pyrondi jumped a little; she even seemed embarrassed.
"I... wanted to go see my family."
Faro studied her for a moment. "Is everything okay at home?"
She knew how involved Pyrondi was with her father and three brothers. In fact, she was always short of money because she sent most of her Imperial Navy officer salary home.
"Yes, yes. Everything is fine," Pyrondi sighed, noticeably uncomfortable talking about herself or asking for this 'favor.'
"I'm sorry, Ylla, you know I can't give you that information,” Faro told her kindly. “The crew is informed in due time about ongoing operations. If you already have tickets to go home, you can always try to change them..."
"It's not that," Pyrondi blushed. "It's Fedor. Do you remember Fedor? He's my older brother. Well, he's the second, because I'm the oldest of all." She laughed nervously. "He graduates in ten days, and I... I wanted to be there."
Now everything made sense. Pyrondi had been paying for her brother's university for the past five years. It made sense that she would want to share the moment with her entire family. But unfortunately, she couldn't tell her that by that date, they would likely be right in the middle of their anti-piracy operation: the bait cargo ships were departing in three days, and if everything went as expected, the trap would be set by then.
"Congratulations to Fedor; I trust he got good grades," she said instead.
"Well, you know how he is..." Pyrondi rolled her eyes. "But he says he thinks he'll be in the top half of his class. And that's something!"
"Yeah, I suppose," Faro couldn't help but smile. She had heard countless stories from Pyrondi about her brother's exploits at the aerospace engineering academy. "I'm really sorry, but I can't make an exception for you. It's confidential information."
"I understand. Well... I had to try, right? My father would love to see us all together on that day!" Pyrondi smiled, retracing her steps to sit back on the sofa. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked you that."
"No, it's important to you. I understand you want to know if it will be possible for you to attend," Faro's mind raced to find any trick that could justify the absence of the gunnery lieutenant during the operation. She might bend the rules and somehow make it happen. But at the same time, she would be committing an act of malfeasance and abuse of power.
"Have you already submitted the leave request?" She asked. That might make a difference.
"Yes, today."
Faro grimaced internally. If it had been a bit longer ago she could have pulled some strings. But now it would be impossible, it would look too much as if Pyrondi wanted to avoid the action. They all knew the operation was close. If it has not been for the volcano they would be at it right now.
"Then probably in a day or two, you'll have the answer. And you can always use the navy transports to get home sooner,” she said instead.
"Yes, of course. If I can coordinate with one of the cargo ships heading to the inner core, I could get there in a day. Thank you." Pyrondi’s voice showed that she didn't really have much hope. But she had tried and that was the best she could do.
Faro nodded and continued drying her hair. The bathroom cabin was filled with steam, creating a warm and humid atmosphere.
While Pyrondi chose the chapters they were going to watch on the holoscreen, Faro reflected on the delicate situation. She couldn't reveal details of the operation, but her desire to help her friend was undeniable.
"But you know, Ylla, I can't promise you anything. The final decision is not in my hands, even if I wanted to help you," Faro said, closing the distance between them to rest her hand on Ylla's shoulder. “The timing is just rotten. If it hadn't been for that volcano…”
Pyrondi nodded, understanding Faro's position.
"I get it, Karyn. I just wanted to try, you know this graduation means a lot to me. If it's a ‘no’ then at least it wasn't for lack of trying.”
"Of course. And I'm sorry, really. I'm sure Fedor would love for you to be there and see him wearing one of those silly gowns.”
That made Pyrondi grin.
“Yeah, I've seen a pic of him trying it on, it looked… odd. Especially with his goofy smile.”
Faro returned her grin.
“Come on. Let's focus on today's holodrama session and enjoy the moment," she suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
“I even have a couple of those special candy bars left that I got on my super secret mission.”
Faro quickly disappeared in her bedroom to dress in her pajamas, and by the time she returned Hammerly had just arrived.
Despite Faro's attempt at levity some of the tension was still in the air. Pyrondi was not quite her chirpy self and Hammerly sensed it.
"Everything okay, ladies?" She asked.
Faro smiled, trying to dispel any suspicion.
"Yes, all in order. Just dealing with some last-minute matters. Nothing to worry about."
Pyrondi nodded and reached for one of the candy bars. If all else fails sweets are the best remedy.
The holodrama session unfolded relatively normally. They laughed and immersed themselves in fictional plots, trying to temporarily forget the worries of military duty and personal responsibilities. However, when they dispersed after the projection, the tension returned.
After Hammerly had left, Pyrondi lingered. She was grateful but still concerned. "Thanks for trying, Karyn. I'll wait for the response to the leave request and see what I can do."
Faro nodded, aware that the situation wouldn't be resolved easily. "I'll do what I can, Ylla. But understand that my hands are tied in this matter."
Once she was alone, uncertainty continued to linger in Faro's mind. As she prepared for sleep, she couldn't help but reflect on the delicate line separating loyalty from friendship and the responsibilities of military duty. The facade of serenity she showed in public faded in the privacy of her cabin. The burden of command and high rank.
The next morning brought the official response to Pyrondi's leave request. Faro, already on the bridge, noticed how her friend's face darkened as she checked her datapad during a break. As expected the request had been denied. The operation was imminent, the fleet on high alert and couldn't afford to release personnel at this time.
Hammerly stood by her side, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said something Faro couldn't make from where she stood, but she was probably trying to cheer her up.
The day continued with military routine, Pyrondi was quiet and focused on her post, the scores on the training exercises were the same as they routinely were, the weapons team worked smoothly and with determination. Not in vain the Chimaera was feared for its artillery.
It was not until the end of the shift that Faro could walk up to Pyrondi and check on her friend.
"Are you alright?" She inquired.
"Yes, ma'am" Pyrondi nodded. "We'd better kick these sorry pirates’ asses really hard, because they are going to make up for me missing my brother's graduation," she joked, her eyes a little watery.
"We will, Lieutenant, we will.” They locked eyes and there was no denying the fire in them.