The Bromance of a Lifetime

Posted on Mon Dec 4th, 2017 @ 1:14pm by Captain Akiva ben-Avram & Lieutenant Commander Kazyah Linn

Mission: S1E1: Bynars Be Bygones
Location: Starbase Unity
Timeline: MD 1

Kaz walked along the outer edge of the ship docking ports on Starbase Unity. Just beyond the glass berthed the USS Vindex, a ship he'd spent the last year on. And on this side of the barrier stood the man he had been looking for: Commander Akiva ben-Avram. He wouldn't consider them friends. Hell, some days he wouldn't even consider them allies. But in situations like this, personal feelings had to be set aside for the greater good.

"Akiva," he called out, giving the man a warning of his impending arrival.

Lost in reverie, Akiva startled at the sound of his name. When he saw who had called it, his frown deepened. "What is it, Kaz?"

Kaz walked up to the man and leaned against the massive window. "Didn't you tell me your mechanical creation was traveling recently?"

"Yes." Akiva looked back to the star field beyond the docking ports. Somewhere out there his greatest legacy was in racing away from him at warp speed. "She booked transport with a Bynar vessel headed toward Earth. With the new baby on the way, she seemed to think it was time for her to spread her wings." He swallowed his grief. "The application process will take some doing, but she intends to enter the Academy."

With his emotions back in check, he regained eye contact with Kazyah. "Why do you ask?"

"There's been an...incident." Kaz fumbled over his words, something that was very uncommon for a man who kept himself as centered as he did. But this was Akiva's child they were talking about, despite the lack of a biological connection. "I don't know a lot of details, most of what I know is whispers through the network. But Theta is becoming involved and that's not a good sign."

Akiva furrowed his brow. "Theta? I'm afraid I don't know what that is." To his mind, it could refer to anything from algorithmic analysis to computer science. He turned to fully face the other. "Kaz, level with me. What has happened?"

Kaz held up a hand and for a few moments as the two men stood in silence. "Ok, we're good," Kaz said, finally, turning his attention back to Akiva. "It seems that the transport that your progeny is aboard has suffered a casualty. A Bynar has died. I don't know anything more about the situation just yet, but I don't think I need to tell you how seriously the Bynars take death. And the situation doesn't look good."

"Ha'Shem," Akiva whispered. "Where is the ship now? Did it ever make it to Earth?"

Kaz shook his head. "It's been diverted to Bynaus."

Akiva shook his head as if that would undo everything. "You said something about Theta. What is that and how does it fit into this?"

"Look, I know we've reached a point where we can discuss things of a sensitive nature," Kaz said, "But there are certain things that are kept need-to-know for good reasons."

Akiva sighed. "In that case, I'm taking an indefinite leave of absence to go to Bynaus, and I am asking you to come with me." His eyes matched the pleading of his voice. "Please, Kazyah."

"No," Kaz said, shaking his head as he started to walk away. "It's best we don't get involved."

"We already are involved," Akiva protested. "Biynah needs an advocate, and I can't do it alone." He threw his hands up in a gesture of desperation. "If you can't tell me what this Theta is, then at least come with me so I know when to duck."

Kaz rolled his eyes. Despite his lack of sight, he was no stranger to facial expressions. "This is a bad idea, Akiva..." Kaz said, his voice full of reluctance. With a sigh, he turned back to Akiva, "And you think Intel is just going to allow me to go gallivanting across the galaxy with you?"

"Then put in an LoA," Akiva said. "Or I can have you transferred away as my last official act before my own leave takes effect. Your choice."

"You know this is a bad idea, right? There's nothing we can do to intervene in Theta's affairs."

When Akiva didn't give an answer, Kaz hung his shoulders in resignation. "Alright, alright." Another roll of his eyes. "We'll leave tonight. Meet me in Shuttlebay 2, we'll take my runabout."

Akiva nodded. "In the meantime, I'll brush up on my law books... though I doubt Hebron jurisprudence will much matter on Bynaus. See you tonight."