Another Christmas

Story

By Yuki Wildstar

 

 

 

 

The fight continued. Wildstar couldn’t remember that last time he slept. Another hit, this time near the third deck. If it gets hit again they will lose it for sure, he thought. He yelled out to the gun room, “I need you to get it right!”

“Sorry sir, we are working hard to get it on target. One of the main guns has been hit and its making the others off balance.”

“I don’t care how you do it! Just do it!” he screamed into the mic.  Another hit, this time closer to the wave motion gun barrel. How much more is she going to take? He felt himself catch his breath and took a deep breath. “Enough already! Venture get us out of here, quick!”

“What do you think I’m trying to do!” he yelled back.

“Not enough!” Wildstar snapped back. “Captain! We should use the wave motion gun!” someone yelled over the loud sounds of the explosion around them. Wildstar sat in his chair and stared out to the fight in front of them. “Call back our fighters.” He ordered.

Homer nodded his head and called into the communications radio. “Black tiger One, your ordered back to the ship. Do you copy, return back to the ship.”

“Roger that! Black tigers returning home.”

“Once they return prepare for warp!” Wildstar yelled out. “Nova get the coordinates ASAP!”

“Yes sir.” She replied.

He felt the ship jolt and another explosion went off in the distance. If only Captain Avatar were here with us. Think Wildstar! Think! What would he do? Yes warping is best. We need to get out of here. If I use the Wave motion gun it will only kill the people on the planet and the planet itself. “Homer inform me once the last fighter is aboard.”

“Aye, aye Captain.”

“Captain Wildstar the coordinates are ready when you are.” Nova announced.

“Good, send them to Venture. Everyone prepare to wrap. Homer announce it to the crew.” He order and felt himself hold his breath once again. If we are hit one more time we are done. “Keep firing, give them what we got until those fighters are on ship!” he yelled out. If only it were like Iscandar. At least we only fought one enemy. This time it was two. For some odd reason Deslock was still alive and once again seeking to destroy the star force and the Argo. How could it be that he was still alive? With him down our throats and now this new enemy how can we get to Telzark and back? Damn it! He was still wrapping it around his head. A ghost from the past and now he is nothing but trouble. Why can’t he just die! He looked outside and watched as the enemy moved forward. He prayed that they get out of this nutshell. Captain Avatar if you can read my mind give me a sign that we will get out of this okay. He turned to look at Nova, his beautiful girlfriend of almost three years. He didn’t know it back then when they first met on ship that they would be an item. But now she sat in her station just like she did on the way to Iscandar. He never wanted her here. She deserved a life and not here in battle. He wanted to protect her, keep her safe and here she is in battle like before. If he could send her home he would but he knew her better than that. She would never go. How he hated her being in danger again. Their eyes met and she tried to give him a smile. She wanted to let him know that she was okay and being brave. His eyes soften to hers letting her know that he loved her.

“Sir all fighters are back on ship!” Homer screamed through all the noise.  

Wildstar turned to Venture and ordered, “Venture WARP!”

“Hold on everyone!” Venture announced. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, WARP!”

The Argo pushed forward and speed into the unknown as the enemy looked on. With a blink of an eye the ship slowed down and the bridge crew slowly came to life. Each one without skipping a beat began to look over their stations. Wildstar stood up and looked around to check his crew. All were back at work there was a loud silence that rang in his ear. They were finally able to breath. He took his position and yelled out. “Report!”

“Captain we have major problems with some of the guns.” Sandor announced.

“Can we repair them?” Wildstar asked.

“It will take time but yes they can be repair.”

Wildstar nodded and felt his body ache for sleep. Gosh when was the last time he slept? He looked at each one of his crew and could see the stress and sleep deprived in them. “Homer, call down to the flight deck and send out a recon unit. Let’s make sure we are safe.  Everyone once all repairs are started we should all get some rest. I think we deserve it.” It took hours to begin their assessment but it seemed like the worst was over. Wildstar walked towards the mess hall and decided to grab a snack before heading to bed. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see her standing there.

“Derek, you look exhausted.”

“You look like you need sleep too.”

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Mess hall, to grab a snack. Would you like to join me?”

She yawned and nodded. “I should eat something. Sure why not.” He took her hand and they walked together to the mess hall. They both grabbed some grapes and soup and took a seat at the captain’s table. They sat across from each other in silent. For once the silence was welcoming. They both knew at any given moment a battle could break out and both hoped that it would stay that way until they all got a good night sleep. He reached across the table and placed his hand on hers. “Besides being tired how are you getting along?” he asked her.

“It’s like riding a horse. You never forget.” She joked. He grinned and thought; even now she is still beautiful. “Derek, do you know what tomorrow is?”

“Huh?”

“Do you know what tomorrow is?” Nova said again.

He tried to think but it seemed like ever since they left Earth it has been one big battle after another. “I’m sorry baby, I have no clue. It seems like just one long day after another.” He squeezed her hand and gave her a tired smile.

“It will be Christmas, silly. How can you forget tomorrow is Christmas.”

His mind began to calculate, “damn is it already Christmas?”

“Do you remember our first Christmas?” she smiled reminiscing of the day.

He grinned and squeezed her hand once again. “It was our first kiss. Well technically New Year’s Day was our first kiss. Christmas was forced on us.”

“Forced! Really? That kiss didn’t feel forced to me.” She said smugly.

He giggled, “trust me I wasn’t ready to make my move on you just then.”

“Make your move, huh? So you had a move?”

He popped a grape into his mouth and gave her a wink. “I had plenty moves but with you, hmm, well, you made me completely nervous. I had to work out my strategy.”

“Oh I was a strategy? Well captain, a word to the wise. You can’t make the same moves on a woman as you would like a battle.”

“OH? Sometimes having a fight with you is like a battle. Either one, I feel completely drain.” He joked. Nova sat back and frowned. Ah oh Wildstar looks like another battle is brewing, he thought then saw her face smile and she let out a laugh. Whoosh that was close. He pushed his plate aside and got up. “It’s late, come on. I’ll walk you to your room.” They chit chat about the last battle till they stood in front of her quarters.

“Well Captain this is me.”

He looked at her door and said. “I guess it is.”

“Oh I almost forgot. Wait here I have something for you.” She jumped and raced into her room. He heard her rummage through something and then step back out.  “Here you go, Merry Christmas.” She said and slipped a small package into his hand. “Don’t open it now. Wait until you get back.”

“Gosh Nov, I didn’t get you anything.”

“Oh I just put that together, it’s really nothing.” She yawned and said. “Guess we better get some rest. Good night Captain Wildstar.” And turned to go in.

“Nov, Wait.” He stepped closer to her.

“Captain Wildstar,” Nova began.

He shook his head and slipped his hands around her waist. He pulled her closer to him and looked into her eyes. He lean his head closer to her and she blushed. He lean in again and gently kissed her lips. It was a gentle kiss and passionate just like their first kiss back when they were on their mission to Iscandar. Crewmate’s past them and smiled, some snicker with laughter as they pasted by and watched. Derek and Nova finally pulled apart, oblivious to crewmates witnessing their intimate moment. “Good night Commander.” He leaned closer to her and whispered into her ear. “I hope that was exactly how you remembered it. I love you Ms. Forrester.”

Nova laughed and gently kissed his cheek. “Good night Captain.” She turned and closed her door.

Wildstar walked into his quarters that once Captain Avatar resided in. He threw his jacket on the chair and looked at the small package in his hand. He looked into the night sky and was relieved that all was cleared. He placed the package on his desk and called down to the bridge to check in. They assured him that all was fine and to rest. He stared at the package and then slowly opened it. He looked into a small box the size of ring box and found a small external drive. Curious he opened his lap top and popped into the one of three USB ports. His eyes drew to one file that read, READ ME FIRST. He double clicked the file and began to read it.

 

Dearest Derek,

Meeting you was the best thing that happened in my life. And although we could not spend this Christmas together on Earth like we planned I guess this is as close to spending Christmas together as we are going to get. I hope you like it.

 

With all my heart and love

Nova

 

He clicked to a file that read, LISTEN TO ME NEXT. He watched as his laptop exploded with a song by Mariah Carey singing ‘All I want for Christmas is you’. He laughed as the music played into the air.

 

 

 

Christmas Day once again . . . .

 

He sat at his table and watched as she walked into the room. He waved her over after she grabbed a cup of coffee and something to eat. “Good morning Captain.” She said.

“Good Morning Commander.”

“Did you sleep well?” she asked.

“Yes I did and you?” He asked.

“I slept like a baby. I must have been exhausted to just pass out so quickly.”

“Thank you for my gift. I loved it.” He finally said.

She smiled slightly and sipped her coffee. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“Now for your present.” He quickly said. “Tonight, if we are cleared from any battle. Dinner, my quarters. And then I will give you my gift.”

“Derek you don’t have to,” she waved him away.

“Just be there it’s an order.” He got up and put his cover on and left to his bridge. Their day went by fast. All repairs to the ship were almost completed and fighter jet was over hauled for next battle. Wildstar would look on and off at Nova with a smile. He talked with Venture about their next step to Telzark. “So you’re sure that it would be the best root.” Wildstar asked.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good I’ll give the order.”

“By the way Wildstar, Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Venture. Sorry we aren’t with our families. I hate that we are here instead of being on Earth to be with our love ones.”

“Well, it’s not like I had plans.” He grinned. “Anyway this is more exciting.”

“Right, like being in battle is better than being with family and opening presents.”

“Don’t worry we will have plenty Christmas’s. Oh yeah that thing you ask me to get.”

“Yeah?”

“Got it and ready for you and Nova.”

“Great, thanks. I think it will make her happy.”

“Will this be the big question?” Venture teased.

Wildstar smiled. “Maybe, maybe not. I want to ask that question at the prefect time. I will have to think about on how to do it. But thanks for everything Venture.”

“I never thought I see the day when Derek Wildstar will be off the market. But I have seen it. I can see how much you love her. I wish you both the best.”

“Thanks, I wish that someday I can see you finally be with someone worth your love.”

 

The day was draining and Nova felt tired but she promised him that she would come to his room so he could give her her gift. She knocked on his hatch and he called out to come in. His room was lit up with a few candles and the twinkle the stars. In the middle of the room sat an intimate table with dinner and some sparkling cider. On his desk sat a small artificial Christmas tree decorated with lights. In the back ground she heard Christmas music play and he stood near the window in his formal uniform. “Come in Commander,” she heard him say. “Please have a seat.” He pulled out a chair for her and then sat across from her.

“Derek this is so nice. How did you get this all done?”

“A little help from Sandor and Venture.” He poured her some cider and then poured him some. “I hope you like it.”

Dinner was some pasta with a light sauce. Since they left in a hurry the chef did their best to make a good meal. Since a lot of the food was preserve Wildstar asked for them to make something fresh. Tomatoes that grew in their greenhouse were as close to freshness as they could get. So pasta it was. “So does everything taste okay?” he was nervous that she would not like it.

“It’s delicious.”

“Since I didn’t get you anything for Christmas this is the best I could do.”

“Derek this is just lovely. Thank you. I think this is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

He stood up as a song came on and put his hand out for her to take. “May I have this dance?”

Nova slipped her hand into his and he brought her up and slipped his arm around her small waist. Nat King Cole played in the back ground singing ‘A Christmas Song’ The sound of his velvet voice rang throughout his quarters and Wildstar guided her around his room to a slow waltz. Nova melted in his arms as she took in his cologne and let him lead her in the romantic dance. The piano and bass played on as they dance in the candle lit room as the star shine down on them. Wildstar closed his eyes and whispered into her ear as Nat King Cole sung the last of the words of the song. “Merry Christmas Nova, I love you.”

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Star Force!