STAR BLAZERS: A VOYAGE TO REMEMBER

A fanfic recapitulation of Series One “The Quest for Iscandar” by

Frederick P. Kopetz

EPISODE EIGHTEEN (point five): O, HOLY NIGHT (A Christmas Tale)

December 25, 2199

Thanks to Gail Kopetz, Bells of Nevermore, Margaret Diviney, Michelle Nutter-Lynd, Steven Diviney, Andrea Lyon, and DTill359 for Advice and inspiration.

Bells of Nevermore’s Characters are used by permission. However, by mutual agreement, they may be written differently in the Galaxy Visions Saga than in Bells’ own works…

Thanks to Ann Nichols for permitting me to use her SB/Y Filk “Go Ahead and Bomb us, Desslok!”

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Log Entry: Captain Abraham Avatar: Commander, SBB Argo

25 December 2199

As noted, two days ago in this log, we escaped from the Octopus Star Storm two days ago, on December the 23^rd.

Last night, as it was Christmas Eve, Divine services at Midnight were held for those who share the Christian Faith (a goodly part of my crew) but those not of that Faith were also invited to attend. Some did. I note that Cody Tiriganiaq did not attend. I believe that he is still upset about the events of 30 November 2199, when, after escaping from the Voton Star, we made a warp and encountered a creature not of this known Universe and Dexter Cross foolishly challenged the creature, which took him.

Father Likanski celebrated Midnight Mass, and we were awed by the occasion and the stars of Heaven, which seem closer to us out here in deep space.

Now, as she had previously requested, we are about to begin a Christmas Party; the very party which I gave Lieutenant Nova Forrester permission to set up. I do hope that she has delegated much of the work, as I have repeatedly suggested to her. Miss Forrester does so much at times that I worry about her health; when I should be worrying about my own.

It is getting harder for me to command. The pain grows worse daily. Doctor Sane and Nova do all they can for me, but I fear that they cannot keep me from the arms of the Angel of Death. I pray to see Earth one more time before I die. In the meantime, I must choose someone to succeed me; I fear…the question is…who?

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A huge party spread was set up on the Argo’s starboard side observation deck; the place where most mass occasions took place aboard ship.

In the morning, at 0813 Hours, a Gamilon vessel was spotted on radar just as Yuria Misaki was giving up the radar to Nova.

In what appeared to be a Christmas gift from Heaven itself, the Gamilon vessel, a lone destroyer, made a jump away from the Argo ten minutes later.

At 1100, the Argo made the first of two scheduled warp jumps that day as her journey towards Iscandar duly continued.

At 1300, the First Bridge crew was spelled by a crew of volunteers who would keep watch during the Holiday Party until 1800.

Uniform regulations were waived for the officers and enlisted who would gather on the Observation Deck that day.

As a result, Michelle Sakamoto was one of the first women to appear on the Observation Deck, in a blue dress, pumps, and with a sprig of holly in her hair.

Mark Venture showed up wearing a fawn-colored suit and slightly open dress shirt, minus a necktie. (He didn’t have one).  

Michelle walked up to him, smiled, and said, “Would you mind being my escort this evening, Lieutenant?”

Mark smiled. “I guess not, Michelle. Here’s the funny thing.”

“What?”

“I asked Miss Holly Parsons if she would do me the honor of her presence earlier.”

“What did she say?”

“She blew me off.”

“Why, sir?”

“Well, you remember when we were caught in the Octopus Cluster? She and I had a pretty nasty argument whether there was a channel or not. I thought there was. Holly thought we should go around that black nebula. We got into it so much that Nova broke us up. Lady’s been doing that a lot, lately, breaking up arguments.” Mark bowed his head, thinking of the fistfight he and Derek had gotten into two days ago. Again, Nova had showed up to break up the fight.

“Tell me about it. We’ve had argument after argument in Sickbay. If Nova’s there…she’s always the peacemaker.” Then, Michelle lowered her voice. “Is it true she’s following Wildstar all over the place like a lovesick calf? I never thought those two would hit it off. Real opposites. She’s so…nice. Wildstar is one of the biggest jerks on this ship, right?”

“He’s only a jerk forty percent of the time now,” Mark said with a whisper.

“Really?” chuckled Michelle.

“Yeah. I think the guy is getting…civilized,” Mark said.

Natalie Fisher showed up a moment later, wearing a blue sweater, jeans, and boots. She was holding hands with Robert Turner. Her pregnancy was not showing yet, and was not yet common knowledge aboard the Argo, but with time, it soon would be. They had plans to marry…on Iscandar.

“You guys look happy,” said Eager.

“Oh, we are,” Natalie said.

“Uhh…yes…we’re engaged,” stammered Robert.

“So, the scuttlebutt’s true?” Eager said.

“Nice to hear that some things come true for Christmas,” said Dana Starion as she showed up; in uniform but wearing a Santa Claus hat.

“Anyone know where the heck Wildstar and Nova are?” Eager said.

“I heard they were rehearsing,” said Conroy.

“Rehearsing? For what?” Eager said.

Dana shrugged.

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Off in a side room, Derek and Nova were, indeed, rehearsing, on a small electronic keyboard, playing a four-handed version of “O, Holy Night” combined with Rachmaninoff’s Suite Number Two.

It was not that long ago since Nova had learned that Derek not only knew how to play piano; it was a skill he had repressed for some time since his hard upbringing in Saint Anselm’s Orphanage after his parents had been killed by a Gamilon planet bomb.

Through practice, Derek was picking it up again. Nova had given him the easier part to play.

“How am I doing?” he said.

“You’re hitting a bad note or two,” she said. “But I think I can cover for you. Let’s try one more time, and sing to it this time…then, we’ll be ready to go out and sing together; okay?”

He sat next to Nova in his dress blues and peacoat. Nova had managed to find a glittery strapless mini and heels from somewhere (she told him that Denise Carroway had brought them), and they looked gorgeous together. Nova also wore a Santa Claus hat with a sprig of holly in it.

“Okay, let’s sing,” he said.

“You’re a baritone, and I’m an alto, but I can hit mezzo soprano if I try hard enough,” Nova said. “Let’s run through it.”

And they did.

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A few minutes later, they just appeared. Quite a few crewmembers almost gasped when they saw Nova dolled up in her minidress and glittery sandals. Derek followed along beside her.

She spoke with Orion, and he said, “He’ll be down any minute.”

Nova gave a thumbs-up and took the mike.

“Sorry I’m late; I was rehearsing a hymn on the piano,” she said as Derek stood there, almost looking like a penguin in his dress peacoat. She tapped the mike and said, “Welcome to the Star Force’s first-ever Christmas Party. By God’s Grace, we’ve gotten this far, and we got out of the Octopus Star Group and we are again trying to make our way to Iscandar. God willing, we’ll be there soon.”

“Where’s the Captain!” someone yelled. “Is he too sick to attend?”

“Please,” Nova said. “He’ll be here soon. IQ-9 is helping him get changed. Father Likanski, please open with prayer.”

The Chaplain came up and bowed his head. “Heavenly Father, we again gather today to celebrate Your Greatest ever gift to us: Your One and Only Son, who came today clothed in flesh to provide Your Grace and hope for all mankind. We thank You, again, Father, for Him, Your Mercy which has gotten us this far; for Queen Starsha and her message, and, finally, for this ship and our fellowship as shipmates. Bless this day and our continued voyage, and deliver us from the evil of the Gamilon Empire’s policies and warlike designs; this we ask in the Name of Christ, Our Lord, Mary’s Son; Amen.”

“Amen!” everyone said.

“Can we eat yet?” said Dash.

Then, there came a noise.

“Ho, Ho, Ho, HO! Merry Christmas!” yelled a familiar gravelly voice as Captain Avatar appeared in a full Santa Claus suit, followed by IQ-9 carrying a bag of presents.

There was mass applause.

Nova blew a kiss to Derek (that she hoped was inconspicuous) and walked over to the black Steinway Concert Grand Piano set up near the Christmas tree, where she began to play “Joy to the World” in a sprightly jazz style that she knew would fit a party. Captain Avatar sat down in a chair with IQ-9 to one side and Sandor to the other side. Steve had been busy in his shop with his Group making the gifts in the Dynamic Replicator. Crewmembers began to be called up, and they soon found that the gifts were small, but beautifully made; pen sets and rings for the males, and various necklaces, rings, and even ankle bracelets for the ladies.

As Nova quietly played “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus,” on her piano, Holly Parsons came up and received her gift from the Captain; a pretty ring with a simulated pearl. She accepted it graciously, and then went off to talk with Eager. She was still, sadly, not comfortable talking to Mark Venture yet, pretty in her ponytail worn with her usual crew uniform.

Instead, Mark came to her after receiving his gift; a ring with a star on it.

He said to her, “Holly, I’m sorry we argued that day. I know you’ve been avoiding me ever since. Can’t we bury the hatchet…and be friends again?”

Holly looked hard at his pro-offered hand. “I’ll accept your apology, Mark, just as long as you understand it can’t happen again. Okay?”

“Okay,” he said.

“I like your ring,” she said.

“Yours, too,” Mark said.

“Synthesized Pearl,” said Holloway as he came up. “We had quite a time making that one up. Guess what we used for metal?”

“What?” said Holly.

“Debris from Gamilon ships we had on hand that we picked up after that last battle with Ganz’s Fleet out at the edge of the solar system,” he said. “Great how we can repurpose weapons of war into beautiful things, isn’t it?”

“The Gamilons stink,” said Paul Rosstowski. “They wrecked my life.”

“They killed my parents,” Derek yelled.

“My brother might be sick because of them,” Mark Venture said.

“They killed my baby sister,” Nova added.

“Let’s make up a nasty song about the Gamilons!” yelled Dash. “It’s to the tune of “Deck the Halls!”

Go ahead and bomb us, Desslok!

Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah!

We think Planet Gamilon's a big crock!

Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah!

Watch us fire our wave-motion gun!

Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah!

Gee, trashing your world will be fun!

Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah, Nyeah!

Dash repeated the song. Most of the younger members of the crew, to Avatar’s minor displeasure, were joining in singing the bloody epic; even Nova was joining in, banging out the beat on a table with Derek’s help.

Then, she went to the piano, and played a demented boogie-woogie version of “Deck the Halls/Go Ahead and Bomb us, Desslok!” while the crew joined in on the third go of the song. A lot of the officers and men and women had been hitting the sake’ and egg nog, and their voices reflected that fact.

“Should we be so bloody?” whispered Avatar to Orion.

“They’re young, an’ they’re blowin’ off steam,” he replied. “This has been a hard voyage so far. And we still don’ know if we’re gonna make it on time or not. Let them sing!”

Captain Abraham Avatar nodded, while he wondered what sort of people this war was turning them into.

Were they becoming just as bad as the Gamilons?

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Time passed.

The party continued, but the militant mood of the crew appeared to have calmed down somewhat.

At the moment, Nova was on “Santa’s” lap, about to receive her gift.

“So, what do you want for Christmas, little girl?” he said.

“Two things,” Nova said. “For the mission to succeed…”

“And?”

Nova whispered the second thing. “For Derek Wildstar to fall head over heels in love with me, please.”

“I think both wishes can be arranged,” Avatar said. “Sandor, her gift, please.”

“Of course,” Steve said.

Nova opened the small box. It was a beautiful cross necklace…meant to replace the one that the demon Metzler had torn from her neck in their confrontation when Dexter had volunteered to be taken by the creature from the Pit of Hell.

“Thank you both,” Nova said as she put it on, shivering as she again thought of the confrontation with the monstrosity known as Metzler…the confrontation where Derek had proven the reality of his young faith in the Highest by protecting her by saying the Name above all Names.

Nova left; and she called Derek over. His gift was the next one to be given.

A reluctant Wildstar stood glowering near Avatar as Sandor handed him his gift.

Derek opened the small box, and he found a ring therein.

It seemed to be made of white gold or some other silvery metal. It had a blue jewel, and on top of the blue jewel, the symbols of Freemasonry were laid out in gold; the Square, which taught Masons to square their actions by the Square of Virtue as represented in Scripture; the open Compass, which reminded one to encompass their passions and desires within due bounds; and the letter “G”, which reminded a Mason of God, and of their Faith and Trust in Him.

Derek smiled, and said, “Thank you, Captain Avatar.”

“You need to remember the principles of the Fraternity, as an adjunct to your new Faith in the Lord Above,” Captain Avatar said. “Your bravery is unquestioned, Wildstar. Now you need to place that bravery under due discipline, and to, when needed, always keep Hope in your heart. For my heart forebodes that before this voyage ends, you shall have great need of this Hope. May God bless you, Wildstar. And your friends…especially Mark and Nova. About her…she is more than a friend to you…isn’t she?”

Derek blushed. “I think she is becoming that, sir. I am very confused, and…”

“That woman would jump into the mouth of Hell for you, Derek Wildstar. You need to be very serious with her where something like this is concerned.”

Wildstar nodded. “What do you see for us?”

“It is hard to foretell. But, if we survive this mission, I think you two shall be together for a very long time…long, long after I breathe my last.”

“Sir…you can’t die on us…we need you!” Wildstar said.

“All things have an end. You know I am ill. Keep that in mind,” Avatar said.

Derek left his presence with a salute, and Avatar stared into space for a moment.

“Sir, are you all right?” Sandor said.

“I am,” Avatar said. “I am thinking of the future, the far future.”

“When?” Sandor said.

“When the day comes when I will walk again on a New Earth, under a New Heaven, with Clarisse and Adam at my side as I introduce them to Derek, Nova…and their children. This mission must succeed. For, how can there be a New Earth if He allows our current Earth to die? That will not happen. It cannot happen!”

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Time passed again. Several hours passed by.

There were hijinks; Cody reappeared with his drum pad, out of mourning. He loaned Dexter’s guitar to Derek, and asked, “Can you play this?”

“I only know a few chords,” Derek said. “I’m not that good at it.”

“You can try,” Nova said. She sat down at the piano, played a glissando on the keyboard. “You sing lead with Cody; I’ll harmonize,” she said.

“What song?” Derek said.

“Jingle Bell Rock, guys,” Nova said. “That’s hard to mess up.”

And, the three of them began to play. Derek didn’t do half-bad on guitar, even though Cody caught some sour notes. He was a good singer, too, even though Cody shook his head. I miss you, Dexter, he thought. Brother, why did you have to do that? Why did you have to challenge that demon?

Cody thought it was almost a sin that Nova was on harmonies; the young lady had a very good singing voice, and her piano held the song together like glue. It almost seems like I heard her singing voice somewhere before, he thought. But I couldn’t have. To my knowledge, she’s never made a record.

A germ of an idea began to form in Cody’s mind. She needs to be in a band after the war…but what am I thinking? I don’t think her plans involve professional music if we survive this.

While they sang, Derek couldn’t help but notice Robert and Natalie dancing close together. They’re really in love, he thought. You can really tell they’ll be a couple if we survive this…

Nova got done playing, and she motioned Derek over to the piano bench. “I think I need to wrap this up, Derek,” she said. “I’m starting to get tired. After we play, I have two requests…”

“And what are they?” Derek said.

“I’ll tell you when we get done playing,” Nova said as she sidled up beside Derek.

Then, Derek whispered to Nova, and he made an announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen. Our esteemed hostess is starting to get tired. She’s done a lot today, huh?”

The crew applauded.

“We’re going to end by remembering the reason we are celebrating today,” Nova said. “A baby, born in a manger two thousand years ago. That baby; Whom many of us believe is the spiritual hope of humanity. Wise men, I feel, still seek Him. Derek and I will be playing…O, Holy Night. Please sing along on the second verse.”

Nova and Derek began to play the piano together, and they harmonized into the mike, and sang:

O, Holy Night,

The Stars are Brightly Shining,

This is the night of our Dear Savior’s birth…

The song continued.

The crew was spellbound by their evident love…for Him, for humanity, and for each other.

Mark Venture looked at Eager and shook his head quietly. “You can see it. They’re definitely a couple,” he said.

“Yeah…even if they don’t quite see it yet,” said Eager.

Natalie came over with Robert and said, “There might be a double wedding on Iscandar…us…and them. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?” she said.

“You need to ask them first,” Robert said as he kissed Natalie.

Then, Derek and Nova continued playing, and Nova called out. “Second verse! Everyone sing along, now! One, two…”

And then, everyone, even Cody, sang the third verse which followed….

Truly He taught us to love one another

His law is love and His gospel is peace,

Chains He shall break,

For the slave is our brother,

And in His Name,

All oppression shall cease…

The hymn continued to the end. Then, they yelled for an encore, and Nova played and sang “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”

Tears filled Homer’s eyes as he heard that song…the song which applied to his people, Captive Israel.

Finally, Derek and Nova were done playing, and they stood and took a bow together.

Then, Nova whispered her first request in Derek’s ear. “Derek?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you kiss me…under the mistletoe?”

“Uhh…sure,” he said.

They walked as awkwardly as two teenagers to under the mistletoe, and they shared a magnificent kiss.

The crew cheered, and some shouted out rather…lewd…suggestions that made both of them blush.

“What’s your second request?” Derek said as he began to leave the party, holding hands with Nova.

“Walk me home to my cabin?” Nova said shyly.

“Sure…anything for you…”

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THREE YEARS LATER:

DECEMBER 25, 2202….

So much had happened in the past three years; the end of the mission to Iscandar, Nova’s coming near to Death’s Door at the end of the mission and awakening in Derek’s arms. An informal engagement that became formal in November 2201 after Derek formally proposed to Nova in the worst place possible; the burning bridge of the Argo. Then, like a whirlwind, the Argo landing on an Earth partially devastated by the madness of Prince Zordar of Gatlantis, a man that Derek and Nova prayed was dead. Then, arranging a wedding in the midst of flight training, and Christmas 2201, with their wedding the day afterwards.

And then, the Rikashan War, as the Rikashans, and Ekogaru the Great, an enemy more deadly than any they had met before, menaced Planet Pellias, which they learned of when it appeared in the Milky Way before its destruction. Then, the vicious war that had covered early 2202, this time, with Desslok as a formal ally, as he had been during the end of the war with Gatlantis. Then, a strange victory as Derek, Nova, and the presumptive High Queen of the Pellians, Aliscea, had fought Ekogaru to his death.

Afterwards, there was an odd summer, during which the still newlywed Wildstars took in a teenage refugee; Atirangi Rapahango, a young woman of mixed Iscandarian and Terron (by way of Rapa Nui, or Easter Island) blood who was a major handful, but one who was already becoming quite a musician under Nova’s tutelage; a young woman with a bright future indeed.

Now, Derek and Nova were again alone. Ati was away, visiting “relations” of hers in Tucson, Arizona during the holidays.

The Wildstars sat at the bench of the very piano they had played together on in 2199. Thanks to Derek and his ability to negotiate with the EDF, Nova now owned that Steinway; Derek had purchased it and had given it to her as her Christmas Gift for 2202.

She was, needless to say, overjoyed.

They again played “O, Holy Night” again, cuddling next to each other, closer than ever, especially since there were physical signs that Nova might be expecting.

Maybe.

They did not know for sure yet; they would see Doctor Sane the next week.

They watched the snow falling, and Nova said, “I love your gift, Derek. I never thought I’d own this piano…but…”

“What did I say three years ago, Nova?” Derek said. “Anything for you…”

“Anything?” Nova said.

“Anything.”

“Then, Derek…please kiss me under the mistletoe again?” Nova said.

So, he did.

It was a long, searching kiss. They even wore the same clothing they had worn at that party in 2199; Derek wore his dress peacoat as the Captain of the Argo with his EDF blues (they had appeared together at Central Hospital earlier that day and had cheered up many sick children there). Nova wore the same glittery strapless mini; neither of them had shoes on in their house, of course, as it was at the edge of the Tokyo Megalopolis.

They finally stopped kissing, and Derek whispered, “Mrs. Wildstar, what is your second request?”

Nova blushed and whispered, “Derek…would you…make love to me under the tree? No one will see us.”

“I most assuredly will,” he said with a smile.

They kissed again.

More joy followed…

THE END.

Merry Christmas…Happy Yule…and Happy New Year to All!

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