So Far Away

Posted on Fri Dec 7th, 2018 @ 3:49am by Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Gary's Quarters
Timeline: Just before Christmas Ball
626 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Gary lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He knew the Christmas Ball that Phoenix had put so much time and energy into would be starting soon but he just wasn't in the mood to go. Unfortunately that wasn't an option. As the executive officer of the Elysium he was expected if not required to be there with a happy smile and a pleasant word for all. Nor did he want to disappoint Phoenix by not being there. There was no reason to rain on her parade, to be a wet noodle. It wasn't her fault he was in a funk. It was no one's fault, it just was what it was. People would be looking for him, Lia, Liselle, Matias, Toran and others. He sighed and looked to where his costume lay draped over the chair. He had thought about going as a cowboy but that would have been too obvious. Then the fictional character Buzz Lightyear had been considered but that was also rejected. He finally decided on the Green Knight from the era of King Arthur. That should keep people guessing for awhile or at least he hoped so. He sighed and sat up. he needed to get dressed however there was one thing left to do.


"Computer play So Far Away by Carol King"


A moment later the words and music filled his quarters.

So far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're just time away
Long ago I reached for you and there you stood
Holding you again could only do me good
Oh how I wish I could but you're so far away
One more song about moving along the highway
Can't say much of anything that's new
If I could only work this life out my way
I'd rather spend it being close to you
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
It doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah yeah so far away
Traveling around sure gets me down and lonely
Nothing else to do but close my mind
I sure hope the road don't come to own me
There's so many dreams I've yet to find
But you're so far away
Doesn't anybody stay in one place any more?
It would be so fine to see your face at my door
And it doesn't help to know you're so far away
Yeah yeah so far away, yeh, you're so far away.

He smiled and looked heavenward. "Thinking of you Catlin. I miss you my love." He said simply but there was nothing simple about it. Catlin had been his best friend, lover, wife and soulmate when she died a part of him had died as well. Lia had worked wonders with him in knocking down his walls and he loved her but it wasn't fair to her to play second fiddle to a memory and that was something he had to work out and come to terms with.


He rose from the bed and walked to the chair and picked up the costume looking at it. "You picked a good one. Hopefully no one picks you out too quickly." He whispered. In addition to the costume he had to apply a full beard to further hide his features. He didn't want to be picked out right away though he knew Lia and quite possibly Liselle would spot him instantly. He sighed and began the process of changing into his costume. After all he had a party to attend.


Commander Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium.