Catching a breath

Posted on Fri Nov 14th, 2025 @ 10:27am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 6: Episode 6: Conglomerate
Location: USS Elysium, Lalor-Richardson quarters
Timeline: MD 2 / 0845 hours
1372 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Though it took all night, the corpses, both Elysium dead and the Galatonians, had finally been removed from where they laid. The clean up of the rest of the gore was ongoing, as was the damage repairs. Though there were fatalities, thankfully, they had only been a few.

Mattias finally pulled his exhausted body into his families quarters. The first thing he did was check on the twins. Then he reached out to both Miran and Tristi, ensuring they were both alright. While Tristi had gotten through the attack unscathed, Miran had not been so lucky. When he heard that his suster-in-law had been seriously injured in a battle with one of the beasts, Mattias could feel his rage start to boil. However, he started to calm some, when he heard that her wounds had been treated, and she was expected rp make a full recovery. He asked the nurse to please let him know when she awoke.

Once that was done, he made his way to the master suite and peeled off his ruined uniform, and climbed into the shower. After setting the temperature, he collapsed onto the deck, leaning his back against the bulkhead, as the hot water sprayed over him.

There was a soft tap on the glass which was now fully fogged up. Then the door opened and his wife stuck her head in with a small sly smirk. "Don't waste all the hot water." she teased.

Looking up at the woman who owned his heart and soul, Mattias returned the smirk. "Then you better get in here, so we can be economical, and bathe together."

Phoenix did consider it "No I don't have time unfortunately. Came home for a quick sonic shower and change of uniform." She sounded very disappointed.

Hearing that news sobered Mattuas enough to make him stand up and step over to his beautiful wife. Respecting what she said, he refrained from pulling her into the shower with him. Instead, he leaned in and gave her a tender, loving kiss, before gently touching his forehead to hers. "How bad is it, baby?" He asked in a quiet tone. He had heard some reports, but he knew there had to be more.

"Bad. Thirty dead at last count, twice that wounded. " Phoenix said softly. "Damage is extensive." She sighed. "Not sure how we will get it all fixed, and now with the Romulans... it gets murky."

Mattias reached over and turned off the shower, then took Phoenix's hands into his own. "We have had some many channels put before us, you and I," he spoke softly, his voice full of support and love for this woman. "And every one has been surpassed. This will pass as well. Just stay true to who you are, who I fell in love with in that courtyard so many years ago, and whom I still love with every fiber of my being. I would not want anyone else sitting in that command seat, leading us out of this wilderness, than you, Phoenix Lalor-Richardson."

"Sometimes I wonder if I am doing the right thing. So many things have gone wrong. Ari, Lia, S'hib. So many deaths and resignations. Now a race that wants to eat everyone. I mean... who broke the mirror? It's like what humans call seven years of bad luck all wrapped into a short time."

Mattias sighed softly, nodding in agreement. It had certainly been an eventful year thus far. "Regardless of what has happened, sweetheart....you are the one who has led us through it all. Even if I wasn't your husband, I'd follow you to hell and back. That's how much I repeat you and your leadership." He then shook his head slowly. "As far as for the ones we have lost, or have removed themselves to the sidelines....that has nothing to fo with you. Each lifeform faces stress in it's own way. Some find their breaking point and falter. Other's find it and keep pushing, finding that they can push that point further and further away."

Phoenix nodded. A chime rang and she sighed. "Thats my warning. I need to get into the sonic and changed. Romulans and everything is happening today."

Nodding, Mattias released his hold on Phoenix, then stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist, while he started to get everything she used after a sonic shower ready, while she peeled her soiled uniform off and tossed it into the recycler. Once the vanity was ready, he moved to the closet and pulled out a crisp new uniform, boots and undergarments for her, laying it all out on their bed. He then moved to the replicator and ordered her a strong coffee and a sandwich, which he held out to her as she stepped back in from the bathroom, the sonics having done their job.

"I don't care if you are not hungry, my love," he said protectively. "You are not leaving this room without eating this entire sandwich." He then handed her the plate and stood there, unmoving.

She had to smile at him. She took the plate and headed to the bed to dress. "Thank you love." she said. "I will eat it all I promise."

He smiled softly at her, then finished drying himself off, before pulling on a change of clothes. While there was plenty of work to do right now, he knew that at least one of them had to be with the twins at night. The holonanny was a good temp, but nothing was better for them, then their mother, and after her, himself.

"I know we are in crisis right now, Phee " he said quietly as he knelt in front of her, helping her with her boots when she was ready for them. "Just remember, the crew needs their commanding officer to be rested too."

Phee finished dressing and nodded. "I know." she ate the sandwich as she dressed. she washed it down with the coffee and took a breath as she straightened her pip. "Okay now i have to go make sure the situation is not getting worse."

Mattias stood and, taking hold of his wife's hands in his, he gently placed his forehead against hers. "Just rest as best you can, when you can." He paused a beat then added, "My instincts are screaming that this isn't over."

Phoenix nodded. "I agree. They are not going to give up. And neither are we." She brushed her lips against his. "I better go." she drew back gently. "Work calls."

He returned the kiss, doing his best not to pull her to him. It wouldn't be fair to her to do that. "So long as it stays quiet tonight, I'll be here with the twins." He gave her another kiss, then walked with her, first to see the twins, gently sleeping in their cribs, then downstairs to the door leading out of their quarters. "I love you, my Queen," he said softly, giving her one final kiss before letting her go.

"Love you my king" Phoenix smiled and with a blown kiss she was out the door and gone.

Mattias smiled at Phoenix as she left. After the doors slid shut, he remained standing there. He wasnt lying earlier. His instincts, honed by numerous battles and years of hard training, were telling him that a worse attack is coming from those creatures. For the first time in my professional life, he was worried. His entire family was on this ship. Not just Phee, the twins, Miran and Tristi, but Kara, Mal and their children as well. Everyone who meant anything to him in existence was on this ship. He was worried that he wouldn't be able to protect them all, when the time came.

Turning towards the stairs, he paused, then moved to where he had his weapons safe installed. Inside, he also had the battle armor he wore during the undercover mission. It had been altered since, it no longer looked like it was built for an Andorian, however, it was still heavily armed and armored. When the next attack came, he felt that he might need this to aid in stopping the Galatonians.

Only time would tell.

~OFF~