In a grassy fijord, six people were chasing one another. One of the people, a woman in a pink dress with fox ears and nine fluffy fox tails, allowed herself to be caught by a man with red hair and in peasant’s clothes. They all dropped to the grass, laughing. The fox woman sighed happily. “This is perfect,” she said as she looked at them.
“Like a waking dream,” said a man with lipstick and surrounded by clouds in the shape of a dress.
“…Strictly speaking, I’m asleep and this IS a dream,” remarked the fox woman. “I seem to recall fireworks being added.”
“That,” reminded a woman in a red, orange, and yellow dress, “was because Oyed and the Realm Trinity Empire attacked while you were replaying this dream because of a coma.” Fireworks then went off.
“At least those aren’t the result of outside forces,” remarked a Minotaur man. The fox woman sighed.
“I’ve got a lot of reconstruction when I wake up,” she mumbled.
“You’ve got the real versions of us to help you,” replied a woman with gray skin and a cloud dress. The fox woman smiled.
“Yeah, I do.” She then got up. “I’ll see you all later, hopefully.”
“Maybe the real Falnii should bring your other lovers into this dream,” suggested the Minotaur man. “I’m sure they’d love it.”
“You guys don’t mind?”
“…I mean, if you could dream up another version of you,” suggested the red-haired man.
“Foresna!” admonished the woman in the firey dress. The fox woman laughed.
“I’ll keep that in mind! Bye!”
“Bye, Arsha!” The scene vanished in light as the fox woman, Arsha Royana, opened her eyes. She was looking at the ceiling of her ship’s Sick Bay. She yawned and sat up, remembering that her CMO, Marshii, was gonna look her over that day. An Elf woman in a nurse’s outfit brought a tray of breakfast over to her.
“Good morning, your Highness,” greeted the nurse.
“And good morning to you too, Lieutenant Mutrem,” returned Arsha. She took the tray as the nurse called Marshii over. The elderly Mermaid then appeared.
“There she is, enjoying her bacon and eggs after that stunt she pulled!” she grumbled.
“Good morning, Doctor,” replied Arsha.
“Yeah, yeah, good morning. Hopefully, you’ll be getting your duff OFF that bed today.”
“Why, Doctor, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re looking to get rid of me.”
“Well, I’m actually looking forward to an empty medbay like any other doctor.” Arsha winced, deciding to stop the joke before she got to far. “Yep, that’s what every doctor prays for, the day when everyone stops dying or being stupid with their health so they can safely give up their medical license because there’s no need for it anymore.”
“…Until then, you’re still very much appreciated,” said Arsha. Marshii then waved a medical scanner over Arsha, then smiled at the results.
“Once you’re done with breakfast, you’re cleared for duty!” she reported.
“Thank you, Doctor.” Arsha resumed eating, wanting to get back to work.
Once she was done, Arsha headed back to her quarters and opened her closet. She looked at the pink dress she had kept in storage and sighed happily. “Hello, old friend,” she whispered. She then took her duty uniform off and slipped herself back into the pink skirts and shirt that gave her security and hope. She readjusted her bun and set her hairpiece back onto it. She gave her skirts a light brush of her hand and sighed happily again. She then headed back to the Endeavor’s bridge. Everyone was still workign hard, but with smiles on their faces. Endea caught sight of Arsha. “Captain on the bridge!” she called. Everyone stood to attention. Arsha smiled.
“…Everyone,” she began, “we went through all sorts of torture in the past year and a half. We’ve lost too much to Oyed and Dr. Borg’s machinations. But, thanks to our sacrifice, we won. We defeated Dr. Borg. I’ve been called a miracle worker in the past, but I can’t claim that miracle alone. You all helped me make that miracle come true and I cannot thank you enough. Now, I DID hear a rumor that I was retiring immediately after the Final War. Let me put that to rest. Until Reconstruction has gotten to a point where the Realms are sufficiently at a newer, better normal, I’m still gonna be with Realmfleet. Now the question is; do any of you plan to retire right now? If you feel that Reconstruction will go better with you out of Realmfleet, please say so now. You will hailed as a hero for doing so.”
“I’m afraid I must leave in a few days, Captain,” replied Elmar. Arsha smiled.
“You know, I would have said something if you, of all people, stayed on the ship. If you need help ruling the Galdredan Lava Kingdom-”
“My wife has been trained since birth in ruling a kingdom. I’ll ask her for help first.”
“Good idea. Anyone else?” No one said a word. “Now, that DOES leave the question of who’s going to be taking Elmar’s place.”
“That would be Orthena, Captain,” answered Denstra.
“In that case, there’s only one question that remains, do we have any missions?”
“Yes, Captain,” replied Shalvey. “The Galdredan Lava Kingdom needs repairs to its railway. The Final War damaged the whole area and they’re in desperate need of aid.”
“Nazay, set course for the Galdredan Lava Kingdom!” ordered Arsha as she sat in the Captain’s Chair.”
“Course laid in,” reported Nazay.
“Nice and easy.” The mighty engines of the ship whined to life…then the ship lurched. The engines powered down as Arsha looked to Thangred.
“Okay, note to self,” muttered Thangred, “never use a flux reactor for a patch job with a maho injector. Lovely!”
“I don’t think we’re going anywhere, Captain,” remarked Nazay.
“Shalvey, tell Realmfleet and the Galdredan Kingdom,” ordered Arsha, “that we’ll be there as soon as repairs are complete.”
“Aye, Captain,” replied Shalvey. Arsha then looked to Elmar.
“Well, looks like you’re gonna be with us for a little longer,” she remarked.
“It looks that way, Captain,” agreed Elmar.