<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/ef/Damian_Harper.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Damian remained silent as Kari took her leave. She presumed he was going to do the healthy thing, and attempt to work through his concerns and grief. But, as always, he much rather locked it all away behind a pragmatic demeanor and instead focus on his work. Despite his obvious fatigue, he turned around when she had left, and took the seat at his desk once more. With a discernible lack of energy, he began to sift through the massive heap of paperwork he needed to sort through on his own. There was so much left to do, he hardly knew where to begin. But, once he got the priorities straight again, he began to type away at a terminal by his side. The worst was yet to come. He would have to inform next of kin, and he was all too aware how he was ill-suited for such a sensitive task. But, it was only right in his mind. He had been the one to sort out their paychecks - the whole reason his lancemates had perished - so who better to relay the news?<br/><br/>Well over five hours later, he only realized he had dozed off on his desk when he shook awake at the sound of very loud banter by people walking by the door of his office. Groggy and not at all well-rested, he grumbled as he allowed the palm of his hand to drag across his face. Despite the nick in the back of his neck from slumbering in such an awkward position, he had to admit he felt somewhat better. But at the same time, he realized he had wasted precious time. Logic won out over his obsessions, however, as it had become all too clear he wasn't going to be doing anything productive until he got himself a proper meal, yet another shower to wash off the stench of defeat, and then a long rest. After that, he'd likely make up for lost time fairly quickly.<br/><br/>There were a few things he needed to see to first, however, and after printing out some documents, he rose up to try and track down lieutenant Rowe. He needed her input on something and it could not wait. When that was done, he'd be free to get his mind off of things a little, as much as he already felt his subconscious protest against such a frivolity. With the documents in hand, his clothes and hair straightened out, and his eyes roused by some slaps to his cheeks, he headed out to try and find one of the few survivors of the company.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><strong>Dark Star Dropship</strong><div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/b/ba/Emily_Jirani.jpg)</div><br/><br/>Emily had put it off for as long as she could. She had first discussed it with her husband, despite the delays the communication entailed, and the man had been livid. He was worried sick about her, as were her children, who were more than old enough to realize that something was wrong. But in the end, the man had relented. He knew there was nothing he could say or do to change her mind. He could only hope she would last until she could be replaced. The communique had not ended on the best of notes. But she was resolved to make it up to him when she finally got home. Despite that awkward discomfort, though, she needed to report to the new commander. It was odd to her to picture Kari in the position, simply because her father hadn't been anywhere near the age where one would think of seeing them passing the torch. That only seemed to make his death more tragic.<br/><br/>But, formalities needed to be respected and it would likely be a load off of Kari's mind if she knew what certainty how many warriors she had left, since the others had not been able to return back to active duty yet; and there was no telling when, or if ever, they would. The pressing of a button by the side of Kari's office door heralded Emily's arrival, but she waited patiently for any kind of sign of activity before introducing herself and entering.</div>