Going Home: Message Received (3)
18 May 2023Vasil Vasilescu
I was in the ship’s SRV bay running monthly diagnostics on the rover’s scanners when Jefferson announced, “Priority message alert. Message received from Cemiess system.”I stopped what I was doing, and though I knew the answer, I still asked, “Message sender?”
“Ocatavia Vasilescu.”
I felt a surge of curiosity and unease welling up inside me like the spooling of a frame shift drive just before it engages. I could only guess at what Octavia had to say after thirty years, knowing full well that I, too, held responsibility for the prolonged estrangement. In the passing years, I had made no effort to reach out to my family, so the blame for the enduring silence could not be placed solely upon Octavia or anyone else.
I took a breath, sighed. No sense putting this off. “Play message on vehicle bay screen one.”
When the screen flickered to life, Octavia defied my expectations of her age. She looked ten years younger than me rather than a decade older, thanks to the effects of progenitor cell treatment. The sharp, elegant lines of her face remained untouched by time and not a strand of gray marred her meticulously styled chestnut hair. Yet, the ever-so-slight purse of her thin lips persisted, casting an aura of judgement, as if she perpetually, but only barely, concealed her disapproval of others.
So, Vasil, it appears you are still alive. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for our father, Cezar, or Luna. I won't burden you with the details, but Father passed away six years ago, and Luna and Cezar died last month while fighting the Thargoids. I considered merely having Ioana and Andrei give you my well wishes, but recent events have altered the situation. A rescue ship has been stationed in our system, offering refuge to those displaced by Thargoid incursions into Imperial space. Living on a mega ship is hardly fitting for imperial citizens, so we are organizing their relocation to Emerald and Jade. Elena and Stefan have already joined the cause. You are the only Vasilescu absent.
I trust I need not remind you of your duty as a member of our esteemed family. I expect a prompt reply.
The screen went black.
Octavia, equally direct and subtle as ever; ordering me back now that she was head of the family, hinting that honor and duty demanded compliance in this time of crisis. Repatriating imperial citizens to Emerald and Jade was generous of her, but no doubt there was something to be gained. I cannot recall any time in our youth when Octavia did anything for others that did not benefit her in some way.
I leaned back against the SRV, staring at the empty screen. The deaths of my father, sister, and brother did not affect me as much as the sudden weight of duty and family obligation, which I had escaped for thirty years. Now, they fell heavy upon me, and I could not shake the notion that the sense of duty engrained in us as children had led to the deaths of Luna and Cezar.
As the ship hummed around me, I knew my reply would shape not only my own fate but the future of the Vasilescu name. "Jefferson, prepare a reply, voice only."
“Recording, Commander.”
I opted for something direct but in no way subtle. “Octavia, I received your message but am unsure how you expect me to assist. Provide specifics.” I turned back to continue the scanner calibration. “End recording. Mark as urgent. Send message.” Unless Octavia had changed, I knew that would irritate her. She never liked being questioned or asked to explain herself.