[Caymen Greener]

This is one of my favorite posts in simming from back in November 2013 here in the old UFP Simms. I thought I would preserve it here in the creative works section for posterity sake.

PLANET XATRIA SURFACE, MAIN STARPORT

The shuttle set down with a rough bump. Caymen was piloting himself and he had not actually flown this variant of warp sled. He was an expert Helmsman in his day, but this craft had some new controls with which he was not familiar. He was sure Senna would get a chuckle if she were here.

The sled hissed and whined as it powered down - the miniaturized transwarp core and atmospheric engines all shutting off, the pressures equalizing, and the door finally opening. Caymen stepped out onto a landing pad and breathed in deeply at the thick, foresty air. Home.

Xatria City was tiny compared to any other modern M-class planetary capital city. It was big enough to have proper government facilities, a true but small ground and space military, and a semi-decent starport for warp-capable craft to be serviced and land/take off. They did not have an orbital station so it was extremely rare - and in fact impossible until about 5 years ago - for cruiser-sized vessels to come down to the planet surface. Shuttles and beam-downs were 99% of the traffic to the city and planet.

Caymen walked about for a few minutes just taking in the sights. While he did not live in the city, he was here a lot before when he was the ambassador. He even stayed here for a few weeks before he went back on duty when the 2409 wars began. But this was not his true home, even though it still felt and smelled and looked like the pine forest that took up most of the rest of the planet.

Eventually, a crewman approached and did a double take before speaking. "Oh uh Ambassador Greener, I apologize. We weren't expecting you for another hour."

Why did they not scan his clearly-marked ship when he landed, he wondered. This is why they were not an official member state of the Federation or a contender for any kind of war or political battles. He merely grinned. "It's just captain now, my friend."

"Can I take you to the governor's hall, sir?" asked the crewman sheepishly, rubbing his nervous hands together.

Greener squinted. "Actually, if I could borrow a land shuttle, I have an errand to run before I visit the governor."

"Of course, captain." The crewman tapped a button on his belt and within two minutes a nice sleek 'hovercar' arrived and another crewman jumped out. They handed Caymen a card which served as the key. "I assume you remember everything, sir?"

Greener nodded, took the key, and hopped in. The crewman grabbed his small duffel case and placed it in the back of the car.

"Good to see you as always, ambassador... captain."

Caymen grinned. "Thank you." And he zoomed off.

A BIT LATER, MIDDLE OF THE FOREST

The forest was thick here, but on purpose. There were two trails leading in, one on each end, and they had to be done on foot. In fact, one could not even see it from orbital scans as the forest canopy covered it so well. You'd have to know exact coordinates to beam down.

Caymen took a small bottle of water with him, attached to his belt, and trekked in to the forest and through to the open glade. Even with the thick forest canopy, the more open glade had sun beams puncturing in and shining in various directions. One beam, right at this time, happened to be shining right on the statue that stood in the center.

The old captain approached and knelt down, placing at the base a few flowers he had gathered on the way in. He took the water canister out and took a few sips, setting it down on the ground. He looked up at the statue, lit up by the sunbeam, but then uncovered as the beam moved on. The woman in the statue was not nearly as beautiful as the real thing, but the statue, the glade, the forest, the planet - they were a true homage to her memory.

Caymen read the words on the base:
~"On this day in the standard year of 2380, we remember the life of Gwen of Xatria. She was a noble citizen, a fierce friend, a caring daughter, and a loving wife. Her memory will be as ageless as the trees around her."~

Caymen took the water bottle and poured a bit on his hands, setting the bottle down and rubbing his hands together. It represented the blood shed, at the hands of the Maquis, which took his one love away from him. A tear ran down his cheek as he bowed his head in pause.

He was not alone in the galaxy, he did not mourn for Gwen this long after the event, he did not hate the Maquis like he did those three decades (to the month) ago. He did not long for a relationship, he did not want for love. He remembered though... he remembered her love, their shared love, and he remembered the woman she was, accurately described on the statue. It was that memory that brought tears - she was the epitome of perfection in his mind, even if Londance would tell him perfection was impossible.

But for Caymen, this was a special memory in his mind and in his heart. Gwen of Xatria was at one time his one true love, and would forever be a part of him. And on this day almost exactly thirty years ago, they honored her here. And since he came back to the Federation a few years ago, this was the first time he could visit.

The captain knelt there for what probably seemed like ages to the small creatures and insects that looked on and went about their business in the surround. But eventually he rose, and grabbed his water bottle, taking a sip before re-clipping it on his belt. He wiped the few tears from his face and managed a smile.

"Adieu," he said plainly. The old man walked off, a greyed version of the man who was married to the body that lay beneath the statue, hoping to join her there upon his own demise some day.

LATER

Eventually Caymen made his way back to the capital city, by way of his old cabin in the woods he still owned. He just stopped by there to ensure all was well - and it was. He then went to the governor's hall and met the governor, the chief planetary figure for Xatria... and Gwen's father.

They had a good visit and they had some good chats about Gwen and Greener's time on the planet. It was the lighter side of remembering the past - exactly what he needed after his more somber parlay in the woods.

Not much business was handled. Caymen reminded the governor that the planet was always welcome to join the Federation instead of merely peace treaties and protection acts. Caymen knew they probably never would, not in their lifetimes. And he honestly preferred it that way - Xatria was a preserve, almost.

Caymen stayed in the capital city over night for some rest - it was one of the better night's sleep he had gotten in months. He packed his things in the morning and went back to his warp sled. The same crewman was there and gave him good tidings and well-wishes. Greener thanked him for the hovercar usage and his service, and took off in the warp sled.

As the shuttle breached into space and Greener could see the planet on whole for the most part, he stopped and turned the shuttle to the side to face his direction - Earth. He punched in the transwarp coordinates and prepared to leave. He had a side-view of the planet and he looked back down, a half-smile coming to his face after the good and healthy visit.

"Adieu," he said again, hitting the button to engage the warp engines. The shuttle shook and lit up as the warp bubble formed. Caymen kept his gaze on Xatria until it disappeared from view to the flashing light of transwarp. For now, it was back to his new home, his starship.