Loss

Star Core: Wild Space Chapter 22

The loss of Royth Rand hung over the team like a dark cloud. The once bustling mess hall was subdued, the usual banter replaced by whispered conversations and thoughtful silences. Matthews, like the others, found it hard to focus on anything but the empty seat at their table, where Rand had sat only the day before, laughing and joking as if they had all the time in the universe.

The next day passed in a blur of routine duties and repairs, but the weight of grief remained heavy. The crew of the Camelot went about their work with a sombre resolve, knowing that the price of their mission had just become all too real. Matthews had lost plenty of comrades before but every one stung. He was a veteran; casualties were to be expected but it was always a shock when it was someone you knew. He’d only just started to get to know Rand but others like Yumi and Coel had passed Star Core training together. They weren’t handling it well.

The upcoming memorial was on everyone’s mind.

The next day, the crew gathered in the main hangar bay, their dress uniforms crisp and their expressions solemn. The hangar, usually filled with the sounds of activity, was now a place of reflection. The Talon fighters were lined up in neat rows. At the front of the assembly stood Admiral Clarke, Captain Valdez, and the rest of the leadership team. Matthews and his fellow pilots stood in formation, their eyes fixed ahead as they prepared to say goodbye to one of their own.

A small holographic projector had been set up in front of the gathered crew, displaying images of Corporal Royth Rand’s life. The first image was of a young boy, no more than five or six years old, standing in the vast, icy plains of Titan. His home, like so many others on Saturn’s largest moon, was a harsh and unforgiving place. Yet, the smile on the boy’s face showed a resilience and strength that would come to define him.

“Corporal Royth Rand was born on Titan, the capital colony of the Saturn Coalition,” Clarke began, his voice carrying through the hangar with quiet authority. “From a young age, he learned what it meant to survive in one of the most challenging environments humanity has ever settled. Titan is not an easy place to grow up, but it breeds a certain kind of person—strong, determined, and fiercely loyal. Rand was all of those things and more.”

The hologram shifted to a new image, this one of a young man in the uniform of the Saturn Coalition Defence Forces, standing proudly with his comrades. “Rand joined the Coalition’s military at the age of eighteen, following in the footsteps of his father, who had served before him. He quickly distinguished himself as a capable and dedicated soldier, rising through the ranks with a reputation for bravery and a steadfast commitment to his duty. Rand served the Saturn Coalition with honour and distinction,” Clarke continued. “But he was not content to limit his service to just one colony. When the call came to form the Star Core, a force that would protect all of humanity, regardless of origin, Rand was among the first to volunteer. He believed in the mission of the Star Core—believed that it was our duty to defend not just our own people, but all people.”

Another image appeared, showing Rand in his Star Core uniform, standing beside his Talon fighter with a broad grin on his face. It was a picture of him during training, his eyes full of excitement and determination. He had been one of the best pilots in his class, driven by the belief that the Core was humanity’s best hope for a united future.

“Rand believed in the Star Core’s mission,” Clarke said. “He believed that we could make a difference, that we could protect the people we care about and ensure a future for the generations to come. His loss is not just a loss for us, his comrades, but for everyone who shares in that belief.”

The final image on the hologram was a simple one—a close-up of Rand’s face, smiling at the camera with that same unshakable confidence that had always defined him. It was a face full of life, full of hope for the future, and it was a face that would be sorely missed.

Clarke stepped back, allowing Valdez to step forward. She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before speaking.

“Rand was more than just a soldier,” Valdez said softly. “He was a friend, a brother-in-arms, and a shining example of what it means to serve something greater than oneself. His loss is a reminder of the sacrifices we must all be prepared to make, but it doesn’t make it any easier. We will carry his memory with us, and we will honour him by completing this mission.”

There was a moment of silence as the crew bowed their heads in respect.

Finally, Clarke spoke again. “Corporal Royth Rand gave his life in the service of humanity. We will remember him not just as a fallen comrade, but as a hero. His sacrifice will not be in vain.”