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     Captain Jarod Bentall Retired |
They had completed their mission and returned to talk about it. Jarod couldn't believe it. Many friends were gone, never to be seen by him again. But many more had survived. He had been prepared to be lost in The Way forever but as things turned out that wouldn't be his fate. The entire command structure of the Alliance Fleet had been pretty much wrecked by recent events. Only Savant and General Ironside remained. Jarod was offered a promotion to Commodore. Jarod refused that promotion. He couldn't be a Commodore and remain in command of a ship the size of Blackrazor. He owed his crew that much for what they had been prepared to sacrifice by trusting him. Fast Forward Two Years "Looks good on you Cap... I mean Commodore,” said Commander Embry, Blackrazor's executive officer, one of the youngest Commanders in the fleet. Jarod grimaced and then finally smiled. "I guess I've been putting it off too long." Embry smiled in return. "So where are they reassigning you?" He couldn't bring himself to ask whom Razor's new Captain would end up being. Jarod chuckled before replying. "Would you believe they are assigning me to Athena, with a small escort group? We're going to be doing some deep space exploring. Look for new planets and possible allies for the Alliance." Embry smiled recalling that Bentall had overseen the initial design and construction of Athena. Jarod waited for Embry to say something. When he didn't he finally asked. "Do you want Command of Blackrazor Commander?" Embry's eyes lit up. "I would love Command of Blackrazor sir. But I'm not a Captain." Then he added. "Yet." Jarod smiled. "Ship this size doesn't need an officer at Captain rank. She's yours. You'll be reassigned as Athena's lead escort vessel so you'll still be under my command." Embry gave Bentall a huge grin. "Thank you sir." Fast Forward Three Years Rear Admiral Jarod Bentall looked over the damage. Athena was lost, the computer’s voice warning if an imminent warp core breach was enough to prove that. The four-month war with the Grantix Dominion had taken its toll but a peace treaty had finally been worked out. Too little too late for Athena and most of her escort fleet. He reached up and tapped his comm. badge. “Blackrazor from Bentall. One to beam over.” The remaining crew had already been transported over to various other vessels. Including his wife and two little boys. He finally patched up his failed relationship with Captain Sarah Hunter and had married her. She was now retired and spent her time raising the boys, Tebrun Bentall and Dejat Bentall. A couple of minutes later Jarod stood on the bridge of Blackrazor. “Good to see you again Captain Embry.” He said by way of greeting. “And you Admiral. Though I wish it was under better circumstances.” Embry replied with a small, sad smile. “You might want to back us off a ways. Athena’s core is going to blow anytime now.” Fast Forward Three Years “Happy Birthday father.” Shouted his sons in unison. Five-year-old Tebrun and four year old Dejat had snuck into their parents room of their family quarters to surprise their father. Vice Admiral Bentall awoke with a start but couldn’t help but smile at his boys. “Good morning.” Sleeping in with children this young was next to impossible so he didn’t fight it. Their exuberance in life rubbed off on him. Three years of relative peace would do that to you. He was in charge of the sector formally occupied by the Grantix Dominion. Once they had signed the peace treaty they had discovered the Alliance had much to offer and had petitioned to join. The Alliance had built a new space station to act as a hub for the sector and had assigned Jarod to oversee it. After much debate with his wife he had agreed that his days as a ship captain were at an end. He missed it but anytime he wanted to go for a flight all he had to do was contact Blackrazor to come get him. Fast Forward Seven Years “It is my great honor to dedicate this building as the Drexler Exploration Institute. The building will house exploration research labs, the largest stellar cartography lab in the galaxy and the Fleet Headquarters for the Alliance Exploration Fleet.” Said Admiral Bentall to those assembled. “As you know the building is named after a dear friend. As Commanding Officer of the Alliance Exploration Fleet it is my duty to live up to the standards set by Captain Drexler. I invite you all to explore the building.” Jarod paused, grinned and added “But stay out of my office.” The assembled crowd applauded politely and began to move toward the building. Jarod stepped down from the podium and made his way over to where Commodore Embry was standing. “Any regrets Ethan?” “None sir. Blackrazor was a great ship but she was getting old. I’d rather see her decommissioned and placed in a museum than destroyed. Though I’m sure if her Romulan makers could see it they’d disagree. But they aren’t here.” Jarod smiled. Placing Blackrazor in the museum wing of the Drexler Exploration Institute had been Embry’s idea. Jarod had encouraged the museum curator to accept it. Now he could see his old command anytime he wanted. Fast Forward Ten Years Fleet Admiral Jarod Bentall looked over the huge pile of “paper” work on his desk. When he had accepted the position of Fleet Admiral he had no idea how much work would be involved. He was now in his mid sixties and seriously considering retiring. It would mean more time to spend with his family. Tebrun’s wife had just given birth to his first grandchild. His other son, Dejat was about to get married. All in all spending his days with his wife in the cottage adjacent General Ironside’s on the lake was definitely starting to appeal to him. Fast Forward Three Years “Any regrets Dad?” asked Dejat. “You gave them a lot of years.” Jarod smiled. “None son. Time for someone younger to take over. Besides I’d much rather sit out here with you fishing than behind a desk.” “Too bad Tebrun couldn’t be here today.” Said Dejat. “Yes, well when one is about to become a father again for the third time, fishing isn’t all that important.” Jarod said with a chuckle. They sat there for another few hours enjoying each other’s company. Fast Forward Thirty Years Jarod Bentall was now ninety-six. A respectable age considering his history. Today was the last day of summer and the last day of the Bentall family reunion. He was sitting in a comfortable chair overlooking a small field that led down to the shore of the lake. He was under a large tree that provided perfect shade for him. He sat next to his wife as they both watched their family. His son’s were there. His grandchildren were there, his great grandchildren were there and even his newly born great, great grandson was there. He was content. He was relaxed. Even a few old friends from his days aboard Coronado were there as special guests. He sighed happily and closed his eyes to doze off. When his wife tried to shake him awake she found that he had died in his sleep. Even so, his face still had a content smile on it. What more can a man ask for in life? |