Chapter 20: A Promise Best Kept 1
"Well Don, this is my stop."
The Calibration and its attached fleet had arrived at one of the numerous facilities located around the inner regions of the solar system. This one, a bit further out than most, is a research facility attached to the military.
"Up to this point you have only been receiving theoretical knowledge and practice. From here on in, you'll find that what worked at the academy doesn't cut it in the field. Take care of yourself."
Doctor Helmsguard boarded one of the five transport craft aboard the Calibration armed with only a rolling suitcase and his favorite pillow. 'Military grade' pillows were bad enough for enlisted. He had been given special permissions to take his own in deference to his age.
"Thanks for everything, Doc. Do me a favor and lay off the psychedelics for a while, it's getting to the point where I feel like you'll OD. As much time as we were stuck with each other, I'd still like to be able to talk to you after my tour is up."
"Me too kid. Something tells me I'm not gonna live long enough anyways. A standard tour is ten years right?"
"Yeah. Two year patrols with six months of planetside in between. God willing I can catch up with you before my duty is up. Is there a will you want me to take care of?"
The man named Draco stood on the ramp, saddened by the thought of his death and his shoulders drooping. He had by no means lived an unfulfilling life, but he did have some concerns and tons of regret. He feared that if he passed then some things, like his treasured house, would fall to ruin.
One concern of his stood head and shoulders above everything else. In response to the question that was prompted by equal parts humor and concern, he only had one request.
"If by the time you return to Earth I am dead, please take care of Diana. I am the only thing resembling family she has left. She has proven herself to be self-sufficient, but I don't think she has much to work towards at this point. The death of her parents was hard on her, and I don't think she has fully come to terms with it even this long after. My death may prove fatal for her. Please, Donovan, if nothing else. Promise me you will protect her. Promise me you will protect my little angel."
This was a side of the Doctor he had never seen before. He looked weak, vulnerable. His eyes were pleading with Don, on the verge of tears. With this one thing had been made clear to Don.
He had only ever seen the Doctor, never had he seen Draco.
"I promise. If nothing else I can do that."
Even if he knew in his heart it might not be possible for Don to keep his word, he felt relief that he was at least willing to make the effort. A relief shown by the wry smile that signified the end of his unwillingness to die.
Saying nothing more, the elderly man entered the craft. As the door closed, he gave Don one last nod of approval.
- - - - -
A week had passed since the Doctor had left.
It was still amazing to him how the man he viewed to be so mentally strong as to warrant the nickname of 'Warden' was reduced to the shell he saw upon confrontation with his death.
No. It wasn't the confrontation of his own death. He knew that the Doctor was the type of man who had come to terms with the fact that he was going to die. He was afraid of what would happen to the only family member he had left should he die.
As much shit as he gave him, Draco Helmsguard was not one to make other's lives problematic if he could avoid it. This would obviously hold true for Diana as well.
In spite of all morals and relative human decency, Don still found himself thinking of some screwed up and questionable situations involving Diana.
Not all of them were of the erotic or romantic kind either, in fact most of them were outright depressing.
Among them included one where he arrived back from his tour of duty just in time to see her jump from the roof top. Some depicted her blaming him for her grandfather's death and not getting to spend time with him.
One particularly gruesome fantasy he had was him walking through the front door of his mentor's favorite house to find the bloated and decaying corpse of Diana hanging from the ceiling.
He had thrown up at that one.
Despite everything horrifying about this situation, one thing remained a constant.
He had basically no idea who Diana was. He somewhat remembered what she looked like, though that was three or so years ago at this point, but the lack of contact between the two meant that he had no idea about everything else.
Her personality was a mystery. He had an idea of what she did and didn't like thanks to the Doctor. He didn't know her number, hobbies, birthday, whether she had a pet, and the list went on. Don wasn't even aware of what she was studying either!
"Observation: There appears to be something bothering you Donovan. Would you care to see if I can help?" ARC, innocent as always, would have no idea what to do with what Don was struggling with.
"I was asked by the Doctor to look after his grand-daughter in the case of his death, but I know next to nothing about her. I can't help but wonder what will become of her if I can't understand her well enough TO help her."
"An interesting problem I am unable to give a solution to. I take it you are referring to Diana Helmsguard?"
Don gave a nod in response. He had been informed quite recently that ARC was beginning to be able to read body language effectively.
"In that case I may be able to provide help. Are you aware I have limited access to the personal files of all members affiliated with my development? Diana Helmsguard falls under this purview by proxy of her connection to operator code 2-14, Draco Helmsguard."
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