....Must Come to an End

Posted on Wed Jan 4th, 2023 @ 2:59pm by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII

Mission: Character Development
Location: Athena
Timeline: MD-01
638 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Finn stood in empty quarters considering whether or not to say goodbye to her crewmates before leaving. Kane may have denied her resignation, but she had no intention of returning, denial be damned. That much was evident in the bare living room and stacked luggage. One large suitcase, a medium duffel bag, and a backpack contained every meaningful possession she had brought on board.

A sigh escaped her as she looked around and realized that this was it. This would be the last time she'd lay in that bed or research the latest from the daystrom institute from that couch. The last time she'd work late on a report from the desk in the corner or share drinks with Mason or Xav in this living room. All good things must come to an end, she thought as she shook the memories from her head.

The decision on how to say farewell weighed on her heavily. Surely her crewmates, no, her friends, deserved at least a goodbye. Then again, each one would come with a question about her return and Finn didn't have an answer anyone would want to hear. Beyond that, some might try to convince her to stay, and that was certainly not something she was willing to consider right now. A letter. The thought came almost like a whisper in her ear. A way to say goodbye without having to deal with unwanted repercussions.

Finn sat down, opened a video file, and began recording. "Hey there," she smiled though anyone close would've seen that it was fake. There was sorrow in her blue eyes, like a wilting flower that was just hanging on until the last moment. "I'm not great at goodbyes, so you'll just have to know that I've tried," she chuckled softly. "Anyway, I'm leaving for a while. I don't know if or when I'll be back, so please don't flood me with questions. I want you to know that I've enjoyed working with you and that I hold you all in the highest esteem. More than that, I consider you each a friend. Good ones at that. Xav, I'll miss everything about you. Working together, the banter. I've left you my family's chicken noodle soup recipe and a transfer for Fenn to your department." Finn laughed. "Just kidding on the second part," she smirked. "Mason, I'll miss our chats and mudding adventures. Please promise me that you'll find a new mud course partner. NVeid, we've shared a lot recently and I still need to process it all, but I appreciate you trying to be there and just being a friend. George," Finn sighed. "I can't express how much our friendship means to me. You've grown so much and you're a fantastic engineer. Keep building up that confidence. You're going to do great things." She paused for a moment, struggling to keep her composure. "I love you all," she quickly added before ending the video.

The now saved recording sat in a folder, waiting to be sent as Finn wiped the tear from her eye. Luckily she had held out just long enough that the video captured hadn't snagged the leakage on camera. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her cry. It has to end, Finn nodded as though affirming her own statement. For everyone's safety. It's time to move on.

With that, the engineer left her quarters to disembark. She only looked back once, as she stopped at the Athena's threshold. Her lips glided into a somber smile as she pulled a PADD from her bag. Finn paused for just a second, whispering 'goodbye' before hitting send on the video and walking to a shuttle just before it left for Earth's surface, unsure of what plans the future had for her.