HMS Renown
Unknown System
Unknown date
My dear Rachel:
I know you begged me many a times not to take field command of this allied force. I know that you feared what would happen if I did. You knew, and I knew, that coming on this operation could mean my death. We both seen this in the stream, when we choose to look into its poisoned waters. This is why I asked Michi, my dear friend to take this letter to you, and hopefully explain this need to drink from this poisoned cup.
Let me tell you that the last five years have been the happiest in my life. The twins have brightened my days and given me purpose. You have been by my side, in good and bad times, even before we married. I have been able to forget Donegal, and understand Kesmai. This is something I never expected. I have also realized that I cannot continue to run from my family’s heritage, so when, if I come home, I’ll have to do something about that.
When I was asked by both the President and the Prince to take command of this force, I wondered why? There are many valid political reasons why they chose me. But once I looked into the stream I realized that this was destiny. I have to go with the Fleet. I know you have also looked into the stream, albeit a lot less than I have. I also know why, since there are many forks on that road, but all of them lead to my possible demise. Michi says that I cannot see that and remain sane, but I fear she’s wrong.
In the stream I’ve seen that I need to be here, and drink this poison. I know this is my cross to bear. I don’t know what will happen after that. I fear none of us can see after that moment. Perhaps this will be enough to buy us that freedom from the Tal threat we seek. Perhaps they will destroy us all anyway. I don’t know, but duty is what drives me here. I simply cannot ask others to do what I’m too scared to do myself.
If you are readying this, you know my fate was decided over there, under an Alien sun, with many others who also perished. You know my bones are bleaching under that alien star, and dust perhaps blows over them.
I wish I were at home with you. I wish this was not necessary. Alas, there are some things that we have to do, and some might say this is fate.
Suffice it to say, at least the last five years we spent mostly at peace, and I do hope the peace between the Empire and the Confederation will last after this war is over. I also know that if we should fail here, whole worlds will be destroyed. There are plans in place to evacuate people from human held worlds. Plans that were written with the aid of the Xerxes. These new colonies will be on planets around stars that are almost not able to support human life. They will be the last hope for our species to survive.
You know I did not take this duty out of a sense of honor. You know my views on this, and honor does not exist in war. Suffice it to say that I know I will join my troops and perhaps die under an alien sun. Yet, if we succeed, if I succeed, my children and you will have a future. I ask you to kiss them good-night for me every night, and to read them a bed time story. I ask you to forgive me, since I know what this will mean for you. I also ask you to find a way to live, and perhaps find a new life at somebody else’s side. You are young, and you should continue to live, and even perhaps forget me, if need be.
My love, I hope to god you never read this letter, and that what I have seen in the Stream is wrong. I hope to come home and grow old by your side, while watching the innocence of childhood grow into the impetuousness of youth. I hope to be wrong.
Your loving husband:
Aidan.