CORE Interlude: Sheridan Creighton.

CORE Interlude: Sheridan Creighton.

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Commissioned by Blue Flaming Wings

Wordcount: 2500

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The Herald traversed the Gap with greater speed and efficiency, as it passed through the same route it had travelled. Buoys in set intervals floated in the vastness of the interdimensional gap, suspended in the space between dimensions, and meant to last for centuries upon centuries were left in the ship’s wake. The mechanism was intended to ensure that humanity could find its way back home one day, with each one updating the other with the entire route taken, as a link to a past that might even be better forgotten, 

Now they served not only as a means to navigate, but also a means to communicate with Earth.

Which is jubilant as a war expected to last centuries has been deftly ended through the return of Destruction and its defeat. 

There was much that needed to be done upon return. Meetings with world leaders in regards to the demilitarizing of humanity, the return to focus on science and culture as civilization’s main pursuits, and the release of humanity’s information systems from a vice-like grip. Plans and projects meant to be read generations ahead, detailing the reinstatement of true free speech and expression, as well as the return of a civilization with dreams of spreading through the stars were to implemented now. 

The victory against the Chimera will be as costly in time, currency, and willpower as the war itself. The opponent shall be the very institutions and mindsets installed in one of the largest generations ever born, which was raised to be the foundation of an interstellar civilization that could fight back against an interdimensional threat. Everything must be changed, from education to information, in a manner that is both steady and precise… even as control will inevitably slip forth from our fingers as humanity in its current state is unleashed upon all that is known and unknown. 

However, despite the monumental task ahead, for which I shall devote the rest of my life to in order to peel back the manipulations I’ve forced upon the world… I could rest easy and celebrate with my family for the first time in months.

Valerie is waiting back home.

Destruction has been undone and reset by Li Song.

Reality and Lucifer remain at large, but are both challenges only the Preservers could hope to face.

And, judging from their success and merits, they will not fail. 

At my fingertips and with my words, I could still ask for more to be done regarding the last, two threats against humanity and all that is known. The prison of flesh formed of Lilith in orbit around the world can be accessed by CORE’s forces, probed, and perhaps even attacked. Reality could be further studied, if Miyakuro can be forced to release information regarding it, and assets sequestered to the Preservers in order to facilitate a series of victories that will ensure that the Future Past does not override the current timeline. 

However, CORE’s monumental task of rolling back what it has done to humanity must be implemented at the earliest, possible opportunity. Nothing could be squandered in this task, as to ensure that humanity is not defeated by victory. If it continues its current pace, as a species meant to war against something as it exploits and grows across the stars, then it can only fracture and break: thus, becoming its own foe and creating an infinite war across the cosmos. 

So, I will entrust the present to the Preservers, while ensuring that the future is not forever marred by CORE. 

That is my task now… and I breathe with relief and bask in the jubilation taking over The Herald knowing that.  

…

Built to be robust and last for as long as possible, the edible material synthesizer of The Herald is meant to be a machine that can be taken apart, studied, and provided to humanity as it escapes across dimensions from whatever foe it faces. It is meant solely to provide a singular foodstuff, healthy, nutritious, and palatable bars of food one needs to only eat one of in a single day. It suppresses the appetite, ensures all nutrient needs are met, and is utterly terrible for any form of celebration whatsoever. 

Thankfully, despite my orders to the contrary, Muninn had packed the ship with more palatable supplies for an excess of a year in the Gap. Tomoko and Elena had known about it, and sent the children to loot it the moment the news came through the radio, while I took a seat and processed all my thoughts and concerns in the bridge. 

Which was rapidly transformed into the center of celebration, despite the existence of a mess hall closer to the cargo bay. 

Due to the impish smile that played on Kazumi’s face, while Evelyn admonished her, she was the mastermind of the entire affair. Even after the years they spent separately, the two acted as they always did. One was mischievous and prone to planning fantastical events, while recruiting her fellow sister to her cause, bringing many things within the realm of possibility as they both worked together to achieve what others wouldn’t even attempt. 

“We could get much more done, if we had this all set in the Mess Hall instead.”

“Yeah, but look at the view, Evie! It’s gorgeous! If you have a view like this, it’s worth all the trouble of moving everything around.”

“Yet, me and my siblings are carrying everything around and about.”

“Oh, that’s because you’re all the strongest, right? I mean, I’m just a regular, cute girl, while you’re and amazing, cute girl, right?”

“Hmph.”

“I knew I could count on you, Evie~.”

Everette and Elise worked in concern to have everything be in their proper place. Both were researchers and tacticians that operated within the upper echelons of America’s military, while holding passive places in CORE in certain projects. My choice to have them venture out of CORE, so that they could grow and mature outside of my reach, was a good one. Though they both preferred peace and quiet, they had networks of colleagues and fellows that they could call upon outside of family. They were close enough to their networks that they were irritated and worries the entire trip, until they heard of the Chimera’s defeat… and could confirm their friends were not in danger of heading to the front line. 

They worked in silence, neither saying a word, yet the two siblings worked with each other in perfect harmony.

Unlike the twins.

“What do you mean no drinks!?”

“It might not have occurred to you… BUT WE’RE STILL FLYING THE HERALD BACK HOME!”

“It’s following a route! Don’t tell me you don’t get drunk while letting auto-pilot do all the work!? That’s a waste of a feature, sis!”

“I use autopilot all the time on Earth, where we can fly, call for pickup, or get to our house just fine. If you didn’t notice, we’re currently in the Dimensional Gap and a little mistake could LEAVE US TRAPPED NOWHERE FOR ALL ETERNITY!”

“Jeez! Freaking fine. Don’t get your panties in a twist. One bottle for everyone fine!”

“We’re you listening to a single word I just said!?”

They are both officers in CORE. Human-borne commanders of supersoldiers, Woden-blood enhanced individuals, and Homunculi. They did their jobs well, never letting the veneer of authority slip around those they commanded, and always did their utmost to bring everyone back in every mission. Once Destruction was declared present, and the frontline demolished, they were prepared to go to the frontline to stem the tide through any means necessary and at any cost. They spearheaded the confrontation that nearly had the Herald turn back upon receiving the news. 

It had been a difficult time, but I respected them all the more for their ability to stand up for their ideals and for humanity, even against me. 

I am not foolish enough to think that all is well due to the current series of events.

My relations with my children and significant others are strained. This trip has been a challenge to us all and I am its cause. My decision, my actions, and my insistence upon rescuing Valerie forced my children to confront me and challenge me, as they should. The action was reckless and immature, but if I hadn’t done so… if I hadn’t chosen to act selfishly for the sake of one of my children… I wouldn’t know who I am any longer. These actions and consequences are all things that I can accept, and I am glad that my family could still reach out for me after everything that I have done, but I could never have accepted doing nothing while Valerie wasted away in the Gap.

I would do the same for any of my children.

Out of everything I’ve done, I have many regrets, but they are not one of them. They have their faults, their frets, and their failures, but they have all proven themselves as individuals who will one day surpass me. 

I will do my best to lighten the burden that they will carry in the future.

…

The celebration came and went within the blink of an eye, rendering nearly all but a few awake and present in the aftermath.

Including myself.

Even though I have never drunk liquor since that letter came all those years ago.

Any confusion I had regarding how I became unconscious was answered by the rattling of pills and Tomoko’s smile. She sat primly by my bedside, placing a bookmark in her reading material, before removing her reading glasses to address me. 

“Since you were too tired to notice all your children were worried about you, I made the executive decision to have you take a nice, long nap.” Tomoko gestured towards the clock, but her finger drew my attention to the date and the line connected to my arm. A day has passed since I’d fallen asleep and medical supplies to prevent dehydration had been given to me. “We’ve sped up a little, since the kids wanted to make sure their father would be alright. They’re pushing the ship a little hard, but it’ll be good for stress testing, don’t you think?”

Irritation and bubbling anger both failed to amount to anything, as I tried to make any argument against her. I might have been rendered unconscious by medication, but the rest of my near-comatose state was because of my choice to go past my limits, even after Valerie had been retrieved and we were following a set route home. 

The only question I could manage was how far we were from home.

“We’ll be there in a day or two.” A bit of panic arose within me at the thought, but Tomoko laughed lightly and dissuaded it from rising any further. Her bangs waved to-and-fro, while her eyes glittered beneath full lashes. She was somehow always beautiful. “And, you didn’t think you need sleep, my husband? Did you already forget that the Chimera are gone?”

Akin to a comforter being wrapped around me, my panic was swept away.

Erica.

“Yep. Erica came by to give us a little boost and put a little more oomph into our engines, while making sure nothing fell apart.” Tomoko laughed before producing a plate from behind the holographic clock. It was a plate of apples meaningfully cut to vaguely resemble rabbit. Her smile became just a little more mischievous as I noticed she was wearing a red blouse, a blue shawl, and a deep, brown skirt. “Oh? Is that a glare from my dear husband? Is it because I’m celebrating another man’s victory? Should I be worried for my status in his heart… or happy that my status is perfectly, perfectly in place?”

Li Song will confront Valerie about her circumstances before I do. 

Tomoko’s hand reached for mine and took it. Gentleness overtook mischief in her smile, tension leaving her face to be replaced by a soft calm. 

“You could always tell what I truly want to speak about, but I still haven’t managed to do the same for you.” Tomoko’s words lacked any sorrow, but they alarmed me nonetheless. How she could say such words, I did not know. Whenever we spoke, it is as though I’m always dancing in the palm of her hand… and so I must conceal my heart more than I intend to in my wife’s presence. “Yes. You do. It’s frustrating, especially when its because you don’t want me to fret or worry, because someway, somehow I was nearly killed by a strange creature that came from the future.”

Yes.

Since Valerie made Li Song’s circumstances known, I have handled the matter of the Preservers on my own time and with my own assets. Tomoko, with her abilities, talents, and skills, would’ve fared better in my place. She can aid them in becoming better trained, teach Li Song better than I could, and assist the Preservers in their imagery more than I could ever hope to accomplish. Of all the individuals in CORE that could help them… I was the least appropriate of them all, yet I had distanced nearly all of my family from the Preservers.

So, that I could help Valerie the moment she needed me. 

“Now, now. Don’t make it sound that you failed. You accomplished everything you set out to do and you did everything that I would’ve done. And, of course, you asked for help when it was needed.” Tomoko’s grip on my hand tightened for a moment. Drawing my thoughts away from my misery, she encouraged me with a light laugh. The reminder did not list everything I did, but brought them all to memory. I’d assisted in the creation of their network, their mandate, and a multitude of other administrative requirements for their existence. Their funding was handled by Tomoko, while I reached out for my connections to give them support. My achievements and works are exemplary, yet they remain marred by my selfishness. “Your selfishness, dear? For worrying about your little girl, who’s always hard on herself, while she takes on a problem beyond the ability of your entire, supernatural organization?”

Tomoko was right, of course. 

It’s only natural for a father to worry for their daughter when she confronts a foe she can’t defeat, finds a Longinus User committing suicide, and finds an unknown, incredibly powerful being on her doorstep fleeing from another. No father wouldn’t fret and wish to assist their child to their utmost ability under such circumstances, even if his entire organization could barely keep up with the series of events that unfolded one after another in its their wake.

The issue isn’t that I had been worried about her and did my utmost to help her.

It’s that I couldn’t trust her like all my other children to lead her life without help, because of something about her that no one else could find wrong. 

That I couldn’t even describe or attempt to fix. 

Again, after the words left my mouth, Tomoko’s hand gripped my own in reassurance. 

“Sheridan. You’ve done everything you’ve could. Rest. Breath. Relax. I don’t want you to waste away. None of your family does.” She rose and her lips pressed against my forehead, before she sat back down with the plate of fruit upon her lap. “Stay with me. Look at me. Eat. Trust in Valerie and those who she’s gathered around her.”

The smile that formed on her lips again was a little mischievous once more while she offered me a single, piece of fruit.

“I hear they’re pretty reliable when dealing with strange, world-threatening things. Or, at least, one handsome one your little girl’s smitten with is.”