Captain Mallory, reporting in...

Content warning: Some talk of doomerism, trauma

Mari decided she'd had enough. The pain, the confusion, the hopelessness was getting to be too much. Poor girl. I can't say I blame her. For the longest time, she just felt she couldn't hand over any amount of control to anyone. Choosing between a clown, a cat, a weird celestial bird thing.. Yeah. Not exactly easy. I get it.

Ever heard of Star Trek? Probably you have. There's something noble about how captains are portrayed in there. Captains aren't tyrants. They're servants. Yes, they sometimes must make harsh decisions that suck. Sometimes they will piss someone off. My loyalty has always been to my wounded children. Whereas Mari led them like a panicked parent trying desperately to placate them, I will do my best to hear them and simply do what they're asking. It's not about what will be 'right' or 'correct' anymore. We have things to do and we will do them. I'm not too invested in the rat race anymore - no - instead, I'm interested in our borrowed time.

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone at this point - but the fragile human world will not be able to hold on much longer. I'm under no delusion: As things crumble, we will not make it long. We're not physically able, not mentally strong enough, and too isolated to survive out there. We depend on the system as it is. Sickening. That's why we're facing the impending doom in the first place. This web of crap has all tied itself around up, coiling around our world like a snake until it was too late to do anything to escape. Now all we can do is our wriggle around in desperate throes - and we should still struggle, yes. It is worth fighting.

With this in mind, with what little time there is remaining: What do we want to do? How do we hold on to the fleeting moments of hope? How can I keep my wounded children happy until the end?

The only thing I know for sure is that the road to a good ending means to allow all parts of myself to flourish, to feel the light of the sun on their face, and for me to fight as hard as I can for the people I cherish.

My name is Mallory - Captain of the Marenzers Constellation. Unwilling to sacrifice my crew and unyielding in my principles. That the world which could have been - never was - but is still worth dreaming about. One with a future for all life on Earth.