Chapter 9 A Black Day
Sezidan stood in his dress uniform saluting the coffin. Bandages covered his
body including one across his left eye. A sling held his left arm in place.
The Cornerian flag hung across the side of the silver coffin. The rank of
Corporal 1st Class was on the top underneath of the name Fortune, Leon. The
sad song of death sounded from the trumpeter. Cyrellus was attending the
funeral in a wheel-chair also dressed out in his uniform. His gray furred
hand across his heart in a salute. Others in green and sky blue uniforms
also stood saluting the coffin. The last note of the song came from the
trumpet and Sezidan walked up to the front of the coffin turning around to
face the soldiers. "Yesterday a brave soldier died. Not only was he a
soldier but he was also a good friend and a squad mate of mine. This friend
gave his life for mine. I wish that there could have been someway to prevent
his death, but I know that there is no way to turn back time to prevent
that. I wish him well in the afterlife. May his soul rest in peace." With
that Sezidan turned around saluted the coffin one last time then took his
place in the line again. The squeak of wheels filled the room as Cyrellus
rolled up in front of the coffin.
"Leon was my best friend in the world. I've known him my whole life. We
joined the military together, hoping to fight together and possibly die
alongside each other. Things don't always turn out the way you want though.
I took a shot for him only a few days ago, And I would take that shot again
if it mean that I could see him again. Leon was like a brother to me. As
Corporal Shardeth said may his soul rest in peace." He saluted the coffin
and resumed his position in the line of soldiers. Captain Felina Cartivan
stepped up to the coffin. "And so we lay to the rest the body of a soldier.
A soldier who gave his life for the Cornerian army. Not only the army but
for his friend and squad leader." Her thumb pressed a button on the remote
she held in her hand and the coffin rolled forward into an airlock. A
mechanical sound filled the room as the door shut. The button clicked again
and along with the sound of soldiers hands hitting the place in the chest
where their heart was the second airlock opened and the coffin was ejected
into space. Sezidan's deep green eyes stared at the two jets on the back of
the coffin burning as it rocketed away. The other soldiers released their
salutes and left. Sezidan's hand stayed over his heart until the two bright
points of light couldn't been seen anymore. His hand fell from his chest.
The fur under his right eye was wet with tears. His eye scanned the room
seeing who was left. Only Cy and Cartivan he thought. Sez slowly walked over
to Cy who was still staring out into space. Sez crouched so he was eye level
with him. "You ok man?"
Cy looked over at him the fur on his face wet with tears. "Sez…he was my
best friend. No offense but I want some time alone." Sez stood and patted
his shoulder. Once again his sight found Cartivan. She was also staring out
into space.
With hesitation Sez walked over to her. "Ma'am? Can I ask you a queston."
Cartivan turned her head to him. He noticed that her face was dry. "What is
it Corporal?"
Sez shifted comfortably. "Ma'am how many times have you sent a coffin into
space." He couldn't bring himself to say dead. She looked at the floor. "To
many times Corporal. Did you know that he was the only casualty of that
attack?" His chest hurt at that remark.
"Its all my fault captain. If I hadn't fallen asleep in the corridor I might
have saved him."
She grabbed his shoulders. "Corporal do you remember when I told you that
people will die in battle?"
Their eyes locked. "Yes ma'am I do. I never thought it would be my squad
that would lose a member though. I always thought that it would be our fault
that someone else would have died." Felina's Gray eyes seemed to pierce his
soul. "Would you rather have someone else's death on your hands or that your
squad mate could pass on knowing that that his leader was still alive?" Sez
turned his head away hiding his eye from sight. "Corporal there was nothing
you could do. I told you to be prepared for death. Im sorry the first person
you witness die was your squadmate." He turned back to her a few tears
coming down the right side of his face. His right hand knocked her arm away.
"He wasn't the first person I saw die Felina." He turned and left.