It's never a good time when you need to write a death report to someone's family. Especially if that someone meant a lot to you ;-;

Universe owned by the awesome  Hetzer

Artwork done by  gyannightwolf42

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United Armed Forces, UTO

Galactic Date 04:22:13

To Mr. and Ms. Hitchan,

I regret to inform you that your son, Klieth Hitchan, died in the line of duty during the Liberation of Earth. It is in my sincerest apology that such an eve-

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Matrilik stared blankly at her holopad. Her tail sagged down, pushing against her chair while she folded her hands together. Smooshing her snout into her balled fists as she tried to keep herself calm. It had taken her nearly an hour just to write that small part.

Today marks two weeks after Earth's Liberation, and she finally was able to write a note to Klieth's parents. Despite all this time to prepare, she could not write anything that satisfied her.

Her eyes meandered to the side, where a shot glass half-full sat. Sighing, she picked it up and downed the rest of it. Her snout curled at the flavor, yet she poured another glass a moment later.

After the man's untimely death, she had one blunder after another. Had it not been for assistance from the unlikely source of a Battlemaster, Matrilik may have lost it during the invasion. Already, her best friend Sazha had been irreparably mentally scarred after being captured for a short time.

Matrilik had given the order to Sazha, and she was the only one to blame.

While she thumped her head to try and come up with something, a gentle knock sounded at her door. Matrilik growled, already knowing who it was, yet spoke out in a defeated voice.

"You don't need to knock. Just come on in."

A flickering blue Tordenchi passed through the door. The AI, Ninthe, had been keeping tabs on Matrilik since she was back. Though he didn't speak for a time as he watched her. Seeing what she was typing, his eyes turned to her glass.

"You don't need to keep drinking."

The Lupari scoffed, rolling her eyes as she looked back to her holopad. Rubbing her temples as words fluttered around her mind. No formation of letters would accurately describe the woman's grief.

When Matrilik didn't answer, the AI stepped over before swiping his hand in the air. Her holopad shifted before showing a folder full of other notes. The Lupari grunted, figuring that Ninthe had tried writing it for her.

While she tried reading some, she kept one hand on her temple while the other slid down to the table. The further she read, the angrier she became. Though she tried to save face by not saying anything, her lips drew back in a snarl. Ninthe stalled for a moment, only to speak out with a sigh.

"These are all notes from humans who survived because of Klieth. I'm waiting for yours before I send these."

The Lupari growled and grabbed her drink before standing up. Walking across her office, she ignored the AI for a moment. Matrilik downed the rest of her bottle before putting it down right-side-up. Making a hard 'clink' as she practically slammed it down on the counter.

Ninthe expected this and already came with ammunition. Looking over the various notes, many heartfelt stories, and shows of sadness for what happened, Ninthe's foot tapped on the floor impatiently.

"Matrilik, they have every right to send a message like this if they choose. They owe their lives to Klieth. Would you rather them have sent nothing?"

Matrilik whirled around as if ready to snap at the man. Though seeing his eyebrow lifted and his annoyed expression, she sighed and adjusted her uniform. The AI now hit home as he looked down.

"Would Klieth want to see you like this? You haven't left your office in days, Matrilik. Do you think drinking will change anything?"

The Lupari huffed, biting her lip while glancing at the holopad. Barely bothering to answer, she grabbed her bottle and Yutri, then left with a growl.

"I'll write a letter as well. But don't send the human ones first."

Ninthe wanted to tell her she had no authority to have him do that. However, she left before he spoke out. Deciding it best to give her one more day, he hoped she would bring herself to write the missive.

---

Matrilik never was one to enjoy large crowds of people. Though in her aimless walk around the city, she stopped at a bar. Walking in, the Lupari quickly ordered a drink and took it out to the balcony.

Many people were still celebrating Earth's liberation. Drinking excessively, yelled praise, and many claimed they hoped to meet a human.

The Lupari was alone in her little sliver of the world. Her groggy face scrunched when a cool breeze wafted over her. Shifting her eyes up to the sky, she squinted at the blue-ish moon that hung high between the stars.

"First, they kill you... Then they want to pay respects... Typical for a barbarian society, huh?"

She winced, knowing that Klieth would shut that sentiment down in a heartbeat. He was always the one who held his heart over his mind, and while he and her budded heads a lot, she loved that part about him.

He used to always be beside her, ensuring Matrilik kept in line. Though she now wondered if she could even dream of filling the shoes he left behind. He was a hero, while she was a glorified officer.

During her walking, her Yutri had pinged. Though she ignored it at the time, she set her bottle on the railing and grabbed her Yutri. Opening it, she grunted when her eyes played across Ninthe's name.

Tabbing into their chat, a wall of text met her tired eyes. Over a dozen small speeches, all presumably by humans, given the context of the texts. Matrilik's blood boiled, and her tail tucked between her legs as she skimmed over many of them.

Finally, the word 'blanket' caught her eye, and with a raised eyebrow, she stopped and back-peddled. Rereading the long paragraphs telling a human's tale.

The mention of a little girl running up to a giant left Matrilik chuckling. Though there was a dark memory of that night, knowing the little girl was okay was amusing.

Though as she continued reading, her smug smile slowly waned. Her breath hitched as she failed to keep her angry composure for the moment. Rereading the last paragraph of the note.

'And don't you think for one second that I'll ever forget what that man did for my family and me. Every night I'll pour a little out for the big guy. You two raised a wonderful man who found himself a clever girl. Godspeed Klieth, wherever you are.'

Her ears wilted back, and soon she had to tear her eyes away from her Yutri. Turning it off and tucking it into her pocket, she let out a low, pained breath.

Ever since that night, Matrilik had been drowning herself in duties. She refused to let any emotion out, fearing it would overwhelm her. Though now, out here on a bar's balcony, the words of a human left her shattered.

Grabbing her bottle, she idly twirled it, sloshing the contents before looking over the balcony. It was only a slight dip from the balcony to the grass below. Though she wouldn't forgive humanity, she tilted her glass and poured her drink out.

At first, she only wanted to pour a little, but soon she found herself unable to tilt the glass back when she wanted to stop. Entranced by the liquid flowing down and seeping into the soil. Before she knew it, her glass was empty, and her chest felt oddly lighter.

"Godspeed, Klieth..."

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