July 3054, Capella, Numenorean Rangers HQ
A knock sounds on Col. Atayde’s office door. “Colonel, got a minute? We need to talk,” asks LtCol Mudd standing in the open doorway.
“Sure Benton,” replies the Ranger’s CO. “Or is it Roger, today? I’m having trouble keeping it all straight.”
“Roger will do today, Kato. In fact, that’s one of the things we need to talk about.” Benton closes the door and stretches out on the couch in the corner of the office.
“Make yourself at home, number one”, kids Kato as he pulls up a chair.
“First, Kato, repairs are continuing on schedule and radiation treatments are continuing for everyone exposed to the nuke. I still can’t believe Comstar would stoop that low.”
“There is going to be a reconning someday, I promise you, Roger”, states Kato simply.
“Okay, other matters then”, Roger continues. “After all that has happened lately, I need to make some changes in my life. First and most important, Benton Mudd dies today. The deception has gone on long enough and it’s time I returned to who I truly am. The assassination attempt by members of my own government has upended my reality. I need to return to New Avalon and dig out the corruption and rot that is infecting the FedSuns government.”
“That’s a tall order, Roger. How can I and the Rangers help?”
“For now, I’m not sure, Kato. But there is something you can do in the short term. I am resigning as XO of the Rangers and I will be returning to the fold of Team Banzai. My father is retiring from active duty running the unit to concentrate on teaching at NAIS. My older sister Anna, has taken command of Team Banzai and she will need my help. Short term, Jade [Sgt Lewis] and I are getting married before we leave, and we were wondering if you would perform the ceremony?”
“Well, it’s about damn time!” grins the Ranger’s CO. “It would be an honor.”