The ritual proceeded quietly

"Wizglow, you were the bravest of us, you loved chocolate cake and card games, we will remember you" Hector said, holding a small card deck with Wizglow's tags on it, then putting it down next to the other trinkets they already went through. "Peter, you loved to sing and loved to brawl, I was always amazed by how gentle your voice can be in contrast by how strong your fist can be, we will remember you." Parsus said, holding a broken mouth guard with the tags welded to its side, putting it down next to Wizglow's deck of cards. Hector skipped Pharis's trinket, holding up a small reptile-like skull with the name 'Robert' carved on it, "Robert, you loved your weird pet more than any other human, we will remember you." Hector said. Parsus hesitated a bit before holding Pharis's egg up, saying "Pharis, if any one of us deserved to live longer it was you, if any of us deserved to become a citizen it was you, for as long as I live I will remember you". Hector put his hand on Parsus's shoulder, letting a silent moment pass before continuing to the rest of the names.

"You were all our friends and brothers, until the last of us will die we will always carry you with us and remember you" Hector finished, extinguishing the candles and getting up. "You want to bet who will be next?" Hector asked Parsus as the latter began to put away the trinkets. "Huh, funny. Don't worry, it has to be me, otherwise Sara will kill me as soon as she hears the news of your ****." Parsus said smirking. Hector became a bit more stern and looked at Parsus "Parsi, I mean it seriously, I do not wish it to be you next." Hector said, the previous humorous tone leaving him, "You are by far a better man than me, and you are the one to continue our legacy, just promise me you will fulfill our oath." he finished. The oath, it was really a fool's dream, during one of their rituals, when it was clear their numbers began to dwindle, the 98 brothers promised that the last one of them will leave the fighting life behind him and will settle somewhere far away, so their legacy will never be lost. The reason it won't ever happen was due to clones not having retirement plans to speak of, fleet-bred could retire and become residents, but clones didn't have such privileges, they were properties of the fleet. clones were created only to serve. It would be treason to leave the fleet.

"If we prepare and watch eachother's back on the drop, there's no reason either of us will die." Parsus said, "Come, let's go spend some time dealing with more joyful things" he continued while storing the chest and table behind the wall panel. Hector reluctantly strode behind Parsus towards the door. "Fine, I'll try and find Sara, What will you do for now?" Hector asked, "Sofia promised me some things, I think I will find her, or maybe something else, we still have some time until the briefing." Parsus answered, the brothers bid eachother farewell and each went to his own destination.