The Mechanisms
Holder of the GRAIL
[Verse 1: Captain Mathea]
I step foot upon my station, pride swells inside my chest
Upon my coat there hangs a newly minted Captain’s crest
Then the General who came with me says “My lad you must not fail
We entrust a lot of power to the holder of the GRAIL
From the air that we are breathing to the lights and solar sail
All the systems stand at your command: the holder of the GRAIL.”

[Verse 2]
It has been a month now since the General’s shuttle never came
On the commlink there's just static, every colony the same
We have sent some crew to get help on the ship that brings the mail
But I must keep up their spirits as the holder of the GRAIL
We still don’t know what has happened, but I know we must prevail
I will do my best to lead them as the holder of the GRAIL

[Verse 3]
It has been almost a decade since all contact first was lost
And the General’s iron rule has brought on us a heavy cost
She comes up while I am fishing, and says “Son, don’t look so pale
But the engineers have mutinied, and you still hold the GRAIL
Even here in hydroponics, well, the air is smelling stale
So I order you to take it from them, holder of the GRAIL."

[Verse 4]
I’m now locked inside my cabin, and outside there’s only death
I still hear the General curse me with her choking final breath
If it’s truly just this station to which now we are curtailed
Then the power of a god is with the holder of the GRAIL
Outside my door they are still coming, for I hear the turrets’ wail
And I must sleep forever as the holder of the GRAIL