Interlude: In the company of the archangels

[Kestra J'naya]

<< USS Excelsior-C – XO's office >>
<< December 9th 2385 – 1000 hours >>

A good day and a half of sleep, and she was still tired. Kestra yawned and took another sip of her coffee as she scrolled through the daily reports. With the ship back in transit to the starbase, everything was back to standard operation.

But she wasn't, not entirely.

Six months from Nretia and she was still feeling the weight of that mission on her soul... thank the gods that another emotional tonne hadn't been dropped onto her during this past mission. Her small shoulders could only take so much.

"Doesn't it bother you, how we just... go on as if we hadn't nearly died?" She had asked Neeva at breakfast that morning. The Ops chief flashed her a wide grin over the top of her mug and quipped "Welcome to Starfleet." in return. In that moment, Kestra couldn't help but realize that she had almost lost her best friend on that planet.

She'd quit starfleet, if only the stars and the science didn't call to her so strongly. She glanced out at them again, feeling odd and spellbound and just bound by their infinite possibilites.

And then a personnel issue in Medical flashed across her screen, bringing her back to reality with a sigh. Yes, things were back to normal.

-OFF-

OOC: And thus starts the interlude. We're in transit to the starbase for the next week, and then we start the next mission.

Interlude away!

[Paco Ryker Maraco]

--ON--

<< USS Excelsior-C – Chief Engineer's office >>
<< December 9th 2385 – 1100 hours >>

A day and a half a way form the ordeal that phased him out and back into reality. Maraco was letting the engineering teams take time off duty as long as there was at least a skeleton crew on duty to keep the ship running smoothly.

Maraco sat in his office and sipped a cup of hot chocolate. The steam was raising and making him think of the time he was a child and had his first cup of this Terran beverage. He had always enjoyed chocolate but the terran variety was so more flavorful to him. He enjoyed getting the treat everytime the Starfleet vessels would bring fresh shipment to Betazed.

As Maraco was lost in thought, Collins walked into his office. Collins was recovered from the phased condition where he realized that life was different than he thought. Collins also realized now being back in physical form that he needed to act upon his desires more often. Collins move up to Maraco and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Sir, I must say that I am happy to be back to serve you and the Excelisor. I must be true to myself now. I know it is wrong for me to say this but I must come out and tell you that I find you actractive." Collins stated to Maraco.

Maraco was shocked but knew it was coming sooner or later. "Well, I am not going to hold it against you, and you are welcome to come to me anytime to get things off your chest. However, you must know that my heart belongs to another." Maraco replied. "I can't deny my feelings for her. I have noticed that you looked at me with a sense of wonder before and I will not let that interfere with our working relationship or the friendship we have off duty but there can't be a physical relationship between us."

"I understand sir, but I had to come clean." Collins stated.

"Collins, as your ranking officer and your friend, you need to take some time off from your duties and recover from the experience you lived through. May I suggest the holodeck. I would recommend a recreation of Vaporian XXII-M. That planet is almost all vapor and the land mass that is at the core is so relaxing it is like you are surrounded by a warm massage as you float in the vapors. I would suggest doing this with the entrance sealed so you can fully enjoy the effects of the vapors and do it in the buff. Wonderful experience. Maybe we can take leave sometime and I can get you there in person as Hst and I go on to Trill.

"Okay, sir, I will take the time but I want you to know that I will come back if you call me." Collins replied.

Collins was surprised how Maraco took the announcement then he realized that Maraco likely sensed the message.

--Holodeck Three--

Collins approached the entrance.

"Computer, load Vaporian XXII-M." Collins requested.

"Program loaded and running. You may enter when ready, be prepared for weightless sensation upon entering." the Computer replied.

Collins entered the holodeck and the doors closed behind him. "Computer seal enterance per my authorization, Collins 8 beta delta 3.

"Entrance Sealed, Access Restricted. Replied the computer.

Collins removed his uniform and floated in the vapors that were massaging his body and also providing him with nurishment and hydration.

Soon, he realized that he wanted to interact with someone. He then summoned the computer.

"Computer, create a representation of Lieutenant Paco Maraco to the point that he can react like the real person but only within the context addressed and without his telepathic abilities."

Then a holographic Maraco appeared.

"Computer, remove Maraco's uniform so we can be on equal standing."

Then the holographic Maraco's uniform vanished.

"Thank you for suggesting this program it feels so wonderful." Collins said to Holographic Maraco.

"Well, I am glad you are enjoying it." Holographic Maraco replied.

"Would you mind if I asked you something?" Collins asked of the hologram.

"No, I would be okay with that." The hologram replied.

"Would you mind if we made love? I know you told me your feelings but I have to act mine out or I will go mad." Collins stated.

The Computer knowing that Maraco's personality profile was used to construct the hologram replied in like manner. "I don't think I could do that. My heart belongs to another. Please understand where I am coming from."

"Computer, this is my fantasy, please allow me to have my way with this character." Collins commanded.

"Unable to comply. The request falls outside of the holodeck protocols and outside of the specifiec parameters of the character's creation. Unable to make characters do out of character interactions." The computer chimed in.

Then the program shut down and Collins found himself naked on the floor of a deactivated holodeck. He quickly ran over to his uniform adn got dressed. He exited the holodeck. "Computer, deactivated Vaporian XXII-M Collins eight beta delta three."

Collins then went directly to his quarters and locked himself in.

Meanwhile in his office, Maraco was going over the many reports that were backlogged on his desk. He was getting caught up on all that had happened on the ship while he was lost on the planet. He then noticed a flashing light on his monitor. The computer was notifying him of the access to his personality profile. He accessed that file and read that Collins accessed it to make a holographic version of him.

"Computer, please place in the records that I recommend Collins for transfer to another ship for violation of the character of a superior officer and misconduct." Maraco asked of the computer.

"Recommendation for Transfer for Ensign Collins added to his record and notification sent to the Captain and Starfleet Personnel Records database." The Computer replied.

"Computer, is Holodeck One booked for tomorrow night?" Maraco asked.

"Holodeck One is free tomorrow. What time would you like to book?" replied the computer.

"Book the holodeck for me from 1800 hours until 0000 hours. Want to have a Betaziod picnic on Vega Six Prime with the time of day being third sunset and the time of year being fourth cycle of low humid tides."

"Time has been booked and program will be started at 1600 hours." Computer stated.

Now all Maraco had to do was confirm wth Hst that she was available for some one on one time with her beau and they would have a date and enjoy the lost company of each other.

--OFF--

[Shria Hst]

Shria was in her office pacing. She had just gotten his message. She was in a turmoil, the pit of her stomach was doing the flip flops. She called him on the intercom.

10 minutes later, a lounge on one of the decks of the saucer section

"It's not me, it's you...I mean it's not you it's me."

"What?!"

"I need time to think..about me, us,.... everything."

"I don't understand." He saw a flash of Maxwell in her mind. "It's him?! Isn't it?!" his voice went up in volume. People walking by turned to look at them.

"I don't know. I'm not sure. I just need time...."

"You said that."

"Yes. Yes, I did. And that is all I am going to say for now. I'm sorry if I'm hurting you, and I know I am, but I need time to work some things out, and you and me are pretty high on that list. I'll call you..soon." She got up and walked away, feeling like she had just shot a puppy, but feeling somewhat relieved that it was out in the open.

Off:
Dear Kam....
Adds tension to the story line.

[Asuka Yubari]

U.S.S. Excelsior-C | Yubari's Quarters
December 9th, 2385 | 1200 Hours

The stars streaked past the ship through the several windows that lined the wall opposite the door, from right to left, constant as ever. The room was quiet except for the clinking of metal cutlery on porcelain plates. Two sets of clinking echoed throughout the sparsely furnished quarters.

"Commander, if you don't mind me asking, what is the situation with you son?" Ensign Lasaia, Commander Yubari's trusted second-in-command of the security division, and confidante said, setting her cutlery down on the plate in finish position.

"Honestly, there have been changes and developments." Yubari hadn't finished her lunch, she paused to cut up a piece of meat. "Honestly, the last tie I heard, he was going to spend time on Earth with a friend of the teacher's, and Bezu has been assigned to a position on Earth, so he'll stay with him." She raised her fork to her mouth.

"And how does that make you feel?" Lasaia leaned back in the chair.

"At first, I wanted to kill everything within sight, but that would not help my case." Yubari finished her meal and picked up the two sets of dishes and set them in the replicator. "Recycle." The two sets of dishes disappeared.

"Are you planning on fighting it?"

"No."

"That seems unlike you."

"Perhaps, but Adow refusing to fix the phaser emitters seems to be channeling my anger for the moment." Yubari pressed a button above the replicator alcove and two glasses materialized. She picked up the two glasses and set them on the table.

"Why is she not fixing them?"

"Because 'the base monkeys can deal with it'." Yubari said, mockingly. "Plus, I think she was sick and tired of me standing over her shoulder in engineering."

"Perhaps."

"I don't know if I have the drive to deal with this anymore."

"You're in one of the most prestigious positions in the fleet, if that isn't drive enough, I don't know what is."

"It used to be exciting, but at the same time, it's becoming harder and harder to deal with. Too much baggage, you know?"

"There'll be challenges in the future that will require you here."

"There sure has been, if I weren't here, Lorhrok wouldn't have a voice of reason, he'd be stuck spewing sensationalist orders."

"You're still mad at him for the happenings at the planet?" Lasaia took a single gulp from the glass, that wasn't too full, and then set it back down on the table and stood up.

"Yes. He could have had us all killed if we weren't lucky enough to have been served a way to not die." Yubari took a single gulp from her glass and tossed it across the room, the shattering of the glass broke through the silence, Lasaia flinched. "Speaking of lack of drive, I feel like that he just rebuffs my attempts to help him, and it isn't working."

"Well, you have until we return to starbase to decide what is going to happen."

"We shall see."

"Now, I'm going to start on my portion of the rounds, if you'll excuse me."

"You're excused." Yubari slumped in her chair, contemplating.

OFF

Just some general Yubari-esque venting of frustration at the past mission. Nothing personal involved.

[Paco Ryker Maraco]

--ON--

<< USS Excelsior-C – walking around the ship>>
<< December 9th 2385 – 1200 hours >>

Paco was shocked and upset but knew that his Imzadi had been through a lot during the last mission. He wanted to be with her but wanted her to have her space and sort things out. He knew that she understood why he wanted to spend time with her but he also knew that she was confused. He watched her walk away from the lounge where she told him to allow her some time.

He noticed that she was sorting through thoughts and emotions that were very overpowering. He had to do all he could to repel peering into her mind to allow her to collect herself.

As he left the lounge he walked aimlessly about the ship and just focused on keeping his mind on track with what he needed to deal with. Then he recalled the last conversation with Collins and the message the computer gave him about his profile. Maraco then headed for Collins' quarters.

Maraco approached the doorway and waited for Collins to tell the computer it was ok for him to enter. However, nothing happened. Maraco waited a few moments then chimmed the door again. Still no response.

"Computer, Location of crewman, Collins?" Maraco asked.

"Collins is in his quarters." The Computer replied.

"Computer, Emergency Entrance Override, Authorization Maraco Two, Alpha Tango Charlie Three." Maraco ordered.

The doors to Collins' quarters opened and Maraco rushed in. He found Collins lieing on the floor. Maraco checked for a pulse and could not find one.

"Maraco to Sickbay. I need an emergency team to my location immediately. I have a crewman who is not breathing and is without a pulse." Maraco stated as he tapped his commbadge.

The emergency team arrived and pronounced Collins dead. They then prepped his body for analysis. The computer scanned his body and found a strange combination of plasma in his system that were not fatal in their individual forms but mixed just right would kill in seconds if consumed.

Maraco then had to deal with the fact that he was at fault for Collins' death. Because he rejected Collins, that drove him to kill himself. Maraco had to schedule an appointment with Rustwick but he wanted to take sometime to himself as well.

Maraco went to his quarters and sat in the chair that faced the window. He stared out into space and projected his thoughts to as a distant of a point as he could. Scary thing was that he felt his thoughts hit something and he wondered what he was doing. He had read his records and knew at one time he had a strong psyonic ability but that an accident took it to a more mortal level. He thought, what if the ability is coming back what then. So he began to meditate. He had to keep Shria's thoughts out of his mind while she took time to adjust. He had to keep Collins's death out of his mind so he could focus on the rest of the crew and the ship and keeping them safe. He basically shut down his physical body and let his mind take control of the meditation.

--OUT--

[Neeva]

An acropolis stretched into the sky, perched on a cliff of black stone at least one hundred feet above, probably more. It was shining like it was made of a precious metal. Neeva held an arm in front of her eyes to shield them from the brightness of the sky and the city. Below, where she stood, it was all dense forest. It was muggy, and insects swarmed her. She used the wide-brimmed fedora to fan herself and tightened her satchel for climbing. She had to reach the city by sunset, or…it was just a feeling that said ‘get there before dark.’

She began the ascent, partly climbing rocks and partly climbing vines, clinging to ledges. Every muscle ached from her arms, to her heck, her stomach and calves. Her hat nearly fell, she caught it and nearly fell but then caught herself as well. The rock still held its heat and her hands burned, but the city was waiting for her. She could hear life going on above. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people enjoying a peaceful existence.

At last her fingers gripped the top of the cliff. As Neeva pulled herself up the setting sun caught her eyes across the city, and the suddenness blinded her. Half on solid ground, she shielded her eyes again and pulled herself bodily onto the plateau. She squinted over her arm at the glow of high-rising, marble-smooth architecture, modern buildings with an ancient feel. Vague people went to and fro, some with their children, smiling.

A shadow began to fall across the city as the light dropped below the cliffs. She could see it stretching, and so could the citizens. They turned to the fading light, and disappeared with the dusk. Buildings cracked and crumbled, thousands of years passed with the creeping shade until the last glint was gone from the last building, and the last light darkened right under Neeva’s hands.

She was suddenly overwhelmed and beat the dirt with her fist, lying there on the edge of the plateau. Giant birds burst in flocks from the jungle and rushed over the city in a great flutter of feathers and grating, beeping calls.

When Neeva sat up, she stared through tearful eyes at the wraiths wandering through the great streets and laughed with their children. Walking among them, none noticed her, some stepped right though her leaving great chills.

From the highest tower, she looked out at the now gray and dim structures leaning and threatening to topple. She would wait there until morning, because even if it took millennia, she knew that every planet with day would eventually rotate and revolve back toward the sun.

The birds perched here and there where there where it was stable, beeping up at the dark sky. The moon rose up and she watched it cross the sky, anticipation building in her entire body as it neared the ground again, waiting for the sun. It was close, and the birds were screaming….

Beep beeep. Beep beeep.

She gripped the ledge she was leaning on, desperate not to be dragged away.

Beep beeep. Beep Beeep.

Her eyes opened in the darkness of her quarters, in bed. It was at least twenty-three C, and she was sweating. The covers were kicked everywhere. Her computer was beeping, loudly, trying to tell her she had an incoming communication.

“Lights,” she muttered, and covered her eyes painfully when they came on and blinded her.

The light falling over the edge caught her eyes in a flash.

She sat in front of the console and accepted the message without thinking. An older man with beautiful eyes and short, mostly-gray hair looked at her with great amusement.

“Night shift?” he asked knowingly. What other reason would there be for a high-ranking department head to be rubbing the sleep out of her eyes at noon?

“Yes,” she answered, and tried to summon excitement over grogginess.

“Good. I was hoping it wasn’t just the insomnia. How are you, little one?”

“I’m fine, Allonz,” she informed her uncle. “Good, actually. I’m good. Why the unexpected call?”

“The schedule says the Excelsior and the Fortunata are going to be docked at the same time. I was hoping you would have lunch with an old man. I haven’t seen you since…” He recovered admirably with faked senility, but sharp edges can’t pretend to be dull. “…I can’t remember. So it’s been too long.”

“Of course. We’ll meet at starbase.”

“Have you heard from Jason?” He tried to stop it, really he did, but the CAG broke into a quietly laughing grin. He’d always been fond of teasing Neeva. “Or your mother?”

“I got a letter, actually,” Neeva replied. Both of them looked suitably surprised.

“Well, life never ceases to amaze me. Letters from home. You’re sure you’re getting older, not younger?”

“I’m still getting older. More so some days than others.”

Allonz Fellows sighed. “That means I’m getting older too. But I guess that’s the order of things. I’ll see you when we dock, green. Or have you decided to make me call you Commander yet, ma’am?”

“Don’t mock your superior officers, Chief.”

“And don’t berate your elders, little one. Allonz out.”

“See you in a few days, Allonz.”

The communication ended. Neeva grabbed the brown fedora on her table, slid into a leather jacket, and headed for the holodeck.

[Aurora Rustwick]

- ON -

<< U.S.S. Excelsior-C, Counselor’s Quarters >>
<< December 12th, 2385 0915 >>

Aurora toyed with the ring on her left hand, spinning it round and round and watching the reflected light glimmer off of the wall. “We could wait, you know. We don’t have to do this right away.”

Her companion leaned against her, one arm around her waist, the other resting comfortably on her midsection. “I’ve had that for months, just waiting for the right time,” he said pointedly as he nodded at her left hand. “I can’t imagine a better time than the present.”

Her stomach knotted. “Are you sure? I don’t every want you to feel as if you were entrapped, because I certainly…”

“Yes, yes, I know, you’re entirely capable of raising two children on your own and blah, blah, blah,” he interrupted, rolling his eyes. “I’m not doing this because I think I need to. I’m doing it because I want to.” He leaned forward to catch her eye. “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

She shook her head. “No, it’s just that this has all happened so fast.”

John laughed. “Maybe for you. I’ve known I would marry you since the day you spilled coffee on me in the corridor.”

“You’re full of it.” She looked around at the floor suddenly, missing something. “Where’s Isaac?”

“Kenneled for the duration of our honeymoon.” He stood up and took her hand, helping her to her feet. “We’re going to be late, and the Chaplain will not appreciate that.”

“Fine,” she grumbled, rubbing her lower back as she stood. Her fiancé straightened the collar of her uniform and, holding hands, they walked out the door.

<< Captain’s Ready Room >>
<< 1330 >>

The counselor stood in front of her captain, patiently waiting for him to finish reading the letter. He placed it in front of him, leaned back in his chair, and regarded her curiously. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”

“Yes, Sir, I am. I can’t raise the twins when I’m constantly on away missions.” She smiled sadly, surprised by the twinge of regret she was feeling. “Besides, I’ve never felt cut out for this. That’s not to say I haven’t enjoyed it,” she added hastily. “But I think I could best serve in a civilian capacity and continue to support the mental health department, if you’d allow me to do so.”

Lorhrok looked at her thoughtfully for a few moments. Finally, he nodded and stood. “I accept your resignation, Lieutenant.” He held out a hand and she shook it firmly.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Oh, and congratulations on your nuptials. Warrick is a lucky man.”

She beamed. “I’ll be sure to tell him you said so.”

“Best of luck to you both. I’m sure I’ll see you around here.”

“You will.” As she departed the ready room, Aurora decided to take the long way back to her quarters. This was her last day in uniform, and she couldn’t repress the urge to make it last as long as possible.

- OFF -

[Shria Hst]

December 9th 2385 – 1700 hours >>

Shria had finished her report on what Elbrun, Maxwell and she had seen in the caverns. The threat from the psychotic Iconian computer entity, it's made but impotent threats.

She saved the file and sent it to Kestra.

SHe had much to think about. Shria realized something had changed in the caverns of the long forgotten Iconian colony. Something had triggered a joined Trill defensive neural trigger.

It was called the Noestanoche tengo unjefeache. It was literally a disinterest in sex, or partnering for that matter.

It was a time for the host and symbiot to bond. To get to know each other and no one else. Sometimes it happened right away at the time of joining. Sometimes it took longer.

Shria had also heard of what Collins had done to himself. It was a small ship for it's enormous size.

She had to be certain that her 'love' for Paco was real and not a telepathic artifact of their shared dream state when they first met. It had to be real for her, and not some telepathic iunduced fantasy, although the sex had been the greatest the symbiot had experienced in 4 life times.

[Robert J. Maxwell]

OOC: I'm retaking a little sub-plot I started back on my first days on the Excelsior. For those of you who don't know what is going on check here

--ON--

<< Runabout U.S.S. Potomac - En route to Deep Space Nine >>
<< December 4th, 2385 | 2215 Hours >>

Commander Mark Gershon checked the ship's course and estimated ETA... again. It was the fourth time in two hours he had done so.

"Damn it!! Can't you make this bucket of bolts go any faster?" he suddenly snapped at his companion. It had been two days since the Potomac had left Cardassia Prime in a veil of secrecy... and haste. For Gershon it seemed that they had been at warp for over a month.

Lieutenant Martinez, his pilot, was well aware that the Commander's question was a rhetorical one, and just shrugged.

Three months ago, when Gershon had spoken with Robert Maxwell concerning his uncle's death, he had been amused by Maxwell's petition to select a, then unknown, Cardassian Gul as Diplomatic liason to the Federation. He had even been relieved that Maxwell was asking him such a petty favor in order to get even. After all, he had just told him to keep an eye on Jeran.

Facts are, it took Gershon over a month to notice that it was Jeran that was keeping an eye on him. And even worse, he had learnt why Maxwell was so concerned with that man... and why Benjamin Maxwell had risked all to find him.

It was now him that was risking his life to reach the nearest Federation Starbase by the quickest means possible and deliver the information he had collected. He couldn't rely on standard subspace channels to transmit the data. Not with the newly reformed Obsidian Order watching his every move... not with Jeran lurking over him.

That was the reason he had been forced to leave Cardassia Prime in a runabout. He couldn't afford to wait for six days until the Stalwart returned to Cardassia Prime.

Now he just prayed that his departure had been kept a secret. He no longer could trust anyone... He glanced at Martinez. Not even him.

Martinez suddenly reacted to an alarm coming from the CONN console. Gershon turned towards him:

"What's going on?"

"I... I... don't know what to make of it, Sir" he glanced at a nearby monitor "I'm registering a power buildup of unknown type originating near our port nacelle"

Gershon stood up and checked the readings "My God..." he muttered recognizing the power signature "Cut all power to the warp engines!!! Do it now! Do it ..."

Gershon's shouting was interrupted abruptly when the explosive planted on the Potomac's warp nacelled detonated, reducing the runabout and its ocuppants to a mere collection of dust and organic particles.

But of course, in the vacuum of space, no one noticed.

<< U.S.S. Excelsior - Robert Maxwell's quarters >>
<< December 7th, 2385 | 0215 Hours >>

Robert's sleeping was cut short by the molest buzzing noise originating from the computer console on his desk. He got out of bed, looked at himself in the mirror (he was wearing nothing but his standard issue Starfleet pajamas), shrugged, and made his way to the console.

He tapped the activation button so hard he nearby threw the console to the floor. The monitor activated and revealed a stern looking woman of about fifty wearing Liutenant Commander's insignia.

"Lieutenant Robert James Maxwell?" the woman asked, ignoring Robert's attire completely.

"I answer by that name. What is it, Commander?"

"There is a private coded message for you incoming from a..." she glanced at a nearby PADD "Commander Mark Gershon, from Starfleet Intelligence. Priority Two"

"Why hasn't Gershon contacted me directly" Robert inquired.

"Because he can't. We lost contact with his runabout three days ago..."

--OFF--

[Kestra J'naya]

--ON--

<<USS Excelsior C, Outside Holodeck One>>
<<December 12th, 2385, 17:30 hrs>>

Expletives in a number of languages combined with crashing metallic sounds could be heard through the holodeck doors just before they opened to release the occupant. Kestra, red faced, flashing-eyed, and lightly dusted with flour stormed out, calling over her shoulder, “Computer, end the effing program!”

This had been Rustwick’s idea, to get back into some of the activities that she had abandoned after Nretia. The counselor hadn’t believed the protests that she was fine and had moved on… “Then, if you’re okay, it won’t hurt you to bake a cake, no?” The Betazoid had given her a sympathetic smile. “Just give it a try, okay, Commander?” So, a basic pound cake… specifically to prove the Counselor wrong, it was.

Kestra didn’t make it past the pound of butter before all of the resurfacing emotions had become overwhelming. The pound of flour (and its bowl) had, instead, been flung across the room with a satisfying clang.

That had gone over well. A sarcastic voice chimed in her head.

She made her way to the Counselor’s office, barreled past the protesting assistant, and straight into Rustwick’s office. “You’re right, happy? I’m not over—“ She began as she entered with a belligerent edge before noticing that the office was empty and stopping short.

A throat cleared and Kestra whipped around to face the apologetic assistant. “Uhm, ma’am… you don’t know, do you?” At the XO’s blank look, the young man shifted nervously. “Counselor Rustwick resigned today. I—I can get one of the other members of the counseling staff…”

She waved him off weakly and made her way to the doorway. “No, I’m… okay.”

Out in the corridor, she tried to regain her composure. She didn’t need a counselor for this—in fact, this resurgence of feelings was all Rustwick’s fault, anyway. Lips set in a frown, Kestra made her way to the lift—perhaps some time going over reports in her office would be… restful. “Deck two.”

As the doors started closing, she heard a man’s voice call out, “Hold that lift!” before sliding through just in time. Reyes, slightly out of breath, gave the Risan a wide smile. “Ma’am.”

“Martin.” The lift sped up a number of floors. “You didn’t tell the computer which deck you’re going to…”

He winked at her. “That’s because I was looking for you. You owe me a dinner.”

Kestra contemplated the engineer silently for a few floors. She knew his type and had tried keeping him at arm’s length for months, but anything was better than dealing with the myriad of emotions currently resurfacing. “Your quarters, in a quarter hour?”

Reyes looked taken aback for a second before grinning even wider. “I’ll have to battle with the replicator to make some decent food since it’s a little short notice…”

Mum and all of the counselors she had ever encountered always called her self-destructive whenever she encountered emotions or problems that she didn’t want to face. Nothing like jumping into that self-destruction with both feet. “Don’t worry about the food.” She exited the lift in a cloud of flour, leaving behind a very surprised Ensign.

-OFF-

[Neeva]

--ON--

<<USS Excelsior-C – Captain’s Ready Room>>
<<December 11, 0845 Hours>>

Captain Lorhrok’s hands rested calmly on the big window looking out from his ready room. Space was hanging around outside, dark and cold and not rushing by at warp. That was one of the things he would miss most: Warp; warp drive; the warp core. He would miss everything, but higher powers than himself had decided he would be of more use elsewhere, and he couldn’t actually argue. He had reasoned it to everyone as ‘for the best.’ There was still a lot on the Excelsior that couldn’t heal until he left the center chair. There was a lot in him that couldn’t heal until he left the center chair.

Alecz Lorhrok had always been rational. The rationale just never made anything easier or hurt less. It made sense that someone with experience in new, difficult planet-side colonies would be assigned to build a colony—that didn’t make leaving the Excelsior less painful. It made sense than when a chain of command is compromised it needs fixing—that didn’t make sitting on the bridge with Neeva at ops for hours every day any easier.

This was going to be a clean break, and breaks always healed faster than sprains.

His bag was packed and sitting next to the desk. He would be leaving at nine.

It was Aleczhander Lorhrok’s thirty-second birthday, and a small, simply-wrapped parcel Neeva had handed to him was sitting buried in his bag. Kestra had baked him a combination goodbye and happy birthday cake he couldn’t have stomached, and he sent it down to L with a note attached saying, ‘Have my cake and eat it, too. –Lorhrok’

So maybe he’d been feeling a little angry. So maybe he’d felt like lashing out a little. So maybe he had sent it with a completely unreadable subtext of, ‘I miss Alcar Dovan, but you can’t be him, he was my friend.’

Alecz dropped his head, dropped his hands, and grabbed his bag. The powers that be were moving him quickly. He was positive the entire ship blamed him for leaving without much notice, though. He could take that. They still blamed him for a lot of things.

He looked around the ready room for a few more moments, and felt a rush of memories that would have brought him to his knees if he hadn’t left so quickly the door almost didn’t have time to open.


<<Transporter Room>>
<<0855 Hours>>

The feel of the transporter room was like the one on the bridge: The Captain and his Number One were standing amicably together, while the Captain and his Chief of Operations acted like the closest they had ever been was a drink in a holodeck lodge. Yubari flanked the side Kestra wasn’t at. They would be the ones to take over, Yubari finally getting the position she felt she deserved.

Last night had been the time for goodbyes. Now, with an Admiral beaming in, was not, and the room was uncomfortably quiet. It should have been a time for linking arms, but everyone felt rigid and unsure of the moment. Unsure, also, of how the Excelsior’s command team would look at the end of the day.
The transporter pad shimmered and a tall, handsome half-human appeared. He looked like brass material—confident, in-charge, and aware of both. When he stepped down, the Excelsior team stepped forward and saluted.

“Admiral Karapleedeez,” Alecz greeted. The two shook hands. “Welcome to the Excelsior.”

“Thank you, Captain. I’ve heard so much.” The smile he gave was almost offensively ambiguous. No one even bothered to ask, All of it good, I hope?

“My crew may have a difficult time with the transition. It was sudden.”

Onnar Karapleedeez looked out at the all-female top-ranking crew, and noted that none of them seemed especially broken up, if maybe a little disgruntled.

“I’m sure the crew will do fine.” ‘The’ crew, not ‘your’ crew.

“They’ll do better than that.” Lorhrok turned and looked at the assembled as well. To Yubari, he grasped her shoulder and gave her a firm nod. You didn’t say goodbye to a warrior princess with flowers. “I trust you to keep the ship safe. You were in charge of her security—you still are now, but in a much bigger way.”

He clasped Kestra’s hand, and told her: “None of us have ever thought we were ready for this job. Some of us are, some of us aren’t. I think you are, Kestra—I picked you as my XO for a reason. The crew trusts you. Try trusting yourself.” Kestra nodded. They’d talked for more than an hour late the night before. He’d told her much more than that.

At the end of the line he held out a hand, and Neeva shook it. “Commander,” he said quietly.

“Sir,” she replied.

They stared at each other, but what kind of trust could they talk about in front of a group of people? It was impossible to say, when they weren’t even sure what kind of trust they still shared.

He said nothing, she said nothing, they released hands and Lorhrok replaced Karapleedeez on the transporter. “Mister Lorth?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Weren’t you going to retire?”

“Working on it, sir.”

“Thank you, Mister Lorth.” He sighed unhappily and watched his people watch him. “Thank you. Activate.”

Alecz Lorhrok was caught up in a glass of swirling glitter, and then, he was gone.

<<Starbase 911 – Temporary Quarters>>
<<Later>>

A few articles of clothes were set neatly on the bed. A pair of pyjamas, some socks, a combadge, and the little brown package with his name on it. He’d been looking at it for ten minutes now, and could feel the seconds counting down until he decided to pick it up and open it.

He finally did. It was a book, faded red and very old. The title on the spine was simple and short, written in Trill.

VEX.

On the inside was a bookmark with untidy writing.

From First Matey Jacky O'Mallic, The Pirate in the Pink Pants.

--OFF--

OOC: Please hold all questions until Kestra makes an OOC post.

[Nathaniel Delaran]

<<Starbase 911 - Eddie's Happy Bottom Riding Club>>
<<December 12, 1200 Hours>>

Nathaniel read over the PADD before him with a forced straight face as the Romulan before him devoured a grilled cheese sandwich and a plate of onion rings. He cleared his throat and the man looked up to face him.

"Are you qualified?" Nathaniel asked.

"Does the PADD say I am?"

"Well, I don't know. I'm noting several gaps simply marked 'Classified.' For one thing it doesn't actually say where you went to Med School."

"I am a perfectly legitimate M.D., I promise."

"Where from?"

"Probably nowhere very good since I didn't write it down, couldn't have had any other reason."

"Seriously."

"It's private, Dr. Delaran."

"This is a job interview."

"Yes."

"To be a Doctor."

"Mhm."

"You don't feel that that's a pertinent piece of information? You don't think the guy interviewing you for a job as a Doctor has a right to know about your degree?"

"No."

"Well then you won't get the job."

"I'm the only applicant."

Nathaniel was taken aback.

"How do you know that?"

The Romulan looked back at him intently. "I know."

"Well I still need to know--"

"Doctor Delaran," the man cut him off. "Given your..." he glanced at the wheelchair, "condition, there are certain duties that you have severe difficulty performing. While you certainly have the mental capacity for medicine, you need a licensed medical professional to assist you in certain more physical aspects of the job. So you need a doctor who will take a reduced patient load to help you with your work, do everything you say exactly as you want, while still accepting joint responsibility for your mistakes. It's not the greatest job in the world, but I'm here to do it."

Nathaniel sighed and picked the PADD up again. "You have surgical experience?"

"I've cut a few people open in my time."

"And I understand you've served on Excelsior before."

"Yes."

"In what capacity?"

"Medical."

"Alright, get out of here."

"Do I get the job?"

"Yes, go. Excelsior's in dock, go find yourself some quarters."

"Thank you, Doctor."

-OFF-

[Jordyn Elbrun]

<< Mess Hall - USS Excelsior >>
<< 1323 hours - December 12th, 2385 >>

As Nathaniel gazed into his chicken dumplings with seeming fixation, he realized that he hadn't said anything for several minutes. "Alright, so, I'm sorry," he said.

"About what?" Jordyn asked, taking a bite of the cheeseburger before him.

"Disappearing for several months in the midst of your treatment."

The science chief just shrugged his shoulders. "It's alright. The Doctor you left in charge handled them well."

"Yeah, well, soon as I can, I'm going to take a look at your tests to make sure."

"Alrighty." Jordyn took a frenchfry and dipped it into mayonaise mixed with mustard.

Nathaniel squinted at the mixture for a moment, wanting desperately to look away, and yet unable to. "That's disgusting man, I mean, it's a crime against...I don't even know."

"It's amazing. Here, try it," he said, holding out a fry to the man.

"I'll stick to my ranch dressing, thank you very much."

"Suit yourself." And with that, the frenchfry disappeared within his hungry maw.

"What happened while I was gone?"

"Nothing real interesting."

"I find that hard to believe."

"Trust me. Just don't worry about it."

"Alright. I'm getting the impression that no one's asking these questions any more. When I got back, I figured I'd have to be beating off nosy people with a stick about where I'd been."

"Well, I'm curious. I just didn't want to be nosey," Jordyn said, taking another bite of hs burger.

"I was on Elaysia. Tiny little god-forsaken hole that it is."

"Why were you there?"

"My Sister took sick. I'm the family doctor, so you know. Plus I had to translate a bunch of medical documents for my Mom and Stepdad and help them around and stuff."

"I'm so sorry, is she alright?"

"Yeah, I made sure she was out of the hospital before I left. It's a little harder for hybrids living on Elaysia or Earth, our immune systems are never quite set for it."

"Makes sense." Jordyn set his burger down. "So I heard you hired a new doctor?"

"Sort of, just someone to help me around a little. He creeps me out."

"He should. He's a bastard."

"Didn't realize you'd had the pleasure."

"He was leaving as I was coming aboard."

"What'd he do? Sleep with your boyfriend or something?"

"No, nothing like that," Jordyn reploied. "He just wasn't watching out for my Sister like I wished he had."

"Why was he...nevermind, this sounds like a very long story."

"Honestly, I don't know the whole story. Suffice it to say, he left her for dead on Romulus."

"Ah, well then. I guess I wish I'd known he'd be a problem before I hired him."

"To my knowledge it's not a recurring problem. And also, I don't know the circumstances."

"But you hate him anyway?"

"I never said I hated him. I said he's a bastard."

"Either way. Did you ever ask him about the circumstances?"

"I don't remember that part. He may have." Jordyn shrugged.

"Well, now's your chance," Nathaniel replied nodding toward the Romulan who had entered the mess hall. A small boy who seemed to resemble him followed next to him. Maiek approached the table, ignoring Jordyn and looked to Nathaniel.

"Doctor Delaran, I wanted to discuss the patient in bed three."

"I put him on Ibuprofen for the fever, we'll wait and see."

"Yes, Doctor. Mr. Elbrun." He nodded curtly to Jordyn and walked off toward an empty table.

"I'd rather not, at least not right now."

"Suit yourself. Who's that kid?"

Jordyn shrugged.

"If he's his, who the hell would reproduce with someone like that," he whispered.

Jordyn giggled. "Certainly not me."

OFF

[Asuka Yubari]

This takes place before Neeva's last post.

USS Excelsior-C | Transporter Room
December 11th, 2385 | 0845 Hours

The air in the transporter room was still, it didn't even stir, much like the Commander as she stood waiting, leaning against the transporter console, much to the chagrin of Chief Lorth, who asked her to not lean against the console multiple times, but she didn't acknowledge. The only thing that moved soon after were the doors sliding open, revealing Bezu Yubari, with Ichiro in one arm, a duffel bag in the other. He stood silently in the doorway for a minute. He then proceeded to enter.

"Well, it looks like we'll be heading back to Earth for a while." Bezu took the first of two steps onto the transporter pad, then turned to face his younger sister.

"You are right." Yubari was quiet, she didn't stand up from leaning against the console, her arms still folded.

"Well, do you at least want to say goodbye to your son?"

"I will do that, at least." She pushed herself away from the console and stepped up the step of the transporter pad. She turned towards Ichiro and silently placed a kiss on his forehead. She then placed her hand on his head and combed backwards. "If you do anything that would be detrimental to my son, there will be no where in this galaxy you can hide."

"You'd kill your own brother if that were the case?"

"Yes." Yubari was cold, as usual.

"I see." Bezu smacked his teeth with his lips nervously. "So I guess this is goodbye for now in any case."

"I guess it is." Yubari stepped down from the step and paced backwards to the middle of the room. Bezu stepped onto the transporter pad.

"Mister Lorth, beam Commander Yubari and my son to the Lepanto."

"Co-ordinates locked, ma'am.

"Energize." The duo on the transporter disappeared into a flash of blue. Asuka let out a heavy sigh.

"Ma'am?"

"Nothing." Asuka turned to exit the transporter room. "It's going to be a long day and week." A voice came over the comm almost instantly after.

"Commanders Yubari and Neeva, please report to transporter room three." The executive officer's voice was quip and playful still, despite all the goings-on. Yubari stepped back from the door to wait, she leaned back up against the console.

OFF

OOC: Lraac came up with the name "Lepanto".

[Kestra J'naya]

--ON--

<<USS Excelsior-C – Stellar Cartography>>
<<December 13, 0600 Hours>>

Music echoed through Stellar Cartography, a compliment to the stars filling the screens around her. She'd only heard this song once before, in this very spot-- "Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown, And things seem hard or tough, and people are stupid, obnoxious or daft and you feel that you've had quite enough..."-- but the words resonated through her comfortingly. Kestra closed her eyes and listened, trying to go back to a time before Admirals and command changes and difficult choices. Stellar Cartography felt like an oasys, her escape.

"Ma'am?" A voice broke her reverie and Kestra opened her eyes annoyedly. Demetropolous was next to her, frowning apologetically. "Sorry to bother you--"

"It's okay, I need to get out of here anyway." she said tiredly, then, "Computer, end audio." The Risan looked back over at the science officer when the music stopped. "What do you need?"

He handed her a slim black box. "Before he left, Captain Lorhrok said to give this to you if you came in here."

Kestra stared at the box in her hands without opening it and, after a second's confusion started laughing. "The fekking bastard. Oh, Alecz, you definitely surprised me." She pat a very confused Demetropolous on the shoulder, "Thank you, D. I needed that." as she exited Stellar Cartography, still shaking with laughter.

<<Captain's Ready Room>>
<<December 13, 1000 Hours>>

Kestra unconsciously rubbed the third solid pip on her collar as she contemplated the note in her hands. Lorhrok had, in true Excelsior fashion, managed to surprise the heck out of her with her promotion-- and had managed to stick it to the admiral at the same time.

And, in true Lorhrok fashion, had decided not to stop with her. "I have a favor to ask of you..." the note read, "think of it as helping me fulfill my last duty as the Excelsior's captain..." A second streamlined black box lay heavy in her hands. "I need you to put this box..."

<<Ship's Armoury>>
<<1110 Hrs>>

As per orders, Kestra sat the box directly on the shelf of phaser rifles and walked out of the Armoury, shaking her head.

"Alecz, you'd better be right," she muttered, "Because she'll kill me if I mess this up."

--OFF--