Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries
- Thread starter DavidFalkayn
- Start date
I'm glad everyone is enjoying this. I'll admit this was an intense and difficult scene to write and I am putting pretty much everyone through the wringer here. I felt that I needed to bring in the gore to show just how destructive, evil--and mad--this particular pah-wraith is. This adventure will shake the Lexington crew to their very core.
Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 5
Even though far removed now in time, rank, and experience from the events of that horrible day, Admiral Bateson shuddered visibly as he recounted what he had seen and witnessed to the small group of officers gathered together around a briefing table in one of the Sutherland’s conference rooms. “When security arrived...” the admiral recounted as Boris Rodenko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “...we couldn’t take Jennifer to sickbay—it was still a mess. From what I was told, blood and gore was everywhere—besides, Aliz was still tied up in restraints there. And there was no way we were going to let her stay in her quarters—even after Nealo’s people had gone through it and everything had been cleaned up. So...Talana took her to her quarters.” Flashing a warm smile, Morgan began to ramble, “God bless Talana...and Cilla too. When Cilla heard about what happened—she didn’t waste any time—she got there right away and stuck by Jennifer.”
“Damn.” Commander Sam Lavelle, the Sutherland’s executive officer, cursed in low voice as he listened quietly to Admiral Bateson’s recollections of that fateful day. “So...you’re telling us that Captain Shelby is stuck on the Lexington in the 23rd century with whatever that thing is...”
*********************************************************************
“Easy Commodore...” Dr. Vincent advised as he helped Commodore Wesley to his feet. “Over here.” The physician instructed as he guided the weakened Lexington skipper to a chair next to the biobed occupied by the blonde starship captain from the future who was at that moment rising to a sitting position.
“And you...” The doctor admonished, turning on his other patient, “...what do you think you’re doing.”
“What does it look like, Doctor?” Liz retorted, the note of command in her voice immediately getting a reaction out of the commodore who turned his head towards her. “I’m getting out of this damned bed and getting to work. You’ve got wounded here...” she declared, her heart skipping as she laid eyes on her grandfather, “...and you’re shorthanded right now. So...until some more of your people can get in here...where do you want me?”
“She’s got you there, Doc.” Robert said, wincing as he tried to laugh.
“Captains! You always think you can do anything.” Charles groused, “I guess some things never change.” Bowing down to the inevitable, Dr. Vincent conceded, “I assume you’ve had at least basic Starfleet medical training? All right. See to Commander Kuznetsov. And whatever you do...” the doctor warned, “Stay away from Ensign Bathory.”
Watching as her sedated grandmother thrashed angrily at her restraints, Liz repressed a sob as she turned her attention to the Lexington’s Russian first officer, “Right, Doctor.” She acknowledged as she grabbed a first aid kit and began ministering to her patient. “I’m on it.”
************************************************************************
“Were there any ideas as to what caused Ensign Bathory to do what she did?” Lieutenant Commander Maximillian Freedman, the Sutherland’s counselor who had been requested to attend the briefing after Admiral Bateson and Captain Rodenko asked as he stroked his chin.
“At the time...” Admiral Bateson answered, “...no one was sure.”
“The blood-wraith.” Lieutenant Sito Jaxa, the Suthy’s chief tactical officer gasped in astonishment as she tried in vain to repress the shudders running through her body.
“The what?” Captain Rodenko exclaimed.
“The blood-wraith.” Jaxa repeated after taking a moment to regain her center. “Nowadays, it’s a tale to frighten children or something like one of your ghost stories that you humans like to tell...”
“Like ‘The Hook’.” Sam interjected, nodding his head.
“Only...” The Bajoran lieutenant averred, “...the blood-wraith really existed.”
“So...what’s the story behind this blood-wraith?”
“It appeared about a hundred years ago and was responsible for the deaths of several young women and teenage girls.” Pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts and take a deep breath, Lieutenant Sito continued her tale. “It preyed...and then was never heard from again. The vedeks at the time explained that it was a pah-wraith and that the Prophets and their agents had expelled it—but no one really believed them. For a long time afterwards, whenever a young woman disappeared, rumors would spread that the blood-wraith had taken her.” Managing a nervous laugh, the blonde Bajoran added, “As the years passed, the blood-wraith became something of a boogeyman. Mothers would tell their children to behave or go to bed or the blood-wraith would get them.”
“So...Ensign Bathory was not in control of her mind or her body?” Doctor Denise Murakawa, the chief medical officer of the Sutherland who was also invited to the conference at the last minute, inquired as she gave her long-time friend and lover a questioning look.
“Right. Aliz was as much a victim of that thing as Jennifer, Bob, Alexei, that yeoman and nurse and all the others.” Morgan sighed as he regarded the Japanese-Centauran woman sitting across from him, favoring her with a sad smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about this earlier, Denise, but...”
“Temporal Prime Directive.” Boris interjected, regarding the Sutherland’s CMO with a fond smile of his own. “Please don’t be angry at the admiral, Denise.” The Commissar pleaded, “I didn’t know either until just now and I am willing to bet that not even Joseph, Gabe or Margaret know what happened.”
“They don’t and they probably never will.” Morgan replied, referring to the three other cutter captains in his squadron who, along with Captain Shelby, Denise, and one or two others consisted of the closest friends the admiral had at this particular time in his life. “I don’t even know everything that happened. You see...while I was there for a lot of it...I wasn’t there for the end.”
“So...you don’t know how this is all going to end up?” Sam inquired, a note of worry in his voice.
“No.” The admiral confessed with a shake of his head, “I don’t. I don’t think anyone knows for sure with the possible exception of one or two people in Temporal Investigations. All I do know...” he further explained, “...is that TI is giving us...giving me...a fairly wide latitude in handling this—and that’s unusual in and of itself.”
“Well...” Boris inferred, “Those kulaks either know more than they are telling or they’re giving you enough rope to hang yourself with.”
“Or they’re doing both.” Denise added glumly. Then, turning her attention on the admiral, she smiled, “And I’m not angry at you, Morgan...I was just worried and concerned. To have to have held all this in for so long...it had to have been hell for you.”
“Thank you, Denise.” Morgan smiled back. Turning back to the matter at hand, the admiral took on a much more businesslike demeanor, “In any event, we have a lot of work to do.”
“What are your orders, sir?” Sam requested, his anxiousness to recover the Sutherland’s captain obvious in his posture.
“Our first stop is Bajor.” The admiral announced. “We’ve already been granted permission by the Kai and the Vedek Council to take temporary possession of the Orb of Time.”
“And then we go get Captain Shelby.” Lieutenant Sito concluded.
“Right.” The admiral affirmed. “Now...let’s get to work.”
************************************************************************
Shaking his head somberly as he watched the semi-conscious Aliz thrashing against her restraints on her biobed, Robert spoke in quiet voice to Dr. Vincent, who, at that moment, was hovering over the commodore, scanning him with his medical tricorder. “Do you have any ideas what might have happened to her, Doctor?”
“I’m sorry, Robert.” Charles replied with a sad shake of his head as he completed his diagnostics. “But...as a guess...I’d say that something has infected her.” Pointing to the wildly varying and almost off the scale readings above Aliz’s bed, the New England doctor let out a breath born of frustration. “Just look at those. It’s like there’s a war going on inside her...in some ways, it’s like she’s been invaded by a parasite.”
“You may be right.” Wesley affirmed, watching helplessly as the young ensign that he rapidly grown fond of lay writhing in a mixture of rage and pain. “Something has gotten inside her. The Aliz I...we...know is not capable of doing whatever that thing inside her did. But what? We need to find out what it is so that we can get it out of her.”
“And we need to do it soon.” Charles declared, pointing again to the life readings. “Take a look. Right now, they’re fluctuating wildly and believe it or not—that’s a good thing. But sooner or later...I’m afraid that they’re going to start synching. And when they do...”
“That that thing will have taken Aliz over completely.” Robert finished in a somber voice.
“I’m afraid so.” Dr. Vincent confirmed. “Sedating her helps some...but I can’t keep her sedated forever.”
“What about putting her in stasis?” The commodore suggested. “Maybe that’ll buy us the time we need.”
“It might.” Charles replied nodding his head thoughtfully. “Or it could cause the parasite to move to another host. Hmmm...we’d have to time it just right—not give it enough time to react.”
“All right, Doctor. You and Talana get to work on that. Get a solution as soon as possible.” Wesley ordered and then inquired, “What about Alexei and the others?”
“Our guest is helping out here...” Charles answered back as he struggled to keep his expression carefully neutral.
“I’ll say.” The commodore acknowledged, his lips turning up into a slight smile as he witnessed the blonde captain, now wearing a medical jumpsuit over her negligee, assisting his first officer
“Here, Commander.” Liz said as she first helped Alexei to a chair and then injected him with a stimulant from the hypospray in her hand. “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on the vids!” She quipped as, taking a damp cloth, she wiped the blood off the burly Russian’s face.
“Spaceba. Thank you.” The Bear murmured as the blonde woman ministered to him. “Who are you?”
“Captain Elizabeth Shelby.” The woman smiled back, “Commanding USS Sutherland.”
“I don’t know of a starship named Sutherland. Or a female captain named Shelby.” The burly Russian replied, a suspicious note in his voice.
“It’s all right, Commander.” Doctor Vincent interrupted. “The captain is who she says she is. Just let her do what she’s doing ‘til a medtech shows up.”
The Bear, still not convinced, then glanced at a recovering Commodore Wesley who confirmed the doctor’s words with a shaky grin, “Doc’s right, Alexei. She’s a full captain and does command a starship, and I expect you and the rest of the crew to treat her as such.” Turning his attention to Captain Shelby, the commodore requested as a pair of medtechs finally entered sickbay, “Captain? Once we get things settled here and we get you properly outfitted, I’d like to see you in my quarters, if you don’t mind? I have some questions I need to ask you.”
“Yes, sir.” The blonde captain acknowledged with just the slightest tremor in her voice. “I’ll try to answer what questions I can.”
“Good.” Wesley responded as he rose gingerly to his feet. “Alexei? I’m going to...”
“Commodore?”
Turning upon hearing his rank, Wesley was confronted by a young security crewman. “I think you ought to come with me, sir. We’ve found something in Ensigns Bathory and Watley’s quarters.
“Jennifer...” Wesley whispered inaudibly, shaking his head in disbelief. “Aliz couldn’t have...she wouldn’t have...” Quickly recovering his equilibrium, the commodore spoke, “All right, give me a moment.” Turning to his first officer, Robert requested, “Alexei? When you’re up and about, can you take Captain Shelby to the quartermaster so that she can get outfitted with a uniform and then assign her appropriate quarters.”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian responded immediately.
“And Captain Shelby?” The troubled commodore added, “I’ll see you later.” Turning his attention back to the security crewman, Wesley directed, “All right, young man, let’s go.”
***********************************************************************
His stomach turning as he witnessed the scene in the ensigns’ bathroom, Commodore Wesley turned quickly away. “Cut that poor woman down and get this goddamned mess cleaned up, now!” The commodore nearly shouted as the security officers scrambled to carry out his orders. Turning to Lieutenant Bateson, the still trembling Wesley inquired in a much lower tone, “Where’s Ensign Watley?”
“She’s with Talana.” The young navigator replied, shaking his head sadly, “She’s not doing well.”
Placing his hand on the youthful lieutenant’s shoulder, Robert consoled, “Don’t worry, Lieutenant. We’ll take good care of her. Now, can you take me to her?” Taking the navigator’s single nod of the head as an affirmative, Wesley squeezed the young man’s shoulder just a touch before releasing it, “Let’s go.”
******************************************************************
“Da.” Alexei said, his voice filled with great sadness as he heard the news of Yeoman Knowles’ fate from Commodore Wesley through the intercom in Doctor Vincent’s office. “I feel...”
“Don’t blame yourself, Alexei.” Wesley interrupted, “None of us knew. How are things going in sickbay with Aliz and Captain Shelby?”
“There’s no change with Ensign Bathory.” The Bear sighed, “As for Captain Shelby—we’re about to go to the quartermasters’ now.”
“I see.” Both Alexei and Liz could hear the pained anguish in the commodore’s word even through the intercom. Her heart going out to both of her suffering grandparents, the blonde captain quietly listened to her grandfather’s voice, “Ensign Watley will be staying with Talana until further notice, but eventually, we will have to assign her new quarters—there’s no way she can return to her old ones...” after several moments pause, Wesley spoke again, only in a much more subdued voice, “...not after what happened.”
“Understood, sir.” The burly Russian acknowledged, “Anything else?”
“Yes.” Wesley replied, “Bring Captain Shelby to my quarters after she’s through getting settled in. I should be done by then.”
“Aye, sir.” Commander Kuznetsov affirmed. Turning his head towards the petite woman standing next to him, the Bear asked, “Are you ready, Captain?”
“Lead on, Commander.”
Even though far removed now in time, rank, and experience from the events of that horrible day, Admiral Bateson shuddered visibly as he recounted what he had seen and witnessed to the small group of officers gathered together around a briefing table in one of the Sutherland’s conference rooms. “When security arrived...” the admiral recounted as Boris Rodenko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “...we couldn’t take Jennifer to sickbay—it was still a mess. From what I was told, blood and gore was everywhere—besides, Aliz was still tied up in restraints there. And there was no way we were going to let her stay in her quarters—even after Nealo’s people had gone through it and everything had been cleaned up. So...Talana took her to her quarters.” Flashing a warm smile, Morgan began to ramble, “God bless Talana...and Cilla too. When Cilla heard about what happened—she didn’t waste any time—she got there right away and stuck by Jennifer.”
“Damn.” Commander Sam Lavelle, the Sutherland’s executive officer, cursed in low voice as he listened quietly to Admiral Bateson’s recollections of that fateful day. “So...you’re telling us that Captain Shelby is stuck on the Lexington in the 23rd century with whatever that thing is...”
*********************************************************************
“Easy Commodore...” Dr. Vincent advised as he helped Commodore Wesley to his feet. “Over here.” The physician instructed as he guided the weakened Lexington skipper to a chair next to the biobed occupied by the blonde starship captain from the future who was at that moment rising to a sitting position.
“And you...” The doctor admonished, turning on his other patient, “...what do you think you’re doing.”
“What does it look like, Doctor?” Liz retorted, the note of command in her voice immediately getting a reaction out of the commodore who turned his head towards her. “I’m getting out of this damned bed and getting to work. You’ve got wounded here...” she declared, her heart skipping as she laid eyes on her grandfather, “...and you’re shorthanded right now. So...until some more of your people can get in here...where do you want me?”
“She’s got you there, Doc.” Robert said, wincing as he tried to laugh.
“Captains! You always think you can do anything.” Charles groused, “I guess some things never change.” Bowing down to the inevitable, Dr. Vincent conceded, “I assume you’ve had at least basic Starfleet medical training? All right. See to Commander Kuznetsov. And whatever you do...” the doctor warned, “Stay away from Ensign Bathory.”
Watching as her sedated grandmother thrashed angrily at her restraints, Liz repressed a sob as she turned her attention to the Lexington’s Russian first officer, “Right, Doctor.” She acknowledged as she grabbed a first aid kit and began ministering to her patient. “I’m on it.”
************************************************************************
“Were there any ideas as to what caused Ensign Bathory to do what she did?” Lieutenant Commander Maximillian Freedman, the Sutherland’s counselor who had been requested to attend the briefing after Admiral Bateson and Captain Rodenko asked as he stroked his chin.
“At the time...” Admiral Bateson answered, “...no one was sure.”
“The blood-wraith.” Lieutenant Sito Jaxa, the Suthy’s chief tactical officer gasped in astonishment as she tried in vain to repress the shudders running through her body.
“The what?” Captain Rodenko exclaimed.
“The blood-wraith.” Jaxa repeated after taking a moment to regain her center. “Nowadays, it’s a tale to frighten children or something like one of your ghost stories that you humans like to tell...”
“Like ‘The Hook’.” Sam interjected, nodding his head.
“Only...” The Bajoran lieutenant averred, “...the blood-wraith really existed.”
“So...what’s the story behind this blood-wraith?”
“It appeared about a hundred years ago and was responsible for the deaths of several young women and teenage girls.” Pausing for a moment to collect her thoughts and take a deep breath, Lieutenant Sito continued her tale. “It preyed...and then was never heard from again. The vedeks at the time explained that it was a pah-wraith and that the Prophets and their agents had expelled it—but no one really believed them. For a long time afterwards, whenever a young woman disappeared, rumors would spread that the blood-wraith had taken her.” Managing a nervous laugh, the blonde Bajoran added, “As the years passed, the blood-wraith became something of a boogeyman. Mothers would tell their children to behave or go to bed or the blood-wraith would get them.”
“So...Ensign Bathory was not in control of her mind or her body?” Doctor Denise Murakawa, the chief medical officer of the Sutherland who was also invited to the conference at the last minute, inquired as she gave her long-time friend and lover a questioning look.
“Right. Aliz was as much a victim of that thing as Jennifer, Bob, Alexei, that yeoman and nurse and all the others.” Morgan sighed as he regarded the Japanese-Centauran woman sitting across from him, favoring her with a sad smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about this earlier, Denise, but...”
“Temporal Prime Directive.” Boris interjected, regarding the Sutherland’s CMO with a fond smile of his own. “Please don’t be angry at the admiral, Denise.” The Commissar pleaded, “I didn’t know either until just now and I am willing to bet that not even Joseph, Gabe or Margaret know what happened.”
“They don’t and they probably never will.” Morgan replied, referring to the three other cutter captains in his squadron who, along with Captain Shelby, Denise, and one or two others consisted of the closest friends the admiral had at this particular time in his life. “I don’t even know everything that happened. You see...while I was there for a lot of it...I wasn’t there for the end.”
“So...you don’t know how this is all going to end up?” Sam inquired, a note of worry in his voice.
“No.” The admiral confessed with a shake of his head, “I don’t. I don’t think anyone knows for sure with the possible exception of one or two people in Temporal Investigations. All I do know...” he further explained, “...is that TI is giving us...giving me...a fairly wide latitude in handling this—and that’s unusual in and of itself.”
“Well...” Boris inferred, “Those kulaks either know more than they are telling or they’re giving you enough rope to hang yourself with.”
“Or they’re doing both.” Denise added glumly. Then, turning her attention on the admiral, she smiled, “And I’m not angry at you, Morgan...I was just worried and concerned. To have to have held all this in for so long...it had to have been hell for you.”
“Thank you, Denise.” Morgan smiled back. Turning back to the matter at hand, the admiral took on a much more businesslike demeanor, “In any event, we have a lot of work to do.”
“What are your orders, sir?” Sam requested, his anxiousness to recover the Sutherland’s captain obvious in his posture.
“Our first stop is Bajor.” The admiral announced. “We’ve already been granted permission by the Kai and the Vedek Council to take temporary possession of the Orb of Time.”
“And then we go get Captain Shelby.” Lieutenant Sito concluded.
“Right.” The admiral affirmed. “Now...let’s get to work.”
************************************************************************
Shaking his head somberly as he watched the semi-conscious Aliz thrashing against her restraints on her biobed, Robert spoke in quiet voice to Dr. Vincent, who, at that moment, was hovering over the commodore, scanning him with his medical tricorder. “Do you have any ideas what might have happened to her, Doctor?”
“I’m sorry, Robert.” Charles replied with a sad shake of his head as he completed his diagnostics. “But...as a guess...I’d say that something has infected her.” Pointing to the wildly varying and almost off the scale readings above Aliz’s bed, the New England doctor let out a breath born of frustration. “Just look at those. It’s like there’s a war going on inside her...in some ways, it’s like she’s been invaded by a parasite.”
“You may be right.” Wesley affirmed, watching helplessly as the young ensign that he rapidly grown fond of lay writhing in a mixture of rage and pain. “Something has gotten inside her. The Aliz I...we...know is not capable of doing whatever that thing inside her did. But what? We need to find out what it is so that we can get it out of her.”
“And we need to do it soon.” Charles declared, pointing again to the life readings. “Take a look. Right now, they’re fluctuating wildly and believe it or not—that’s a good thing. But sooner or later...I’m afraid that they’re going to start synching. And when they do...”
“That that thing will have taken Aliz over completely.” Robert finished in a somber voice.
“I’m afraid so.” Dr. Vincent confirmed. “Sedating her helps some...but I can’t keep her sedated forever.”
“What about putting her in stasis?” The commodore suggested. “Maybe that’ll buy us the time we need.”
“It might.” Charles replied nodding his head thoughtfully. “Or it could cause the parasite to move to another host. Hmmm...we’d have to time it just right—not give it enough time to react.”
“All right, Doctor. You and Talana get to work on that. Get a solution as soon as possible.” Wesley ordered and then inquired, “What about Alexei and the others?”
“Our guest is helping out here...” Charles answered back as he struggled to keep his expression carefully neutral.
“I’ll say.” The commodore acknowledged, his lips turning up into a slight smile as he witnessed the blonde captain, now wearing a medical jumpsuit over her negligee, assisting his first officer
“Here, Commander.” Liz said as she first helped Alexei to a chair and then injected him with a stimulant from the hypospray in her hand. “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on the vids!” She quipped as, taking a damp cloth, she wiped the blood off the burly Russian’s face.
“Spaceba. Thank you.” The Bear murmured as the blonde woman ministered to him. “Who are you?”
“Captain Elizabeth Shelby.” The woman smiled back, “Commanding USS Sutherland.”
“I don’t know of a starship named Sutherland. Or a female captain named Shelby.” The burly Russian replied, a suspicious note in his voice.
“It’s all right, Commander.” Doctor Vincent interrupted. “The captain is who she says she is. Just let her do what she’s doing ‘til a medtech shows up.”
The Bear, still not convinced, then glanced at a recovering Commodore Wesley who confirmed the doctor’s words with a shaky grin, “Doc’s right, Alexei. She’s a full captain and does command a starship, and I expect you and the rest of the crew to treat her as such.” Turning his attention to Captain Shelby, the commodore requested as a pair of medtechs finally entered sickbay, “Captain? Once we get things settled here and we get you properly outfitted, I’d like to see you in my quarters, if you don’t mind? I have some questions I need to ask you.”
“Yes, sir.” The blonde captain acknowledged with just the slightest tremor in her voice. “I’ll try to answer what questions I can.”
“Good.” Wesley responded as he rose gingerly to his feet. “Alexei? I’m going to...”
“Commodore?”
Turning upon hearing his rank, Wesley was confronted by a young security crewman. “I think you ought to come with me, sir. We’ve found something in Ensigns Bathory and Watley’s quarters.
“Jennifer...” Wesley whispered inaudibly, shaking his head in disbelief. “Aliz couldn’t have...she wouldn’t have...” Quickly recovering his equilibrium, the commodore spoke, “All right, give me a moment.” Turning to his first officer, Robert requested, “Alexei? When you’re up and about, can you take Captain Shelby to the quartermaster so that she can get outfitted with a uniform and then assign her appropriate quarters.”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian responded immediately.
“And Captain Shelby?” The troubled commodore added, “I’ll see you later.” Turning his attention back to the security crewman, Wesley directed, “All right, young man, let’s go.”
***********************************************************************
His stomach turning as he witnessed the scene in the ensigns’ bathroom, Commodore Wesley turned quickly away. “Cut that poor woman down and get this goddamned mess cleaned up, now!” The commodore nearly shouted as the security officers scrambled to carry out his orders. Turning to Lieutenant Bateson, the still trembling Wesley inquired in a much lower tone, “Where’s Ensign Watley?”
“She’s with Talana.” The young navigator replied, shaking his head sadly, “She’s not doing well.”
Placing his hand on the youthful lieutenant’s shoulder, Robert consoled, “Don’t worry, Lieutenant. We’ll take good care of her. Now, can you take me to her?” Taking the navigator’s single nod of the head as an affirmative, Wesley squeezed the young man’s shoulder just a touch before releasing it, “Let’s go.”
******************************************************************
“Da.” Alexei said, his voice filled with great sadness as he heard the news of Yeoman Knowles’ fate from Commodore Wesley through the intercom in Doctor Vincent’s office. “I feel...”
“Don’t blame yourself, Alexei.” Wesley interrupted, “None of us knew. How are things going in sickbay with Aliz and Captain Shelby?”
“There’s no change with Ensign Bathory.” The Bear sighed, “As for Captain Shelby—we’re about to go to the quartermasters’ now.”
“I see.” Both Alexei and Liz could hear the pained anguish in the commodore’s word even through the intercom. Her heart going out to both of her suffering grandparents, the blonde captain quietly listened to her grandfather’s voice, “Ensign Watley will be staying with Talana until further notice, but eventually, we will have to assign her new quarters—there’s no way she can return to her old ones...” after several moments pause, Wesley spoke again, only in a much more subdued voice, “...not after what happened.”
“Understood, sir.” The burly Russian acknowledged, “Anything else?”
“Yes.” Wesley replied, “Bring Captain Shelby to my quarters after she’s through getting settled in. I should be done by then.”
“Aye, sir.” Commander Kuznetsov affirmed. Turning his head towards the petite woman standing next to him, the Bear asked, “Are you ready, Captain?”
“Lead on, Commander.”
Captain Shelby will have to walk on eggshells as she's interviewed by Commodore Wesley. She knows she can't reveal too much about the future.
And I wonder what her reaction will be when she receives a 23rd century mini-skirt for a uniform? Will she pull rank on Kutzenov for a pair of pants?
Admiral Bateson is in a quandary of his own - knowing what he has to do, but not knowing whether his course of action will bring Shelby safely back to the 24th century.
This is great! I'm really enjoying this story!
And I wonder what her reaction will be when she receives a 23rd century mini-skirt for a uniform? Will she pull rank on Kutzenov for a pair of pants?
Admiral Bateson is in a quandary of his own - knowing what he has to do, but not knowing whether his course of action will bring Shelby safely back to the 24th century.
This is great! I'm really enjoying this story!
You've got me hooked on this one.
I love what you're doing with everyone, and Shelby just can't seem to catch a break. Let's hope her hedonistic tendencies are held at bay while she wears that miniskirt, unless captains do get trousers...
I love what you're doing with everyone, and Shelby just can't seem to catch a break. Let's hope her hedonistic tendencies are held at bay while she wears that miniskirt, unless captains do get trousers...
I love the dual perspective approach on this one. I can see why you had such a hard time figuring this story out at first. Writing two parallel stories, one set in the past one in the future presents a whole number of problems.
But you've done a great job here so far and it makes this a lot of fun to read. I'm eager to see how past and future will work together to rescue poor Aliz.
But you've done a great job here so far and it makes this a lot of fun to read. I'm eager to see how past and future will work together to rescue poor Aliz.
Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 6
“It’s all right now, Jennifer...” Talana cooed gently as Cilla hugged her nominal rival, “...you’re safe here.” Hearing her door chime, the lovely Andorian science officer called out, a soft-spoken, “Yes.”
The door sliding open, Commodore Wesley waited at the threshold alongside an obviously worried Lieutenant Bateson. “Can we come in, Lieutenant Commander.”
“Please.” Talana invited, managing a sad smile as she regarded the two men. Her antennae twitching, she reported, “I’m afraid she hasn’t said a word since we found her and brought her here. She’s going to need a lot of help, sir.”
“I know.” Robert sighed. “A lot of us are. This has been...” he paused, shaking his head, “...an ordeal...”
“Sir...” The lovely Andorian interrupted, “...it’s not your fault. You can’t blame yourself. This happened suddenly—without warning. It took all of us by surprise.”
“Thank you, Talana. I appreciate that.” The commodore replied. Pausing for several seconds as if unsure as to whether to continue or not, Robert cleared his throat, “I hate to ask this of you now, Lieutenant Commander, but I need you to help Dr. Vincent. He’s trying to find some way of safely putting Aliz into stasis without giving that thing that took her over the opportunity to move to another host.”
“It’s all right, sir.” The blue-skinned science officer responded, managing a shaky grin, “If it can help Aliz get rid of that thing—I’ll be glad to help out. Cilla?” She asked, turning towards the willowy blonde communications officer still gently embracing Ensign Watley, “...do you mind?”
“No.” Lieutenant Oudekirk answered back, “I’ll stay here as long as you need me.”
“Thank you.” Talana replied as she rose to her feet, “I’ll get over to sickbay now, sir.”
“Sir?” Lieutenant Bateson interjected, his eyes fixed on his sobbing friend, “Would it be all right if I stayed here until my shift begins?”
“If Talana and Lieutenant Oudekirk don’t mind...” Robert replied. Seeing the two women both nod their heads in agreement, the commodore nodded his as well, “Ok, Lieutenant, you can stay. I’ll send Lieutenant Masterson down as soon as possible to help out. If you need me for anything...just call.”
Nodding his head at the two “Aye, sirs” from his junior officers, Commodore Wesley turned and walked slowly away, lost in his own thoughts as his contemplated his Lexington family falling apart all about him. And then there was the starship captain from the future. A nagging thought pushed itself into the rugged commodore’s face as he recalled the words that the possessed Aliz taunted him with as he writhed in pain, “Well...well...a family reunion...” and then what she said when his thoughts turned to Virginia, “This is delicious! So ironic! You seek to find strength in that which is no longer there...” and at the last, just before he passed out, he could have sworn that he thought he had heard Captain Shelby call him, “Poppy!” Shaking his head, the tormented captain slowly made his way down the corridor. He had a meeting with the mysterious captain from the future—hopefully—the commodore thought, she might have a few answers.
************************************************************************
“Assuming standard orbit.” Lieutenant Maria Django, now wearing red trim instead of yellow thanks to her recent promotion as the Sutherland’s senior flight officer, declared with a slightly teasing grin as she turned her head back to speak to the man sitting in the center seat.
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Commander Sam Lavelle answered back, giving his on again—off again lover a quick smile in return. Touching the intercom button on his chair arm, the acting captain announced to his guests, “Admiral...Captain...we’ve arrived. Lieutenant Sito and I will meet you in the transporter room in five minutes. Rising out of his seat, Sam favored his lover with another roguish grin, “You have the conn, Mr. Django. Mr. Sito...you ready?”
“Aye, sir.” The Bajoran tactical officer replied as she joined her old Academy classmate at the turbolift.
“Then, let’s get a move on.”
**********************************************************************
“Branch and rank, Miss?” The quartermaster third class standing behind the counter asked as Captain Shelby filled out the uniform requisition.
“Command.” Shelby quickly replied as she handed the data slate back to the quartermaster, “Rank...Captain.”
Pausing for a moment the petty officer barely repressed a snort until brought short by Commander Kuznetsov’s gruff voice, “Do you need to go to sickbay to have your hearing checked, Quartermaster?”
“N...n...n...no, sir!” The hapless petty officer stammered as he wilted under the first officer’s glare.
“I’m glad to hear that, Petty Officer.” Liz, seeing at once that she needed to emphasize her rank not only to the quartermaster, but also indirectly to the Lexington’s executive officer, smoothly took charge of the situation, interjecting, “Now...my uniform, if you please?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” The quartermaster replied, moving rapidly to comply.
“Thank you, Petty Officer.” Shelby responded, taking both the gold and alternate green miniskirts, along with the black boots, underwear, and the rest of a female officer’s uniform kit. “I’ll just step into that changing room over there. I’ll be back in a moment. Oh...” she added as she turned to walk away, “...one more thing. I prefer to be addressed as ‘Captain,’ but I will accept ‘Sir.’ I do not like to be addressed as ‘Ma’am’. Is that understood?”
“Da, Captain.” Alexei promptly replied as he at once picked up on the future starship captain’s subtle intent. Several minute later, the big Russian found himself nearly frozen in place as the attractive blonde emerged from the changing room dressed in the alternative captain’s sea-green with gold trim miniskirt, its low-cut neckline and short length accentuating her figure along with the standard black boots, her hair done up in accordance with current regulations.
Smiling inwardly at the first officer’s reaction, Liz resisted the urge to model her new outfit as she remarked with a smile, “I’m surprised at how comfortable this is...a lot better than the first Starfleet uniform I wore...” she said as she remembered the irritating one piece uniform that was regulation issue in her early years. “That uniform had a tendency to bunch up on you in the most inconvenient of places—especially if you’re a woman. Not to mention having to keep a constant eye on your diet.” Maintaining her grin, Captain Shelby requested, “If we’re done here, Commander, you can show me to my quarters and then, I believe, I have an appointment with my...” catching herself just before she said ‘grandfather’, she quickly amended, “...with the commodore.”
“Da.” Alexei replied as he let out a deep breath of air while at the same time not missing the slight stammer coming from the youthful captain. “If you would follow me please, Captain?”
**********************************************************************
As he looked down on his thrashing patient, first, the possessed woman’s taunts echoed in his mind, “Well...well...a family reunion...”, soon followed by the plaintive words of the blonde starship captain from the future, “Poppy? “Is that you? It can’t be...” confirming what the DNA and genetic scans had told him earlier. But as he recalled her next words... “Nagyanya? Is that really you, grandmother?” ...Charles felt a cold shiver run down his spine. After ensuring that his patient’s restraints were still holding, the doctor quickly made his way to the computer in his office. “Computer...provide the Federation Standard translation for nagyanya.
“Nagyanya...Magyar derivation .” the computer responded in its normal tinny female voice, “Translation: grandmother.”
Taking a deep breath of air and then exhaling, the balding physician then ordered, “Computer...compare the DNA and genetic scans for Ensign Aliz Bathory and Captain Elizabeth Shelby...”
After a few minutes, the computer responded, “Comparison completed.”
“All right...” Charles instructed as he took another deep breath, “Do the two scans show a possible kin relationship between Captain Shelby and Ensign Bathory? And if so...what sort of relationship?”
After another minute or so, the computer reported its findings, “Affirmative. There is a 99.99% probability that Ensign Aliz Bathory is the maternal grandmother of Captain Elizabeth Shelby.”
Glancing back at his still sedated patient, Charles sunk to his seat as the full implications of the powder keg he had just discovered began to set in. “Holy shi...”
“Doctor? Charles?”
Looking up, the New Englander forced a smile to his face as he recognized Talana standing near his office door. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time...” The Andorian science officer remarked solicitously as she glanced back nervously at the still thrashing Aliz, “But the commodore thought that you could use some help in devising a means to safely put Aliz in stasis.”
“Oh...” Charles murmured as he fought to regain his equilibrium, “Oh yes...of course, ‘lana. Yeah...I’ve got some ideas...but I’m not sure how safe they are...”
“Well...” Talana encouraged, “Why don’t I have a look and we’ll compare notes.” Taking the slight nod of his head as agreement, Talana looked up at her old confidante, “You sure you’re all right, Charles? After all—a lot’s happened today...you sure you’re up to this now?”
“Yeah...” Dr. Vincent replied, forcing a smile to his face, “I’ll be ok. Let’s get to work.”
*********************************************************************
“Yes.” Commodore Wesley called out as his door enunciator chimed. The door swishing open, the gray-haired commodore bid his guests welcome. “Come in, Captain Shelby. Thank you, Alexei...but I think I can take care of it from here.”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian responded as he left the two starship commanders alone.
“Sir?” Liz began as her eyes fell on those of her grandfather’s. Holding back her initial impulse to embrace him...to cling tightly to him...the blonde woman settled for simply asking, “How...how is...”my grandmother “...how is the woman who...”
“Ensign Bathory is being looked after by the best.” Robert replied, surprised, and oddly touched, at the look of worry and concern on his guest’s face. “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to help her.” His lips turning up into a warm smile, the commodore added, “I also owe you my thanks.”
“For what?” Liz asked.
“For distracting her long enough so that Dr. Vincent could knock her out.” Tilting his head slightly to the left, the commodore remarked, “I don’t remember much—I was just barely holding on...but...it seemed to me that when you talked to her...it was like you knew her. But you can’t know Aliz...can you?”
Taking a deep breath, Shelby forced herself to lie to her grandfather, “That would be impossible, sir. I’m from at least a hundred years in the future...”
“Of course.” Robert replied, deciding to, for now at least, to file his doubts in the back of his mind. Flashing a genial smile, the commodore urged as he poured a blue liquor from a crystal decanter into two glasses, “Have a seat, Captain. I hope you don’t mind Andorian ale?”
“Thank you, sir.” Liz replied with a smile as she took the proffered seat across from where her grandfather sat. “I hope you understand, Commodore...” she began as she took a sip of the blue nectar. “Not bad...T’elevansharal’s Val’ymarman if I’m not mistaken?”
“I see you know your Andorian ales.” Robert grinned and then prompted, “But you were saying?”
“Oh!” Shelby blushed, “I’m sorry, sir. I meant to say that I’ll answer what questions I can, but I can’t reveal anything that might compromise future events.”
“Of course.” Commodore Wesley nodded his head. “I wouldn’t expect you to do that. But I’m thinking that if we can find out how you got here...”
“Maybe we can find a way to get me back where I belong.” Liz completed, nodding her head in agreement. “That makes sense. So...” she asked, “...did you get anything from my logs or the runabout’s sensor readings.”
“No.” Robert responded, shaking his head. “When we found where...when...you came from, I ordered your ship placed under guard and off limits to all personnel. However...” he admitted, “I did go over your open communications logs, but I didn’t access your personal logs.”
“I see...” Liz replied, blushing a deep crimson as she imagined her grandfather overhearing her last conversation with Sandy. “I hope...”
“Don’t worry about it.” Robert interrupted, giving the younger woman a paternal smile. “Once I realized where that particular conversation was going, I skipped over it.” Taking the conversation back to a more professional tact, the commodore prompted, “So...you were on your way to Risa.”
“Right.” Liz affirmed, “The Sutherland had just completed repairs after our last tour.” Pausing to take another drink, the blonde captain tried to keep the sorrow and anger from her face as she recalled the death and destruction caused by the Talarian incursion that her ship along with a handful of other Starfleet and Border Service vessels had turned back. “I had a considerable amount of leave stored up and Admiral...I’m sorry, sir...” the starship captain from the future apologized, her grin returning as she shifted in her seat, “...that’s probably one of the things I can’t tell you. Let’s just say that the Admiral told me to get the hell off my ship and go on leave. Well...” she sighed, “...it just so happened that Jason...one of my...friends...had just finished a concert tour with his band and Sandy was in between projects...so...we decided to get together on Risa and my executive officer...”
“Commander Lavelle?” Robert interjected, encouraging his guest to continue.
“That’s right.” Liz frowned, “You would have gotten his name from the comm logs.” Sighing, the blonde captain took another sip of her drink and then continued, “I told him to put the Suthy through its paces. Also, I wanted to give him some solo time in the center chair without me looking over his shoulder.” Nodding his head in approval, Commodore Wesley, refilling the captain’s drink, motioned for her to continue, “He was supposed to pick me up at the end of the week.”
“And then this...chroniton wave?... hit you...”
“Yes, sir.” Shelby confirmed with a nod of her head. “It came out of nowhere—no warning or anything. I tried to evade and outrun it but...I must have gotten knocked unconscious and when I came to, I was in your sickbay.”
“So...” Wesley drawled, “...you have no idea what caused the wave?” Taking the blonde captain’s single shake of her head as a negative, the commodore continued, “Do you think maybe your ship’s sensor logs might have a clue?”
“It’s possible.” Liz allowed, “They would have been triggered automatically once the disturbance manifested itself and they would have continued recording throughout. There might be something there for us to work with.”
“Good.” The commodore replied, nodding his head, “But you’ll understand that will have to wait...”
“Of course, sir.” Liz affirmed, automatically agreeing with her grandfather, “Ensign Bathory and your ship and crew have to come first.”
“Thank you.” Robert said with a warm smile, “I had a feeling you’d understand. So...” he offered as he rose from his chair, “Would you be interested in a tour of the ship.”
Her heart beating rapidly as her lips turned up into a wide grin, Liz responded enthusiastically, “I’d love to, sir.”
“It’s all right now, Jennifer...” Talana cooed gently as Cilla hugged her nominal rival, “...you’re safe here.” Hearing her door chime, the lovely Andorian science officer called out, a soft-spoken, “Yes.”
The door sliding open, Commodore Wesley waited at the threshold alongside an obviously worried Lieutenant Bateson. “Can we come in, Lieutenant Commander.”
“Please.” Talana invited, managing a sad smile as she regarded the two men. Her antennae twitching, she reported, “I’m afraid she hasn’t said a word since we found her and brought her here. She’s going to need a lot of help, sir.”
“I know.” Robert sighed. “A lot of us are. This has been...” he paused, shaking his head, “...an ordeal...”
“Sir...” The lovely Andorian interrupted, “...it’s not your fault. You can’t blame yourself. This happened suddenly—without warning. It took all of us by surprise.”
“Thank you, Talana. I appreciate that.” The commodore replied. Pausing for several seconds as if unsure as to whether to continue or not, Robert cleared his throat, “I hate to ask this of you now, Lieutenant Commander, but I need you to help Dr. Vincent. He’s trying to find some way of safely putting Aliz into stasis without giving that thing that took her over the opportunity to move to another host.”
“It’s all right, sir.” The blue-skinned science officer responded, managing a shaky grin, “If it can help Aliz get rid of that thing—I’ll be glad to help out. Cilla?” She asked, turning towards the willowy blonde communications officer still gently embracing Ensign Watley, “...do you mind?”
“No.” Lieutenant Oudekirk answered back, “I’ll stay here as long as you need me.”
“Thank you.” Talana replied as she rose to her feet, “I’ll get over to sickbay now, sir.”
“Sir?” Lieutenant Bateson interjected, his eyes fixed on his sobbing friend, “Would it be all right if I stayed here until my shift begins?”
“If Talana and Lieutenant Oudekirk don’t mind...” Robert replied. Seeing the two women both nod their heads in agreement, the commodore nodded his as well, “Ok, Lieutenant, you can stay. I’ll send Lieutenant Masterson down as soon as possible to help out. If you need me for anything...just call.”
Nodding his head at the two “Aye, sirs” from his junior officers, Commodore Wesley turned and walked slowly away, lost in his own thoughts as his contemplated his Lexington family falling apart all about him. And then there was the starship captain from the future. A nagging thought pushed itself into the rugged commodore’s face as he recalled the words that the possessed Aliz taunted him with as he writhed in pain, “Well...well...a family reunion...” and then what she said when his thoughts turned to Virginia, “This is delicious! So ironic! You seek to find strength in that which is no longer there...” and at the last, just before he passed out, he could have sworn that he thought he had heard Captain Shelby call him, “Poppy!” Shaking his head, the tormented captain slowly made his way down the corridor. He had a meeting with the mysterious captain from the future—hopefully—the commodore thought, she might have a few answers.
************************************************************************
“Assuming standard orbit.” Lieutenant Maria Django, now wearing red trim instead of yellow thanks to her recent promotion as the Sutherland’s senior flight officer, declared with a slightly teasing grin as she turned her head back to speak to the man sitting in the center seat.
“Thank you, Lieutenant.” Commander Sam Lavelle answered back, giving his on again—off again lover a quick smile in return. Touching the intercom button on his chair arm, the acting captain announced to his guests, “Admiral...Captain...we’ve arrived. Lieutenant Sito and I will meet you in the transporter room in five minutes. Rising out of his seat, Sam favored his lover with another roguish grin, “You have the conn, Mr. Django. Mr. Sito...you ready?”
“Aye, sir.” The Bajoran tactical officer replied as she joined her old Academy classmate at the turbolift.
“Then, let’s get a move on.”
**********************************************************************
“Branch and rank, Miss?” The quartermaster third class standing behind the counter asked as Captain Shelby filled out the uniform requisition.
“Command.” Shelby quickly replied as she handed the data slate back to the quartermaster, “Rank...Captain.”
Pausing for a moment the petty officer barely repressed a snort until brought short by Commander Kuznetsov’s gruff voice, “Do you need to go to sickbay to have your hearing checked, Quartermaster?”
“N...n...n...no, sir!” The hapless petty officer stammered as he wilted under the first officer’s glare.
“I’m glad to hear that, Petty Officer.” Liz, seeing at once that she needed to emphasize her rank not only to the quartermaster, but also indirectly to the Lexington’s executive officer, smoothly took charge of the situation, interjecting, “Now...my uniform, if you please?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” The quartermaster replied, moving rapidly to comply.
“Thank you, Petty Officer.” Shelby responded, taking both the gold and alternate green miniskirts, along with the black boots, underwear, and the rest of a female officer’s uniform kit. “I’ll just step into that changing room over there. I’ll be back in a moment. Oh...” she added as she turned to walk away, “...one more thing. I prefer to be addressed as ‘Captain,’ but I will accept ‘Sir.’ I do not like to be addressed as ‘Ma’am’. Is that understood?”
“Da, Captain.” Alexei promptly replied as he at once picked up on the future starship captain’s subtle intent. Several minute later, the big Russian found himself nearly frozen in place as the attractive blonde emerged from the changing room dressed in the alternative captain’s sea-green with gold trim miniskirt, its low-cut neckline and short length accentuating her figure along with the standard black boots, her hair done up in accordance with current regulations.
Smiling inwardly at the first officer’s reaction, Liz resisted the urge to model her new outfit as she remarked with a smile, “I’m surprised at how comfortable this is...a lot better than the first Starfleet uniform I wore...” she said as she remembered the irritating one piece uniform that was regulation issue in her early years. “That uniform had a tendency to bunch up on you in the most inconvenient of places—especially if you’re a woman. Not to mention having to keep a constant eye on your diet.” Maintaining her grin, Captain Shelby requested, “If we’re done here, Commander, you can show me to my quarters and then, I believe, I have an appointment with my...” catching herself just before she said ‘grandfather’, she quickly amended, “...with the commodore.”
“Da.” Alexei replied as he let out a deep breath of air while at the same time not missing the slight stammer coming from the youthful captain. “If you would follow me please, Captain?”
**********************************************************************
As he looked down on his thrashing patient, first, the possessed woman’s taunts echoed in his mind, “Well...well...a family reunion...”, soon followed by the plaintive words of the blonde starship captain from the future, “Poppy? “Is that you? It can’t be...” confirming what the DNA and genetic scans had told him earlier. But as he recalled her next words... “Nagyanya? Is that really you, grandmother?” ...Charles felt a cold shiver run down his spine. After ensuring that his patient’s restraints were still holding, the doctor quickly made his way to the computer in his office. “Computer...provide the Federation Standard translation for nagyanya.
“Nagyanya...Magyar derivation .” the computer responded in its normal tinny female voice, “Translation: grandmother.”
Taking a deep breath of air and then exhaling, the balding physician then ordered, “Computer...compare the DNA and genetic scans for Ensign Aliz Bathory and Captain Elizabeth Shelby...”
After a few minutes, the computer responded, “Comparison completed.”
“All right...” Charles instructed as he took another deep breath, “Do the two scans show a possible kin relationship between Captain Shelby and Ensign Bathory? And if so...what sort of relationship?”
After another minute or so, the computer reported its findings, “Affirmative. There is a 99.99% probability that Ensign Aliz Bathory is the maternal grandmother of Captain Elizabeth Shelby.”
Glancing back at his still sedated patient, Charles sunk to his seat as the full implications of the powder keg he had just discovered began to set in. “Holy shi...”
“Doctor? Charles?”
Looking up, the New Englander forced a smile to his face as he recognized Talana standing near his office door. “I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time...” The Andorian science officer remarked solicitously as she glanced back nervously at the still thrashing Aliz, “But the commodore thought that you could use some help in devising a means to safely put Aliz in stasis.”
“Oh...” Charles murmured as he fought to regain his equilibrium, “Oh yes...of course, ‘lana. Yeah...I’ve got some ideas...but I’m not sure how safe they are...”
“Well...” Talana encouraged, “Why don’t I have a look and we’ll compare notes.” Taking the slight nod of his head as agreement, Talana looked up at her old confidante, “You sure you’re all right, Charles? After all—a lot’s happened today...you sure you’re up to this now?”
“Yeah...” Dr. Vincent replied, forcing a smile to his face, “I’ll be ok. Let’s get to work.”
*********************************************************************
“Yes.” Commodore Wesley called out as his door enunciator chimed. The door swishing open, the gray-haired commodore bid his guests welcome. “Come in, Captain Shelby. Thank you, Alexei...but I think I can take care of it from here.”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian responded as he left the two starship commanders alone.
“Sir?” Liz began as her eyes fell on those of her grandfather’s. Holding back her initial impulse to embrace him...to cling tightly to him...the blonde woman settled for simply asking, “How...how is...”my grandmother “...how is the woman who...”
“Ensign Bathory is being looked after by the best.” Robert replied, surprised, and oddly touched, at the look of worry and concern on his guest’s face. “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way to help her.” His lips turning up into a warm smile, the commodore added, “I also owe you my thanks.”
“For what?” Liz asked.
“For distracting her long enough so that Dr. Vincent could knock her out.” Tilting his head slightly to the left, the commodore remarked, “I don’t remember much—I was just barely holding on...but...it seemed to me that when you talked to her...it was like you knew her. But you can’t know Aliz...can you?”
Taking a deep breath, Shelby forced herself to lie to her grandfather, “That would be impossible, sir. I’m from at least a hundred years in the future...”
“Of course.” Robert replied, deciding to, for now at least, to file his doubts in the back of his mind. Flashing a genial smile, the commodore urged as he poured a blue liquor from a crystal decanter into two glasses, “Have a seat, Captain. I hope you don’t mind Andorian ale?”
“Thank you, sir.” Liz replied with a smile as she took the proffered seat across from where her grandfather sat. “I hope you understand, Commodore...” she began as she took a sip of the blue nectar. “Not bad...T’elevansharal’s Val’ymarman if I’m not mistaken?”
“I see you know your Andorian ales.” Robert grinned and then prompted, “But you were saying?”
“Oh!” Shelby blushed, “I’m sorry, sir. I meant to say that I’ll answer what questions I can, but I can’t reveal anything that might compromise future events.”
“Of course.” Commodore Wesley nodded his head. “I wouldn’t expect you to do that. But I’m thinking that if we can find out how you got here...”
“Maybe we can find a way to get me back where I belong.” Liz completed, nodding her head in agreement. “That makes sense. So...” she asked, “...did you get anything from my logs or the runabout’s sensor readings.”
“No.” Robert responded, shaking his head. “When we found where...when...you came from, I ordered your ship placed under guard and off limits to all personnel. However...” he admitted, “I did go over your open communications logs, but I didn’t access your personal logs.”
“I see...” Liz replied, blushing a deep crimson as she imagined her grandfather overhearing her last conversation with Sandy. “I hope...”
“Don’t worry about it.” Robert interrupted, giving the younger woman a paternal smile. “Once I realized where that particular conversation was going, I skipped over it.” Taking the conversation back to a more professional tact, the commodore prompted, “So...you were on your way to Risa.”
“Right.” Liz affirmed, “The Sutherland had just completed repairs after our last tour.” Pausing to take another drink, the blonde captain tried to keep the sorrow and anger from her face as she recalled the death and destruction caused by the Talarian incursion that her ship along with a handful of other Starfleet and Border Service vessels had turned back. “I had a considerable amount of leave stored up and Admiral...I’m sorry, sir...” the starship captain from the future apologized, her grin returning as she shifted in her seat, “...that’s probably one of the things I can’t tell you. Let’s just say that the Admiral told me to get the hell off my ship and go on leave. Well...” she sighed, “...it just so happened that Jason...one of my...friends...had just finished a concert tour with his band and Sandy was in between projects...so...we decided to get together on Risa and my executive officer...”
“Commander Lavelle?” Robert interjected, encouraging his guest to continue.
“That’s right.” Liz frowned, “You would have gotten his name from the comm logs.” Sighing, the blonde captain took another sip of her drink and then continued, “I told him to put the Suthy through its paces. Also, I wanted to give him some solo time in the center chair without me looking over his shoulder.” Nodding his head in approval, Commodore Wesley, refilling the captain’s drink, motioned for her to continue, “He was supposed to pick me up at the end of the week.”
“And then this...chroniton wave?... hit you...”
“Yes, sir.” Shelby confirmed with a nod of her head. “It came out of nowhere—no warning or anything. I tried to evade and outrun it but...I must have gotten knocked unconscious and when I came to, I was in your sickbay.”
“So...” Wesley drawled, “...you have no idea what caused the wave?” Taking the blonde captain’s single shake of her head as a negative, the commodore continued, “Do you think maybe your ship’s sensor logs might have a clue?”
“It’s possible.” Liz allowed, “They would have been triggered automatically once the disturbance manifested itself and they would have continued recording throughout. There might be something there for us to work with.”
“Good.” The commodore replied, nodding his head, “But you’ll understand that will have to wait...”
“Of course, sir.” Liz affirmed, automatically agreeing with her grandfather, “Ensign Bathory and your ship and crew have to come first.”
“Thank you.” Robert said with a warm smile, “I had a feeling you’d understand. So...” he offered as he rose from his chair, “Would you be interested in a tour of the ship.”
Her heart beating rapidly as her lips turned up into a wide grin, Liz responded enthusiastically, “I’d love to, sir.”
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Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 6 cont.
Bajor: 2377
As the quartet rematerialized in a blue light in the courtyard of the Vedek Assembly, they were greeted by three Bajorans garbed in priestly raiment. The elderly man in the middle and in front of the other two, wearing the robes of a vedek. Stepping forward the man introduced himself. “Greetings. I am Vedek Parmeil. Please...come this way.” He invited as he gestured towards an open doorway.
“Well...” Admiral Bateson grinned as he addressed the other three in his group, “You heard the man.”
After being led down a succession of corridors and passageways, the group came to a sealed doorway. Approaching the door, the vedek placed his hand on a stone and pressed lightly. As the stone gave way, the door slowly slid open to reveal a small chamber containing in the middle...
“An orb!” Lieutenant Sito uttered in a hushed tone.
“The Orb of Time.” The vedek affirmed as he gestured with his finger for the young Bajoran woman to approach. As Jaxa drew near, he reached out to touch her ear, only to have her jerk her head back suddenly. “I did not realize...” he apologized in a compassionate voice, “...you have suffered so much...yes...” he nodded his head, “...the Prophets chose wisely. Only one who has suffered so can reach out...”
“What do you mean?” The Bajoran tactical officer asked with more than a slight note of suspicion in her voice.
“My child...” The elderly priest responded, “You have experienced much pain in such a short life. Perhaps this is the Prophets’ way of allowing the healing process to truly begin?” A sad chuckle escaping his lips as his watery eyes took in the skeptical look on the young woman’s face, Vedek Parmeil continued, “The way will not be easy for you or the others taking the journey with you—you will all change. How? I’m sorry, but the Prophets have kept that knowledge from me. All I can say is that they want you to be the custodian of the orbs until you, Sito Jaxa, can return them to their rightful place.”
“Orbs?” Captain Rodenko interrupted, “I only see one orb.”
Nodding his head, Vedek Parmeil responded, “Yes...but to succeed in your quest...and to end for once and all the horror of the blood-wraith and the suffering of its victims...you must seek the past...and through the past, recover the present and perhaps preserve the future. To do that, you must recover the Orb of Renascence.”
“Ok...” Sam drawled, “What the hell is the Orb of Renascence?”
Bowing his head in reverence, the old man explained, “The Orb of Renascence is shrouded in mystery. Prior to its disappearance long ago, it had never been revealed. The Prophets...in their infinite wisdom...decreed that when the time was right, all would be made manifest...maybe the time is right?” He speculated as his two acolytes reverently took the box containing the Orb of Time in their arms. “They will carry the Orb to your ship where it will then be your responsibility, young Jaxa.” Addressing the entire landing party, the priest delivered a parting blessing, “Your Pahs are strong. May the Prophets watch over you and guide your steps as you go on your journey.”
“Well...” Admiral Bateson declared as he addressed the rest of the landing party, “Looks like we got our marching orders. Let’s go—we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Bajor: 2377
As the quartet rematerialized in a blue light in the courtyard of the Vedek Assembly, they were greeted by three Bajorans garbed in priestly raiment. The elderly man in the middle and in front of the other two, wearing the robes of a vedek. Stepping forward the man introduced himself. “Greetings. I am Vedek Parmeil. Please...come this way.” He invited as he gestured towards an open doorway.
“Well...” Admiral Bateson grinned as he addressed the other three in his group, “You heard the man.”
After being led down a succession of corridors and passageways, the group came to a sealed doorway. Approaching the door, the vedek placed his hand on a stone and pressed lightly. As the stone gave way, the door slowly slid open to reveal a small chamber containing in the middle...
“An orb!” Lieutenant Sito uttered in a hushed tone.
“The Orb of Time.” The vedek affirmed as he gestured with his finger for the young Bajoran woman to approach. As Jaxa drew near, he reached out to touch her ear, only to have her jerk her head back suddenly. “I did not realize...” he apologized in a compassionate voice, “...you have suffered so much...yes...” he nodded his head, “...the Prophets chose wisely. Only one who has suffered so can reach out...”
“What do you mean?” The Bajoran tactical officer asked with more than a slight note of suspicion in her voice.
“My child...” The elderly priest responded, “You have experienced much pain in such a short life. Perhaps this is the Prophets’ way of allowing the healing process to truly begin?” A sad chuckle escaping his lips as his watery eyes took in the skeptical look on the young woman’s face, Vedek Parmeil continued, “The way will not be easy for you or the others taking the journey with you—you will all change. How? I’m sorry, but the Prophets have kept that knowledge from me. All I can say is that they want you to be the custodian of the orbs until you, Sito Jaxa, can return them to their rightful place.”
“Orbs?” Captain Rodenko interrupted, “I only see one orb.”
Nodding his head, Vedek Parmeil responded, “Yes...but to succeed in your quest...and to end for once and all the horror of the blood-wraith and the suffering of its victims...you must seek the past...and through the past, recover the present and perhaps preserve the future. To do that, you must recover the Orb of Renascence.”
“Ok...” Sam drawled, “What the hell is the Orb of Renascence?”
Bowing his head in reverence, the old man explained, “The Orb of Renascence is shrouded in mystery. Prior to its disappearance long ago, it had never been revealed. The Prophets...in their infinite wisdom...decreed that when the time was right, all would be made manifest...maybe the time is right?” He speculated as his two acolytes reverently took the box containing the Orb of Time in their arms. “They will carry the Orb to your ship where it will then be your responsibility, young Jaxa.” Addressing the entire landing party, the priest delivered a parting blessing, “Your Pahs are strong. May the Prophets watch over you and guide your steps as you go on your journey.”
“Well...” Admiral Bateson declared as he addressed the rest of the landing party, “Looks like we got our marching orders. Let’s go—we’ve got a lot of work to do.”
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Re: Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 6 cont.
Don't blame me--blame vBulletin because of its character limitations (And Word 2007 because its coding is so freaking bloated!) Look at it this way, you get more parts quicker! And, I counted a little over six pages...
Don't blame me--blame vBulletin because of its character limitations (And Word 2007 because its coding is so freaking bloated!) Look at it this way, you get more parts quicker! And, I counted a little over six pages...
Wow, quite a lot crammed into one chapter. Wesley and Shelby finally have a chance to talk, and Dr. Vincent figures out far more than he should! I loved his reaction, by the way.
Oh, and now we've got Orbs! Taking one of those anywhere near a pah-wraith is just asking for trouble. But somewhere in the vicinity of trouble is where you'll usually find Liz Shelby and Robert Wesley!
Great stuff! This story is shaping up to be everything I'd hoped.
Oh, and now we've got Orbs! Taking one of those anywhere near a pah-wraith is just asking for trouble. But somewhere in the vicinity of trouble is where you'll usually find Liz Shelby and Robert Wesley!
Great stuff! This story is shaping up to be everything I'd hoped.
I enjoyed the meeting between the commodore and Liz. She's going to have to be very careful not to let something slip in his presence. Obviously, she's a bit overwhelmed meeting her famous grandfather.
Now the rescue party has the orb of time (I think I can guess what it will be used for) but they also have to find another orb? Paging Indiana Jones - are you still in the building?
Great stuff - a superb story!
Now the rescue party has the orb of time (I think I can guess what it will be used for) but they also have to find another orb? Paging Indiana Jones - are you still in the building?
Great stuff - a superb story!
Sito's will take another important step in her journey in this part as are Shelby, Wesley, and Aliz. Even Boris Rodenko and Morgan Bateson will hopefully find out a bit more about themselves before this story is done. And then there's Charles sitting on this big pile of dynamite...
Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 7
USS Sutherland: 2377
Her eyes focused on the chest containing the Orb of Time that had been left in her custody, Lieutenant Sito Jaxa asked, directing her question to no one in particular, “Why me? I haven’t believed in the Prophets since...since...”
“The Enterprise?” Sam interrupted as he carefully placed a comforting hand on the Bajoran woman’s shoulder.
Her body stiffening slightly at her friend’s touch, Jaxa, recognizing the voice of her long-time companion and rescuer, finally relaxed, allowing the man’s hand to remain on her shoulder as she nodded her head once, slowly. “When they captured me...when the Cardassians and Rejak did what they did to me...that’s when I stopped truly believing in the Prophets. No...” she declared, shaking her head violently, “...as far as I’m concerned, they’re nothing more than wormhole aliens.”
“Yeah...” Lavelle replied, cracking a slight smile in an effort to relieve the tension, “But they’re very powerful wormhole aliens...” His smile disappearing the dark haired first officer ventured, “Try to look at it this way, Jaxa...maybe the goal here isn’t to get you back to being a true-blue believer in the Prophets...maybe it’s just to get you to believe in life and hope again?”
Her reply a single snort, Jaxa shook her head again, “That’s not so easy, Sam...not when the best part of it was taken away from you.” Taking a deep breath and exhaling, the Bajoran lieutenant looked up at her old friend, giving him a sad smile before turning to walk away, “But thank you for trying, Sam.”
Shaking his head sadly as he watched the tormented young woman walk away, Sam Lavelle pondered once again the cruelties of fate—how—had situations been only slightly different, Sito Jaxa could very well have been in his shoes now and he in hers. Finally, forcing the gloom from his mind, the roguish first officer also exited the cargo space, leaving behind the two men who had been silently observing the entire tableau.
“They are both so young to have gone through so much...” Captain Boris Rodenko sighed, commenting on the two younger officers to his friend and superior officer, Rear Admiral Morgan Bateson.
“They’ve had to grow up fast...no question about that.” The admiral somberly replied as he stroked his beard. “But I think they turned out pretty well...all things considered.”
“Da...” The burly Russian nicknamed the Commissar by his crew agreed. “Sam is turning into a fine first officer and he will make an excellent captain one day. To be honest...” Boris confessed, cracking a toothy grin, “I had my doubts at first, when Liz told me that she was making Lavelle her number one. He’s always been a top-notch pilot...” the cutter skipper quickly added, “And he’s gutsy and smart...no question about that...I’d take him on the Scamp anytime. But...” the veteran captain qualified, “...when Liz told me her decision...I didn’t think it was a good one at the time. I thought he was too young...a bit too hot-headed. But...it looks like this time I was mistaken.”
Chuckling, Bateson teased good-naturedly, “Boris...I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you admit you were wrong about anything! I wonder what Joseph would say about that?” Still laughing, the genial admiral further quipped, “By the way...I think Ol’ Joe’s still trying to get over walking in on the two of you that time.”
Laughing, the dark-haired Russian replied, “Joseph couldn’t look me straight in the eye for a month afterwards.” His laughter fading away, Rodenko opined, “I just wish that the two of them weren’t such bakapor around each other.”
“Those two certainly do seem to bring out the worst in each other, don’t they?” Morgan agreed with a long suffering sigh, “I don’t know...maybe we need to rent a steel cage and let the two of them fight it out once and for all.”
His laughter returning, Boris joked as he slapped the admiral on the back as the pair walked out of the cargo bay, “That’s not such a bad idea. We should do it! We could have Chief Brin act as the referee. We’d make our latinum back and then some selling the tickets! Not to mention all the side bets!”
*******************************************************************
USS Lexington: 2267
As the doors slid open on to the Lexington’s bridge, Captain Shelby and Commodore Wesley stepped out, Rising from the center seat, Commander Kuznetsov greeted, “Sirs.”
“Alexei.” Wesley smiled back. Then noticing that both Cilla Oudekirk and Lieutenant Bateson were at their stations, the commodore walked up to the helm where the chestnut haired Morgan Bateson sat at navigation and asked quietly, “How’s Jennifer doing?”
“A little better, sir.” The young lieutenant responded, giving his new commanding officer a slight smile. “Lieutenant Masterson’s with her now and when I go off duty, I’ll take over. Between me, the lieutenant, Cilla, and Talana, we’ll have someone with her all the time.”
“Good.” Robert replied, clasping the younger man’s shoulder and squeezing gently. “If there’s anything I can do...”
“Thank you, sir.” Bateson acknowledged, nodding his head once in gratitude. “We’ll be sure to let you know.”
Turning his attention back to his guest, Commodore Wesley smiled, “Captain...would you like to take temporary command?”
Deeply moved and honored by her grandfather’s gracious invitation, Liz demurred, “Are you sure, sir?”
“I’m sure.” The commodore smiled back. “From what I gather, your ship’s a lot bigger than this one. Anyway, I want to see what they’re teaching future starship captains. “Go on ahead...I insist.”
“Thank you, sir. I’d love to.” Taking the center seat, the blonde captain couldn’t help but notice the willowy blonde communications officer staring at her with almost rapt fascination. Liz returned the Dutch communications officer’s smile with one of her own, accompanied by a friendly thumbs up that drew an even wider smile from the normally taciturn Cilla. Clearing her voice, the petite captain inquired, “Helm...what is our station?”
“Holding station at 339 mark 4.” Lieutenant Bateson promptly responded, earning in return a quick intake of breath on the part of the captain that did not go unnoticed by her grandfather. Filing her reaction in the back of his mind along with the other bits and pieces of information, Wesley quietly watched as the starship captain from the future took command.
“Communications...what are our current orders?”
“Long range starcharting and communications monitoring, Ma’am.” Lieutenant Oudekirk promptly responded, only to be politely corrected by Captain Shelby who repeated the earlier request that she had made to the Lexington’s first officer to address her as either Captain or sir. “Aye, sir.” Cilla responded, the smile still on her face as she reported, “I’m picking something now.”
“Main speakers, please, Mr. Oudekirk.”
As the sounds of an unknown language—unknown, that is, to the crew of the Lexington—came through the speakers, the communications officer reported, “Universal translator’s working...shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Cardassian.” Liz whispered under her breath as she immediately recognized the consonant and vowel sequences as the commodore again noticed her reaction.
“Do you know these people, Captain?” The commodore asked, his brow furrowed as he saw what he thought he recognized as a flash of anger in the woman’s eyes that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Looking up at her grandfather, Liz carefully replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but...Temporal Prime Directive.”
“There is no such thing as a Temporal Prime Directive.” The Bear responded in a low rumble.
“Not now, there isn’t.” Liz quickly fired back, matching the big Russian gaze for gaze until the commander finally looked away. “But there is where...when...I’m from...and I intend to obey it.”
“Can you at least tell us whether they could pose a threat?” Robert inquired, his concern for his ship reflected in his voice tone.
Deciding that she could answer that much at least, Liz nodded her head, “We’ll be all right as long as we don’t make contact, sir.”
“Good thing we’re not here to do that, then.” Robert responded, pleased with the captain’s answer.
“Sounds like routine patrol reports, Captain.” Cilla remarked as the universal translator finally rendered the alien language into Federation Standard.
“Good. Record them and be sure to monitor our own emissions—we don’t want them picking up on us and getting curious themselves and deciding to investigate.” Liz relaxed a little as she began to feel more comfortable in the high backed center chair. Turning to the science station, she asked the Vulcan science officer on duty, “What are your scans picking up?”
“Nothing unusual at this time, sir. Logging and recording data.” Taking the data slate from the yeoman on duty, Captain Shelby glanced at it before handing it to her grandfather. “Sir...I have a feeling you better be the one to sign this.”
“Of course.” Robert grinned as he affixed his electronic signature to the document. Looking down at the attractive captain, Wesley nodded his head approvingly, “How do you like the center seat of a Connie?”
“It’s a dream come true, sir.” Liz replied her eyes watering with genuine emotion as she spoke, “I’ve commanded Connies in...simulators” she said, stopping herself before she said holodecks, “...but it’s not the same as...”
“The real thing.” Wesley smiled back, completing the blonde captain’s sentence as he nodded his head knowingly. “I know. I felt the same way when I first sat down in this seat. But...” he chuckled, “...I’m sure the ships you’ve got in your time leave The Lady in the dust.”
“They might be faster and bigger and have more toys on them...” Liz conceded, “But Commodore...” her voice dripping with sincerity as she spoke her next words, “It’s not how fast a ship can go or how big it is or how many weapons or science stations or systems it might have that makes a ship a good ship. It’s the crew. I’d take this ship with its crew anywhere...any time...against any challenge...and I’d feel damned good about it.”
“Thank you.” Robert said, his respect for Shelby growing even more as he immediately picked up on the sincerity in her words. “Who knows...maybe one day I’ll get to see your ship and crew.”
“You never know, sir.” Liz replied with a grin of her own, “Stranger things have happened.”
*********************************************************************
USS Sutherland: 2377
Entering his quarters, Commander Sam Lavelle wasn’t at all surprised to find his dusky skinned chief helmsman already making herself at home on his couch. “Scootch.” The dark-haired first officer ordered as he sat down next to his lover, “I want to catch the Bajoran news.”
“Fine...” Lieutenant Maria Django pouted, “Wasn’t like I wasn’t watching anything important like the Rigellian cliff diving competition or anything.”
Giving his tempestuous girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek, Sam vowed, “I promise I’ll turn it back after the news.” The rakish grin disappearing from his face, the Sutherland’s acting captain explained, “I want to hear about what happened in Jalanda City today. I heard that a bomb went off in the central marketplace...” he said as the a female voice spoke.
“The latest casualties from the tragic bombing of Resistance Plaza in Jalanda City today stands at one hundred dead and over three hundred injured. The thalmerite device was timed to go off during the height of the noon-hour respite. A militant cell of the Bajora-tava have taken responsibility for the attack, stating that, ‘Those Bajorans who died or were injured were not innocent. That by not being in temple, they had committed blasphemy against the Prophets and so received due punishment. And that those who were not Bajoran were infidels who had no place on Bajoran soul.’ Their communiqué called for the immediate resignation of the Bajoran government and the deposition of the current Kai and Vedek Council as well as the reinstitution of the Djara castes and the expulsion of all non-Bajorans from Bajoran territory and Deep Space Nine. Deputy Minister of Internal Security Talas Boran responded in this statement delivered moments ago, ‘The Bajoran government hereby puts the Bajora-tava on notice. The unconscionable murder and maiming of hundreds of innocent lives in a wanton act of terrorism will not be tolerated and the perpetrators of this atrocity will be brought to justice. It will not tolerate acts of terrorism now or in the future.’ The is Kala Danar of Bajoran World News.”
“I don’t think I feel like watching cliff-diving anymore.” Maria frowned as she turned off the monitor. “Just hold me, Sam...please.”
********************************************************************
Watching the same broadcast in her own quarters, Lieutenant Sito Jaxa frowned as she remembered her last conversation with one of the acolytes who had earlier delivered the Orb of Time to the her care.
“This is a dangerous time, Sister.” The fledgling priest declared, shaking his head sadly, “When the Bajora-tava first arrived, we welcomed them as our long lost brothers and sisters...but...since their arrival...”
“The violence has been escalating.” Jaxa interrupted, completing the acolyte’s thoughts.
“Correct.” After first assuring himself that no one else was listening, the young priest added, “There is another reason why you have been asked to take custody of the Orb...one that Vedek Parmeil did not want to tell you. The Vedek...” the young man explained with a sad smile, “...is something of an ascetic...he does not like to talk of worldly affairs. The truth is that the Vedek Council and Ministry of Security had learned that there might be a plot by some elements of the Bajora-tava to steal the Orb of Time. They feel that if they could use the orb to travel back far enough into the past...”
“They could prevent the Cardassian takeover and ensure that they hold power.” Lieutenant Sito concluded. “Then they would launch a holy war first against the Cardassians and then...”
“Against anyone else who does not accept the word of the Prophets.” The acolyte confirmed, nodding his head. “Vedek Parmeil feels that the Orb of Renascence could play a major part in healing our wounds. I’m not so sure about that...” the young priest demurred, “Perhaps I’m not strong enough in my faith, but I don’t think we are going to find our answer in just one orb...I think it will take far more than that. But for the sake of your captain and your friends...and perhaps for the sake of all of us...you must succeed.”
USS Sutherland: 2377
Her eyes focused on the chest containing the Orb of Time that had been left in her custody, Lieutenant Sito Jaxa asked, directing her question to no one in particular, “Why me? I haven’t believed in the Prophets since...since...”
“The Enterprise?” Sam interrupted as he carefully placed a comforting hand on the Bajoran woman’s shoulder.
Her body stiffening slightly at her friend’s touch, Jaxa, recognizing the voice of her long-time companion and rescuer, finally relaxed, allowing the man’s hand to remain on her shoulder as she nodded her head once, slowly. “When they captured me...when the Cardassians and Rejak did what they did to me...that’s when I stopped truly believing in the Prophets. No...” she declared, shaking her head violently, “...as far as I’m concerned, they’re nothing more than wormhole aliens.”
“Yeah...” Lavelle replied, cracking a slight smile in an effort to relieve the tension, “But they’re very powerful wormhole aliens...” His smile disappearing the dark haired first officer ventured, “Try to look at it this way, Jaxa...maybe the goal here isn’t to get you back to being a true-blue believer in the Prophets...maybe it’s just to get you to believe in life and hope again?”
Her reply a single snort, Jaxa shook her head again, “That’s not so easy, Sam...not when the best part of it was taken away from you.” Taking a deep breath and exhaling, the Bajoran lieutenant looked up at her old friend, giving him a sad smile before turning to walk away, “But thank you for trying, Sam.”
Shaking his head sadly as he watched the tormented young woman walk away, Sam Lavelle pondered once again the cruelties of fate—how—had situations been only slightly different, Sito Jaxa could very well have been in his shoes now and he in hers. Finally, forcing the gloom from his mind, the roguish first officer also exited the cargo space, leaving behind the two men who had been silently observing the entire tableau.
“They are both so young to have gone through so much...” Captain Boris Rodenko sighed, commenting on the two younger officers to his friend and superior officer, Rear Admiral Morgan Bateson.
“They’ve had to grow up fast...no question about that.” The admiral somberly replied as he stroked his beard. “But I think they turned out pretty well...all things considered.”
“Da...” The burly Russian nicknamed the Commissar by his crew agreed. “Sam is turning into a fine first officer and he will make an excellent captain one day. To be honest...” Boris confessed, cracking a toothy grin, “I had my doubts at first, when Liz told me that she was making Lavelle her number one. He’s always been a top-notch pilot...” the cutter skipper quickly added, “And he’s gutsy and smart...no question about that...I’d take him on the Scamp anytime. But...” the veteran captain qualified, “...when Liz told me her decision...I didn’t think it was a good one at the time. I thought he was too young...a bit too hot-headed. But...it looks like this time I was mistaken.”
Chuckling, Bateson teased good-naturedly, “Boris...I believe that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you admit you were wrong about anything! I wonder what Joseph would say about that?” Still laughing, the genial admiral further quipped, “By the way...I think Ol’ Joe’s still trying to get over walking in on the two of you that time.”
Laughing, the dark-haired Russian replied, “Joseph couldn’t look me straight in the eye for a month afterwards.” His laughter fading away, Rodenko opined, “I just wish that the two of them weren’t such bakapor around each other.”
“Those two certainly do seem to bring out the worst in each other, don’t they?” Morgan agreed with a long suffering sigh, “I don’t know...maybe we need to rent a steel cage and let the two of them fight it out once and for all.”
His laughter returning, Boris joked as he slapped the admiral on the back as the pair walked out of the cargo bay, “That’s not such a bad idea. We should do it! We could have Chief Brin act as the referee. We’d make our latinum back and then some selling the tickets! Not to mention all the side bets!”
*******************************************************************
USS Lexington: 2267
As the doors slid open on to the Lexington’s bridge, Captain Shelby and Commodore Wesley stepped out, Rising from the center seat, Commander Kuznetsov greeted, “Sirs.”
“Alexei.” Wesley smiled back. Then noticing that both Cilla Oudekirk and Lieutenant Bateson were at their stations, the commodore walked up to the helm where the chestnut haired Morgan Bateson sat at navigation and asked quietly, “How’s Jennifer doing?”
“A little better, sir.” The young lieutenant responded, giving his new commanding officer a slight smile. “Lieutenant Masterson’s with her now and when I go off duty, I’ll take over. Between me, the lieutenant, Cilla, and Talana, we’ll have someone with her all the time.”
“Good.” Robert replied, clasping the younger man’s shoulder and squeezing gently. “If there’s anything I can do...”
“Thank you, sir.” Bateson acknowledged, nodding his head once in gratitude. “We’ll be sure to let you know.”
Turning his attention back to his guest, Commodore Wesley smiled, “Captain...would you like to take temporary command?”
Deeply moved and honored by her grandfather’s gracious invitation, Liz demurred, “Are you sure, sir?”
“I’m sure.” The commodore smiled back. “From what I gather, your ship’s a lot bigger than this one. Anyway, I want to see what they’re teaching future starship captains. “Go on ahead...I insist.”
“Thank you, sir. I’d love to.” Taking the center seat, the blonde captain couldn’t help but notice the willowy blonde communications officer staring at her with almost rapt fascination. Liz returned the Dutch communications officer’s smile with one of her own, accompanied by a friendly thumbs up that drew an even wider smile from the normally taciturn Cilla. Clearing her voice, the petite captain inquired, “Helm...what is our station?”
“Holding station at 339 mark 4.” Lieutenant Bateson promptly responded, earning in return a quick intake of breath on the part of the captain that did not go unnoticed by her grandfather. Filing her reaction in the back of his mind along with the other bits and pieces of information, Wesley quietly watched as the starship captain from the future took command.
“Communications...what are our current orders?”
“Long range starcharting and communications monitoring, Ma’am.” Lieutenant Oudekirk promptly responded, only to be politely corrected by Captain Shelby who repeated the earlier request that she had made to the Lexington’s first officer to address her as either Captain or sir. “Aye, sir.” Cilla responded, the smile still on her face as she reported, “I’m picking something now.”
“Main speakers, please, Mr. Oudekirk.”
As the sounds of an unknown language—unknown, that is, to the crew of the Lexington—came through the speakers, the communications officer reported, “Universal translator’s working...shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Cardassian.” Liz whispered under her breath as she immediately recognized the consonant and vowel sequences as the commodore again noticed her reaction.
“Do you know these people, Captain?” The commodore asked, his brow furrowed as he saw what he thought he recognized as a flash of anger in the woman’s eyes that vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
Looking up at her grandfather, Liz carefully replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but...Temporal Prime Directive.”
“There is no such thing as a Temporal Prime Directive.” The Bear responded in a low rumble.
“Not now, there isn’t.” Liz quickly fired back, matching the big Russian gaze for gaze until the commander finally looked away. “But there is where...when...I’m from...and I intend to obey it.”
“Can you at least tell us whether they could pose a threat?” Robert inquired, his concern for his ship reflected in his voice tone.
Deciding that she could answer that much at least, Liz nodded her head, “We’ll be all right as long as we don’t make contact, sir.”
“Good thing we’re not here to do that, then.” Robert responded, pleased with the captain’s answer.
“Sounds like routine patrol reports, Captain.” Cilla remarked as the universal translator finally rendered the alien language into Federation Standard.
“Good. Record them and be sure to monitor our own emissions—we don’t want them picking up on us and getting curious themselves and deciding to investigate.” Liz relaxed a little as she began to feel more comfortable in the high backed center chair. Turning to the science station, she asked the Vulcan science officer on duty, “What are your scans picking up?”
“Nothing unusual at this time, sir. Logging and recording data.” Taking the data slate from the yeoman on duty, Captain Shelby glanced at it before handing it to her grandfather. “Sir...I have a feeling you better be the one to sign this.”
“Of course.” Robert grinned as he affixed his electronic signature to the document. Looking down at the attractive captain, Wesley nodded his head approvingly, “How do you like the center seat of a Connie?”
“It’s a dream come true, sir.” Liz replied her eyes watering with genuine emotion as she spoke, “I’ve commanded Connies in...simulators” she said, stopping herself before she said holodecks, “...but it’s not the same as...”
“The real thing.” Wesley smiled back, completing the blonde captain’s sentence as he nodded his head knowingly. “I know. I felt the same way when I first sat down in this seat. But...” he chuckled, “...I’m sure the ships you’ve got in your time leave The Lady in the dust.”
“They might be faster and bigger and have more toys on them...” Liz conceded, “But Commodore...” her voice dripping with sincerity as she spoke her next words, “It’s not how fast a ship can go or how big it is or how many weapons or science stations or systems it might have that makes a ship a good ship. It’s the crew. I’d take this ship with its crew anywhere...any time...against any challenge...and I’d feel damned good about it.”
“Thank you.” Robert said, his respect for Shelby growing even more as he immediately picked up on the sincerity in her words. “Who knows...maybe one day I’ll get to see your ship and crew.”
“You never know, sir.” Liz replied with a grin of her own, “Stranger things have happened.”
*********************************************************************
USS Sutherland: 2377
Entering his quarters, Commander Sam Lavelle wasn’t at all surprised to find his dusky skinned chief helmsman already making herself at home on his couch. “Scootch.” The dark-haired first officer ordered as he sat down next to his lover, “I want to catch the Bajoran news.”
“Fine...” Lieutenant Maria Django pouted, “Wasn’t like I wasn’t watching anything important like the Rigellian cliff diving competition or anything.”
Giving his tempestuous girlfriend a quick peck on the cheek, Sam vowed, “I promise I’ll turn it back after the news.” The rakish grin disappearing from his face, the Sutherland’s acting captain explained, “I want to hear about what happened in Jalanda City today. I heard that a bomb went off in the central marketplace...” he said as the a female voice spoke.
“The latest casualties from the tragic bombing of Resistance Plaza in Jalanda City today stands at one hundred dead and over three hundred injured. The thalmerite device was timed to go off during the height of the noon-hour respite. A militant cell of the Bajora-tava have taken responsibility for the attack, stating that, ‘Those Bajorans who died or were injured were not innocent. That by not being in temple, they had committed blasphemy against the Prophets and so received due punishment. And that those who were not Bajoran were infidels who had no place on Bajoran soul.’ Their communiqué called for the immediate resignation of the Bajoran government and the deposition of the current Kai and Vedek Council as well as the reinstitution of the Djara castes and the expulsion of all non-Bajorans from Bajoran territory and Deep Space Nine. Deputy Minister of Internal Security Talas Boran responded in this statement delivered moments ago, ‘The Bajoran government hereby puts the Bajora-tava on notice. The unconscionable murder and maiming of hundreds of innocent lives in a wanton act of terrorism will not be tolerated and the perpetrators of this atrocity will be brought to justice. It will not tolerate acts of terrorism now or in the future.’ The is Kala Danar of Bajoran World News.”
“I don’t think I feel like watching cliff-diving anymore.” Maria frowned as she turned off the monitor. “Just hold me, Sam...please.”
********************************************************************
Watching the same broadcast in her own quarters, Lieutenant Sito Jaxa frowned as she remembered her last conversation with one of the acolytes who had earlier delivered the Orb of Time to the her care.
“This is a dangerous time, Sister.” The fledgling priest declared, shaking his head sadly, “When the Bajora-tava first arrived, we welcomed them as our long lost brothers and sisters...but...since their arrival...”
“The violence has been escalating.” Jaxa interrupted, completing the acolyte’s thoughts.
“Correct.” After first assuring himself that no one else was listening, the young priest added, “There is another reason why you have been asked to take custody of the Orb...one that Vedek Parmeil did not want to tell you. The Vedek...” the young man explained with a sad smile, “...is something of an ascetic...he does not like to talk of worldly affairs. The truth is that the Vedek Council and Ministry of Security had learned that there might be a plot by some elements of the Bajora-tava to steal the Orb of Time. They feel that if they could use the orb to travel back far enough into the past...”
“They could prevent the Cardassian takeover and ensure that they hold power.” Lieutenant Sito concluded. “Then they would launch a holy war first against the Cardassians and then...”
“Against anyone else who does not accept the word of the Prophets.” The acolyte confirmed, nodding his head. “Vedek Parmeil feels that the Orb of Renascence could play a major part in healing our wounds. I’m not so sure about that...” the young priest demurred, “Perhaps I’m not strong enough in my faith, but I don’t think we are going to find our answer in just one orb...I think it will take far more than that. But for the sake of your captain and your friends...and perhaps for the sake of all of us...you must succeed.”
Suthy/Lexington: Blood Cries Part 7 cont
USS Lexington: 2267
“It’s almost as if she’s fighting a war inside her.” Talana observed as she and Dr. Vincent looked down on the thrashing, physically restrained Ensign Aliz Bathory.
“She is...” The balding Lexington CMO declared as he tilted his head up, drawing the Andorian science officer’s attention to the ensign’s bio-readings. Pointing at how the readings were beginning to synchronize, the doctor pointed out in a somber tone, “And it doesn’t look like she’s winning.”
“Then we better get a move on.” Talana replied through gritted teeth.
“Right. Hmmm...” the doctor vocalized as an idea suddenly sprung into his head, “...it might work.”
“What?”
“I was thinking that if we bathed Aliz in a low-level field of baric radiation...” Charles began.
“That that might disrupt whatever that thing is that’s inside Aliz long enough so that we could safely put her—and it—in stasis.” Talana finished, commenting further, “It might...or it might not. In any event, it would have to be very low-level and for only a short duration. Problem is...” The Andorian science officer sighed ruefully, “We can only expose her to a limited amount in a given period and it takes weeks for the body to process it afterwards...”
“So no trial runs with her.” Charles interjected, completing his teammate’s thoughts.
“Uh Huh.” Talana affirmed, “Once we start, it’s all or nothing.”
“Then we better get started with the computer simulations.” Charles announced. “If nothing else, they can tell us whether we have a chance or not.”
**********************************************************************
“Your descendent is an interesting individual.” The pah-wraith teased as images alternating fantastic, exciting, frightening, pleasurable, painful, and erotic passed through Aliz’s mind, all centered on a petite blonde haired woman. “She has done much in her life and has a taste for the...sensual...that I find most appealing. She would have made an excellent host in her own right...but...unfortunately for her, I have other plans.”
“What sort of plans? What are you going to do to her?” Aliz demanded as she felt her defenses beginning to crumble.
“You’ll see.” The pah-wraith gloated. “But now...I think it’s time for us to leave.”
“No.” Aliz protested as she mounted one last valiant effort to retain her independence.
“Up until now, I have found your puny efforts to resist me amusing..”. the daemon declared, now taking on a much more menacing tone, “But no more. I am taking control. If you resist...if you attempt to delay me...I will destroy this entire ship and all within it. Understand?”
“If I do not resist...” Aliz pleaded, “Will you promise not to hurt anyone else?”
“If you comply...” the pah-wraith replied, “I promise you that no one who does not oppose our leaving this vessel will be killed.”
“But after...”
“I make no promises for after. Now...” the pah-wraith demanded, “...you must decide. Do you buy your loved ones a few more moments of life or not? I want your answer now.”
Bowing down to the inevitable, Aliz sobbed, “It appears I have no choice...”
“You never did.” The daemon gloated as it once again took possession of its unwilling host.
******************************************************************
“All the simulations say the same thing...” Talana sighed, shaking her head as she regarded the human doctor standing next to her in front of a now quiescent Aliz. “It’ll either work or it won’t. There’s about a fifty percent probability either way. So...we ready to tell the commodore?”
“I don’t see as we have any other choice.” Dr. Vincent replied through clenched teeth. “You go ahead and get things ready...I’ll inform the commodore.”
“I see, Doctor...” Commodore Wesley acknowledged as he heard his chief medical officer’s report, “But if we do nothing, there’s a one-hundred percent chance that thing will take her over completely.”
“Right.” Charles confirmed as the he glanced up at the vital signs monitor above his patient’s bed, gritting his teeth as the readings slowly began to synch together. “And sir...we don’t have much time.”
“Very well...” Robert decided, “I’m on my way.”
“I’m coming with you.” Captain Shelby announced, rising from the center seat only to be stopped by a slow shake of Commodore Wesley’s head.
“No, Captain.” The commodore declared, “I don’t think that would be such a good idea. Remember...that thing wanted both of us.”
“But...”
“I understand...and...” Robert explained sympathetically, “...if I were in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way. But...if something does go wrong...” the gray-haired ex-boxing champion fell silent for a moment as he contemplated his next words, “...I have a funny feeling...don’t ask me how...” he said, pausing once again, “...I just do...that I should trust you. That you’ll probably have the best idea on how to deal with it.” Seeing the fair-haired captain almost tearing up, Robert smiled warmly, “Stay here. If everything goes the way we hope in sickbay...then we’ll concentrate on getting you back to where and when you belong. But...if something does go wrong...” Wesley emphasized, giving the young captain a meaningful look as he jotted down something on a data slate and then handed it to the duty yeoman, “You’ll be in command of the Lexington and I have just entered that into the ship’s log. I want you to do everything possible to stop that thing while at the same time ensuring the safety of the Lexington and its crew. Do we understand each other?”
“Aye, sir.” Liz responded in a quiet, subdued tone as she looked up at her grandfather. “Don’t worry, Po...Commodore, I’ll take care of this ship.”
“I know.” Wesley smiled back before turning his attention to his first officer, “Alexei? I know this is unorthodox, but I’m asking you to trust me on this one. If things go to hell in a handbasket, I need you to give Captain Shelby all the help and support she needs and back her up all the way. Can I count on you, old friend?”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian gravely answered back, “Always.”
“Great. I knew I could.” He said as he made his way to the turbolift, “If any of you know any prayers, I’d say now would be a good time to say them.”
********************************************************************
USS Sutherland: 2377
“We don’t get much time together these days, do we?” Denise Murakawa sighed as she snuggled up closer to the man lying next to her on the bed in her quarters, self-consciously pulling up a sheet to hide her naked form.
“Not nearly enough.” Morgan Bateson agreed with a rueful grin as he gently caressed the lovely Japanese-Centauran woman’s cheek. “It seems that whenever we try to get some time to ourselves, something always seems to come up. Remember...we were going to get together after that medical conference and then Beverly Crushed shanghaied you...”
“And I ended up temporary CMO on the Gibraltar when it went with the Enterprise and the other ships into the Briar Patch.” Denise chuckled.
“And then we tried to set up another weekend and that mess with Joe Akinola and the Req’ti messed that up!” Morgan added with a laugh of his own.
“Well...we’re together now.” Denise smiled as she gave her lover a gentle kiss.
“Denise...” Morgan began only to pause for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, “...you understand that when we get there that you can’t let me...the younger me...” he clarified, “...know anything about what’s going to happen...know anything about us...”
“I know.” Dr. Murakawa replied in a soft voice, “You don’t have to worry about that, Morgan. I’m not going to say or do anything...”
“There’ something else, you should know, Denise.” Bateson gently interrupted, “...you should know that when you get on board the Lexington that the me you see...well...he...I...was...”
“I know...” Denise smiled warmly, “...you told me about Jennifer...remember? It’s all right. Don’t worry...we’re going to take care of her and all the others...including you. I promise. Now...” she smiled as she drew the bed sheet over both her and her lover, “...since we’ve only got a couple more hours alone together in this time, I want to do more than talk.”
***********************************************************************
“The Scamp is yours, Commander Vribb, until we return.” Captain Boris Rodenko declared as he placed his new executive officer in temporary command of the Albacore-class border cutter, “Take care of her.”
“Aye, sir.” The Bolian woman responded, “Be careful, Captain.”
“Are we ready, Sam?” Admiral Bateson inquired.
“Lieutenant Sito?” Commander Lavelle directed, nodding his head once at the Bajoran woman standing near the center of the bridge facing the enclosed Orb of Time. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Without uttering a word, Jaxa approached the chest containing the orb and opened it. Almost immediately a bright light filled the bridge of the Sutherland, slowly spreading until in enclosed the entire vessel in its warmth. And then...it was gone.
“Take care of yourselves...” Commander Vribb said in soft voice as she and the rest of the crew of the Scamp said a silent prayer for their captain and the rest of the Sutherland’s crew as it disappeared in the light. “May the Sky Gods guide you along your path...”
*********************************************************************
USS Lexington: 2267
Walking briskly into sickbay, Commodore Wesley wasted no time as he approached the biobed containing his ensign. “Are you sure this’ll work, Charles?” The commodore inquired as he looked down with anguish on the petite Hungarian woman who, for the moment, rested quietly.
“No...” the doctor responded in his usual New England twang, “...but we don’t have a choice...”
“If we’re going to do this...” Lieutenant Commander Zha’Thara urged, “...then we need to do it now. If we wait any longer...”
“Do it.” The commodore ordered, his teeth clenched as he uttered his command, “Now.”
Taking a deep breath, Charles reached towards his patient to administer the hypo only to have his arm grasped in a firm and painful grip that caused the balding doctor to wince in pain as he saw that Aliz had broken her restraint and was now forcing the hypo back on him.
As his eyes met those of Ensign Bathory’s, a cold chill ran down Wesley’s spine as he saw that their normal green hue was gone. Now, the Hungarian woman’s eyes flared fiery red. The commodore had time to utter one word, “Aliz...”
USS Lexington: 2267
“It’s almost as if she’s fighting a war inside her.” Talana observed as she and Dr. Vincent looked down on the thrashing, physically restrained Ensign Aliz Bathory.
“She is...” The balding Lexington CMO declared as he tilted his head up, drawing the Andorian science officer’s attention to the ensign’s bio-readings. Pointing at how the readings were beginning to synchronize, the doctor pointed out in a somber tone, “And it doesn’t look like she’s winning.”
“Then we better get a move on.” Talana replied through gritted teeth.
“Right. Hmmm...” the doctor vocalized as an idea suddenly sprung into his head, “...it might work.”
“What?”
“I was thinking that if we bathed Aliz in a low-level field of baric radiation...” Charles began.
“That that might disrupt whatever that thing is that’s inside Aliz long enough so that we could safely put her—and it—in stasis.” Talana finished, commenting further, “It might...or it might not. In any event, it would have to be very low-level and for only a short duration. Problem is...” The Andorian science officer sighed ruefully, “We can only expose her to a limited amount in a given period and it takes weeks for the body to process it afterwards...”
“So no trial runs with her.” Charles interjected, completing his teammate’s thoughts.
“Uh Huh.” Talana affirmed, “Once we start, it’s all or nothing.”
“Then we better get started with the computer simulations.” Charles announced. “If nothing else, they can tell us whether we have a chance or not.”
**********************************************************************
“Your descendent is an interesting individual.” The pah-wraith teased as images alternating fantastic, exciting, frightening, pleasurable, painful, and erotic passed through Aliz’s mind, all centered on a petite blonde haired woman. “She has done much in her life and has a taste for the...sensual...that I find most appealing. She would have made an excellent host in her own right...but...unfortunately for her, I have other plans.”
“What sort of plans? What are you going to do to her?” Aliz demanded as she felt her defenses beginning to crumble.
“You’ll see.” The pah-wraith gloated. “But now...I think it’s time for us to leave.”
“No.” Aliz protested as she mounted one last valiant effort to retain her independence.
“Up until now, I have found your puny efforts to resist me amusing..”. the daemon declared, now taking on a much more menacing tone, “But no more. I am taking control. If you resist...if you attempt to delay me...I will destroy this entire ship and all within it. Understand?”
“If I do not resist...” Aliz pleaded, “Will you promise not to hurt anyone else?”
“If you comply...” the pah-wraith replied, “I promise you that no one who does not oppose our leaving this vessel will be killed.”
“But after...”
“I make no promises for after. Now...” the pah-wraith demanded, “...you must decide. Do you buy your loved ones a few more moments of life or not? I want your answer now.”
Bowing down to the inevitable, Aliz sobbed, “It appears I have no choice...”
“You never did.” The daemon gloated as it once again took possession of its unwilling host.
******************************************************************
“All the simulations say the same thing...” Talana sighed, shaking her head as she regarded the human doctor standing next to her in front of a now quiescent Aliz. “It’ll either work or it won’t. There’s about a fifty percent probability either way. So...we ready to tell the commodore?”
“I don’t see as we have any other choice.” Dr. Vincent replied through clenched teeth. “You go ahead and get things ready...I’ll inform the commodore.”
“I see, Doctor...” Commodore Wesley acknowledged as he heard his chief medical officer’s report, “But if we do nothing, there’s a one-hundred percent chance that thing will take her over completely.”
“Right.” Charles confirmed as the he glanced up at the vital signs monitor above his patient’s bed, gritting his teeth as the readings slowly began to synch together. “And sir...we don’t have much time.”
“Very well...” Robert decided, “I’m on my way.”
“I’m coming with you.” Captain Shelby announced, rising from the center seat only to be stopped by a slow shake of Commodore Wesley’s head.
“No, Captain.” The commodore declared, “I don’t think that would be such a good idea. Remember...that thing wanted both of us.”
“But...”
“I understand...and...” Robert explained sympathetically, “...if I were in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way. But...if something does go wrong...” the gray-haired ex-boxing champion fell silent for a moment as he contemplated his next words, “...I have a funny feeling...don’t ask me how...” he said, pausing once again, “...I just do...that I should trust you. That you’ll probably have the best idea on how to deal with it.” Seeing the fair-haired captain almost tearing up, Robert smiled warmly, “Stay here. If everything goes the way we hope in sickbay...then we’ll concentrate on getting you back to where and when you belong. But...if something does go wrong...” Wesley emphasized, giving the young captain a meaningful look as he jotted down something on a data slate and then handed it to the duty yeoman, “You’ll be in command of the Lexington and I have just entered that into the ship’s log. I want you to do everything possible to stop that thing while at the same time ensuring the safety of the Lexington and its crew. Do we understand each other?”
“Aye, sir.” Liz responded in a quiet, subdued tone as she looked up at her grandfather. “Don’t worry, Po...Commodore, I’ll take care of this ship.”
“I know.” Wesley smiled back before turning his attention to his first officer, “Alexei? I know this is unorthodox, but I’m asking you to trust me on this one. If things go to hell in a handbasket, I need you to give Captain Shelby all the help and support she needs and back her up all the way. Can I count on you, old friend?”
“Da, Commodore.” The big Russian gravely answered back, “Always.”
“Great. I knew I could.” He said as he made his way to the turbolift, “If any of you know any prayers, I’d say now would be a good time to say them.”
********************************************************************
USS Sutherland: 2377
“We don’t get much time together these days, do we?” Denise Murakawa sighed as she snuggled up closer to the man lying next to her on the bed in her quarters, self-consciously pulling up a sheet to hide her naked form.
“Not nearly enough.” Morgan Bateson agreed with a rueful grin as he gently caressed the lovely Japanese-Centauran woman’s cheek. “It seems that whenever we try to get some time to ourselves, something always seems to come up. Remember...we were going to get together after that medical conference and then Beverly Crushed shanghaied you...”
“And I ended up temporary CMO on the Gibraltar when it went with the Enterprise and the other ships into the Briar Patch.” Denise chuckled.
“And then we tried to set up another weekend and that mess with Joe Akinola and the Req’ti messed that up!” Morgan added with a laugh of his own.
“Well...we’re together now.” Denise smiled as she gave her lover a gentle kiss.
“Denise...” Morgan began only to pause for a moment as he gathered his thoughts, “...you understand that when we get there that you can’t let me...the younger me...” he clarified, “...know anything about what’s going to happen...know anything about us...”
“I know.” Dr. Murakawa replied in a soft voice, “You don’t have to worry about that, Morgan. I’m not going to say or do anything...”
“There’ something else, you should know, Denise.” Bateson gently interrupted, “...you should know that when you get on board the Lexington that the me you see...well...he...I...was...”
“I know...” Denise smiled warmly, “...you told me about Jennifer...remember? It’s all right. Don’t worry...we’re going to take care of her and all the others...including you. I promise. Now...” she smiled as she drew the bed sheet over both her and her lover, “...since we’ve only got a couple more hours alone together in this time, I want to do more than talk.”
***********************************************************************
“The Scamp is yours, Commander Vribb, until we return.” Captain Boris Rodenko declared as he placed his new executive officer in temporary command of the Albacore-class border cutter, “Take care of her.”
“Aye, sir.” The Bolian woman responded, “Be careful, Captain.”
“Are we ready, Sam?” Admiral Bateson inquired.
“Lieutenant Sito?” Commander Lavelle directed, nodding his head once at the Bajoran woman standing near the center of the bridge facing the enclosed Orb of Time. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Without uttering a word, Jaxa approached the chest containing the orb and opened it. Almost immediately a bright light filled the bridge of the Sutherland, slowly spreading until in enclosed the entire vessel in its warmth. And then...it was gone.
“Take care of yourselves...” Commander Vribb said in soft voice as she and the rest of the crew of the Scamp said a silent prayer for their captain and the rest of the Sutherland’s crew as it disappeared in the light. “May the Sky Gods guide you along your path...”
*********************************************************************
USS Lexington: 2267
Walking briskly into sickbay, Commodore Wesley wasted no time as he approached the biobed containing his ensign. “Are you sure this’ll work, Charles?” The commodore inquired as he looked down with anguish on the petite Hungarian woman who, for the moment, rested quietly.
“No...” the doctor responded in his usual New England twang, “...but we don’t have a choice...”
“If we’re going to do this...” Lieutenant Commander Zha’Thara urged, “...then we need to do it now. If we wait any longer...”
“Do it.” The commodore ordered, his teeth clenched as he uttered his command, “Now.”
Taking a deep breath, Charles reached towards his patient to administer the hypo only to have his arm grasped in a firm and painful grip that caused the balding doctor to wince in pain as he saw that Aliz had broken her restraint and was now forcing the hypo back on him.
As his eyes met those of Ensign Bathory’s, a cold chill ran down Wesley’s spine as he saw that their normal green hue was gone. Now, the Hungarian woman’s eyes flared fiery red. The commodore had time to utter one word, “Aliz...”
Arrgh! That's one heck of a cliff-hanger! The Sutherland is heading back in time and the pah-wraith/Aliz are about to run amok! Hopefully, the Commodore can get through to Ensign Bathory before she mops the floor with the doctor.
I have to wonder - will Captain Bateson meet his younger self? If so, what does one say to oneself? (I better stop - the headaches are coming back.
)
More "Blood Cries," please!
The Sutherland is heading back in time and the pah-wraith/Aliz are about to run amok! Hopefully, the Commodore can get through to Ensign Bathory before she mops the floor with the doctor.I have to wonder - will Captain Bateson meet his younger self? If so, what does one say to oneself? (I better stop - the headaches are coming back.
)More "Blood Cries," please!
Great stuff.
I love how you're weaving the two stories together. Temporal mechanics always gives me a headache.
I love how you're weaving the two stories together. Temporal mechanics always gives me a headache.
Wesley practically jinxed himself by giving Shelby and the Bear a big prep speech. Maybe he knew things were not going to go well.
I'm looking forward to a face-to-face meeting between Sutherland and Lexington. And while Shelby seems to be a stickler for the Temporal Prime Directive the same cannot be said about Bateson. I'm sure Temporal Investigations will just love that he's taking an entire ship back into the past.
It'll make a heck of an encounter though.
I'm looking forward to a face-to-face meeting between Sutherland and Lexington. And while Shelby seems to be a stickler for the Temporal Prime Directive the same cannot be said about Bateson. I'm sure Temporal Investigations will just love that he's taking an entire ship back into the past.
It'll make a heck of an encounter though.
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