Homeward Bound

Posted on 13 Oct 2023 @ 6:34pm by Lieutenant Aria Rice & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Morgan Tarin

2,956 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 18 - Cold Station 31
Location: IKS Praxis, USS Galileo-A
Timeline: MD 19, 0440 hrs

[ON]

"Computer, transmit a communication request for Lieutenant Rice aboard IKS Praxis on a secure channel," said Commander Morgan Tarin within her dimly lit quarters aboard USS Galileo. It was early in the morning - a mere ten minutes since she'd woken up - and the captain currently sat on her bed in her undergarments while sipping a glass of cold water. She ran her fingers through her loosely curled hair then slowly got to her feet and silently walked across the carpet into the small living room to sit at her desk. A gray Starfleet vest was hung on the back of the chair which she procured and slipped her arms through.

Aria let out a breath as she turned on the screen. She hadn't been sleeping. There had been too much to do, so she had pushed through. Could sleep when she was dead she supposed. She hadn't expected Tarin. She wasn't sure what she was expecting. "Captain Tarin," she said, looking at the other woman. Unlike her, Aria was fully dressed, although not in the uniform. It was more like a relaxed outfit, all in black with a robe that she had been given. "Anything the Praxis can do for you?"

Morgan rubbed the light bags beneath her eyes then blinked several times to adjust her dilated pupils to the brighter screen. "Good morning, lieutenant. I have new orders you might not like." She sipped her glass of water to soothe her dry morning throat. "I'm recalling you back to Galileo for the systems test later today. This...will be the end of your tenure as Captain Kuran's first officer." The sudden revelation was said with little emotion.

Aria looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Yes Captain," she said, her voice devoid of emotion as well. She did feel some relief, sure, but also...trepidation. Mixed feelings. The new First Officer would be up to Captain Kuran. She suspected Torn. Etisa would be better, she was more level headed, but Kuran seemed closer with Torn. "I'll tie up my affairs here." Which meant telling Kuran. And Etisa, to say goodbye to her.

The Starfleet captain suppressed a yawn before speaking with a bit more candor. "It's unfortunate you can't stay aboard Praxis longer. From the rumors I heard last evening, you've been settling in well with Kuran's crew. Learning Klingon culture and society is a valuable skill for every Starfleet officer. It's not taught nearly thoroughly enough at the Academy."

"It's certainly put some things in perspective," Aria said after a moment's pause, watching her for a long moment. The other woman looked as tired as Aria felt. "I looked over the...evidence. Stark did a good job gathering it. I gave it to Kuran, although I have not finished my investigation on this side."

"We can't effectively prosecute KehG's death out here. Kuran was right and knows this," Tarin softly sighed. "We can discuss it later, but right now I need you back. We all do. We have a systems test in," she glanced at the chronometer on her desk, "seven hours. Praxis will go its own way later in the day. Can you be ready for transport at 0930?"

Aria didn't have to glance at the time to know the answer. "I will be there," she said, sitting back slightly. She supposed now, it wasn't really her problem. Not truly.

"Good. Tarin out." The captain tapped the large black button at the bottom of her personal console which terminated the communique. She tapped a small button which retracted the display into the desk then slowly stood from her chair and stripped her vest off to begin several sets of early-morning push-ups.

Aria let out a breath and stood. She took a moment to look around before packing her bag, putting the robe in there. She liked it. Then it was the uniform. She'd say goodbye in the Klingon uniform, although if she had time to change to her Starfleet one before disembarking, she'd be happy. As she put on the uniform, her fingers brushed the pin Jessamine had given her, a small smile coming to her. Talking to her old...adversary? Friend? It had been good. Same as seeing Blake and Lily. She finished putting the uniform on, plus the weapons, and headed out.

Kuran would be in his quarters at this hour, but she checked first before going and knocking. She suspected her wasn't asleep either. That Klingon had so much energy on the quiet. Ambitions reached, victories gained and all that. She waited patiently, because he had respected not banging repeatedly on her door.

"...nuqneH?!" replied the captain's deep and semi-annoyed voice following several moments of silence. The door to his chambers unlocked and mechanically whirred open to present a dark, candle-lit interior with many Klingon decorations and sentimental objects pinned to the walls. A large red mat was laid down at the center of his living area upon which he stood, clad in traditional robes with his eyes closed and his long curly hair flowing freely across his cheeks. His body was postured in a formative martial arts stance while he slowly inhaled, moved his arms out in front of him and twisted them, then exhaled and clenched his fists. The art of Mok'bara demanded discipline and a clear mind which was difficult to achieve when commanding a battlecruiser filled with many upstart warriors.

Aria stepped inside, looking at him for a moment. She kept silent, in respect to what he was doing. No, she watched, observing, waiting for him to speak or finish his routine. One of those two would happen and Aria Rice had some patience in her. And the ability to stand still when needed.

He silently recognized the presence of someone else in his quarters but remained focused on his form and mental fortitude. He suddenly kicked out his right leg then swept his foot in front of him while masterfully turning his body with his weight to face a new direction. He brought one of his long arms up into the air while the other punched forward toward an invisible entity, then slowly brought his hands together to his waist and opened his eyes. "Sogh" he greeted her by her formal rank. "It is early. Do you wish to train with me?"

"No," she said as she looed at him, giving a small shake of her head. "Captain Tarin is recalling me to the Galileo. I am here to let you know so that the Second can take my position."

Raising his chin at the revelation, his dark eyes narrowed with displeasure. "And you accepted this order? Without consulting me first? With no regard for our crew?" His deep voice was becoming agitated. He knew this time would eventually come, but...not so soon. She'd made so much progress as a warrior.

"I swore an oath to Starfleet," she said, holding his eyes. Her own neutral, respectful but not scared of his annoyance. She had learned a lot about the man before her. "Yes, you are my Captain and I follow your orders. But like you must answer to a higher power, so do I. In that, we are not different. I came to inform you as soon as I was told, so there would be no conflict of interest."

Barefooted, he slowly walked close to her until they stood less than a meter from each other. He looked down at the young Starfleet Human in a rare moment of honor and compassion. "You do not need to follow your people's orders. You possess your own heart and passion," he firmly poked in-between her breasts where a Klingon heart would be, then spoke with pure candor. "I have never seen a Human who is also...a Klingon. You have the soul of a warrior and my crew respects you. Your place is here, not in the Federation." He studied her pale blue eyes to gain more insight. "I can see the conflict within you... You were not content aboard your own vessel, and so you accepted your commander's assignment here." Kuran lowered his voice with compassion. "This is your place now, you must feel this. I can help you escape the Federation and Starfleet - I can ensure you achieve your proper place in the galaxy as a citizen of the Klingon Empire and first officer of the finest warship in the galaxy." He extended his hand, his fingers open. "Join me, Rice."

She couldn't hide her surprise, her eyes flickering to his hand. In a handful of days, she had gotten two offers outside of Starfleet. It was tempting, a completely new adventure. But it wasn't what she stood for. Not really. "You honour me," she said, meaning it, and her hand went to his, not to grip it, but to place her own over the back of his hand to close it. The difference in size was remarkable. "You are not wrong, I am not content aboard the Galileo. But..." she shook her head, a determined look on her face. "Just because something isn't easy doesn't mean it is wasted. My family has served Starfleet and the Federation. I walk in the steps of my father, who died for it. For his honour and mine...I must continue that journey."

His prominent brow and forehead ridges creased inward and his hand fell from her fingers to his thigh...only to suddenly raise again, this time in a fist which he firmly thudded against his chest and held in place. "So it must be, then. Qapla', young warrior!" he loudly spoke to show her respect. "May glory and honor find you wherever you travel, and may your death take you to the gates of Sto-vo-kor."

She smiled at that, returning the salute. "May you die in glorious battle," she said, meaning it. Because she could see a man like this not wanting to go out any other way. "Permission to go and prepare for the transfer?"

Captain Kuran raised his chin high then grunted with approval. "You are dismissed! Go, now, before you change your mind and become a Daughter of Kahless." His dark brown eyes flicked to the exit door.

Aria chuckled before she nodded. She left, but headed towards Etisa's quarters. She knocked, waited, and then went inside, meeting the Klingon woman's eyes. "I'm being recalled to the Galileo," she said, knowing Etisa didn't do dancing around subjects. And being disturbed at this hour meant that Aria needed a good excuse. And this was a pretty good one. "I wanted to say goodbye. And thank you."

Etisa moved to her, reaching to grip her shoulders as she grinned. "It is too soon! But I cannot blame your Captain," she pulled her into a hearty embrace, whether she liked it or not. "What will you take with you?"

"Myself," she said before she smiled, embracing her in return. "And the knowledge I picked up here, and your friendship." Which meant a lot to Aria after all this. She hadn't expected it but she had gotten it. Meant a lot to her.

Etisa held her back out at arms' length, taking a long look at her for prosperity. "When I finally command a ship, you have a place on my bridge any time you wish," she declared, meaning it with both of her hearts as she clapped her hand firmly onto Aria's shoulder.

"And you will always have a friend, should you need it. If you ever, ever need me..." Aria covered the hand with hers, holding her eyes. "I will come."

"Oh, I shall hold you to that promise," Etisa assured, grinning at the 101 ways she could see that working out in the future. "Take honour and valour with you," she thumped her fist close to her own shoulder.

Aria watched her, swallowing hard at the words. "And you too. Be careful, Etisa. Not all daggers here are on show," she said, a quiet warning. She suspected someone else had been involved in the murder plot but there was no evidence of it. Even so, she wanted Etisa to be on guard. "I will see you around, my friend."


0928 hrs

Aria was still in the Klingon uniform, because it felt wrong to leave in her Starfleet one. She had however put her combadge on. She had said her goodbyes and she had a small bag with her with some things she had been given. She let out a breath before she nodded to the officer. There was that moment where she could swear she felt the skin prickle, before the lights were too bright...

...and when her eyes focused again, she was standing on the transporter pads on the USS Galileo. And wow, was it bright here in comparison to a Klingon ship.

On deck 2 within USS Galileo's primary transporter room, the pattern buffer synchronized with the molecular imaging scanner, then the primary energizing coils activated. The annular confinement beam focused on one of the brightly-lit transporter pads then started to materialize a new officer aboard the small starship. Shimmers of cerulean and white particles manifested a new life form from the Klingon warship - a familiar one.

Commander Morgan Tarin stood just forward of the transporter console in her traditional red-collared uniform. When the figure of Lieutenant Rice began to materialize, she stepped forward then clasped her hands professionally behind her waist. "Rice..." she greeted the young department head, though not fully prepared for the sight of her clad in full Klingon warrior dress. "Welcome home."

"Permission to come onboard, Captain?" Aria asked, meeting her eyes as she remained standing there, her right hand holding her bag, her left by her side. She hadn't expected to see the Captain there, but she realised it wasn't too surprisingly. She just thought she'd have better things to do.

"Granted." It was hard to put her finger on it but something seemed...different about the young security chief. Perhaps it was simply the change of uniform, or maybe the makeup around her eyes was heavier, or the new scar on her face. Possibly a combination which now gave her a more rugged appearance. "How was your brief exchange tour? Eventful, I assume?" queried Tarin.

Aria stepped off the transporter pad and walked down, nodding. "I learned a lot," she said, her voice quiet. It had certainly put some things in perspective for her. Also about the woman before her. Her new Captain. Now that was something to adjust to as well and she just pushed it away for now. Deal with it later, breathe through it all. "What have I missed here?"

"A few minor incidents." That was probably underselling it by an order of magnitude. "You're already aware of Captain KehG's assassination, but Ensign Ullswater and Chief Warrant Officer Darius suffered an episode during their recovery shortly after you left - a psychotic break, from what Commander Warraquim managed to diagnose. They managed to escape from sickbay then attempted to kill Ensign Mimi in the brig. Testimonial from those who witnessed it indicated the two believed the ensign to be Doctors Quil and Mulder."

Aria's eyes met Tarin's as she listened. "How did they escape from sickbay without anyone stopping them?" Escape indicated they hadn't been allowed to leave. And then to try to kill Mimi who already had gone through a lot...wow. Minor indeed.

"I believe Petty Officer Locksley did try to stop them, but Chief Warrant Officer Darius overpowered her." Rice didn't need to know the graphic details just yet. She could investigate the incident at her leisure when she felt ready. Right now, there would probably be an adjustment period during which the lieutenant needed to re-acclimate to a Federation starship. "Commander Blake can debrief you in the coming hours. In the meantime, I want you to get a hot meal and a sonic shower. And put on something more presentable," she gestured to the Klingon garment Rice wore.

Aria gave a small nod, her mind processing it all. "It felt...dishonest to leave in a Starfleet uniform. I will also take the time to see my team once I have changed," she informed the Captain. And she'd find the time to speak to Blake as well.

"Good. We have a systems test at 1200...and you have a new deputy chief, Lieutenant JG Ghemora. She's a Cardassian." Tarin didn't mention the new officer's species with disdain, but rather to prepare Rice for any unorthodoxy which might ensue. "In the meantime, you know where to find me if you need anything. Dismissed." She stepped to the side to allow the security chief to exit before her, then spoke a final sentence in reunion. "It's good to have you back."

Aria's step faltered for a moment at hearing the Captain's words. They were unexpected. She looked at her for a moment, meeting her eyes. She wondered if she really felt that way. Maybe. Maybe not. Still, Aria acknowledged the words with a nod before she walked past, frowning as she headed to her quarters...to wash the last days from her skin.

"Oh, and Rice?" Tarin forgot one more important item to brief the returning lieutenant on. "Saalm's been permanently transferred. I'm the captain, now."

[OFF]

--

CMDR Morgan Tarin
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo-A

CMDR Kuran
Commanding Officer
IKS Praxis
[PNPC Tarin]

Lieutenant Aria Rice
Chief Security Officer
USS Galileo-A

Etisa
IKS Praxis
[NPC Blake]

RSS Feed

Comments (1)