Time to End
Posted on Mon Mar 23rd, 2026 @ 9:08pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Jenna Ramthorne & Commander Dean House & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant JG Micheal Stevens & Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen & Lieutenant JG Rowan Hale & Lieutenant JG Olivia Voight & Lieutenant JG T'Lar & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell
2,920 words; about a 15 minute read
Mission:
Beholder
Location: Sunfire
ET1 on Skygowan
The wind had picked up just enough to carry the smell of smoke and damp earth across the ridge. Leo sat on an overturned equipment crate, elbows on his knees, staring out over the valley like a man waiting for a train that had forgotten the schedule entirely. He stifled a yawn halfway through, turning it into a grunt as if that might preserve some dignity.
“Ten hours,” he muttered. “Five to wind the bloody thing up, five to wait for our ride, and somewhere in between we saved a few thousand souls.” He rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hand. “I’d say we earned a pint. Or six.”
Jenna stood nearby, arms folded, posture straight but the edges of fatigue showing in the slight tilt of her shoulders. She checked her tricorder again out of habit more than necessity. “They'll be here soon enough,” she said, though it sounded more like she was reminding herself than anyone else. She glanced at Leo, one eyebrow lifting. “Try not to fall asleep on your feet, Lieutenant. I’d hate to explain to the Captain how we lost our engineer to boredom.”
Leo snorted, another yawn slipping free this time. “Boredom I can handle. It’s bein’ forgotten I object to.” He jerked a thumb back toward space. “Somewhere up there, I guarantee the rest of the crew’s havin’ a grand time. Probably drinks, music, someone tellin’ a story they’ve already told twice.” He shook his head. “Meanwhile, we’re sittin’ on a shape, babysittin’ a loop in space-time and hopin’ someone remembers we exist.”
One of the nearby crew chuckled softly, and even Jenna’s lips twitched. “If it makes you feel better,” she said dryly, “I’m fairly certain the Captain hasn’t forgotten us. Misplaced us, perhaps.”
“Aye,” Leo replied, leaning back on his hands and squinting up at the sky. “We’ve been filed under ‘Important but not urgent.’ That’s where things go to age gracefully.”
Jenna exhaled, a quiet breath that almost turned into a yawn she caught just in time. “You’re not wrong,” she admitted. “Still... not a bad day’s work.”
Leo nodded once, slow and satisfied despite the exhaustion. “Not bad at all,” he said. “World still be turnin’, people still be breathin’. Could be worse.” There was a pause then, the kind that settled in after long hours and hard work, when even the wind seemed to quiet out of respect.
Then Jenna’s combadge chirped. =^= “Sunfire to Away Team,” =^= came the crisp voice from orbit. =^= “Stand by for transport. We have your pattern.” =^=
Jenna straightened immediately, fatigue shedding like a cloak. “About time,” she murmured, tapping her badge. =^= “Away Team, ready when you are Sunfire.” =^=
Leo pushed himself up from the crate with a grunt, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the entire day. A tired grin crept across his face. “Hear that?” he said to no one in particular. “We’ve been remembered.”
He glanced once more at the valley, then at Jenna, eyes glinting with quiet humor. “Let’s go home before they change their bloody minds.”
Sunfire sickbay
Captain Marie Batel rested quietly - her vital's steady but still dangerously low. There was the occasional moment of lucidity, but mostly she slept under the watchful eyes of the medical staff.
Meanwhile - Captain Kaylen coughed black goop out of her lungs, sitting grumpily behind a quarantine field with a receptacle for both the nausea and the goop.
"This sucks" She groaned.
Dean shook his head, "Kinda sounds like it, and looks like it."
"Shuddup" Rhenora moaned as she eyed the receptacle with distaste.
"I'll swap you, or you could get really drunk and have to throw up that way. We can party."
The mere thought of a party was enough to make her turn away and empty her guts into the receptacle - the medical staff beaming it safely away and replacing it with a fresh one. "Keep you're party - I'll just die quietly over here"
Dean did make a bit of a face at that, but it did work. He wasn't going to shove it in her face. "No dying."
"Not today, miserable is a different story" She rested against the biobed again, looking at Dean who was looking far too comfortable for someone who was having his DNA messed with.
Maybe it was because he was use to it, perhaps he knew what it felt like from before. Though, it was hazing of when Dean's genetics were originally augmented. One good thing was, hopefully his demeanor would help calm Nora as necessary as well.
In the back of his mind, he was conflicted, however. He could still feel the fight Marie was going through. That probably had to do with everything that went on and now the link they shared. "I'm sorry."
She noticed the slightly distant look in his eyes, as though he were thinking about something else but trying to appear encouraging at the same time.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She asked gently, following his eyeline to Marie.
"Just... Marie. What she's thinking," Dean had a pretty good idea. "I can still feel her, like before." Turning his gaze back to Rhenora. "There's pain, anguish, joy, comfort, even hope. I'm curious what is left to happen. We've still not had the final verdict gavel slam down on the deal made."
"You think there's the deal with the Prophets..." Rhenora murmured quietly "The cost that had to be paid..." her voice trailed off until another abrupt bout of coughing had her doubled over. "What does she hope for? Freedom? Peace? Relief of her burden?"
Dean shifted and got as close as he could to where Rhenora was, and like he wanted to hold her hand just out of comfort. "Even the Devil thing on Vadia said it was a deal and there was a cost to be paid. Which, like I said, we still don't completely know what that is."
Leaning against the field and just resting his hand on the deck where she could do the same should she like. Closest thing to holding her hand they were going to get right now. "Whatever this is, doesn't let me read her mind, but still what I'm feeling, is two of them. The third I think is more a mix of peace in general and her own peace."
"There's always a damn cost" Kaylen replied, regarding Dean closely. "If you're linked with her somehow, what happens if she dies?" She asked quietly so only the two of them could hear.
There was a heavy sigh given, Dean looked at the deck a moment, and then back up, "I don't know. We also don't know about this infusion of DNA either. I've been thinking about it. What if they try to make me the keeper if she's gone. I don't want to lose any of you, I want to see Jennifer again. I want a lot of things" Rolling his head a little, "But noooo," and emphasis on the 'no' and drug out for a second, "I have to be my stupid self and put my life before all of yours."
Brig with the Naussicans
Kaedz just glanced mostly at the Vulcan as they were all getting attended to medically.
T'Lar, for her part, having notified the Naussicans of their arrest made sure that they were notified of their rights under Starfleet code. Whether or not they would choose to speak with a more qualified member of Starfleet Security without representation remained to be seen, but T'Lar had done all she could within her capacity... She tapped her combadge.
=/\= "Lieutenant T'Lar to Lieutenant Stevens, I have done all I can with the prisoners within my capacity. Please relieve me so that I may return to my regular duties." =/\=
Security Office, Deck 15
=/\= "Stevens to T'Lar, I am on my way=/\= as Michael rose from his chair, as he was halfway through the paperwork that he had not done for the last few weeks. =/\= What have you done so far, Lieutenant?" =/\=
Brig
T'Lar tapped her combadge again.
"Attempted to question as to why we were attacked, but to no avail. Apprised the prisoners that they are under arrest and they have been read their rights."
=/\= "Stay where you are until I get there,"=/\= replied Michael as he exited his office and started to walk towards the brig. He finished =/\= "I will be there in fifteen Minutes, Stevens out."=/\=
T'Lar couldn't tell if the voice on the other end of the communication was brusque by nature or if she'd somehow irritated the Security chief, but she resigned herself to the fact that in 15 minutes she'd know the answer. At this point, she was just counting down the hours til she was off duty so that she could relax with an adult beverage.
Olivia was tending to one of the prisioners that had burns when he started fighting with her. She shoved them back down onto the bench. "The more you fight me, the longer it will take for treatment. Now, either stay put on your own, or I will sedate you for the remainder of treatment."
=15 Minutes later=
Michael entered the Brig and said, "Status report." as he noticed the Medical staff trying to do their work, taking a phaser from the rack and placing it in his holster. He knew that the medical staff knew what they were doing as he asked: "Where are the Security guards that are supposed to watch medical, Lieutenant?"
"They have been in attendance the entire time, Lieutenant." T'Lar answered, somewhat confused by the question.
"As to the status of the prisoners, there are four. Their injuries are being attended to. They have been apprised of their arrestee status and informed of their rights under Starfleet code. Request permission to return to my regular duties."
While the two officers were conversing with each other and not paying attention, Kaedz reached down and used her finger nail to cut a small slit in her thigh near the top of her knee. Scans could easily be faulty and just see it as a medical implant.
Kaedz pulled a nearly invisible tracker patch sliver out of her leg and affixed it to the underside of the Brig bench. It was completely out of sight and wouldn't be detected by scans.
Bridge
Commander Jennifer Baldric strode onto the bridge, having completed her post mission medical without any dramas.
"Status Lt Rosen?" She asked as she headed for the center chair where he was sitting.
Jacob stood immediately, "Commander, away teams recovered save one reported casualty from one of the teams. Next-of-Kin notification is drafted and waiting for senior staff approval. Fighter maintenance is underway but there are no serious damages or faults. Lieutenant T'Lar is heading up an interrogation and welfare check with Dr Voight. We are holding in high orbit, all departments report green status." He finished his rapid summary without referencing his notes. "For your reference, the more detailed reports are available on the command console."
Jacob took a step back from the Command Chair, non-verbally relinquishing the conn. He didn't see any of the other Commanders approaching from the Turbolift, so he made the choice to remain for her orders to either take his station at Ops or the empty chair beside the center seat.
"We've yet to retrieve the team from Skygowan, yes?" Baldric queried as she looked over the notes. Ahh you captured Nausicans, good. It will be interesting to see who is paying them."
"We don't know what we don't know at this point Commander." Jacob responded regarding their Nausican guests. "The Skygowan team should be transported shortly." He looked around at the junior officers still occupying the various Bridge stations. Lowering his voice he continued. "You'll tell the Captain? They did well."
Baldric looked around the junior bridge crew and noted their names to include in the report. "I will most certainly let the Captain know, as soon as she is released from sickbay." She sat down in the command chair, motioning for Jacob to sit in the XO's chair until Savar returned.
"Helm - increase speed to warp 6 for Skygowan, let's not keep our team waiting any longer than we have to" Jennifer ordered, crossing her legs and getting comfortable. Ronson appeared shortly after and offered refreshments.
The Sunfire glided along the ley line in between Vadia and Skygowan, using the route the Enterprise had discovered more than a century before. The planets were still linked, despite the Gateway being shut. and the Vezda now in a time loop for eternity.
"Eta 1 hour" The helm reported as the streaks of light on the viewscreen lengthened with their increased speed.
Jacob settled into the First Officer's chair, slowly and quietly, exhaling in relief. He hadn't quite realized the extent of the tension he had kept in his body until the Commander arrived and assumed responsibility. He would grow from this; perhaps one day he would have another opportunity for command, but for now he was certainly content to not be completely in charge anymore.
"You know Commander, I once saw this alternate history holo-drama." Jacob said with a smile, attempting to lighten the mood on the Bridge. "It was bonkers, they completely exaggerated the look and feel of the Constitution class but I digress. Anyway, the writers of the drama depicted Captain Kirk as a fan of this classical group called The Beastie Boys. Did you ever see that?"
"Can't say I caught that one" Jennifer admitted as the bridge settled back into its usual routine.
An hour later, Skygowan appeared on short range sensors, the viewscreen lighting up with the green and blue planet reminiscent of Earth.
"Hail our team, let them know we're ready to beam them back" she ordered.
Jacob mentally checked the last remaining box for this mission. All teams recovered. He would need to do a check with the various departments for non-replicable supplies very soon and submit his After Action Report for his part.
Jenna’s combadge chirped. =^= “Sunfire to Away Team,” =^= came the crisp voice from orbit. =^= “Stand by for transport. We have your pattern.” =^=
Jenna straightened immediately, fatigue shedding like a cloak. “About time,” she murmured, tapping her badge. =^= “Away Team, ready when you are Sunfire.” =^=
"Transporter room, beam the away team up" Baldric announced, before turning to the communications officer.
"Hail the Skygowan Government. We need to inform them of the updated situation"
A few moments later a man dressed in ceremonial garb appeared on the viewscreen. "Sunfire, yes yes. You have taken care of the Vezda? They are no more threat?" He asked, the language slightly disjointed as the universal translator struggled with the dialect. "Beholder?"
Jennifer drew a breath before replying. "The Vezda are contained in a time loop on Vadia, i would suggest you keep people away from there, lest there be interference. But Skygowan is safe" Baldric explained, not going into any of the finer details. "The Beholder.. is once again human and is convalescing in our sickbay."
The official digested this information, their God like protector was no more. "What of the Beholder's fate? Prophecy says it is tied to this planet, It is our God" he explained, with almost a pained expression.
" 'It' is a 'she' and 'she' will choose her fate when she is well enough to do so for herself" Jennifer said carefully. Religious dilemmas were not her forte.
"We will depart this system shortly, if Captain Batel wishes to remain here we will be in contact" Baldric closed channel and exhaled a long sigh.
"Helm, hold standard orbit for the time being. I need to talk to the Captain"
t that point Commander Savar walked out of the turbolift. Baldric briefed him then went to find the Captain.
After Baldric briefed him and then exited the bridge to speak with captain Kaylen Savar moved to the center seat and sat down. His eyes swept the bridge before announcing, "All systems prepare to leave orbit."
Sickbay
Rhenora's cough had subsided, leaving a marked improvement in her breathing. The Captain was restless, eager to get back to the bridge and get her head around thr current situation.
Commander Baldric entered, making a beeline for Kaylen's biobed and stopping just short of the quarantine field.
"Quarantine?" She raised a dark eyebrow.
"Wasn't pleasant... most of it's done" Kaylen replied grumpily. "Status?"
"The rest of the away teams have been retrieved, we are orbiting Skygowan, and the government officials are asking if the Beholder will be remaining with them as she is their God" Baldric chose her words carefully.
Rhenora rubbed her nose ridges as the headache brought on by the coughing blossomed once more. She was saved from replying from a voice coming from the biobed next to her.
"Tell them the Beholder is going to Earth."
Rhenora turned to see Batel awake and had been listening to their conversation.
"Are you sure? We don't know how the proximity will affect you as we leave" Rhenora replied, having read thar Marie had been drawn to this region of space in the first place.
"Take me home, I'm tired" Marie's voice drifted off again. Rhenora shrugged at turned to Baldric. "You have your orders, let's break orbit and take her home. You can deal with the Government
TBC
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