Return to DS9

Posted on Sun Apr 3rd, 2022 @ 10:01am by Commander Jennifer Baldric & Commander Finchley Kerr & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Commander Sandra "Phantom" Risa & Lieutenant Ashlesha 4827/A & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali & Lieutenant Niali Korial MD & Ensign Jonaya Darik
Edited on on Sun Apr 3rd, 2022 @ 10:07am

Mission: Paranoia Nebula
Location: DS9 Quarks

Niali eventually exited sickbay on DS9 following an in depth medical for her and the Korial symbiont. In the end both had been passed as fit for duty although she had been given a warning that a further critical injury within a few months might not have the same outcome. She also had had to field a call from the Symbiosis Commission as to what happened, and they had wanted her to visit Trill at her earliest convenience. They were worried about the length of her recovery even with the symbiont.

She crossed the promenade and entered Quarks, ordering a tea and sitting at a table in the corner watching the patrons enjoy their drinks and the dabo tables. She felt empty and, not really bored but wanting to do something other than sit around. She sipped her tea slowly enjoying the scalding hot liquid as it slipped down her throat.

Command Jennifer Baldric sat in her quarters, tidying up some reports and paperwork whilst the Sunfire was being repaired. Her presence ultimately wasn't required on the starship but she was waiting for a call from Command, and had a gut feel it would come soon. Her recent performance was being evaluated and a recommendation being made as to wether she would receive her own command. And so she attempted to keep herself busy in the meantime.

Ashlesha approached the pylon airlock connecting Sunfire with the station with Gray in the lead, followed by Green. Violet brought up the rear towing a grav pallet stacked with crates of varying sizes. The guard on watch regarded the three figures with open curiosity but her professionalism quickly kicked in. She accepted the PADD from Gray with Ashlesha's orders and quickly scanned them. Then frowned. Then lifted her own PADD and scrolled through her orders.

"So...one name and three persons..." she began, pursing her lips. The guard decided it was above her pay grade and handed the orders back, then pulled out her tricorder and she waved it at the crates, "Do you have an inventory, sir?"

Violet handed the inventory PADD over, "Mostly my clothes, models and our bed."

"...Bed, sir?"

"Yes," Green explained with a slight smile, "An ancient artifact created by a mysterious race known as the Ikeans."

The guard shrugged and as the tricorder detected no contraband she quickly scanned the inventory, logged it and said, "Welcome to the Sunfire, sirs-"

Gray held up her hand, and a single finger.

"...Sir?"

All three smiling, Gray nodded.

"...Right. Welcome to the Sunfire, sir."

"Thank you, crewman," Violet replied as she began dragging the pallet again. Over her shoulder Violet called out, "I am starting to think it's good to be here..."

[Operations Centre]

"...Commander Savar sent you his reply, that's good news Sir" Finchley replied.

"Finch, you know I wouldn't recall 'Ironhorse' unless we needed to do it, but we require proof, and that's the whole game of it" the Captain replied.

Finchley sighed as he said "Yes Sir. When do you need the team assembled by?"

"Zero three hundred hours" the Captain said.

Finchley looked at the clock "Doesn't give me much time to brief them and get our equipment together Sir."

"The equipment is waiting for you on pad three already Finch, we took the liberty to prepare it ahead of time" the Captain said. He looked sombre for a moment as he added "You'll rendezvous with the USS Patterson five hours after launch...Mark knows it's you and Karadis who're coming, it's the reason he's agreed to do this."

"What about Doctor Korial, does he know she's coming?" Finchley asked.

"We kept that part out...you know how he feels about Doctors" the Captain replied.

Finchley grimaced, yes, he knew.

"Right Sir, thanks, I best get the team briefed" Finchley replied.

"Good luck Finch, let's hope you find proof, Sentinel One out."

Finchley closed the link and left the Operations Centre, time to get things rolling.

[Arboretum DS9]

Aurora was sitting on a picnic blanket in the Arboretum, her son asleep in his pushchair, thanks to what had happened with Niali she was having something of a crisis of confidence. Even though Savar had reassured her time and time again the memory of what she’d done was still haunting her. It was going to take time to fully come to terms with.

Savar's shift had ended and he came looking for Aurora. He found her sitting on a picnic blanket. "I thought I might find you here Aurora. Are you still thinking on the assault on Dr. Korial?”

Aurora nodded. “I can’t help it, I feel responsible and that’s not going to go away anytime soon.” She checked on Sidak as he stirred in his sleep, before looking back at Savar motioning for him to sit down so she could cuddle up.

Savar did as Aurora motioned to him and sat down next to her and waited for her to cuddle next to him. "You're thinking is illogical Aurora. You were not in control of your actions. It was the creature controlling you. You are Chief Counselor, what would you say if a patient came to you in this situation?"

Aurora smiled. “I guess I’d be telling them exactly what you’ve been telling me. That their actions weren’t their fault. I’m sorry! I’m just ... wallowing in my own self pity!” She sighed.

"No, you do not need to apologize Aurora. You are just needing to come to grips and believe that this truly was not your fault. I believe that and you need to," Savar answered as he looped an arm around her and held her close.

Aurora nodded and simply cuddled up, just being held by Savar was comfort in itself.

[Sunfire Fighter Deck]

Sandra was feeling a bit left out as she wiped down "Ghost 1." Being at DS9 just didn't seem all that at the moment. Last time she was there, she prowled the promenade and went shopping, but this time it was different. It felt like she wasn't really welcome and it bothered her. Maybe it was some residual effect from the past mission or just a feeling of being alone. What ever the case was, she could not shake that feeling.

[Promenade]

After an amazing week of leave time home on Betazed, Jonaya had to get back to Starfleet duty. She was originally scheduled to travel directly there on the USS Pacifica, but things changed, as they always did, so she ended up taking a series of ships, including a civilian freighter. She was supposed to arrive before the Sunfire did, but on final approach, she saw it on one of the pylons. Clearing security, she found herself on the busy promenade, her travel bag slung over her shoulder, unsure what to do next.

TBC