Wayward Souls Returning Home

Posted on Sun Jun 26th, 2022 @ 6:56pm by Commodore Keiben Haistro & Commander Peter Horn & Lieutenant Commander Melanie D’BrooNi- Haistro & Lieutenant Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida & Lieutenant Commander Tiandith 'Tia' Tobru & Lieutenant Commander Junjie Han & Lieutenant JG Alena Alessa

4,966 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: Episode 4 - The Fires Of Hades
Location: Station Operations
Timeline: Mission Day 12 @ 1500 Hours

ON

The journey back had been leaden with sorrow at the loss of so many lives on the T'Kon Warship but not a single one of his own people had fallen to the same fate. He did have one or two T'Kon survivors in the Infirmary but that was something they would deal with a little later.

He strode into Ops, his entire senior staff following behind with the exception of Mel who was now stood at the Ops table waiting for them. Despite himself he crossed the room and pulled her into a kiss, a warmth filling him at the news that had landed only moments before the battle but it was only a fleeting allowance he granted himself and Mel knowing that he was going directly against what he had spoken to Junjie and Tam about not a few days previous.

"I love you!" he whispered before turning back to the assembled group who even now were all taking their stations and hovering at some point. The only one hanging back near a door was Tia.
"Please, you saved our lives out there... I would welcome your input!"

Tia walked deeper into the room. The battle had felt like it lasted so long it made even her age beyond her years, but they had left it victorious and with no Starfleet lives lost... that had always been her aim. Command is just like security, but on a bigger scale, one that is slightly larger and more difficult to balance.

She let out a small smile, one that looks more like a grimace but she was trying. "I know a thing or two about fighting a superior force..." she hinted at her former life. "But it was a team effort Captain. Your crew here deserve most of the credit... I just had a few lucky hits."

After only a brief moment with his family, just to let them know he was -somewhat- alright, Peter made his way to OPS as well. He was still in his scorched uniform, having only taken just enough time with the family, but not enough to improve his appearance. He glanced at Junjie, then at Keiben until finally settling his gaze on Tia, having caught her last words just as he arrived. "From what I hear, it was more than a few lucky hits," he said, "credit where credit is due."

Tia nodded towards the man complimenting her. "Thank you for your kind words. I simply did what anyone would have done in that situation. I want to live as much as everyone else." she admitted.

Junjie walked into Ops looking a little worse for wear. " Lieutenant Han reporting for duty, I'm sorry for the delay but I just cleared from the medical center. " There was a blood stain on his right shoulder." The Zagreus took a few hits, one hit the port warp nacelle which blew one of the panels. I took some shrapnel to my shoulder, And Osil applied a good pressure bandage to my shoulder after the fight was over. They repaired the damage in the medical center and the doctor says it will be fine in a day or two. Permission to take my station? " He asked.

"Please Junjie..." Keiben nodded in the direction of the science station. "We need to start thinking about getting home... And soon!"

A weary looking Junjie nodded his head in agreement with the captains last statement. " We've testing the device in the lab with the use of Music, sub harmonics, tachyon pulses and even graviton pulses. I've tried everything short of a Ouija board, So far the answer eludes us at this point. We're going to have a sit down in the science department to come up with a new batch of ideas and start testing them. I'll give you a heads up if we find anything promising Captain. "

Hiro, his face still showing a few greasy smears and scrapes, decided it was times to voice his own opinion. Not about the battle, that they only survived by the skin of their teeth, but about the Captain's ship. "Captain, about the Copernicus. You probably don't like to hear this, but from an Engineer's point of view she's beyond saving now."

"Take her into dry dock when we get home Hiro... Do everything you can but for the moment we need to focus on getting home! Does anyone have any idea's?"
Keiben started casting his eyes around the room hoping that someone had even the vaguest of idea's.

Tam who was in the room, saw the arrival of Junjie and just walked up to him and gave him a kiss, not caring it was in front of everyone. She was glad to see him. "Boy am I glad to see you." then turned to the others. "Glad you all got back."

Alena thought it over. They had gotten here, one way or another. Maybe it wasn't a one-way street? Or if it was, could there be a passage with the same technological identifications as their own timeline? "Sir?", she asked, deciding that asking was better than nothing.

Tamaska looked over towards Alena, "Yes, Ensign Alessa, if you have something to share or ask please feel free." giving a warm smile.

"Well, as far as I understand, the T'Kon device brought us here. Likely from the unique "Identification", so to speak, that this timeline has. Would it be possible to reverse that ability? Say, we replace the current ID with the one that belongs to our timeline? I don't know if it's possible, but it could be worth a try", Alena said, smiling gratefully at Tamaska. "I have no idea if it is possible, but it seems to me that the timelines have different "IDs", so to say. If we could find out what ID our timeline has, it could be our way home". She fell quiet, hoping that her suggestion wasn't total nonsense to the people around her.

There was a soft chuckle from behind them all. A man with shoulder length black hair and a face that screamed mischief had turned to face them at the very point when Alena discussed a way home. He sat upon a console at the back, his legs dangling much like a young child who was too short to reach the ground. No-one had seen this man before, nor knew how he managed to get into Ops.

"You people are very amusing." he said quite patronisingly. "Watching you try to work this out... I could do this all day."

"I beg your pardon..." Keiben started as he checked the mans pips and noticed that his rank reflected his own. "Captain?"

"Yes, well you Starfleet types do respond better when we dress in similar, if not rather tacky, attire." The man rolled his eyes and picked at his clothing with a manner of disdain. "I just had to come and see who was messing up the timeline and honestly I expected Janeway, maybe even Picard." There was a quick flash and he appeared next to Keiben.

"But its nice to see Starfleet trains its little ants to continue to make incursions into places they are not yet ready for." he said cocking his head to one side and frowning. He turned for a moment and noticed Tia.

Leaning in to Keiben, he whispered. "Be wary of the devils you let on your ship Captain." he said looking her up and down. "This one stinks of more than time travel... her people are nothing but a menace."

Tia scoffed at him in defiance. She was not afraid of him in the least.

"You're a Q?" Keiben waved back the Security personnel that had mustered from the back of Ops knowing that they would be throwing themselves against a foe that they could not win against.

A smirk formed on Q's face. "I go by many names, a Q being one of them." he said smugly. "Tell me, Betazoid, did you enjoy your battle with the Iconians? What was your favourite part?" he spoke with a playful smile, one that seemed to never fade.

"I take no pleasure in fighting and don't go landing that humanity on trial crap here... We have far more important things to be dealing with than your games Q!"
Starting to loose his composure Keiben took a steadying breath. He had read the reports filed by Captains Picard, Janeway and Sisko in their dealings with the entity known as Q and he had to admit, although being a gentle man himself he did see some charm to Sisko's approach.

Tamaska though, she did move a bit closer towards where this Q was, not to attack but also a bit protective, placing herself between him and Keiben. She still had that strong security sense of not allowing anyone get near the Captain. Keiben can scold her later. "Just back away, out of his personal space." Tamaska growled out, "And what is your reason for being here?"

"Well why would I put Humans on trial? That's Q's sideshow. His soft spot for those mammals is well known." he made a comical face, one that looked of a fake dramatic sad face with a put on quivering lip. "And oh my Captain." he grabbed the place where a Human heart would be in faux pain. "My games are such fun." he grinned.

"Oh what a cute attack dog." Q quipped as he simply pinged himself in a flash to the other side of Keiben. It was also quite a nice touch of his to place a muzzle over the rather aggressive move from this woman to move in his way. "You should keep better control of your pets Captain. This one is naughty." he couldn't help but be intrigued by her.

"And what games would that be?" Peter asked as he too moved, putting himself between the captain and this entity.

"Now Mr. Horn, where would be the fun in telling you them before they start?" Q asked rhetorically. "I'm sure you'll be able to lend a 'hand' somewhere along the line." he sneered. "Half the fun is finding out what the game is."

Junjie walked over next to Tam and gently placed his hand on her arm. He made no sudden moves and spoke only in a neutral tone to the Q. " We just barely rescued our people, others have been killed and we're grieving they're loss. I don't know if you've noticed, but we're sore, tired battered and bruised. We barely survived by the skin of our teeth and now we come home and you want us to play a game? Are we just puppets here to entertain you? Or are you just that bored? If there is something you can do to help us then please do such. Everyone around here is frustrated, we have women and children that are scared and just want to go home to where we belong. "

Junjie slowly turned away and then turned back around again. " I've never met a Q before. But I've heard tales that they're either troublesome meddlers or compassionate and helpful, Which is true I wonder? I guess I'll find out and know the truth of the matter. "

By the time Junjie had come to her side, Tam had taken off the muzzle this Q had put on her and just snarled "Not appreciating what you did. Mr. Q." giving him a rather dour look. She was in a rather grumpy mood, they had lost a civilian ship in the battle, Junjie got banged up in the fight. Tam had taken quite a bit of a pummelling from the battle but was able to send two of the opposing fighters into oblivion. And on top of everything else, the Copernicus was majorly damaged.

"Your kind is always sore and bruised, and it's not that I don't notice... it's that I don't really care about your physical condition." Q shrugged. "But games are fun. It will surely take the mind off all that death you all caused out there. The needless deaths on many sides that should not have happened because you were not meant to be here... this battle not meant to happen. You have heard tales of meddlesome Q, my good man, Starfleet are serial offenders when it comes to meddling in things that do not concern them, or playing with things they do not understand. All in the name of exploration mind you." he said as he clapped his hands with something of a finality to it.

"Holty... c'mon now." he grinned and clicked his fingers. The civilian ship rematerialising where is had came undone. "I am not heartless..." he frowned. "Well I am, technically, but maybe that'll put a little smile on that grumpy face of yours... frown lines are a real thing dear." he said pointing at her forehead.

Alena watched the Q with interest. She had never met a being like him. While she highly doubted that she would find his games "fun", he was right about the attack they had just survived. The space station shouldn't have been anywhere near this timeline in the first place. That led her to another question she wanted an answer to. Just how had they gotten hold of the T'Kon device? Someone had clearly intended for them to be stuck in another timeline. By why? What would that person, or persons, get by sending the space station to another timeline? Alena's gut tightened. She had a feeling that, no matter if they returned to their own timeline or not, serious problems were not far away.
She dragged herself out of her thoughts and looked at Q again. She wondered what power he wielded. He was clearly a being that wielded powers beyond what most would ever come close to understand.

"Enough!" Keiben bellowed, his voice a rich baritone as he stalked towards the entity. "You said that the Continuum sent you... Why?"

"Oh such emotion and that passion... not that you need lessons on that Doctor." Q grinned surveying her stomach. "Quite the emotional powder keg." he added rubbing his hands through his hair.

"I did not say the Continuum sent me, but alas they felt your presence here altered a little too much. Things are in play here at this moment that you have changed by your very irritating drop in. The attention drawn from the path required." he hinted at the battle that had just occurred. Q snapped his fingers to reset the timeline somewhat but with DS21 still in their current predicament, in the same space and time. The only difference now was that their presence was undetectable. Time was moving in the direction it would always have done without their detrimental presence.

"What do you mean?" Keiben asked but the rest of his train of thought was cut off by an Ensign from the back of Ops calling to him.

"Sir, we are detecting heavy weapons first four point three lightyears from here... Its at the epicentre of the unusual energy readings".

Keiben turned back to Q, his calmer self now back in control and he was really listening to what the smug being was really saying. By their presence here thy had changed the timeline enough to have been noticed. "I'm listening!"

"That my little telepathic friend is the real battle that should have taken place. The Iconians are attacking the T'kon and very soon their battle will have the most beautifully destructive finish. The star in this system will become unstable, it will consume everything in its path and a new area of space, in this time at least, will be born." Q spoke as the crew around Ops began to look at each other inquisitively.

Q sighed. "When you travelled back in time your position remained constant. You do not recognise this place yet because when you are from it looks very much different... due to this event." he gestured to the battle that raged on and the instability in the star had began to show.

The puzzle pieces started to slot together and as each piece found its spot in the grand plan it started to chill Keiben to his core. Musk had said that the T'Kon were moving a star and that the Iconian's were planning to attack. Their position had stay constant as they had travelled back in time but the Briar Patch was gone... A gas cloud that was an ancient supernova remnant.

His eyes caught Tams and although she was not of a scientific background he could see she had just reached the same conclusion he had.

She heard Q's words her eyes met Keiban's, and Tam felt chills go through her, a look of horror became evident. She knew and could see he knew, this was going to be the creation of the Briar Patch and they will be caught in the middle of it and be destroyed!

"Red alert, bring the shields up to full power and bolster them with emergency reserves and drop life support to minimum levels throughout the docking ring... Tell me that you are here to return us to our time Q? We won't survive the formation of the Briar Patch!" Keiben was on the move, as were his officers.

Tam was moving towards her station then whirled around and looked firmly at Q "If you don't get us out of here, there will be no more games. Unless you are here just to tease and watch our lights go out in one mighty boom! If so, just get off the station and let us be."

Knowing better than to really get into an argument with a Q, Peter did not much more than to keep himself close to the captain just in case. Flashes of memories went through his mind as he kept his eyes on their visitor. For some odd reason he felt no fear at their current predicament, certain that there was something Q wanted them to see. "I think we will survive it," he finally said, locking eyes with Q, "I believe he only wants us to experience this wonder."

"Finally!" Q exclaimed with a great burst of activity. "Someone gets it! Trust it to be a diluted Vulcan, you should all be ashamed of yourselves!" he grinned. "To truly see the creation you must be up close. The sight of a supernova is true beauty... but you are right. Your little station would not survive." he sighed looking at Holt.

"Tell me dear, would a supernova remove that stick from your..." he nodded towards her backside. "Asking for a friend you see, us Q are curious." he joked. "There are always games, you imply that you are important." Q turned to face Keiben. "Captain, I could do as she asks and leave you be?" he asked him.

Tamaska gasped out loud. "No I am not important, just get us out of here please!" Tam's eyes filling with tears, as she was reaching her breaking point.

Mel had not really spoken up to this point but she looked at Peter, two words leaving her mouth “baseball game.”

Well at least she wasn’t killed off this time round, she mused. But this wasn’t welcome news.

Peter nodded, almost imperceptivity as his sharp hearing caught the words.

"Spoil sports." Q clicked his fingers and all readings on the station returned to normal. The upcoming supernova replaced with the view of the Briar Patch. "Plenty of opportunities in the future though."

For a moment though a stray thought flew past him, words followed as he spun around to face the good Doctor D'BrooNi. "You are an interesting one." Q frowned at her. "Not quite the full blooded Trill you should be." he added as his eyes scanned her. "Little T'kon in you."

"Junjie report... Where are we, When are we?" Keiben was still tense, unwilling at this stage to allow himself to relax knowing that this could just be another game played by Q.

Junjie studied over the science console and double checked the reading. " Captain Haistro, It appers the the Q has brought us back to the same exact same spot and condition prior to our departure. I am detecting federation communications network and the subspace harmonics match to our timeline. " junjie felt a lump swell up in his throat. " Captain, We're home. " He looked up at the Q and simply said. " Thank You. "

Peter seemed to relax, but only a fraction, as they were returned to their own time. At least, so it seemed. "What do you mean....T'Kon in her?" It was a genuine question, what did the Q mean by that? "How?"

"Her make up is not solely Trill DNA." Q said simply.

Tia walked up towards the Q. "You need to leave. You've had your fun, you've brought us back. Your Continuum will pat you on your non-corporeal backside and tell you that you were a good boy." Making remarks was one thing, but spilling secrets was too far.

"And so the menace speaks!" Q raised his arms in dramatic fashion as if to draw the crowd in. "Tell me Tiandith... have you told them off all those lives you've taken playing resistance fighter? Hmm? The lives you couldn't save during the Dominion War? Why don't you retreat with your tail between your legs like a good dog... you're good at that as your history has shown." he grinned.

Tia's went to speak but simply shrunk a little as the words hit home more than she'd have liked. Her tactical withdrawals helped save lives at the time but in the long run the Dominion proved too powerful a force for a failing Federations and stalling Starfleet.

"Thats enough Q!" Keiben bellowed as he rounded Tia and drawing himself up to his impressive full height. "We are grateful for your intervention in getting us back home but I will not have you threaten my crew!"

He had squarely placed himself between Tia and Q knowing all to well that the El'aurians and the Q had history but the truth about Tia's heritage had not been apparent until this moment to him. The evasiveness he had sensed within her was to hide her race. He had figured this out but would not divulge this information until she felt comfortable enough to confide in the Captain her truth.

Alena could see that Q was having a lot of fun on Tiandith's expense. She frowned. While he might find it fun, she did not. There was no reason to expose a person's secrets like that. It was more than plain to her that Tiandith wasn't proud of her past. "Sir", she said politely. She looked at the Captain for permission to talk.

"Speak your mind Ensign, always!" Keiben surrendered the floor to his youngest and most inexperienced officer.

"We all have a past. We will all have a point in our lives we won't be proud of. While I can't say I understand Tiandith's past, I do know that it's in the past. She cannot change that. What she can do, is live in the present and forge her future. Personally, I do not see her heritage as a problem. She's still a person. If she's willing to work here, I'm going to give her the respect she deserves as a member here", Alena said.
"I'm sure even you, Mr. Q, have something you'd rather not talk about. My point is that a person's past is in the past. It cannot be changed. You can only live in the present, and make sure the future you want will happen. I'm not saying everyone gets the future they want, but it is a thing you have to work for".

Q's grin nearly flew up to meet his ears, his eyes with a devilish glint in them. "Is that what your mother told you about why your father left child? That he chose to forge his future somewhere else?" He said whilst mockingly balling up his first and rolling them under his eyes to simulate crying. "You should talk to Keiben here, his species can be quite fleeting with their love." He winked at Keiben.

"I can promise you I have quite happily wiped species off the universal map with nary a thought. I don't feel guilt, simply amusement or dissatisfaction. I can quite easily change what has been if it stirs me, I could go back and revive the Brothaeians." He sighed. "Sometimes I forget your kind can see things in such two dimensional terms. Why work for a future you can just have whenever you want?" He asked rhetorically.

As a Q he existed everywhere at once, every time period continuously. His emotional scope far exceeded that of others, or arguably was wholly diminished by ego and bravado. He saw, heard, and knew all. Frankly most of the time he just annoyed people for fun. Just for the mischief of it all.

He plagued Earth for a long time so much so the Norse people branded him as Loki, God of Mischief and Lies. A title he holds with great pride.

" Why work for a future? " Junjie repeated the Q's question. " Because we want a better future for ourselves and our prosperity. We desire to travel, explore and learn. " Junjie glanced towards the Q. " And because it's the only thing we can do, I can't snap my fingers and get the results I desire, Even if I could would I? " He asked. " Knowing everything might be exciting for awhile, But what happens to the thrill of discovering something new and the joy of sharing the knowledge with others? Wouldn't that make things boring after awhile? " Junjie asked the question in all honesty.

Alena sighed. While her father was quite a sore point, she had instead had her mother and Mrs. Anderson. "I wish I knew his reasons for leaving", she said slowly. "But Ma and Mrs. Anderson made sure I knew Ì was loved. That my father could have had his reasons for leaving. Whether it had something to do with me, I don't know. But I grew up in the care of two incredible women, who taught me the things I value", she went on, looking directly at Q. "You are brutally honest, I'll give you that. You seem... a bit all over the place. Like you are everywhere and yet nowhere", she added, thoughtful. "I wonder whether your games could actually teach us more than what you are telling us now", she thought aloud. "Not that I'm currently interested in games. I'd like nothing more than a good book and the time to read it right now"

Tamaska looked around, a smile going from ear to ear, they were home! They were most definitely back in their own time! What was going on in the current discussion/argument with Q seemed like just the crashing of the waves upon the shore. Her feelings of distress leaving at least at the moment. Her gaze focused back onto Q, all the conversation now coming back into focus.

"Q, thank you for bringing us back, that is a true blessing. We could keep arguing back and forth of some of the rude things that you've said or the revelations of people's personal backgrounds." she still had the muzzle in her hand, then Tam stated, "We are tired, hungry, feeling in a bit of shock as to where we were at. I am afraid that right now our other witty selves are not quite up to par. Perhaps when we are more rested, another exchange of words, and wise cracks would be a bit more fun for us and you." a twinkle in her eyes, no longer glowering at Q.

Peter held his breath as the term 'be careful what you wish for' raced through his mind. He stepped up to Alena and placed his hand on her shoulder. "You are who you are thanks to those that supported you growing up," he told her, "the presence or absence of your father has no bearing on that. I know from experience, as I barely remember my own father." He glanced around at tue gathered group of people. "We do need rest, and time to settle ourselves. I agree with commander Holt."

Alena nodded her agreement, grateful for Commander Horn's support. "The past forms us to what we are today. The present is like a blank canvas we can paint as we please. I guess you can compare it a bit to life. Choosing a color, or make a choice in life, will affect the canvas and the life we live", Alena said thoughtfully.

"Well your camaraderie has truly made me sick to see." Q spoke with a grin still. "As our lovely Holty has said I must come back when you are all well rested and ready for games. A very fine suggestion Commander." He said with a wink. "I knew you had potential! I'll see you all soon, don't worry about that. I think I've found new toys!" He giggled slightly sinister before vanishing in a blinding light before everyone present.

Just as the dust settled a small flash appeared inside the muzzle of Commander Holt. A 3rd place finish ribbon with a note saying 'good girl' on it.

Keiben let out a breath he had not realised he had been holding and glanced around the room.
"Something tells me we haven't seen the last of him!" his tone was dry but his body was aching and tired as Tam and some of the others had already suggested. "Let's do a quick rundown of systems and then call in the back up Ops crew... We all need some down time!"

END

 

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