Heading down

Posted on Thu Dec 31st, 2020 @ 9:38pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Chief Petty Officer Remal Kajun

Mission: Healing of Minds
Location: Bajor

The USS Liberty slid effortlessly into a standard orbit of Bajor, her crew ready for some challenges whilst their Captain headed down to the planet to address her own challenges. Kaylen looked with trepidation at the blue and green spinning planet beneath them, almost afraid to cast aside her Starfleet responsibilities for a short time and focus on herself and her husband's devotion to their Prophets - who apparently were not impressed with either of them.

"Signal the provisional government and let them know we are ready to beam down with the Orb" Rhenora advised, standing from her command chair. Savar would be in command until she returned, a challenge he was more than capable of achieving.

"They have advised coordinates Ma'am" the Ops officer advised.

" She's yours now Savar, make sure you bring her back in one piece" there was a lightness in her tone as she tossed the comment over her shoulder as she left the bridge, a testament to the faith she held in her first officer.

Remal would be meeting her in the transporter room with the Orb, safety ensconced in its timber ark and away from prying eyes and minds.

In their quarters, dressed and ready for an adventure on Bajor, Remal stared at the box with disdain. The box which contained the orb of elemental prophecy had been lost to its rightful home for a long time. Or rather known to the locals as "A tear of the prophets." He scoffed as he placed his massive hands on the shelf on either side of the box.

"Tears denote sadness. What could you possibly have been sad about to have shed so many tears?" His rhetorical question was not answered by the box nor by the works of literature and scholars throughout the ages for which he was an in-depth student. So much was written about the experiences gained from the orbs but not much about their origin. Even after knowledge from Starfleet confirmed that Alien beings sent them to Bajor, the close minded nature of the populace, and a smidge of stubbornness, kept the origin shrouded in mystery.

Remal was beginning to see a truth behind the tears even as he lifted the box from its mantle and tucked it into his arms for safe keeping. He then made his way to the transporter room, arriving shortly before his wife. As she walked in his mind drifted back through time to the moment he first learned she existed, a completely different orb and a completely different time.

He was young then. Not a boy, not yet a man and very much a rebellious youth. The orb was a random encounter but it had shown him a future with her, a beach, a house and children playing. For years after, he devoted his life to study with the Vedic Brotherhood who were not easy to please. It was during this time he built in reality that which the vision demanded of him and more. "Ready to get this over with?" He asked.

"Damned straight" she admitted with a little more anguish and aggression than she intended. She wanted nothing more than to get this over with so they could get on with their lives without interference. Then again, it was her that wanted the damn orb in the first place. Damn inquisitive tendencies. For the first time she experienced trepidation about returning to their Homeworld.

"Why does this suddenly seem so hard?" She asked, a touch of fear in her eyes. Only her husband could tell when she was anything other than 100 percent confident and in control.

"It wouldn't be a challenge of faith if it were meant to be easy." He answered through a trepidation of his own. He would have taken her hand but he knew better than to do so in front of the transporter crewman. "The Kai guard will be waiting and then we can take a transport to the monastery and get this started."

" I wish it didn't have to be a challenge of faith at all. I feel we've almost been railroaded into this" she admitted quietly as the swirling colour of the transporter took them.

She had little idea he felt the same way. With each new orb experience he felt less and less like he was in control of his own destiny. Like his path was no longer his own to tread, instead being laid out in front so effortlessly.

The air on Bajor was cool, comfortably so with a light breeze carrying wisps of scent from nearby trees and flowers. She looked around for the Kai guard that would meet them and spied them standing stoically by the archway.

"Here we go" she said as they stepped forward off the platform

Despite holding the orb, he allowed her, as Captain of the Liberty, to take the lead. He followed her steps closely, and was ready to present himself in a regal fashion should the need arise. The guards were decked out in their finest attire for receiving such a precious gift, though Remal was wondering why there wasn’t a Vedic on hand to bless the reception.

She strode forward, then measured her steps slightly to draw beside Remal rather than lead him. They were one in the eyes of the Prophets, one no more important or privileged than the other.

" The Orb" she said simply as they approached the clerics, indicating the ark safely within Remal's grasp.

As Remal handed off the Orb to one of the clerics, the cleric acknowledged him by name. "Remal."

In return Remal nodded and answered formally, "Derrick." Once the Orb was no longer in his possession he asked informally, "How is the family?"

"Doing well thanks. Just bought a house in Dresden and our third child will be born in a month or so."

"That's great news. I'm glad you're doing well." He noticed Rhenora eyeing him from the side. "Pardon me, manners, Derrick Bo, this is my wife Captain Rhenora Kaylen of the USS Liberty. Rhenora, Bo." He finished concluding introductions and ended with, "I counseled Derrick after the occupation ended, he is a good man."

"A pleasure to meet you Bo" Rhenora smiled partially in relief that the Orb was now out of their hands and partially out of pleasantries.

"The pleasure is all mine." He looked back to Remal. "Is she thee Rhenora?"

Remal smiled, "The very same." He responded leaving everything as vague as it should be. He was sure she would ask about the exchange when they were alone. "So is there no Vedic on duty?"

"Sorry no. Vedic Ozark is away on official business. We will make sure the Orb is well placed and under guard until Ozarks return. Thank you again and congratulations on your bonding."

Remal bowed, "Thank you. Please give our regards." He then waited for Rhenora to conclude before they turned and left. They had a transport shuttle standing ready to haul them to Darkur Province where the Brotherhood had a mission in the mountain region.

Once out of earshot she looked at her husband with a wry smile "it appears I have a reputation" she said as they headed for the transport.

Sheepishly he replied,"I may have mentioned you a few times over the years." His smile could not hide the joy he felt inside just having her near him, like a prize won at the county fair after years of trial and practice. His tribulations were over, or so he thought.