Back to Port

Posted on 25 May 2017 @ 3:31pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Aren Ban & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant Amaranai Franklin & Commander Marisa Wyatt & Ensign Miraj Derani & Ensign Mimi & Ambassador Soral Varro & Petty Officer 1st Class Eviess & Petra Varelli Ph.D.

2,193 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Starbase 234 / USS Chaka - Cargo Bay 1
Timeline: MD -32, 1117 hrs

[ON]

In the near distance, the looming and brightly-lit mushroom appearance of Starbase 234 became larger and larger in USS Chaka's main viewscreen. The Saber-class' journey from the Klingon Neutral Zone back to its home port had taken about twelve days at standard warp cruise speed, during which the adventure had taken a toll on the entire crew. It wasn't easy for a small starship to accommodate an influx of 20+ persons for over a week nor were the linger questions surrounding their appearance aboard a Romulan warbird easy to answer.

This was one of the reasons for the ferry, and also why Chaka's crew had remain tight-lipped throughout the journey. Rumors often spread quickly within confined spaces such as starships and those of the Galileo crew were no exception. Some wondered if they were mutineers and traitors to the Federation on their way back to the starbase for interrogation, while others suspected they'd been on an undercover mission the entire time and the destruction of their Nova-class had been staged.

Whatever the truth was, the Galileans wouldn't be aboard Chaka for much longer. The small patrol frigate exchanged a few brief messages with the starbase's docking controllers then was given permission to proceed into the secondary resupply facility. One of Starbase 234's massive external bay doors opened up to allow the starship to enter, and within fifteen minutes of arrival, they were hard-docked inside of the base.

Captain Kyjek's voice sounded across the shipwide comm channel. "All hands, we are now docked at Starbase 234. Proceed with resupply and rearmament protocols."


Deck 5, Cargo Bay 1

Almost immediately after the captain had spoken his message over the intercom, the cargo bay doors parted and Lieutenant Paren entered with several PADDs clutched in her hands. The young Ops chief had now become a familiar presence to the Galileo survivors after almost two weeks of working with her, and her first job was to get them ready to depart.

"Mornin'," she said as she casually strolled into the crowded supply bay. "Captain's said we just docked so I guess it time to get you all packed up to go. Base command wants to talk to some of you before you get back to Earth," she revealed while glancing around at the survivors. "Does anyone still need medical assistance or any special accommodations?"

Marisa spent most of her time on the Chaka listening to people talk. Many were scared, worried about what they would face when they got to the starbase. She reassured them as much as she could, but mostly she just listened. The two weeks had given her arm time to heal completely, and she'd managed not to make a fool of herself in front of the commander, so it had been a good trip, overall. But now that they were here, she had to rely on her Vulcan training to not show that she was nervous.

"Yes!" Allyndra called out. "Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim, second officer and chief medical officer. We have several people still with injuries." She stepped forward with her own PaDD and handed it over. "Here is the manifest of still injured and their medical conditions. I have two with some severe neurological problems. Several crew members still recovering, some needing more advanced medical treatment due to deep injuries. That is not to mention a few that are suffering from psychological stress."

Paren took note of the CMO's request and entered some quick notations into the largest of the PADDs that she held in her hands. "...Two crew with neurological ailments...several more with varying other problems..." she muttered to herself while she entered the data into her log. She'd hoped the doctor could have been more precise with her diagnoses, but since the passengers were about to be transferred, it didn't bother her too much. "Alright. Well your patients have priority for offloading at the airlock. Go and see to them and get them ready to go," she instructed to the Akkadian. "Starbase medical can take over once you get them off our starship."

"Yes, of course. All preliminary diagnosis, charts, medications are there for them. Thank you." Allyndra could not help but feel that was a bit of cold reception but she had other things to think about right now.

Having been stationed on several different types of vessels in her career, Amaranai was not unaccustomed to small, cramped spaces. However, the cargo bay was a little straining. She was happy that she was on the smaller side but sad that she and Lirha hadn't had more time with each other alone. They had been able to find a few moments together, but it wasn't enough for Amaranai. She was hoping for time with Lirha once the hearings were finished.

She watched the lieutenant when she entered and explained that the ship had docked at Starbase 234. Amaranai was happy for the arrival at the starbase, if for nothing else than to get her own private quarters, even if it was for a short time before they were transported to Earth.

Aren slowly stood. He had been given more medical treatment, and the stab wound was healing nicely, resulting in some stiffness in his back. He was glad that to be at the starbase but knew that there was going to be a difficult road ahead for them all. He had spent the better part of the last 12 days going over all the logs and reports of the events that had happened over the last few months. Aren had spent some time going over them with Lirha, adding addendum where appropriate. Outwardly he exuded confidence and relief, inwardly, he was nervous. There was going to be a lot of difficult questions to answer.

He grabbed his meager items before stepped over to Lieutenant Paren and extending his hand. "Lieutenant Paren, before things start getting to busy, on behalf of the crew, I want to thank you for all assistance you have given us over the last two weeks. It hasn't been easy for anyone, but we appreciate the support and the assistance non the less." Aren said with smile.

"Don't thank me, commander, thank the cappy," Paren replied with a light and unconcerned voice. "Kyjek might be a Vulcan but we all respect him. He's got us through some tough encounters over the last three years." She studied Ban for a brief moment before adding in a final note. "I don't know where you've all been for the last three months, but welcome home."

Marisa looked around the cargo bay as they gathered their belongings. She felt...disconnected. Although she'd been welcomed into the group, Starfleet had the final say in where she went from here. Would they transfer her to another ship since the Cartagena was gone? Would any of them be able to stay together? She looked at the commander for a long moment, her thoughts carefully masked. She had many reasons for wanting to stay with the Galileo, but she needed to file a report with Starfleet about the loss of the Cartagena and put in a request. Then she would simply have to hope.

Luke was finally off his crutches and stood to one side silently observing the crew as they gathered their things, for him he knew their journey wasn't over and there was bound to be questioned as to why they didn't come back with their ship, he also guessed that some of these people he'd never see again and hoped whatever or whoever they ended up doing they would be happy.

Abbey pulled up next to Luke "I'm sure they will be fine, they're a strong bunch" She said knowing exactly how he was feeling, she felt it once when she was forced to leave her entire universe. He turned to her and smiled before leaning and kissing her forehead.

Luke pulled back crossing his arms "What are you doing once the interviews are over?" He asked. "You could always join me and Miraj"?

Abbey shook her head and pretended to be sick. "And have to walk around with you two all loved up, I'd rather get into a relationship with a Borg drone" She teased smiling before hugging him as hard as she could. "Thank you for accepting me"

He chuckled hugging her back and shrugging "Just make sure you don't get into trouble and please don't do anything I wouldn't" Luke and Abbey's relationship had grown with each day and though some people would have cracked (like many had) their bond kept getting stronger. Abbey detached herself from him smiled, punched his arm before disappearing into the crowd of the Galileo gathering, her laugh following after her.

Wiping some of the sleep from her eyes after being awoken by the short Chaka Ops officer, Saalm regained her senses and slowly rose out of her sleeping bag and to her feet. She looked around at the crew in order to gauge their sentiments, but so far all she could sense was the same lingering doubt and uncertainty that'd plagued them since they'd first arrived on board the Saber-class. A select few seemed to be in better spirits but the rest appeared to be subdued.

"Get your personal belongings and fold up your sleeping accommodations," Saalm instructed her crew. She didn't want them to leave the cargo bay a mess for the other crew to clean up. "We leave in two minutes."

After shaking hands with Lt. Paren, Aren moved to stand near Lirha. He watched as the crew moved with speed and intensity, a faint hint of excitement and relief could almost be felt as they would all be returning to the Federation. "One step closer." Aren said to Lirha, as he watched more of the crew gather there things.

Saalm looked over and up at the taller Trill commander. A forced smile graced her lips in acknowledgement of the sentiment. "Yes. From here, Earth should only be another month's journey. I just hope we don't have to spend the remainder of it in another cargo bay," she smirked.

A brief smile appeared. It felt like an eternity since he had felt genuine happiness, but here it was. "There are worse ways to spend month." Aren pointed out. He briefly remembered the endless droning of Professor Suval at the academy and his in depth analysis of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition. That had been the only class that had bored Aren so thoroughly that he was pretty sure that he dozed off a time or two, which was the first and only time that that had ever happened to him.

Petra quickly picked up everything she'd collected, carefully packing it into a small carryall. Then she organized her sleeping area as need as she could for easy recycling.

When Lt Paren walked in Mimi rolled onto her side and listened to what she had to say. Dropping her sleeping bag down first she jumped down off the storage crates she was perched on landing smoothly despite the height. Rousing a couple of crewmen that were somehow still asleep she got them to sort their stuff out quickly.

Varro watched from the window as the starbase grew closer. For the first time in a long time he felt happy. The last months had been trying and he was glad to be back amongst Starfleet. He hurried from the sight of the approaching docking area to pack what little he had. He wanted off this ship and onto the starbase. He needed some time to himself, time to think.

Marisa neatly cleaned up her area -- although it was already tidy -- and prepared to leave the ship. She was looking forward to a hot bath, a soft bed, and a chance to go dancing on the holodeck.

Eviess distanced herself from Varro and Eelim. She picked up JJ and headed to sickbay to make sure the child was okay but also to take care of a development in her own health.

Miraj stepped off the transporter to see several white uniformed Medical staff who beckoned her over. She went without much enthusiasm. She was banned from flying, maybe for life. Allyndra had told her she really needed Starfleet Medical, back on Earth. The best facilities in this part of the galaxy, some of the greatest medical minds of the generation. This crew, from a tiny starbase, no more than a resupply point wouldn't be able to help. Help seemed an impossibly long way away. It would just be a larger amount of room to be miserable in.

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer

Commander Aren Ban
Executive Officer

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Counselor

Petra Varelli
Forensic Anthropologist
[PNPC Sandoval]

Ambassador Soral Varro
Diplomat

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer

Lt Cmdr Luke Wyatt
Third and Strategic Operations Officer

ENS Abbey St. James
Security/Tactical Officer
[PNPC Wyatt]

PO Eviess
Medical Officer
[PNPC Varro]

Enisgn Miraj Derani

Lt. jg Amaranai Franklin
Assistant Chief Security / Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Paren
Chief of Operations
USS Chaka
[NPC Saalm]

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